Welcome

After a great day at Seaworld, we returned to Sammu City Town Hall for the official welcome. 
As the bus arrived, the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Educational Board members and families awaited with flags flying. 

Once we disembarked and unloaded the bus, we all went to the Town Hall for the official welcome.  Although warned, I don't think our children realised how many people would be there. 

The Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Education Board superintendent, Deputy superintendent, and a Sammu City student representative presented speeches. 
Rhys, who was probably the best speaker of the night, and I replied. 

Our ākonga then did a beautiful waiata and enthusiastic haka; our hosts enjoyed both. Sammy City responded with a beautiful choral item. Ourbervousstudents then introduced themselves in Japanese. 

Our students then met their host families, too, with lots of flag-waving and photos. The host families were very excited to meet our students, and whole families were there to greet them. 

When we had finished having a few drinks and snacks, everyone looked relaxed and excited, heading off for their homestay experience. 

We were very proud of our students through the ceremonies, as I’m sure you will be as you read this. 

Neville, Ting, Karyn, and I then went out to a traditional restaurant with Mr T and the two Educational Board staff members, who have the dubious honour of looking after us for the next few days,  before finally having an appreciated early night back at the motel. 

We won't see our students today. They will be off doing exciting things with their homestay families, and we will see them at School on Monday. 


We are getting ready for the official welcome.


The welcoming committee and homestay families


Waiata


Ezra meeting his homestay family. Note he was one of the last and the Mayor in the background was still watching and excited for everyone. 

The Mayor, Dep Mayor, Education Board Reps and us. 

Comments

  1. John (Amelie's dad)28 September 2024 at 18:36

    Thanks for these updates, Mr Johnston! Awesome to hear details about the official welcome!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Pakuranga Intermediate28 September 2024 at 19:17

    Konnichi wa team! Looks like you have all had an excellent start and I'm sure you are enjoying your time with your homestays right now. I look forward to hearing all the stories when you get back. Don't forget to practice your Japanese and try and learn some new words.

    ReplyDelete

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