H2U Vol 7 Issue 6 June 2008 - Highcliffe School

the dance the second time
round.
Overall, it was a great experience
for all concerned
with both Japanese and
English students and families
learning about each
other's cultures and lifestyles.
More than that,
though, both sets of students
found that remoteness
of language, culture
and country need not present
an obstacle to forging
an enjoyable friendship.
The people of Hiroshima,
having been the first to
suffer the devastation of
an atomic bombing are
acutely aware of the consequences
of building up
barriers between nationalities
and the failure to see
each other as individuals
first. Programmes like
these and the connections
made between families
and the students are step
towards ensuring such terrible
things do not happen
again.
The programme works because
of one thing - the
hospitality shown to the
students by the school and
the families. I would like to
take this opportunity once
again to thank all those
who helped in the school in
ways both big and small.
Finally, I would like to
thank the buddies and the
buddies' families without
whose efforts and enthuasiasm
this successful and
enjoyable programme
would not work.
The students who took
part were:Adam Davies,
Ryan Davies, Eleanor Drewett,
Erin Hill, Kathryn
Johnston, Matteo Monteregge,
Sarah Robinson,
Annabelle Sami and
Megan Way.
When I speak to students
and families in the run-up
to the exchange a few
people express reservations
because of the cultural
distance. I would
say that there is no need
to hesitate at all. Those
who have decided to host
have always found it an
immensely rewarding and
enjoyable experience as
the quote at
the beginning tesitfies.
So, if you're interested,
please let me
know and look out for
information around January
2009. In the meantime,
we are looking forward
to visiting Japan in
October this year.
Report by Mr Bryden
Postscript
Mr Bryden is too modest to
mention it but on the back
of his work on the exchange
programme the
school has been asked by
the British Council to be
the lead school here in
England for the launch of
the International School
Award programme in Japan.
A member of the school
will be going out to Tokyo
in August to address a
conference of interested
schools in Japan. We look
forward to bringing you
news of this project as it
develops.
The Editor
Page 20 H2U, Vol 7 Issue , Year 10 Special - June 2008