By BRIDGET COOK
A GROUP of Japanese students got a taste of the Australian way of life while they were on exchange at Alkira Secondary College last week.
The Cranbourne North school welcomed 20 exchange students and three teachers from Chikushi High School in Japan last week who were all hosted by school families.
The school gave the visitors a taste of some typical Aussie culture and food and also provided them with educational experiences on the English language, animals and the country’s history.
Principal Ian McKenzie said the hosts carried out a range of activities with the exchange group.
“They spent a large part of their time immersed in the study of English,” he said.
“The students were introduced to Banjo Patterson poems and iconic stories like the gumnut babies
“They enjoyed learning about Aussie rules, playing footy and learnt to cook meat pies.
“They were also introduced to the development of Australian culture through the study of history – early and recent.
“On their final day at school they were treated to an Aussie barbecue lunch.”
The students were also treated to a visit to Healesville Sanctuary which tied in with a visit from Aboriginal Elder Murrindindi to the school on Wednesday.
“Murrindindi regaled them with Dreamtime stories, simple aboriginal words, art, song and music with the didgeridoo,” he said.
“He linked their visit to Healesville and the unique animals they saw there with the Dreamtime stories.
“He even had a boomerang throwing session with them and, no, they all didn’t come back.”
