Thursday, December 4, 2008

Kitagata Elementary School & International Dinner with Kanagawa Scout Council

In all honesty, today's trip wasn't one we were all looking forward to, but having done it anyway, we were pleasantly surprised. It was a short visit to Kitagata Elementary School. Unfortunately the school is very sticky about photography because the students were not "media friendly". We are not allowed to publish any of their students' photos, but here's a lot of us in the school anyway.

We arrived to the excitement of the students who were glad to practice the simple English phrases which they were taught to memorise. Phrases such as "Hello", "Good Morning" and "How do you do?". We were told that the Japanese curriculum for English focusses on teaching vocabulary, so Japanese students know many English words and their translation to Japanese, however having the lack of grammar, they are unable to communicate in English confidently.

Some of us are glad to be studying in Singapore as our lessons are more interesting and interactive. However what was impressive about Kitagata Elementary was their focus on Visual Arts and Music. In the closing programme, the students from Grades 5 and 6 performed the playing of recorder, singing and the band played the theme of Indiana Jones, much to the delight of the Singaporean contingent (see video).

Right after the performance, we were back to the classes for school lunch. In Japan, Elementary Schools provide lunch for their students as a means to control their diet. The lunch was a healthy balance and prevented the students from eating unhealthy food or eating excessively. We left the school after a short closing speech from the Vice Principal and presentation of tokens.

As we returned to Nojima, the remianing groups who have not performed practiced in preparation for their performance in the evening. Time in the afternoon flew past so quickly that before we knew it, it was time to gather for the International Dinner.

The mood in the entire campsite was one of excitement as Cub Scouts, Scouts, Leaders and Parent Volunteers arrived from all over Kanagawa, Tokyo. The dinner began with a few formalities... speeches from the Commissioner, Scout and Cub Scout representing the Kanagawa Council, as well as from a Sub-Camp Chief and Cub Scout representing the Singapore Contingent.

Dinner was a great way to break ice and for Scouts and Leaders to mingle, talk and exchange namecards, scarves and badges. The Singaporeans also got so many origami handicrafts, it was impossible to count.

The night ended with the impressive performances from us "Skipping Mustapha", the River Valley RaVens with Radin Mas Dragons "Chan Mali Chan", and Yangzheng Yueng Ching Open Scouts "Fancy Drill". We bid farewell to the Japanese Scouts and Leaders in the same way we did with the Scouts and Leaders of Osaka at the Osaka Prefecture Children's Centre.
With that, Day 9 was over. We all went for our bath before bed with mixed feelings since we'll be on our way back to Singapore soon. Sigh. Otter led us in our daily reflections tonight.

No comments: