At YHJS, we hold a variety of events each year. These are held to make the curriculum more exciting and to give children living abroad the opportunity to have authentic Japanese cultural experiences. The events also deepen friendships and give students beautiful memories they will be able to keep with them for life.
Entrance Ceremony
Each March, we hold an Entrance Ceremony which celebrates the enrolment of first-year students in Kindergarten, Primary School and Middle School. We also hold three opening ceremonies at the beginning of each term. The ceremony involves welcoming the new pupils with speeches that explain the school’s ethos and taking commemorative group photos. .
Calligraphy Day
Every year in January, the YHJS holds a calligraphy session to celebrate the start of the year. This is open to all students from Year three onwards. Pupils really look forward to this event because they get a chance to write kanji characters with Japanese ink and brush on special hanshi rice paper.
Biannual Bazaar
We have a bazaar twice a year – once in spring and once in autumn. Parents and children can bring old toys, clothes, story books, etc. to sell in order to raise money for the school. The bazaar is one of the children’s favourite events with lots of bargains to be found.
Sports Day
This is a huge event! The children are split into two teams, one red and white. They then compete in a variety of traditional games to win points for their team. Games include Tug of War, Ball into Baskets, Relay, Obstacle Courses and much, much more! At the end of Sports Day, we announce the winning team and then all celebrate together with a giant picnic.
Recitations
At YHJS, we hold a school reading recital in autumn. The nursery children usually perform a play, while the primary and secondary school students perform prose and poetry they have learnt in their textbooks. It is an exciting event that students look forward to as they practice their parts for weeks with their teachers.
Christmas Party
At YHJS we celebrate Christmas in style. Each year, we have a visit from Santa, who even hands out presents to the nursery children. We also play lots of games, including pass the parcel, musical chairs and bingo. On top of this, we all sit down and enjoy a delicious Christmas dinner together.
Observation Day
Each year, we give parents the opportunity to sit in class and watch our amazing teachers at work. The students are excited and look forward to this opportunity for their parents to see how they have been studying.
Graduation Ceremony
Every year in March, a graduation ceremony is held. Current students, teachers and parents celebrate the new beginnings of the older kindergarten students, sixth-graders and third-graders in the primary school and junior high school. On this occasion, a completion ceremony is also held, bringing the year of school life to a close