We would like to say a very big Thank You to SJSS for hosting Raffles Institution’s Lower Secondary students on our visit to SJSS last Friday (22 Jan 2016).



It was a very good learning experience for the students and teachers in RI. We enjoyed your students’ very interesting presentations on the six topics on Japanese Etiquette. Your students had presented very well with very good self-confidence. We thought that the interactions between students of both schools had achieved the primary objective of using English as a medium of communication. There were also opportunities for some of our students who learn Japanese as a Third Language to practise speaking Japanese with their new Japanese friends. We were also happy to see that although many students were initially rather shy, they managed to break the ice after a while.



We appreciate your students’ and teachers’ sharing of experiences of each topic, the demonstrations of what is good etiquette on the train, how to greet teachers, how should one show respect to one’s ancestors at the graveyard and so on. For students who had not had the opportunity to visit Japan, the learning of Japanese Etiquette will make them look forward to their first trip to Japan in the future. And for some of us teachers and some students who have been to Japan, the sharing session makes us want to visit Japan again, and this time, we will be equipped with even more knowledge of the rich and interesting culture of Japan and the way of life in Japan.



For example, from NHK television serials Oshin shown in Singapore in early 1980s, I learnt the difference between a furisode kimono and a tomesode kimono. I did not know the significance of the various colour themes of the Japanese kimonos for ladies, until last Friday! It was such an eye-opener for me when I realised that if I ever have the chance to wear a kimono, I should wear purple, no longer bright colours like red, yellow or even green! And yes, you can guess my age range now.



Once again, thank you very much for giving us the privilege to visit your school again this year. We are now busy preparing our students for our upcoming science experiential learning session on Thurs 25 Feb. We are very excited to welcome SJSS back again at Raffles Institution.



See you soon!