The end of July means - back to school ..

So, another holiday has come to an end and tomorrow, back to school I go; but we don’t have students until the 24th.

This break included family time both in Australia and Belgium. I visited Adelaide for a week to spend time with the oldest and younger members of the family and then to Leuven (via Paris) for the wedding of my oldest niece, Hannah. This was a lovely casual garden affair and a great celebration.
Photos of Paris and Leuven

The rest of my time was spent in two countries that I had not previously visited, Estonia and Finland and I loved them both. I did hit the jackpot with the height of their summer and the temperature was a glorious 22 degrees most days! The perfect travelling weather.

As I well and truly needed a break, with little taxing brain activity, I spent most days walking whilst taking in the beauty of the architecture as well as the design, the parks and bays and the food. Walking barefoot and lying on the grass was a true delight.

I found Tallinn to be quite edgy - the Russian influence was very visible in its suburban houses, and the old town was stunning but the new creative areas are really thriving, as is the  food culture.

More photos of Tallinn

The history of design in Finland is quite remarkable and I enjoyed learning more about the impact their designers have had on the world and continue to do so! The city is also very easy to get around and is dotted with parks, and rocky outcrops, on which the locals and I enjoyed the sunshine.   More photos of Helsinki

 

  

A strong finish ..

It is official - the school year is done. There was plenty of work to be done right to the very end but I am very proud to say that a huge impact has been made and it was a very positive finish.
Next year will not be easy, but at least I know how the systems, events and people work, so that is a big step ahead.

Highlights over the last few weeks have been rice planting with the Grade 5’s and our sister school. This is indeed a muddy job, but I now know how they achieve such straight rows - with a guiding piece of string!

 

I also had a weekend away in Karuizawa, which is in the mountains an hour north of Tokyo on the shinkansen. A couple of my friends run a half marathon but I just enjoyed being in the countryside, with its quiet and greenery and the local specialty - soba noodles.

                                        
The Grade 9 Graduation is a very big affair, and it all went smoothly and the girls looked great in their kimonos. I have promised that I will wear one in my last year!!

                                                       
There has still been plenty to do and see, out and about, but now I am really for a lot of rest and relaxation in Australia and Europe.

   

The unexpected colours of Tokyo

Colour and culture have been highlights of the last few weeks, as has a distinct change in the weather, so the shorts and t-shirts are now back out on show.
The cherry blossom came and went and was spectacular, but I have been just as impressed by the spring blooms around the city. I never excepted to see such abundance of flower beds and streets lined with hedges of azaleas.
Photos of the cherry blossom

I have managed to go to three amazing exhibitions displaying the work of Yayoi Kusama, David Bowie and 21st century athletes. The Coldplay concert was another highlight, as has visiting some tranquil parks and seeing the displays for children's day.


       
The highlights at school have been working with our learning consultant from the UK, finalising our recruitment for next year, attending the middle school drama and spring concerts, interviewing the Senior Vice President of Google, who is an alumni of the school and being up close and personal with Prince and Princess Akishino at the IB Conference! The big fundraising Gala evening was also a blast - so many laughs and so much dancing. So, there is never a dull moment.

There are now only six weeks until the end of the school year - how it has flown and yet so much has been achieved! Happy days...

It's all work

It is time for another break - a week of Spring Break, and how pleased I am that the days are finally starting to warm up. It is a true delight to be able to go out without a coat and to see the flowers that are in bloom.

School has certainly continued to consume most of my time but good progress is being made and some exciting developments are not too far away. Since the end of January I have also had a trip to Singapore to accompany 12 students to an International Drama Festival, have a week in the snow with the entire middle school and also make a quick three day trip to Amsterdam to attend a conference on Intercultural Learning and the 2030 graduate. So, there is plenty of variety - but it is work!!

My knee prevented me from skiing, as downhill was the only option but it was great to see how the students interacted so well and to just admire the amazing scenery. The students really do not know how lucky they are. There was plenty of snow,  and the runs basically empty.

When the time and energy permits, I am still enjoying walking to different areas of the city, often to investigate different coffee shops and restaurants and to different festivals. This week, I will be heading to couple of exhibitions, attending the world IB Conference in Yokohama and hopefully having an hanami party under the blossom of a cherry blossom.

 

A break from winter!

20 weeks in Tokyo … that is all it has been … and now it is time for a little warmth and relaxation at home in Australia for Christmas.

The pace of life at school continued at full speed and what we have achieved has been remarkable, but it will be very nice to take a breather. Having said that, I do appreciate the calm and quiet that Tokyo has to offer. It really is contrary to how the city is portrayed in the media. When I have a moment, I enjoy walking to different parts of the city - to the parks, the various events and the shopping districts.


I am also getting used to the cold, especially when there are days of beautiful blue sky, but I am not looking forward to February, the coldest month. Snow in November was a surprise - the first time in 54 years and I realise I do need to be a little better prepared for the range of weather eventualities. Snow boots, wellies and a longer down jacket are high up on the shopping list.

I have also come to appreciate just how easy it is to get out of Tokyo and to explore the countryside. A school service learning trip to Minamisanriku, the town that was destroyed by the tsunami in 2011 was fascinating and  despite the background, was highly enjoyable. The stories the people shared were heartbreaking, yet they are now in such good spirits and are just getting on with the rebuilding of their town.
                           
An overnight trip to Atami on the coast, with three colleagues was most refreshing as well. We headed up to the hills to be rewarded with a sneak peak of Mt Fuji, but also soaked up the views of the ocean and the coastline. The highlight, however, was the 7 course dinner which we enjoyed wearing our yukata’s (like the 200 other people in the hotel) and the show!

 

There have also been some lovely celebrations to enjoy. A thanksgiving dinner, the 60th birthday of the head of school and my 50th!! How did that happen? But, in a good place I am!

And now, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

I made it - to Fall Break

What a whirlwind it has been, but I now have my first break from Nishimachi and am heading to Kuala Lumpur for a few days of relaxation before a leadership conference.

A little down time is well and truly needed as to say the least, school has been full on.

On the school roof

Not only have I been getting to know staff, students and processes (many of which are unwritten) but we have also had a few major events: Open Campus, Food Fair, Camps, a visiting consultant to begin the process of our new strategic plan and a Halloween festival. And, for those of you who were worried about what I would be doing with my day considering I don't have a teaching load - much of my days are taken up by the likes of: learning observations, assemblies, management meetings, curriculum meetings, PTA meetings, parent presentations, board meetings, trustee meetings etc .. Plus, I am re-energising the Grade 9 program and am meeting with various parents and teachers to get them on board.

Let’s just say there have been many challenges from many fronts, but I am enjoying it all and feel that I am having an impact to lift the quality of teaching and learning.

Not only have there been challenges at school, but in also setting up my apartment, but it is now all sorted and I feel very settled. As new staff, we are provided with rental furniture for the first two months with an option to buy back, but as expected it is quite expensive. So, after a full week at school I would be then making trips to Ikea and Nitori (Japanese Ikea), plus electrical stores to acquire all that I need. My measuring tape lived permanently in my bag, as even getting a bin to fit the space I had was a challenge. But after constructing a sofa, table and chairs, coffee table, bed, bedside tables, sofa bed, desk and filling cabinet, and ordering curtains for six windows, I am now done. My brother, David, was a huge help in this area and we had many a laugh along the way!

Surely, that’s the hardest couple of months!

Naturally, I am enjoying the food here - but the lack of English menus is a little daunting and I am determined to pick up my Japanese. I have also enjoyed doing a little cooking of my own, but I am not sure about doing housework and ironing for myself. That is certainly over-rated!  As is this cooler weather! Fancy having to think about layers!!

I have found a yoga studio that I like, but am yet to get to a gym. Luckily, my only form of transport is my legs, so am doing a lot of walking but am looking forward to having the challenge of doing something a little more physical.

You will be pleased to know that I am also getting out to enjoy the spoils of all that Tokyo has to offer and in just the last 10 days I have visited the Tsukiji fish market, Hama-riyku gardens, Roppongi Arts Festival and the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum! Plus, I have been on camp in the mountains and had a visit to the beach. In this regard, it is such a contrast to Ho Chi Minh, and I do miss that chaos, the food and the people, but this is home now and I am so pleased to be here.
More pics