A new era .. Reiwa

This week was a unique one in so many ways for Japan - a 10 day holiday (but only 5 for me), the abdication of a well-loved emporer and the enthronment of his son, Naruhito. This signals a new era called Reiwa, and with friends I saw in this new era with an obligatory champagne and a couple of days away at one of the lakes near Mt Fuji. Very pleasant it was too. And now, for the final 6 weeks of the school year!

As you can expect, there have been a few eventful moments since I last wrote, mostly involving trips away. At the beginning of February, Mihoko and I visited the town of Kanazawa and at the time, this became my most loved destination in Japan. The walkability of the town, with the tradtional areas, the famous garden and castle, the modern art museum and the food, especially the seafood was amazing. And, we also went on a sake brewery tour which was most interesting. Kanazawa photos

But then, during Spring Break, with Mihoko once again and my lovely guest Samantha, we visited Naoshima and Teshima Islands in the Seto Island Sea. These islands are well established art venues and we were blown away by the installations that combined the old and new and the landscape with architecture. We spent 3 days in the area and the photos really do not do it justice. I would go back in a heartbeat! A day in Hiroshima completed the trip, and as I was last in the city 36 years ago, it was good to go back and get another perspective of the city and its history. This trip also coincided with the much loved sakura season - so good times were had all round! Spring Break photos

Change is a constant at Nishimachi, with many positive things happening. Last week, a group of teachers, parents and students marched as a school in a the Pride Parade. This is big event for Japan where the LGBTQ community still has a very low profile and is frowned upon.

Work is also underway to construct a new middle school space which will be ready for August and we are also preparing for a new Head of School and new Elementary Principal! Interesting times ahead that is for sure, and I am positive about it all.

Naturally, I will miss Michael and Mihoko but I am grateful for the time we have had together both professioanlly and personally and there is still time to create a few more memories!

Christmas again!

It has been a busy few weeks since my last post, and once again I am looking forward to a week of relaxation and family time here in Adelaide over Christmas. My brother and nieces certainly had fun at the beach today!

The trip to Shanghai was a very productive one school wise, as we visited a couple of schools and attended a conference to learn more about a global network of schools, called Round Square. We visited quite a few different parts of the city, and the conference was in an area called Thames Town. Bizarre is all I can really say, and I was glad to get downtown to the Bund - the one area of the city that I remember but boy how it has changed! It is spectactular and I was fascinated by all the automation and the surveillance cameras. It was also nice to wander through the French Quarter and a couple of parks to see the locals enjoying their Sunday.    Photos of the trip to Shanghai 

During the school Walkathon, we were lucky to come across the designer of the Tokyo Olympic Stadium, Kengo Kuma, being interviewed. He is quite an icon In Tokyo, so this felt like a special moment.

A weekend away in Karuizawa, was a welcome one for a dose of nature and relaxation and once again the winter illuminations in various areas of the city have been good to go and see.

     

    
School continues to provide its joys and challenges and after Michael resigned we have recently been through the time consuming process of selecting a new Head of School and this will be a big change come August 2019.

Last week, I again led the Grade 9 trip to Cambodia and it was another great success despite having a quite different vibe with 10 boys and 2 girls on the trip, plus a few upset stomachs. Let’s hope the impact of what they saw and experienced will be long-lasting!




Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas (it will be a hot one here - 35 degrees) and a Happy New Year.

It’s Term 2 already

 

How time flies. It’s November and we have had one week of Term 2 already!

So, what has happened since I lasted posted in July? I had a nice low key summer holiday: enjoying Australia in the winter, visiting Noosa, Melbourne and Sydney with most of my time being in Adelaide with family, and it was great to catch up with a number of good friends as well.

The school year has started well and the 13 new staff have added a good vibe and there is a real positive atmosphere around the campus - possibly a testament to our hard work!! We, however, have also begun the process of looking for a new Head of School, so that will add a new dimension for next year.


As usual, there has been quite a bit of fun amongst the work, with traditional summer festivals, trips to the nearby mountains and beaches, plus a weekend in Matsuomoto, in the mountains, where Mihoko and I enjoyed the craft beer festival in front of the castle and visiting a wasabi farm. I even went to the Mariah Carey concert! Who would have thought?!

Fall Break was spent in Malaysia with a few days of relaxation in Melaka where we enjoyed the fusion of the different cultural influences over time and then we headed back to Kuala Lumpur for a conference. Naturally, it was very stimulating from a professional standpoint but also a good chance to catch up with friends from the region. 

Next week, I jet off to Shanghai for a couple more school commitments,and as I last visited the city in 1992, I am looking forward to seeing if I recognise anything at all! It will be an interesting visit I am sure.

Two down in Tokyo

Well, another school year has come to an end and as usual it is a relief when it happens. There were many successes during the year and also many challenges and I can safely say that I am still learning a great deal about leadership. Our 13 Grade 9 graduates are a great group of students and it will be strange not to have them around next year. The rain settled in on the day of Graduation and so an inside photo had to suffice.

Highlights out of school included investigating new temples and
parks within the city as well as hiring a car with friends to drive up to the mountains. Driving in Tokyo was a little strange at first and it was certainly a little nerve wracking ensuring we were on the correct expressway, but all went smoothly until the trip home when a 3 hour trip turned into 4 plus because of the traffic.

I also had my first experince of Sumo wrestling and I must say I really enjoyed it. There is a lot of drama and carry on before each bout, but when they finally get going there sure is some skill and strength involved and their flexibility is quite incredible. I will be heading back for sure.

  

 
I continue to be fascinated by the obsession of many Japanese people with their dogs and the 'family' photo shoot that can be seen above was a highlight of my recent viewings.

A lovely spot on the balcony for lunch

Spring has Sprung

Time as usual is flying by. However, the warmer weather is certainly bringing a spring in my step and has provided an opportunity to get out and about. Spring break saw me make a visit to Osaka to spend time with family and enjoy the cherry blossoms in full bloom.                                     

Spring break photos

 

Other highlights of the last couple of months have included a snow day, a visit to Nikko and many a delicious meal.

    

   

Time for a much needed rest ...

It's Christmas Eve and I am sitting at the kitchen table at my parent's place in Adelaide and for the first time in a long time, I have nothing to do, which is absolute bliss. I arrived yesterday, after a brief turnaround in Tokyo from the 6 day school trip to Cambodia. It was a great success as the students fully engaged in all the activities and were a delight to watch as they worked with the local children. I hope that this is the first of many authentic service trips to this amazing country.
Photos of the trip

In early December, Mihoko and I had a weekend at one of the lakes at the base of Mt Fuji. The time out of the city was much appreciated and we were lucky to have a clear day to enjoy a bike ride.

We also stumbled across a traditional tonkatsu shop 

and enjoyed the delicious crumbed pork, fish and potato. 

 

 

So now, I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and safe travels, wherever you may be.

Christmas illuminations in Tokyo

I am still here

Apparently, year two in a new school is easier! I am still waiting for this to be apparent, but at least I know what is coming up and I am enjoying it all.

Apart from school there have been quite a few fun/exciting things happening:

I have had visits from friends, Phil and Vicki, Meredith S and Sally and Nic. It has been great showing them around and discovering new places as well.
   

With the Grade 9's, I have climbed Mt Fuji and had a photo shoot in a kimono.

Been to a couple of great stage productions.

Been to the beach for a weekend.

Bought a new bike and enjoyed a couple of rides around town.

                             

Spent at evening at the US Embassy hanging out with the Heads of NASA and a couple of astronauts

Visited Thailand, for a couple of days on the beach and then attended the EARCOS leadership conference in Bangkok, where I gave a presentation.

 

 

And, of course, eaten some amazing meals!

As the leaves and the snow on the mountains begins to fall, there are 4 weeks until our Winter Break but the first week will involve me leading a group of 13 Grade 9 students and 4 other adults on a trip to Cambodia, to visit the school that Nishimachi has been supporting for the last 16 years. So, at the moment it is non-stop planning.