WNES student presentation to the WSA Committee, 11 November

Wellington Nakano Educational Society (WNES) provides short and long term educational exchanges to Japan (including Sakai) and promotes learning about Japan. WSA hosted a participant from the recent WNES student trip to Sakai in September-October 2014, who presented on the Sakai experience. The Wellington high-school students visited and studied at Japanese high schools, stayed with host families, and visited key cultural landmarks including the Sakai City Traditional Craft Museum and the Sakai Museum in Daisen Park where they experienced the tea ceremony. The best part of the trip was attending school in Sakai, and the most surprising thing was how nice the host family was.

The first Wellington-Sakai Educational Exchange occurred in 1994, twenty years ago. Since that time, around 400 New Zealand and Japanese students have benefitted from participation in the exchange programme. The Japanese government has a strong push to get Japanese students on exchange overseas. As of 2010 there were 30,000 students overseas, which is hoped to increase to 60,000 by 2020.

The speech delivered by Wellington-Sakai Educational Exchange Trip Leader on Thursday 2 October at Sakai City Council Building can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/notes/wellington-nakano-education-society/speech-to-sakai-city-mayor-and-councillors/472642416209334.

The WNES website can be found at http://wnesoc.wordpress.com/.

WSA trip to Thorndon primary School with Yurina Shelton, 24 November

Catherine Harrow (Secretary, WSA) accompanied Miss Yurina Shelton to Thorndon Primary School. Miss Shelton is a daughter of John Shelton, Principal of Harumi Primary school in Sakai, and spent several weeks studying at the Campbell Institute in Wellington. Thorndon Primary School has a pen-pal agreement with Harumi Primary school. Miss Shelton met with Principal Alistair du Chatenier, and went on a tour of the classrooms and grounds.

Mayoral award presentation for out-going President Rosemary Jones, 25 November

Wellington City Mayor Celia Wade-Brown presented out-going WSA President Rosemary Jones with a beautiful framed certificate of appreciation for her long service to WSA.

WSA members in attendance included Vice-President Katy McTeigue, Committee member Melda Townsley, and past Committee member Christine Jones.

JKaiWA Bonenkai (End of year party), 9 December

11 WSA Members joined the JkaiWA Bonenkai Quiz held at Fork and Brewer hosted by WSA, Jet Alumni Association (JETAA), and Japan Society of Wellington, NZ.

WSA Vice-President and President organised two of the quiz rounds, and Committee member Kayo was a member of the winning green team (winning a $20 Tatsushi voucher!)

Thank you to everyone who attended - we hope you had a great time and congratulations to the winning Green team by a mere 1/2 a point!

WXA/WSA Christmas party 4 December

WSA members celebrated the end of the year with a Christmas party co-hosted with Wellington's other sister-city group Wellington Xiamen Association (WXA) on 4 December 2014 at Dragon's Chinese restaurant. The evening featured games, Secret Santa and lots of delicious food. Thanks to WXA for hosting us!