既に何回かこのトピックスでお知らせしましたように、2018年度二学期からJETプログラム(The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme)のALT（Assistant Language Teacher）の先生が2名、英国よりいらっしゃっています。
2019年に入り、5月に香蘭女学校の運動会を初めて経験され、感想をお2人の先生が書いてくださいましたので、2回にわたり掲載いたします。

HP article for Sports Day

On Wednesday the 15th of May, we were invited to attend St. Hilda’s Sports Day. We were very excited to experience what a Japanese Sports Day is like and knowing how much effort students and staff always put into making a festival feel like a professional performance, we could barely contain our excitement.

In the UK we have something very similar in which classes are divided into teams that compete in various athletic sports. However, in the UK this event is very serious and everyone has to participate in an individual race, for example, running the 1500m or doing the long jump. For my school, this event would take place every summer on the school field and we’d all be wearing our team colour. So I was very intrigued to see how different a Sports Day at St. Hilda’s was.

It was so heart warming to see so many parents wearing their child’s team colour. Not to forget the homeroom teachers who had gone all out to support their classes, wearing their colour from head to toe. Once the event started, the large Arena was teeming with anticipation as the 6th years performed their last dance. Their interpretation of the four seasons through movement and music was a sophisticated, elegant piece of art. Their bodies seemed to move as one with the music and I thought it’s no wonder they practice this dance for almost 2 years, I would have guessed they were professionals!

Next, we saw the cheerleaders perform and then each grade’s own cheer for the other year groups. It was so nice to see the grades cheer for one another with excitement and enthusiasm. It emphasised how this school teaches students to work together as a team.

Then, the sports began. To our surprise the sports weren’t fiercely competitive like they are in the UK. Each team celebrated their wins and the whole day seemed to take on the theme of team building. We had never before seen races that involved big balls that are rolled over students backs and so much tug of war! It was a cultural experience like we’d never experienced before.

The day ended with Triumph for the 6th years as they held their trophy high for their last sports day at St. Hilda’s, but I’m sure, like us, they will never forget this experience. At last, I would like to say a thank you to everyone, to the teachers for their organisation, to the parents for their support and of course, to the students who make each and every experience like this one, something to remember. ありがとうございます。