From 11 August to 14 August, we were delighted to welcome a group of 12 students from Aichi Shukutoku Junior and Senior High School in Japan. St Catherine’s School has shared a sister school relationship with Shukutoku since 1991 which marks 34 years of friendship and cultural exchange.

This long-standing partnership began when our former Principal, Miss Dorothy Pizzey AM, visited Shukutoku to officially sign the agreement. Since then, students from both schools have participated in exchange visits, with the exception of the COVID-19 period.

One of this year’s accompanying teachers, Ms Rie Ohkubo, is herself a former Shukutoku student who took part in a five-week exchange program at St Catherine’s back in 1993. During that time, she stayed with three different host families as a Year 10 student. This visit was especially meaningful for Ms Ohkubo, as she had the chance to reconnect with the family of Annabelle Mann (’94), with whom she has remained in contact with over the years.

The visiting students expressed heartfelt appreciation for the warm welcome they received from the St Catherine’s community. They thoroughly enjoyed their time here, building new friendships and gaining insights into Australian school life.

Our students are now looking forward to reuniting with their new friends when they travel to Japan in December. With such strong bonds and shared memories, we’re confident that this friendship and cultural exchange will continue for another 34 years and beyond.