Gateshead Komatsu City Youth Exchange 2011/2012

 

 

 

 

It was a great pleasure as always to welcome the students and staff from Komatsu city Japan, to Lord Lawson of Beamish School on Thursday 21st July. Gateshead has been twinned with Komatsu City since 1991 but the first link was made in 1987 when Japanese excavating company, Komatsu Ltd, opened a factory in Birtley. Komatsu Ltd is a global construction equipment company.

 

Now celebrating the 20th anniversary of the link between the two towns it was great to welcome the leaders of the party Mr. Atsuya Murata from Komatsu City Hall, and Yukiko Shikencho a teacher from Ataka High School, along with eleven students. Gifts were exchanged and speeches were made; particular mention was made of the tragic earthquake and tsunami which had devastated the lives of so many Japanese citizens, and our admiration for the resilience and fortitude of those involved.

 

The party had lunch with us followed by a tour of the school. They then taught Lord Lawson students the ancient art of Origami, the results of which were very impressive. An innovative language lesson followed delivered by Miss Cross (Subject Leader for MFL) and Mr. Massey (Subject Leader for History) using “universal texting abbreviations” which were then translated into English and Japanese.

 

Gateshead families are hosting the Japanese students for two weeks and the Gateshead students will be travelling to Komatsu next year. We hope the visit goes well and we will have pleasure in continuing our friendship in the year ahead.

 

 

Mr Turner