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Unforgettable Friday

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Today was our last day at Paraparumu College, and it was full of joyful, emotional moments!  First, we had our last English class with Debbie. She has been so kind, and these classes have given everyone a chance to practice their English in a comfortable environment! Thank you, Debbie!  In the evening, it was time for the final party with host families and buddies from school! Students prepared food with their families, and we all ate delicious meals! Local fish and chips were provided by school! Thank you!  Tosa students added the entertainment with singing, dancing, and a magnificent calligraphy performance!  Finally, each Tosa student gave a short speech. They talked about how they overcame difficulties, had new experiences, but mostly about how kind and welcoming the host families have been. There was laughter, there were tears, and many wonderful memories! Thank you, Paraparaumu College!
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Wellington Day Trip!

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 Today we all got a day off school! Tosa students and their Kiwi buddies jumped on the train and went to the capital city of New Zealand, Wellington! They spent the whole day in teams doing treasure hunts, buying and eating lunch, and doing lots and lots of shopping. The train carriage on the way home was full of tired, satisfied students with heavy bags full of gifts for friends, family and of course for themselves! 
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Teaching Japanese and Meeting Kiwi Birds!

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It was a cold and clear start to the day as we walked to school! In the night the temperature had dropped to 0 degrees, and there was frost on the ground! Paraparaumu looked beautiful! Today we had a chance to go into a year 9 (δΈ­1) Japanese class to help the students learn Japanese. It was a great way of understanding how difficult it is to learn - and teach a foreign language. Even though some of the Paraparaumu students didn’t love learning Japanese, they all enjoyed playing Japanese UNO!  In the evening, we visited a Kiwi bird nature reserve. We were all lucky enough to see real NZ Kiwi birds, but of course, we couldn’t take photos or get very close, but it was a unique experience! The only one we could touch had been stuffed many years ago! Also, there was still some time after school to practice the dance for the big sayonara party on Friday! Keep going, everyone!
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School Life in New Zealand

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 Today was all about getting used to NZ high school life! Tosa students went to classes with their buddies and did their best to fit into a totally different kind of school! Sometimes communication was difficult, and some of the culture shocks were challenging, but everyone is staying positive and trying hard! The teachers and the host families have all said that Tosa students are kind, friendly and polite!  And at the end of the day, there was even some time to practice dancing in the afternoon sunshine! 
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