On the work front; completion of year 2 for BSCIS

Here it is mid-March and this marks the end of year 2 for Bunka Suginami Canadian International School. This also marks Shelley's and my second full year here in Tokyo.

Here is the gate that I go through everyday on my bicycle, rain or shine, wind or sleet. There is always the pleasant gate guard who bids me a formulaic greeting with a big smile, no matter what the weather. The weather provides a regular conversation between him and I.

These are my Japanese colleagues, the senior administration team that I work with very closely, dressed in their finest for graduation. The principal (in the center) and our VP on the right speak no English which means I get to practice my Japanese (rough as it is) on a daily basis. 

This is part of our DD staff in my office, decorated with reminders of the physical beauty that surrounds us in BC. My assistant in the middle of this photo is the facilitator of our cross-cultural and multi-lingual conversations that we need to have on a daily basis. 

Our DD program this year comprised of grade 10 and grade 11 students. Next year we expand to grade 10, 11 and 12 students. Because the graduating class did not have DD students the entire graduation event was in Japanese. 

Grad is a wonderful time for all of us to dress up. Signs of respect at important ceremonies here in Japan include a white tie for men, and better yet, a traditional kimono for both men and women:

The homeroom teachers are presenting their thank you. 

The actual event was a very formal event with hundreds of students, speeches of thank you by the principal, the owner of the school, the teachers, the grade 12 rep, the grade 11 rep. At every speech the entire assembly stood up and bowed then sat down. The empty chairs here are for the grade 12 students. Once they entered it was no longer appropriate to take photos. 

The stage was beautifully set with flowers, the Japanese flag and a gold panel evoking Japanese history. 

After the formal part of the ceremony the parents' association put on a celebration for students and staff with fabulous food, a year in review slide show and several humorous performances. 

The students had a great time watching their teachers in action:

All teachers were given a beautiful gift by students: 

And then the teachers were cheered as they proceeded out fo the room, ready for another year. 

As we wind up the year with final exams we are already prepping for next year. We have accepted a whole group of enthusiastic new grade 10 students and we are expanding our BC courses into grade 7 and grade 9 next year. 

We look forward to getting our new students oriented at the beginning of April for a new year.