Konnichiwa to the world!

Welcome to Chopwell Primary School and Seka Elementary School's shared webpage. We have been partners for a number of years now and before this we were linked to Amaji Elementary School, also in Japan. Some of our very lucky pupils have actually been to Japan!

At night in Japan the lights are magical and look beautiful from above.

Manasseh Nixon, Ewan McEvilly & Evan Parker

For further details on this unique partnership, please follow the link to the Japan UK Live website. This is an important part of our successful friendship as emails are translated for us before they appear on our screens. This means we can read what our friends have written and we can read theirs! Perfect...

Thank you Japan UK Live.

February Half Term 2011

10 children and 4 staff from Chopwell Primary School went on a life changing adventure to Japan. As soon as we arrived we were so excited we could not express our happiness at being in Japan. However we were so tired as our journey had been long. IT WAS EXHAUSTING!!!

Kieran Snaith

Click on the link to look at photographs from our Japanese adventure.

http://www.chopwellprimary.org/japan/2011/02/

One week after we returned home from Japan, disaster struck! A huge earthquake under the sea caused a tsunami; an enormous tidal wave that swept away thousands of homes. Many lives were lost.

The impact of the disaster affected everyone in school. We felt fortunate that we had made it home safely from our visit to Japan but we felt sad for the people and their beautiful country.

Kate Pugh & Niamh Toward

What a shock when we woke up on March 11^th

to find that there had been

a natural disaster in Japan.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12709598

We were immediately concerned for our friends in Japan and sad for their loss following the huge tsunami. We were glued to the news and could not believe the devastation we were seeing. Both children and parents in our school community were keen to show our support and we began to raise money for the Tohoku Appeal.

Our thoughts and prayers were with the people of Japan.

The Tohoku Disaster Appeal

Chopwell Primary School have been raising money for the Tohoku Disaster Appeal. It goes towards people who have suffered from the effects of the Japanese earthquake. We have had fun and got messy and silly. We've made cakes and other sweet things. Every week a class steps up to the challenge to bake or make something to sell in school.

 We have tried everything to raise money for this worthwhile cause and so far we have raised over £1000. We have just linked up with a school in the north of Japan and we hope to raise enough money to build their lives back up.

Charlie McGuire Charlton &

Stephanie McIntyre Haggie

GRAND TOTAL RAISED £1091

Thank You everyone!

When the Japanese people arrived, joy was in the air because we knew it was a once in a life time opportunity for us and them.

Monday 2^nd January 2012

First we went to Newcastle Airport to pick our guests up and take them home after their long flight.

When they got to their home stay families they went straight to bed after their long, exhausting journey from half way around the world!

They slept like logs!!!

We all met at our school - AKA -

Chopwell Primary School,

got onto the mini buses and headed off to The Discovery Museum, Beamish Museum and the Metro Centre for dinner and to go bowling. Wow! What a busy day we had! An early night was in order for all of us!

Kieran Snaith & Joshua Thompson

After a good sleep (some of us still looked exhausted), we headed off for a long day of new adventures. The Chopwell children even gave up the last day of their Christmas holiday to join in the fun.

Check out the photo story of an exciting day...

discovery museum japan.wmv

On Wednesday 4^th January, the Japanese group went to the Civic

 Centre, Gateshead to meet the Mayor!

See the attached Power Point presentation about their visit.

A Meeting with the Mayor of Gateshead.ppt

No wonder the Japanese suitcases were so heavy. They were full of materials for our Japanese lessons. Year 2 and Key

 Stage 2 thoroughly enjoyed calligraphy, origami and dance lessons with our Japanese visitors.

Take a quick peek at the Power Point...

Japanese Lessons.ppt

Another busy morning filled with Japanese lessons, including origami with Ms Aota and calligraphy with Mr Matsumoto.

Then it was off to the Metro Centre (one of the largest shopping centres in Europe) - not for shopping - but to perform the famous Soran Dance to members of the public in Exhibition Square. Oh, what an exhibition it was. Lots of shoppers took time out of their busy schedules to watch the performance.

 It definitely had the X FACTOR!

The video will follow soon.....

Get your disco feet dancing...Thursday night was the disco party and fish & chip supper!

Malcolm, our Chopwell DJ provided the tunes and we had the moves as we danced the night away with our Japanese friends. We enjoyed a range of party games and there was a roaring trade at the tuck shop.

Afterwards, we enjoyed a fish and chip supper - one of our favourite meals. The Japanese children also enjoyed this treat; everyone's plate was clean at the end of the meal!

The last day of fun with our Japanese visitors.

Take a look at the Power Point presentations of the final hours we spent with our Japanese visitors at Chopwell Primary School.

The Farewell Assembly.ppt

Goodbye Chopwell!.ppt

We realised it wasn't just a journey of friendship, but a journey of thanks. The Japanese are so grateful for our fundraising efforts following the tsunami. This makes us even more determined to continue our charity fund raising for worthy causes.

Sayonara!

It was with heavy hearts that we waved goodbye to our Japanese friends at Newcastle Train Station. They were south bound for a London adventure before flying home to Japan.

We had all had a wonderful week, forging friendships to last a lifetime!