It has been extremely joyful to welcome girls and staff from Kwansei Gakuin (KG) Senior High School to Meriden this week. The school is in Nishinomiya, located between the cities of Kobe and Osaka. Twelve girls arrived last Friday and met their Meriden buddies and host families.

The girls have spent a week with Meriden families and attended Meriden with their buddy, visiting various classes and taking part in normal school activities. It has been a fantastic experience and enriching for all.

On Monday, Mr Edagawa, the Principal of KG, visited Meriden and spoke at Assembly. A warm connection has been made between the schools and while we are sad that their time in Sydney has finished, we look forward to continued connection including our visit to Japan in early 2025. Thank you to the Meriden families who have generously hosted our KG guests, opening their homes and sharing their family life, providing an experience that will be treasured by both Meriden and KG families.

On Friday at around 3:30pm, most people are winding down for the week. At Meriden, however, it marks the beginning of a myriad of activities. IGSA Chess takes place online for ten competing Meriden teams while many more girls enjoy social matches and training as well. The Meriden Badminton Invitational has also commenced, and it is wonderful to see many girls in the Sports Centre on the eight courts engaging in this energetic and skilful sport. Our track and field athletes have twilight competitions over four Friday evenings at Homebush as they hone and finesse their preparation for the IGSA Athletics Carnival later this term.

Please be reminded that while our Year 12 girls sit their Trial HSC exams, throughout Weeks 3 and 4, girls in other year groups may wear full sports uniform/tracksuit to school on days that they have a PDHPE practical lesson or sport practice.