The middle-of-the-city school is back into full swing with its global relationships with AGGS once again hosting students from Ohtani Junior and Senior High School from Osaka in Japan.
Ohtani is a private Buddhist girls secondary school with a long and cherished history since its establishment more than a century ago, in 1909.
The school is a similar size to AGGS with 1100 students on its role and since signing its 'sister school' agreement in 2006, Ohtani students have visited to have real face-time with their AGGS ‘sisters’.
Every year, a group of about 30 girls have visited AGGS for a week in August, during their school spring break, and some years an Ohtani student has gone full immersion, living in Auckland and studying with AGGS for a year.
Chief Coordinator of International Education at Ohtani Junior/Senior High School Mr Akihiro Teratani says that coming to AGGS is like "winning the lottery for the girls." More than 200 Ohtani students apply to join the trip each year, with only 30 selected for the visit.
Last month’s (August) visit was Ohtani’s first trip back to AGGS since Covid and was a full cultural experience. Ohtani students enjoyed learning Te Ao Maori – poi, song and dance – and joined Samoan, Tongan and Japanese language classes, with these cultural exchanges strengthening understanding and respect of different cultures and developing new friendships.
While last month was all about Auckland Girls’ Grammar School hosting their visitors, AGGS has taken groups of Japanese language students to Ohtani four times in the past, with another visit planned in 2025. During these return visits, AGGS students stay in Ohtani home stays – giving them the rare opportunity to not only practise their Japanese fist-hand but also learn about Japanese culture and home life.
Mr Teratani says just as their students love their Auckland experience, they also look forward to hosting on return visits: “AGGS students are energetic, friendly and with warm hearts,” he says.
Meantime, the feeling is mutual. AGGS’ Principal Ngaire Ashmore says Auckland Girls’ always boasts that it equips students for the world – and this is just another example of how it achieves that: “This is such an important relationship for AGGS,” Ashmore says, “the girls get a tremendous amount out of their experiences both here and in Japan. And that is what the AGGS' Sisterhood is all about.”
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Published: August 2023