Last week, the Balaklava High School community welcomed six students from Meidai High School in Tokyo, Japan. BHS has been hosting students from MHS since 2000 which, barring a short break due to COVID, is now one of the state’s longest running and most successful programs.

So far halfway through their two week stay, students have engaged in a range of activities including shearing and farm visits, AUSLAN lessons, boomerang making, baking ANZAC biscuits, Balaklava’s Eisteddfod, afternoon tea with Mayor Rodney Reid, dissecting squid and of course, local football and netball games. By far however, the highlight of the trip is bound to be the day trip to Adelaide and Gorge Wildlife Park where everyone will get to hold a koala!

The work involved in making an exchange like this successful is huge and there are too many to thank and acknowledge. Special mention does need to made to our amazing host families, without whom, this exchange would not be possible. So, a huge BHS thank you to the Cmrlec, Battle, Arthur, Williams, Murphy, Hahsey and Michalanney families. These exchanges normally occur every year so if you are interested in hosting a student in 2025, please contact Cherie at the school.