TAP students go on a nature walk!

The TAP group welcomed a new student this week; Nana Konno (Middle of photo). The students went on a walk through the Noosa National Park, a great place to spot some wild life like koalas and lizards. The park also has amazing coastal scenery and the students had fun playing on the beach,  on the right day you can watch dolphins playing in the waves. After the walk the students enjoyed some souvenir shopping on Hasting Street.

Kanagawa students say goodbye

The students were presented with their graduation certificates at their farewell party.  Teachers, Annette and Deborah presented the certificates with accompanying comments on the student’s participation in class. All students had a fantastic time here in Noosa and there was a lot of smiles, laughter and tears as it came time to say thank you and goodbye.

TAP students take a tennis lesson.

A hot sunny day at the Noosa Tennis Club, Sunshine Beach. The students were put through some drills before working on their tennis swings. There were some powerful shots and with the help of tennis coaches Dave and Phil the students were able to work on their technique. The students ended the session with a pairs match and then chilled out after in the shade with some refreshments and snacks.

Kawagawa Students experience the Noosa Everglades

The Everglade Tour left from Noosaville and firstly went towards the mouth of the Noosa River where we saw some pelicans on the sandbanks. The two boats then headed upriver, past Tewantin and across Lakes Cooroibah (Aboriginal place name meaning – shallow water) and Cootharaba (place to collect wood to make tools). There was a bit of a race between boats, with Danny’s boat proving the faster and getting most of Debbie’s class who were on the boat very wet!!! It was great fun though.

The Everglades were beautiful and we saw people canoeing, many types of Kites, Cormorants, Kingfisher and a really big white Sea Eagle, plus other bird life. Because of the tannins in the water, the Everglades actually become like a mirror which reflect the trees, grasses, reeds and waterlillies along the banks. It was very still, quiet and beautiful!

We were able to get off the boat to have afternoon tea and see the old logging hut where the wood cutters lived. There are usually many goannas at this site, but unfortunately they were chased away by a dog just before we arrived and we didn’t see any. We did feed the fish our leftover afternoon tea – they were HUGE!! 

The students enjoyed a game of Beach Volleyball back at Noosaville while they were waiting to be picked up by their host families.

As you can see by the photos, we all had a wonderful afternoon!

TAP Students go surfing!

Fantastic fun in the sun as the TAP Students took their first surf  lesson with Learn To Surf -surf school. There was a lot of laughter as they tried to master the waves at Noosa Main Beach. All the students were able to catch a wave and are very excited about their next surf lesson next week!

Here for a fun week of learning and activities!

Students from Kanagawa High School arrived this week to study English at Global Village Noosa. The students are having English lessons in the morning and a varietyof activities in the afternoon. The first activity was an Aboriginal Culture experience preformed by Lyndon Davis of the Gubbi Gubbi people. The students had learnt a little about Aboriginal art in  their morning class.

TAP students take to the river!

Students joined the Noosa Yacht and Rowing Club sailing program for an afternoon on the Noosa River. The wind was prefect for first time sailors and the students quickly learnt how to sail their boats with the help of their skippers. The learn to sail program is good for students of all ages, all the students had a great time!

TAP – Here for 2 weeks!

This week saw the arrival of the students enrolled in the two week Teenage Activity Program. The students will be attending class in the morning at Global Village Noosa and participating in activities in the afternoon.  This is a wonderful culture and educational experience for the students which will give them confidence and practice with the use of English as well as having a great time here on the Sunshine Coast!

Hiyoshigaoka say goodbye

It was a fantastic performance put on by the Hiyoshigaoka students to say thank you for the great time they had here in Noosa, class time with their teachers in Coco Bay Resort and the time spent with their host families. There were 4 acts, each performed with enthusiasm and joy followed by a certificate presentation. Lot’s of tears in the morning from both students and host families as it was finally time to say good bye. The students will take many happy memories back to Japan with them.

History and culture through art

The Hiyoshigaoka students where divided into 2 groups over two afternoons this week. One group went to Noosa Civic to practice their conversation English and some souvenirs shopping and the other group had a Aboriginal presentation by Lyndon Davis of the Gubbi Gubbi people. On the second afternoon the groups changed over activities.

At Noosa Civic, the students were a bit anxious about asking shoppers questions but they coped well with it, and all came back smiling. Two girls even met some Japanese tourists who are a host family in Japan for Australian students! They also enjoyed looking around the centre, familiarising themselves with the range of stores and their products and bought some souvenirs to take home, all the while practising their useful shopping vocabulary!

At the Aboriginal presentations, the students learnt about the culture and history of the first Australians through art work and stories. The students were able to ask lots of questions to Lyndon about what they had learnt in their class lessons.  

A beautiful day at Sea World.

Amazing dolphines, sharks, polar bears and pengins are all part of the Sea World experience as well as waterslides, roller coaters and entertainment shows. The Hiyoshigaoka students had a fantastic day and bought many souvenirs and took lots of photos!

Mini Olympics

Lee & Lauralee from Corporate FAME introduced the Hiyoshigaoka students to some very interesting and wacky activities with Mini Olympics. The students made some very strange sounds and crazy actions as they competed in teams to win the chocolates for first prize!

Hiyoshigaoka students visit Underwater World

Underwater World is 45 minutes from Noosa on the Sunshine Coast. Students were able to take their time to explore the aquarium and learn some fascinating things about the animals that live above and below the sea. The big sharks were a big hit with the students and the seal show was also very entertaining.

A welcome BBQ for Hiyoshigaoka and Host Families

After a morning at Eumundi Markets Hiyoshigaoka students joined their Host Families for a afternoon BBQ at the Lion’s Park in Noosaville. It was a bright sunny day with delicious Aussie food and games being played by students and host family children.

Hiyoshigaoka students visit Sunshine Coast University

The students braved a few showers as they explored the Sunshine Coast University’s Campus. The students were taken on a guided tour which include some classrooms, lecture rooms, student cafe and library. The most surprising aspect of the tour were the many kangaroos which where happy hanging around the campus.

Hiyoshigaoka students encounter a new class mate

The students had a surprise in the morning when a little blue tongued lizard wanted to join their class. A few of the brave students were able to hold the lizard which felt very smooth. Class time in the Coco Bay Resort is always interesting and the students are enjoying their English teachers; Marty, Anne, Kerry and Debbie. The afternoon trip was out to Mary Cairnscross Park where the students took in the beautiful views of the Glasshouse Mountains.

Hiyoshigaoka students having fun on Noosa River

The Hiyoshigaoka students were divided into two groups. Group 1 went pontoon boating, exploring the canals of Noosa River. They parked the boats at the Lion’s Park where many of the students went swimming! Group 2 paddled towards the river mouth and stopped off at a few sand islands where students were able to run and play on. It was a great sunny day on the river!

Hiyoshigaoka are back for 2009!

The students arrived all excited and happy for their adventure in Australia. The tour started off on the first day with a trip to Australia Zoo. The students had photos take with Australia’s favourite cuddliest creature the Koala! The day finished at Global Village Noosa where the students meet their host families. The families made all the students feel welcome and the host family’s children were very keen to meet the students. The Hiyoshigaoka group will be studying at Coco Bay Resort in Noosa for the next few weeks!

Chiyoda students say goodbye

The Chiyoda students preformed three songs for their host families before they received their graduation certificates.  Many of the students had to hold back their tears as it came time to say thank you and good bye to their teachers Debourah and Marty. The students had a wonderful time here on the Sunshine Coast and take back great memories. Mr Sakata and Ms Miki had also done a great job looking after the students on their tour!

Chiyoda students enjoy street quiz.

It was time for the students to take their English to the street. Students had to solve a series of challenges that involved asking shop keepers and other people questions and reading different street and advertisements signs on Noosa’s famous shopping street – Hastings street.

Chiyoda and Peregian Beach College Students play and learn together.

First class in the morning was music lesson. Students made some interesting sounds as they played the musical instruments. After lunch Chiyoda students divided into 3 groups. Group 1 played some great aussie sports; footy, cricket and field hockey! Group 2 joined the littlies in Prep class, they had fun playing different games. Group 3 had the chance to show off some Japanese art, the PBC students were very impressed!

Chiyoda Students meet Lyndon from the Gubbi Gubbi people

Students had the chance to learn some interesting stories of Aboriginal culture through paintings and songs presented by Lyndon Davis a representative of the Gubbi Gubbi people. They were able to paint their own boomerangs and then try them out on the field at Peregian Beach College. A very interesting and exciting experience!