EVENT:   Japan Trip 2024

Dates: Sunday 22 September – Sunday 6 October 2024

This information is a basic summary of other information already given to Japan trip participants at the initial information evening, and in the Japan trip newsletters.

Outline of Event:

• Travel to and from Japan on aircraft.
• Arrival at Narita Airport – travel to Tokyo by train.
• Two days sightseeing in Tokyo, then travel to Kumagaya Girls’ High School by train
• Homestay with family from Kumagaya Girls’ High School (KGHS)
  • Travel to school with host sister/family
  • Activities with host family – day trips over the long weekend
• Activities at KGHS could include:
  • Tea ceremony
  • Calligraphy Class
  • Cooking class
  • Karate / martial arts
  • Flower arranging
  • Kumagaya bus tour
  • Wearing of Kimono
  • Attendance at classes including PE classes
  • Possible day excursion – buses/rides
  • Train from Kumagaya to Hiroshima by bullet train with a stop off in Himeji along the way.
  • Travel to and around Hiroshima and Kyoto
    • Group tours to popular tourist attractions
    • Some free time – always in small groups
    • Travel via tram, boat, bus, local train, bullet train.

This event contains risks, including:

• Accidents/incidents associated with travel e.g flying and the use of public transportation between and within cities/countries.
• Accidents/incidents that could happen during their daily school activities, e.g falls, cuts, and knocks.
• Being separated from the group when travelling around and between cities, resulting in personal insecurity.
• Personal belongings being lost/stolen, e.g passports, spending money, luggage, and backpack items.
• Members of the public behaving inappropriately towards our students e.g. verbal abuse, physical contact.
• Unsuitability of host family placements
• Sudden illnesses or unknown allergies to new foods.
• Environmental related health concerns e.g. heat exhaustion, dehydration, insect bites.
• Anxiety of being in an unfamiliar situation – homesickness.
• Extreme Natural Events e.g. earthquake, tsunami, typhoon etc.

This event is supervised by school staff who will manage risk and hazards according to the Board approved safety  plan.  This includes careful consideration and management of all procedures while carrying out the activities. While risks can be maintained to acceptable levels they cannot be eliminated.  Some risk is retained for its learning and experiential value.  If you wish to come in to school to see the safety management plan for this trip or have any questions, feel free to contact Ainslee Wilson.

It is important for safety reasons that students follow instructions given to them by all staff and follow all appropriate school rules. Behaviour by students that is deemed dangerous and puts themselves and/or others at undue risk will result in your child being sent home at your expense.

If you have any questions regarding the Parental Consent and Risk Disclosure, please don’t hesitate to contact Ainslee Wilson – Japan Tour Leader.