St Raph's staff, students and families recently welcomed eight students and their teacher from Shiroishi High School, along with Etsuko-san from Shiroishi City Council and their guide Middy, for a memorable 4 day cultural exchange - an annual highlight on the St Raphael's Catholic School calendar.

After warm introductions and the chance to settle in, the full program got underway. Highlights included classroom activities with their Host Buddies, a tour of local landmarks including the Peace Bell and Bellevue Hill, and an interactive quiz about where our St Raph's students learnt more about Shiroishi and school routines in Japan.

The exchange offered unique cultural experiences for St Raph's, such as a Japanese calligraphy lesson, and Matcha tea ceremony where the authentic sweets brought from Japan were a delightful treat!. In return, the Shiroishi group enjoyed a visit to Mr Ben Cooley’s farm, where they cuddled four-week-old puppies, witnessed lambs being born, and fed horses - an unforgettable highlight for our visitors.

On Saturday, St Raph's host families showed their guests around Cowra, sharing Saturday sports and even feeding a camel! That evening, families came together over a BBQ and bonfire at the Bennett family home, where students shared stories of their stay and reflected on the friendships they had formed.

The visit concluded with a trip to the Japanese War Cemetery, POW Camp, and the serene Japanese Gardens. When it came time to say goodbye, there was both laughter and tears - the emotional connections formed through overseas exchanges such as this are deep and long lasting. Both Cowra and Shiroishi students promised to stay in touch, continuing the bond between their communities.

This exchange stands as a beautiful testament to friendship, understanding, and the enduring connection between Cowra and Shiroishi, and St Raph's is honoured to maintain this legacy of cultural exchange.