Students strengthen sister city ties

For the first time Year 8 and 9 students from Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School will be sent to Bunbury's Japanese sister-city on exchange.

Sixteen students will stay in Setagaya on a two-week homestay exchange program aimed at strengthening the bond between the cities.

Students will be treated to a full cultural experience which will involve an adventure element and an opportunity to learn about indigenous culture.

The students will also spend a full week learning about study culture and attending the same classes as their host student.

Japanese students will be staying with their Bunbury Grammar host family for two weeks in September and Bunbury students are set to attend school in Setagaya in January.

Bunbury Grammar head of secondary Matthew O'Brien said the exchange would be an exciting opportunity to strengthen the relationship with Setagaya over a common shared interest.

"It's a chance to make real connections and work on a true authentic relationship," he said.

"It's a very honourable opportunity."

Japanese is on Bunbury Grammar's curriculum which Mr O'Brien said made the school an easy choice to host Japanese students.

Mr O'Brien said conversations of the "junior high" exchange came after a similar expedition in December left both cities wanting to develop a stronger connection.

"Host families would be selected according to the strength of their application," Mr O'Brien said.

"The appropriateness of the family and calibre of student will be taken into consideration, as well as an essay by the student who will respond to five questions."

Mr O'Brien said partnering families would have opportunities to communicate online via video conference to develop a relationship before the exchange.

"It's a chance to make real connections and work on a true authentic relationship" - Matthew O'Brien