Pupils’ yen to learn the customs of Japan

Jan 14 2009 by Robert Mitchell, Wishaw Press

CLYDE Valley High School in Overtown turned into the Land of the Rising Fun when the school held a Japanese festival!

The entire school joined in and learned all about the culture of Japan over six weeks thanks to some help from Japanese woman Yoshie Campbell.

Head teacher Ian Sommerville said: "Staff from the performing arts faculty led the project in the school, with many departments contributing with relevant topics and activities."

Donna Vivers, one of North Lanarkshires cultural co-ordinators helped organise the entire programme.

Yoshie Campbell, who some time ago married a Scot, worked tirelessly with pupils teaching them a whole range of Japanese arts and crafts over the six weeks of the project. She was joined during the Matsuri by a number of her compatriots.

Pupils learned to sing, dance, paint, cook and write on a Japanese theme and showed great interest and enthusiasm in the work. One of the highlights was an exhibition of Japanese photographs and painting, with Clyde Valley one of only two Scottish venues selected to display the scenes.