Barrhead Composite High School (BCHS) had the pleasure of hosting a Japanese Delegation from Tokoro, Japan who visited Barrhead from March 7-14 as part of the Twinning friendship between the two communities. In the delegation were two students, a teacher and an interpreter who spent the week touring Barrhead Composite High School (BCHS), dairy and livestock farms, areas in the Town of Barrhead and various town departments with opportunities to do some local shopping, quilting, visiting a seniors lodge, bowling and spending time with their host families.

Since 1991, the Town of Barrhead has had a Twinning relationship with Tokoro, Hokkaido, Japan. Through the years there have been many exchanges of people and cultures between these twinned communities. With the exception of the pandemic, delegations have visited Barrhead from Tokoro nearly every year and many groups from Barrhead have visited Tokoro. 

Students Maika Sawamukai and Ayane Matsubara, teacher Takahiro Nishiyama and interpreter Miwako Nakadai first toured BCHS on Friday, March 8 where they were able to view students learning in various core courses as well as Mechanics, Woodworking and Cosmetology. The students were especially excited to tour the photo lab and all of the Com Tech programs offered at BCHS.

After the tour, the delegation gave a presentation about their home and culture to the École Barrhead Elementary School Grade 5/6F class at the Barrhead Public Library. After the presentation, the group returned to BCHS and took part in a Social Studies class with one of their student hosts.

Students from BES 5/6F class taking in a presentation from the delegation at the Barrhead Public Library on March 8. Photo courtesy of Barrhead Public Library.

On Wednesday, March 13, the delegation attended a senior high drama class at BCHS where they watched the students’ regular warm-up activities and were able to see the rehearsal of one of this year’s drama festival plays.

Group photo from the Friendship Dinner on Sunday, March 10 at the Senior Drop-in Centre., attended by the Twinning Committee, host families, town councillors, Pembina Hills Board Chair Judy Lefebvre, Superintendent Brett Cooper and BCHS Principal Slade Sekulich. Photo courtesy of The Barrhead Leader/Town & Country, Great West Media.

A huge thank you to the delegation for their visit, the host families for opening their homes and the Twinning committee for all their work putting this visit together.