Record of Our Activities

 On March 19th, nine students, divided into three groups, took part in SGH KOSHIEN in 2017 to compete.  At the competition, they were able to see how well they would give presentations about their research.

234 groups from 84 high schools joined this competition and gave their presentation about research themes of various global problems.  Our students also gave a presentation about what they had researched for a year.  Through this competition, they found that there were various ways of thinking or doing research according to the differences of regions or values.  They also learned the differences of dealing with the same topics.

From now they are going to deepen their research and give a presentation in English in the third-year SG Practical Research.

[the participants’ comments]

＊The competition was more stimulating than I had expected.  All the students I met there researched social problems with passion.  I was excited to discuss with the students.  We gave our presentation on the assumption that in spite of one-sixth of Japanese people suffering from poverty, most Japanese people don’t know about the reality.  However, students from Osaka thought about poverty more seriously and researched more deeply.

＊What I learned during the competition was the importance of positive action.  I was very surprised at the great efforts of some groups and their wonderful presentations.  Every participant must have thought it obsolete to say that they were too young to do something important.  I can imagine easily that the participants will mature to become leaders among global citizens all over the world.

From March 13th to 16th, 23 students and 3 teachers from Princeton High School in New Jersey of the United States came to our school.

In October in 2016, when SG course students went to the US for their Overseas Fieldwork, they visited Princeton High School, joined some classes, did presentations of their research, and did a homestay.

This time, students in Princeton High School joined many activities like lessons in our school, a lecture called ‘Challenging Flower Arrangement’ by our vice-principal, and first-year students’ presentations of SG Basic Research.  In addition, they stayed with families in our school.

[a host student’ comments]

＊I was able to appreciate culture in Kanazawa by thinking about where to take her and what to eat with her.  When I couldn’t understand what she said, I was able to talk with her using gestures and words, and I learned many English words and phrases.  It was a good chance to make foreign friends, speak English, and experience other cultures.

[comments from parents who accepted a homestay]

＊I am greatly relieved that we had a foreign students stay with us successfully.  At first, though my daughter was eager to accept a homestay, I couldn’t do it easily.  However, it was eventually a good experience and memory for my family.  Our guest student was well-mannered and bright, and talked a lot with us.  I am thankful for meeting her. 

 On Tuesday, March 14th, 9 groups of first-year students were chosen as a representative of each class, and made presentations.

First-year students in our general course are divided into 9 classes.  In the SG Basic Research, they discovered many local problems and thought about solutions since April.  This year, they decided to research themes from various points of view such as agriculture, forestry, traditional crafts and tourism.  They researched actively in fieldwork, sent questionnaires, visited related institutions, and interacted with people outside of school.  Now, they gave presentations confidently to all of the first-year students and Princeton High School students staying in Kanazawa.  The audience asked the presenters a lot of questions.

They will research new things in the second grade, making use of their first research experience.

 On February 11th, our school invited Tadashi Hongo from KOMATSU, which is a construction machinery company with which our school cooperates.  He gave a lecture entitled ‘For You Who Try to Become a Global Leader.’ 

Last Summer some students had already visited Awazu Plant of KOMATSU for their fieldwork.  On the lecture day, Mr. Hongo told students about the outline of global management of the company, which has expanded its business overseas.  He also talked about his overseas assignments in Brazil and gave some messages to students who want to play an active part in the world in the future.

Students should be encouraged to play an active part in the world, such as overseas assignments, in the future.

[the participants’ comments]

＊(a girl of science course)

I visited Awazu Plant last summer, so the lecture from a different point of view was interesting.  I was able to know much more about the business’ basic philosophy and how to run the business.  I was surprised by the large scale of KOMATSU’s business.  I was impressed by the idea that important parts were made in Japan to keep originality and safety of their products while expanding the business overseas.  In addition, we learned something important to help society from what he experienced.  We also learned that communication is essential, which is basic but most important.

＊(a boy of humanities course)

I was very impressed by his attitude towards work: he aimed for one thing together.  I felt it was important to begin by trying to convey something.  So I would like to try to send my ideas actively. Furthermore, I found it important to realize the situation properly by listening to what he said.  I understood that a decision without clear basis would cause troubles for others.  I would like to try until I reach a decision.

 Our school won the School Award from the “JICA Essay Contest of International Cooperation”.  Nitta Tomoki, a manager of JICA Hokuriku branch, visited our school and gave a certificate of commendation.

All the third-year students in the general course wrote essays as “Exploration of KnowledgeⅢ.”  They debated and practiced how to write essays based on the theme “Important Topics in the 21st century,” such as Prenatal Diagnosis, Science and Technology, Competitive Society and Personality.  After these activities, they wrote essays about global issues and applied to the contest.

In addition, “A New Proposal” by Wakana Tachiura won Hokuriku Branch Special Prize.

We won the School Prize last year, so the students will work hard on developing their international understanding.