Bunko's Graduation and Closing ceremony
High school graduation ceremonies across the nation are held on March 1st. However, at Bunko it was held today because the powers that be decided that it would be better to have the formal 'closing of the school' ceremony follow the graduation ceremony.
Bunko will be shut down as of March 31st - the official school year end.
There are very few teachers at Bunko, which translates into a lot of work for each of them on this day.
With only 36 students in total graduating, it was very different from yesterday's graduation.
The 'closing of the school' ceremony was a very solemn event, attended by many high placed officials..the whole ceremony had the feel of a funeral. There was a minute of silence that was observed. This was followed by many people who gave speeches.
Then everyone trudged out of the gym and made their way to the front of the school where the sign of the school hangs. The bringing down of the school sign was a very elaborate ordeal. First more speeches are said, then white gloves are worn. The sign itself is only about 20x80cm, however 4 people were involved in taking it down: the principal, the head of the PTA, the head of the Board of Education and the student council president all took down the sign together, carried it together over to a table where it was wrapped in a white cloth.
I've never attended the ceremony for the closing down of a school in Canada, perhaps similar actions are done?...
From there, many of the important officials went to the Grand Palace where the evening enkai was going to be held. I stayed behind with the teachers for the 'last homeroom'. This is when the students are given the certificates, their inkan (signature), and each student has a chance to share their thoughts about the year they've spent with their classmates and about what they hope for the future. There was a lot of crying, and even though I couldnt understand everything that was being said, I was touched and couldn't help getting a little teary-eyed.
Then we all car pooled to join everyone else at the Grand Palace. The teachers were responsible for MCing the event and making sure the evening goes on smoothly. So, it wasn't too enjoyable for them..Finally, it was time for everyone to go home, or to the nijikai (second party).
Before heading home, we had some drinks together:
Today was also the first day of the Fast. Although it was difficult to get out of bed this morning, I was surprised at how fast time went by before it was dinner time...guess it helps that it was a crazy day!
Bunko will be shut down as of March 31st - the official school year end.
There are very few teachers at Bunko, which translates into a lot of work for each of them on this day.
With only 36 students in total graduating, it was very different from yesterday's graduation.
The 'closing of the school' ceremony was a very solemn event, attended by many high placed officials..the whole ceremony had the feel of a funeral. There was a minute of silence that was observed. This was followed by many people who gave speeches.
Then everyone trudged out of the gym and made their way to the front of the school where the sign of the school hangs. The bringing down of the school sign was a very elaborate ordeal. First more speeches are said, then white gloves are worn. The sign itself is only about 20x80cm, however 4 people were involved in taking it down: the principal, the head of the PTA, the head of the Board of Education and the student council president all took down the sign together, carried it together over to a table where it was wrapped in a white cloth.
I've never attended the ceremony for the closing down of a school in Canada, perhaps similar actions are done?...
From there, many of the important officials went to the Grand Palace where the evening enkai was going to be held. I stayed behind with the teachers for the 'last homeroom'. This is when the students are given the certificates, their inkan (signature), and each student has a chance to share their thoughts about the year they've spent with their classmates and about what they hope for the future. There was a lot of crying, and even though I couldnt understand everything that was being said, I was touched and couldn't help getting a little teary-eyed.
Then we all car pooled to join everyone else at the Grand Palace. The teachers were responsible for MCing the event and making sure the evening goes on smoothly. So, it wasn't too enjoyable for them..Finally, it was time for everyone to go home, or to the nijikai (second party).
Before heading home, we had some drinks together:
Today was also the first day of the Fast. Although it was difficult to get out of bed this morning, I was surprised at how fast time went by before it was dinner time...guess it helps that it was a crazy day!
posted by Meeshe at 4:39 PM
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