Host of visiting Japanese student

We are excited to be welcoming students from our Sister School, Osaka International Junior High School, back to Tasmania in March 2025 and we are looking for interested families who may like to host them during their stay. A fantastic way to learn about another culture and support a young person’s experience in Australia.

When: 12–20 March, 2025
Who: 15 students (Year 9: aged 14 – 15)
Host families do not need to have similarly aged children
From: Osaka International Junior High School (our Japanese Sister School)

What happens during the visit:
The visiting students will follow the Penquite Campus timetable for the week and so will need to be dropped off and picked up from Penquite each school day (~8:30am – 3:25pm). They will have a special program throughout the week designed for them and some classes with a SOC buddy.

Host Families:
Any Scotch Oakburn College family willing to open their home to a Japanese student for the week. We welcome families with children of all ages from Junior, Middle or Senior Schools. If your child studies Japanese or has studied Japanese that is a bonus, but it is not a compulsory requirement to be a host family. If your child is going on the Japan Trip in 2025 it might also be a great way to pay-it-forward and create a friendship before the trip! Alternatively, if your child came on the 2023 Japan Trip, it might be a wonderful way to re-connect with our Sister School.

Expressions of interest can be made by filing out the form on this link OR email me directly at hayley.mcleod@soc.tas.edu.au.

Important requirement: 
Before you may host a student, the College must receive a copy of your Working with Vulnerable People – Child Related Activity registration card. All host parents / primary carers (and siblings over 16 years of age) hosting a student must be registered. The process can take up to six weeks, so we highly recommend that you apply for these checks as soon as possible (approx. cost $20 Volunteer). Details can be found here.

Thank you

Hayley McLead
Head of Languages