What is the Home-stay program all about?
Each year 24 students arrive in Sutherland Shire from Sutherland Shire's Sister City of Chuo-ku (Tokyo). You can find more information about Chuo-ku HERE
These young Japanese students come to experience living with a Shire family, to understand more about living in Sutherland Shire and to make new friends between the two communities. The Japanese students are all aged between 12 and 14 years, however host students here in Sutherland Shire can be any age between 11 and 17.
The Sister City Student Program is NOT a language-based program, so it is not necessary to be studying Japanese to participate.
The Chuo City students will need to attend a local High School for 3 days during the visit, so it is necessary for the host family to have access to a school. The usual scenario is for the Host student, a family member, neighbour or close friend to have the students accompany them to a local High school for 3 days.
If you have a Year 6 Primary school child and would like to host please call us to chat. The number to call can be found HERE.
Because of the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, in 2021 the Chuo City students are expected to arrive in Sutherland Shire at 4:00pm on the first Friday between the Olympic and Paralympic games. The students will stay with their Homestay Family until about 3:00 on the afternoon of the second Saturday . They will spend the weekend/s at leisure with host families, and then the Chuo City students will attend high school for three days the following week. The Sutherland Committee will also contact the school to ensure the Chuo City students are expected and well catered for.
For the 2 week days the students do not attend high school the Sutherland Shire Committee will take the Chuo City students on two days of activities. They will engage in a skills clinic either with a local Surf Life Saving club or AFL NSW, and will participate in a walk / talk / hands-on cultural learning experience with an Aboriginal Ranger. The Chuo City students AND the hosting Sutherland Shire students will also be involved in a half-day volunteering program with Sutherland Shire Bushcare on the Friday morning. The family will be invited to a Mayoral Reception and dinner at Sutherland Shire Council Chambers.
Due to the numbers of Chuo city students involved each year, and to help overcome any possible language difficulties, our program requires each Host Family to accept two Japanese students. PLEASE DON'T PANIC! The Organising Committee stresses there is absolutely no need for the visiting students to each have their own room during home-stay. It is preferable for them to share a room. It is also not necessary for them to have a dedicated bedroom. Many host families place fold-out beds or sofa beds in the family, rumpus or lounge room for the Chuo students. Our homes always seem very large and spacious to the visiting Chuo City students as the homes and apartments in Japan are usually much smaller than we are used to here in the Sydney area.
If you are uncertain as to the suitability of your accommodation please contact the Association and a representative will be happy to help with ideas and hopefully solutions.
Is there an Information Evening? ......
We prefer to talk to you directly and personally rather than at a more impersonal Information session. We encourage you to call to chat about the program and if still needed we can organise to meet at a time convenient to you ......... There is an Orientation Session in late June for those selected to Host .....
APPLICATIONS WILL OPEN IN NOVEMBER 2020
High Year 6
These young Japanese students come to experience living with a Shire family, to understand more about living in Sutherland Shire and to make new friends between the two communities. The Japanese students are all aged between 12 and 14 years, however host students here in Sutherland Shire can be any age between 11 and 17.
The Sister City Student Program is NOT a language-based program, so it is not necessary to be studying Japanese to participate.
The Chuo City students will need to attend a local High School for 3 days during the visit, so it is necessary for the host family to have access to a school. The usual scenario is for the Host student, a family member, neighbour or close friend to have the students accompany them to a local High school for 3 days.
If you have a Year 6 Primary school child and would like to host please call us to chat. The number to call can be found HERE.
Because of the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, in 2021 the Chuo City students are expected to arrive in Sutherland Shire at 4:00pm on the first Friday between the Olympic and Paralympic games. The students will stay with their Homestay Family until about 3:00 on the afternoon of the second Saturday . They will spend the weekend/s at leisure with host families, and then the Chuo City students will attend high school for three days the following week. The Sutherland Committee will also contact the school to ensure the Chuo City students are expected and well catered for.
For the 2 week days the students do not attend high school the Sutherland Shire Committee will take the Chuo City students on two days of activities. They will engage in a skills clinic either with a local Surf Life Saving club or AFL NSW, and will participate in a walk / talk / hands-on cultural learning experience with an Aboriginal Ranger. The Chuo City students AND the hosting Sutherland Shire students will also be involved in a half-day volunteering program with Sutherland Shire Bushcare on the Friday morning. The family will be invited to a Mayoral Reception and dinner at Sutherland Shire Council Chambers.
Due to the numbers of Chuo city students involved each year, and to help overcome any possible language difficulties, our program requires each Host Family to accept two Japanese students. PLEASE DON'T PANIC! The Organising Committee stresses there is absolutely no need for the visiting students to each have their own room during home-stay. It is preferable for them to share a room. It is also not necessary for them to have a dedicated bedroom. Many host families place fold-out beds or sofa beds in the family, rumpus or lounge room for the Chuo students. Our homes always seem very large and spacious to the visiting Chuo City students as the homes and apartments in Japan are usually much smaller than we are used to here in the Sydney area.
If you are uncertain as to the suitability of your accommodation please contact the Association and a representative will be happy to help with ideas and hopefully solutions.
Is there an Information Evening? ......
We prefer to talk to you directly and personally rather than at a more impersonal Information session. We encourage you to call to chat about the program and if still needed we can organise to meet at a time convenient to you ......... There is an Orientation Session in late June for those selected to Host .....
APPLICATIONS WILL OPEN IN NOVEMBER 2020
High Year 6