Ms Jestico

Year 10 Japanese students enjoyed a trip to see 'My Neighbour Totoro' in the West End, based on the Japanese animation of the same name by Hayao Miyazaki. It's a beautiful story brought to life with amazing puppetry - I highly recommend this for families. @DGS_MFL @DartfordGS

Michael in Year 12 has arrived in Japan today to begin the One-month Exchange Programme. This is an exciting opportunity to experience life as a Japanese student at Kaichi Highschool and improve fluency in Japanese. @DartfordGS @jpflondon #SakuraNetwork

Japan trip day 9 and our last day - breakfast overlooking Lake Biwa and learning about Japan's natural beauty at the Lake Biwa Museum before returning to Kyoto to visit Kodaiji temple and the Eiga Mura film studio. @DartfordGS @DGS_MFL

Japan trip day 8 - we said goodbye to our host families and set off for our overnight trip to Kyoto and Biwa, stopping at the Railway museum, Golden Pavillion and the Fushimi Inari Taisha before ending the day with karaoke. @DartfordGS @DGS_MFL

Japan trip day 6 - a visit to Nara, Japan's 8th century capital known for its bowing deer and the Todaiji temple. Crawling through a hole in a pillar the same size as the great Buddha's nostril guarantees good health. @DartfordGS @DGS_MFL

More language exchange in action - learning a Japanese song.

Japan trip day 5 and our last day of school integration, this time at Kaichi high school. Our students took part in various lessons, sports, calligraphy and the tea ceremony before our Sayonara Party with the host families. @DartfordGS @DGS_MFL

Introducing their new Japanese friends to English tongue twisters.

Japan trip day 4 and our 2nd day at Koyo high school. Our students have spent the morning doing cultural activities including the koto harp and calligraphy, and the afternoon taking part in practical science lessons with visiting university lecturers. @DartfordGS @DGS_MFL

Japan trip day 3 and the first of two days at Koyo High School: bilingual fun and games, after school clubs and even cleaning the school with the Japanese students. @DartfordGS @DGS_MFL

Day 2 of the Year 11 trip to Wakayama, Japan. We visited Koyasan, the centre of Shingon Buddhism and a World Heritage Site. It was a tiring day but the boys really perked up when we visited a traditional Japanese sweet factory on the way home! @DGS_MFL @DartfordGS

DGS students are celebrating Mental Health Awareness Week, which this year recognises the many benefits of connecting with the natural world. There's also no better time to get out and about exploring the natural beauty of Kent and seeing the bluebells at their best. @DartfordGS

Some of Y8 fun activity at Chaucer College. It is fantastic to see them put 100% into all activities! #DartfordGS #nihongoforit

@DartfordGS @DGS_MFL Chaucer College residential Day 3. Lots of smiles at Leeds Castle despite all the rain.

Chaucer College residential Day 3. Having fun getting lost in the maze at Leeds Castle.

Chaucer College residential Day 2 evening activities. Japanese and English kids enjoying learning African drumming.@DartfordGS @DGS_MFL