Sunnyside International

Previously I mentioned briefly the thought process behind teaching kindergarten and despite having experience last year, I knew that this job would be very different.  After researching the school and it's teaching philosophies both Cassandra and I were impressed and excited about the immersive approach to learning and the emphasis on extra curricular activities and trips that were designed to help students learn outside of the classroom.  Without putting too finer point on it, there were many aspects that I believed in whole-heartedly and the job would take us in a different direction and we would know after a year if teaching this level would be for us.



Before we started the job we were able to have a visiting day to witness everyday life which would help us to know what would be expected and make up our daily routine. 

The school is split into two parts: Yashio which is a Japanese kindergarten and Sunnyside International where the students are taught and led by foreign teachers such as us.

The forest: a huge play area with rivers, slides, rope swings, everything young children could ever want to keep them entertained.

Another playground in the Yashio grounds.

Part of Yashio and a playground for sports and activities.

On the first day we were able to wander around and see how the school worked.  We would later discuss which age group we wanted to teach from 2 year old up to 5 year olds.  Both Cassandra and I were keen to work with the older students because it would give us more of a chance to develop English skills and less of a chance of dealing with dirty diapers!!

The school system, staff and facilities are exactly what you would expect from a Japanese Kindergarten with no detail overlooked and meticulous planning and organisation. 

There are even students who travel more than an hour a day to attend the school because it is quite specialist and unique that the students are learning everything in English.

I decided to take my camera with me to try and capture my first day and this was the outcome......

Welcome to White class: Yes this is what I saw upon entering my classroom for the first time.



It is always a good idea to take a photo and try and learn the kids names as quick as possible.  For some reason you always learn the naughty ones first....

Exhibit A

With one of my students, her brother and my co-teacher on 'Father's Day'.

With one of my 'early students' who arrives around 8am so we hang out in the mornings.

Another of my early students who is one of the happiest kids I have ever met.

The 'bentos' or packed lunches the kids bring on Wednesdays are literally a work of art.

My mum never made me packed lunches like this although if she did I might have ended up watching 'Sex in the City' and listening to more Elton John albums...

Which is what I think Cass might be encouraging in 'Red class' ?!

Here are some of her little angels washing their indoor shoes.



The kids English vocabulary is incredible and they listen and understand so much.  We are teaching them some pretty advanced gymnastic routines.

The students have a ridiculously busy schedule and some arrive at school at 8am and stay until after 5pm. However they seem to have a great deal of fun and we are really enjoying it too!!