Year 6 students enjoyed a full day of Japanese language, music, movement and cultural experiences during an incursion led by Taikoz artists alongside IGS Japanese teacher Machiko Sensei and Head of Primary Music Nik Glass.
Throughout the day, students rotated through a series of immersive workshops designed to deepen their understanding of Japanese culture while strengthening their language skills. They explored the powerful art of Taiko drumming, learning ensemble techniques and performing excerpts from the Taikoz repertoire. Students also discovered the striking Japanese dance tradition of Onikenbai from Iwate Prefecture, practised sword-dance-inspired movement using wooden dowels, and took part in Japanese art and origami workshops.
The incursion encouraged students to develop strength, stamina, balance and coordination while experiencing how language, music and movement come together in Japanese artistic traditions. The program also integrated learning across several Key Learning Areas, including Music, while reinforcing IGS values of diversity, authenticity and connectedness.
The day concluded with a special showcase for families, where students proudly demonstrated what they had learnt through energetic Taiko performances and Japanese sword dancing.
Experiences like these bring language learning to life, giving students authentic opportunities to connect with the culture behind the language and creating lasting memories that extend well beyond the classroom.
Thank you to Taikoz team for sharing their expertise and passion with our Year 6 students, to our Japanese teacher Machiko Ohta for helping bring the experience to life and to Nik Glass Head of Primary Music for coordinating this memorable day of cultural learning.
