From Monday, April 20 to Tuesday, April 21, we held an overnight training retreat for our Grade 10 students.

For the new students, who had only just enrolled on Friday, April 10, this retreat served as a very important opportunity marking their first step into high school life. The retreat was conducted with three main aims: “to cultivate awareness of what it means to be a Hakuho student,” “to acquire discipline and cooperativeness in group activities,” and “to deepen mutual understanding among classmates.”

In his address, the Principal spoke about the importance of valuing an attitude of “bringing joy to others” and “bringing enjoyment to others.” In particular, he encouraged the students to pay attention to the language and bearing of those working on the front lines of customer service, and spoke about the importance of looking at things from a perspective different from the everyday.

On the morning of the first day, the students took part in the “Disney Academy” program held at Tokyo Disney Resort. Through the perspective of “working,” the cast members gave a lecture on the spirit of hospitality, the importance of thinking from the other person’s point of view, and the value of the small discoveries found in everyday life. By viewing the facility not merely as a theme park but as a “workplace,” the students gained a valuable opportunity to think about their future career paths and their views on work. They also deepened their learning about facing their own feelings honestly and valuing new discoveries.

In the afternoon, the students visited Tokyo Disneyland in small groups. Cooperating with one another as they made their way around the park, they were mindful of keeping to the schedule and the rules while enjoying a thoroughly rewarding time. Their smiling faces made it clear that the bonds among classmates and group members had grown much closer all at once.

On the second day, the Academic Affairs Division provided an opportunity for the students to consider “what each individual can do to make the school an environment where everyone feels comfortable.” The students reflected on their own conduct and on how they relate to those around them, raising their awareness of how to build a better school.
The Career Guidance Division then led a program in which the students reviewed the Disney Academy session and considered the meaning of “working.” After taking time to envision their own future individually, they exchanged views in groups, which gave them a valuable chance to encounter a diversity of values and ways of thinking.
Through putting their own thoughts into words and listening to the opinions of others, each student showed growth not only as an individual but also a deepening awareness of being part of a group.

Through this overnight retreat, the students gained a great deal of learning and insight. The experience of these two days spent together with their classmates will surely serve as a solid foundation for their school life ahead. Our school will continue to support the growth of every student through educational activities such as this.