On November 10th, Sunday, Engaging Science Contest for Senior High School Students 2019 was held at Ehime University.  Eight students took part in the contest.  They progressed to the finals.  They won the Ehime Prefectural Board of Education Award for the second prize.

The following is a student's response to the question, "Which is worse, arguing with someone orfiving someonethesilent treatment?"

I think giving someone the silent treatment is worse.  It's because I felt sad when I was given that treatment by my friend.  I am stubborn and I am poor at saying "I'm sorry."  Because of this, we couldn't be friends for a while.  I always argue with my friend to solve a problem saying "Sorry."  But I think relationship trouble is one of the experiences worth having.

On October 31st, Thursday, 1st year students had "Yu-fa-z."  Students who represented each class made a presentation on "International Understanding" and "Medical Affairs."  They referred to what they had learned through lectures by Saijo City Hall staff and what students themselves had researched, and they suggested their plans to improve the present situation their community is facing.  The 1st year students all actively participated in the presentation and the question and answer session as well.

On October 26th, Saturday, at Osaka City University, the 16th High School Students' Grand Contest on Chemistry.  Our students made an presentaion on Ishizuchi Kurocha, or black tea.  Their topic was "Scientific Analysis of Ishizuchi Kurocha: For Good Taste and Good Health."

Saijo City Halloween Party was held in Saijo Shopping Mall on October 26th, Saturday.  Some of our students took part in the event as volunteer staff.  Uchinuki Wartern, or Saijo High School Mascot, was an "idol."  Young children looked happy when taking a picure with the mascot.

The following is a student's response to the question, "What's your opinion about school uniforms for high school students?"

I think it is a good point of school uniforms that we don't have to choose clothes to go to school everyday.  I am for school uniforms.  I have two reasons to support my opinon.  First, they enable us to save several minutes to choose clothes.  Students are very busy.  Second, wearing schol uniforms is economical.  We don't need to buy many clothes.  School uniforms should be changed, because Japanese clomate has changed.  Old-fashioned designs such as sailor suit or gakuran are difficult to suit the change of temperature.

The following is a student's response to the question, "What's your opinion about school uniforms for high school students?"

School uniforms make us feel part of the group.  It prevents discrimination based on clothes and saves time, effort and money.  There's no need to buy new clothes or think about what to wear.  Uniforms could help us study and "get into concentration mode" in a way how our roms might slow down our studying becayse it's a place of comfort.  Bad sides include no chances to express individuality or uniqueness.  Teenagers are at a point of their lives where they have to discover themselves but uniforms hinder that development.  Uniforms also makes us identifiable, which in turn represents the school.  Since it's possible to five the schol a bad reputaion, it calls for stricter rules.  Strict rules make the atmosphere unconfortable, where as wearing our own clothes would ake  us feel relaxed, and of course people are more comfortable if they get to choose what to wear.  I'm not against school uniforms, but I think there is an alternative solution.

The following is a student's response to the question, "What's your opinion about school uniforms for high school studetns?"

It is often said that school uniforms make it difficult to express individuality.  I'm sometimes convinced of the idea and think that I want to wear my favorite clothes, but now I'm not against school uniforms.  One day, I had a chance to visit a nursing home.  I talked with the elderly and then, she said to me, "Your school unifrm reminds me of my school life."  She told me a lot of her experiences of her school life.  The school life is different from present school life.  However, my school u niform connects present with the past.  I think not changing thins like school uniforms are important.  Tradition connects various things.

The following is a student's response to the question "What is your dream?"

I want to become a famous game creator.  Also, I want to work to work in Nintendo.  Nintendo is one of the most popular companies which produce video games.  for example, Super Mario series, Seruda series and Carbee series.  I am watching many video games and studying to learn compter techniques at university.  I would often play video games with my friends, and then I feel a great joy.  That's why I want my dream to come true.  When it comes true, I will be a man who can make an effort to reach my aim.

On October 7th, 1st year students had a review of the lecture of Yu-fa-z given last week.  They thought deeply about the medical issues in Saijo.

On October 3rd, 1st year students had a lecture on medical affairs in Saijo, especially the present situation of the affairs.

On September 30th, 1st year students had Yu-fa-z.  They thought about new events which they thought would promote a local society friendly to people with multicultural background.  They shared the ideas in groups and in class.

On September 26th, one of the research study groups in the business course, whose theme is Saijo Festival, put together parts of Danjiri, or a float for the local festival.

The following is a student's response to the question "What's your dream vacation?"

I want to go to an island during my summer vacation.  I wanted to go to Hawaii before this lesson, but now, I want to go to the Philippines, because I was recommended to visit the country.  The Philippines have more than 7,000 islands!  So I want to visit all the islands with my friends!!  I want to try surfing, swimming, scuba diving and so on.

From September 17th to 20th, Mr. Mukai and three graduate students from Ehime University visited us and gave advice on our research study.  This visit is part of the trial program which involves graduate school students majoring in pedagogy in research study at high school.

On September 19th, students in the first year had a lecture on international understanding 2.  They shared the ideas about events which they think will lead to the intercultural understanding in the local area.  Then they got information about what kind of international events Saijo City offer to its citizens.

The following are a students' responses to the question "What's your dream vacation?"

★My dream vacation is to go to Bolivia.  I want to go to Salar de Uyuni.  It is so beautiful.  I want to go there with my family.  I want to walk on the lake and I want to take a lot of pictures.

★I want to go to the South Pole.  I want to go there with my friends.  I believe I can enjoy the view there.  I want to watch unique animals, too.  But I don't want to feel cold.

The following are students' responses to the question "What's your dream vacation?"

★I want to go to space.  I want to experience zero gravity.  I want to "swim."  I am going to go to space with my brother.  We are going to be "Space brothers."

★I want to go to Miyagi and Iwate on my birthday.  I want to go with my friends.  I want to visit many places drawn in "Haikyu," which features high school volleyball players.  I want to enjoy talking and experience Haikyu's world.  I hope this plan will be true.

On September 13th, 1st year students had a lecture about international understanding.  A lecturer from Saijo City Hall talked about a local community with foreigners.  Students thought about what they can do to build a city where both local and forein citizens respect cultures with each other.

On September 11th, Wednesday, two exchange students who are studying at the graduate school of Kyoto University visited us.  They are now staying at Kanbe and Senjo respectively for their research study.  A student from Vietnam is studying Japanese culture, and a French student is working on local resources.  ESS international understanding club students introduced popular sweets shops in Saijo.  They had a pleasant interaction.