Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Students from Asaka Nishi High School in Japan spent 8 days in Proserpine with host families from Proserpine State High School. Photo credit: Whitsunday Life
Proserpine State High School recently welcomed students from Asaka Nishi High School in Japan for as part of a longstanding sister school program that has been in place since 1997.
The Japanese students have been staying with Whitsunday host families, and getting a taste of Aussie weather and wildlife; experiencing the Great Barrier Reef Festival, taking an Ocean Rafting Trip, and getting up close with native animals through Wildlife Whitsunday.
Head of Department for English & Languages Corinne Raiteri said that the exchange is an opportunity to learn language skills and foster cross-culture connection, also built through virtual connection during the school year.
“We have Japanese here as a language, and one of the one of the things that we do is we get the kids on Teams so that they can talk to each other.” Corinne explained.
“If they know each other personally, it's even more effective in terms of learning. Having having that interplay between them is fantastic, and it just builds relationships further.”
“It’s been so awesome to give them new experiences,” said Proserpine State High student Myka Kelly.
“She’s been teaching me some Japanese… it’s been super fun!”
Pupils Ruby Lou and Nahla Bullen said they’ve made great friends and learnt ‘heaps’ of Japanese through the program, bonding with the Japanese students over their shared interests.
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2026 Mackay and Whitsunday Life Pty Ltd.
