Attendance at the Scotland Japanese Saturday School Graduation Ceremony (29th March 2025)

On 29 March, Acting Consul General Minori Ishii attended the graduation ceremony for the Scotland Japanese Saturday School. Acting Consul General Ishii gave a congratulatory speech to the graduating class of nine kindergarten students, eight primary school students, and fourteen junior high school students. Whilst praising the students efforts so far she said, "Whilst also attending local, UK schools from Monday to Friday every week, in just one class a week you also learned an entire week’s worth of material which would be covered in a Japanese school over a five day period. It is not difficult to imagine how hard it must have been to prepare for that class and do the required homework. There must have been many times when you wanted to quit Saturday School. However, each one of you overcame all of that and made it to this bright day. You've really worked hard."
It was a moving ceremony from start to finish. In addition to the presentation of diplomas to the graduates, heartfelt farewell speeches were made by representatives of the current elementary and junior high school students and moving reply speeches from the graduating class. Attendees sung the school song and the song Hotaru no Hikari (Glow of the firefly, a Japanese song sung to the tune of Auld Lang Syne). The Ceremony also featured the announcement perfect attendance awards, a slideshow and other events.