Jags 4 Japan

                 

It’s a time for reflection as well as action. Across the world and across the year groups at JAGS, people have been sending messages of support to the stricken country. We learnt from our Japanese teacher how to make origami cranes and taught each other, making over 1000 birds together.

An ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane, such as long life or recovery from illness or injury. The crane in Japan is a mystical or holy creature, said to live for a thousand years. Helped by Y12s Iona and Talia, Y8s Katie, Katherine and Catriona led assemblies for the pre-prep, prep and senior schools. They particularly enjoyed the interactive session they had at the pre-prep, especially hearing what some of those children would wish for.

Katie, Katherine and Catriona explained how we could get involved. We garlanded Japanese cherry blossom

trees Green Dale, planted recently as part of a Southwark Council Cleaner, Greener, Safer initiative, and spoke “Good Luck” messages in Japanese. We set out the remainder on the floor of the Holst Hall, for everyone to appreciate: both beautiful, visual images as gestures of our support. Now the cranes have been taken home for girls to use as a focus for their thinking about Japan. There were cakes decorated with Japanese messages and we wore Japanese-themed own clothes for the day. Altogether this imaginative appeal has made over £1300 for the people of Japan. Green Dale residents should enjoy looking at the flying birds too. In a quirk of fate, a real crane–like bird was spotted flying over the school and landing on the roof of a house opposite JAGS!

We take inspiration from the coming together of the whole school in this tangible gesture of support. Cllr Barrie Hargrove, cabinet member for transport, environment and recycling at Southwark Council, said "I'm delighted that this Cleaner Greener Safer project is starting to look so good, and making such a difference to the area. I also applaud the school for using the trees in such a thoughtful way, and for such a good cause."

Cllr Robin Crookshank Hilton, Village ward councillor, who originally came up with the idea for the Dulwich Cherry Blossom Project, said "I'm thrilled that these trees are now looking so good, following all the hard work that we've put into this project. I hope that this annual celebration can go from strength to strength and might one day bloom into a proper Japanese cherry blossom festival across Dulwich.

 

6 April 2011