Monday is the 6th year students' final day at Fuji, so today was the day for their farewell party. After and address from the headmistress, there was a performance by the teaching staff which effected a lot of squealing (presumably from delight). This was followed by a slide show where the students were able to reminisce on their 6 years at Fuji as well as understand how important the friends they have made truly are. The thanks they owe to their parents and family who have supported them through the years will not have been lost on the young ladies of 6th year.

The sixth year students made their way to the chapel this morning for their graduation thanksgiving Mass. The chancellor of Fuji Women's University, Father Flores, was the celebrant and he gave the students a passionate talk on life after Fuji. After offering prayers and singing hymns together, the students then received a blessing one by one and, in effect, completed the last of their preparations before their graduation this coming Monday.

The members of the Tea Ceremony Club came together today for their "Hatsu-gama". This is the first session of the new year for any tea ceremony group. The students showed off the fruits of their practice and treated the visitors to a work of "moving art", all the while faithfully showing off an important piece of Japan's traditional culture.

Students came back to school today for their new year assembly and cleaning. There was also a chance for 6th year students to work out how well they did on the "centre exams", a selection of exams needed for entrance to some universities. Classes will start from tomorrow.

The results to the entrance exam were posted just outside the school as well as on the school's home page at 13:00 today. April marks the start of the new school year and we wish everyone all the best.

Today is the last school day of 2009. At Fuji, this means that today is the day when students and staff come together to celebrate Christmas. With prayers and hymns, the school celebrated the birth of Christ while offering donations collected for various causes and listening to readings. The chorus club were on hand to give a beautiful rendition of "Unto Us a Child is Born". This was then followed by the annual film showing.

After returning to their classrooms, the students took lunch and then started the major cleaning, before heading home.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.

The third week of advent is now upon us! This afternoon, the three junior years took turns to come to the school chapel for their advent assembly. The girls enjoyed praying and singing together, as well as having the time to think about what Christmas is actually all about. The third years can be seen in the pictures below.

Recently, the chorus club have been kept busy with their engagements outside of school. The other day saw them visit Hokkaido University hospital to take part in the annual Christmas concert, where they were honoured to be able to sing for the staff and patients.

The dormitory Christmas party was a roaring success this year, as students and dormitory staff enjoyed an evening of festivities. This was the last such event for the sixth years and, as such, was no doubt a particularly meaningful evening that will remain a fond memory of their time there. Merry Christmas, everyone.