Consul General of Japan Hisao Yamaguchi chats with students and faculty of George S. Henry Academy[HOME][Back to Sakura Main Page]
George S. Henry Academy, a public high school in North York (Toronto), which for years has devoted considerable energy toward the study of Japan, got a boost of encouragement on May 26 with a donation of 15 trees from the Sakura Project. Among those in attendance at the ceremony marking the planting were: Consul General of Japan and Sakura Project Chair Hisao Yamaguchi; George S. Henry Principal Debbie Perrin; Toronto District School Board (TDSB) Superintendent Gloria Baxter; TDSB Trustee Michael Coteau; George S. Henry students and faculty, including Sandra Mah, the Japanese language teacher; as well as members of the Sakura Committee.
"I have learned that George S. Henry Academy takes a great interest in both Japanese language and culture, through the offering of Japanese language courses by Ms. Sandra Mah, as well as the annual Japan Day cultural festival," said Mr. Yamaguchi in his speech. "This festival gives students and teachers the opportunity to experience different aspects of Japanese culture. It is my hope that students and teachers come away from the festival with a deeper understanding, as well as a desire to learn more about a culture that may be different from their own."
Japanese language teacher Sandra Mah and Consul General Yamaguchi speak at the Sakura planting ceremony.
Mr. Yamaguchi also went on to refer to the environmental initiatives at the school. "It is my understanding that George S. Henry Academy participates in the Ontario EcoSchools program, which is designed to help schools promote a positive and sustainable future for themselves and the environment. I believe that the Sakura trees donated today will support these efforts, as well as further enhance the school grounds," he said.
Although the cold climate this spring meant there were very few Sakura blossoms to be seen around the greater Toronto area, the ceremonial tree at George S. Henry provided those in attendance with a small burst of flowers, apparently in celebration of its new home.
Principal Debbie Perrin indicates the Sakura flowers to Michael Gaade, Sakura Project Coordinator at the Consulate General of Japan.