Local Students Forge Sister City Ties

Since September 2018, students from Hillman PS have been engaged with Une Elementary School through the International Intercultural Mural Exchange (IIME), which was facilitated with assistance from the City’s Global Friendship Committee. 

The IIME is a project where schools from around the world are matched with a school from Japan to interactively learn about global themes and to also express their own culture through the development of a jointly created mural. 

Hillman PS is the only Australian school to be included in the project and became involved after Ako City approached the City of Rockingham seeking the involvement of interested local schools. The City’s Global Friendship Committee then helped play a key role in establishing the partnership.   

Une Elementary School was first to complete their half of a mural, with Hillman PS students starting work on their half in early February. Once it is complete, the mural will be displayed in Japan and may also travel to any of the other 64 countries in the IIME project. 

City of Rockingham Mayor Barry Sammels said he was delighted to see that the efforts of the City’s Global Friendship Committee had been a success in connecting the two schools. 

"The City of Rockingham has been engaged in a mutually beneficial sister city relationship with Ako for more than 20 years, so it is fantastic to see Hillman Primary School take the initiative and continue to build on that friendship," Mayor Sammels said.    "The IIME project has a number of benefits for both the Australian and Japanese students, with both schools getting the chance to learn about cultures that are very different to their own. 

"Students have also been corresponding with each other through photos and PowerPoint presentations, with the aim of developing friendships that last long after the IIME project has finished." 

Une Elementary School is a small education institution in Ako and eight students from the school are taking part in the project. Hillman PS meanwhile, has 15 students participating. 

Image: Hillman Primary School students proudly display their half of a mural created in partnership with Une Elementary School from Ako, Japan. Picture: Supplied – Hillman Primary School.