That relationship was further strengthened on Wednesday when Japanese Consul General Ms Keiko Hanedo visited Girton following three students returning from a visit to Girton's sister school, Gojo Senior High School.

Girton's head of Japanese Mo Watanabe said the students were excited to have time to speak with Ms Haneda. 

Ms Watanabe said the visit was a chance for students to develop their confidence.

Gabe Lillington, Dale Baker and Haydn Musgrove returned from Japan last Saturday. Mr Musgrove said the experience had forced them to fully immerse in the Japanese culture and language.

"We shadowed students from the school for most of the time, except for physical education because they run three kilometres twice a week," he said.