Paper cranes will fly from St Finbar’s to Hiroshima for anniversary

Thursday 6 August 2015 marked the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan

Since the anniversary, students from St Finbar’s Primary, Glenbrook have been working towards creating 100 paper cranes which will be sent to Hiroshima Primary School. Inspired by the story Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, students each created paper cranes which they added to their ‘Heiwa’ (Peace) artworks, to symbolise Sadako and her wish for peace.

Students each created paper cranes which they added to their ‘Heiwa’ (Peace) artworks. Year 4 students Scarlett Jurd and Sophie Keast have together already created 50 coloured paper cranes

Year 4 students Scarlett Jurd and Sophie Keast with Japanese K-6 LOTE teacher, Amanda Miller.

‘I really liked listening to the text and ‘Anime’ (Japanese animation) about Sadako and the Thousand paper cranes,’ Scarlett said. ‘It helped our class understand what Sadako went through when the atomic bomb was dropped in Hiroshima on 6 August, 1945.’

‘Our paper cranes that we made are in remembrance of Hiroshima and Sadako's fighting spirit for world peace,’ she said.

Students working on their Heiwa artwork.

Japanese K-6 LOTE teacher, Amanda Miller, said students were very interested in learning more about the story of Hiroshima and have spoken the heartfelt prayer of the citizens of Hiroshima for peace.

‘We focused on the message of world peace, saying the beautiful peace prayer in class and creating unique peace messages through Heiwa artworks,’ Amanda said. ‘Many students went home and wrote messages to Sadako on the Internet.’

Three of the books which inspired the learning and teaching.

‘I really loved saying the peace prayer as a class,’ Sophie said. ‘After making the sign of the cross, we said these words: "This is our cry. This is our prayer. Peace on Earth.”’

‘It is such a beautiful prayer as it helped us think about Heiwa,’ she said.

Peace prayer.

Written By

Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au

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