Ocean Road Primary School Matsuri 2025
At Ocean Road Primary School, the 2025 Matsuri festival was more than just a school event—it was a vibrant celebration of cultural diversity, identity and inclusion. The entire school community embraced the spirit of Harmony Day, with students invited to wear traditional Japanese attire, clothing that represented their own cultural heritage, or something orange in honour of the day’s message of unity.
Guided by the creative leadership of Chubb Sensei, the school was transformed into a lively Japanese festival atmosphere. Students eagerly exchanged Australian dollars for Japanese yen and explored a variety of themed market stalls and activities, offering an immersive cultural experience.
Highlights included Japanese face painting, cherry blossom art, traditional toy stations, a thrilling Ninja obstacle course, and hands-on experiences like making rice balls and folding origami. The energy was high at the Sumo wrestling ring, and the Japanese café served up refreshing green tea, kakigori (shaved ice), and ice cream. One of the crowd favourites was the noodle slider—both delicious and fun!
The event was a joyous display of pride and connection, with students beaming as they shared their cultural identities and engaged in cross-cultural learning. None of it would have been possible without the dedication of the staff, volunteers and students, whose efforts created a truly memorable day.
Reflecting on the event, Chubb Sensei’s legacy shines brightly—not just through the festival, but in the lasting impact she continues to make on the lives of students and families at Ocean Road.
The school was also honoured by the presence of representatives from the Office of the Consulate-General of Japan, Perth, who shared the following reflection:
“We had a great time at the Ocean Road Primary School Matsuri!
The students did a wonderful job hosting many Japanese festival activities, preparing food and games for everyone to enjoy. We were especially impressed by the creative costumes and face painting, as well as the sakura flowers they painted for us.
We hope this experience will encourage students to learn more about Japanese culture.
Thank you to the Ocean Road Primary School staff, volunteers and students for all of their efforts, and we look forward to the next festival!”
Ocean Road Primary’s Matsuri 2025 was a beautiful example of what can be achieved when schools create space for meaningful cultural exchange—and memories that will last a lifetime.
