Holland Park High currently offers students the opportunity to study Japanese (Years 7 -12). Language Studies allow students to acquire an understanding that language and culture affect how we develop our own set of values, attitudes, and beliefs. Studying a foreign language enables students to develop practical language skills that allow them to express their needs and opinions and communicate in everyday situations.
Through studying a foreign language, students will:
- Develop practical written and spoken foreign language skills to discuss real-life issues.
- Gain an understanding and appreciation of a different culture, lifestyle, and perspective.
- Develop and expand upon communication skills.
- Develop skills to problem solve and find ways of expressing themselves.
In addition to learning to speak a foreign language, other benefits for students include enhanced:
- Higher and lateral thinking skills.
- Logical and systematic thinking skills.
- Oral and written communications skills.
- Analytical and interpretation skills.
- Creative skills.
Subjects Offered
For further information and details about the units of study, please refer to the year level handbooks.
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Sister School Bond –
Osaka Prefectural Tennoji High School大阪府立天王寺高等学校
For more than 25 years, Holland Park State High School has enjoyed a strong, dynamic, and mutually enriching partnership with our esteemed sister school, Osaka Prefectural Tennoji High School (大阪府立天王寺高等学校). Each March, we proudly welcome a select group of Tennoji students for a two-week cultural and educational immersion. During their stay, they are hosted by our students and their families, who share the warmth, diversity, and vibrancy of Australian culture and everyday life.
Our Japanese visitors typically arrive with a confident command of conversational English, creating an enriching environment for all members of our school community—not only those studying Japanese. Their presence fosters the formation of lasting international friendships, encourages intercultural communication, and offers all students invaluable insight into Japanese education and lifestyle. Each year, the exchange period passes quickly, leaving both hosts and guests with treasured memories and a desire for an extended visit.
Holland Park State High School is proud to offer a complete Japanese language program through to Year 12. Students undertaking Japanese in Years 7–12 are invited to participate in the Holland Park State High School Biannual Japanese Study Tour. In recognition of our reciprocal relationship with Osaka Prefectural Tennoji High School, students who volunteer to host a Tennoji guest in March are also eligible to join this transformative international learning experience.
Our biannual two-week study tour provides students with a deeply immersive introduction to Japan's rich cultural heritage, showcasing the best of both modern innovation and ancient tradition. We offer a personalised and flexible itinerary tailored to student interests, allowing each group to engage with Japan in meaningful and memorable ways.
A signature feature of every tour is the homestay program with our sister school in Osaka. During this week, students experience authentic Japanese high school life—attending classes, joining club activities, and forming genuine connections with their host families and peers. Beyond Osaka, the tour also includes visits to places of national and global importance such as Hiroshima, Miyajima, Kyoto, and Tokyo, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of Japan's historical and cultural landscape.
Our study tours emphasise active, hands-on learning. Students do not simply observe—they immerse themselves in the culture. Experiences may include:
- Creating traditional Japanese confectionery such as Wagashi（和菓子） in Kyoto or Momiji Manju（紅葉饅頭） on Miyajima Island
- Participating in Tennoji High School cultural workshops, including calligraphy fan-making, Shibori 絞り indigo tie-dye and school events
- Exploring world-class attractions such as Universal Studios Japan or Tokyo DisneySea/Disneyland
- Dressing in traditional attire—Yukata or Kimono—while strolling through Kyoto's historic streets
- Savouring Osaka's renowned culinary district, Dōtonbori, known as the "nation's kitchen"
- Finding peace and spiritual connection through visits to iconic temples and shrines across Japan
Students return from the Japanese Study Tour with strengthened independence, enhanced cultural understanding, improved language skills, and a broadened global perspective. This program stands as one of Holland Park's most enriching and inspiring educational opportunities, nurturing curiosity, confidence, and global citizenship.
For further information, please contact:
ISP Coordinator / Language Coordinator – Lucy Lin
Email: lshia5@eq.edu.au