28 July 2000

Japanese School Girls to Clean Up Beach 

For the past four years pupils from the Tachibana Girls’ High School in Yokohama, Japan, have come to Christchurch to learn English.

But each year they have also pursued a programme of social activities while in the city. One of their engagements each year has been to pick up litter from the beach at Southshore and also help the Christchurch City Council’s Coast Care with weeding, mulching and native planting.

That will be done again this year but the Coast Care supervisor, Rodney Chambers, has decided to mark this annual work with a special commemorate bollard.

At 11.30am on Tuesday 1 August in the Southshore Reserve, at the Estuary end of Rockinghorse Road, South Brighton, the bollard will be unveiled. Plaques will note that the Tachibana girls have improved the beach each year from 1997.

Tachibana Girls’ High School is a private school, established in 1942, with strong ethic in its teaching. The girls come from wealthy families and the school tries to build an awareness of the responsibilities towards the less fortunate.

The girls learn English at the Canterbury Language College and its principal, David Pepperle, says the girls always look forward to their annual trip to New Zealand.

"They have asked for a repeat tour they have done for the last three years. The major visits are to Coast Care, the Department of Conservation, West Coast, the Salvation Army, a local high school, and a reception at the Christchurch City Council. This year they will be entertained at an afternoon tea by the Deputy Mayor, Lesley Keast, on Wednesday 2 August.

Photo opportunity: 11.30am Tuesday 1 August at Southshore Reserve, Rockinghorse Road, South Brighton. 

Further information: Rodney Chambers, Coast Care: 025 226 7987.