St Luke’s Anglican School have said goodbye to eight Settsu Sister City students who visited the region for just over a week.
The students from Japan were in Bundaberg on an exchange program to further develop their English skills and learn about Australian culture.
“We have had a wonderful time with our Settsu students and staff this week,” principal Craig Merritt said.
“Thank you to all of our homestay families who helped welcome and settle in our visiting students.
“There were lots of tears and promises of returning to Bundaberg one day.”
Enrolments manager Caroline Warnock said the school felt privileged to have many exchange programs, welcoming international students to St Luke’s Anglican School.
“This term alone we have had students from Settsu, Macau, Tokyo and Changsha,” she said.
“Bundaberg is a wonderful experience for these students and we look forward to developing our international program further in the years to come.”
Students say goodbye. to their new Settsu friends 
The Settsu students spent a week with St. Luke’s Anglican School.
Sister City friendship with Settsu
Chairman of the Sister Cities Committee Cr Ross Sommerfeld said the visit was one of many that had been happening since the Sister City movement was established some 20 years ago.
“The Sister City movement is a worldwide organisation which aims to promote friendship, understanding, goodwill and respect through a variety of people-to-people exchange programs,” he said.
“We are very lucky to have two Sister City relationships with both Nanning and Settsu.
“These relationships have opened up a whole new window of opportunity for residents, forming positive bonds, learning about culture and celebrating friendship.”
Late last year, Bundaberg Regional Council celebrated the 20 year-long relationship with Settsu at a special tree planting event in the Botanic Gardens.
Up to 19 delegates, including Mayor Kazumasa Moriyama, visited Bundaberg for the celebrations.
A crepe myrtle was chosen for the occasion because it closely resembled the cherry blossom tree which thrived throughout Japan.
