Sotsugyoshiki - Graduation Ceremony

Graduation is a really big thing in Japan, and for all age groups. Junior High School is only three years, but still the ceremony lasts for ages and all the girls cry. But I think the girls are expected to cry... choreographed if you like. There were several rehearsals for the ceremony, which meant very few lessons towards the end of term, and so very little for me to do with my time in the staffroom. I've been trying to fill my time by studying Kanji characters, but so far I've only learnt 200 or so. Anyway, I digress! Here are some photos from the rehearsal and the ceremony itself, and some farewell shots with the third grade students.