Matsue—The Matsuyo Matsuri Festival took place on November 1st at Matsue Special-Needs School. It brought together students, parents, teachers, staff, and local residents for an event filled with games, exhibits, and community bonding.
The festival day featured learning presentations by primary and middle school students, showcasing projects they had worked on throughout the year. Each classroom also hosted games for the students. The 3rd-year students introduced what they had learned about various animals, while the 5th-year students displayed their findings on creatures of Shinjiko Lake, a scenic lake located in Matsue City, renowned for its rich biodiversity. Their work also included fieldwork at the Shimane Prefectural Aquarium, Gobius, an interactive aquarium promoting environmental education.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, teachers, parents, and school staff set up stalls selling coffee and baked sweet potatoes, which were a hit with students and visitors alike.
Hiroaki Sakai, a PTA representative, said, ‘The students are more lively than usual, and the parents are enjoying this unique experience as well’.
The Matsue Special-Needs School has primary, middle, and high school divisions, and around 300 students are enrolled in its school buildings in Matsue and Yasugi Cities.
Special-needs schools in Japan offer their pupils tailored and comprehensive learning support, building on their strengths and educational needs to nurture independence and social participation.
In addition to its educational programmes, Matsue Special-Needs School actively strengthens ties with the local community. High school students create a variety of popular crafts for the school’s annual exhibition and sale. These include English newspaper bags, pottery, and cloth eco-bags.
As a longstanding tradition, the Matsuyo Matsuri fosters students’ growth and strengthens the bond between the school and the local community.
（Words by Takashi Saito）