Police Officer and Traffic Police come to visit

What an exciting day it was at school today. We received a visit from Moriyama san who is a Police Inspector from the Azabu Police Station; and a Traffic Policeman on his motorcycle came to visit us as well. Moriyama san first spoke to us together with our friends in Flowers Class and then we all went outside to be with our Buds Class friends and see the actual Patrol Car and Motorcycle. When we were in Flowers Class, he told us what he does and what the job of a Policeman is. He told us that they catch robbers; see that people are safe each day, in the neighbourhood; help if there is an accident; help people find things that they may have lost and they also have to keep up their training as Police Officers. He said that it takes nine months to become a Police Officer and you have to do Judo and Kendo as part of your training. He said that children from six years old can go to train in these sports, at the Police Station. Some of our friends in Flowers Class are six years old so maybe they can go and train there.

We watched the red lights and siren on the Police Car. They can be raised above the roof of the car and then get lowered when the car drives. The motorcycle also has flashing lights and a siren.

We noticed on Moriyama san’s uniform, he had a badge. He had two badges; one on his jacket and one in his pocket. The one in his pocket he handed round for us to see and we looked at it all shining, in silver and gold. He said that you get a different badge depending on the number of years that you have worked as a Police Officer. There were so many things for us to remember.

Our big thrill today was having a chance to sit inside the Police Car and on the motorbike. It was a fantastic day and we are in for another treat next week when we walk up to the Fire Station to meet the Firefighters and see the Fire Engine.

We have a selection of photos from today here for you to enjoy.

In the one we are standing together with the Traffic Officer in front of his “shirobai”. We sat inside the “patoca” and then we sat on the motorbike.

After this fantastic experience we walked to the park. For the entire part of the early morning, we were praying that it would stay dry otherwise the Police Officers would have cancelled the visit. Well while we were walking to the park, we felt one light drop of rain, then we felt a few more and then they became heavier. And before we knew it, we were running back to school in a light rain. Lilian kept on telling us: “It’s only rain and rain is water”. We laughed all the time that we were running back and passed our Buds Class friends who were also trying to get back to school as quickly as their little legs would take them.

At the beginning of our day, Lucinda, Mika, Daiki and William B made their people out of junk art and then later, when we came back from the park, Mika and Lucinda started to dress their people. They chose to make farmers. We are all going to choose a profession or career for our people in the next few days.

We sang all about Police Officers and what they do each day and we did the actions. Giorgia and Mika finished their ‘chitose-ame’ bags so we now all have one. Tomorrow we will get treats to go inside them.

Thanks to Maryna in the office for organizing the visit from the Police Officers today. We loved it and think that our teachers loved it too.

Love always Shelley, Hisami and Liezel.