The long-awaited graduation field trip had finally arrived!
Together with the five-year-old classes from Beyondia Kashiwa-no-ha and Ikebukuro campuses, our students set out for this special day. Many children arrived earlier than usual, and they were filled with excitement from the moment they walked through the door.
Alongside their anticipation for the musical, we also saw their determination to “act responsibly on their own,” showcasing the growth befitting the oldest class in the school, which was an encouraging start to the day.
During the morning circle time, everyone reviewed theater manners together:
“Don’t speak in a loud voice”, “Sit properly while watching!” and other important rules for public spaces. Thinking through these expectations together and reminding one another strengthened their awareness and created a meaningful opportunity to practice kindness and responsibility in a group setting.
Soon after, we boarded the Beyondia bus from Ikebukuro school and headed toward Maihama Amphitheater.
On the way to Maihama Amphitheater, the children enthusiastically sang their favorite songs, including “Golden / Kpop Demon Hunters” and “Zoo (From ‘Zootopia 2’) / Shakira”! It turned into a lively karaoke party between the Ikebukuro and Meguro students.
Whenever the kids caught a glimpse of Tokyo Tower or Cinderella Castle at Tokyo Disneyland, the bus was filled with loud cheers!!!
After arriving at the venue and getting settled, we watched the musical Beauty and the Beast.
The children were captivated by Belle’s beautiful singing voice, watching in admiration. On the other hand, during the scene where Belle’s father is captured, some children were surprised by the powerful, storm-like stage effects and even became teary-eyed. The close-knit Orca 3 children showed heartwarming teamwork during the scarier moments. They whispered to each other, “This part is a little scary! Close your eyes!” and “It’s okay now, it’s not scary anymore!”. It was amazing to see the children were supporting one another throughout the scene.
When the performance ended, the theater echoed with enthusiastic applause. Being immersed in live theater and experiencing a professional performance offered the children a precious opportunity to expand their imagination and sense of expression. It was a powerful introduction to the magic of the performing arts.
Now, with only two weeks left until graduation, this day became another cherished memory—the one that helped the children grow even more as they take their final steps toward the next stage of their journey.
