HOLBROOK Primary School pupils invited parents to sample Japanese sweets and make origami cranes on Thursday as part of their ongoing celebration of the country this year.

Since September, the children have been learning the Japanese language in school and the whole year has been designated ‘Japan Year’ so that children, staff and parents can learn more about the country.

The school, based in Holbrook Lane, Trowbridge, invited parents of pupils to taste Japanese sweets and cake, before they helped create 92 origami cranes as part of a school project to make 1,000 cranes this year.

“There is a tradition in Japan that if you make a thousand cranes you can make a wish,” explained Rose Nunn, deputy headteacher. “We intend to make a thousand cranes this year and with parents helping as well, we can reach our goal by July.”

The school is also celebrating winning the Japan Foundation’s website competition for schools, after being the only primary school to be shortlisted from schools across the whole country.

Pupils will go to London with the headteacher on March 28 to collect their award, which is being given in recognition for their Japan Year blog.

Catherine Duke, Holbrook’s teacher of Japanese, said: “I've been so impressed with how quickly the children have picked up Japanese. From the moment I walk into the school I am greeted by happy ‘Ohayo gozaimasu’.

“The children are excited to practice what they have learnt. And it is not just a passion for the Japanese language that the children are picking up, but Japan as a whole.”

For more information, visit www.holbrooktrowbridge.co.uk