Hello, this is Sharmee Abuan, one of the Learning Mentors at ICT Hakusanroku Campus. As the Academic Year 2025–2026 comes to an end, I find myself looking back on our Optional Friday Learning Sessions.

Those Fridays felt a little different from our regular Learning Sessions. They gave us extra space to focus on skills that we did not always have time to cover and allowed students to grow in ways that supported both their academic work and personal development. Our workshops this year had three main parts. 

First, Self-Development Workshops. At the start of the year, we focused on simple but important habits like organization, note-taking, and time management. I still remember students bringing folders filled with loose papers to the first organization workshop, where we spent the evening sorting, arranging, and setting things up properly. It was a very simple activity, but it made a real difference. When we noticed that some students were struggling to submit assignments on time, we held a Time Management workshop. We talked about planning their week and breaking big tasks into smaller steps. The progress was quiet but steady. Slowly, some students seemed lighter and more in control. It became less about chasing deadlines and more about learning how to manage their time and responsibilities. 

Second, is a Fun Review-Game Workshops. As the months went by, our Fridays became more exciting. We had workshops like The Secret Billionaire, the $10,000 Tournament, and A Stairway Challenge. Students practiced STEAM ideas through games and challenges. Each workshop was full of laughter, problem-solving, and teamwork. It was nice to see students apply what they learned in class in such a natural and fun way.

The Secret Billionaire

The $10,000 Tournament

A Stairway Challenge

Lastly, IELTS Workshops. By the second semester, our focus shifted to IELTS preparation, as students were preparing to take the IELTS exam. The atmosphere became quieter and more focused. We practiced speaking, writing, listening, and reading in a safe and encouraging environment so they could feel ready. Over time, the students who attended grew more confident in using English, their hesitation faded and was replaced by a willingness to try.

Looking back, I think what made these optional workshops special was the simple mix of structure and fun. Students kept coming back because they wanted to be there, not because they had to. For me, these Fridays became special moments of growth for both the students and us Learning Mentors.

Sharmee Abuan

 Hello, this is Yuri Makada from the Hakusanroku Office. Today, I would like to write about the snowball fights and other winter activities held in the Health and Physical Education course for the 1st and 2nd year students.
 From Saturday, January 24th to Sunday, January 25th, 2026, a strong cold air mass covered Ishikawa Prefecture, including Hakusan City, resulting in a significant amount of snowfall within a short period. It was a “doka-yuki” a sudden, heavy snowfall, turning the entire area into a beautiful white landscape.

1st Year Students’ Snowball Fight

 About a week later, on Monday, February 2nd, the 1st year students eagerly took part in a snowball fight in their last PE class of the semester. Each team set up a cone that they had a protect from the other team. Based on the rules of the fight, such as winning by capturing the other team’s cone and requiring students hit by a snowball to freeze for one minute, students devised strategies and began the contest.
 Although both teams attempted to advance, snowballs kept hitting players one after another, slowing the game’s progress, and no winner was determined within the time limit. Despite the intense exchanges, the students’ laughter filled the field, creating a funfilled atmosphere.
 During the free play session that followed, students enjoyed throwing snowballs, building large snowmen, sledding, and having fun in the snow.

2nd Year Students Snowball Fight & Snow Slide Building

 On Tuesday, February 3rd, the 2nd year students participated in a snowball fight and snow slide building. The boys’ team started with a snowball fight, first by dividing into 2 teams and then building snow walls in their territory and preparing plenty of snowballs before launching their attacks on the opposing team. Their energetic attacks made them look like little snow warriors. As they were battling Philip Cadzow sensei unexpectedly joined in the fight. With overwhelming strength, he lifted the boys one after another and tossed them into the fluffy snow, sending them running away while laughing and shouting, a scene that delighted everyone.
 Meanwhile, the girls’ team focused on creating a snow slide. They packed the snow, carved it carefully, and shaped it until it was complete. When viewed from the front, the finished slide resembled a “Moai statue,” and its impressive craftsmanship drew surprised reactions from students and teachers alike.

 Surrounded by the rich winter nature of the HAKUSANROKU (Foothills of Mt. Hakusan) area, the students worked together, played in the snow, and spent a smile filled time together. This final Health and Physical Education course of the school year became a valuable snow country experience that strengthened relationships among students and created wonderful memories.

Yuri Makada

 Hello, this is Yuri Makada from the Hakusanroku Office. This time, I would like to introduce a project created by 1st year student Taiki Sasaki using Autodesk Fusion.

 In the Computer Skills IA course for 1st year students, students begin working with Autodesk Fusion to create 3D models right after entering ICT. In this class, students learn the fundamental computer skills necessary for engineers. Taiki Sasaki, a 1st year student, applied what he learned in class and spent two months creating a 3D model of a V8 engine! I've put together a video showcasing his work—please watch!

Yuri Makada

 Hello, this is Hitoshi Kihara, I am in charge of some of the Math classes at ICT. I am going to introduce the Math Battle that was held on Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025, for the 2nd year Calculus class.
 In our regular Calculus classes, each student creates a problem and its solution based on the day’s lesson, and in pairs we check each other’s work.
 This event, held just before the midterm exam, was designed as a comprehensive review. I turned our usual activity into a team-based competition. The team that created the most problems and solved the most problems from the opposing team within the limited time would be the winner.
 This was my first attempt at holding a Math Battle, but the students participated with remarkable focus and enthusiasm.
 It was impressive to see them trying to create problems that were as challenging as possible so the opposing team couldn’t solve them. Also, it was impressive to see their determination as they worked through the other team’s problems, attempting to solve them by trial and error.
 Of course, due to the limited time, some problems and solutions had minor flaws. However, many students also came up with truly excellent problems.
 Below is an example of one such problem.

 At first glance, this problem may look long and complicated, but if they apply what we've learned in class, the solution is actually quite simple. That said, solving it does require accurate calculation skills. It’s a truly excellent problem, packed with multiple mathematical elements within just one question.
 During the Math Battle, there was a friendly and lively atmosphere with both the problem creators and solvers being all smiles. But it’s funny, isn’t it? If I gave a similar problem on the midterm exam, I’m pretty sure I’d be met with endless complaints and a much more brutal atmosphere. Anyway, the answer to the earlier problem is 1 over 184,756. What an incredible number! Hmm … maybe I’d better not include it on the midterm after all. Well then, until next time!

Create problems for each team

Solve the problem created by the opposing team and have the original creators check your answer

Hitoshi Kihara