SIX students at Dene Magna School swapped life in the Forest for Japan – with some flying on an aeroplane for the first time!

The students were joined by two teachers on an exchange trip to Okinawa where they visited schools and sampled Japanese life by making rice cakes and doing Japanese calligraphy.

One of the students, 15-year-old Alice Cossey, said: "The trip was a chance of a lifetime, and for some students it was the first time they had ever been on a plane!

"We got the opportunity to stay at a Japanese student's house where we befriended the host and learnt about what life is like in Japan. Not only did we get to experience everyday life in Japan, but saw many attractions such as an aquarium, a castle and whale watching. More formal events also took place where we met the Mayor of Chatan, and attended a traditional Japanese tea ceremony."