Japan is a lively, highly populated country. Walking in the streets, we were surrounded by characteristic signs, menus, and colourful advertisements.
Conversations with locals and students during school visits helped us practice useful, day-to-day vocabulary, and tested us in deciphering the rapid ‘native speaker speed’.
The Japanese students were all so friendly in introducing customs and giving us a tour of their school life. They taught us about fun traditional games and popular anime.
Japanese schools are a bit different, with a stronger academic focus. There’s even an entrance exam for Kindergarten! It was interesting to learn that students have to wear indoor slippers in classrooms and the gym, and they typically clean the school grounds themselves.
We got to try out unique co-curriculars such as kendo (bamboo-sword fighting), calligraphy and tea ceremony. The kendo students were especially energetic and happy to watch us stumble around and left us in awe with a traditional and safe fight.
We found ourselves indulging in ramen and okonomiyaki and sushi, with perfected flavours. The scenery was something else, too. Mt Fuji dwarfs Australia’s highest point, the Torii gates stand majestically leading to the top of Mt Fushimi. The bustling life of streets such as the Osaka Shinsaibashi markets represent the daily rush of modern society. We drove past lush greenery surrounding dense urban centres and mountainous landscapes formed from plate tectonics. We also experienced an earthquake simulation.
With thanks to Linden (Year 11) for his reflections.
11 September 2025
Our students had a wonderful time at the Knox-Ravenswood Student-Led Wellbeing Conference for students in Years 7-9.
09 September 2025
On the weekend, our top Chess players continued their solid run in Chess competitions this year by securing first place in the Secondary Open NSW ASTC Playoffs. In December, Harvey (Year 8), Lucas (Year 8), Ethan (Year 9), Richard (Year 9), Savin (Year 10) and Ralph (Year 12) will represent Knox Grammar School and New South Wales at the Finals in Melbourne.
09 September 2025
On Saturday 6 September, team ‘Molten Ice’ achieved first place in the 2025 ProgComp Grand Final. This High Schools Programming Competition is powered by ‘cupcake’, an initiative of the UNSW School of Computer Science and Engineering.
