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.
08 April 2026
Under the guiding principle of Service, and to give back to the Lithgow community where this year’s Annual Field Exercise (AFX) was held, the Knox Ravenswood Army Cadet Unit (KRACU) conducted community service activities in partnership with Lithgow Oberon Landcare, Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) and the Lithgow Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA).
07 April 2026
VEX Robotics team High-Q (Year 9 students Eric, Jayden, Lucas, Ricky) travelled to Iowa to take part in the US Open tournament. There were 150 teams competing from all over the world and this was one of the last tournaments before the World Championships in April.
01 April 2026
The community is invited to attend the annual Knox Grammar School Anzac Memorial Service for the Old Knox Grammarians’ Association and the Ceremonial Parade of the Knox Ravenswood Army Cadet Unit on Sunday 17 May 2025.
