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.
06 August 2025
The teams at Knox Prep performed well at the first VEX IQ ‘Mix and Match’ event of the 2025-26 season.
05 August 2025
The 2025 Cricket Tour of the United Kingdom was an unforgettable experience. Our students travelled across the UK, with the 1st XI team playing in 11 competitive fixtures. We spoke with Year 10 student Sean about the tour; here are his reflections on the journey.
30 July 2025
“Hello everyone. For those who don’t know me, my name is William. I’m a Year 12 student here at Knox – and I’m also a proud Trawlwoolway man from the northeast of Tasmania. This year’s NAIDOC Week is special. Not just because it’s a celebration, but because this year marks 50 years of NAIDOC. That’s 50 years of truth-telling. 50 years of strength. 50 years of celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s identity and resistance.”
