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.
19 November 2025
Established by our Middle Academy, Knox’s Global Challenge program gives students the opportunity to address a major world issue.
18 November 2025
Our Years 9 and 10 students in the Emerging Level PEAK Program enjoyed a memorable excursion to the GWS Giants Community Centre. They gained a rare behind-the-scenes experience, and saw what life is like for elite athletes in AFL, AFLW, and Netball Giants teams.
13 November 2025
The Year 12 Induction was an exciting day for our Class of 2026, which included an ‘Old Boys and Girls Panel Discussion’ on how to effectively navigate Year 12.
