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.
21 September 2026
"When I think about my own time at Knox, I realise just how many different parts of this school have shaped me,” our 2026 School Captain Mani said, as he gave his final speech at the Valedictory Ceremony. “I came here as a Year 7 boy, I had absolutely no idea what the next six years would look like. I picked up a saxophone. I played football. I took up Cadets. I got involved in Social Justice and Service.
18 September 2026
Yesterday, the stands at Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre were a sea of Black and Blue as students, parents, coaches, staff and supporters came together to cheer on our CAS Track and Field team, with the Tartan Army leading the charge.
15 September 2026
In 2025, Knox Grammar and Wahroonga Prep joined the Independent Schools NSW 'Respectful Relationships: Proactive Education' initiative. The program is designed to strengthen a whole-school approach to respectful relationships, helping young people develop the knowledge, skills and dispositions required to build healthy and respectful interactions throughout their lives.
