Exchange Japan
Exchange Japan
Since Kasukabe Senior High School Delegation visit to Melbourne High School in August, 1997, KSHS and MHS commenced mutual cultural exchange. The first students visit was MHS visit to KSHS in January, 1998 followed KSHS visit to MHS in July, 1998. We have established firm relationship each other and made its exchange trip once every two years.
Kasukabe Senior High School, Fraternal School in Japan
Kasukabe Senior High School is an academic public boys’ senior high
school located in Kasukabe City, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. The school was
established in 1899, with an original enrolment of 500 boys including its 4-year
night course division. From its establishment the motto of the school has been “shitsujitsu
gooken” which means “robust in body and mind”. The motto is based
on the educational principle of,
“bunbu ryoodoo”, meaning excellence in all areas of academic pursuit
as well as in sports and music.
Thus there is a great emphasis in Kasukabe Senior High School on
striving to achieve excellence in academic areas as well as extra-curricular
activities such as sports, music and cultural activities. As a result it is
renowned for producing reputable graduates in the fields of politics, business,
academia, literature, art and sports.
Students compete at national level in track and field and table tennis,
and at Kanto regional level (which is similar to state level) in tennis, sumo,
and kendo. KSHS has also competed
at the 2nd level of national competition in student magazine
publication, and at national level in broadcasting and photography.
In fact, Mr. Eiji Nonaka, the previous President of the Old Boys
Association, who was leading the delegation of KSHS, is a former member of
Cabinet who held the position of Director General, National Land Agency.
The current enrolment of KSHS is 1,300; consisting of 417 1st
Yr students in 10 form classes (equivalent to Yr 10), 433 2nd Yr
students in 11 form classes( equivalent to Yr 11), and 450 3rd students in 10 form classes
(equivalent to Yr12).
Applicants for any high school in Japan have to take entrance
examinations regardless of the type of school; private, public, co-educational,
boys or girls high schools. Therefore,
Kasukabe Senior High School is a select school, similar to MHS, for which there
is strong competition for the entrance exam for enrolment.
The level of its academic excellence is shown by the fact that in 1996,
100% of KSHS final year students all chose study paths in tertiary educational
institutions including those who took courses in private preparatory schools for
university entrance examinations.
The school has a teaching staff of 72 including the Principal and Deputy
Principal and an administrative staff of 9. It offers courses of study in a
variety of programs including Japanese language, geography, world history,
Japanese history, Ancient Japanese, mathematics, biology, chemistry, physical
education, English, art, music, calligraphy, politics, and economics.
Like most Japanese high schools, KSHS offers a variety of club
activities which the students are encouraged to keenly participate in. These
club activities include: literature,
English, chemistry, theatre sports, art, calligraphy, brass band, choir,
gardening. In addition, the sports
that are offered at KSHS include, baseball, track and field, soccer, tennis,
rugby, kendo, judo, sumo, swimming, volleyball, basketball, badminton, and table
tennis.
The academic year begins in early April and finishes at the end of March
in the following year. The academic year consists of 3 terms with 4 breaks;
Golden Week for 1 week at the beginning of May, Summer holiday from mid-July
until end of August, Winter holiday for 2 weeks and Spring holiday for 2 weeks
from the end of March.
Kasukabe Senior High School also has a night school to cater for 164
students who are already in full-time employment.
Kasukabe Senior High School held its centennial anniversary celebrations
in 1999 when Mr. Willis was invited to attend the ceremony and sign the brother
school agreement.