“Itadakimasu!” Does this word fill the classrooms of Shakujii-nishi Junior High School before lunch? It does. Shakujii-nishi Junior High School is more than just classrooms and textbooks. It is a vibrant hub of learning and cultural exchange.
Shakujii-nishi Junior High School enriches student life. Students enjoy sports day. It is an exciting event. They train hard for inter-class competitions. They even rehearse group dances. The hard work brings a wonderful atmosphere.
School lunches are a daily treat at Shakujii-nishi Junior High School. Students and staff enjoy notorious school lunches. The menu changes daily. It often features traditional Japanese cuisine. Dishes include fish, rice, or noodles. They also have soup and fruit. Students perform lunch duties in the classrooms. They serve food to their classmates. Before eating, two students say, “Itadakimasu!” Students eat together in lunch groups. It is a special time for everyone.
Swimming classes are also a big part of Shakujii-nishi Junior High School. They begin in mid-June. Students use a three-person buddy system. This ensures their safety. Each lesson starts with warm-up activities. They do kicking exercises and bobs. After warming up, students swim the length of the pool. They swim in their buddy lines. Students learn various strokes. These include breaststroke, backstroke, and butterfly. First-graders travel to Iwai, Chiba in August. They swim in the sea. Swimming is refreshing in the summer heat.
Shakujii-nishi Junior High School also embraces international connections. In 2016, the school hosted guests from Ipswich State High School in Australia. The visitors observed classes. They experienced Japanese culture. Students practiced wearing yukata. They made origami together. It was a fun and rewarding experience for everyone.
Every October, Shakujii-nishi Junior High School hosts an open house. Sixth graders from surrounding elementary schools are invited. They observe club activities after school. Leaders guide them to watch practices. Clubs include sports and shogi. The gardening club plants sunflowers. The brass band plays music. The science club does experiments. The sixth graders are nervous but excited. They see the opportunities at their future school.
A dance competition occurs every December. First and second graders participate. One year’s theme was “The Olympics and Paralympics”. Students choreographed sports-themed dances. Parents watch the performances in the gymnasium. The students vote for their favorite performance.
Before breaks, Shakujii-nishi Junior High School has a cleaning day. Students clean the school. They move desks into the hallway. Teachers assign areas to clean. These include floors, walls, and windows. Students clean hallways and bathrooms too. Music plays over the intercom. Students race with washcloths. Cleaning with classmates is fun.
Alex Matson from New Zealand visited Shakujii-nishi Junior High School. Alex is an ALT from the JET Programme. Alex participated in cultural activities. These included calligraphy, origami, and judo. Alex also enjoyed playing the koto. Alex watched English speeches by students. Alex ate lunch and played games with them. Shakujii-nishi Junior High School offers a rich educational experience. It combines academics, culture, and fun. It prepares students for a bright future.