JAPANESE

Last week, Mori Sensei and 13 students from Year 3-6 travelled to St Alipius Primary School to take part in the Japanese language Karuta Competition for the first time. Our Lucas students demonstrated their great knowledge of Japanese Hiragana characters within the competition. They had been practising hard during lunchtimes with Mori Sensei and working on their high-speed recognition. 

We were greeted at St Alipius by student taiko drummers, a traditional Japanese drumming performance, which made the ground shake and smiles appear. With 8 schools and more than 70 students involved, the competition was fierce! But our Lucas Primary students, in their first appearance, secured 3rd place. An outstanding effort and a wonderful finish to a successful year of Japanese language learning in 2025. 

To earn a Hiragana belt means a student must memorise the basic Japanese characters called Hiragana. There are 9 divisions in the Hiragana belt system and these students have received Hiragana belt certificates. Black belt holders are able to read Hiragana characters freely and assist Mrs. Mori to run the Japanese club at lunch time.

Congratulations to all students who put in an effort to memorise the Hiragana characters. In 2026, black belt holders need to do a refresh test to hold the black belt title but other students can start the belt from the level they currently hold.