Travelling to School... Kamitonda style

Most students ride to Kamitonda JS which is quite a challenge considering the mountains.

Looks like great fun!

plum factory

Today we went to the monk temple to do some meditation and to try and clear our mind of everything. It was a very difficult and painful process of thinking about nothing and some people were unlucky enough to get an itchy nose. After we stopped meditating we were aching with pain and could hardly move our arms and legs we were numb in the feet and we had pins and needles all over our bodies. We rung a huge bell with a palm tree trunk attached to some rope and two chains. At the temple there was also a cemetery with the ashes of the people who died in the first world war.

By Jacob Gates

Meditating moments: Viki Kane

Sitting cross legged, silent and still for 20 minutes sounds easy...not. This year's Taminmin challenge surpassed previous records - with our first time try out turning in to a marathon 20 minute meditation as we were so good during the practice that our tutor kept the session going (half an incense stick).  We got a chance to ring the bell as well. A fantastic experience.

Now that's a trophy!
Koumori kouchou sensei proudly showing me Kamitonda JHS monument to their baseball team which won the regional championship 3 years ago. There is a similar one won 2 years ago as well.
Sports are taken very seriously. Every afternoon students stay back after school and train from 3.30 to 5.30.
Every student must play a sport. The training sessions are typically run by the captain of the team and the training is full on. The captains take on extra responsibility in the school. The boys baseball and girls volleyball captains stand at the gate welcoming students to the school in the morning with the principal and they are treated with a high level of respect. Hard to believe these are middle school students!
Morris Pizzutto

Tuesday 27th

Ohayo Gozaimas (Good Morning)
The Principal,  Koumori sensei  welcoming every student into the school with "Gozaimas" as they arrive. Students reply Gozaimaaas and bow slightly. This is done every morning.

Great way to start the school day!
Morris Pizzutto

Monday 26th continued ...

Hot from the press ...shots from the class with the Judo club.