Japanese High School Division (Years 7-9)

Secondary education in Japan

Secondary education in Japan is divided into Junior High School and Senior High School. Junior High School covers Year 7 to Year 9, and completion of these educational years is mandatory. Senior High School, which mostly covers Year 10 to Year 12, is not a mandatory attainment, but more than 95% of students proceed to Senior High School in Japan. To enter Senior High School in Japan, most schools require their own entrance exam. Senior high schools are academically ranked, based on their success in placing graduates in the most prestigious universities.

SJIS offers Junior High School in the Japanese Division from Year 7 to Year 9, and helps to prepare graduating Year 9 students for the Japanese High School entrance examinations.

Why choose SJIS Japanese Division?

The SJIS Japanese Division offers the same curriculum as taught in Japan, with the added benefit of daily English Language classes. This allows for a smooth transition into Australian schooling for those children who have recently come to Australia from Japan, whilst also accelerating their English Language skills.

SJIS Japanese Division teachers are well aware of the entrance examinations required for Senior High School placement. SJIS Japanese Division teachers offer the very best guidance and preparations for these exams for those graduating SJIS Junior High School students who will be returning to Japan to complete their Senior High School years.

MEXT Curriculum hours

In addition to the standard lesson hours suggested by MEXT in the table below, SJIS offers all Japanese Division High School students the added benefit of four English language classes per week, taught by experienced Native English language teachers. This is on top of the English language program as taught in the MEXT curriculum hours.

MEXT Japanese curriculum

Main Subjects – Japanese, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, English, Music, Art, Physical Education, Home Economics
Additional Classes – Moral Studies and Home room

English Language Lessons

SJIS English Language classes are divided into three levels: English 1, English 2 and English 3
Native English teachers with Australian faculty qualifications teach the SJIS English classes to all Japanese Division children. They are experienced teachers who are familiar with Japanese culture and the language ‘habits’ most Japanese students encounter when studying English. For the detailed curriculum, please see the English Language Program section.

Sample Japanese Division High School Timetable

Each lesson last for 50 minutes. School buses run in the morning and afternoon. For details of Bus timetable please refer to the School Bus section of our website.

Time Monday to Friday
8:20~8:30 Staff Meeting
8:30~8:45 Morning Home Room
8:45~9:35 Period 1
9:40~10:30 Period 2
10:30~10:50 Morning Recess
10:50~11:40 Period 3
11:45~12:35 Period 4
12:35~12:50 Lunch
12:50~13:20 Lunch Recess
13:20~14:10 Period 5
14:15~15:05 Period 6
15:05~15:15 Afternoon Home Room
15:15 Moving to Assembly Hall
15:30 Go home by bus or pick up

Teaching Staff

The Principal, Japanese Division Deputy Principal and class teachers all hold a current Japanese teacher’s license. They are carefully selected by the Japan Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

The age group of Year 7 to 9 is a sensitive time for most teenagers. SJIS teachers understand these teenage sensitivities and offer a warm, nurturing style to teaching, giving students the confidence they need to excel.

Examination Guidance

SJIS graduates have demonstrated their high academic abilities and have gained entry into well-known private and public High Schools in Japan.

The story of our graduates

  1. Year 9 Graduates 2020 – Nishi High School in Tokyo

Iwata High School

SJIS has a special admission pathway to Iwata High School in Oita prefecture in Japan. This pathway also assists SJIS students with entry to Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) in Japan. APU provides a bilingual education in a multicultural learning environment.

Iwata High School: http://www.iwata.ed.jp/apu.html
APU: http://en.apu.ac.jp/home/

Waseda Shibuya Senior High School – Singapore Campus

Every year, a school information session on Waseda Shibuya Senior High School Singapore Campus is held at SJIS campus. This school accepts children whose parents live abroad.

http://www.waseda-shibuya.edu.sg/eng-index.php 

Going to local schools in Australia

Some students remain in Australia after completing Year 9, and choose to go to a local school upon graduation from SJIS.

A list of schools selected by SJIS graduating students can be found here.

Tests and Exams

Japanese class students have the opportunity to participate in major exams taken in Japan, and also tests taken in Australia.

For further information, please refer to the Academic Achievement section.

Work Experience

All SJIS Japanese Division students are offered workplace experience twice a year. In the past, students have had work experience at airlines, kindergartens, publishers and restaurants. It is a great opportunity to learn about both Japanese and Australian workplace environments, while making full use of both languages. It also gives students the opportunity to consider future careers and occupations.

Cultural Exchange Opportunities

From time to time, SJIS invites local schools to participate in cultural exchange experiences, and, likewise, SJIS students are often invited to neighboring schools to participate in their cultural programs.

This provides the opportunity for SJIS students to learn more about other cultures whilst also offering neighbouring schools an insight into their bilingual, culturally diverse education.