Canadian Academy, Kobe

Sometimes, all it takes is 1 book to change how you see the world. And this is exactly what our librarians set out to do.

By curating experiences like the Sakura Medal program in Elementary School, students are introduced to lesser-known authors, new genres, and a diverse range of topics, building curiosity and confidence from an early age. This year, that journey expanded even further, with the opportunity to compete in the Book Bowl in Tokyo.

Our students read 18 books, becoming true experts and traveling to compete against teams from all across Japan. Early mornings, recess reading, and after school dedication showed what it really means to build strong literacy habits. In Tokyo, the team took on fast-paced quiz rounds, working together under pressure, before stepping up individually as book specialists. Competing against older students, they rose to the challenge with confidence and determination.

More than anything, the experience opened new doors. Students explored genres they had never considered before and discovered that you should never judge a book by its cover. With over 40,000 books in our library open to our whole community, students and parents alike are invited to explore, read, and grow their love of literacy together!

#インタナショナルスクール

Earth Week gave us a moment to pause and really consider the impact we have on the world around us.

Across campus, action took many forms. Advisory classes planted seeds they will care for throughout the year, turning small beginnings into lasting responsibility. Students tracked food waste in the cafeteria, challenging each grade to be more mindful. In the ELAC building, lights were switched off during the day, proving that simple choices can lead to meaningful change.

Beyond campus, each and every secondary school student headed out around Rokko Island to take action firsthand, collecting over 1,700 pieces of litter in just one hour. Items were sorted carefully, reinforcing that awareness must be matched with responsibility.

More than anything, Earth Week showed what is possible when we come together with purpose. Small actions, shared effort, real impact.

Overconsumption and social media, geopolitics and racism, inflation and gender inequality - the range of topics at last night’s PYP Exhibition proved one thing: our Grade 5 students are not only aware of the complex issues shaping the world around them, but ready to engage with them thoughtfully and critically.

Students developed multiple lines of inquiry, conducted research, built bibliographies, and deepened their understanding on a topic of their choice. That research was brought to life through artistic expression and action plans - from raising awareness among peers to neighborhood clean-up initiatives. Each project demonstrated a commitment to meaningful impact, shared not only with families and the CA community, but also with visiting peers from international schools across Kansai.

A true capstone moment at the end of their PYP journey, the Exhibition highlighted a depth of understanding and what happens when curiosity is nurtured and character is put into action. Well done, Grade 5!

What do medical illustration, music psychology, and a decades-long court case have in common? They are all a source for student passion!

Last night, our MYP students unveiled their Personal Projects, a capstone experience that began back in September with one simple starting point: what do you care about enough to explore deeply? From there, each student set their own learning goals, followed their curiosity, and built something entirely their own.

This year’s projects pushed boundaries. We saw art and biology come together through self-taught medical illustrations, music and psychology explored through the emotional impact of chords, and powerful research into justice through the Hakamada trial. The range was wide, but the common thread was clear: students thinking independently and making meaningful connections across disciplines.

Along the way, they developed essential self-management skills needed in preparation for their transition to the IB Diploma Programme. The range of passion and dedication revealed who our students are becoming: thoughtful, driven, and unafraid to explore complex ideas.

Our most recent APAC results show just how well our CA students rise to a challenge! Whether competing abroad or here at home in an exciting APAC Badminton tournament, these final competitions capped off a season defined by resilience, hard work, and team spirit - earning some impressive results:

🏆 Boys Soccer: 2026 APAC Champions
🌟 Boys & Girls Soccer: Spirit of APAC Awards
🥈 Girls Softball: Silver medalists
🏸 Girls Singles Badminton: 2nd place

We congratulate our athletes not just on these results, but on how they got there. Behind each result is a story of growth and lessons learned. Well done!

Last week’s International Food Fair was made even more special with the return of a record number of alumni, as CA hosted its first-ever Alumni Homecoming. Welcoming alumni and their families from around the world, the day was filled with reconnection, celebration, and school spirit.

Beyond the IFF festivities, alumni picked up their instruments for a community ensemble and took to the field for a friendly softball game against our high school girls team. The day wrapped up with a dinner shared among alumni, families, and friends, bringing generations of Falcons together once again.

No matter where life takes them, our alumni will always have a home in the CA community.

Creativity took center stage at our KB + Grade 1, and Grade 2 + 3 Annual Concerts as students brought music, movement, and storytelling together in a celebration of expression and growth.

From a blues-inspired retelling of The Three Little Pigs, to the rhythm and precision of the traditional Filipino Tinikling dance, each performance reflected the joy of learning and the confidence our students are building. For our KB students, a truly meaningful moment was being able to continue the tradition of performing Soran Bushi, a defining moment they have eagerly awaited as their rite of passage to Grade 1. To see students master so many melodies, instruments, and stage directions in such a short time and at such a young age is truly impressive!

#インターナショナルスクール

Over 30,000 tickets sold, 150 raffle prizes, 23 country food booths, 21 performances, 7 games, 4 service clubs, and even one big tuna on stage - yet somehow, that still doesn’t capture the overwhelming spirit of our annual International Food Fair this past Saturday!

With open doors and a wide variety of dishes, sounds, and experiences, our community came together to celebrate what it means to truly belong to our diverse CA community. What makes this event so special is that it’s powered entirely by our families: their time, energy, and heart. And, being our biggest PTA fundraiser, every contribution goes back into supporting our students and school.

This unforgettable day was made possible by our PTA, generous sponsors, dedicated volunteers, and every family who played a part. Thank you for helping create something that so genuinely reflects the strength and spirit of our CA community.

Doors to the International Food Fair open at 10:00 am this Saturday, April 11th!

Come ready for a day that will fill your stomach and warm your heart. After all, belonging at Canadian Academy means there is a place at this table for everyone.

Find out all you need to know about the event using the link below!

https://www.canacad.ac.jp/all-posts-dbpp/~board/weekly-announcements/post/all-you-need-to-know-for-the-iff