On September 3, 2025, during the early hours of the morning, the entire student body of St. Mary’s High School departed from the school on buses to their respective destinations for the annual field trip. For Grade 9, their field trip was located at the beautiful and scenic Gunma, where they participated in several unforgettable experiences, such as hiking, canyoning, team-building, and rafting, guided by Canyons Mikanami, a branch of the leading outdoor experience provider in Japan. Students also spent invaluable time with their friends and classmates in their lodge, the Setagaya Kumin Kenko Mura.
Known for its pristine rivers and abundance of greenery, many could describe Gunma as a breath of fresh air from the bright, neon lights of Tokyo. With the magnificent creeks and forests of Gunma as their backdrop, the Grade 9 students participated in a variety of activities. From the uphill hiking on the muddy trails to the exhilarating 20-metre jumps during canyoning, the class of 2029 could barely take a breath between the passing days. “The activities were a blast,” said Haruto Morikami, a freshman and a member of the Class of 2029, “spending time with friends while doing fun activities was one of my most memorable moments of my life. To be specific, I found the rafting and canyoning were the best activities out of the 4 we have done.”
As the sun set on rural Japan, the entire entourage of freshmen and chaperones headed back to their hotel, the Setagaya Kumin Kenko Mura, to rest for the day.
Inside the hotel, while everybody was tired from all the activities, there were still opportunities given for students to socialize with their peers. After dinner, friendship-building activities were organized by Grade Level Leader Mr. Chan and the Grade 9 StuCo, with games such as grade-wide dodgeball and the autonomy to do other sports
like volleyball on the second day of the retreat. There was also an alternative option for people who are not interested in doing sports to relax, draw, or play board and card games. These opportunities for bonding persisted even before bedtime, as students often invited their friends over to one room to chat, play, or mess around. Some particular harmless shenanigans that students were involved in include a basketball game, a room tour, judging hotel room paintings, and making an ant a pet.
The Grade 9 Retreat provides a rare occasion for students and faculty to take a break from their studies and work, respectively. The entire experience went by with speed and haste, but the memories live on.
