MONTHLY
NEWSLETTER

MARCH
2024

MISSION
We educate students in a nurturing community where relationships
and meaningful connections are valued and celebrated. Our students
gain knowledge, communicate effectively, develop exceptional
character, and become responsible citizens of a global society.
We inquire into the world around us through rigorous academic
programs that aim to prepare students for life’s opportunities.

VISIONWe are a school where exceptional personal character and strong
relationships provide opportunities to excel in our areas of interest
and affect change in our local and global communities. We are a

OUR MOTTO
MOTIVATE

school where personal, social, and emotional support help build
global perspectives. We are a school that embraces diversity,
encourages leadership, and respects the values and unifying
traditions of the Marist Brothers.

Learning is a life-long journey

VALUESBELIEVE

EXCELLENCE: Make excellence and quality a part of each day andTogether we can change the world

seek continuous improvement in all that we do.
PARTNERSHIPS: Build sustainable and meaningful partnerships,

INSPIRE
Follow our lead as we pursue our dreams

embrace diversity, and connect with the community.
INNOVATION: Seek innovative and creative approaches toproblem-solving.

SUCCEED
From Japan to the rest of the world

CARE: Be a person of good character who is responsible,
respectful, reflective, and acts to make the world a better place.

MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
Shawn Hutchinson

As we conclude the month of March, I am pleased to share some reflections and updates on our school's progress andachievements.
One notable aspect of our ongoing development is our continued strides towards becoming a fully authorized International
Baccalaureate three-programme continuum school. As we approach this milestone, the language of the Learner Profile attributes
will become increasingly familiar to all members of our community, shaping our educational ethos and practices.
At this juncture in the academic year, I encourage each of us to engage in reflective thinking, one of the ten Learner Profile
attributes. Through reflection, we can deepen our understanding of the world and our own experiences, identifying areas for
growth and celebrating our strengths. This reflective practice not only supports our personal development but also enriches ourlearning journey.
As we reflect on the recent Easter celebrations, let us embrace the opportunities this period brings for renewal and growth. The
celebration of Easter reminds us of the transformative power of hope, peace, and blessings, inspiring us to contemplate our paths
and aspirations.
We certainly had some highlights throughout the third quarter with the Marist Alumni Mentorship Program sessions and Parents
as Learners Sessions providing opportunities for our students and parents to engage in learning outside of the classroom. Our
busy school provided further opportunities for students and faculty to engage in valuable experiences outside of the classroom
including the Ski Trip, Sports Tournaments, MUN Conference, the IB DP Visual Arts Exhibition, Futsal Tournament, and regularstudent organization activities.
The recent Open House demonstrated how our community can come together to welcome prospective families to our school
and it is great to see so much interest in our school at this time. Special thanks to Miki Kobayashi for leading the way with ouradmissions processes.
Our commitment to the IB PYP and MYP candidacy has been a driving force behind our pedagogical developments. Our
dedicated staff and faculty are to be commended for their exceptional efforts in advancing our programmes. I also thank Stephanie
Hanamura who represented Marist at the recent IB Gloabl Conference in Korea and Amanda McWilliams who represented Maristat the East Asia Regional Council of International School’s Teachers Conference in Thailand during the holiday break.
As we continue on our journey of growth and excellence, let us remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering a vibrant learning
community where each individual can thrive.

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Newsletter | Marist Brothers International School

MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD
On Wednesday, 13 March, we gathered together for a momentous occasion as we celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony forthe construction of our new West Building. It was an event marked by tradition, gratitude, and anticipation for the transformative
impact this project will have on our school community.
Representatives from various key entities were present, including Mr. Hatakeyama from our General Contractor, Naito House,
and the Design Team from PCKK, along with the Project Management Team from JLL. Their dedication and expertise will guide us
through the construction process, ensuring the realization of our vision for the West Building.
Mr. Hutchinson, our Head of School, delivered a heartfelt speech of thanks, expressing gratitude to all those involved in bringing
this project to fruition. His words underscored the collaborative spirit and shared commitment driving this endeavor forward.
Furthermore, the ceremony was enriched by the inclusion of spiritual elements. A Shinto ceremony, led by a Shinto priest, imbued
the event with reverence and respect for tradition. Additionally, Father Amando Caballero from the Koshien Catholic Church
provided a poignant prayer and blessing, symbolizing the diverse spiritual tapestry of our community coming together in supportof this endeavor.
As we embark on this journey, we eagerly anticipate the completion of the West Building in August 2024. This facility will not only
provide enhanced learning environments but also serve as a symbol of progress and growth for our community.
We extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who contributed to the success of the groundbreaking ceremony and remaincommitted to keeping our community informed and engaged throughout the construction process.

Marist Brothers International School | Newsletter

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MESSAGE FROM THE DEPUTY
HEAD OF SCHOOL / HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL
Derek Lipp

The last month was no different to any other month this school year with a range of events taking place culminating in Spirit Week
and Sports Day.
On the last day of February (29 days this year!) our Math Club students participated in the Center for Education and Mathematics
and Computing (CEMC) competition. There were different examinations for different grade levels for our students from Grade
8-11. Congratulations to the following students for challenging themselves and participating in this event:Anika Bhaumik
Riku Hamano
Kousei Mogami
Minseo Eom
Yoonseo Eom

G8
G9
G9
G10
G10

Michelle Ranni
Haruhi Hayashi
Akihiko Hirase
Demian Kuchkov

G10
G10
G11
G11

Results will be finalized in the next few days but I am sure all the students did their very best and performed admirably. A big thankyou to Minseo Eom and Yoonseo Eom for their work with the Math Club and motivating the members to engage in these types ofcontests.
We wish our Math club members all the very best in the upcoming Kansai Mathematics Olympics to be held at Osaka International
School on April 5 and 6.

On March 19 some of our Grade 7-9 students met with students online with students from Dehgam International School in India.
Students discussed topics such as food, sports and technology and were excited to hear about life in school in an international
school in India. Thank you to Mrs. Nishat Toorabally for connecting our schools. We look forward to our next meeting on April 9
where students will discuss the traditional sports of Japan and India.

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Newsletter | Marist Brothers International School

MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF LOWER SCHOOL
Stephanie Hanamura

The month of March has been filled with inspiring connections and actions as our teachers and students have engaged withorganizations worldwide to support both local and global initiatives.
Spirit Week also took place and was full of fun and excitement as we started each day with whole-school assemblies to foster
school spirit, unity, and participation among students and faculty. Our Spirit Week led up to Sports Day, which was an absolute
blast! Sports Day is always the highlight of a student's school year.
In other exciting news, you may have heard or noticed that we have an interactive display board in our main foyer showcasing ourongoing support for Noto Earthquake victims. Additionally, the Movie Night on 18th not only raised money for relief efforts but
also allowed our Lower School Student Council to form connections with the Japan Red Cross Hyogo Division (日本赤十字社兵庫県支部). We will be organizing a time for our Lower School StuCo to meet with the Red Cross Hyogo Division to hand over themoney raised.

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I’d like to also bring to your attention that March 14th was #MyFreedomDay, a student-driven day to raise awareness aboutmodern-day slavery and an opportunity for students to take action and make a positive impact in the world. We're honored toshare that Mrs. Yoon's class has participated in the Blue Dragon Children's Foundation Hip Hop Dance Challenge, recording theCaring Song hip-hop dance in the spirit of activism and engagement. This video will be shared worldwide to spread awareness,
and we could not be more proud of our students!
Our Japanese department hosted a guest speaker from the local community to talk with our G1/2 about the system and function ofvehicles in their Japanese classes.

Looking ahead, we have even more exciting collaborations on the horizon. Next month, our school will host a two-day music
collaboration with St. Mary's International School from Tokyo, further enriching our students' experiences and connections with
their local community. During this music exchange, our lower school students will have the opportunity to have an introduction
to band instruments, engage in some music-making together, and the event will culminate with a performance for lower school
students. You are welcome to join us in the gymnasium on April 19th at 2:30 pm to view the performance if you have time.
Thank you, families, for your continued support for our school and community!

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Newsletter | Marist Brothers International School

MESSAGE FROM THE IBDP COORDINATOR
Gunseli Yuksel

May 2024 IB World Exams are scheduled to take place from April 24th to May 16th. Our Grade 12 students have been
diligently reviewing for the exams based on their performance on the mock exams and the feedback provided by their teachers.
We extend our best wishes to all our students on their examinations.
Future of IB World Exams: Digital examinations in the Diploma Programme (DP)IB World Schools have shared their feedback with the IB through a survey, the results of which will help shape the future of the IB
DP exams. According to the survey results (ibo.org):• A majority, 74%, express readiness to transition by 2026, with an even more optimistic 84% prepared for the shift by 2027.
• 77% of respondents conveyed excitement and positivity about embracing digital DP examinations.
• Concerns were voiced regarding staff expertise, internet reliability, and device availability.
The IB ensures a gradual transition, allowing time for readiness.
Marist Brothers International School has been an IB World School since 2017. We take pride in being part of an intellectual
community dedicated to shaping future generations for a better and more peaceful world.
As an IB World School, we are committed to continuous growth and improvement. To this end, MBIS has taken the initiative to
become an IB continuum school by adding the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Primary Years Programme (PYP). Since
September 2023, we have been diligently undergoing the authorization process, which involves a comprehensive review
of unit plans, teaching and learning strategies, assessment practices, and school policies. Our teachers have been working
wholeheartedly to meet the requirements and demonstrate our readiness to teach all three IB programmes. We have kept ourstudents and families well-informed throughout this process and are happy to address any queries.
Families of Grades 5-9 are cordially invited to the third session of our MYP afternoon series on April 15th, where we will delve
into MYP assessment.

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MARIST ENGLISH SCHOOLMark Deyss

Recently, students in the Marist English School weekday program composed the following haiku to celebrate the start of spring.

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SpringOur Heart

Rice grows in the springWind blowing on the window
Insects in the sky.

Now spring is coming
Cherry blossoms are waking
Spring makes our heart warm.

- Hugo- Sou(Untitled)

SpringSpring is hot Sunday
Cool and nice cherry blossom
Old students embark.

Spring has come finallyLet’s make a sandwich and juice
And go to the park.

- Haruto- Reika

Spring TimeRainy

Big clouds near my house
Spring season is nice and goodLet’s go camp today.

A rainy rainbow
Cloudy, sunny and windy
Thunder, rainy day.

- Fuki- Maoning(Untitled)

PicnicRainbow over there
Let’s go up and touch the sky
Enjoy sunny day.

Big blossoms open
Beautiful flower blossoms
Sunny picnic day.

- Maya- MikaNewsletter | Marist Brothers International School

MESSAGE FROM THE WHOLE SCHOOL COUNSELOR
Taeko Sakurai

Fostering Children's Emotional Development through Communication
I discussed nurturing your child's EQ (Emotional Intelligence) in last month's newsletter. This month, let's explore how tocommunicate with them effectively and how children with high EQ communicate.
Communicating with children effectively involves focusing on the following points, as I mentioned last month:• Maintain eye contact and speak at their eye level.
• Listen actively, nodding or using affirmations.
• Repeat their words to show understanding.
• Avoid interrupting; listen attentively when they start talking.
• Use "HOW?" rather than "WHY?" to encourage elaboration.
• Refrain from evaluation or criticism.
• Avoid denial (Do not use "but").
• Listen while simulating their experiences, like watching a movie.
There are specific techniques for active listening, such as open-ended questions, verbal cues, and simulation.
1.

Ask Open-ended Questions
Open-ended questions encourage children to provide free responses. Examples include, "How did you spend yourweekend?" or "What's your favourite food?" Using "Why" and "How" within the framework of 5W1H (Who, What, When,
Where, Why, How) prompts detailed answers and invites children to explore their thoughts/feelings.

2.

Respond with Verbal Cues
Verbal cues help navigate and deepen conversations. Cues like "In what way?" "How did you feel at that time?" "What was itlike?" "And then what happened?" can enrich the discussion.

3.

Listen with Simulation
Empathising with children's experiences as if immersing them in a storybook or a movie helps you understand their emotions
and deepens your communication.

When children develop high EQ communication skills, their way of speaking and expression change. Children with high EQ
are sensitive to their own emotions and experiences, leading to richer expression. For example, if we compare a boring diary
entry to one that talks about feelings, we can see a big difference. Similarly, in everyday conversations, incorporating emotional
expressions contributes to richer communication.
While we've discussed methods for nurturing children's EQ, it's important to remember that perfection isn't necessary for daily
life. What matters is remembering these tips and gradually putting them into practice.
Good communication between parents and children is crucial for their growth. Actively engaging in dialogue fosters children's
EQ and deepens mutual understanding, creating strong bonds. Let's start practising these techniques today.

Marist Brothers International School | Newsletter

9MESSAGE FROM THE GUIDANCE COUNSELOR
Hulya Park

Celebrating Success: Update on College Acceptances for Our Senior ClassAs we start the final stretch of the academic year, we are thrilled to announce the remarkable achievements of our senior students.
The daunting journey of college admissions is nearing completion, with most offers being announced in March. With eachpassing day, we receive more offers and are excited to share the impressive acceptances our seniors have received so far.
Although there are still pending applications (e.g., from Singaporean universities, and a few Japanese universities), we havereceived offers from various universities up to this point. Here is the list of universities:
In Asia:

In the US:

Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
University of Hong Kong

Arizona State University
Boston University
University of California, Irvine
University of California, Los Angeles
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Connecticut
Cornell University
University of Delaware*
Illinois Institute of Technology*
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
University of Massachusetts Amherst*
University of Minnesota Twin Cities*
New York University
Northwestern University
The Ohio State University
The Pennsylvania State University
Purdue University
Worcester Polytechnic Institute*

In Japan:
Hyogo University
International Christian University (ICU)
Nagoya University
Osaka University
Sophia University
In Australia:
University of New South Wales
University of Sydney
In Canada:
University of British Columbia
University of Toronto
Toronto Metropolitan University
York University*offer with scholarship

In Europe and UK:
Arts University Bournemouth
Kingston University
Lancaster University
SRH Berlin University of Applied Sciences (Germany)
University of Birmingham
University of Manchester
University of Warwick
University of York10

Newsletter | Marist Brothers International School

During April and May, our seniors will be sitting for their IB final exams. Once they have completed their exams, they will embark
on new adventures, exploring further academic studies and discovering their place in the world. We hope that they will carry withthem the Marist values that define our community.
We congratulate the Class of 2024 for their outstanding achievements thus far. While there are still more applications and the final
IB exams ahead, our seniors have the full support of our school community!
Links to previous events
Alumni Mentorship Program: We recently had a very informative session with Sanay Bennur (Class of 2023). Sanay is currently
studying at King’s College London. He talked about his application process and his life as a university student in the UK. You canaccess the recording here.
Upcoming event
Alumni Mentorship Program: For our April session, we welcome Sneha Shah (Class of 2023). Sneha is currently studying at
Rutgers University in the US. We look forward to hearing her journey.

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MESSAGE FROM THE ARTS DEPARTMENT
Rebecca Carter

This month, the Arts Department is delighted to reflect on the resounding success of the 2024 IBDP Visual Arts Exhibition, Unity.
The exhibition, held March 1-3, showcased the remarkable creativity, hard work, and dedication of our Grade 12 IBDP Visual
Arts student artists over the course. Their innovative and captivating artworks, coupled with the continuous support of our faculty,
staff, and community, made this event truly unforgettable. We extend our gratitude to everyone involved for their contributions inmaking this event a tremendous success! These student artists have left an enduring mark on the MBIS artistic community, and wewish them continued success as they soon embark on new artistic journeys beyond our school walls.

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Newsletter | Marist Brothers International School

Also, mark your calendars for the much-anticipated upcoming Spring
Arts Festival held April 24! This newly annual celebration of creativity
at MBIS promises an array of captivating student artworks, musicalperformances, and short films as well as fun games and hands-on
art experiences. From stunning visual displays to exciting band
performances, this festival is an opportunity for MBIS students of allages to showcase their artistic creativity.
Join us as we come together to celebrate the vibrant work of ourstudents and the power of artistic expression!
Stay tuned for more details, including a schedule of the event
times and exciting highlights of the Spring Arts Festival. The Arts
Department is looking forward to this memorable celebration ofcreativity and community spirit!

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MESSAGE FROM THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
Jason Mejia

March saw the conclusion of our Varsity Soccer seasons, which ended on pretty high notes. The Varsity Men traveled down to
Iwakuni to participate in the Perry Cup against a contingent of US military base schools and large school invites. Throughout the
tough, 2-day tournament, the Bulldogs showed poise, composure, and superb play, beating Edgren 4 - 1 to earn a rare trip to
the semi-finals against Yokota. A fiercely contested match ensued, with the Bulldogs taking a 1-0 lead in at half on a PK. A flurryof attacks from Yokota erupted in the second half, but the defense held fast and secured the first Finals appearance in the Perry
Cup for Marist. They matched up against the hosts, the MC Perry Samurais, and fell behind early, 1-0. However, the Bulldogs
equalized right before the half on a brilliant free kick from Rui Shimono, seizing momentum going into the break. Coming out forthe second half, the Bulldogs made sure to maintain their aggressiveness and relentlessly attacked. This led to another goal by Rui
Shimono to take the lead, one they never relinquished as they won for the first time in history!
Rui’s performance earned him offensive player recognition as Jin Ushio, Jazz Clarey, and Giuliano Tempesta all earned AllTournament honors. Congratulations to our Men’s Varsity Program.

The following weekend saw both Varsity teams travel to compete in their respective WJAA tournaments - the men to Nagoya andthe women to Iwakuni. Both teams performed well in their respective pool play, which netted appearances in the semi-finals forboth teams.
On the men’s side, they matched up against MC Perry again, in another hotly contested match. Though the Bulldogs dominatedpossession, and the game, a deflected corner kick for the Samurai found the back of the net and knocked the Bulldogs into the
3rd place game.
On the women’s side, they matched up against the EJ King Cobras, the same opponents they faced in last year’s championship.
Though their first match was an offensive shootout, both teams implemented strategies to lock-down the opponent, which led to a
0-0 draw at half. Tight-marking and quick counterattacks dominated the second half from both teams and timely substitutions kept
the pace intact. The Cobras managed to get the ball to their captain in the closing minutes of the game, who rifled a shot into theback of the net despite being sandwiched between two defenders. The score stood 1-0 and left the Bulldogs playing for third.
Despite the setback for the two teams, they both rebounded against their opponents (Nagoya) in their respective 3rd place games.
With dominant performances, both teams ended their tournaments with victories. On the men’s side, Jin Ushio earned tournament
recognition for his play in midfield, while Keila Stang and Riko Noda were selected as All-Tournament players for their tirelessdefensive work on the women.

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Overall, another fantastic season for Bulldog Soccer and a special thank you to Coach Taylor for his work and dedication. Enjoy
your Spring Break and come back stronger than ever for Season 4! Go Bulldogs!

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SERVICE LEARNING ACHIEVEMENTS
Mio Ranni

National Honor Society (NHS)
In preparation for our students' applications to the National Honor Society (NHS) for the upcoming school year, the NHS hosted
an NHS candidate recruitment orientation on March 6. Approximately 30 students from Grades 9-11 attended the orientation.
During the session, the NHS executive officers provided an overview of the organization's history and purpose, clarified the roles
and responsibilities associated with NHS membership within the school community, and highlighted the criteria and essential
points for candidacy consideration, such as maintaining high academic standards, fostering positive morale, and demonstrating
leadership both within the school and beyond. Following the presentations, many students stayed behind to ask questions.
We extend our gratitude to all the participants for their active engagement and wish them the best of luck as they navigate theapplication process to become NHS candidates

Over the spring break, on March 28, NHS students
enthusiastically participated in our annual and highly anticipatedservice activity: the International Soroptimist Kobe Charity
Bazaar held at the Portopia Hotel. This event, organized by
our NHS sponsor, International Soroptimist Kobe, brought
together students from three high schools sponsored by theorganization to support fundraising efforts for charity. Twelve
NHS students from our school contributed to this noble causeby assisting Soroptimist members in operating multiple garage
sale booths. Furthermore, our students managed their own
booth, where they sold accessories crafted from microplastics
collected from Suma Beach, a local initiative aimed at raisingawareness about plastic pollution. The booth attracted
numerous customers who not only purchased accessories but
also engaged in conversations about the environmental impactof microplastics. Our students distributed handmade brochures
to educate attendees about plastic pollution and advocate forbeach and ocean conservation efforts. We extend our heartfelt
appreciation to International Soroptimist Kobe for providing
us with the invaluable opportunity to collaborate with the local
community in support of a worthy charitable cause.

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Marist Brothers Honor Society (MHS)On March 3, our Community Event Committee organized a community service event at Shizen no Ie, a public nature learning site
nestled in Rokko Mountain. Six students participated in this outdoor activity, embarking on a journey involving trains, buses, andthe Rokko Cable Car to reach the venue. Upon arrival, the staff provided insights into the site's 50-year history and its mission toeducate local youth about nature. With the facility preparing to unveil a new campsite in April, our students pitched in by raking
leaves, transporting construction materials, and securing artificial grass tarps. During lunch, the staff treated us to a delicious
pork and vegetable soup, and after completing our service tasks, we enjoyed an exhilarating obstacle course in the natural
surroundings. To conclude the day, the staff organized a bonfire, allowing us to savor grilled marshmallows before bidding
farewell. Despite the physical exhaustion, our students found solace in the serene mountain scenery, energizing them mentally.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Shizen no Ie for their warm hospitality and unwavering positivity throughout theday.

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After the break from winter activities, we returned to Tsuruda Farm on March 16 and 17, where approximately 45 students planted
400 baby eggplants. Over two days, students toiled, shoveling soil, creating ridges, covering them with tarps, digging holes,
and planting eggplants. Despite the soreness in their arms, knees, and shoulders, students relished in moments of laughter,participating in a race within the water-sprinkled greenhouses. Our sincere thanks go to Mr. Yoshihisa Tsuruda for consistently
providing us with enriching experiences at the farm.

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Newsletter | Marist Brothers International SchoolAs our seniors prepare for the upcoming IB World Exams, theMHS Entertainment Committee organized a farewell party on
March 20. The event, held in the gym, featured lively gamesof dodgeball and tail tag, followed by a heartfelt celebration of
the seniors' accomplishments and contributions to the schoolcommunity. Mia Lipp, representing the seniors, delivereda speech expressing gratitude, while younger students also
expressed their appreciation. The evening concluded withenjoyable conversations over cakes, chips, and drinks.
We extend our appreciation to Mr. and Mrs. Lipp for theirassistance in organizing the event, as well as to Ms. Hanamura
and Ms. Park for their contributions. MHS extends its best
wishes to all seniors as they approach their IB World Exams.

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During the spring break, MHS members collaborated with students and teachers from other high schools and universities tocontinue the potato project initiative. On March 24, a diverse group of 36 participants, including students from Takigawa HighSchool, Kobe High School, Kwansei Gakuin University and Kobe University, gathered at Tsuruda Farm to plant potatoes. Despite
the light rain, the atmosphere was filled with enthusiasm and fellowship as students not only enjoyed the task of planting potatoes
but also seized the opportunity to build new friendships across school boundaries. This collaborative effort not only strengthens
the bonds within our local community but also reinforces the spirit of cooperation and unity among students from different
educational institutions. As we eagerly await the harvest in June, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all participants for their
dedication and to Mr. Yoshihisa Tsuruda for his unwavering support throughout the project.

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Newsletter | Marist Brothers International School

Another notable service activity during the break was the soup kitchen held at Onohama Park, Sannomiya, on March 30, in
collaboration with Kobe Union Church members. Eighteen students from our school joined forces to cook and serve curry andrice for 109 individuals. Beyond cooking, students engaged in setting up tents, tables, and chairs, preparing hot tea, packing
snacks for people to take home, cleaning up, and socializing. Gratitude is extended to Kobe Union Church members for theirsupport and to the soup kitchen leaders from Kobe Central Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit for their warm guidance.

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Kobe Kiwanis Builders Club (KKBC)
To prepare for the upcoming Induction Ceremony of the Kobe Kiwanis
Builders Club, scheduled for Sunday, April 7, student representatives from
MBIS, CA, and KIA convened to discuss procedures and preparations. The
meeting took place at the KIA campus on March 10, where four student
leaders from Grade 8 represented MBIS, joining a total of 10 students fromthe three schools.
During the session, the students collaborated on various tasks essential forthe ceremony. They crafted presentation slides and posters, deliberated
on procedural matters, and planned for upcoming events, including theLemonade Stand in support of Child Chemo House scheduled for May,and an Environmental Workshop set for June. We extend our gratitude to
the students and advisors from KIA and CA for their cooperation with ourstudents. Special thanks to the teachers and students of KIA for graciously
hosting the preparation meeting, extending warm hospitality to our team on
their campus.
On March 13, after school, eight Kiwanis students from Grade
8 went down to Suma Beach to collect microplastics. Following
the Kobe Kiwanis Builders Club Induction Ceremony scheduled
for April 7, MBIS Kiwanis students will host a workshop to
create accessories using microplastics from the beach, aiming
to raise awareness and combat plastic pollution in the ocean.
In preparation for this workshop, the students willingly visitedthe beach to gather microplastics. Within just one hour, they
managed to collect a small bucket filled with a diverse array ofplastic trash and microplastics. These colorful waste materials
will be repurposed to craft various accessories, including
earrings, necklaces, and rings.

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Newsletter | Marist Brothers International School

CAS Project
Congratulations to the Grade 11 students who have completed their CAS Project this month. Below shows a summary andreflection of their completed projects.
Soccer Uniform Creation Project (written by Sehej Chadha, Jin Ushio, Seongjun Shin, and Jay Muto)
The Soccer Uniform Project was a CAS project conducted and executed extravagantly by grade 11 students, Jin Ushio, Jay Muto,
Seongjun Shin, and Sehej Chadha. This project consisted of the designing and handing out of personal soccer uniforms for the2023-2024 HS Men's Soccer season. The initiative of this project was to build on our collaborative skills, whilst creating motivation
for the athletes. Additionally, we recognize that our individual talents don't include being super artsy; hence, through this project,
we aimed to change that.
As the season has concluded, we can successfully say that our uniforms were able to bring some type of motivation, as well ascompliments from both our own athletes and our opponents. Through the season we have understood that players and coaches
from other schools were somewhat envious of the personalized uniforms as well as the “modern and vibrant design” (quoted
from a coach). With the use of the new uniforms, we, the MBIS HS Men's Soccer team, were able to create history as we werecrowned the champions of the Perry Cup 2024, the first ever time Marist has won the Perry Cup. We hope that our uniform has ahuge hand to play in this victorious season.

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MESSAGE FROM THE MARKETING TEAM
Miki Kobayashi

The Suma Ward Office (須磨区役所) invited the Marist Marketing Team to join its first ATSUMARU (At Suma Reunion) event on
Saturday, March 9. The gathering provided an opportunity for businesses, individuals, and residents associated with Suma-ku tocome together and explore collaborative possibilities across various fields.
The event kicked off with entertaining discussions in Part 1, where guest speakers highlighted the values and unique offeringof Suma-ku. The consensus was that Suma has a great potential for growth with a high-spirited community. In Part 2, we had theopportunity to mingle and meet more than 20 participants, including business and shop owners, charity organizations, artists,
and members from the Kobe City Office. It allowed us to forge meaningful connections and lay the groundwork for futurecollaborations.
Marist’s presence at ATSUMARU event was driven by our desire to connect with the Suma community and explore avenues for ourstudents to be involved in enriching volunteer work, community outreach, and internships related to students’ aspirations. We lookforward to deepening our engagement with the Suma community and fostering a relationship of mutual support.

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Newsletter | Marist Brothers International School

MARIST CHAMPAGNAT GLOBAL NETWORK
Last March 13, Wednesday, from 4:30 PM to 5:25 PM, we held an online interaction between the student leaders of MBIS and
Notre Dame of Cotabato (NDC), Philippines. Minseo Eom presented about life here in Suma, Kobe City and Haruhi Hayashi
introduced the MBIS school life. The Student Council of NDC then gave us a glimpse of their school through a video presentation
and we exchanged language expressions such as “lami kaayo!” which means “taste good!” in the Cebuano language and wetaught them Japanese words such as kawaii and konnichiwa. As their school is located in a multicultural city, they mentioned a little
bit about how they celebrate diversity by acknowledging their students and teachers who celebrate the Ramadan season by hosting
an iftar or fast-breaking evening meal in the school. They showed us a Filipino-packed rice meal called pastil and one of theirstudents even showed us the different ways to eat it. We learned a little bit about how they take care of students' welfare such as
giving away free ice candies to those who just finished their examinations. It is good to encounter the Marist spirit in other schools
worldwide and share our culture and experiences. It was a fun interaction between these two Marist schools and I hope we canhave other student participants join us next time. If you want to know about their student council activities, please check out@scoremarist or NDC Student Council of Representatives. Thank you, Notre Dame of Cotabato SCORE, Minseo, Haruhi, and Mio
Ranni of MHS for making this event happen.

Marist Brothers International School | Newsletter

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MESSAGE FROM THE STUDENT COUNCIL
On behalf of the Student Council, I am thrilled to share an update on our Spirit Week activities in March. As we looked ahead tospring break, we felt it was important to lift student spirits and promote a sense of fun and livelihood before departing for a short
break.
The Student Council spent several meetings brainstorming theme ideas and logistics for the week, thinking of ways to make Spirit
Week more enjoyable. Ultimately, we settled on Jersey Day, Rhyme Duo Day, and the traditional Class Theme Day.
For Jersey Day on Monday, it was inspiring to see so many students fully dressed to represent their favorite sports teams. Tuesday
brought our Rhyme Duo Day, which encouraged creativity through coordinated outfit rhymes between duos or trios. From “DJand PJ” to “Train and Rain,” students put thought into crafting fun rhyming combinations! Our final day, Class Theme Day on
Wednesday, was extra special as each grade expressed themselves through their unique themes. The seniors did an incredible
job representing their class with “beach day” costumes ranging from Hawaiian to vacation vibes.
In addition to the daily themes, we offered a range of prizes to spark enthusiasm and participation. A few creative students went
home with a small gift of appreciation, including a bag of snacks and a gift card.
We hope the remaining weeks of the school year maintain the same positive spirit we saw during Spirit Week!

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Newsletter | Marist Brothers International School080-7006-8504

Marist Brothers International School | Newsletter27

is
Mar t Brot

al Schoolontrs In ernati
heMARIST BROTHERSINTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

April 2024March
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SundayMondayQ4 Starts

3

Tuesday1

4

Wednesday
2

5

ThursdayFriday3 G9 Kyoto Trip

4

10 G11 Hiroshima Trip

6

Saturday
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6

11 Last Day for Seniors

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13

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7 PYP Evening #3

8 Marist Alumni

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14 MYP Evening #3

15 Parent-Teacher

16 Parent-Teacher

17 Parents as Learners

18 All-Japan Sakura Medal

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23 Spring Arts Festival

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25 MS End-of-Season

26 MS End-of-Season

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28 Showa Day
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May
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Book Bowl
IB World Exams Begin

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Tournament
PTA Meeting

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Tournament

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we strive for a balance of mind, body, andspirit, to develop as well-rounded individuals

Newsletter | Marist Brothers International School

Marist Brothers International School | Newsletter29