MONTHLY
NEWSLETTER

JULY
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 transition through the summer break, I am delighted to share some exciting updates and accomplishments from the past few
months. Although the regular school year has paused, our campus has been vibrant and bustling with activity.
We have just concluded a busy and successful four-week Summer School program. Students from various age groups and gradelevels had the opportunity to engage in enriching learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom. The program
was filled with fun activities that fostered creativity, collaboration, and a love for learning. We are proud of the enthusiasm anddedication shown by our students and teachers throughout this program.
Our school office has also been busy this summer, supporting new staff and faculty members and their families as they settle
into their new homes in Kobe. We are thrilled to welcome 16 new staff and faculty members joining us from Indonesia, Thailand,
China, New Zealand, and other countries. Their diverse backgrounds and expertise will enrich our school community, and welook forward to getting to know them in the upcoming school year.
The Admissions Team has been hard at work, conducting school tours, reviewing applications, arranging interviews, and guiding
new families through the enrollment process. We are excited to welcome over 100 new students to our school in August.
We remind all new students and families to attend the New Student and Family Orientation on Friday, 16 August, before thecommencement of the new academic year on Monday, 19 August.
We are pleased to announce that we are progressing from the consultation stage to the implementation stage of the IB PrimaryYears and Middle Years Programs. This academic year, we will work through the authorization process with the goal of becominga three-programme continuum school by the end of the 2024-2025 academic year.
Our commitment to the 5-year strategic plan is unwavering. We have completed Phase 1 of the campus master plan and are
excited to share that on 31 July, we held our groundbreaking ceremony for the North Building. This new facility will house
our cafeteria, library, science labs, counseling offices, faculty lounge, and medical clinic. With an estimated project cost of
approximately 1.5 billion yen, construction will commence on 1 August, with the goal of completion for the beginning of the 20252026 academic year.
Additionally, we officially opened the new West Building. This building replaces the 1955 Administration Building and includes a
new reception area, a medical clinic, Lower and Upper School Art Rooms, a Design Room, three additional general classrooms,
and a Teacher Shared Workspace. This project was completed at a cost of over 270 million yen. We extend our heartfelt thanks
to our students, parents, staff, faculty, board members, and supporters of Marist for attending the ceremonies and supporting ourschool.
We are eagerly preparing for the start of the new school year. New staff and faculty induction will begin on Wednesday, 7
August, followed by our full staff and faculty orientation from 14-16 August. Our focus will be on enhancing the physical learning
environment and ensuring the successful implementation of the IB PYP and MYP. We will also concentrate on further developing
the DP, emphasizing inquiry, content, skills, concepts, formative and summative assessment, and preparing students for success in
the IBDP.
Parents and students, please remember that the new academic year begins on Monday, 19 August. We look forward towelcoming everyone back to school and embarking on another year of growth and achievement together.

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Newsletter | Marist Brothers International School

MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD
Jun Yamaguchi

It is with great pride and excitement that I write to you about two significant milestones in the history of our school: thegroundbreaking ceremony for the new North Building and the official opening of the new West Building. These events markremarkable achievements in our ongoing efforts to enhance our campus facilities and provide an outstanding learning environment
for our students.
These milestones would not have been possible without the support and partnership of several key organizations and individuals. I
would like to extend my deepest gratitude to:Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), our project management team, for their exceptional oversight and coordination.
Pacific Consultants Co., Ltd, our architects and project supervisors, for their innovative designs and supervision.
Naito House, the West Building construction team, for their dedicated craftsmanship.
Alsok (security company),Hitachi (network infrastructure), and Furnware (office and classroom furniture) for their invaluable supportand expertise.
I also want to acknowledge the patience and perseverance of our staff, faculty, and students who have endured months of
disruptions and challenges during the demolition of the old administration building and the construction phase of the West
Building project. Your understanding and resilience have been instrumental in making this project a success.
Special thanks go to the Strategic Planning Sub-Committee members who have worked tirelessly with our vendors over the past 18
months to make the West Building a reality. Your dedication and hard work are deeply appreciated.
Looking ahead, the construction of the North Building will require the same level of discipline and hard work. I ask for yourcontinued patience and understanding as our campus will remain active with construction activities over the next 12 months.
Together, we are building a brighter future for Marist Brothers International School, and I am confident that these new facilities will
significantly enhance our students' educational experiences.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our school's mission and vision.

Marist Brothers International School | Newsletter34Newsletter | Marist Brothers International School

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

I hope that everybody is enjoying the Summer Break and that you have had some time to relax and enjoy with your family.
First, congratulations to the Graduating class of 2024 for their fantastic International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme results.
All students are to be commended for their efforts and we are very proud of all of the 2024 Seniors for their dedication to theirstudies over their time at Marist.
Later in this edition of the newsletter Ms. Sakurai offers suggestions for starting the school year positively. Of the many greatsuggestions that Ms. Sakurai provides, remember that starting a new year positively with a growth mindset can put you in a reallystrong position to have a great year. You will have new teachers, new people in your classes, new classrooms and in some cases
new subjects that you have not taken before. Approaching the new environment and circumstances with an open mind will allow
you to give yourself the best possible chance of success in the new academic year. Further to this recommendation, it is importantthat you start getting back into a normal routine before school begins so that you are not exhausted when you first return to school.
Try to get to bed a little earlier each night a week before school begins and also get up a little earlier each day!
The Olympics in Paris have already provided us with many amazing moments, especially from the Japanese athletes. Once again,
we are reminded that sometimes life is not fair as seen through the different outcomes for the Abe siblings, Uta and Hifumi in
Judo. Although Uta would have undoubtedly worked just as hard, if not harder, as Hifumi over many years in preparation for
the Games, she will come home empty handed while Hifumi will return with the Gold medal. Even though Uta did not win theGold, or any medal, she still is highly respected and has lost no fans as she did the best she could on the day. The Abe siblings'
experience can be connected to a student's performance at school. Some students will work very hard, but not get the gradesor scores they want. However, it is important to remember the process and the things learnt along the way even though the final
outcome may not be not quite what we were hoping for. Sometimes we do not get the result we want, and it might be hard toaccept, but we must lift our heads and persevere as I am sure Uta will.
I look forward to seeing you all after the break - enjoy your last few weeks of holidays and don’t go to bed too late!

Marist Brothers International School | Newsletter

5MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF LOWER SCHOOL
Stephanie Hanamura

I hope this message finds everyone well as we finally embrace the joys of summer break. Our summer school program was a
resounding success, offering four weeks filled with laughter, learning, and meaningful hands-on experiences for our students.
I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated teachers and enthusiastic students for making this program not only
educational but also incredibly enjoyable.
As we continue to enjoy the summer holidays, I encourage families to engage in activities that align with our school-wide Marist
Expectations. Take nature walks or create a nature journal to observe and document findings, fostering curiosity about the world
around us. Visit museums, try new cuisines, or learn phrases in different languages to broaden cultural understanding. Engage inmusic, dance, drama, or visual arts projects that encourage self-expression and creativity.
Reading is fundamental to learning and personal growth, supporting the development of vocabulary and critical thinking skills. It's
also a delightful way to unwind during summer. I recommend the following books: "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle for
Early Years through Grade 2, a timeless classic introducing young readers to nature's wonders and transformations. For Grades
3-5, "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio, a poignant story exploring empathy, kindness, and acceptance through a child's perspective.
Additionally, "Not a Box" by Antoinette Portis inspires imagination and creativity for all ages.
Lastly, I encourage everyone to find balance this summer. Whether through reading, quality family time, or pursuing personal
interests, taking moments to relax and recharge is vital for overall well-being.
Thank you once again to our entire school community for your unwavering support and dedication to our students' success.
Wishing you all a safe and enjoyable summer, and I look forward to welcoming you back in August!

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Newsletter | Marist Brothers International School

MESSAGE FROM THE IBDP COORDINATOR
Gunseli Yuksel

On July 5, 192,867 students worldwide received their Diploma Programme (DP) and Career-related Programme (CP) results from
the May 2024 examination session. MBIS is proud of the Class of 2024 for successfully completing their two-year IB journey.

Class of 2024 IBDP Results•

Number of candidates registered in the May 2024 session:

26•

IB DP pass rate: 							96%•

Number of students who received a bilingual diploma:

13•

Average points obtained by candidates who passed the diploma: 		32 (Global average: 30.32)

Regardless of their results, each of our students is a global citizen who is well-prepared not only for university but also for life andequipped with the skills to contribute to creating a better world. We wish them all the best in the next chapter of their life.

Marist Brothers International School | Newsletter

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MESSAGE FROM THE WHOLE SCHOOL COUNSELOR
Taeko Sakurai

Tips for a Great Start to the New School Year!
Hello students and families!
I hope you are enjoying your summer vacation and feelingrefreshed. The end of the holiday is approaching, and it’s time to
get ready to go back to school. Here are some tips to help you
prepare and make the most of your first days back.

1. Adjust Your Daily Routine and Stay Healthy
Start going to bed and waking up a bit earlier each day. This will
help your body get used to the school schedule. Also, eat healthy
meals and snacks and get plenty of exercise. A healthy body helps
create a healthy mind for learning.

2. Get Your Supplies Ready
Gather all your school supplies and make sure you have everything you need. Organize your backpack and set up a nice study
space at home. Also, check the size of your uniform and gym clothes since you might have grown over the summer.

3. Reconnect with Friends
Contact friends you haven't seen during the summer. A quick call or a playdate can make returning to school fun and lessstressful.

4. Set Goals
Think about what you want to achieve this year. Set goals not only for schoolwork but also for sports or hobbies. Having clear
goals will keep you motivated.

5. Stay Positive
New teachers, new classmates, and new experiences can be exciting. Try to stay positive and open-minded about the changes.

6. Talk About Your Feelings
Talk to your family or trusted friends if you feel nervous or worried. Sharing your feelings can make you feel better and help you
find solutions.
Starting a new school year is a fresh start. Approach it with curiosity and enthusiasm. We are here to support you and help you
succeed. Let's make this the best year ever!
We look forward to seeing you in the new school year!

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Newsletter | Marist Brothers International School

MESSAGE FROM THE GUIDANCE COUNSELOR
Hulya Park

Preparing for a busy academic year
The school year is busy for everyone, but for Grade 11 and 12 students, the workload increases exponentially due to looming
university applications. Understanding different timelines and deadlines becomes crucial to have a smooth and successful year. As
with most things in life, early planning is key to staying on top of everything during a busy school year.
University applications have different timelines depending on the region. For instance, deadlines can be as early as October for
prestigious universities like Oxford and Cambridge. In the United States, application deadlines often fall in November. For Europe,
the deadlines vary by country and sometimes even by individual institutions. It is also important to note that in some countries,
including Japan, international students have different deadlines to allow time for visa processing.
Students can follow the tips below to reduce stress during the entire process:1.

Create a personal timeline: Develop a calendar marking all relevant dates and deadlines for both schoolwork anduniversity applications. This should help in visualizing the workload and managing time efficiently.

2.

Gather materials early: Keep track of the required materials and the time it takes to obtain them. Request transcripts,
recommendation letters, and other necessary documents well in advance to avoid last-minute delays and stress.

3.

Prioritize: Balancing university applications with academic responsibilities, extracurricular activities, and personalcommitments requires proactive planning. Sometimes, scheduling clashes are unavoidable. In those situations, having aclear idea of how to best handle the conflicting priorities is essential.

4.

Take early action: Complete any work you can beforehand to reduce stress and allow time for review and revision.
Early action not only helps in managing the workload but also improves the quality of the submitted work.

Navigating the academic year when the workload keeps increasing can be challenging. By understanding the different timelines
and requirements, and by planning early, students can stay on track to have a successful year.
Starting the process as early as possible and staying organized will help students manage a busy year effectively. If students
feel overwhelmed with all the responsibilities, they should not hesitate to reach out for help to their teachers or counselors for
guidance.

Marist Brothers International School | Newsletter

9MESSAGE FROM THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
Jason Mejia

I hope that everyone is enjoying their summer holidays and is getting ready to return to school and sport!
First and foremost, thank you to Ms. Ranni for hosting the Summer Volleyball Camps. Our student-athletes have been enjoying
getting pre-season reps and are ready to hit the ground running when the season begins.

I’d like to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the Parent Meetings for Athletics. It will serve as a brief introduction to
Athletics at Marist where I will highlight some of the expectations for the year and serve as a general Q & A for families. I havebroken it up into two different meetings to have a more focused discussion:•

Middle School (Grades 6 - 8): Thursday, August 15•

High School (Grades 9 - 12): Friday, August 16

Both meetings will be from 15:30 - 16:30 and take place in the gym.
SchoolsBuddy will be accessible for signups beginning August 12, 2024. You will be able to sign up for any sport throughout theacademic year.
Similar to last year, everyone has access to the Athletic Schedule. You will also be able to view the schedule on the
Marist Athletics website.
Go Bulldogs!

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Newsletter | Marist Brothers International School

GRADE 1 & 2 SUMMER SCHOOL EXPERIENCE
Kate Robson and Riku Tanaka

During the third week of summer school, students were tasked
with creating engaging activities or games for a summer
festival. Working in small teams, they brainstormed and crafted
equipment for their games.
On Tuesday, we visited Shioya pool where students, growing
more confident in the water, enjoyed diving from the diving
board. Following this, they participated in a cooking class with
Ms. Buchanan, learning to prepare ‘pigs in a blanket’.
Wednesday brought our highly anticipated trip to Kidzania.
Students gained hands-on experience in various professions—from security guards to train drivers and surgeons. They also
honed practical skills like time management, as they scheduled
their work shifts and managed their job cards and lunch vouchers. A visit to Takashimaya department store emphasized financial
literacy as students considered purchases with their earned money.
Thursday’s activities focused on scientific exploration, with students investigating density and the chemical reactions of acids andbases while creating lava lamps.
Friday took us to Suma beach where students collected shells for an upcoming project. The day culminated in our own summer
festival, where everyone enjoyed the games created earlier in the week.

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In the final week of summer school the grade one and two class focussed on marine life, environmental issues our oceans
currently face and how we can make mindful choices everyday which will positively impact our planet.
We researched several environmental issues directly affecting marine life. We spoke about each of the issues briefly before
groups set to work addressing the issues, causes of the issue and finally presented, discussed and brainstormed possible
solutions.
Students headed back to Shioya pool on a sunny warm day for a well deserved dip in the pool. The confident swimmers made themost of the facilities, especially the diving board! In the afternoon students were back in the kitchen this week baking coconut andchocolate cookies.
Our much anticipated field trip to the newly opened Suma Sea World was on July 10th. Students were able to discover first hand
the many different species among the varying exhibitions. We also enjoyed marveling in the many antics of the dolphins andorcas, even if we did get a bit wet!
We finished up our week by creating our own aquarium in a bottle using recycled plastic bottles, and a photo frame using shells
to remember our days at summer school. We also held a movie screening of Finding Nemo with popcorn to keep with ourunderwater theme.
We hope everyone enjoyed the summer school program and may everyone have a safe, restful and fun summer break. We lookforward to seeing you in the new school year.

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Newsletter | Marist Brothers International SchoolSERVICE LEARNING ACHIEVEMENTS
Mio Ranni

Service Learning Summer School 2024
To achieve SDG #17: Partnership for the Goals, our students collaborated with members of the Kobe Central Catholic Churchof the Holy Spirit to host a soup kitchen in Sannomiya on July 2. Due to rain, the students first went to the church to cook Oyakodon. They enjoyed talking and cooking with the church members, discussing the soup kitchen system, and learning how many
companies, schools, and organizations support this three-times-a-week service for the local community. After cooking, the students
moved to Onohama Park to distribute the meals, serving 68 people. For many students, this was their first experience participating
in and cooking for a soup kitchen. We would like to thank the church members for always teaching us the value of partnership inmaking a difference in society.

Marist Brothers International School | Newsletter

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Students investigated and planned their individual service
projects. After spending two weeks learning about various
global issues and ways to address them, they brainstormed
ideas to make a positive impact on society through diverse
service projects. Some of their innovative ideas include
organizing a fashion show with clothes made from recycledmaterials, collecting used towels to support soup kitchens,
creating microplastic accessories, and forming a bilingual
book club to appreciate literature and enhance international
communication. Students developed their ideas, assessed
their feasibility, held individual meetings with the instructor,
and presented their concepts to their classmates. It is truly
exciting to see students come up with creative projects andenthusiastically share their ideas with their peers.

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Newsletter | Marist Brothers International School

On July 8, the service learning students took a field trip to Kamagasaki, Nishinari-ku, Osaka, an area where many people sufferfrom poverty. To learn how to help those in need, we visited a Catholic support center called “Kibo-no-ie.” Two individuals who
have been supporting the community gave us a lecture on the town’s history and background, the challenges of poverty facedby the residents, and how many people live on the streets. They explained how various organizations assist by organizing soup
kitchens and helping people find jobs and homes. After the lecture, the students were divided into two groups for a tour aroundthe town. During the tour, we saw shelters where people can spend the night at an affordable price, parks with portable kitchensfor soup kitchens, and numerous support centers providing essential services. In preparation for this day, our entire schoolparticipated in a food and clothing drive. We donated rice, soy sauce, broth, salt, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, towels, socks,
and underwear to those in need. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to this drive. We would like tothank the people of Kamagasaki who organized this tour and gave our students the opportunity to learn about poverty and ways tocombat it. Below are some reflections written by the students after the field trip:

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Reflection by Grade 6, Anno Soma
Today, I went to Kamgasaki and I was shocked because there were mountains of trash piled up against the wall, but the most
upsetting part is that people dump the garbage where the homeless people sleep, just because they don’t want to pay to throw
their garbage away.
Even though the homeless peoples’ situation is difficult, they work together and support each other and they make their own
community just like Marist. To help them next year for my individual service project, I would like to form a group and remove themountains of trash scattered around Kamagasaki.
Reflection by Grade 6, Lillie White
When I went to Kamagasaki, the first thing I saw there was piles of garbage lined up in front of the closed shutters of the oldshelter. I looked closer and saw many tents made in the piles and people actually living in the tents made from garbage. I wasreally shocked from looking at this. Then, we arrived at the “Kibo-no-ie” (喜望の家) where the volunteer shared his experience ofhelping people at Kamagasaki for almost 30 years. He showed us a part of a news clip where we saw the reality of the homelesspeople for the 6 days they had to live on the streets without much resources. These 6 days were in the middle of the harsh winterand many people were depending on their life. One person was severely malnourished and struggled to even go to the park 50
meters away from him. Looking at his state, I felt devastated for him. We also went on a tour of Kamagasaki where I saw many
homeless people and items sold at a crazily cheap price. The drinks were sold at 1/3 of the price we would usually pay for andwhen I asked why the drinks were so cheap, the person told me that it was because the drinks were nearing the expiry date or was
already expired. When I heard this I thought that the people here can’t really get quality products and always get the leftovers. I
also recognized a sour smell from places where the homeless people gathered and realized that this smell was from their sweat
since they couldn’t bathe and clean their bodies properly like we do. After leaving there I thought about how what I saw that day
wouldn’t be believable in most of our daily lives and how the homeless people have to live in such harsh conditions every day.
Reflection by Grade 8, Toma Deyss
Most of the homeless people in Kamagasaki became homeless because they had a painful past. Some of their parents get
divorced and aren't able to go to school, their family members are alcoholic and don't take care of their kids, or some of themhad domestic violence in the past. There's even more patterns that they became homeless. I feel sorry for them. I don't want tobelieve this is occurring in real life and it's not a joke. I thought that our life is very lucky. We were able to eat dinner with ourfamily every day, and live in our nice house. But compare that, homeless people aren't able to do ANY OF THEM. So I feel it isbest for us to live with our family and to be able to eat something every day. I feel living is the most precious thing in the entire
world. I hope that the number of homeless people won't increase in the future.
Reflection by Grade 8, Avraham Grummer
Yesterday we went to the Kamagasaki-area in Osaka prefecture. This area is known to have the highest poverty rate in Japan withmany of the people living there being homeless. But once we got their and saw the reality although it was not the cleanest of
nicest place it had a overarching feeling of family and felt like a very tightly-knit community supporting each-other in many ways
with multiple charity groups working together making things such as daily food drives, and extremely cheap housing possible
supporting the homeless get back up due to this although it may not look it, from the thing i saw it looked like a very comfortable
place to live.
Reflection by Grade 8, Shione Inui
We went to Kamagasaki “Kibo-no-ie” (喜望の家) and watched a documentary video about the severe 6 days of new year that thehomeless people live through. In the video, the people in the Kamagasaki community did soup kitchens to support the homelesspeople who were suffering from the cold and starving by hunger. This scene made me realize that our daily soup kitchen is a very
important life-saving service. One meal we provide makes one person full or happy. Although many people in Kamagasaki arein similar tough situations, the scene of them reaching out for each other shows me that they have that bond and generosity thatencourages them to keep moving forward.

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Newsletter | Marist Brothers International SchoolOn the last day of the summer school program, students participated in various in-school service activities to prepare for the newschool year. These activities included cleaning and organizing the umbrella racks, washing iPad covers for the Lower School
students, and tidying up the foyer of the main building. After completing the service work, the students attended an award
ceremony in the classroom, where exceptional individuals who demonstrated excellent scholarship, leadership, character, andservice received certificates. The students also enjoyed playing games and having a potluck lunch to celebrate the last day of the
program. We would like to extend a special thank you to Grade 11 student Rinne Kobayashi, who served as the program assistantand supported students with encouraging words and a positive attitude for four weeks.We would also like to thank all the students
and parents for their hard work and support, including providing the delicious meals and sweets for the potluck party on the final
day.

Marist Brothers International School | Newsletter

17Below are some examples of students’ service initiatives and projects from the summer school program. Some students completed
short-term projects within the program, while others are aiming to continue working on their projects and involve community
members throughout the new school year. I would like to congratulate all the students who participated in this summer school
program for their dedication to learning, working, and acting to make this world a better place. I would also like to thank theparents, administrators, and school staff for making this program a success.
Accessory Project written by Grade 6 Lillie WhiteFor my service project, I will recycle items and turn them into accessories
while also donating the money made from selling those accessories tochildren who can’t have proper water, hygiene, education and nutrition. I am
doing this because I want to express my creativity in a way which can benefit
the world. Also I really want to help combat the problem of children not
being able to have proper needs. This is because 244 million children don’t
have a proper education, 420 million children don’t have access to basic
sanitation, 210 million children can’t drink clean water and about 650 million
children are malnourished. Now if you ask me, that’s a lot of kids sufferingfrom not being able to have something we think it’s normal to have.
I am planning on selling my accessories at the Food Fair being held at Marist
on the 19th of October. I hope this project helps bring awareness to themany children who aren’t as fortunate as us.
Fashion Show Project written by Grade 8 Anna Ishii
Currently, I am planning a fashion show among upper school students toraise awareness about the recycling of clothes. In a year, the amount ofwaste created by clothing disposal rises to more than 450,000,000kg within
Japan. Now, 450,000,000kg may be hard to visualize when it is written
down, but in fact, this is about twice the weight of the Statue of Liberty! Also,
let’s not forget the fact that this is in terms of its weight and not its quantity,
so the amount of clothes disposed of yearly is truly immense. That is why
I am planning a fashion show with only thrift clothes. Oftentimes, people
throw their clothes away instead of recycling them even though they are
relatively in good condition. In my project, I will collect thrift clothes from theentire school to turn them into brand-new clothes and do a fashion show to
showcase those artworks.

Medical Club Project written by Grade 8 Shione Inui
For my project for the service learning program, I decided to do a longterm project which I could continue on for the following school year. Sinceme and some of my friends have interest in working in medical platforms
in the future, I decided to start a small medical club. In this club we areaiming to learn about not only medicine and cure but also global medical
problems.
In the future we are planning to visit 3 medicine related facilities in Kobe.
By the guidance of the staff there, we will deepen our knowledge and gain
an open-minded perspective about medicine. During summer school I havecontacted different facilities and achieved to get consent to visit during
the next school year. By this process of investigating and preparing, I havelearned that we need to deeply investigate the needs of the project andcreate an accurate plan for the future.

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Newsletter | Marist Brothers International School

A Website Creation Project written by Grade 8 Avraham
GrummerCurrently, I am working on developing a website thatsignificantly impacts a large audience in the academic process:research. Research is a core part of academic projects andtime spent during projects but one problem is that when going
through online sources due to all sources not being credible
the number of websites makes it very timely to go through.
This is why I chose to create a website that helps reduce that
number by letting you filter the websites firsthand and thenhaving a smaller list of websites that have a higher chance ofcredibility reducing the time of research significantly.
I hope this project once completed will be used by many students and become another tool to students that takes a burden off
their shoulders. Through this process I hope to grow in management skills and become better at coding since other than a few
experiences as a kid I had minimal experience at the start of this project.
Bilingual Book Club Project written by Grade 9 Tomoko Senda
For my project, I am planning to establish a Bilingual Book Club to spreadthe appeal of literature, and as an introduction to this, I made an introductory
booklet of Japanese literature. Personally, I am very interested in Japaneseclassical literature and am concerned that people aren’t enjoying readingclassical literature as cell phones become more popular and people havemore entertainment. In my survey, I found out that 100% of students in theservice learning summer school class have negative feelings toward Japaneseclassical literature. But I think classical literature is crucial in learning manythings, including literature, culture, and also a life lesson, and I believe
literature largely contributes to developing a student’s identity, as well as
deepening the understanding of the world. In the upcoming year, I want tomake a place where everyone can talk about the novel, which could be thebook club, and throughout the year, I want to encourage everyone to read
literature as an important learning tool that could help students a lot.

Marist Brothers International School | Newsletter

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EARLY YEARS SUMMER SCHOOL EXPERIENCE

Mark Pilgrim, Derek Lipp, Kyoko Tanaka, Miho Tempesta, MBIS Assistants staff

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Newsletter | Marist Brothers International School

Early Years students have had a busy and exciting summer school that included: Circle Time songs and games, P.E. gamesand dancing, daily crafts, language reading and writing workbooks, cooking classes, pool and water play day and a field trip to
Science World, Sakura Circus, Kobe Tower, Kawasaki Good Times World, Suma Beach and Animal Kingdom. Students adjusted
well to the Summer School routines and enjoyed building friendships with classmates. Looking forward to seeing everyone again
next year!

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8August 2024S6

9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27

September
S M T W T F
1 2 3 4 5 68S7

9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28

28 29 30 31

29 30

SundayMondayTuesday

WednesdayThursdayFridaySaturday

1

2Key

3

Parents/Families Welcome on Campus
Alumni Event on Campus
Parent Teacher Conferences

4

5

6 New Teacher Induction

7

11 -Mountain Day

12

13 -Faculty Orientation

14 Middle School Athletics(Aug. 7-9)

(Aug. 14-16)

8

Parent Meeting

15 New Student
Orientation

9

10

16

17

High School Athletics Parent
Meeting

18 First Day of School

1

19

Quarter One Begins

25

6

26

2
1

20

27

3
2

21

28

4
3

22

23

24

29 Welcome Back Dance Party 30

31

5
4

INQUIRERS we engage in research and investigation, becoming self-directed, lifelong learners

Marist Brothers International School | Newsletter

23

OUR MISSION STATEMENTOUR VISION STATEMENT

We educate students in a nurturing community where relationships andmeaningful 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 toprepare students for life’s opportunities.

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

OUR VALUESEXCELLENCEINNOVATION

Make excellence and quality a part of each day andseek continuous improvement in all that we do.

Seek innovative and creative approaches to problem-solving.

PARTNERSHIPSCARE

Build sustainable and meaningful relationships,
embrace diversity, and connect with the community.

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

MARIST EXPECTATIONS
Open-Minded:

Risk-Takers:

Balanced:

Caring:We seek to broaden our understanding
and appreciation of other cultures andperspectives.

We strive for balance of mind, body andspirit, to develop as well-rounded
individuals.

Knowledgeable:

We show compassion within our schoolcommunity and beyond.

Communicators:

We strive to develop intellectually,physically and artistically.

We collaborate in a multilingual
environment, with confidence andcourtesy.

Principled:

Inquirers:

Thinkers:

Reflective:
We use past experiences as a guide for
Reflective:

We take responsibility for our own actions,building trust through integrity, honesty,
and humility.

We consistently think critically, ethically,
and creatively.

MOTIVATE

24

We take on challenges as active
participants and dare to push beyond
our comfort zones.

BELIEVE

We engage in research andinvestigation, becoming self-directed,
lifelong learners.

future actions.
We use past experiences as a guide for
future actions.

INSPIRE

SUCCEED

Newsletter | Marist Brothers International School