MONTHLY
NEWSLETTER

APRIL
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 embrace the final quarter of the 2023-2024 academic year, I am delighted to share with you the vibrant tapestry of activities
and achievements that have kept our school busy over the past four weeks. It has been a whirlwind of learning, collaboration, andcelebration, and I am immensely proud of the spirit of excellence that is demonstrated across our school.
Our commitment to holistic education has been evident through a range of events and initiatives. The continuation of our Tech
Café sessions, Marist Alumni Mentorship Program, and Parents as Learners Sessions underscores our dedication to supporting
our parent community and our efforts to connect our students with our diverse alumni membership.
The engagement of our parents in the recent PYP and MYP information sessions has been heartening. These sessions provided
invaluable insights into our programs and set the stage for regular opportunities for parental involvement in the upcoming
academic year. Strengthening the bond between home and school is paramount, and we are committed to fostering acollaborative partnership that enriches the educational journey of every student.
Field trips have offered our students immersive learning experiences beyond the classroom walls. From the cultural immersion in
Kyoto and Hiroshima to the literary exploration at the All-Japan Sakura Medal Book Bowl at St. Mary’s in Tokyo, our students have
expanded their horizons and forged meaningful connections with the world around them. The successful music collaboration
with St. Mary’s International School further exemplifies the power of collective creativity and cooperation in nurturing talent andfostering growth.
As our senior students embark on the journey of IB DP final examinations, I am filled with admiration for their dedication andresilience. These exams are not merely assessments of knowledge but reflections of the depth of character and intellectual
fortitude that our students possess. To our seniors, I extend my heartfelt encouragement: believe in yourselves, stay focused,
and approach each challenge with confidence and clarity. You are supported by a community that believes in your potential andcelebrates your achievements. Regardless of the outcomes, each student is a testament to the values of perseverance, integrity,and compassion that define the Marist spirit.
In closing, I extend my warmest wishes to our seniors as they embark on this significant milestone and to the entire Marist
community for continued success and fulfillment in the days ahead. Together, let us embrace the journey with courage, curiosity,and conviction.

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MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD
Jun Yamaguchi

The Board have been working on tracking the progress and achievements of the school against the stated goals and objectives of
the 5-year strategic plan. Much of the focus of the Board’s work has centered on the campus redevelopment plan and a numberof key operational matters that will shape the future financial sustainablity of the school.
We are pleased to confirm that our tuition fees remain highly competitive when compared to other reputable international schools
in Japan. Several factors influence the costs of running the School, including inflationary pressures on all expenditures, increases
to salaries and our campus redevelopment plans. We are very conscious of the impact of increasing tuition fees, and we havesought to minimize any increase. We will strive to provide facilities and infrastructure required to support our evolving educationaland co-curricular needs and the school's anticipated growth. In the short term, our priorities are to complete the construction of
the West Building in August 2024 and the North Building in August 2025.
The School operates a bus service for students living in between the school and Ashiya and Shioya. Whilst we make every effort
to manage increasing operating costs, we also need to maximize the available seats on the two routes and make changes where
necessary. Bus seat space is limited, so all families must re-register to use the School’s bus service next academic year.
The school’s scholarship or tuition assistance is a significant investment and testiment to the Board’s commitment to maintaining adiverse student population and supporting families with access to a Marist education. New family / sibling scholarship applications
will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis throughout 2024-2025. However, all other scholarship and tuition fee discountapplications closed on 1 March 2024 and we will not be accepting new applications until 1 January 2025. We would like to thankall the families who submitted applications for scholarships and tuition asssisatnce for the 2024-2025 academic year. Please referto the Marist Scholarships and Tuition Assistance Policy on our website.
Disclaimer: The MBIS Strategic Plan is a document that will be regularly reviewed, and the Board reserves the right to makechanges to specific goals, objectives, strategies, and timelines through a consultative process with all stakeholders.

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

We said farewell to our Graduating Class of 2024 at an all school assembly on 12 April, the last day of classes for Grade 12
students.
Kouki and Sara from Grade 11 spoke on behalf of everyone in the community to wish the Grade 12 students all the very best as
they step into life outside of MBIS.
The Grade 12 Graduation will be held at Matsukata Hall in Harborland on 25 May from 2.00 pm and all are welcome to attend.

Thank you to all parents who attended the Parent Teacher conferences on 16-17 April. Communication between parents, teachersand students plays an important role in providing students with a successful education. These conversations help teachers get
to know the children they teach better and provide them with a plan that meets their needs. Once again, thank you for yourattendance at the conferences.

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It is most enjoyable to walk around the school during the day and visit classrooms to see what the students are learning. I have theprivilege of seeing a variety of things happening on any given day in the classroom.
Recently, the Grade 9 Language and Literature class did a role play providing an alternate ending to Romeo and Juliet. It was great
to see the enthusiasm of the students as they acted and created some very different endings to the Shakespeare classic!
Finally, we had our second online meeting with the studentsof Dehgam International School in India. Thank you to Divitand Jazz for doing a short presentation on baseball and sumo
wrestling to give our Indian friends a better understandingof the sports popularity in Japan. We also learnt about thetraditional Indian sport of kabaddi (a contact sport played by
two teams with the goal being to tag members of the otherteam) and kho kho (a tag game).

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5MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF LOWER SCHOOL
Stephanie Hanamura

Thanks to our incredible teachers, this month brought numerous opportunities for our students to engage with our local
community.
Our Grade 5 teacher, Mr. Writer, coordinated a visit from the Kobe Storks, providing students with sporting experiences beyond
their daily PE classes. Additionally, our students participated in the Book Bowl hosted by St. Mary's International School in Tokyo. I
want to give a special shoutout to Mr. Shitamoto for organizing this trip and working with the students over the past few months toprepare them for this exciting event. The experience allowed our students to develop their communication skills, self-management
abilities, and their capacity to interact with peers beyond their school and community. Well done, students—you truly represent
Marist Brothers.

Our community then hosted a music collaboration with St. Mary’s school band students, emphasizing the importance of community
engagement. This collaboration allowed our students to create meaningful learning experiences beyond the classroom, interact
with older peers, learn from their musical expertise, and engage in collaborative activities that promote teamwork and appreciation
for different talents.

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Parents also had numerous opportunities to be on campus, including our Parents as Learners Workshops and MYP and PYP
Evenings. During our third PYP Parent Afternoon, parents came together to delve into topics such as Inquiry, Approaches toLearning, and Agency. It was wonderful to engage with parents and students through an inquiry activity and discuss ways tosupport approaches to learning and develop agency outside of school.

It was also great to see many parents on campus for Parent-Teacher Conferences!

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MESSAGE FROM THE IBDP COORDINATOR
Gunseli Yuksel

May 2024 IB World Exams are scheduled to take place from April 24 to May 16. The results will be released on July 6. It is
important to note that our students' international education at Marist goes beyond any set of exams; their potential extends beyond
school. We are confident that they are prepared to face any challenges ahead.
Mr. Hutchinson and I represented MBIS at an IBAJ (IB Association of Japan) event held at Aoba-Japan International School in Tokyoon April 22. We were pleased to join the international educator community on this remarkable day of learning and sharing.
The third session of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) parent afternoon series took place on
April 15. At this meeting we shared more details about the features of the programme, including assessment. We are happy toshare the presentation from the session with you.
Next step in MYP candidacy: Since September, when the candidacy phase for MBIS started, we have been working with aconsultant whose role is that of an advisor. We have received formal feedback on our progress toward meeting the requirements
for MYP authorization. The consultants conduct visits to the schools to better understand and observe the school’s context. The
MBIS MYP candidacy visit will take place on May 30-31. During the consultancy visit, face-to-face conversations with the schoolcommunity and class visits will occur. The consultant will provide a report on the school’s progress, including advice on the next
steps prior to authorization.

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MESSAGE FROM THE WHOLE SCHOOL COUNSELOR
Taeko Sakurai
Meeting Deadlines

Meeting deadlines is a crucial skill for kids' success. Finishing tasks as promised helps in academics and significantly contributes
to personal growth.
But why does it contribute so much to personal growth? First, meeting deadlines leads to valuable time management skills. Setting
specific deadlines for tasks helps prioritise work, utilise time effectively, and avoid procrastination. These skills aren't just forschool but will also be helpful in future careers and everyday life.
Moreover, meeting deadlines fosters a sense of responsibility in kids. Completing tasks by a specific deadline means keeping
promises to oneself and others. Keeping promises demonstrates reliability, a quality highly valued in any situation beyond school.
Additionally, meeting deadlines allows kids to feel accomplished and reduces stress. By completing tasks on time, they can feelsatisfied and proud of their achievements. Such positive experiences have a good impact on their academic performance.
Therefore, as parents, supporting children in developing deadline-meeting skills is crucial. Here are some strategies for that:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Clear Communication: Clearly communicate tasks and deadlines to children. Provide reminders as deadlines approachand support them in staying on track.
Break Tasks into Manageable Steps: Divide big tasks into small steps to prevent overwhelm. This way, children can
progress towards their goals step by step.
Offer Support and Guidance: Support and advise while children work. Help them address any problems that arise andassist them in finding solutions.
Set a Good Example: Children learn from observing the actions of those around them. As parents, demonstrate meeting
deadlines and responsible behaviour to be a good role model.

Meeting deadlines and achieving goals helps children acquire important skills for success. Let's continue to encourage andsupport their growth by helping them understand the importance of responsibility and time management.

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9MESSAGE FROM THE GUIDANCE COUNSELOR
Hulya Park

Navigating University Websites
Our February newsletter focused on the factors we should consider while choosing universities and information resources. Out of
all the resources out there, a university’s website is the most important one. Individual university websites are a treasure trove of
information for students and families. You can use the available information when choosing which university to apply for or which
offer to accept.
One of the most valuable resources on a university website is the option for campus tours. These can be offered in person or
virtually. They can be provided in groups or individually. These tours give students and families the opportunity to explore thecampus and its facilities. In-person tours offer the option to meet current students or faculty, and even attend classes. Virtual tours
usually provide interactive maps and informative videos so that prospective students can explore the campus freely.
In addition to campus tours, universities often have platforms in place where students can chat with current members of theuniversity community. These members are usually students, but sometimes you have the chance to talk to admissions officers,
financial aid officers, or faculty members. These chats offer insights to campus life, academic programs, extracurricular activities,
and more. Through these conversations, students can ask their personal questions and get more tailored information compared towhat is available on the general website.
Another valuable resource is the opportunity to attend virtual information sessions or ‘taster’ lectures. Taster lectures give students
a taste of the courses offered at the university. They show the university’s academic rigor and the teaching style students can
expect at the institution. Virtual information sessions cover various topics of university life including admissions, financial aid
options, and student services.
Beyond these resources, university websites generally offer a variety of additional information and tools to assist students andfamilies. These might include student testimonials, alumni stories, scholarship and financial aid resources, student support
programs, and information about campus organizations. Through university websites, students can gain a holistic view of each
institution and make more informed decisions about their futures. .
Links to previous events
Alumni Mentorship Program: We welcomed Sneha Shah (Class
of 2023) for our April session. Sneha is currently studying PreMed Biotechnology/Biomedical Engineering with a Minor in
Business at Rutgers University in the US.
You can access the recording here.
Upcoming event
Alumni Mentorship Program: Micheal Ranni from Class of 2022
will be our last speaker of the year in our May session. Micheal
is currently studying Information Science at International
Christian University (ICU) in Japan.

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MESSAGE FROM ADMISSIONS
Miki Kobayashi

Marist Brothers Embracing Growth
On April 1st, we kicked off the last quarter of the school year by welcoming a large group of new students in Early Years 3 toGrade 6, coming from four different countries.
With bright faces, the young learners were met by their ‘buddies’ at the front entrance and escorted to their classrooms. Fromlocating lockers to settling into desks, the buddies showed how we, at Marist, support and care for each other.
The addition of these students marked a historic moment for Marist Brothers International School, as our enrollment surpassed 400
for the first time in the school’s 73-year history!
Meanwhile, the Admissions team has been tirelessly engaging with families interested in our school’s rich program. Throughpersonalized school tours and informative communication via email, we have maintained strong interest and now have over
65 students already accepted to commence their journey at Marist in August for the 2024- 2025 school year. This number is
expected to increase as we continue to process the inquires and applications we are currently receiving.
The increasing interest in international education within Japan seems to reflect the people’s awareness toward globalization andtheir willingness to break away from the traditional Japanese educational system. More and more, Japanese families are reachingout to us to explore opportunities for their children to become bilingual, global-minded citizens through international education.
We are also experiencing numerous inquiries from overseas, particularly from China. As an IB World School on the path to fullaccreditation authorization for the Primary Years Program (PYP) and Middle Years Program (MYP), Marist remains competitive in
the global and local markets.

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MESSAGE FROM EARLY YEARS
Tina Mathers

This month, our CH2 students have been fully engaged in exploring the world of phonics and showed great enjoyment inlearning about the letter "Ss". Their enthusiasm and creativity knows no bounds! The whiteboard has been brimming with words,
showcasing their expanding vocabulary. Our Show and Tell sessions have been a highlight, offering the children a platform toshine and build confidence in public speaking. From "Snow White" to "snakes" and beyond, their presentations have beendelightful. We take great pride in witnessing their progress and eagerness to learn. Bravo, children!

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MESSAGE FROM KINDERGARTEN
Amanda McWilliams

Throughout April, the Kindergarten class has been to embark on a new inquiry, following the changes in the season. We havebeen marveling at the wonders of nature as the world around us transitions from winter to spring. We've ventured outdoors tobask in the warmer weather, taking in the sights and sounds of spring as we observe the enchanting cherry blossom trees in fullbloom. As we shed our winter layers for lighter attire, we're not just learning about the changing weather, but also discovering
more about how seasons work. It's been a month filled with exploration and discovery as we embrace the arrival of spring.

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MESSAGE FROM THE GRADE 2
Julie Sugiuchi and Venus Moon

Grade Two has continued delving deeper into our inquiry of how wind, water, and weather influence our land and the plants andanimals that live on it. We are learning about erosion, and using our location to explore the concept of erosion more deeply.
Marist Brothers International School is conveniently located only five minutes from Japan’s Suma Beach - a perfect location fromwhich to study how rocks might be impacted by ocean water and sand.
During the March Break, students were asked to go outside into nature and find a small stone of their choosing. We collectedsand and sea water from Suma Beach, and put them together with all of our stones in a rock tumbler to simulate the natural
eroding effect of the ocean. Everyone made their own unique scientific predictions about what might happen to their rocks after
a month of being tumbled in ocean water and sand. Will our rocks break into pieces? Will they get smaller? Will they crumble
into sand? Will the rough edges get soft? Will our rocks undergo erosion? Will nothing change at all? Our mini scientists are all
excited to see what will happen to the rocks after a month!

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Repeated addition in Grade Two lays the foundation for multiplication and addition in Grade Three and beyond. This month, wehave been creating arrays and representing our mathematical thinking. Grouping items into rows and columns helps us understandmultiplication and division in a conceptual and hands-on way.
We can have fun and be creative in math class. Students can see that 3 rows of 4 is the same as 4 columns of 3 just like 3X4 and
4X3 are the same. They learn that the answer will always be 12. The arrays may change, just as the way we show our written work
might change, but the answer stays the same. There are many ways of arriving at the same answer!

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Talent Show for Lower Elementary and Parents
Grade 2 amazed everyone with their incredible talents in a memorable Talent Show! The whole class was working on every aspectof the show, from crafting the script to designing the signs, arranging chairs, and setting up the stage.
The event was with all the 15 students with their diverse skills, ranging from soccer drills to hip hop dance, vocals, magic tricks,
ballet, Rubik's cube mastery, storytelling and more.
Each student had dedicated over a month to perfecting their performances, all culminating in a spectacular showcase for theirfriends and parents. It was open to lower elementary students, and Grades 1, 2B, and 3 attended our show.

Participating in the talent show wasn't just about showing skills. It encouraged confidence, self-expression, and celebrated
diversity.
Students from lower elementary created cherished memories and felt a sense of community and belonging within the school, andcelebrated everyone’s achievement.
By recognizing and celebrating our unique qualities, we not only build high self-esteem but also cultivate empathy and inspire awillingness to support one another.
A fundamental aspect of our PYP program's theme of 'Who We Are.' Understanding and celebrating our individual traits
contribute to a positive sense of identity, strengthen our connections within the community, and empower us to embrace what itmeans to be human. Congratulations to all our Grade 2 stars!! You've made us incredibly proud!

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MESSAGE FROM GRADE 4
Aaron Geddes

Grade 4 students recently led an assembly centered on the theme of living a balanced life. After working hard with theirclassmates to plan how they could express how to live a balanced life to the rest of the elementary school, they designed an
assembly that creatively showcased the essential elements required for maintaining balance in various facets of life, such as
academics, physical health, emotional well-being, and social relationships. Through engaging activities, the students encouraged
audience participation to identify what is needed to live a balanced life. This was followed by the students putting their balancing
skills to the test, literally, while inviting their peers to assess why they were or were not living balanced lives. The last part of theassembly was a skit illustrating the concept that challenging oneself is a crucial aspect of achieving balance. The skit portrayed astudent overcoming obstacles and striving to achieve their goals, emphasizing the idea that growth comes from stepping outside
one's comfort zone. By weaving together these activities, the students effectively conveyed the message that balance is not only
about managing responsibilities but also about embracing challenges and pursuing personal growth. The goal of the assembly was
to inspire their peers to prioritize balance in their lives, recognizing its role in fostering resilience, reducing stress, and enhancing
overall well-being

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MESSAGE FROM UPPER SCHOOLSOCIAL STUDIESMark Deyss

On Friday, April 5 Grade 9 took a day trip to Kyoto, the cultural heart of Japan, to visit several historic sights and enjoy the beautyof cherry blossoms in full bloom.
The day began with students bordering a charter bus at Marist and a 90-minute drive to Sanjusangendo in the heart of Japan’sancient capital. At Sanjusangendo, which dates back to 1164, students were able to see the famous 1001 statues of Kannon, theBuddhist goddess of mercy. Following this, grade 9 walked up the steep Kiyomizu-Zaka street to Kiyomizudera where they weretreated to the wonderful view of Kyoto city in the spring. Leaving Kiyomizudera, the class made their way through winding backstreets to Maruyama Koen Park where they had lunch. From there, the class wandered along the beautiful Philopher’s Path with a
canopy of cherry blossoms above them on their way to Gingakuji.
The day in Kyoto was more than mere sightseeing, it was an opportunity to reflect on the deep history of Japan and its culture.
From the happy faces on the bus ride home, it seemed everyone enjoyed themselves.

Grade 9 students in Maruyama Park, Kyoto.

The Grade 10 class took their annual pilgrimage to Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum in mid-April to bear witness to the eventsof August 6, 1945. Our visit started at the north end of the Hiroshima Peace Park near the Atomic Bomb Dome where students
had a chance to contemplate the destructive power of the weapon.
Walking south through the park, the class made stops at the Children’s Peace Memorial, the Flame of Peace, and Cenetoph for
A-Bomb victims where many students offered prayers. Reaching the southern end of the park, students entered the Hiroshima
Peace Memorial Museum where they spent an hour reviewing artifacts of the bombing and reading sobering testimonies thatstruck Hiroshima at the end of the war.
As always, the most memorable part of the trip was listening to the testimony of a Hiroshima survivor, Mrs. Keiko Ogura. Mrs.
Ogura has hosted delegations of Marist grade 10 students for many years now. An eight-year-old girl living just outside the city
center when the atomic bomb detonated, Mrs. Ogura is a living treasure to humanity who last year met with top world leaders
including American President Biden and Ukrainian President Zelensky during the G7 meeting in Hiroshima. Her gripping story
continues to be a powerful reminder that we all need to continue to work for peace every day.

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19Grade 10 Teacher, Mr. Deyss
with atomic bomb survivor, Keiko
Grade 10 students in Hiroshima Peace Park

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Ogura.

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MESSAGE FROM THE ARTS DEPARTMENT
Rebecca Carter

Celebrating Creativity: A Spectacular Second Spring Arts Festival!
The MBIS Arts Department is excited to celebrate the resounding success of our second annual Spring Arts Festival! This event
brought together our creative student artists, dedicated faculty, supportive families, PTA, and community members for a day
filled with artistic fun. The festival showcased a vibrant celebration of creativity, practice, and community spirit, highlighting theincredible artistic endeavors of our students.
From captivating band performances to mesmerizing visual art displays to riveting short films and beyond, the festival showcased
the incredible creativity and dedication of our students. Attendees were treated to a kaleidoscope of artwork, with each piecereflecting the passion and hard work that went into its creation.
The festival not only highlighted the artistic achievements of our students but also fostered a sense of community and appreciation
for the Arts at Marist. It was truly a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and inspiration.
A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to making this festival a resounding success, from our talented performers andartists to our supportive faculty and PTA members. Your passion and enthusiasm are what make events like these truly special.
As we look forward to future artistic events and as we reflect on the success of this year's festival, we are filled with excitement as
we continue to celebrate and nurture creativity in all its forms at Marist Brothers.
Thank you for being a part of our Arts community!

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MESSAGE FROM THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
Jason Mejia

As we return from Spring Break, our Bulldogs are looking to continue to bring their very best against the rest of the WJAA.
Our middle school boys, helmed by Mr. Whitney and Mr. Hill, look to cap their competitive year with a dominant showing involleyball. With successful showing against both CA and SOIS this season, they headed into the tournament with a shot at thechampionship. A tough Day 2 saw the Bulldogs matched up against CA and NIS, both strong contenders for the championship.
However, the Bulldog plan was simple - win and you’re in! A back-and-forth match against CA ended with the Bulldogs winninga close 3rd set, 16-14, giving them momentum heading into the Nagoya match. The Bulldogs took advantage of some Dolphin
miscues and secured a 2-0 victory, setting up a rematch against the only team to beat them - the SOIS Sabers. Though the
Bulldogs played their hearts out, they could only keep the match close against a well-disciplined Osaka team. Congratulations to
our Middle School Boys on your exciting run and your second-place finish!
This year marks the final season of WJAA Softball, leaving our players and coaches with a heavy heart but unwavering
determination to be remembered as champions.

Mr. Stang looks to dominate in his 21st year as the middle school softball coach, prepping and inspiring his team for a deep run
in the tournament. A well-rounded roster, with depth and skill at every position, the team is looking to build upon their in-season
success against CA, SOIS, and NIS.
Best of luck to our two middle school softball teams (April 26-27 at CA).
As Mr. Stang looks to continue his dominance in his 21st year as the middle school softball coach, prepping and inspiring
his team for a deep run in the tournament; and a deep run they had. A well-rounded roster, with athleticism and skill at every
position, the team built upon their in-season success. The B-teams, assisted by Mrs. Hill, both were in contention on Day 2,
with the Gold team appearing in, and winning, the championship! As for the A-team, they saw a healthy dose of competition
throughout the tournament, and earned a rematch against CA - the only team to outscore them in pool play. Another tight, highly
competitive game against the Falcons ensued, and though our Bulldogs didn’t emerge victorious, they earned high praise for theirfighting spirit and determination. A memorable run to a magnificent season for our Lady Bulldogs!

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Newsletter | Marist Brothers International SchoolAs for the Men, they took their annual trip down to Iwakuni to play at Kizuna Stadium. With baseball’s move next year to Season
1, this was likely the final opportunity to display their talents to their American counterparts - and they did not disappoint! For
the night game, they took on the host school, MC Perry, and nearly eked out a win in an 8 - 6 slugfest. After a rocky start to thegame, the Bulldog pitchers rebounded to keep their team close with three shutout innings to end the game.
The following games saw the Bulldogs take on Kadena High School, from Okinawa, and EJ King, from Sasebo. Both games werecompetitive and great learning experiences for our team. The weekend will prove invaluable as they prepare for a championshiprun at their WJAA tournament (May 10-11 in Nagoya).

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Newsletter | Marist Brothers International SchoolSERVICE LEARNING ACHIEVEMENTS
Mio Ranni

National Honor Society (NHS)
In preparation for the Induction Ceremony scheduled for
Wednesday, May 15, the NHS candidates participated ina session to understand the ceremony's procedures andpracticed the pledge. All 10 candidates from Grades 10 to
12 have completed the requirement of 25 community service
hours throughout the year, achieved academic excellence, andparticipated in four pillar projects. We are excited to introduce
these NHS candidates to you at the Induction Ceremony next
month.
Marist Brothers Honor Society (MHS)
To combat plastic pollution, over 100 MHS members went to the beach and cleaned up trash on April 10. We noticed asignificant reduction in the amount of trash on the main beach area due to the community effort. However, there was still a
considerable amount of trash in a more distant area of the beach. The students collected approximately six large bags filled withvarious types of plastics, cigarette butts, and cans.

MHS visited our farm area twice this month. The first visit was on April 13 to check on the growth of the potatoes, which wereplanted last month with students from other schools. We observed green sprouts emerging, and we made holes in the plastic tarps
to allow them to continue growing until the harvest in June. Additionally, we used worm tea from the worm compost to nourish theonions, which are scheduled to be harvested next month.

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The second farming activity took place on April 28, during which we planted 800 sweet potato seedlings and also harvested about
100 kg of onions. On this day, not only MHS students but also PTA members, MHS Junior members, Lower School students,
local university students, and local residents gathered together and enjoyed working collaboratively on the farm. We would like tothank all of the people who helped us with farming, especially to our PTA president, Mr. David Polen, the PTA members, and Mr.
Yoshihisa Tsuruda from Tsuruda Farm, for all their warm support.

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The NHS/MHS Executive Officers' election took place on Friday, April 19, after school in the gym. Each candidate delivered
compelling speeches highlighting their contributions, dedication, and passion for MHS over the past years. We take pride in theirstrong initiatives and service-oriented spirit. The following students have been elected to the officer positions:••••

Kouki Mogami (President)
Sehej Chadha (Vice President)
Mirei Shi (Secretary)
Haruhi Hayashi (Treasurer)

Congratulations to all the elected officers!

Marist Brothers Honor Society Junior (MHSJ)
To uphold the cleanliness and safety of our school field, Grade 7 and 8 MHS Junior students held a special cleanup session on
Friday, April 12, during their lunchtime. More than 30 students dedicated 20 minutes to picking up balls, food wrappers, plastic
bottles, and paper that had been abandoned and left on the field.

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The MHS Junior students, who began growing vegetables with organic soil and worm tea (liquid fertilizer) on the second floor
balcony since January, have successfully harvested some of their crops. Radishes were hand-picked by the students on Friday,
April 19. They carefully wrapped the vegetables and donated them to the cafeteria for use in our school lunch. The cafeteria staff
were delighted to receive this unexpected gift from the students. Additionally, the students are eagerly awaiting the strawberries tofully ripen so they can be picked.

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Kobe Kiwanis Builders Club (KKBC)
To kickstart our service activities alongside students from other middle schools, the Charter Ceremony of the Kobe Kiwanis
Builders Club was held on the morning of Sunday, April 7. This marks the establishment of the third Kiwanis Builders Club in Japanand the first to operate in both English and Japanese. MBIS, Canadian Academy, and Kansai International Academy collaborated toform this new organization aimed at addressing various global issues through service initiatives.
Approximately 80 people attended the ceremony, including members from the Japan Kiwanis Club and the Kobe Kiwanis Club,
administrators, students, parents, and teachers. The ceremony commenced with a welcoming speech by our Head of School, Mr.
Shawn Hutchinson. Anna Ishii, the first president of the Kobe Kiwanis Builders Club, received certificates, a Kiwanis banner, anda hammer which she swung down as a symbol of inaugurating the organization, a ritual in Kiwanis from the Kobe Kiwanis Club
President, Ms. Kazuko Chugo. The ceremony received coverage from Kobe Shimbun and Sankei Shimbun, and the event was
published in their newspapers.
In the afternoon, students, teachers, and Kiwanis Club members gathered at the beach to collect microplastics and create
microplastic accessories, an initiative spearheaded by Marist students to promote ocean cleanliness. They supported each otherand crafted beautiful accessories.
We extend our gratitude to the Japan Kiwanis Club and Kobe Kiwanis Club members for supporting our students and providingthem with opportunities to contribute to the local community. Special thank you to Mr. Shawn Hutchinson, Mr. Derek Lipp, Ms.
Stephanie Hanamura, and Ms. Gunseli Yuksel for attending the ceremony and supporting our students on this special day. We
also express our appreciation to Mr. Mark Pilgrim and the PTA members for their assistance in setting up for the ceremony, and aheartfelt thank you to Ms. Maki Yamamoto, Ms. Mishio Hayashi, and Ms. Nobuko Inada for their invaluable support in ensuring thesmooth running of the ceremony.

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The Kobe Shimbun, published on Wednesday, April 24,
featured an interview with one of our Grade 8 students, Anna
Ishii, who serves as the President of the Kiwanis Builders Club.
The article highlights Anna's remarkable ability to articulate themission of Kiwanis and discuss upcoming events and service
initiatives effortlessly, without relying on a script. Anna credited
her proficiency in public speaking to the various classes she
has taken at Marist since a young age. She emphasized theimportance of thorough organization and preparation before
presentations, as well as the effective use of eye contact andpassion to convey messages persuasively. Anna also mentioned
how her participation in debate lessons in English class has
honed her skills in presenting her opinions persuasively withsupporting evidence, while also fostering an understanding ofdiverse perspectives. She reflected on her engagement with
global issues during our summer school sessions, leading her
to a profound realization: "If no one cares, nothing will besolved." This sentiment serves as her driving force towards
service. The article concludes with a question posed by thereporter: "What is volunteering?" Anna responded. "Helping
others. Starting with even the smallest gestures is crucial."

Our Kiwanis Builders Club members gathered on April 13 to prepare for the upcoming Lemonade Stand event, which will support
the Child Chemo House, at the Rokko Island Welcome Festival on May 11 and 12. On this day, they experimented with lemon
juice, sugar, and water to create the perfect lemonade recipe. After overcoming several challenges, they settled on the ideal
lemon-sugar-water ratio and celebrated with enthusiastic applause.
The Child Chemo House is a facility that provides essential support for children and their families battling cancer and otherdiseases. They offer safe accommodations, meals, counseling, and various other services to assist them through their difficult
journey.
We encourage everyone to visit this event, stop by our Lemonade Stand, and enjoy a refreshing glass of lemonade while
supporting the Child Chemo House and the children it serves.

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CAS Project
Congratulations to the Grade 11 students who have completed their CAS Project this month. Below shows a summary andreflection of their completed project.
Student Mentorship Campaign Project (written by Miyu Nogami, Momo Kihara, and Mirei Shi)Three Grade 11 students, Miyu Nagami, Mirei Shi, and Momo Kihara, have recently completed their CAS project, known as the"Student Mentorship Campaign." This project is designed to create a supportive and collaborative school community wherestudents can address their school-related challenges. Under the guidance of our Whole School Counselor, Mrs. Taeko Sakurai, thestudents provided valuable insights and strategies to tackle common school-life hurdles through in-class presentations. Historically,such issues were primarily managed by teachers, but this campaign introduced a new approach involving upper-grade students asmentors.
To wrap up the project, we hosted an engaging review session on the quiz platform Kahoot where students revisited the discussed
strategies in an entertaining manner. Looking forward, the three of us hope to further cultivate a culture of support across different
grades by continuing to extend the support network to all community members.

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Personal ProjectSome students have been taking great initiatives to proceed with their own and unique personal service projects throughout theschool year. Congratulations to the student below on his service achievement for the month.
Math Club Project (written by Grade 10 Minseo Eom)On April 5th and 6th, the Kansai Math Olympics was held in Osaka International School with me and my partner Yian and 3international schools came together to compete in this event.
Overall this event was a great opportunity for students to further explore their passion in math. Since there are not many chances
for students to showcase their talents, I hope the participants enjoyed the competition.
The Math Olympics consisted of 5 main rounds. For the individual rounds, Avraham(grade 8) got 4th place out of 25 participants!
This competition was for high school students but Avraham still managed to get 4th place putting in a lot of effort. For the teamrounds, there were two teams. Marist 1 with 11th-grade and 10th-grade students and Marist 2 only consisted of eighth graders.
Both teams did a fantastic job against other teams and they eventually met in the finals. With a difference of 1 point, Marist 2 won
the team buzzer-beater round. The MVP of Marist 1 goes to Yoonseo and the MVP of Marist 2 goes to Avraham. I would like tocongratulate everyone in the teams for trying their best for an impressive result.
It was very nice to see all the students trying their very best on every single question and was very successful. Next year, theKansai Math Olympics 2025 will be hosted in Marist with hopefully four other schools in the new west building so please lookforward to it and I hope that we can have more people from Marist try out for this event. Once again, I would like to congratulate
all the participants and thank Mr. Jones for supervising the teams and supporting me.
Participants:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

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Yoonseo Eom (Gr. 10)
Demyan Kuchkov (Gr. 11)
Ryota Tsutsushima (Gr. 11)
Akihiko Hirase (Gr. 11)
Francis Cao (Gr. 10)
Anika Bhamik (Gr. 8)
Yuta Ueki (Gr. 8)
Tylar White (Gr. 8)
Avraham Grummer (Gr. 8)

Newsletter | Marist Brothers International School

Marist Brothers International School | Newsletter

352024 ALL-JAPAN SAKURA MEDAL BOOK BOWL
Elbert Shitamoto

On Wednesday, April 17, a ten-member team of 4th and 5th
graders from Marist Brothers International School competedin the 2024 All-Japan Sakura Medal Book Bowl at St. Mary’s
International School in Tokyo.
Hosted by St. Mary’s International School in their spacious
Multi-Purpose Hall, teams from twelve international schools inJapan competed against one another to answer hundreds ofquestions based upon the sixteen nominated Sakura Medal
English Chapter Books.

Waiting for the Shinkansen, Tuesday morning, April 16, 2024

The 2024 All-Japan Sakura Medal Book Bowl begins

The 2024 MBIS Book Bowl Team in action

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Cheering on the home team!

Five Marist family members made the trip to St. Mary’s to cheer
on the MBIS team!
Question categories for the Book Bowl included:
•
•
•
•
•

In Which Book
Keywords
Excerpts
Book Covers and Authors
ExpertTeams competed using iPads to answer the questions as
quickly and as accurately as possible.

To promote interactions between the students, there was a mixer event with a student representing each school at every table
where they participated in fun codebreaking team activities.

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The winners of the all-school mixer event

The 2024 All-Japan Sakura Medal Book Bowl winning team was from Seisen International School. Teams from St. Mary’s
International School and Nishimachi International School came in 2nd and 3rd place respectively.

Congratulations to the winning team from Seisen International School. We are looking forward to the day when MBIS will bringhome the trophy!
It was a wonderful experience for all of our students, and we learned much from participating in our second live Book Bowl
competition. Our team members will be sharing this information with this year’s 3rd and 4th graders to inspire more students totryout for the 2025 Book Bowl Team. Next year’s Book Bowl will be held at Nishimachi International School.

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All twelve Book Bowl teams

In addition to the Book Bowl, our team also enjoyed the Shinkansen ride, staying at the National Olympic Memorial Youth Center,and sightseeing in Tokyo (Yoyogi Pony Park, Meiji Jingu, and Takeshita Street, Harajuku).

Meiji Jingu

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Takeshita Street, Harajuku

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Yoyogi Gymnasium

Futako-Tamagawa Park

Goodbye, Tokyo. See you in 2025!

The 2024 Sakura Medal Book Bowl Team members (in alphabetical order by last name) are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Otaro Fujihara
Hanna Inagaki
Joshua Jeong
Neil Kumar
Sung Ah Lee
Soshi Matsusaka
Kei Moriishi
Keigo Moriishi
Risa Okada
Ke-wei Tsou

Special thanks go to our chaperone, Ms. Nina Nguyen, who helped keep the children safe and happy, and Ms. Stephanie
Hanamura, Ms. Fujiko Kobayashi, and Ms. Miho Tempesta, for helping to make the arrangements necessary for our trip to Tokyo.

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AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES: CHESS CLUBBr. Allen Timola, FMS

Welcome to the MBIS Chess Club! In its 2nd year, we run the chess club every Springtime. Whether it’s solving puzzles,
challenging fellow club members, or simply enjoying pushing wooden chess pieces, we make sure that everyone learns chess in a
fun and interactive way.

We use the ChessKid platform outside of our club meetings and our students play with other kids online. If ever you walk in frontof Room 22 on a Thursday after school, expect to see Teji, Yoshitoki, Nadia, Valencia, Ollie, Mivaan, Patrick, Arjun, and Risa inaction playing chess.

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STAFFING UPDATESIntroducing new staff for 2024 - 2025
The school will see a significant increase in student numbers to begin the 2024-2025 academic year. As a result, we will also see
an increase of personnel across the school. We are excited to introduce you to our new staff and faculty members who will bejoining the Marist family from August 2024. Please join us in warmly welcoming our new members.
Anindya Windita Hartono - PYP Coordinator
Anindya Windita Hartono (Windy/Windita) has been a PYP educator for almost 20 years. She
taught from Kindergarten to Grade 6 before taking on a full-time Primary Years Programme
Coordinator position in 2012 at Global Jaya School, a Western Association of Schools andColleges (WASC) and an International Baccalaureate (IBO) three-programme continuum school, inIndonesia. In the same year, she joined the IB Educator Network for IBO Asia-Pacific, serving as
a workshop leader. She has conducted over 60 workshops virtually and face-to-face in Indonesia,
Bangladesh, Pakistan, China Mainland, China (Hong Kong), Thailand, Australia, Singapore, South
Korea, Japan, and India. She has also led joint IB three programme and WASC evaluations.
Windita is a third-culture kid (ToK) with a rich international upbringing. Her early life involved residing in various countries,
including a unique experience in Pyongyang, North Korea. This diverse background gave her an international education andexposure to multiple languages, including Korean, Polish, French, and German, in addition to her home and family languages,
English and Indonesian. Her hobbies range from playing classical piano, traveling, and cooking to snorkeling and hiking. She
enjoys spending time with her cats, traveling, and attending BTS concerts with her sister. Windita is excited to join MBIS and islooking forward to meeting and working with everyone.

Marybeth Kamibeppu - MYP Coordinator
Marybeth Kamibeppu is excited to join Marist Brothers International School as the Middle Years
Programme (MYP) Coordinator. Marybeth is originally from a small town on Long Island, New
York, where her family hosted exchange students from Japan, French-speaking Canada, Venezuela,
Belgium, and Spain for short and long-term stays which sparked her enthusiasm to learn more
about culture and languages. She brings a wealth of experience garnered from diverse educationallandscapes spanning Japan, Thailand, and the United States.

With over 25 years dedicated to the field of education, Marybeth’s journey has been shaped by a commitment to teaching
English Language Learning across a wide spectrum of age groups, ranging from pre-schoolers to adult learners. Her graduate
degree from the School for International Training (SIT) specialized in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL),
complemented by an undergraduate degree in International Relations from Colgate University. Marybeth’s nine-year tenure at
Hiroshima International School has developed her skills as an IB educator and administrator across the PYP, MYP, and DP as
the MYP Coordinator and most recently as the Language Learning Coordinator and College Counselor. Additionally, she is amember of the IB Educational Network (IBEN) as a Workshop Leader and School Visiting Team Member which has enriched herunderstanding of international education practices.
Outside the classroom, she believes that recognizing and working with students in sports, musical productions, MUN, and the likestrengthens the school relationships and understanding of the whole student. Beyond school responsibilities, Marybeth actively
contributes to the Japanese Association for Language Teaching (JALT), particularly within the Teaching Younger Learners Special
Interest Group and the JALT International Conference Planning Committee. Her passion for fostering intercultural understanding
and inclusion is reflected in her chapter, Leaving Room for Minority Culture in Intercultural Families and Schooling in Japan:
Experiences, Issues, and Challenges edited by Cook and Kittaka, 2020. Marybeth has also presented at TESOL, JALT, and otherconferences.

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Newsletter | Marist Brothers International SchoolMarybeth’s three children have traversed educational systems in Japan and the United States, including two who completed theIBDP. Her daughters are currently college students in the US, and her son works in Taiwan. Having raised kind, bilingual, andinternationally minded children is a continued source of pride and accomplishment for Marybeth and her husband. Outside ofschool, Marybeth enjoys the opportunity to connect with friends, join in Jazzercise classes, indulge in watching Netflix re-runs,
embark on local and global travel, and rejuvenate with swimming and leisurely walks on the beach. She looks forward to joining
the dynamic community at Marist Brothers International School.

Junko Yamamoto – Japanese Teacher
Dr. Junko Yamamoto is a dedicated educator, passionate about fostering learning and growth inher students. After gaining teaching experience in South Korea, Junko’s latest position is SeniorLecturer of Japanese Studies, Language and Culture in New Zealand. Junko has also been serving
as an executive committee member of Japanese Studies Aotearoa New Zealand, contributing tovital student activities nation-wide. Outside of professional life, Junko is a devoted mother to two
wonderful youngsters. Balancing the demands of work and family can be challenging, but Junko
approaches each day with determination, devotion and unwavering love for her family.
Junko strives to create a nurturing and supportive environment where her children can thrive and grow into compassionate,responsible individuals. Junko is known for her strong work ethic and unwavering dedication to her students, family, personal
growth, her resilience in the face of challenges and her ability to juggle multiple roles. Junko is very excited to return home after along time living abroad. Her two children have never lived in Japan, but they are now very much looking forward to joining MBIS
and making meaningful contributions.

Yumi Kyogoku – Japanese Teacher
Yumi Kyogoku was an elementary school teacher in the United States for over 15 years. For manyof those years, she was a 3rd grade homeroom teacher. She has been working as a PYP Japaneseteacher at an international school in Hiroshima for the past nine years. She is also a member of the
IB Educational Network as a Workshop Leader and School Visiting Team Member.
Yumi has a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Education from the US with an expertise indifferentiated instruction. Her goals as a teacher are to support students in a variety of ways,
provide opportunities for them to successfully participate in a safe learning community, and help
them to become lifelong learners.
Yumi was born in Suma, Kobe, Japan. Although she moved several times, she spent most of her childhood in Kobe. When she
was an elementary student, she spent most of her time outside of school at Suma Beach or at the Suma Aqualife Park, and herfavorite place to go on weekends was Sumaura Park. Nowadays, she loves walking on the beach, swimming, and watching soccer
games in her free time. She is really excited to be returning to her hometown, Suma, Kobe and working with the Marist Brothers
community!

Rowan Oswald - Geography and Individuals and Society Teacher
Rowan is a dedicated educator with a rich background in teaching and a deep-rooted connection
to his Kiwi and Pāsifikā heritage. Rowan moved to Kobe with his whānau (family) two years ago,chasing their curiosity and embracing change. Rowan is the proud father of three curious andcreative children aged eight, four and two, and his wife Amy, a fellow educator, will also be joining
the Marist community. With over 12 years of experience in the education sector, Rowan brings awealth of knowledge in the Humanities and a passion for nurturing young minds.

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Hailing from a large whānau, Rowan understands the importance of community and support in both personal and professional
endeavours. This strong familial bond has instilled in him values of empathy, respect, and inclusivity, which he brings into histeaching practice. This has directly influenced to a key part of his teaching methodology which is found within the Māori proverb:“He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata he tangata he tangata”.
“What is the most important thing in the world? It is people it is people it is people!”
Beyond the classroom, Rowan and his siblings made waves in the world of competitive swimming, representing their club andprovince both nationally and internationally. This experience has taught Rowan the value of discipline and perseverance; qualities
he integrates into his teaching pedagogy. This commitment helped Rowan understand the importance of finding balance in an
increasingly busy and connected world. Continuing his passion for sports, Rowan has played rugby for most of his life. Not only
does he enjoy the sport, but he has also shared his expertise as a coach for both XV and 7s teams; having coached his previous
school’s Under 15 years to the National Championships. This passion for sport has instilled essential life skills such as leadership,cooperation, teamwork, and resilience in his students.
Rowan has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Auckland. He has a PostGradDip in Secondary teaching from the University ofOtago and will be graduating with a Master of Education with first class honours in 2024 from the University of Waikato. Rowan’s
research thesis, “A Classical Oversight? The appropriateness and accessibility of Classical Studies to female students in Aotearoa
New Zealand”, focused on the lived experiences of learners, using student voice to implement positive change in the subject
area.
Rowan and his whānau are excited about new opportunities, new adventures and joining the Marist community.

Kate Robson - ESS and Science Teacher
Mrs. Kate Robson is an educator from Brisbane, Australia. While growing up, her family hosted
Japanese homestay students annually, which sparked her interest in the country’s culture andencouraged her to study Japanese through until the completion of high school.
After completing a Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science and Graduate Diploma of Education at
Griffith University she moved to London, England to teach science. Her next plan was to spend
time furthering her Japanese language and enjoying the rich culture and festivals of Japan. Whilst
originally intending to move to Tokyo, she instead moved to Osaka in March of 2011. This is where
she met her Kobe-born husband in 2013. Kate gained a rich variety of English teaching experiencefrom working with kindergarten students at Kansai International Academy through preparing students
for their study abroad programs at Hannan University.
After getting married in 2015 Kate and her husband moved back to Australia. She completed a Graduate Certificate in Education(TESOL) with Edith Cowan University in 2017, just a week before their daughter Emika was born. The young family decided toreturn to Japan, specifically Kobe, in January 2020 to be closer to her husband’s family. Their son, Kyden, completed their family
in 2022.
Kate began substitute teaching at Marist in January 2021. She recalls the warm welcome from the friendly staff and students, andfeeling impressed by the international community of the school from day one. Delighted to now be joining the team full time from
August, Kate is looking forward to supporting and challenging students to reach their full potential each day.

Samantha Healy - Music Teacher
Samantha Healy’s teaching career spans 20+ years, 3 continents, 7 cities and 2 States. This
cornucopia of experience has allowed her to develop into a curious, globally minded, andadaptable educator. Starting her journey as a Performing Arts and English teacher at Aitken
College, Melbourne, Australia, she then took up the opportunity to work in China, beginning herinternational teaching journey.

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Samantha has taught in China, the UK, Vietnam, Russia and most recently Cambodia where she has spent the past two years
teaching K-5 PYP Performing Arts at the Australian International School Phnom Penh.
Born into a musical family, Samantha studied multiple instruments and has performed professionally as a vocalist in an Acapellagroup. Her love of performance is evident and she is keen to provide opportunities for students to experience and enjoy the
Performing Arts.
Samantha is married to a multi-instrumentalist and professional Jazz musician who will be sharing her experiences in Japan, while
exploring the local Jazz scene. Both Samantha and her husband hope to spend their time off experiencing the culture, landscapes,
and history of Kobe and beyond.

Yasmin Flett - Visual Arts Teacher
Yasmin brings over 15 years of diverse teaching experience across state, private, and international
schools, spanning continents and cultures. Originally from Scotland, her journey began teaching
secondary school art and design at a large state school in Brighton, England. A pivotal sabbaticalin Japan ignited her passion for ESL teaching and working with younger age groups, a path she
embraced after the birth of her son.
Returning to Scotland after 4 years working in Kyoto, Yasmin assumed the role of Head of Art and
Design at Fettes College Preparatory School, Edinburgh, while serving as the Subject Coordinator
for Art in the International Association for Prep Schools. Her commitment to educational excellence
led her back to Japan during the pandemic, where she dedicated several years as a homeroom
teacher and art specialist. During this time, she not only built on her skills as an elementary educator
but also spearheaded the development of outdoor and farming programs, reflecting her deepseated passion for holistic learning experiences.
Now embarking on a new chapter at Marist, Yasmin is eager to collaborate with colleagues to cultivate a vibrant PYP art program.
She hopes that her rich background in teaching, coupled with her enthusiasm for innovative education, will bring a positiveenergy to the school and she is looking forward to working with new colleagues, students, and parents alike.

Jennifer Northey - PYP Teacher
Jennifer is a Canadian educator, who has been teaching for ten years both internationally and in
Canada. Because of her love of travel, she dedicated seven years to teaching internationally. Afterseven years, she returned to Canada to teach for three years, where she brought this wealth ofdiverse experiences back into the classroom. Jennifer holds two degrees from Canada, one inEnglish Literature from the University of Victoria and another in
Elementary Education from Vancouver Island University.

Jennifer is a dedicated teacher, whose commitment to cultivating a love for learning is evident in the inclusive and engaging
classroom she creates. Guided by an inquiry-based approach to education, she encourages her students to embrace curiosityand open-mindedness, equipping them for a world that values diversity and understanding. Beyond her professional endeavors,
Jennifer is a proud mother to her lovely 12-year-old daughter. Also, an avid runner, Jennifer loves the physical and mental
challenges of this sport. Furthermore, she finds solace and creativity in her love of painting and cooking. Jennifer is very excited tobe joining Marist Brothers International School. She looks forward to the opportunity where she can contribute her experience andknowledge in education to the community of the school.

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Amy Oswald - PYP Teacher
Amy is a teacher, a mother, a wife, a friend, a “kiwi”. Born and raised in New Zealand, Amy has
had an interest in Japan since studying the Japanese language during her high school years. She
has visited Japan many times before moving here with her family in 2022. Amy is a proud Mumof three wonderful, adventurous young children, who are eight, four and two, and her husband
Rowan is also a teacher. Prior to moving, they lived in Tauranga, New Zealand. Tauranga has
beautiful beaches and a relaxed, happy vibe. Prior to teaching Amy has studied (completing a
degree in applied science majoring in design and psychology, and later her post grad in teaching)
and worked in a variety of roles, including corporate design roles and home staging - just to namea few! Her design skills are now put to good use within her family's home and her classroom
too! Amy’s passion has always been within the arts and education, with a strong interest in
developmental psychology. Amy is passionate about allowing children to be exactly who they are,meeting them where they are and aims to help them realise and reach their full potential throughchild-centered learning and creative lesson delivery. Amy focuses on individual children's needs
and prides herself on having her classrooms be an inclusive, positive and inspiring environment.
Personally, Amy enjoys an array of activities outside of school. She loves coffee, bright clothes, a good farmers market, crossstitch and other crafty projects. She has taken part as a designer in a few wearable art competitions, making an entire costume outof handmade pom poms and children's Little Golden Books. She completed a full marathon in 2014 and hopes to do the Mt Fuji
Marathon within the next few years. Nowadays, most of her time is spent with her young family - exploring new places and finding
all the excellent parks and roller slides that Japan has to offer. Amy is excited to join the Marist community and can't wait to getstarted!

Kanako Hase - Early Years (Kindergarten) PYP Teacher
Kanako Hase is from Hyogo, Japan. She completed a Bachelor of Arts in Teaching Japanese as a
Second Language from Kobe Shoin Women’s University. In 2006, she moved to Sydney, Australia
and taught Japanese in a Montessori Pre & Primary school for two years. She also completed an
Advanced Diploma in Children’s Services and a Graduate Diploma in Education (Early Years) fromSouthern Cross University in New South Wales, Australia. She worked in early childhood centres in
Sydney, Australia, for six years as a Room Leader and a nominated Supervisor.

Kanako and her husband David moved to Beijing, China, in 2014, when they started their IB PYP teaching career. She worked as a
Kindergarten homeroom teacher at an international school for three years, then joined her current school, Beijing City International
School (BCIS). Kanako has taught Nursery grade level for four years and is currently teaching in Pre-Kindergarten as a homeroom
teacher as well as the grade level leader. BCIS granted her the chance to grow as a teacher by providing many PD opportunities,
and fortunately, she was also able to complete the IB Educator Network workshop leader certificate.
Kanako has two daughters, Maya and Ako, who are also joining Marist Brothers in August. They were both born in Beijing, China,
and grew up there. Moving to Kobe, where they have only visited once, will be an incredible adventure. Her family is very excited
to join and become a part of the Marist Brothers International School family. As a family, they enjoy playing tennis and attending
Kungfu classes together.

Kyoko Tanaka – Teacher Assistant – Early Years
Kyoko Tanaka, originally hailing from Kobe, Japan, boasts an extensive educational background.
She graduated from Kobe Kaisei Girls’ Junior High School in Kobe, Japan, before furthering her
studies at Taipei American School in Taipei, Taiwan, and Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan.
With a career spanning two decades in education, Kyoko initially served as a teaching assistant forten years before transitioning into the role of a Japanese teacher. Notably, she specialized in IB DP
Japanese Ab Initio during her tenure at Marist Brothers International School.

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A self-motivated and progress-driven individual, Kyoko has crafted and implemented various strategies aimed at enhancing
educational outcomes.
Despite stepping down from her full-time position as a Japanese teacher at Marist Brothers International School in 2020, she hasremained engaged as a substitute teacher, lending her expertise whenever required.
Passionate about nurturing students confidence and fostering their academic and social growth, Kyoko finds fulfillment inwitnessing their progress. She thrives on being an integral part of their educational journey and looks forward to further
professional development opportunities while continuing to support students in achieving their full potential.

David Cooney - Physical Education Teacher
David Cooney began his international teaching journey in Beijing, China 10 years ago. Before this,he was a physical education teacher in Sydney, Australia where he completed his Sport Scienceand Education degrees at the University of Technology, Sydney. During this time, he was a personaltrainer where he helped clients achieve their health and fitness goals. With an interest in projectbased learning and the potential it has in physical education, he earned his Master of Education
degree from the University of Sunderland.

David is a father of two young girls who have grown to become internationally-minded global citizens through their time with
the IBPYP and are very excited to continue their international journey in Japan. David enjoys being active by playing tennis andvolleyball, cycling, weight-lifting, and swimming. To balance out the fast pace of life, David also enjoys miniature painting andtabletop gaming. David and his family are excited to start a new chapter in their international lives in Kobe with Marist Brothers
International School.

Akiko Kawai - Medical Officer
As a qualified surgical specialist Nurse, Akiko Kawai comes to Marist Brothers International Schoolwith a passion for health and well-being. Working in hospitals has given her the necessary skills todeal with unique challenges, from assisting in delicate procedures to providing post-operative careand emotional support to patients and their families. Transitioning from the surgical section to therole of a school nurse at Marist Brothers International School, she is excited to bring her desire forhealthcare to a vibrant educational setting.

As a mother of two daughters, one attending university in the United States and the other in Australia, Akiko has gained invaluable
insights into the needs and challenges of young people. The lessons learned from supporting her daughters' physical, emotional,
and academic development offer a deep understanding of the unique needs and challenges young people face. With Akiko’s
diverse background in nursing and motherhood, she is well equipped to offer comprehensive support to students and the Marist
community.
She eagerly anticipates connecting with students, providing holistic care, and fostering a positive, inclusive atmosphere.
Embarking on this new chapter, Akiko is enthusiastic about leveraging her experiences to enhance the well-being of students at
Marist Brothers International School. Akiko is looking forward to meeting and supporting each individual, contributing to a happy
and healthy school environment.

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MBIS Summer School Program 2024!
With six weeks of the 2023-2024 academic year remaining, our MBIS Summer School Program planning is progressing well.
The Marist Summer School Program aims to provide students with opportunities to participate in learning experiences that focus
on language development (English and Japanese), extended learning opportunities, academic challenges, and life skills. Students
engage in focused classes with an emphasis on skills development, inquiry and critical and creative thinking. Students in the Early
Years and Elementary School engage in field trips and physical and creative experiences as much as possible.
Please pencil our Summer School dates in your calendar!
••••

Week 1 (Monday, 17 June - Friday, 21 June)
Week 2 (Monday, 24 June - Friday, 28 June)
Week 3 (Monday, 1 July - Friday, 5 July)
Week 4 (Monday, 8 July - Friday, 12 July)

We will have more information available for families soon.
Pre-DP summer School Diploma ProgramThis year, we will be partnering with Lanterna Education who will be offering an intensive 3-Day workshop for students in Grades
9, 10 and 11. Spaces are limited and registration will be open from Monday, 6 May. Please check out the information about the
3-Day workshop.

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Newsletter | Marist Brothers International School080-7006-8504

Marist Brothers International School | Newsletter49

is
Mar t Brot

al Schoolontrs In ernati
heMARIST BROTHERSINTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

April
S M T W T F
1 2 3 4 57

8

May 2024S6

9 10 11 12 13

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

June
S M T W T F S
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 2930

28 29 30

SundayMondayTuesday

Wednesday
Golden Week
No School

52

8 Lower School Beach

9 HS End-of-Season

10 HS End-of-Season

11

16 Founder’s Day

17

18

22 Grade 6 Band Concert

23 MAA Awards

24 Senior Graduation

25

29 Grade 6 Camping Trip

30 Grade 6 Camping Trip

31

5

6 Lower School Beach

7 Lower School Beach

12 Marist Alumni

13 Parents as Learners

14 NHS/MHS Service Awards 15

19 Senior Trip

20 Senior Trip

21 Senior Trip

1
Mentorship Program

6

26

5
4

REFLECTIVE

50

Thursday
1 School in Session

Excursions

2

1

27

6
5

Excursions

3

2

28

1
6

Excursions

6

Saturday3

Baseball/Softball Tournament

45

IB World Exams End

3

4

2

1

Friday3

PTA Meeting

2

4Baseball/Softball Tournament

we use past experiences asa guide to future actions

Newsletter | Marist Brothers International School

Marist Brothers International School | Newsletter

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