Saint Maur International School

Saint Maur International School
サンモール
インターナショナルスクール
Address
83 Yamate-cho
Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa
Japan Japan
Coordinates 35°26′7″N 139°39′9″E / 35.43528°N 139.65250°E
Information
Type International (private)
Established 1872
Founder Mère Mathilde Raclot
Head of school Catherine O. Endo
Faculty 60
Grades Preschool - Grade 12
Enrolment 460
Color(s) Grey and red
         
Slogan Life’s most persistent and urgent question, “What are you doing for others?” - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Mascot Cougar
Website www.stmaur.ac.jp

Saint Maur International School, established in 1872 in Yokohama within the Greater Tokyo Area, is the oldest international school in Japan. The school, which is co-educational, caters to students of all nationalities and faiths from ages 2½ through high school age. Saint Maur International School is located in a historically international district in Yokohama, Japan, one of the few places where foreigners were allowed entrance into the country during the closed - country policy of the late Edo period.

According to the Good Schools Guide International, "This is a small school which offers a quality education in a nurturing environment."[1]

School Motto and Emblem

The school motto of Saint Maur is Simple Dans Ma Vertu, Forte Dans Mon Devoir (Simple in virtue, Steadfast in duty). The spool of string in the lower sector of the school emblem represents the hard work and commitment of students, and the rosarium (on the top right) represents the exploration of knowledge and prayer to God. The white margaret flowers adorning both sides represent pureness of heart, and the shield in the center is a representation of enduring hardship through putting the school motto and teachings in practice.

History and Facilities

Established in 1872 by the missionary Sisters of the Holy Infant Jesus from the Saint Maur Rue in Paris, France, Saint Maur began with "direct support received from over 15 legations, such as the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France, Austria, Holland, and Germany." Although it is a Catholic school, the school emphasizes the philosophy and approach of "acceptance of all." In 1884, the buildings were devastated by a typhoon and in 1894, an earthquake demolished the school. Its sister school, Futaba Gakuen, was founded 1901 for Japanese girls.

The Fine Arts Center consists of a 400-seat auditorium, specialist rehearsal and practice rooms for band class. In addition, the school purchased property located three minutes away from the school campus in 2003, "to serve as a practice field enabling students to further develop their sporting skills.

Extracurricular activities

Fine Arts
After-school fine arts extracurriculars include drama, art, handbells, senior band, jazz band, senior choir, chamber orchestra, and more.

Other
Students can also participate in three full seasons of sports (MS/HS), the elementary, middle or high school student councils, brain bowl teams, math clubs, robotics club, speech contests, and hiking clubs. Except for the latter, students also have the opportunity to participate later on in KPASSP-wide (Kanto Plain Association of Secondary School Principals) competitions or the KPSC (Kanto Plain Student Council).
Local social service opportunities (such as the Sanagitachi Project and Seeing Is Believing), intensive summer marine biology courses at the Yokohama City University, close relations with Ishikawa prefecture and Atami city, and summer European concert tours of the highly acclaimed concert and jazz bands are offered to students.

Notable alumni (in alphabetical order)

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.gsgi.co.uk/countries/japan/yokohama/st-maur-international-school?form.submitted=1&country=japan&countryCity=&submit=Go&city=
  2. ↑ http://sixthsense.jp/hana/
  3. ↑ http://www.generasia.com/wiki/Kimaguren
  4. ↑ http://www.hafujapanese.org/eng/about.html
  5. ↑ http://www.japantimes.co.jp/print/fb20120826a1.html

External links

Coordinates: 35°26′07″N 139°39′09″E / 35.435249°N 139.652436°E