As we enter the final term of the 2024–25 academic year, we take a moment to offer our heartfelt thanks and best wishes to several members of staff who will be leaving Rugby School Japan this summer. Each has played a significant role in laying the foundations of our school community since its opening in September 2023.
We bid farewell to Tony Howes, our passionate Head of Biology, whose commitment to science education has made a lasting impact on his students. Alongside Tony, we also say goodbye to his wife Lizzie Butler, who has contributed to the School as a Geography teacher. We are deeply grateful for their contribution.
Also returning to the UK this summer is Rebecca Jackson, our inspirational Head of Economics, whose unwavering enthusiasm has brought the subject vividly to life for her pupils. Rebecca will be joined by her husband, Christian Grout, who has served as IT Manager with professionalism and care, ensuring the smooth running of the school’s digital infrastructure during these vital early years.
We say goodbye to Ben Jacques-Parr, our engaging Head of Physics, who will move to Malaysia and whose calm presence and deep subject knowledge have been greatly valued across the school.
Kirsty Falzon initially joined us as Admissions Manager, before switching to the vital House Assistant role in School House. She will move to New Zealand in the summer.
We also extend our thanks to Harriet Courtney-Harris, who has served this year as a Graduate Assistant and Resident Tutor. Harriet’s enthusiasm, energy, and commitment to boarding life have been truly appreciated by both staff and students alike.
Each of these colleagues has helped shape the character and culture of Rugby School Japan in ways that will endure long after their final day on campus. We thank them all for their commitment, energy, and kindness, and we wish them every success and happiness as they move on from RSJ.
As we say goodbye, we also look ahead with great excitement. September 2025 will mark another significant chapter in the growth of Rugby School Japan. We will welcome a new cohort of pupils and a number of new teaching staff, all of whom have already been appointed, and will take the academic staff numbers to well over 50. In addition, we are proud to be opening two new boarding houses – Town and Southfield – further enriching the boarding life and traditions that lie at the heart of our school.
In support of this growth, we are delighted to announce the following Assistant Housemaster and Assistant Housemistress appointments, effective from September 2025:
Josh Laird in School House
Lois Mansfield in Rupert Brooke
Max Halcox in Sheriff
Maggie Wong in Tudor
Chuke Dharmawardh in Town
Damian Rajendram in Southfield
These appointments reflect our continued commitment to nurturing a vibrant, caring, and well-supported boarding community across all houses.
We must also extend our heartfelt thanks to One Lee, Cassie Hailes, Andrew Roe, and Grace Piana who will be stepping down from their roles as Assistant Housemasters and Housemistresses at the end of this academic year. We are thankful for the dedication and support they have brought to our school community and we are delighted that they will remain with us at Rugby School Japan as we continue to build.
With every stage of our growth, we remain firmly committed to delivering an authentic and aspirational version of the Rugby School experience, rooted in the values of whole person education and academic excellence. The new staff joining us are aligned with this vision and are ready to build upon the strong foundations laid by those who are moving on.
To those leaving, thank you. And to those arriving, welcome. We look forward to seeing how the Rugby School community will continue to flourish as we move together into our third academic year.
