Earlier this term, I had the privilege of returning to Rugby School in the UK and to take part in an international schools event. It was a deeply meaningful visit – both professionally and personally – as it offered an opportunity to reflect on the enduring connections between Rugby School UK and Rugby School Japan.
Having joined Rugby School in 2003, my own journey there spanned nearly two decades. I served first as Head of Economics & Business, before becoming Housemaster of Town House and later Senior Housemaster as part of the Senior Management Team at RSUK. During those years, I came to understand the essence of what makes Rugby so distinctive: a community bound by tradition, yet forward-looking in its pursuit of holistic education.
As I walked through the familiar quads and corridors of Rugby, I was struck by how much of that same spirit now lives and breathes at RSJ. Our assemblies echo the same sense of community that fills Rugby’s historic chapel – a shared time for reflection, celebration, and connection. Our weekly gatherings at RSJ continue that tradition of coming together as one school, reaffirming the values we hold dear.
The parallels extend across many facets of school life. Our Houses proudly bear the same names as those in Rugby, each providing pupils with a home away from home, and a place of belonging, friendship, and mentorship. The same sense of camaraderie and care that defines Rugby’s Houses has taken root here in Japan, shaping the rhythms of daily life at RSJ. Even our debate chamber, inspired by the House of Commons, mirrors the intellectual and cultural traditions of our sister school.
Perhaps most importantly, we share the same guiding ethos: The Whole Person, The Whole Point. This principle underpins everything we do, from academic rigour and creative exploration to co-curricular opportunity and wellbeing. It reminds us that education is not only about what our pupils achieve, but about who they become.
It was also a point of quiet pride to see how closely our academic standards align. Our A Level results this year were in line with those of Rugby School UK – a reflection of our pupils’ commitment, our staff’s expertise, and the strength of a shared educational philosophy that transcends geography.
My visit reaffirmed that while RSJ is proudly rooted in Japan, it remains deeply connected to our global family of Rugbeians, united by common values, shared traditions, and a belief that education, when done well, can shape not just minds, but lives.
