Since returning to school in September, Rugby School Japan has had the honour of hosting three visiting schools and sharing the warmth and spirit of the RSJ community with their pupils. These visits have provided wonderful opportunities for our students to develop their leadership as ‘RSJ buddies” while fostering friendships, collaboration and curiosity.
Nishogakusha High School Visit: Reflecting on Global Mindedness
On 16th September, we were delighted to welcome 12 students from Nishogakusha High School in Kashiwa. The day’s activities were centred around the Rugby Learner Profile point of “Global Mindedness”, encouraging pupils to reflect on their experiences of cultural exchange and the importance of understanding different perspectives.
This visit held particular significance as both schools share a special connection, with pupils from each having visited Rugby School UK over the summer. In June 2025, ten RSJ pupils travelled to Rugby School UK as part of the Rugby School Global Cultural Exchange, while Nishogakusha High School have been sending pupils to Rugby UK for over ten years to deepen their understanding of British culture and develop their English language skills.
The event at RSJ provided a fantastic opportunity for pupils from both schools to develop their presentation skills and share personal reflections from their time at Rugby UK. RSJ pupils were invited to frame their reflections through the lens of our RSJ School Values:
- Respect – Pupils Ema, Alan and Saki highlighted how they learned to embrace differences, listen actively, and approach new environments with curiosity rather than criticism.
- Aspiration – Pupils, Riana, Natsuki and Arron reflected on how their time at Rugby UK inspired them to broaden their horizons, value diversity, and set ambitions that extend beyond national borders.
- Kindness – Pupils Mika, Kosei and Hiiro spoke about the profound kindness they experienced during their stay at Rugby UK. They described how warmly they were welcomed, how thoughtful their buddies had been, and how much it meant to feel truly included. Returning the favour at RSJ brought them great joy, as they were able to extend the same hospitality and care to their visiting Nish… friends.
Beyond the presentations, the afternoon was filled with opportunities for genuine friendship and fun. RSJ pupils hosted their guests for lunch, gave them a school tour, and rounded off the day with a lively game of Norwegian Dodgeball, which sparked laughter and teamwork across both schools.
KOLBIS: Sharing a passion for sustainability
On 24th September, RSJ was delighted to welcome 21 Year 6 and 7 pupils from KOLBIS for a two-night residential experience, offering them a taste of life at RSJ.
On Wednesday, our fantastic Year 7 and 8 buddies guided the visiting pupils through the school day, accompanying them to academic lessons and helping them settle into the rhythm of RSJ life. Then on Thursday, the KOLBIS pupils fully immersed themselves in the boarding house communities, taking part in a wide range of activities alongside their RSJ peers as part of Wellbeing Day.
Outside the classroom, the KOLBIS pupils brought a shared passion for sustainability, which shone through their visit. During the lunch break, they collaborated with the RSJ Podcast Society to record a special joint episode exploring the theme of sustainability projects of both schools last year, sharing ideas and insights on global environmental issues.
They also delivered an inspiring presentation to the RSJ Junior Sustainability Society, showcasing the environmental initiatives they are leading back at their own school. RSJ pupils were incredibly engaged, asking thoughtful questions and sparking meaningful discussions about how both schools can make a difference.
To round off a brilliant visit, Mr Halcox and Mr Roe led an interactive field trip with the KOLBIS pupils and Junior members of the Sustainability Society around Kashiwanoha, learning about its role as a pioneering smart city. This hands-on experience introduced pupils to the principles of environmental fieldwork, where they carried out Environmental Quality Surveys and created field sketches to deepen their understanding of sustainable urban design.
It was a joy to see pupils from both schools learning alongside one another – academically, socially, and personally. After such a successful and inspiring visit, we look forward to welcoming KOLBIS again in the future and continuing to build this wonderful partnership.
Phoenix House Pupils: Enjoy a Taster of RSJ Life
Finally, just last week, we were thrilled to welcome pupils from our feeder school, Phoenix House, for a special boarding taster experience at RSJ. Once again, our RSJ pupils acted as fantastic buddies, supporting their visitors and helping them integrate into both the school day and boarding routines.
This event plays a crucial role in supporting the transition from Phoenix House to RSJ, enabling pupils to become familiar with our campus, community, and learning culture. The day prioritised showcasing the wide variety of academic and enrichment activities available at RSJ.
Our highly dedicated teachers kindly led engaging, one-off sessions to give pupils a flavour of life at RSJ. Miss Hailes offered an introduction to our state-of-the-art swimming facilities, while Mr Musson provided a tour of the Music Department, giving pupils a chance to see and experience the creative opportunities on offer.
In the evening, the Phoenix House pupils joined their new friends in the boarding houses, taking part in the evening routines, and even baking carrot cake in Tudor House, a sweet and memorable way to end their visit!
These three visits have truly captured the spirit of RSJ, a community built on kindness, curiosity, and connection. We’re excited to celebrate our brilliant RSJ buddies later this week at a Pizza Party, to thank them for the tremendous effort and enthusiasm they brought to each visit. Their leadership and warmth were essential to the smooth running of these events. Every pupil involved should feel proud of the way they represented RSJ.
We look forward to hosting more visits like this in the future.
