Featured Alumni & Former Staff John Turney Peter Jackson Bridging the Gap Community Conference Nov. 26 & 27
Jane Goodall Visits YIS
Roger Groenink – Geography Teacher
Japan Global Issues Network Launched
Upcoming Events
Ingrid Rossing – Head of Modern Languages
Campus Enhancements Include New Library and Classrooms
Class Notes
YIS Author Publishes Second Novel
The Quarterly Quiz
The YIS Alumni Quarterly is published electronically by Yokohama International School for the enjoyment of former students, parents and staff as well as the current school community. We welcome your comments and suggestions (contact [email protected]).
Retiring Board of Trustees chairman John Inge has been an active member of the YIS community since 1994, both as a parent of three YIS students and as a leader in school governance. He joined the Board of Directors in 1994 and served as its chairman from 1995 – 2003, and he has served as the chairman of the Board of Trustees since 2005. After 30 years as an attorney in Japan, John and his family have recently moved to the island of Maui in Hawaii, where he will continue to practice law part-time and pursue many other interests.
Alumni Quarterly: When did you first come to Japan and what brought you here?
John Inge: I first came to Japan in 1979. I was a freshly minted lawyer working for a firm in Washington, DC, which had a relationship with a Japanese firm. An opening came up with the Japanese firm, and I signed-on for a one-year stint. I had a cousin living Tokyo at the time who much enjoyed life in Japan, and he was also instrumental in persuading me to take the plunge.
AQ: You worked as an attorney in Japan for many years. What sort of law did you practice?
JI: Well, one year became two years, and two years became two decades (spread out over three), so it has been a long stay. I practiced mainly intellectual property law (patents, trademarks, copyrights). Especially in the early years though, when there were few foreign lawyers in Japan, we would be called upon to handle just about anything except criminal cases.
AQ: When did you join the YIS community?
JI: We first joined the YIS community in about 1994. I still vividly recall Dennis Stanworth’s tour of the school back then.
AQ: What are some of the key changes in the school since those early years?
JI: There have been many changes indeed. I would say overall though that the most significant change is that YIS has gone from being a good community
Aloha to John IngeBoard of Trustees Chairman
YIS ALUMNI QUARTERLYVol. 7 / October 2010
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governing structures. When finances were in better order we embarked on our building phase, which was a lot of fun in that we could see new projects come to fruition, but still challenging to get all the pieces to fit together. As to rewards, the greatest was always the opportunity to work with so many talented board members, administrators and faculty.
AQ: You have three children who have attended YIS; what have they gained as a result of their YIS experience and how do you think it will shape their careers and outlook on life?
JI: In addition to a great well-rounded education, all three of my children have developed a very natural acceptance of and comfort in other cultures. Our elder son constantly uses his multi-cultural skills to his advantage in his current role in teaching graduate students in Europe, and our younger son does the same at his job in marketing for a major Japanese company. Our daughter’s experience at YIS too has been of great aid as she makes the transition to her new school here in multi-cultural Hawaii.
We’re very grateful and appreciative of all the nurturing and support provided to our children by the YIS faculty over these many years.
AQ: We understand you’ve recently moved to Hawaii after more than 30 years living in Japan. What are your plans now?
JI: Well, I haven’t left Japan completely, as I still keep an office in Tokyo and will spend part of the time there for the foreseeable future. We are though very much enjoying life in upcountry Maui in beautiful rural Hawaii, a bit removed from the types of places most often seen in movies and on television. (I haven’t spotted any film crews over at the neighboring goat farm.) Once we’re completely settled in, in addition to practicing law part time, I plan to do some volunteer work, perhaps with local schools or childrens’ welfare organizations, and to try to develop some very long-neglected musical skills. The lovely Hawaiian language and culture are also very much still alive in these country parts, and I’m trying to learn just a bit.
school to a highly regarded leader in international education.The size of the school has nearly doubled, and our physical plant has been rebuilt and expanded. The curricula at all levels have been upgraded. The administrative and management structures have changed to both drive and meet the expanded enrollment. One thing that has not changed though is the close family atmosphere.
AQ: You’ve served on both the Board of Directors and Board of Trustees. What led you to get involved in these school governance bodies and what are some of the challenges and rewards you’ve experienced during your tenure?
JI: My father was a small-town mayor in Virginia, USA, and he always encouraged me to be involved in whatever community I lived. Also, my father-in-law was a school administrator in Kagoshima, so becoming involved in school governance seemed to fit right into family traditions.
As to challenges, certainly for the first few years the financial situation was one of the greatest challenges, followed by re-vamping of the school’s administrative and
The 2010-11 school year is in full swing here on the Bluff, with a new head of school, James MacDonald, and following an extremely busy summer of campus improvements, including a new library and classroom spaces (see accompanying article). Amid the usual bustle of student activity, we have already had a number of special events, including a visit from renowned primatologist, conservationist and UN Messenger of Peace Jane Goodall, and the launching of the Japan Global Issues Network, both of which are highlighted in this issue. Also featured in the issue are interviews with alumnus John Turney (YIS 1977-1990), former history teacher Peter Jackson (YIS 1992-2006) and current YIS faculty Roger Groenink and Ingrid Rossing.Finally, our cover story is an interview with longtime YIS community member John Inge, who has devoted more than 15 years of service to the Board of Directors and Board of Trustees, and who has recently moved with his family to the island of Maui. His many contributions during his tenure on these bodies have included helping the school to expand its buildings and facilities, update governance documents and policies, and enhance school programs and YIS’s reputation. I would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt appreciation to John and to wish him and his family the very best in their new Hawaiian home. Bob Pomeroy Editor
From the Editor
John and family in their new home in Hawaii
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AQ: What exactly does a training coach do?
JT: In a nutshell, a training coach physically trains and conditions the players to be ready for the game. We help the players get stronger, avoid injuries, and assist high level performance via
good physical condition. What a training coach does at the ichigun (1st team) level and nigun (farm team) level slightly differs. At the ichigun (where I am with the Giants), our main priority is to win games. So my job is to help players be in their best condition to play good baseball for a 7-month season. Training coaches are in charge of stretching players individually and as a team (for example, warm-up exercises), running programs, strengthening programs (ab workouts, weight lifting, etc), counseling about the body etc. You name it, if it is about physically conditioning the baseball player’s body, it is our job.
AQ: Is it true that you are the only British citizen in the entire Japanese Baseball League?
JT: Yes, I am the only British citizen in Japanese pro baseball history to date. There also were only a handful of players who played professionally in the United States as British citizens! And that was like 100 years ago too. Well, baseball is close to non-existent in Britain. We British love football (soccer), rugby, cricket to name a few, but not the American game. Since I was born and raised in Japan where baseball is very popular, it immediately became the sport of my choice. My mother being Japanese and a baseball fan would also explain my love for the game.
Alumni Quarterly: When did you first come to YIS and how long were you here?
John Turney: I was born in Tokyo, but lived in Yokohama from when I was about 1 year old. I attended YIS from kindergarten and graduated high school there in 1990. However, I went to a school in England for 1st, 9th, and 10th grades. So, I was at YIS for a total of 10+ years.
AQ: You are currently a training coach for the Tokyo Giants. How did you get involved in this field?
JT: I always loved baseball for as long as I can remember. My childhood dream was to become a pro baseball player. Since YIS didn’t have a baseball team when I was there, I was only able to play up to the little league level (6th grade) in my neighborhood. My love for the sport didn’t fade and I was always interested in getting involved in baseball as a career. One day, while attending high school, I saw a TV program about a training coach in a Japanese pro baseball team. This program gave me the idea and desire to pursue a career as a baseball training coach. I majored in exercise science in both university and grad school while studying subjects like anatomy & physiology, bio-mechanics, nutrition, sports psychology, etc. After getting my Masters of Science in 1997, I returned to Japan to start my professional career.
John Turney (YIS 1977 - 1990)
Training coach John Turney advises player on batting movement
Featured Alumni & Former Staff
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How do I feel? I feel special! (just kidding). With my involvement in baseball I hope I can somehow get more British people interested in the sport. It’s got to be as interesting as cricket right!?
AQ: Why not the Yokohama Bay Stars?
JT: Well, actually I was working with the Bay Stars until last season. I was there for 12 years! After finishing grad school in 1997, I returned to Yokohama in 1998 and was fortunate enough to work for the Yokohama Bay Stars (the year the Bay Stars won the Japan Series). For the first 3 years, I was an assistant to the training
Bridging the Gap Community Conference November 26 & 27
Alumni are warmly invited to attend the Bridging the Gap 2010 conference at YIS on November 26 and 27. This year’s conference brings the community together with keynote speaker Alan November, a high-profile educational theorist and consultant who runs one of America’s most renowned educational tech events, the annual Building Learning Communities Conference.
Known for challenging audiences with unflinching comments on the direction of education in the 21st century, Mr. November will deliver two keynote addresses on Friday the 26th. He will also take part in breakout sessions that will be held in various classrooms in the format of last year’s participant-driven ‘unconference’ style.
The second night of BTG will be a YIS Pecha Kucha event. Pecha Kucha is a simple, yet revolutionary presentation
format in which the speaker shows just 20 slides, for 20 seconds each, and speaks along with them. The unique event started in Tokyo in 2003 and now occurs regularly in over 350 cities around the globe.
BTG 2010 ScheduleFriday, November 26, 2010
2:00 – 3:30 pm Alan November Keynote Address I
Creating a New Culture of Teaching and Learning
4:00 – 4:45 pm Breakout session I
5:00 – 5:45 pm Breakout session II
6:00 – 7:00 pm Dinner (dinner coupons on sale in school store until Nov. 24.)
7:15 - 8:45 pm Alan November Keynote Address II
Successful Parenting to Launch Your Child into the Digital World
Saturday, November 27, 2010
7:00 – 9:30 pm Pecha Kucha night
coach at the nigun (farm team). From the 2001 season, I was promoted to coach status and was in charge of the ichigun. From 2001, the Bay Stars changed the title of “training coach “ to “S&C coach” (which stands for strength and conditioning).
For my 9-year career as the strength and conditioning coach, 8 years was at the ichigun level, and 1 was at the farm level (2003 Shonan Searex). After the 2009 season was complete, the Bay Stars opted not to extend my contract, so I became a “free agent” and signed with the Giants from 2010.
Alan November, keynote speaker at BTG 2010
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Alumni Quarterly: How long were you at YIS and what were your roles here?
Peter Jackson: I was at YIS from 1992-2006 and became Head of Humanities around 1996. I taught mainly history but also economics. I also ran middle school football during that whole time and set up the Model United Nations too, which was great fun. Perhaps the high point was appearing as a member of the world famous “Bluff Brothers” blues band with wild Tim Evans on harmonica.
AQ: What was unique about teaching world history to students who have such diverse backgrounds?
PJ: It was not unique – it is pretty much the same in good international schools everywhere – but the multitude of perspectives make teaching history very exciting. Everyone brings their own way of looking at things, whether they realize it or not, and hopefully everyone learns that there are different ways at looking at the past and the present. Now I’m bang in the middle of the Arab world – and the view is very different as you would expect!
AQ: During classes, you often told stories about your motor bike journeys around Europe. Could you tell us more?
PJ: Did I really mention that sort of thing? I have done some great trips but the best was a 9-week trip that included Sweden and southern Turkey. 7,700 miles in all. My plan was to ride from Stettin to Trieste (as in Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech) but I kept on going and finished up in Turkey. As it turned out it was the end of the Cold War only a year later so I saw the Balkan States under the end of the dreadful rule of the Communists. I
really did get (deliberately) lost in East Berlin and arrived at the wrong side of Checkpoint Charlie hoping to be let back into the west. Things were looking tense: “Mister Jackson – you haff made a mistake – ha ha - Michael Jackson” he said. “Meinen Bruder” (My brother) I said. He dissolved into laughter and let me through.
I still try to visit offbeat sort of places. On the way back from Japan I went with Mr. Evans to Tibet, Bhutan and Burma. Two years ago I achieved the ambition of a lifetime when I finally got to Albania.
AQ: You have organized two summer trips to Europe for students. What gave you this idea?
PJ: I had done the same sort of thing from UK and Mexico. Those who were on them know how mad they were. The first included Naples and the Arctic Circle. The second was slightly more sensible. I did one from my last school in Wales - and might do more from here in Saudi. I don’t know why I do them. They are fun.
AQ: We know you as a avid football player. How were you involved?
PJ: I was without doubt the worst captain of the YCAC over 35s. I once managed to invent a whole new system:
Peter Jackson (Faculty 1992 - 2006)
Peter‘s recent motor bike trip in Wales
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Over 600 students, parents and guests packed the YIS gymnasium on Friday, September 10th, to hear a presentation from world-renowned primatologist, conservationist and UN Messenger of Peace Dr. Jane Goodall. Speaking without notes or visual aids in a very warm gym, Dr. Goodall
held the audience’s rapt attention for an hour as she described her journey to Africa 50 years ago to undertake the study of chimpanzee behavior in what is now Tanzania’s Gombe National Park, and the forces that have led her to become a champion for environmental and humanitarian action.
Beginning her presentation with a spirited chimpanzee greeting – to the particular delight of the younger members of the audience – Dr. Goodall’s wide-ranging remarks included reflections of the role her mother played in fostering self-confidence and determination to overcome obstacles in pursuing a scientific career, anecdotes of her interactions with the chimpanzees of Gombe, descriptions of the environmental and other threats that have been destroying chimpanzee habitats and decimating populations, and a call for young people to take action in addressing environmental and social problems through the Roots & Shoots program. Now in more than 120 countries worldwide, the global environmental and humanitarian program spearheaded by the Jane Goodall Institute inspires youth of all ages to make positive change happen for people, animals and the environment we all share. A lively 15-minute question and answer period followed Dr. Goodall’s remarks.
After the main presentation, Dr. Goodall joined about 40 middle and high school students active in the YIS Green Club and new Global Issues Group for a more intimate discussion in the Loft. For nearly an hour, students had the opportunity to ask more questions about her research and experiences, and also to seek advice on how they could get involved in Roots and Shoots initiatives. Thanking Dr. Goodall for visiting YIS and inspiring the community, head of school James MacDonald expressed the hope that students would think deeply about Dr. Goodall’s messages and take them to heart as they consider their future paths and contributions to society.
Jane Goodall Visits YIS
4-2-3, with four subs on the bench for a whole half – work it out! The main thing is to enjoy it. With the YIS middle school team we twice got to the Kanto Plain Middle School Final, but were robbed on both occasions by corrupt officials – perhaps. I have had to hang up my boots as my body tells me I have done enough.
AQ: What have you been doing since leaving YIS?
PJ: I was at a boarding school in Wales for 4 years. Working there confirmed to me just how good YIS was! I have just started at a school in Saudi Arabia, which is a lot more like YIS. I have just taken over running the MUN
here – 60 came to the first meeting! My wife Jasmine is back in UK for the moment and Benjamin is training to be a car mechanic - and enjoying it. He has turned into a huge (115kg) Rugby player having played for his school in Wales and now for Huddersfield Technical College.
Working at YIS was a terrific privilege and in particular working with such excellent colleagues, and for me Neil Richards is still the standard against whom I measure headmasters. He was inspirational. A lot of schools talk about their school community but at YIS it really was a community – I hope it still is.
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Roger Groenink – Geography Teacher
AQ: You’ve taken a lead role in introducing a new initiative at YIS: the Global Issues Group. Could you tell us about this activity?
RG: The Global Issues Group provides students with the opportunity to delve a little deeper into issues of global importance. Originating in Luxembourg after an address to the graduating class in 2002 by the then Vice President of the World Bank (Europe,) Jean-Francois Rischard, Global Issues Groups around the world now investigate the global issues put forward in Rischard’s book entitled: High Noon: 20 global problems, 20 years to solve them.
The goal of the group is to spread awareness of the issues and to look for ways to positively address the issues. An example would be: Peacekeeping, Conflict Prevention, and Combating Terrorism – one of the 20 global problems. Our response as a Global Issues Group was to organize a peace rally on 21st September in support of Jeremy Gilley’s Peace One Day initiative. There is so much that we need to be aware of and so much that needs to be addressed – and we are running out of time! Rischard wrote his book in 2002, we now only have 12 years to solve them! The good news is that more and more schools are becoming part of the Global Issues Network (http://www.global-issues-network.org/).
YIS recently hosted the first gathering of the Japan-Global Issues Network where students from eight
Alumni Quarterly: How did you get into international school teaching and where were you before coming to YIS?
Roger Groenink: I was at the right place at the right time. An international school in Lilongwe, Malawi needed a Geography teacher in a hurry and I was available. From interview in Johannesburg, South Africa to landing in Lilongwe was a mere 12 days. Although it was quite an adjustment, teaching in an international school and living in a very poor African country, I have not looked back. Lilongwe was just the start! I went on to teach in Atlanta, Luanda, Luxembourg and now in Yokohama.
AQ: What led you to become a geography teacher?
RG: I had always enjoyed the subject at school and when I had to decide on a teaching major for my degree, geography was the logical choice. I really do enjoy teaching the subject – nowadays the curriculum content is particularly relevant and real.
AQ: In some areas of the world, geography is seen as a fairly narrow subject, something to do with maps. It’s much more than that, isn’t it?
RG: Absolutely. Having taught in the USA, I quickly learned that geography was considered the black sheep of the social studies family and was not well regarded. However, that is because the subject is VERY different in the USA. I had an IB student in Atlanta complain that she thought geography was about countries and capitals, not about development and disasters. I would argue that geography is the most relevant, contemporary and accessible of all the subjects on offer by the International Baccalaureate. The subject offers a wide range of topics including: the geography of food and health; tourism, sport and leisure; freshwater – issues and conflict; hazards and disasters; extreme environments and globalization. The core of the subject deals with changing demographics, development, resources and the environment.
Roger and members of Global Issues Group
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international schools in Japan met over two days to hear presentations and engage in discussion around some of the issues of global concern.
AQ: What do you think of YIS students’ level of awareness and involvement in global issues?
RG: YIS has a strong Model United Nations group and students participating in this activity are well informed and aware of many of the issues. However, most students at YIS, like most students around the world, are consumed by everyday life – schoolwork, sport, friends, Facebook, television and the Internet. There is no time to engage in issues of global concern. This is a sad reality that I am
Japan-Global Issues Network LaunchedThe Japan-Global Issues Network was launched over a two day conference hosted by Yokohama International School on the 1st and 2nd of October. Student representatives from eight international schools in Japan, as well as two visiting schools from South Korea, attended the conference held in the YIS auditorium.
The conference kicked off with an “ice-breaker” in the form of a Global Issues Quiz presented by a representative from Oxfam. Over the two days there were keynote addresses from representatives of the UNHCR, Medicins du Monde and PangeaSeed, and several “Pecha Kucha” presentations on a variety of global issues delivered by students from the participating schools.
The keynote addresses and Pecha Kucha presentations highlighted many of the pressing global issues that need to be addressed at many different levels. Delegates left the conference with a plan of action
for their school and a commitment to not only take the lead in starting a movement, but to “have the courage to follow and show others how to follow.” (Derek Sivers – How to start a movement. TED)
It is hoped that the conference will lead to the establishment of Global Issues Groups in schools and that the schools will commit to being part of the Japan-Global Issues Network. The school groups and the network will provide the opportunity for students to engage with each other in discussion around the important global issues and to find ways to spread the
awareness of the issues within their school communities and to a wider audience.
It is envisaged that schools will meet quarterly in appropriate geographic clusters to provide their students with more regular opportunities to meet with students from other schools. These meetings will allow students to share their research findings, increase their knowledge and understanding of the issues, and share presentation and event ideas. An annual J-GIN conference is envisaged for all Global Issues Groups from International Schools across Japan.
trying to address by lobbying for current affairs and global issues to be embedded in the curriculum.
AQ: When you are not teaching or working on global issues, what do you like to do in your free time?
RG: Play golf; read; have friends around for dinner and a game of cards. Right now I have little time to read, golf is too expensive in Japan, but I do manage to have friends around every now and then. My free time is during the school holidays where I spend as much time as possible with my son, who lives with his mum and step-dad in New Zealand.
Students from international schools in Japan and Korea participated in the inaugural GIN conference.
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Upcoming EventsYIS Annual General Meeting and Extraordinary General Meeting on Nov 10, 2010
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Yokohama International School will be held on Wednesday, November 10, 2010, in the Tanner Auditorium from 8:15 pm. Prior to this meeting, an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) will commence at 7:30 pm in the auditorium to discuss and vote for two proposals relating to constitutional changes and the term of office of the Board of Directors. Those eligible to attend the meetings are parents or legal guardians of students, graduates who have attained at least the age of 25 years, faculty members, members of the Board of Trustees, and members of the Board of Directors, all of whom may vote on items on the agenda.
Chris Gibson (Class of 2005) to Perform Series of Classical/Jazz Cello Concerts in Tokyo
Chris Gibson (Class of 2005) will perform a series of classical and jazz cello concerts at Roppongi Symphony Salon in Tokyo on October 30th, November 14th, December 5th and 25th 2010. Contact [email protected] for details and reservations.
Valerie Joyce (Class of 1991) Performs at Earshot Jazz Festival
in Seattle, October 27
Valerie Joyce (Class of 1991) will be performing at the Earshot Jazz Festival in Seattle, Washington, a series of distinctive events which take place in venues all around the city. Valerie will be performing a concert honoring jazz musician/vocalist Chet Baker. The concert is called, “Channeling Chet” and will be performed at a live house called Triple Door (http://www.tripledoor.net) on October 27th.
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languages program to meet the needs of this diverse group and the wide spectrum of students’ linguistic ability?
IR: When I arrived at YIS I was fortunate to join a well established and vibrant languages department. One of our major challenges is meeting the needs of all language learners - from beginners, to intermediate, to advanced and native. For a school of our size, however, we are offering quite a range of options and a diverse language program, which is very exciting. Planning language programs for a peripatetic student population is not always easy because, as you know, students move on and class sizes can be affected. Alternatively, students arrive with new and different language needs each year. What I can say, with a spirit of pride, is that we listen to the needs of our students and parents.
AQ: You’ve been at YIS for nine years now; what is it that you like about teaching here?
IR: Students in international schools are so open-minded and YIS is no exception. I truly appreciate my colleagues at the school; especially my close relationship with the teachers in the modern languages department. They are like a family to me - I feel like I am coming “home” every morning. Japan never fails to surprise and entice me - from ancient festivals to beautifully wrapped gifts to the graciousness of the Japanese people and the sense of order, which makes things happen. Ultimately language is about understanding and being sensitive to other
Alumni Quarterly: You’ve taught many different languages at YIS. What is your native language and how many languages do you actually speak?
Ingrid Rossing: My native language is Dutch. I am from Flanders, which is in the northern part of Belgium, and the language of instruction at my school and university was Dutch. I started learning other languages at the age of 10. Within my family, on my father’s side, there were French speakers, so I dabbled in multilingualism at an early age. Like all teenagers I watched a lot of television and I learned to understand German, French and English through watching original subtitled programs. There are also many life experiences, which explain why I am able to speak Dutch, French, English, German and Spanish.
AQ: How did you become a teacher of languages and what led you to YIS?
IR: Being a teacher was always in the back of my mind because of my experience as a teenager and as a young adult in a youth group. However when I graduated from high school my burning passion was to explore the world of archaeology. After two years, however, the hard hat and the kaki outfit, sand and flies did not exactly appeal to
me. Without realizing it, I had always been immersed in the nuances of
languages and their relationship to culture; something which
is also central to archaeology. In Belgium there weren’t
many opportunities for newly graduated teachers, so I ended up as a substitute at the Antwerp International School, where I subsequently was hired as a language teacher. A whole
new world opened up to me, including married life. Yes, that is where I met Mr. Rossing and the rest is history. From there we taught in the US, Germany, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Tanzania and finally we made our way to Japan. Asia was a must.
AQ: With 45 nationalities, YIS has a very multicultural - and multilingual - student body. What are some of the challenges in providing a modern
Ingrid Rossing – Head of Modern Languages
Ingrid and husband Greg in Tibet
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cultures. In living in Japan we have been able to explore many areas within the country as well as being able to use it as a stepping stone to visit many other Asian countries. Unraveling different cultures is an ongoing fascination for me.
AQ: Do you stay in touch with YIS alumni and do you have a sense of how their language studies at YIS may have helped them in their higher education and career paths?
IR: Many YIS students continue with their language learning. Some start new language courses, others enter
Campus Enhancements Include New Library and Classrooms
Lazy hazy days of summer? Not so at YIS this past summer as the usual caretaker and janitorial staff were joined by a small army of carpenters, electricians, plumbers, painters and other workers carrying out a number of significant enhancements to the campus in addition to the yearly summer spruce up.
The centerpiece of the summer projects was the new YIS library, built on the top floor of the Middle Building and officially opened in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 19 just in time for the new school year. The new library is designed with two distinct zones in mind – one for ELC/elementary students and one for middle/high school students – although it allows for flexible use of either space. This configuration enables more targeted library programming, and its central location and expanded hours (from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm each school day) encourage even greater use. The school’s IT center was also relocated to a new space adjacent to the library, so students are now able to easily access both print and electronic resources together.
Another major project was the construction of six new classrooms on the first floor of the Main Building. Incorporating a vibrant new color scheme and the latest classroom technologies, the classrooms are currently being used primarily for 5th grade homerooms and middle school humanities classes.
Yet another significant – though less visible – project was the upgrading of the school’s information and communication technology infrastructure, including enhancement of its high-speed broadband wireless network. The upgrades are designed to insure that YIS can support and expand the integration of technology as a meaningful and effective part of the educational process well into the future.
into the field of translation, and for many there is a continuation of what has been learned in their school years. What excites me the most is the unexpected email and the conversations that I have with alumni who come back for a visit at the school. They speak about the way in which their past language experience has helped them to book a hotel, engage in an interesting conversation, continue their language studies or simply add to their own perspective of our multi-cultural world.
Students check out books at the new library Colorful new classroom corridor in Main Building
Ribbon cutting ceremony celebrates opening of the new library
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Class NotesThis section offers a chance to update fellow alums on what you’ve been doing since school days at YIS, share recent news and noteworthy accomplishments, or send a message to classmates. Entries are listed by class year, that is, the year of graduation from high school, whether at YIS or elsewhere. To submit a Class Notes entry for the next issue of the YIS Alumni Quarterly, please go to http://alumni.yis.ac.jp/?page=CN. Don’t forget to include your name, class year (i.e., the year you graduated from high school at YIS or elsewhere), and the years that you attended YIS. Please feel free to send a recent photo too.
1970s
1974Tim Cole (YIS 1969 - 1974)36 years after completing high school in YIS’s 2nd graduating class, I am the father of 5 (mostly) adult children and 2 grandchildren, having lived 20 of the intervening years in Nagano and 9 in Tokyo. I’m currently director of a Christian non-profit organization called Family Forum Japan. In that capacity, I present 80~100 seminars and lectures on parenting, marriage, and sexual morality in churches, schools, and other organizations, as well as overseeing the production of family-related resources and a daily radio broadcast. Having spent 4 years on the Yokohama Sailfish swim club during my YIS years (anyone remember Sailfish?), I continue to swim and do the occasional triathlon. Contact me if you’d like to sponsor a family seminar!
1978Katrin Fraenkl-Stauble (1973 - 1978)I have just recently moved to Rio de Janeiro with my husband. My husband still works for Shell and we should be here for about 3 to 4 years! This will be my first posting abroad without my children. Gion and Andri are studying for their masters in Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands and Lea is starting her studies at the University of Zurich in Switzerland (Geography and Environmental Studies).
1979Karen Sheen (YIS 1978 - 1979)Not much new here. I’m still living in North Carolina. I was laid off in June after 12 + years of working in the investment business. So, I’m currently seeking employment and taking things one day at time. My little sister (who some of you know as Dawn Sheen) is here for the summer but packing her things and trying to sell her house. She will soon be moving to Morocco to be with her husband.
1980s
1986Stephen Nojek (YIS 1983 - 1984)I’m a family counselor for “at-risk” kids in Albuquerque
New Mexico. My overseas experience helps me connect with Pueblo (Native American) families and Hispanic families alike. I love my job!
1990s
1991Valerie Joyce (YIS 1987 - 1991)I had a wonderful time in Yokohama this year, reconnecting with many old friends from YIS. I wanted to say thank you again to all the YIS friends who attended my first concert in Yokohama at Kamome. I also wanted to say a big thank you to Minsung and Hiroaki for organizing the event. I enjoyed performing and singing with the trio, but I mostly enjoyed seeing everyone’s happy faces. I hope to be back again soon! I am also busy preparing for this year’s international Earshot Jazz Festival (www.earshot.org). We’re performing a concert honoring jazz musician/vocalist Chet Baker, and the concert is called, “Channeling Chet”. We will be at the Triple Door in Seattle on October 27th. I’m happy to be part of the festival this year. I was also very excited to find out that one of my favorite musicians, Ryuichi Sakamoto, will also be part of the festival.
2000s
2000Victoria Brennan (YIS 1989 - 1997) Hi everyone! I’m living in Melbourne, Australia and have been here since leaving Japan in ‘97. I finished a Commerce/Science degree here and now I’m busy working in Marketing. It was great to go back a few years ago and see how things had changed at YIS and catch up with some of the teachers who were still there! It’s been really interesting to reconnect with everyone through Facebook too and catch up with a few people here or over in Europe. If anyone were ever passing through Melbourne it would be great to say hi! The photo is of my sister Isabelle (on the right) and me on Christmas Day - nice and warm then in Australia!
2001Antonia Preston (YIS 1995 to 2001)I am organizing a 10-year reunion for the class of 2001, but everyone is welcome to join! Hoping to get as many people as possible to join us at the 2011 Food Fair at YIS on May 1st :) Thanks!
2004Marie Buda (YIS 1990 – 2004)I am about to finish my PhD degree with The University of Cambridge, UK. The University of Cambridge is not a campus university. Instead, it consists of 31 ‘colleges’, which one perhaps can look at as like halls of residence. I am part of Downing College. The departments are scattered all around the small city centre, and most people either walk or use their bikes to travel. Despite being a relatively small city, there is always something
Tim Cole (Class of 1974) and grandchildren
Valerie Joyce (Class of 1991)
Victoria Brennan (Class of 2000) and sister Isabelle
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happening if you know where to look! Surrounding the city is the River Cam where you can go boating (known as ‘punting’) with a bottle of champagne, as well as countless nature reserves and parks that you can amble around after a hard day’s work. If you are a person who loves the best of both worlds - city and countryside - Cambridge really is the place to be.
Thomas Orbach (YIS 1991 – 2004)After graduating from Wheaton College, I started working in the game industry for Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd., where I was hired for my bilingual skills. I work with the development team creating games such as “Never Dead”, “Dance Masters” and “Dance Dance Revolution”. On a daily basis I bridge the gap between the Japanese development team and our overseas branches helping to coordinate for our Marketing and PR departments. During game shows, I translate and also take interviews with the press about these games. At the recent Tokyo Game Show I had interviews with the press about Never Dead and did a stage event for the game Dance Masters.
2006Arisa Safu (YIS 1992 - 2006)We played Fuji Rock at the Avalon stage this year, and being a very young band that was formed no earlier than a year ago, this was am incredible experience. We played the 2nd day and the ground was all muddy from the rain the 1st day, but we managed to get the people dancing crazy!!! What really made it special was that there were hundreds of people who didn’t know of us before Fuji Rock, and now we have some of them coming to our shows back in Tokyo and Yokohama. All the connections we made and the people we met made it a very special experience for us!
Faculty
FacultyDaniel Riley (YIS 1982 - 2006)I am the Head of Music at Seoul International School where I conduct all the bands and the High School Orchestra. I visit Japan on and on for music performances.
Anne Lamers (YIS 2005 - 2006) After a wonderful experience of 5 years in Asia, of which 1 year teaching at YIS in the Science Department, we returned to the Netherlands in the summer of 2006. I took up teaching again in 2008 at the International School “Het Rijnlands Lyceum” in Oegstgeest and enjoy every day of being with the students. This picture was taken during a day of fieldwork in the dune area with a student, Olivier Momma, who was in my grade 7 at YIS and is currently in my DP2 Bio SL class. What a small world it is!
YIS high school English teacher Trevor Kew has recently published a second novel, Sidelined (Lorimer & Co. Publishers), for young and middle grade readers (ages 7 -13). A sequel to his first novel, Trading Goals (Lorimer), the book deals with relationship issues against the backdrop of soccer team friendships and rivalries. Available at booksellers in North America, it can also be published online via Amazon.
For Vicky Parker, life has never been better. Despite mom’s new boyfriend (ew!), Vicky and best friends Parm and Marjan seem to be shoo-ins for the soccer team and the chance to play in the tournament — in England! But friendships turn into rivalries as the pressures of tryouts get to be too much, and a charming grade twelve boy takes an interest in Vicky instead of Marjan. How far are the girls willing to go when the competition heats up? And is a trip (and a boy) worth the sacrifice of a teammate and a best friend?
YIS Author Publishes Second Novel
Anne Lamers (Faculty) and Oliver Momma
Thomas Orbach (Class of 2004)
Arisa Safu (Class of 2006)
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The correct answer from the previous Quarterly Quiz regarding YIS mascot Smokey’s birthday was “1996“. The winner is Daigo Takahashi (Class of 2007)! Congratulations!
The Quarterly QuizLook familiar? The first person to correctly identify these graduating class years will win a YIS coffee mug. Send responses to [email protected] with the words “Quarterly Quiz” in the subject line.
