Location	2555, Ishizuka-cho, Sano-shi, Tochigi
TEL.	(+81)283-25-3987
Website	https://ss.sanonihon-u-h.ed.jp/
Membership	2017

2024 Annual Report

Activity Report 2024

Our school upholds the founding principles of “Autonomy and Creativity,” “Student-Teacher Collaboration,” and “Balance of Academics and Sports,” striving to nurture individuals capable of thriving on the global stage from our home in Sano, Tochigi. Among these principles, “Autonomy and Creativity” is viewed as the most vital educational goal, encouraging students to think and act independently. In our ESD (Education for Sustainable Development) efforts, we focus on “Global Education,” enhancing practical programs through numerous international exchange opportunities, including overseas dispatches and hosting exchange students.

Although this year marks just the 7th anniversary of our recognition as a UNESCO school, we celebrated the 60th anniversary of our founding with monthly events, which made it challenging to implement programs in the same format as previous years. Instead, we leveraged our comprehensive inquiry-based learning curriculum, providing all grade levels opportunities to study themes such as “Environment,” “Cultural Diversity,” and “Peace” in sectional workshops. Professors and lecturers from our parent institution, Nihon University, were invited to guide multiple learning presentations. Additionally, a grand presentation involving all students and their parents as guests is planned for February and March.

Our signature international training programs have largely returned to pre-pandemic norms, offering expanded opportunities for students. Despite lingering constraints, we hope to provide as many learning opportunities as possible for students in the coming years. This year, we also maintained active collaborations with domestic and international educational institutions, including online exchanges.

 

[Activities Overview]
1. Online Exchange with UNESCO Schools at Home and Abroad
At the start of the year, we planned exchanges with UNESCO schools, but due to overlapping school events, we conducted exchanges with non-UNESCO schools overseas.

①Online Exchange with Yue Tan Middle School, Beijing, China (June 4 & November 19, FY 2024)
Yue Tan Middle School, a public middle and high school in Beijing, is the only public school in China that offers Japanese as a foreign language. Our schools have maintained a sister-school relationship for over a decade, supported by Sano City’s International Exchange Association and Rotary Club. These exchanges currently take place online and include cultural presentations by student representatives from both schools. Popular topics include Japanese animation, manga, and cuisine, which resonate well with the Beijing students.

2. Continuation of the “What’s Your World Peace?” Art Festival
First piloted in FY 2022, this festival serves as a platform for students to express their visions of peace through art amidst global crises, such as conflicts in Ukraine and Israel and natural disasters. In collaboration with all UNESCO schools and candidate schools in Tochigi Prefecture, this unique initiative has fostered inter-school cooperation on an unprecedented scale. The FY 2024 festival is scheduled for February FY 2025.

3. Promotion of Cross-Cultural Understanding and Education
International education is a cornerstone of our school’s philosophy. This year, numerous programs were conducted, offering students practical learning experiences on themes like sustainability, cultural diversity, peace, and global understanding.

①Student Delegation to Malaysia (June 7–15, FY 2024)
Students visited our sister school, Sri UCSI Secondary School in Kuala Lumpur, engaging in corporate visits, homestays, and local fieldwork. Preparatory sessions included interactions with international students from Utsunomiya University and pre-fieldwork training at a local shopping mall to enhance the experience.

②Guest Lectures by Ambassadors
Talks by the Irish Ambassador Damien Cole (September 11) and Moldovan Ambassador Dumitru Socolan (November 27) were held as part of our 60th-anniversary events. These lectures provided students with their first insights into Ireland and Moldova, sparking interest in both nations.

③Hosting Students from Hungary (March 8–13, FY 2025)
Continuing our sister-school relationship with Hunfalvy János High School, initiated after Tochigi hosted Hungary’s Olympic team in 2021, we welcomed Hungarian students for homestays, city tours, and classroom participation.

 

4. Other Notable Activities
①Student-Run “GLOBE” Program
Established in 2021, this initiative empowers students to lead global education activities, fostering long-term sustainability and engagement within the school community.

②”Power of Clothes” Project
This SDG-themed project, implemented for six consecutive years, includes lectures for younger students and promotional activities through poster contests to instill a sense of ownership over global issues.　Through these initiatives, we continue to develop globally-minded students who are prepared to contribute to a sustainable and interconnected world.

Annual Work Plan

1. Online Exchanges with UNESCO Schools Domestically and Internationally

As mentioned earlier, numerous schedule conflicts with events celebrating the school’s anniversary in FY 2024 required the cancellation of several originally planned activities. However, with operations expected to return to normal next year, we aim to resume exchanges with UNESCO schools both domestically and internationally.

In today’s world, “online” interactions have become indispensable. While maintaining the unique impact of face-to-face engagement, we seek to develop “advanced learning” through innovative approaches. As a school affiliated with UNESCO, we plan to fully leverage this affiliation and engage in meaningful exchanges with UNESCO schools worldwide.

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2. Continuation of the “What’s Your World Peace?” Art Festival

This year, the event was conducted in collaboration with UNESCO schools across Tochigi Prefecture. However, challenges remain in terms of promotion and management. Significant disparities were observed in the motivation levels of schools and students, influenced by differences in the extent to which peace education and whole-school approaches are implemented at each institution.

Reaching a shared understanding among participating schools before implementing this program would likely yield higher educational benefits. Establishing a consensus and framework could enhance the program’s effectiveness moving forward.

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3. Promotion of Cross-Cultural Understanding and Education

We hope for the gradual resumption of the school’s hallmark activities, including overseas dispatches and hosting exchange students. By providing opportunities to experience and understand different cultures, we aim to reinforce the importance of global education. In a time when fostering global citizens is more critical than ever, this theme demands renewed recognition and commitment.

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4. Promoting ESD Awareness Among Faculty and Staff

As a hub school for ESD, UNESCO schools must ensure coherence between ESD principles and their educational activities. To align all teaching and administrative staff with this vision, we plan to conduct multiple training sessions and workshops. This initiative will help create a unified approach, ensuring that all staff members, including subject teachers and administrative personnel, work towards the same goals with shared understanding and commitment.

No related reports available in English.