Our Guiding Statements
Seisen International School is first and foremost a Catholic international school. Our Guiding Statements are key drivers in all aspects of life in Seisen International School and are responsive to the nature of the community.
While having a Catholic Christian foundation, our Guiding Statements are considered to be universal in purpose and intent. They echo our holistic approach to education both academic and moral, and they are deemed appropriate for our diverse representations of learners, nationalities, cultures, identities and faith communities in our school community.
Our Mission and Guiding Principles act as the foundation for all our Guiding Statements inclusive of: Student Teacher Profile, Parent Profile, I-DEA, Definition of Learning, Global Mindedness, and our Student Safeguarding Policy Handbook.
Mission
Seisen International School, a Catholic International School, educates future world citizens to become men and women for others and with others, in the spirit of Jesus Christ.
Seisen’s mission is to provide a safe environment with a focus on the multi-faceted nature of community wellbeing. We seek to empower each student, through shared responsibility, creativity, and human interdependence, to develop their unique talents and to become competent and compassionate players in our global society, capable of empowering others and of bringing hope and peace to our ever-changing world.
Guiding Principles
Our guiding principles are based on the tradition of learning and service handed down from St. Raphaela, the founding member of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
-
Educate women for social and cultural transformation
-
Nurture faith development
-
Shape international mindedness and celebrate diversity
-
Side with the poor
-
Reach out to the world with hospitality and hope
-
Act as leaven for worldwide community building
-
Reverence creation
-
Share all that we are and have
- Student/Teacher Profile
- Parent Profile
- DEIJ
- Definition of Learning
- Global Mindedness
- Safeguarding
- Review Cycle
Student/Teacher Profile
Student and Teacher Profile
Religious/ Spiritual
For Seisen International School, God comes first - his loving presence and action pervades the school and calls each one to live as value-based, ethical women and men. We reverence the spiritual treasures of the Catholic faith and other faiths and enter into dialogue with them. We encourage each other to develop our own religious and spiritual beliefs that are in harmony with and support the school’s beliefs.
Leaders
We are all leaders. We are positive role models for each other. We recognize and utilize the many talents in our learning community. As leaders we understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal wellbeing for ourselves and others.
Globally Minded
We represent many cultures, and are all open to and respectful of the perspectives, values and beliefs of others. We are eager to expand our awareness and understanding of the world and the global dimensions of situations and subjects. We are developing as global citizens, motivated to participate in and equipped to live in an ever changing world. We are committed to making a difference just as St. Raphaela did in her day. We are interactive members of a global network of Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus schools.
Inquirers
We nurture our curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and research. We know how to learn independently and with others. We learn with enthusiasm and sustain our love of learning throughout life.
Knowledgeable
We develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge across a range of disciplines. We engage with issues and ideas that have local and global significance.
Thinkers
We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyse and take responsible action on complex problems. We exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions.
Communicators
We express ourselves confidently and creatively in more than one language and in many ways. We collaborate effectively, listening carefully to the perspectives of other individuals and groups.
Principled
We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions and their consequences.
Open-minded
We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, as well as the values and traditions of others. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience.
Caring
We show empathy, compassion and respect. We have a commitment to service, and we act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world around us.
Risk-Takers
We approach uncertainty with forethought and determination; we work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and innovative strategies. We are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change.
Balanced
We understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives—intellectual, physical, and emotional—to achieve well-being for ourselves and others. We recognize our interdependence with other people and with the world in which we live.
Reflective
We thoughtfully consider the world and our own ideas and experience. We work to understand our strengths and weaknesses in order to support our learning and personal development.
Parent Profile
Parent Profile
In order to continue the legacy of the Mission of Education of the Order of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart, and to honor the Guiding Principles of the Order, Seisen International School, as a Catholic school, has expanded upon the 10 attributes valued by IB World Schools in its student profile.
At Seisen International School, a sense of family and community are core to our mission and guiding principles. We believe that we are all life long learners. Our parent profile mirrors that of our student and teacher profile, yet is customized with an emphasis on certain attributes that focus on the crucial role that parents play in the education of their child or children at Seisen international School.
We believe that our parents should exhibit these attributes in their interactions with the students, other parents, the faculty, the staff and the administration of Seisen International School. Our community thus forms a seamless, closely knit community who learn, work, play and pray together. We expect parents to support our driving spirit of “Learning to Love, and Loving to Learn”, we are committed to service and social justice, and to making a positive difference in the lives of others and in the environment. As a community we have the courage to navigate new possibilities, skills and resources in a dynamic, ongoing learning experience.
In the Spirit of St. Raphaela, we have a vision of where we want to go as we move into the future together. We challenge the conventional social and cultural patterns of our time and empower our students as future leaders. We seek out and explore concepts, ideas and issues that have personal, local and global significance. We apply thinking skills critically and creatively to approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions. In so doing, we acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.
As a community we have a keen sense of respect for ourselves and for others, and we take responsibility for the consequences of our own words and actions. We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity of the individual, and the groups and communities with whom we engage.
Religious
For Seisen International School, God comes first - his loving presence and action pervades the school and calls each one to live as value based, ethical women and men. We reverence the spiritual treasures of the Catholic faith and other faiths and enter into dialogue with them. We encourage each other to develop our own religious beliefs.
Leaders
Each parent is considered a potential positive role model for students and we act in
accordance with the guiding principles and values of Seisen International School.
Globally Minded
We represent many cultures, and are all open to and respectful of the perspectives, values and beliefs of others. We are eager to expand our awareness and understanding of the world and the global dimensions of situations and subjects. We are developing as global citizens, motivated to participate in and equipped to live in an ever changing world. We are committed to making a difference just as St. Raphaela did in her day. We are interactive members of a global network of Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus schools.
Knowledgeable Inquirers
We attend information sessions, workshops, and guest speaking engagements provided by the school in order to enhance our understanding of the school mission and the approaches to learning, teaching and assessment. We keep up to date with all correspondence from the school in order to support our commitment to inquiry-based learning for our children.
Communicators
We believe that effective communication between parents, students and the school is
essential to the students social and emotional wellbeing and academic success.We
understand that English is the language of communication, instruction and inclusion for our community, while still valuing the linguistic diversity present in our community.
We actively communicate through the established lines of communication with our children's teachers, coaches, school nurses, counselors, principals, and Head of School. We recognize the potential negative effect of relying on hearsay rather than relying on direct communication coming from the community of Seisen International School Educators.
Principled
We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with
respect for the dignity and rights of all members of the Seisen International School
Community. We take responsibility for our actions and their consequences.
Open-Minded
We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, as well as the values and
traditions of others. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to
grow from the experience.
Caring
We show empathy, compassion and respect. We have a commitment to service, and we act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world around us. We are
committed to our Student Safeguarding Policy, Cyber Safety Policy, and all school rules
governing student wellbeing and conduct.
Balanced
We understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our children’s
lives—intellectual, physical, and emotional—to achieve well-being. We understand the
necessity of our children needing time and space to play and socialize and not be
overcommitted to after-school activities, including academic preparation.
Reflective
We thoughtfully consider the world and our own ideas and experience. We work to
understand our strengths and weaknesses in order to support our learning community and its growth.
DEIJ
Statement on Anti-Racism
As racial prejudice and systemic racism are being challenged across the world, we remind ourselves that:
As a Catholic International School, we echo the sentiments of the Catholic Church and we will continue to hold ourselves responsible to help our students and faculty to develop global mindedness, recognize prejudice, respect diversity, and become allies with those in need.
We stand against racism. Inspired by our driving spirit of "Learning to Love, Loving to Learn," we are a community committed to service and social justice, and to making a positive difference in the lives of others and in the environment.
In our student/teacher profile and our parent profile, we state that as an international community of students, parents and educators, we represent many cultures, and we critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, as well as the values and traditions of others.
We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience. We are eager to expand our awareness and understanding of the world and the global dimensions of situations and subjects.
We are developing as global citizens, motivated to participate in and equipped to live in an ever-changing world.
We are committed to making a difference just as St. Raphaela did in her day.
This is a placeholder statement and will be reviewed and replaced during the 2021-2022 school year by the DEIJ Steering Committee.
Learn more on the DEIJ page.
Definition of Learning
Definition of Learning & Learning Principles
Definition
We believe that learning is a life-long process in which each learner engages with and reflects upon information and experiences in order to develop skills, conceptual understandings, and attitudes.
Learning Principles
- Learning is enhanced when it takes place in an environment that supports wellbeing.
- Learning is enhanced within an inquiry cycle that fosters a love and ownership of learning.
- Learning is enhanced when approached with a growth mindset.
- Learning is enhanced when we use technology responsibly.
- Learning is enhanced through partnerships between students, parents, and teachers.
- Learning is enhanced when we collaborate.
- Learning is enhanced when assessment informs and guides teaching and learning.
- Learning is enhanced when learners exercise voice, choice and action.
Through our learning we are becoming active, competent, and compassionate players in our global society.
Global Mindedness
Definition of Global Mindedness
Influenced by the principles of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and our school's mission, the development of Global Mindedness at Seisen International School, is considered a community shared responsibility, to promote concepts of human interdependence. It encourages the community to welcome and celebrate diversity, reveres creation, participates in worldwide community building, and empower individuals to help bring peace to our ever-changing world.
Safeguarding
Student Safeguarding Policy Handbook
Seisen International School’s mission in accordance with and support of the UN Declaration of the Rights of the Child (1990), the recommendations based on the International Task Force on Child Protection (2015), and also in conjunction with Japanese laws regarding Child Protection, defines the term “child” as students under the age of 18. However, due to our position of trust in the lives of our students, Seisen International School acknowledges that a student at Seisen is considered under our duty of care until the time of their graduation, irrespective of the age of the student.All Seisen International staff, faculty, and administrators are mandated to report incidences of abuse and neglect.
All Seisen International staff, faculty and administrators are also required to report suspicion of abuse or neglect. All reports of abuse and neglect must be made to the Child Protection Officer / division counselor, or division principal should the counselor be unavailable, within 24 hours for immediate response. The counselor reports to the division principal and the Child Protection Officer. The Child Protection Officer must in turn report to the Head of School. Verbal reports must also be supported by signed written documentation by the person or persons submitting the report.
Components of our Safeguarding Policy
- A Code of Conduct that guides interactions between adults and students at Seisen International School.
- Guidelines on recognizing, responding to, and reporting allegations and suspicions of child abuse and neglect.
- Guidelines on screening and selecting staff, faculty, and volunteers at Seisen International School.
- Training and education about child abuse prevention.
- Ensuring safe environments and practices.
- Connecting to local authority and resources via the protocols established by the Japan Council of International Schools.
Review Cycle
Guiding Statement Review Cycle
Our Guiding Statements are living documents which we are committed to review and update with community input as necessary.
Guiding Statements |
Review Frequency |
Last Reviewed |
Reviewed By |
---|---|---|---|
Mission |
5 Years |
04/2021 |
SLT and Community Representatives |
Guiding Principles |
10 Years |
02/2017 |
Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus |
Student/Teacher Profile |
5 Years |
2019 |
SLT, Faculty and Student Representatives |
Parent Profile |
5 Years |
05/2018 |
SLT, Parent Representatives |
I-DEA Statements |
5 Years |
07/2020 |
All groups |
Definition of Learning |
3 years |
11/2020 |
SLT, Faculty, Students, Parents |
Definition of Global Mindedness |
5 Years |
Established 2017 |
SLT, Faculty, Students |
Safeguarding Policy |
Annually |
06/2021 |
SLT |