– 初代校長からのメッセージ –
A Message from our Principal
Welcome to NLCS Kobe, and thank you for visiting our website. At NLCS Kobe, we are unapologetically ambitious – for our students and for the world we hope they will shape. Our vision is clear: to provide an exceptional academic education, rooted in the proud traditions of the North London Collegiate School, founded by the pioneer of girls’ education, Frances Mary Buss, in 1850.
Our story is one that unites two great worlds: the NLCS legacy of scholarship, innovation, and internationalism, and the rich tradition of Japan itself. This union forms our “Japanese heart,” where we fully embrace the language, culture, and values of Japan. We integrate this ethos with the Japanese concept of kaizen, or continuous improvement, which is deeply embedded in how our children learn and grow. As a school that is Japanese owned we ensure that our students are as confident in Japanese language as they are in English – being able to thrive in Japan or overseas. We are building a school where students are prepared not only to write essays and solve equations, but also to speak thoughtfully, lead kindly, and think beyond borders.
Our commitment extends beyond academic success, ensuring our students become young people who are kind, open-minded and have a sense of purpose. We ask a lot of our students: to read, question, build, and reflect, especially when things feel difficult. Crucially, we ask that they be kind, to their friends, to those who are different, but also to themselves.
We are building something truly extraordinary here, not just in bricks and books, but in people, in values, in relationships, and in ambition. Our mission is to become one of Japan’s leading schools, known for raising young people ready to build a better world and we want our graduates to leave here proud, happy, and excited, carrying with them the friendships and opportunities they have been given. We invite you to join us on this journey and I hope to meet you in person soon.
Matthew Williams
Founding Principal, NLCS Kobe