At the beginning of a new school year, meeting a child’s teacher is important. But understanding what they will learn, how they will be challenged and supported, and how families can be part of that journey matters just as much.
On Thursday, 27 August, families joined us at NLCS Kobe for our Meet the Teacher Evening. Across the Junior and Senior Schools, the evening offered parents a closer look at the curriculum, expectations and learning experiences that will shape the year ahead, as well as an opportunity to speak directly with the teachers working with their children.
More Than Meeting the Teachers
The evening began with a shared focus on what sits at the heart of an NLCS Kobe education: academic and curricular ambition, high expectations, individual support, and the development of ethical and responsible global citizens.
Central to this is our aim to be “an international school with a Japanese heart” — combining an international outlook and academic ambition with a genuine commitment to Japanese language and culture.
From there, families moved beyond the broad principles of the school to explore what they mean in the classroom.
Inside Learning in the Junior School
In the Junior School, families met their children’s class teachers and explored how learning is taking shape as NLCS Kobe pursues authorization for the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP).
The curriculum combines English, phonics and comprehension, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and PSHE with specialist teaching in Japanese language and culture, Physical Education, Music and Art, alongside additional EAL support where needed.
But the evening was not simply about looking at a list of subjects.
Families explored how inquiry and broad questions can create connections across different areas of learning, while maintaining a strong focus on academic success and students’ ethical, moral and personal development.
Teachers then brought this to life by sharing the learning planned for their individual year groups.
In Grade 2, for example, a Unit of Inquiry exploring Settlements and stories of place connects literature with Social Studies, Science, Mathematics and PSHE. In Grade 4, the year ahead includes inquiries into energy, how humans learn, creative expression through the performing arts, conflict and economic systems.
This gave families an opportunity to see not only what their children will study, but how ideas and disciplines connect as their understanding develops throughout the year.
Building Depth in the Senior School
For our Grade 6 and Grade 7 families, the Senior School session offered a closer look at learning as NLCS Kobe pursues authorization for the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP).
Families heard about the range of subject groups being taught this academic year, including English, Japanese, Individuals and Societies, Arts, Design, Mathematics, Science and Physical and Health Education. They were also introduced to what students will encounter during the first part of the academic year, from Animal Farm and personal identity in English to Japanese history, geography, Mathematics and the Sciences.
The conversation also went deeper than subject content.
Families heard more about the thinking behind teaching and learning in the Senior School: encouraging students to reason, make connections, communicate their thinking and become increasingly independent learners.
In Mathematics, for example, the emphasis extends beyond speed and memorisation towards depth, fluency and reasoning. Students are encouraged to explore different approaches, explain their mathematical thinking and see mistakes as part of the learning process.
As students progress through the Senior School, parents will also have greater visibility of learning through Toddle, which will be used to share curriculum information, resources and unit plans, helping families understand what is happening in the classroom and support learning at home.
Extending Learning Beyond the Classroom
One of the most important parts of the evening was the conversation around the role families can play in learning.
In the Junior School, teachers shared practical guidance around homework, reading and encouraging children to become increasingly independent. Families were encouraged to support children when learning becomes challenging without taking over the task, and to make reading and conversations about learning part of life at home.
These conversations reflect an important principle: education does not happen in isolation.
When families understand what their children are learning and why, conversations at home can become an extension of the curiosity, reflection and thinking taking place at school.
Starting the Year Together
Meet the Teacher Evening was therefore about much more than introductions.
It was an opportunity for families to step inside the learning planned for the year ahead, understand the thinking behind it, ask questions and build stronger connections with the teachers guiding their children each day.
As our second academic year begins at NLCS Kobe, those conversations between students, teachers and families will continue to be an important part of how our community learns and grows together.
Discover more about learning at NLCS Kobe and experience our school in action at one of our events.
