Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Opening of Keio Yokohama Elementary School

Photo: 10th Anniversary Ceremony (June 9)

On June 9, 2023, a ceremony commemorating the 10th anniversary of the opening of Keio Yokohama Elementary School was held in the school auditorium. On the day, we were joined by President Kohei Itoh, Vice-President Keita Yamauchi, Secretary General Toshiko Hirota, as well as former Presidents, former Principals of Keio Yokohama Elementary School, and the heads of various affiliated schools. We also invited local community members and stakeholders who supported the school before and after its opening. Together with the 5th and 6th-grade students and the faculty and staff, we expressed our gratitude for the support received so far and celebrated the 10th anniversary.

At the commemorative ceremony, following a chorus of the "Keio Yokohama Elementary School Song" by the students, I delivered the ceremonial address, followed by congratulatory remarks from President Itoh. Subsequently, a congratulatory video message from Miyu Komatsu, a member of the first graduating class representing the alumni, and a "Memorial Slide" created by the 6th-grade executive committee were shown. After Vice Principal Hidehiko Saito introduced the 10th-anniversary projects, current students Saki Fushimi (2nd grade), Yuina Yamazaki (5th grade), and Ichika Doi (6th grade) read essays regarding the past, present, and future of the elementary school. Finally, the 10th-anniversary commemorative song "On the Green Grass Hill" was performed by the elementary school choir, and the ceremony concluded.

Specific discussions regarding the establishment of Keio Yokohama Elementary School began in 2008 as part of the project to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the founding of Keio University, and the school opened in 2013 after a preparation period of approximately six years. For detailed background, please refer to the article "On the Opening of Keio Yokohama Elementary School" (Mita-hyoron (official monthly journal published by Keio University Press), May 2013 issue) written by the first Principal, Keita Yamauchi.

As a result of various discussions regarding what kind of school the elementary school should be upon its opening, two phrases from Yukichi Fukuzawa were established as the qualities students should acquire by graduation: "A Healthy Body and a Vigorous Spirit" and "A Spirit of Enterprise and Perseverance." This was intended because, considering that the latter half of the 21st century—when students will enter society and play core roles—will be a society that is more complex, with conflicting interests and increasingly rapid changes, they will need the strength to persistently tackle difficult problems and lead them to solutions. To equip them with these qualities, the elementary school focuses on cultivating a nature of "Integrity, Honesty, and Kindness" on a daily basis.

Furthermore, the elementary school values the following three pillars in its classes and various activities. The first pillar is "Experiential Education," which emphasizes concrete observation and experience to foster an attitude of thinking about things scientifically through experiences including play; this is an important attitude that aligns with the spirit of "jitsugaku (science)." The second pillar is "Self-Challenge Education," which values experiences where students develop their strengths and overcome their weaknesses, aiming to foster an "indomitable heart" through these accumulated experiences. The third pillar is "Education of the Power of Language," which aims to enhance reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills through familiarity with good books and training in expressing one's thoughts in words so that others can understand them. The skills to be developed also include the "language of science," and we intend to consider mechanisms for students to acquire literacy in data science in the future.

Within the elementary school, an executive committee of teachers was established in the middle of the 2020 academic year, and preparations for the commemorative projects were carried out over approximately three years. The 10th-anniversary projects mainly consist of four parts: the creation of a commemorative song, a commemorative book, and commemorative gifts, and the holding of the commemorative ceremony.

First, for the creation of the commemorative song, we commissioned Nozomi Hayashi, who also wrote the lyrics for the "Keio Yokohama Elementary School Song" and the two favorite songs "Let's Walk" and "On This Hill." The composition was handled by Maki Ueda, who was recommended by Mr. Hayashi. A wonderful song was completed, using the natural grass field that the school is proud of as a motif and incorporating the philosophy of Keio University. Mr. Hayashi and Ms. Ueda also attended the commemorative ceremony, and I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude to them once again.

Regarding the commemorative book "10 COLOURS," it is a superb collection that combines beautiful photographs and illustrations with text filled with the thoughts of students and staff who have been involved with the school, making it feel like a photo album yet providing a substantial read.

Next, for the creation of commemorative gifts, we first formulated a slogan for the next ten years of the elementary school during a faculty training session: "Make your own colours – Paint the world." This carries the sentiment: "Even in a rapidly changing society, do not compare yourself with others, but value your own unique colors (characteristics and individuality). Let us all cooperate to create a world colored with various hues." Subsequently, we invited students to design a symbol mark matching this slogan, and from 221 entries, the work of 5th-term student Fuki Yamada was selected. Based on this work, the design was finalized in the art department, and cloisonné pin badges and dyed hand towels were created as commemorative gifts. Additionally, those who attended the ceremony on the day were given dorayaki branded with this symbol mark as a souvenir.

I mentioned the 10th-anniversary ceremony, which could be called the main event of the commemorative projects, at the beginning. On the other hand, the history of the school over these ten years has been created through the cooperation of faculty, staff, alumni, current students, and their parents. Therefore, on June 10, the day after the main ceremony, we held a commemorative ceremony for current students, along with a commemorative event on the field organized by the 6th-grade student executive committee.

Furthermore, on the following day, the 11th, we held a commemorative ceremony in the school auditorium with the participation of approximately 300 alumni and 200 parents. At each ceremony, in addition to my address, we received a congratulatory video message from the first Principal and Vice-President Yamauchi. After the ceremony for alumni, we were also able to hold a reunion where students from the 1st to 5th graduating classes gathered together. On the 17th of the following week, we reported on the various ceremonies during the all-school parents' meeting for current students, concluding the series of commemorative events.

Ten years have passed since the opening of Keio Yokohama Elementary School, and while developing new educational programs such as international exchange programs with the UK, Australia, and Iceland, as well as the "School of the Sea" and "School of the Mountains," we are beginning our walk toward the next ten years. We would be grateful for your continued support.