As the school year is about to come to an end, it is time to reflect on the things that happened this year at The Diplomat this year. Overall, this year was an amazing year full of new initiatives, challenges, and learning experiences. Of all of the events this year, the most significant event that happened in school is most likely the annual St.Mary’s Carnival and the Movember Fundraising challenge, and the most significant event outside of school is the election of Japan’s first-ever female Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, and the impact of the Iran War on the world.
SMIS Carnival and the Movember Challenge
This reporter believes that the first significant event that happened at St.mary’s this year is the annual carnival. This year, the school was blessed to have a sunny carnival day (it usually rains on carnival day). The reason why the carnival is so important to the school is not only because of the event being a “fun” event. The carnival reflects the history and tradition of St.Mary’s as an international school, since this event has been held ever since the founding of the school. It also reflects the international environment, as multiple booths representing different countries and cultures proudly present their national dishes, making it both a delicious and meaningful opportunity for students and the school community to foster a global mindset. Another reason why this event is significant is that it is a day when the whole school community comes together. This is probably the only day when students, teachers, parents, and alumni all gather on the school campus to socialize and have a good time together, helping the school show that St.Mary’s is not just a school but rather a community, where everyone is welcome to come back and visit. Click on the link below to read an article on a booth! (https://stmarysdiplomat.com/12875/news/water-balloon-at-carnival/)
The next significant event at SMIS is the Movember Challenge that heopoened in November last year. This event is significant, as it reflects and embodies the core value of compassion, as it helped to raise awareness for men’s mental health, an issue that is often overlooked by society until it’s too late. This school year, St.mary’s was able to raise over 190,000 yen (beating last year’s record of 180,000 yen), making it an extremely successful event, with Mr. Wilson crowned as the “King Titan Beard”, raising 58,000 yen. Another reason why this event was significant for the school is that this event brought all fo the graders together, unlike other fundraisers which are grade-level specific. This was also a great opportunity for students and teachers to unite and connect through friendly competition and fundraising. For more information about this event, click on this link! (https://stmarysdiplomat.com/8107/showcase/mr-wilson-crowned-as-the-king-titan-bear-for-the-second-time/)
Significant Global Events
This reporter believes that one of the most significant events in Japan this year was the election of Sanae Takaichi as Japan’s first female prime minister. Her election was particularly historic because she rose to the highest position in a government that has traditionally been dominated by men. Takaichi is also known for her conservative, right-wing, and nationalistic political views, earning her the nickname “Iron Lady.” Despite the controversy surrounding some of her policies and ideologies, she was widely praised for her decisive leadership and quick decision-making. In contrast to previous prime ministers who were often criticized for lacking strong action, Takaichi’s leadership style resonated with many voters, helping her achieve an approval rating of over 60% at one point, and she was also re-elected for a second term as PM. Overall, while opinions about her remain divided among different groups, it can be argued that her election has started in a new era for both Japanese society and the wider world. For more information about PM Takaichi, click on this link (https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/4326/)
This reporter believes that one of the most significant global events this year is the ongoing war in Iran. Although the war is limited to the Middle East, the effects on the global economy and on students are drastic. Perhaps the biggest impact for students here is the surging prices of oil. Since many students at St.Mary’s travel abroad for university or to visit friends and relatives, surging oil prices mean that plane ticket prices have surged to two or even three times the usual price. In the long term, this could affect college admission decisions and potential career opportunities for students. As conflicts primarily between Iran and the US continue to rise, it is unforeseeable to predict what will happen to the economy and how it will affect students. For more information, click on this link to read about the effects of the ongoing Iran war: (https://stmarysdiplomat.com/11523/news/impact-of-the-iran-war/)
