2023.05.17 Messages from Sr.MarJo

“ONE ASSUMPTION TOGETHER … FOR A BETTER WORLD”

Good morning, everyone! 

I am happy to be with you for the first time this morning in this new School Year.  I hope you had a meaningful “Golden Week” and are getting on well.

This morning, I would like to speak about something that I hope will help us grow in our understanding of what we have identified as our School Thrust for this school year as we prepare for the celebration of 70 years of Assumption in Japan, and in particular, in Minoo, next year.

Our School Thrust for this SY is ONE ASSUMPTION TOGETHER…FOR A BETTER WORLD…

It is not very different from last year – ONENESS FOR A BETTER WORLD.  But it is more expanded, more inclusive and has a larger scope and breath.

Let me try to explain and break this down into 3 parts: ① ONE; ② ASSUMPTION TOGETHER; and ③ FOR A BETTER WORLD.

① ONE – As many of you know, ONENESS is one of our CORE VALUES here at Assumption Kokusai.  “ONE” speaks of WHOLENESS and UNITY not uniformity, but wholeness in our being ONE and united in our goals, directions and hopes and dreams.  In other words, we believe that we belong to ONE body – though many parts and each part with an important and specific role to play – each part affects the body and is committed to the wellbeing and good health of the body.  Here at Assumption Kokusai, we have several departments – Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, High School and the Corporate Business Office (Houjin)… we are different parts of one BODY and are called to cooperate, collaborate with each other for the WHOLE BODY. In the same way, you have several subjects – courses – english, math, science, art, religion, social studies, PE, etc.  Each one is unique and different – but each one contributes to your education.  One without the other will make your education incomplete or not whole. This means that each part of the whole is responsible for the whole.  We are responsible for each other just as each department is responsible for the other.  When one part is not well, the whole body is affected. This is what we mean by ONENESS.

② ASSUMPTION TOGETHER – this is expands our being ONE, beyond Assumption Kokusai.  It enlarges our ONENESS to include, parents, graduates, Assumption Schools in other parts of the world to become a power for good – to become “influencers” for excellence and positivity in society and families.

③ FOR A BETTER WORLD – and this is the reason for all that we are about in the Assumption.  Why are we in education?  It is to bring out the good and the best in each one – so that each one can contribute to making this world better – less selfish, less individualistic, less arrogant, less dishonest – but more peaceful, more truthful, more just, more kind, more joyful.

So, I invite you to begin each day by repeating to yourself this thrust – ONE ASSUMPTION TOGETHER … FOR A BETTER WORLD – and allow this to influence you thoughts, your words and your actions each day.