Entrance Ceremony Address
April is the season when cherry blossoms and flowers are in bloom. I am very happy to be able to hold this entrance ceremony today for the year 2017. On behalf of our students and teachers, I would like to thank all those in attendance today.
To the 473 students who have been approved to enter Seiryo High School: Welcome! You have chosen to enter Seiryo, and because we know that that every experience you are about to have will become your important teenage memories, the staff and I are extremely motivated to do our best for you. We hope that all of you will have a fulfilling three years at Seiryo High School.
I would like to take this opportunity to tell you about the motto for our school. Our motto is: “be earnest,” “be socially conscious and responsible,” and “be disciplined.” This is based on our school principal to raise students who will positively contribute to society. We hope our students will become honest, independent and empathetic of others. These have been virtues in the hearts of Seiryo students for 42 years. Based on this motto, our students work diligently on their studies, during after school clubs, and in student council activities. From today on, you are a Seiryo High School student. You will be part of our exciting and vibrant school.
In order to have a fulfilling school life, there are several things I want all of you to do. One: concentrate in every class. Two: greet others. And three: be organized. In middle school, when you took part in classes, there might have been a student who fell behind. That student might have thought, “I don’t have to do worry about it because someone else will do it for me.” In high school, this will not be acceptable. This is the reality of our society, a severe society you must navigate in the future. Thus, it is important to always think about what kind of skills you will need to acquire to be successful.
The world is about to make a big change. Education will change. Japanese modern education began during the Meiji Restoration. At that time, Japan made a goal to create a strong economy in order to make a powerful army. Japan wanted to catch up with Western counties and eventually overtake them. Thus, the education system at that time placed great emphasis on memorization. But when computers arrived, Japan became an information society. It has become multinational. In the business world, borders between nations have disappeared. We live in a world with many other nations and religions.
However, there is a big gap between the rich and the poor in this whole world. In previous decades, the world’s countries cooperated to improve our earth. But recently, some countries, especially wealthy ones, are becoming conservative electing to protect their own possessions instead of what’s best for the earth. We are going in the wrong direction, democracy and cooperation could continue to decline.
This means that what you and I call “Japanese common sense” will not apply in a global society. What is desired today is the ability to create new ideas and to power those ideas in an information society. In order to develop this kind of knowledge and strength, you will need the support of your friends. You cannot do this alone. Know that your friends in high school will be your friends for life. Please be empathetic and support each other.
Everyone has his or her own special talent. If you work hard to find your talent, you will be able to be kind to others. You will become closer with your friends, and that bond will become stronger. You will be recognized by others and you will gain the strength to endeavor. In Seiryo High School, you are fortunate to have a strong ally called “alumni.” We have about 15,500 graduates of Seiryo. Last year was our school’s 40th anniversary. We have a rich history and are very proud of our tradition. Seiryo graduates play an important role in Japan and abroad. Our alumni are a strong and dependable source of support.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the parents here today for sending your child to Seiryo. The experience in high school is very important for a child becoming an adult. Please watch over your child with love and understanding. Seiryo teachers will give respect to each and every student’s individual personality. We will make a goal to support students to become independent people. I ask all the parents here today to keep in constant contact with your child’s homeroom teacher. Thank you.
Again, I want to thank everyone for attending this ceremony. In the future, on your graduation day, I hope all the students here today will be able to reflect back and be satisfied with their three years at Seiryo.
April 7th, 2016
Shizuoka Institute of Science and Technology
SEIRYO Senior High School Principal
KAZUHIRO WATANABE
