School Governance
Vision without action is merely a dream.
Action without vision just passes the time.
Vision with action can change the world.

Joel A. Barker

The UK Department for Children Schools and Families has recently published a report entitled 
Your Child, Your Schools and Our Future: Building a 21st Century School System has stated the 
following major points:

1.Our ambition for every child education is to prepare them for the challenges of the next century
2.Excellent teaching should occur in every school, with assistance available to all children
3.Every school should consist of partnerships with its community and
supporting agencies
4.Every school should be improving and have accountability and intervention
5.Every school and its leadership should be supported
6.Each School should contain a well led and highly skilled team of teachers.

These issues will considered by the Board and Council and staff in the future, aligning the 

implementation with our School Improvement Framework.

Our Board and Council at St. Michael’s International School
Each school establishes a Board of Trustees (and sometimes Council) to guide the school in all 
strategic and financial and non-operational matters.  St Michaels, once a church-run school, but 
now independent and under law and accreditation requirements, employs the traditional ‘Self 
Perpetuating Corporate Model’. The Board of Trustees and School Council meet jointly to discuss 
all matters.  

This model espouses the Head of School as CEO, which allows the Board to remain above school- 
based issues, with it firmly focussed on the schools long term future. This allows for a distinct and 
strong partnership between Chairs and Head, vital to every schools success within the realm of 
governance. The Board and Council deal with matters such as professionalism, community, 
performance, accreditation, facilities, marketing, mission, finance and alumni. 

On alternate months numerous committees meet to discuss the above matters in detail, reporting 
back to the Board and Council. The Friends of the School members include PTA President, alumni, 
an educator, British Consulate representation and teachers. The Board is responsible for setting 
policy and approving the annual budget.  The School is run by the Head of School advised by senior 

staff.

‘…….This School Board seeks to ensure the long-term financial stability, prosperity and continual 
improvement of the school, representing all the school’s stakeholders, present and future, children 
and students first and foremost….’

The key to effective partnerships—
Both parties must contribute and
both parties must benefit.

       Jere Jacobs
 
The following names constitute the current full membership of St. Michael's School Board & Council:

Name
 
Designation
Paul Grisewood
 
Head of School
St. Michael's Int. School
Satoru Hamada
 
Chair of the Board
Peter Mallett
 
Chair of the Council 
Andrew Nakamura
 
Bishop of Kobe
Father Clement Nobuoka
 
School Chaplain
 
 
 
Dean of St. Michael's Cathedral
 
Tomoko Ohsawa
 
Board Member
Takuzo Oji
 
Auditor
Takahashi Shoji
 
Auditor
Komei Kure
 
Alumnus
Alastair Moulton
 
Teacher Representative
Paul Tolhurst
 
Manager of Seafarers Mission, 
Kobe
Wendy taylor
 
Deputy Head (Int. School Section)
St. Michael's Int. School
Tazu Makino
 
Deputy Head (Eng. Lang. Section)
St. Michael's Int. School