School Life
Student organizations & Clubs
At MBIS we are committed to nurturing well-rounded individuals through a holistic approach to education.
Our FOUR Pillars of Growth
Serve as the foundation for our students' growth and success. These pillars work together to shape the minds, bodies, and hearts of our students, guiding them to achieve their fullest potential both in and out of the classroom.
Building knowledge, curiosity, and a love for learning.
upper school organizations
STudent organizations
Student Council
The Student Council at Marist Brothers International School is a student-led organization, democratically elected to represent the voice of the student body. With separate councils for Elementary and Upper School, these councils provide students with opportunities to develop leadership skills, collaborate with peers, organize school events, promote school spirit, and contribute to the continuous improvement of our school community. Through their efforts, Student Council members play an essential role in enhancing the school experience for all students.
STudent organizations
Marist Athletic Association (MAA)
STudent organizations
National Honor Society (NHS)
The National Honor Society (NHS) is one of the most recognized student organizations worldwide, established to honor and encourage students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, and character. NHS provides students with opportunities to grow as leaders, serve their communities, and make a positive impact both locally and globally.
The Kobe Marist Chapter of the National Honor Society is composed of selected students in Grades 10–12 who embody these four pillars. Membership is awarded to students who have demonstrated strong academic achievement and have been recommended by faculty for their character and leadership qualities, with final selection made by a five-member Faculty Council.
Each year, our NHS members design and lead a year-long service project to raise awareness of important global and community issues. These projects encourage students to take initiative, collaborate with others, and turn ideas into meaningful action. Past initiatives have included the “Four Pillars Project,” where members organized activities to advocate for the core values of the NHS, and the Facility Dog Project, which supported Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children’s Hospital in implementing a specially trained facility dog to support children undergoing intensive medical treatment. Through this initiative, our chapter raised over 1 million yen in support of the cause.
Through these experiences, the Kobe Marist NHS continues to foster compassionate, responsible, and service-minded leaders who strive to make a lasting difference in their communities and beyond.
STudent organizations
Model United Nations (MUN)
The MBIS Model United Nations (MUN) program, established in 1986, is the longest-running MUN in Japan and an integral part of our Social Studies curriculum. Recognized nationally and internationally, the MBIS MUN General Assembly attracts over 100 delegates annually from schools around the world. Students involved in MUN develop critical skills in conflict resolution, public speaking, debate, and diplomacy as they engage in high-level discussions on global issues. Delegates research their assigned country’s political, social, and economic conditions, and represent it during intense debates at the General Assembly, held each February. This event is not only a challenging academic exercise but also a platform for students to demonstrate leadership and problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Outstanding participants are recognized for their contributions, and the MUN program prepares students for success in international MUN conferences throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
STudent organizations
Bulldog Robotics
Bulldog Robotics provides MBIS students with the opportunity to utilise the VEX V5 STEM learning system. Members design, build, and code metal-based robots using a bolt-together system, with the option to participate in the global VEX Robotics Competition throughout the year. The VEX V5 Robotics Competition is the world’s largest middle and high school robotics program, engaging more than 20,000 teams across 50 countries and introducing a new engineering challenge each year.
In Japan, the V5RC National Championship is held around January, and the VEX Robotics World Championship takes place each April/May. Through Bulldog Robotics, students develop computational thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills, while gaining practical experience in engineering, design, and coding.
upper school organizations
National Honor Society (NHS)
The National Honor Society (NHS) is one of the most recognized student organizations worldwide, established to honor and encourage students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, and character. NHS provides students with opportunities to grow as leaders, serve their communities, and make a positive impact both locally and globally.
The Kobe Marist Chapter of the National Honor Society is composed of selected students in Grades 10–12 who embody these four pillars. Membership is awarded to students who have demonstrated strong academic achievement and have been recommended by faculty for their character and leadership qualities, with final selection made by a five-member Faculty Council.
Each year, our NHS members design and lead a year-long service project to raise awareness of important global and community issues. These projects encourage students to take initiative, collaborate with others, and turn ideas into meaningful action. Past initiatives have included the “Four Pillars Project,” where members organized activities to advocate for the core values of the NHS, and the Facility Dog Project, which supported Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children’s Hospital in implementing a specially trained facility dog to support children undergoing intensive medical treatment. Through this initiative, our chapter raised over 1 million yen in support of the cause.
Through these experiences, the Kobe Marist NHS continues to foster compassionate, responsible, and service-minded leaders who strive to make a lasting difference in their communities and beyond.
Marist Brothers Honor Society (MHS)
The Marist Brothers Honor Society (MHS) is a student-led service organization open to students in Grades 9–12, dedicated to developing leadership, compassion, and global awareness through meaningful action. Guided by the motto Sapientia et Virtus (“Wisdom and Moral Excellence”), MBHS encourages students to deepen their understanding of global issues and work collaboratively to create positive change in their communities and beyond.
Through a wide variety of service initiatives, MHS members actively engage in addressing social and environmental challenges. Annual activities include agricultural service to grow and donate vegetables to those in need, meal preparation and cleaning support at Ronald McDonald House Kobe, beach clean-ups, forest conservation, soup kitchen service, CPR training, and many other volunteer and charity-based projects. The organization is structured into seven committees—Promotion, Community Event, S.E.E.D. (Sustainable Environment and Eco Drive), Fundraising, Charity, Entertainment, and MHS Junior—each designed to provide students with opportunities to lead and contribute in different ways. The leadership team consists of four executive officers (President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer) along with seven committee heads. Each committee plans and carries out at least one project per semester, fostering a strong culture of service and empowering students to make a meaningful difference in the world.
Marist Brothers Honor Society Junior (MHSJ)
MHS Junior is an introductory service-learning program for students in Grades 6–8, designed to inspire younger students to become active, compassionate, and globally-minded leaders. Guided by the high school MHS Junior Committee, this program provides students with opportunities to explore important global issues and take meaningful action through community service within the school platform.
Meeting once a week during lunch, MHS Junior members learn about worldwide challenges and work together to create solutions through hands-on service projects. Through these experiences, students develop a deeper understanding of social responsibility, collaboration, and leadership. Past initiatives have included learning about ocean plastic pollution by participating in after-school campus clean-ups, creating microplastic accessories, and educating the wider community during the school Food Fair. Students have also explored poverty in Africa by selling Malawian fair-trade coffee as part of a charity initiative and examined the importance of recycling through the “Upcycling Runway,” where they designed and created outfits using recycled materials.
By working alongside students from different grade levels and engaging in real-world service, MHS Junior helps students build the skills, knowledge, and mindset needed to become future leaders in the school’s service organizations and beyond.
Kobe Kiwanis Builders and Key Club
The Kobe Kiwanis Builders Club (Grades 7–9) and Key Club (Grades 10–12) are part of the worldwide Kiwanis family, a global service organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and communities. Around the world, Builders Club and Key Club provide students with opportunities to develop leadership skills, build character, and engage in meaningful service while becoming active and responsible global citizens. Through these organizations, students learn the value of collaboration, compassion, and taking action to address real-world challenges.
A unique strength of our Kiwanis program is its inter-school partnership, where students from three international schools—Marist Brothers International School (MBIS), Kansai International Academy (KIA), and Canadian Academy (CA)—work together to contribute to society. This collaboration allows students to experience the power of teamwork, diversity, and collective action in creating meaningful change.
Throughout the year, members organize and participate in a wide range of service initiatives. These include Sakura tree planting to strengthen and restore the Rokko Mountain environment, lemonade stands to support children and families at Child Chemo House, and the annual Microplastic Accessory Workshop, where students educate younger learners about ocean plastic pollution and encourage environmental action through beach clean-up activities. These projects reflect the clubs’ commitment to environmental sustainability, community care, and global awareness.
The impact of these efforts has been recognized internationally, with our Kiwanis clubs receiving 1st Prize for Social Contribution at the Kiwanis ASPAC Conference in both 2025 and 2026. Through Builders Club and Key Club, students grow into service-minded leaders who strive to make a lasting difference in their communities and the wider world.
Marist Athletic Association (MAA)
Founded and led by Minseo Eom and Yoonseo Eom, the Math Club is Marist Brothers International School’s first student-run academic organization. What began with just three members has grown to more than 35 dedicated participants, supporting over 50 students and helping many improve their math achievement from 5s to consistent 7s.
Under Minseo’s leadership, the club registered Marist for major international competitions such as the University of Waterloo’s CEMC contests, the American Mathematics Competition, and the UK Mathematics Trust challenges. He also launched the Kansai Math Olympics — the first student-organized regional mathematics competition in the school’s 78-year history — which will expand this year to include five leading schools in the Kansai region: Canadian Academy, Osaka YMCA International School, Senri Osaka International School, Doshisha International School, and Marist.
The Math Club has elevated the school’s mathematics culture and sparked a wave of student initiative, inspiring younger learners to create new clubs in science, robotics, and languages.
Student Council
The Student Council at Marist Brothers International School is a student-led organization, democratically elected to represent the voice of the student body. With separate councils for Elementary and Upper School, these councils provide students with opportunities to develop leadership skills, collaborate with peers, organize school events, promote school spirit, and contribute to the continuous improvement of our school community. Through their efforts, Student Council members play an essential role in enhancing the school experience for all students.
Model United Nations (MUN)
The MBIS Model United Nations (MUN) program, established in 1986, is the longest-running MUN in Japan and an integral part of our Social Studies curriculum. Recognized nationally and internationally, the MBIS MUN General Assembly attracts over 100 delegates annually from schools around the world. Students involved in MUN develop critical skills in conflict resolution, public speaking, debate, and diplomacy as they engage in high-level discussions on global issues. Delegates research their assigned country’s political, social, and economic conditions, and represent it during intense debates at the General Assembly, held each February. This event is not only a challenging academic exercise but also a platform for students to demonstrate leadership and problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Outstanding participants are recognized for their contributions, and the MUN program prepares students for success in international MUN conferences throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
Bulldog Robotics
Bulldog Robotics provides MBIS students with the opportunity to utilise the VEX V5 STEM learning system. Members design, build, and code metal-based robots using a bolt-together system, with the option to participate in the global VEX Robotics Competition throughout the year. The VEX V5 Robotics Competition is the world’s largest middle and high school robotics program, engaging more than 20,000 teams across 50 countries and introducing a new engineering challenge each year.
In Japan, the V5RC National Championship is held around January, and the VEX Robotics World Championship takes place each April/May. Through Bulldog Robotics, students develop computational thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills, while gaining practical experience in engineering, design, and coding.
Student-Led Clubs
Headline: Student-Led Clubs at MBIS offer students the opportunity to take initiative, explore their interests, and develop leadership through meaningful, student-driven activities.
Science and Engineering Club
The Science and Engineering Club is an after-school club for students in Grades 9–12, where curiosity turns into discovery. Founded by students, it offers opportunities to explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) through engaging, hands-on projects that reach beyond the classroom. From building circuits and investigating electromagnetism to extracting DNA and uncovering the foundations of molecular biology, each activity is designed to ignite creativity and innovation. The Science and Engineering Club encourages students to think and act like real scientists and engineers, driven by teamwork and a spirit of inquiry.
Math Club
Founded and led by Minseo Eom and Yoonseo Eom, the Math Club is Marist Brothers International School’s first student-run academic organization. What began with just three members has grown to more than 35 dedicated participants, supporting over 50 students and helping many improve their math achievement from 5s to consistent 7s.
Under Minseo’s leadership, the club registered Marist for major international competitions such as the University of Waterloo’s CEMC contests, the American Mathematics Competition, and the UK Mathematics Trust challenges. He also launched the Kansai Math Olympics — the first student-organized regional mathematics competition in the school’s 78-year history — which will expand this year to include five leading schools in the Kansai region: Canadian Academy, Osaka YMCA International School, Senri Osaka International School, Doshisha International School, and Marist.
The Math Club has elevated the school’s mathematics culture and sparked a wave of student initiative, inspiring younger learners to create new clubs in science, robotics, and languages.
Language Learning Club
Language is a bridge that connects people and strengthens our sense of community. In today’s interconnected world, individuals encounter diverse cultures and languages, making intercultural understanding and open-mindedness essential skills.
The Language Learning Club is a student-led organization for students in Grades 7–10, offering opportunities to learn and experience the Korean and Chinese languages and cultures. Students in Grades 11–12 participate as instructors, sharing their knowledge while developing leadership and communication skills aligned with the IB Learner Profile.
Through two sub-groups, members explore language alongside cultural elements such as food, literary texts, global issues, and traditional games. The Language Learning Club encourages students to broaden their perspectives, appreciate cultural diversity, and grow as open-minded global citizens.
Photography Club
The Photography Club is a student-organized club at Marist, open to students in Grades 8–12 who are interested in photography, regardless of experience or equipment. The club encourages students to explore their creativity through photography while developing fundamental technical and visual skills.
Through workshops, creative challenges, and hands-on activities, members learn how to observe their surroundings, experiment with composition and light, and express ideas and stories visually. The club also offers sessions led by a supervising photographer, where students gain essential knowledge of photographic fundamentals. Members may also have opportunities to participate in photography competitions, applying their skills in real-world creative contexts. The club provides opportunities for students to share their work with the school community, building confidence and an appreciation for visual storytelling.