Forestopia Learning Forest -- Miyazaki Prefectural Gokase Secondary School

Aim of our dormitory education

In this rich natural environment, through warm interaction between teachers and students enabled by life under the same roof, and through contact with students in different grades, students develop cooperativeness, independence, judgment and patience. By maximizing the positive aspects of communal life, we are able to cultivate individuals who live strong, with a rich spirit in which intelligence, virtue and the body are harmonized.

Qualifications acquired though life in the dormitory

1. Self-management skills, which are required in communal life
2. Initiative, independence, cooperativeness and patience
3. Since self-directed activity is encouraged, the abilities of planning, execution and leadership are developed

Aspects of pupil guidance at the dormitory

1. Establish and maintain a pupil guidance system capable of taking care of students' worries or emotional malaise at school.
2. Develop and extend talents and abilities which students have not been able to show at school.
3. Conduct safety education such as health and hygiene, disaster prevention and traffic safety.
4. Produce pupil guidance which is operated in partnership with families and communities, by creating opportunities to do a lot of home visits, parent meetings and communication events with local people.
5. Produce comfortable living conditions and maintain facilities and equipment.

Housemasters

Six teachers are housemasters, and one is on-duty at a time.

Operational Responsibilities

• Instruction on planning/operating duties at the dormitory; dormitory education
• Facility and equipment management
• Planning and instructing disaster prevention and safety management classes
• Planning and supervising events
• Coordination with all divisions at school and teachers
• Coach administrators of student committees
• Directing and executing environmental improvements and other maintenance
• Others

Student guidance

• Teach discipline and etiquette
• Student guidance and safety guidance
• Supervise and regulate attendance, outings, sleepovers, homecoming visits and visitors
• Private interviews and guidance; counseling
• Others

Educational guidance

• Educational guidance
• Supplemental lessons
• Others

Public relations

• Coordination among related organizations/groups, especially in the local community
• Coordination with guardians
• Inspector/visitor reception
• Public relations
• Others

Sub-housemaster

Teachers on housemaster duty

Three teachers are on duty for each day-duty and night-duty. Sub-housemasters keep close touch with the housemaster to carry out duties.