Harrow Appi Japan Students Recognised Among Global Top 10% in the International Maths Challenge

Harrow Appi Made: Celebrating Our International Maths Challenge Achievers

Harrow Appi Made is our new series sharing the stories of the extraordinary students who shape our community here in the mountains of Appi. Through these stories, we celebrate the talent, dedication, and ambition that define life at Harrow International School Appi Japan.

We are proud to highlight three Harrovians who recently excelled in the International Maths Challenge, achieving remarkable global recognition:

Harrow Appi Japan student wins Champion Award at the International Maths Competition

Jessica reached the very top, earning the coveted Champion title, placing her in the top 5% globally:

“On June 11th, I joined the first round of the International Maths Competition and successfully qualified for the second round on June 28th. Both rounds awarded me the Champion honor. This experience built on my past practice and gave me more confidence in problem solving.”

Harrow Appi Japan student, Emily, wins Elitist Award at the International Maths Competition

Emily’s brilliant performance earned her the prestigious Elitist title, a distinction awarded only to students in the top 10& worldwide. She reflects on the experience:

“I really enjoy collaborating with students from various countries to challenge diverse mathematical problems. The challenge also made me feel the wide-ranging applicability of math.”

Harrow Appi Japan student, Mai, wins Elitist Award at the International Maths Competition

Mai’s outstanding achievement also earned her the Elitist distinction, demonstrating resilience and innovative thinking:

“To me, math is a difficult subject. Sometimes, I take a moment to relax and calm myself instead of spending time doing practice questions. This math challenge helped me develop a more flexible way to solve problems.”


These achievements showcase the dedication, perseverance, and curiosity we nurture at Harrow Appi. By encouraging our students to participate in global mathematics competitions, we provide opportunities to think critically, collaborate internationally, and excel on the world stage.

Through Harrow Appi Made, we celebrate Jessica, Emily and Mai – three students whose stories inspire others to pursue excellence, embrace challenges, and thrive as part of our vibrant Harrow Appi Japan community.

HELLO Trust Bake Sale

What makes lunch time more fun? A bake sale, of course!
 
Our students spent their Sunday evening preparing for a delicious bake sale to start the week, all for HELLO Trust. Originally founded by a former student of Harrow Shenzhen, HELLO Trust is a global youth-lead initiative that empowers students to take meaningful action and make a positive difference in their communities.
 
Whilst spreading joy around the campus, they managed to raise an impressive total of ¥36,190 for UNICEF (The United Nations Children’s Fund). Through their contributions, UNICEF is able to invest more in their mission to helping children, working globally to protect their rights and provide aid for their survival, development, and fulfillment.
 
Well done to all of the students who took part!

House Short Ex 2025

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That’s a wrap on Short Ex 2025!

Over the past few weeks, our Houses have traded bedrooms for campfires, spending time in the great outdoors and making unforgettable memories in the breathtaking mountains of Appi. From hiking and cooking over open flames to nights filled with laughter, song, and shared stories, each House brought its own energy and warmth to this much-loved Harrow Appi tradition.

Here are just a few highlights: Elizabeth House were treated to perfect autumn weather – crisp, clear skies that set the tone for an evening of burgers, hot dogs, toasted marshmallows, and guitar music around the fire. Lyons House faced a change in plans when the weather turned, but their morning hike, cosy bonfire, and house movie night made for an equally lively and memorable day. For Hearn House, the night was filled with football, frisbee, Uno, karaoke, and a feast of BBQ favourites – including one student who impressively managed five burgers! Meanwhile, Churchill House took on the trails of the Appi Kogen Ski Resort and the Yakehashiri lava flow, exploring some of northern Japan’s most striking landscapes. Ogata House had their fair share of fun (and a little mud), with a few students finding themselves stuck mid-hike – more than once! Nitobe House ended their day on a quieter note, gathered around sharing stories before bed under the clear night sky. And for Masamune House, adverse weather brought a change in plans, but spirits stayed high – finishing a 7km hike with an evening indoors filled with board games, big-screen gaming, pillow fights and more. 

Every Short Ex may look a little different, but the heart of it remains the same – teamwork, adventure, and friendship. These moments embody what life at Harrow Appi Japan is all about: stepping beyond the classroom, embracing the outdoors, and growing together as a united community.

Outdoor Learning Class: Geography

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What makes Harrow Appi truly distinctive is the unmatched opportunity to learn in nature’s classroom. Nestled in the breathtaking landscapes of northern Japan, we provide students with hands-on experiences that inspire curiosity, deepen understanding, and connect academic excellence with the natural world.

At Harrow Appi, our students don’t just learn about the world – they experience it. This term, our Year 11 Geographers stepped out of the classroom and into the mountains to investigate the Appi River as part of their coursework.

Visiting three sites along the river’s course, they measured width, depth, and velocity to answer their central question: How does the Appi River change as it moves downstream?

With a strong emphasis on STEAM education, these moments equip Harrovians to think critically, embrace innovation, and chart their future with confidence.

Sports Day 2025

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Our first major event of the year brought the whole school together for one of Harrow’s most cherished traditions – Sports Day!

From the very first race to the final cheers, our Harrovians gave their all, competing in their Houses not just for the trophy but for every House point along the way. After getting to know each other these past few weeks, students were ready to show teamwork, resilience, and determination in a friendly but fierce atmosphere.

See the colors of the seven Houses come alive as our students raced, cheered, and celebrated together. Sports Day is more than just sport – it’s about living Harrow’s values in action: showing courage as they pushed themselves, humility in both victory and defeat, and fellowship in supporting each other.

It’s a day that builds lifelong friendships, strengthens House spirit, and creates memories that will stay with our students long after their time in Appi.

A huge congratulations to Churchill House and Lyons House, our 2025 Sports Day champions! Watch the full video of our Sports Day event here.

Harrow Jazz Cats Band perform in Sendai

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Being based in the mountains of Northern Japan doesn’t mean missing out – it means having access to unique cultural and performance opportunities that students might not find elsewhere.

Our talented Jazz Cats band recently took to the stage in Sendai, performing live for a local audience. Experiences like these highlight one of the great strengths of Harrow Appi: our ability to partner with communities and organisations across Japan to provide students with opportunities that go far beyond the classroom.

Sendai itself holds a special connection for us. Founded by Date Masamune (伊達 政宗) – the iconic feudal lord of the Tōhoku region, after whom our Masamune House is named – the city represents strength, vision, and leadership. Performing here gave our students not only a platform to share their talents, but also a chance to connect with the rich cultural heritage of northern Japan.

Harrow Appi Students visit Google Japan

Inspiring the next generation of women in STEAM

This week, our Computer Science and Business students travelled from Appi Kogen to Tokyo for an exclusive visit to Google Japan, as part of the Mind the Gap programme. Designed to encourage young women to explore careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, the programme offers a rare glimpse into one of the world’s leading tech companies and highlights the importance of diversity and inclusion in the industry.

Globally, the ratio of girls to boys in GCSE Computer Science has steadily increased from 1:5 to around 1:4 in the UK. At Harrow Appi, we are proud to have a ratio of 1:3. Initiatives like this show that encouraging more girls into STEM is making a real difference – helping to create a more gender-balanced future in technology industries.

At Harrow Appi, every student has the opportunity to go beyond the classroom — from visits like this to our 100+ enrichment activities — cultivating curiosity, innovation, and leadership.

Speak to our Admissions team today to learn more about how Harrow Appi nurtures the leaders and innovators of tomorrow.

Appi Relay Marathon 2025

What does my child do on weekends in boarding school?

At Harrow Appi, no weekend is ever the same.

This past weekend, our Harrovians and Beaks took part in the Appi Relay Marathon, a community event held right on our doorstep. Running as two teams around the beautiful Appi Kogen resort, our students experienced both the challenge of competition and the joy of taking part in a vibrant local tradition.

At Harrow Appi, we believe weekends should be as enriching as the classroom – whether through sport, the arts, outdoor adventure, or cultural engagement. By connecting with the local community, our students gain a deeper appreciation of the country they live in, while enjoying the balance of fun, friendship, and personal growth.

Introducing Student Stories

Harrow Appi Made: Celebrating Student Excellence

We are proud to launch Harrow Appi Made, a new series dedicated to sharing the stories of the extraordinary students who shape our community in the mountains of Appi. Each feature will highlight the achievements, ambitions, and experiences of Harrovians who embody the values of Harrow.

introducing darren: AISL Harrow Scholar

Our first story introduces Darren, one of only four winners worldwide of the prestigious 2025/27 AISL Harrow Scholarships—and one of two scholars who will be joining us here at Harrow Appi.

This globally respected scholarship is awarded to academically outstanding young people from around the world. It provides full tuition and boarding for two years of A Level study at an AISL Harrow school, ensuring that the brightest students can access a world-class education, regardless of background.

Reflecting on his achievement, Darren shared:
“Harrow’s wealth of opportunities both to diversify one’s skills and integrate into a unique community makes it an exciting choice for anyone. Thanks to the scholarship, I’m grateful to say I can join my peers in this unforgettable journey.”

A bright future at Harrow Appi

We look forward to seeing Darren thrive as part of our vibrant Sixth Form community and to sharing more inspiring journeys in the Harrow Appi Made series. Each story will showcase the talent, character, and ambition that define Harrow Appi.

Harrow Appi Inaugural Sixth Form Cohort

For the first time in our history, Harrow Appi welcomes both Year 12 and Year 13 students into our Sixth Form.

At Harrow Appi, Sixth Form is more than just the final stage of school; it is a transformative experience where students develop the skills, confidence, and determination needed to succeed at the world’s top universities. Our pupils are encouraged to think critically, lead with conviction, and embrace the challenges that prepare them for life beyond school.

Personalised University Guidance

Our Sixth Form provision has expanded to include two highly experienced University Guidance Counsellors. With their tailored support, every Harrovian receives individualised advice on subject choices, application strategies, and preparation for competitive university admissions in the UK, US, Asia, and beyond.

Learn more about our University Counselling offering here!

Building a Tradition of Excellence

This year marks more than a milestone – it is the foundation of a tradition. Our Sixth Formers are not only shaping their own futures but also setting the benchmark for future generations at Harrow Appi.

If you would like to learn more about our A Level curriculum, university pathways, and life in Sixth Form at Harrow Appi, we invite you to download our prospectus today.