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We would like to thank the faculty, staff, administrators, TNK, parents and trustees for their interaction with the finalist candidates and valuable feedback from the interviews and presentations.
Owain brings extensive international school experience and a deep commitment to educational excellence.We are confident that Owain’s leadership will inspire continued growth and uphold the mission of Nishimachi:to develop learners and leaders who know care and take action to bring value to others and to make a positive impact on the world.
Please join us in warmly welcoming Owain, his wife Urara and his daughter Nika into the Nishimachi Community. We look forward to the positive impact they will make and are excited for this new chapter in our school’s journey.
Owain is an experienced international school leader with over eight years in senior leadership roles across Brazil and Israel. Known for his student-centred approach, collaborative leadership style, and commitment to continuous improvement, Owain brings a depth of experience in instructional leadership, inclusion, and school culture development that aligns well with Nishimachi’s mission and values.
Owain currently serves as High School Principal at Walworth Barbour American International School (WBAIS) in Israel. In this role, he has led cross-divisional work on grading and assessment reform, designed a comprehensive Advisory program using Project Wayfinder’s SEL curriculum, and supported the launch of a new boarding house serving students across two campuses. He has also implemented a “Habits of Learning” framework and championed evidence-informed practices such as standards-referenced grading and professional learning communities. Owain’s leadership has helped create meaningful, values-aligned experiences for both students and faculty.
Prior to this, Owain held roles as Middle and High School Principal and Assistant Principal at the International School of Curitiba in Brazil and earlier served as a high school English teacher and department head at Hokkaido International School in Japan. Across his career, he has led multiple school accreditation processes, facilitated long-term strategic projects, and worked closely with boards, faculty teams, and families to shape inclusive and engaging school communities.
Owain and his family have strong personal ties to Japan. His wife, Urara Yamamuro, is originally from Yokohama, and their daughter Nika, currently in Grade 3, is eager to deepen her connection to Japanese language and culture. Together, they look forward to returning to Japan and joining an international school community with deep local roots.
Owain holds a Master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas and a Master’s in English Philology from Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland. He is certified to teach Language Arts, Social Studies, and TESOL, and holds a principal certification through the Principal Training Center.
Owain noted:
“My family and I are elated to be joining Nishimachi International School, and becoming part of the warm, welcoming community we experienced during our visit. Having the distinct honor of becoming the next Head of School, I am deeply committed to honoring the long-standing traditions that make Nishimachi so special, while also contributing to the important work that is being done by the amazing team they have, in moving the school forward, especially in helping NIS continue to live its Mission: To develop learners and leaders who know, care, and take action to bring value to others and to make a positive impact on the world.”
I wish to thank all those who applied for this leadership role and all in the NIS community for their sincere efforts in determining the most effective new leader for their school.
Kind regards,
Jeremy Lewis
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