Senior Consultant Jeremy Lewis is delighted to announce the appointment of Owain Phillips as Head of School at Nishimachi International School (NIS) in Japan, beginning in the 2026–27 school year. Chair of the Board of Directors, Chris Hathaway stated in his address to the school community,
Please join us in warmly welcoming Owain, his wife Urara and his daughter Nika into the Nishimachi Community…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 is the High School Principal at the Walworth Barbour American International School (WBAIS) in Israel. He has collaborated on key initiatives including cross-divisional grading, reporting and assessment reform, the development of a robust Advisory program, and the establishment of a boarding facility serving both campuses. Under his leadership, the school fosters a values-driven culture that emphasizes student autonomy and authentic learning experiences. He has also championed competency-based learning through the Mastery Transcript Consortium (MTC) and expanded co-teaching models to enhance student support and engagement.
Previously, Owain was the MS/HS Principal at the International School of Curitiba in Brazil and taught high school English at Hokkaido International School in Japan, where he also led the English department. His career includes experience with accreditation processes and strategic initiatives developed in collaboration with faculty, boards, and families to build inclusive school communities. Reflecting on a recent formative experience, he shared:
One of the most meaningful moments in my career was welcoming 93% of our students home to WBAIS on January 6, 2024, just months after 75% had left Israel following the tragic events of October 7th. Their return to campus after winter break spoke to the resilience, flexibility, creativity and care shown by our teachers. Together, we navigated immense challenges, found collective success, and emerged stronger as both a school and community.
Owain holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Texas and another in English philology from Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland. He is certified in Language Arts, Social Studies, TESOL, and school leadership through the Principal Training Center. He expressed his enthusiasm for joining NIS:
The school’s origin story and rich 75-year history are inspiring. Tane Matsukata founded Nishimachi in 1949 with the vision ‘to share, to live and learn together and yet keep a special identity.’ The school, impressively, continues to embody and live this today. NIS’s commitment to international education, while honoring the culture and traditions of its host country, Japan, creates a uniquely vibrant learning community that my family and I are eager to join and be of service to.
Personally and professionally connected to Japan, Owain returns with his wife, Urara Yamamuro of Yokohama, and their daughter Nika, currently in Grade 3. Nika’s eagerness to engage more deeply with Japanese language and culture reflects the family’s shared values. Owain adds:
My family and I are elated to be joining NIS 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 respecting 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.
Search Associates would like 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.<
