G9-G10 Opening Ceremony

On February 17th, 9th and 10th graders gathered in the Grand Auditorium for the new semester's opening ceremony. A highlight video sparked fond memories and excitement for the semester ahead.

High School Vice Principal Liu Min welcomed everyone, celebrating last semester's achievements in academics, sports, and arts. She encouraged students to deepen their knowledge through reading, shared the graduates' success, and urged everyone to embrace perseverance and self-motivation. She also called for unity as the school approaches its 160th anniversary.

9th-grade homeroom teacher Ms. Zhang Mingxin drew inspiration from the movie Ne Zha 2, praising the director’s dedication over the past five years to bringing the film to life. She encouraged students to remain focused, work hard, and strive toward their goals.

9th-grade student representative Su shared his experience as a new student, expressing gratitude for the school's supportive environment that allows students to explore their interests freely. He balanced his academic responsibilities with his passion for basketball, improving his skills and forming close friendships. Su believes high school is about finding balance between academics and personal growth, embracing individuality, and making the most of these formative years.

10th-grade homeroom teacher Mr. Zhang Dongsheng shared the story of Gabriel, the founder of the school’s racing club, to inspire students to pursue their passions, set ambitious goals, and stay committed to their growth. He emphasized that by facing challenges with confidence and keeping a positive mindset, they can turn their dreams into reality.

10th-grade student representative Helen spoke about the importance of long-term planning in daily life. Reflecting on her early struggles in 9th grade, she realized that chasing an "ideal" definition of excellence wasn’t the best approach. Instead, she chose to focus on activities she was passionate about and that contributed to her personal growth. Through her experiences in academics, basketball, economics competitions, community service, and volunteer work, she found fulfillment and joy in pursuing what truly mattered to her.

Ms. Yu Qinye from the TA Office introduced the Wellness Space, located in Zhongxing Building—a place where students can unwind and focus on their emotional well-being. She also announced that the school will host one to two wellness activities each month. With this semester’s mental health events set to begin soon, she encouraged students to stay informed, take part, and visit the TA office anytime to share their thoughts and suggestions.

ASB President Brook recounted memorable ASB-organized events, including the Sports Meet and the English Speech Competition. She then previewed events such as the Knowledge Knockout and Spring Formal scheduled for this semester, encouraging everyone to actively participate.

To conclude the ceremony, teachers from different subjects shared New Year’s wishes in the form of creative couplets. Cleverly incorporating subject knowledge, these couplets expressed their hopes for students to keep pushing forward, growing, and embracing new challenges in the semester ahead. With that, the ceremony ended on a hopeful note, encouraging everyone to pursue their goals with confidence and determination!

G11-G12 Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony for the juniors and seniors of SHSID was held on the afternoon of February 17, 2025. As students and teachers reflected on the past semester, they looked forward to the new semester with renewed optimism.

Ms. Zhang Yueyue, Head of Grade 12, was the first to speak. She reviewed the college application season that Grade 12 students had experienced and acknowledged their dedication and hard work. At the same time, she reminded them that, in their penultimate semester, they must continue to abide by the high school code of conduct and conclude their high school journey with a serious and positive attitude.

Following her speech, two senior representatives took the stage. Lucas shared his epiphany about the “rules of the game”: during a conversation with a Tencent Mansion game designer, he realized that life is not a pre-determined strategy but an open-world exploration. He emphasized that life is not solely about winning or losing but about focusing on and cherishing the present moment. Michelle then shared her high school journey. Initially feeling lost, she tried various activities until she discovered her passion for architecture. She encouraged her peers not to pressure themselves excessively and to believe that their efforts would eventually bear fruit.

Ms. Yu Zhen, Head of Grade 11, reminded the juniors that they were entering a crucial semester for college preparation. She highlighted upcoming challenges, such as standardized tests and personal planning, and encouraged students to utilize school resources like the Junior Project, Personal Growth sessions, and the double-counselor system.

Next, junior student representatives shared their experiences. Shane spoke about how he gradually discovered his true self and chose a path that suited him best. Quoting the song “On My Own” by Blitz Kids, he acknowledged that while his grades might not be the most outstanding and his future remains uncertain, he is confidently walking his own path. Sunny then shared how she maintains balance in her busy school life, emphasizing the importance of managing studies, sleep, and relaxation. Using her laser tag experience as a metaphor, she encouraged everyone to embrace life, tackle challenges, and enjoy their academic journey.

The final speaker was Director Liu Qin. She drew inspiration from the recent hit movie Ne Zha 2 and asked AI to summarize the core spirit of Ne Zha. AI responded with the acronym RISE: Rebellion against fate, harnessing Inner strength, embracing Self-acceptance, and extending Empathy to others. Director Liu used this spirit to encourage students to challenge themselves and strive for excellence. She also reiterated the importance of adhering to school norms and wished everyone a meaningful semester.

The ceremony concluded with a prize distribution session. Students from Grades 11 and 12 were recognized for their exemplary electronics management and daily behavior. They received their awards on stage and took a group photo to commemorate the occasion.

Though the opening ceremony has ended, the breath of spring fills every corner of the campus, and the students’ dreams shine like stars in the sky. We wish all students greater progress and growth in their studies and activities this semester!

Written by 10(8) Yu Yue, 10(6) Andrea Yang, 11(8) Beeno Nie

Pictures by SHSID Media Group

Supervised by Wang Jingjing, He Sijia

Reviewed by Gu Ying, Shen Chenli