Opening Ceremony

On October 12, the annual middle school sports meet for the International Department of Shanghai High School officially began. On this bright autumn day, teachers and students gathered on the sports field to express their passion and love for sports. Mr. Feng Zhigang, Principal of Shanghai High school, and Mr. Wang Hui, Secretary of the CPC party committee of Shanghai High School, attended the opening ceremony to cheer the students on. To the sounds of enthusiastic entrance music, the students of grades 6-8 formed ten large square arrays and marched onto the sports field at a uniform pace, displaying high morale. Next, Ms. Tao Luna, the 2000 Sydney Olympic shooting champion, gave an exciting speech to the students. Then the athletes’ representative made a solemn oath for each student to give their best effort and display fine sportsmanship, thus inspiring the students’ enthusiasm.

Next the colorful opening ceremony performance started. To a solemn drum sound, the students skillfully flipped the boards in their hands, showing off many colorful patterns. The square array of each grade showed its representative colors. Then, the eighth grade students formed "SHSID" with their squares to salute their dear school. The sixth and seventh grade students formed the logo of each homeroom class. The teachers’ square array successively formed the patterns of a smiling face, a bird, and a heart. This flipping puzzle show was prepared and practiced by teachers and students through many intensive rehearsals. The form is novel and refreshing. And the final result was stunning. The show reflected the vigorous and courageous spirit of the teachers and students of the middle school department.

Following the performance, under the chairmanship of Ms. Tao Luna, an exciting laser gun shooting relay performance began. The six students involved were well prepared with many training sessions and each student cherished the opportunity to perform in front of the Olympic champion. The students were able to shoot accurately while moving fast, and the wonderful performance raised warm applause and cheers. Finally, under the announcement of Mr. Liu, Principal of Middle and Primary School, the sports meet of grades 6-8 for 2020 officially began!

Sports Meet Venues

Every year the sport competitions are wonderful, and this year was no exception. At the venue of the medicine ball match, every time a strong student achieved a good result it excited the audiences' cheers. On the track field, the athletes participating in the 100m and 400m races also did their best to win honor for their classes. The students in the audience seats cheered on the athletes. Although competition is important, the will to excel oneself and the spirit of perseverance displayed by the athletes during the sports meet is even more inspiring. I believe that this is also the requirement and pursuit of each student in their daily life and studies.

Sports Meet Highlight

This year, Shanghai Primary and Secondary School Laser Shooting competition was held in the gymnasium of our school. Municipal education committees, district education bureaus, and school leaders attended the exhibition. At the opening ceremony, Mr. Xue Mingyang, president of Federation of University Sports of Shanghai, Mr. Ni Minjing, deputy director of Shanghai Education Commission, and Mr. Feng Zhigang, principal of Shanghai High school all encouraged students to develop their expertise in sports and increase their physical activity. Mr. Xu Haifeng, the first Olympic gold medal winner from China, Ms. Tao Luna, shooting champion of the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000, and Mr. Qian Zhenhua, gold medal winner of the 2005 Modern Pentathlon World Championships, also came to observe the scene and have a cordial interaction with the students. Sixty shooters from three grades were divided into three groups to compete for the "little sharpshooters of Shanghai High school". The most impressive moment of this event was when 8 students competed with the guests. Laser shooting is becoming a growingly popular sport that can improve both our physical and mental health. It was a very valuable experience for all the students to see the world champions up close and compete together with them.

Sports Carnival

After the competitions in the morning, the track and field events came to an end and everyone moved to the sports carnival. The carnival is divided into team events and individual events. Among them, team events include a hula hoop passing game, ice cream cone ball passing, and other classic activities. These not only tested the students' physical flexibility, but also how well the students work together and communicate to succeed as one. The team events of grade eight also include the laser run competition led by Mr. Qian Zhenhua, the Modern Pentathlon World Champion. Under the leadership of the gold medal winner, everyone was more actively involved.

Individual events for the sports carnival include table tennis, badminton, basketball, darts, baseball, and softball. These events expand on the traditional forms of sports. Students can not only exercise, but also feel the fun of sports. Students participated in many different activities to collect more stamps and redeem them for prizes, which added more fun.

After the sports carnival was the very exciting 4*100m relay race. The fierce competition on the track field attracted the attention and applause of all the students, thus gaving the sports meet a perfect ending.

The greatest significance of the sports meet is to let students feel the fun of sports and exercise their sportsmanship at the same time. Through this sports meet, students learned to cooperate and master the skills of using strength. In addition, with the arrival of the world champions, the students felt the charm of top athletes and their enthusiasm for sports reached new heights.

(Written by Ms. Portillo Pictures by Ms. Xu)