In the gardenia fragrance season of June, in the falling rain, and in the atmosphere of being glad for harvest and being sad for parting, grade 5 and grade 8 students from SHSID welcomed their graduation ceremony from the primary and middle schools respectively.

The excited students, the proud parents, and the caring teachers all had a lot to say. Memories of Middle School and expectations for High School flashed in their heads. There were also many performances in the Graduation Ceremony: Wind Ensemble, String Band, Dance Club, etc. Their fantastic talents amazed everyone at the ceremony.

Words from Student representative:

The three years of middle schools are perhaps the three most transformative years in life. Through middle school, we experienced physical development and mental transition. But these changes also lead to unexpected issues. Without the naivety of primary school students yet not reaching the maturity of high school students, our behavior may be the most despicable. We found ourselves with different demands and different doubts. But we were unprepared for the coming adolescence, and it was our teachers and parents who navigated us through these years of transformation.

—8(2) Ivan

Words from Parent Representative:

Regarding the cultivation of a child, being parents, we are all inexperienced, similar to start-up companies. I’d like to work together with all other parents. With more communicating and sharing, in cooperation with the school, let’s bring up our kids as reliable citizens of our future society.

—8(7)Eric’s Dad

Words from Director Ni:

June is graduation season. Early summer is also the time when the lotus blooms. Your youthful and bright faces always remind me of the elegant lotus rising out of water, pure and brilliant. Every time I hear about the news of you displaying your talents and demonstrating your abilities in different activities on and off campus, I think of the poem written by Song Dynasty poet Yang Wanli, “小荷才露尖尖角，早有蜻蜓立上头”， which means “while being at a young age, you are already showing signs of excellency”.

Words from Principle Liu:

Start from what you are interested in, then go on to explore and establish your aspirations, to seek the dream that you are willing to be completely devoted to. And in the future, you may encounter many more challenges and opportunities, which require you to persevere further. That is when “self-discipline” becomes the best guarantee for you to reach your goals.

Certificate Awarding Moment……

The most exciting part had come: after three years of studying, the graduating students received their diploma.

Awarding to Outstanding Graduates and Outstanding Service Learning Groups

Surprises for Graduates:

Student Honor List

Student Honor List is a booklet that lists and commends all graduates who had astonishing achievements in all sorts of areas. Before the Graduation Ceremony began, parents had already received this gift that the school prepared; this records all kinds of developments students made.

Mascot of Zodiac Match

The school also prepared the school’s mascot for every student. Every student recieved get a panda mascot that matches his/her birth year.

In the videos that contain students’ activities in middle school, we arrived at the end of the ceremony.

Words from graduates:

8-1 Raymond

SHSID is our second home.

8-2 Shannon

Even though we are going to be separated in high school, butthe memories with 8(2) will always remain precious to me.

8-3 Sam

当我来时，年仅6岁，那时，对于上学这件事十分畏惧；当我毕业时，我发现学校十分有趣，幽默的老师可以让枯燥的学习变得生动有趣。我开始享受学校，对未来学校生活充满了希望。

8-4 Zoe

I would like to thank everyone that I've met in 8th grade forhelping me grow as a person and preparing me for the journey ahead.

8-5 Victoria

毕业的到来，标记了丰富多彩初中生活的结束，希望我们带着满满的收获，继续在高中生活中绽放出属于各自的精彩！

8-6 Hiromi

Life is an incredible journey. There’s a long way to go for all of us, but with the help of friends and teachers in SHSID，nothing is impossible.

8-7 Derek

在上中的4年里，我成长了许多，体验到了努力的艰辛和收获的喜悦，也得到了许多老师的帮助，收获满满。

8-8 Emma

毕业了，可以是一个句号，也可以是新的开始。三年来，我在这里学习，成长，也变得更加自信，更加快乐。现在，带着对未来的向往，我将继续前行！

8-9 Leonie

I hope all 8th graders can remember the good times with their teachers and classmates this year, and this good memories can follow you guys forever!

8-10 Andrew

时光荏苒, 青春依在，抚今追昔，三年情谊，三年奋斗，三年欢声笑语；仰望未来，愿各位同窗前程似锦，逐梦前行

8-11 Chloe

Even though I only studied here for two years, I learned many things to allow me to grow as a person and expand my knowledge of the world that I wouldn't have if I attended another school.

For many students, fifth grade graduation marks the end of elementary school and the beginning of middle school. It is therefore a special opportunity to recognize the graduates before they embark on the next stage of their young lives.

Graduation Ceremony Invitation

Graduation is a big event not only for school but also for the family. “We believe graduation is a time for families to come first.” said Ms. Zhuo, the head of year. All of the staff of G5 made an extra effort to communicate carefully and often with the families about upcoming events.

Students would like to get involved in all of the procedures including designing the invitation card. This year, every fifth grader got a calendar with the 7 class photos on it as a little gift from the school. Students featured their own drawings of the calendar cover combining the school mascot and the creativity of G5 kids.

Graduation songs

Music has been a great way for students to express their feelings. Preparing the choir for graduation was a very important part of fifth grade.

The anthem “Auld lang syne “reminded the students of their best memories at school. Although most of them sang in their seats, they could not stop crying. Students learned to bid farewell to all the sadness and set out on a new journey in sixth grade.

Graduation Slides & Video

For fifth grade, numerous things were done to create a special day for the graduates such as the video. During the school year, some teachers were often seen with a camera in their hands. “We took pictures of special activities and of children in the daily routine,” Ms. Yao, G5 homeroom teacher explained.

At last, teachers spent a long time to make an awesome video that they showed prior to awarding trophies on the last day of school. Students looked back at their school life and expressed best wishes to the coming year in this special slide show. Watching themselves on the big screen made everyone feel enthusiastic, and warmhearted. “The video can be full of laughter or nothing but wet eyes,” said one G5 student.

According to a fifth grade teacher, “The graduation ceremony is the moment that students are rewarded with diplomas and trophies that recognize academic achievement, but it’s also a time to reflect on all the important years to come.”

It was a big day filled with great excitement and pride. Families and teachers celebrated fifth graders with a special ceremony that recognized their improvement in various fields. Relatives and friends came to witness their loved ones walk across the stage and get certificates.

Students were dressed to impress with big smiles on their faces. When shaking hands with the Principal and the directors, they were all proud of themselves for their many achievements in primary school.

This year, the 5th graders have made great achievements in various aspects. For example, students won the top prizes in the Math League and many other Math and Science competitions. In sports, school teams earned medals in basketball, football, swimming, cheerleading competitions at home and aboard. Students fulfilled their roles as qualified SHSID students, independent learners, and responsible global citizens.

The student representatives talked about their lives over the past few years, expressing their gratitude to both their families and to SHSID for shaping them into who they are today. There was also an address by the director and parents, which compelled the students to consider their future goals and how they will work towards achieving them. Just as Mr. Shen, our director said, “Dare to compete, dare to care, and also be prepared for setbacks as well as success, because it is adversity, not success that defines character.” He encouraged every student to keep their passions alive and to be ready to give their best efforts.

As these hardworking graduates enter the next phase of their education, they will face more responsibilities and higher expectations, but also the freedom and opportunity to pursue their budding interests and passions. We wish these brilliant fifth graders all the best in the coming years!

(Written by Chen Fan, Yao Lili Pictures by Xu Jing)