On the afternoon of February 17, 2025, students and teachers from Grades 4 and 5 at the Puxi Campus of Shanghai High School International Division gathered in the Hsi Building Auditorium for the opening ceremony of the second semester of the 2024 academic year. The event was filled with joy and anticipation as the school community reunited to kick off the new term.

During the ceremony, students took a moment to reflect on the past and look ahead to the future. The video montage highlighting key moments from the first semester brought back vivid memories of exciting events, each frame reminding them of what had been accomplished. Today, as the students gathered once more, they were ready to embrace the new semester with renewed enthusiasm. Student representatives Hilary from class 4-2 and Jeanette from class 5-4 took the stage to share their reflections over the past semester. They spoke about their personal growth journeys, drawing valuable lessons from their past experiences, such as how to manage time effectively, set clear goals to gain control over their lives, and cultivate new interests while enriching their school experience. Their words were an inspiration to everyone in the auditorium, providing thought-provoking insights as the semester began.

Ms. Lu Luting, Director of SHSID Puxi Campus Grade 4-5, delivered an empowering speech with the theme of "In-depth Exploration." She encouraged the students to approach their studies with an open mind, resilience, and determination as they explore new areas of knowledge. Ms. Lu emphasized the importance of deepening their understanding of both the world around them and themselves, while also fostering essential skills like critical thinking, teamwork, and reflection along the way.

The ceremony reached a highlight during the award segment. The Grade 4 and 5 supervisors announced the winners of last semester's student stars. Students were recognized in various categories, including character, independent learning, personal growth, and special talents. These awards were not only a celebration of individual achievements but also a motivation for everyone to continue striving for excellence and making progress in all areas of life.

In the spirit of the Chinese New Year, the students embraced the Year of the Snake by exploring the symbolic presence of snakes in their lives. Through a video, they shared the experiences and discoveries they made over the vacation. Some students visited the Shanghai Museum’s Snake Year exhibition, learning about the significance of the serpent in Chinese culture and its enduring symbolism through history. Others created beautiful cultural items or artistic pieces inspired by snakes, while some students delved into the ancient myths and legends involving serpents, such as those in the Shan Hai Jing, Legend of the White Snake, and Greek mythology. Students also expressed the varied emotions and symbolism of snakes through musical performances, showing how this creature represents both complexity and cultural richness across civilizations. The snake, with its winding form, transcends boundaries and connects civilizations, just as it connected the students’ holiday stories, blending knowledge, culture, and the beauty of life.

Following this, Mr. Liu Lian, Principal of SHSID Middle and Primary School, offered his New Year’s greetings and presented awards to the outstanding students who won the Most Incredible Achievements in the past semester. Mr. Liu began his speech by highlighting three key words: "Confidence, Independence, and Freedom." He encouraged the students to embrace these values as they embarked on the new semester. Believing in oneself, coupled with the right methods, consistent practice, and timely reflection, is the first step to empowering oneself for the new semester. Independence, he explained, is the driving force behind the students' continuous exploration of knowledge, themselves, and the whole world. By becoming confident and independent learners, students will gain the freedom to shape their own lives, maintaining curiosity throughout their journeys and creating a vast world of possibilities for themselves.

At the beginning of the new semester, parents of Grades 4 and 5 also sent their warm wishes through a video, sharing their hopes for their children’s success and growth in the upcoming term.

Next, Ms. Liu Fang, Vice Principal of SHSID Middle and Primary School, took the stage to announce the results of the previous semester’s class awards. This recognition encouraged each class to continue cultivating a positive learning environment, fostering teamwork, and creating an atmosphere that promotes collective success. It also inspired the students to put their best foot forward in the new semester.

Finally, as the homeroom teachers shared heartfelt wishes for the new term, the opening ceremony of the second semester concluded with the applause of teachers and students. In that same applause, the new semester began, full of promise and potential.

Written by Teng Chen

Pictures/Video by Minxuan Cao, Yuchen Xie

Reviewed by Luting Lu, Chenli Shen, Cong Luo