In this golden month of October, Shanghai High School celebrated its 160th anniversary. To mark the occasion, teachers and students from the SHSID High School Division offered their heartfelt wishes through a variety of creative and meaningful tributes.

Heritage Reimagined: A Paper Replica of Longmen Building

Six students formed the "Longmen Building Club." Under the guidance of an intangible cultural heritage craftsman, they used traditional newspaper and modern technology to faithfully recreate the campus landmark—Longmen Building—as a special birthday gift. Starting with measuring the building and applying knowledge of three-view drawings from geometry, the students gathered essential data. During summer break, they learned CAD software online to complete the digital modeling. Finally, they used laser cutters in the school’s engineering lab to construct the main frame and assembled the model using newspaper art. From data on paper to a three-dimensional Longmen, the students experienced firsthand the synergy between "design thinking" and "artisan spirit," blending innovative technology with traditional craftsmanship to revitalize ancient techniques in the digital age.

Heritage Reimagined: A Paper Replica of Longmen Building

Joseph, a senior at SHSID, representing the Sustainable Economy Club, crafted  “Leap · Longmen”, an eco-friendly textile artwork infused with warmth and meaning. The piece blends intangible cultural heritage techniques — indigo dyeing, rust dyeing, and hand-dyeing —with circular design thinking, transforming discarded cotton fabric scraps into a gift symbolizing "riding the waves and leaping over the dragon gate." The 160-year history is more than a number; it is a ceaselessly flowing river, where we are both the fish navigating its currents and the guardians preserving its vitality. From "Longmen" to "life," the transformation of these scraps reflects the school’s 160-year legacy of enduring heritage and relentless progress.

Magical Tributes: Cardistry and Math

The Magic Club of SHSID high school brings together talented students, known for their nimble fingers and creative ideas. They turn playing cards, dice, and coins into "performance props," dazzling audiences with magic tricks and impressive card flourishes. Led by Shangguan, the president of the club, dozens of members applied their mathematical knowledge to design mathematical magic tricks, including one that transforms any three-digit number into 160—a special tribute to the school’s 160th anniversary. For 160 years, Shanghai High School and its students have been "shuffling the deck" for the present and "cutting the cards" for the future. With the art of their fingertips, the Magic Club celebrates the infinite possibilities created by the school, keeping the legacy alive and the magic thriving.

Peak Dedication: A Summit Salute

At 8:28 AM Beijing Time on May 5, Daniel, an 11th-grade student, successfully ascended to 5,300 meters on the Damaya Peak in Sichuan Province. On a platform near the summit, he unfurled a carefully prepared banner to express his sincere wishes for the school.

Enameled Filigree, A Heartfelt Masterpiece as a Gift

Xin, a graduate of the class of 2025, during her first summer vacation after leaving campus, made use of the precious time before university started to meticulously craft an enameled filigree artwork of a nine-colored deer. On behalf of the handicraft club, she presented this thoughtful gift to her alma mater as a token of her deep affection and best wishes. She hopes that the school will continue to thrive and develop in the days to come, and that her juniors will achieve excellent academic results and have all their dreams come true.

Sports Carnival: A Dynamic Celebration

Under the spotlight of Shanghai High School’s 160th anniversary, the SHSID High School Division sports meet transformed into a carnival of sports, culture and time. Teachers and students celebrated with sweat, creativity, and rhythm, offering a vibrant birthday tribute to the school. To the sound of lively music, class squads marched spiritedly onto the track, turning their 30-second appearances in front of the grandstand into a "mini-stage performance". From diverse athletic themes to traditional Chinese culture and tributes to world-renowned universities, every display showcased the imagination and spirit of youth—each moment filled with passion, each scene a heartfelt salute to 160 years of legacy.

Tenth-grade students from the PBL Dragon Dance course collaborated with the ASB members to bring a dragon dance performance onto the track—a golden dragon weaving and swirling to form the number "160," accompanied by powerful drumbeats, in honor of the school. The finale, a faculty performance led by the "Alumni Teacher Team," portrayed the school’s 160-year journey that bridged past and present.

Light of Legacy: Melodies Unbroken, Illuminating the Future

As Shanghai High School marks its 160th anniversary, a “Dialogue of Light” took place in the International Division, uniting alumni and current students across generations. Alumni now working reflected on how the school nurtured their spirit of questioning; those still studying recalled the strong foundations it gave them in logical and critical thinking; and those in the arts and sports expressed gratitude for the support of their passions. Current students thanked the school for its rich academic environment and vowed to carry on its legacy. More than a campus, Shanghai High School is a light—carried into the world and reflected into many hearts. May that light continue to shine through every generation.

The light of Shanghai High School continues to guide everyone forward. From the historic Longmen Building and Xianmian Building to the blessings of alumni and friends across the globe, this legacy has never faltered. We sincerely thank all students, alumni, and friends for their support and good wishes.

(Written by High School Student Center   Pictures by High School Student Center)