On the afternoon of June 17, 2026, parents of incoming Grade 1 students from the five campuses of Shanghai High School International Division gathered in the Hsi Building Auditorium of the Xuhui Campus to attend the new parent orientation themed “Hand in Hand We Set Sail, Heart to Heart We Reach Afar.” The event was attended by Mr. Liu Lian, Principal of SHSID Middle and Primary School; Ms. Liu Fang, Vice Principal of SHSID Middle and Primary School; Middle and Primary School Vice Principal & Head of Fengxian Campus, together with campus administrative assistant: Mr. Shen Tianyuan and Ms. Fu Bing; Ms. Miao Xiaoling, Assistant Principal of SHSID Middle and Primary School; directors from each campus; subject teachers; and parent representatives.

The orientation featured five key sessions: messages from the leadership team,  introduction to the Grade 1 curriculum, guidance on kindergarten-to-primary transition, experience sharing by current parents, and principal’s address. Together, these sessions laid a solid and heartwarming foundation for home–school collaboration as students take their first steps into primary school.

A Warm Opening: Embarking Together on a Journey of Growth

The orientation commenced with a heartfelt welcome from Ms. Liu Fang, Vice Principal of SHSID Middle and Primary School. On behalf of the school, she extended a warm greeting to all parents of the incoming students. She noted that as the children are about to begin a brand-new chapter in their lives, only through sincere communication and united efforts between home and school can they be fully supported in taking this crucial first step. With her warm and inspiring remarks, the parent orientation officially began.

Messages from the Leadership Team: Shared Aspirations for a Bright Future

Following this, Mr. Shen Tianyuan, Ms. Fu Bing, Ms. Miao Xiaoling, Ms. Zhang Yi of Xuhui Campus, Mr. Wu Xiaodong of Pudong Campus, Ms. Shi Xiaoting of Lin’gang Campus, and Ms. Zhu Dan of Hongkou Campus took the stage in turn to extend their warmest welcome and heartfelt messages to the new families.

Regardless of which campus their children will attend, every student is an indispensable member of the SHSID community. The school remains committed to providing the same high-quality educational resources and management support across all campuses, accompanying each child on a healthy and thriving journey of growth.

Academic Guidance: A Comprehensive Overview of the Curriculum

Following this, subject teachers took the stage one by one to present a vivid and multidimensional portrait of Grade 1 learning—from educational philosophy and distinctive course features to practical suggestions for home–school collaboration.

Ms. Zhao Jing outlined the objectives of the Chinese curriculum from three key dimensions: cognitive development, aesthetic appreciation, and cultural literacy. The program adopts the national Chinese textbook and incorporates engaging activities such as Pinyin challenges, Chinese character games, and creative storytelling. Through these thoughtfully designed experiences, students’ logical reasoning and creative thinking skills are systematically nurtured. She encouraged parents to help their children discover Chinese characters in everyday life and to inspire a love of expression through meaningful parent–child conversations, allowing Chinese learning to take root in fertile soil and flourish toward the light like a young sapling.

Ms. Sun Yini shared the design philosophy of the Grade 1 mathematics curriculum. In the classroom, students engage in a variety of hands-on activities—such as measuring, collecting and analyzing data, creating their own word problems, and designing fraction flags—progressing naturally from concrete real-life experiences to more abstract forms of thinking. Ms. Sun emphasized that mathematics is not merely a tool for calculation, but a framework for understanding and interpreting the world. Through a rich array of math-centered cultural activities, the school seeks to immerse young learners in the beauty of mathematics and inspire a lasting appreciation for its elegance and power.

Ms. Samantha introduced the structure of the English curriculum. The program is organized around five core components—phonics, vocabulary, reading comprehension, grammar, and writing—and is enriched by a variety of engaging activities such as buddy reading, Reading Week, and poetry slams. Together, these experiences foster the comprehensive development of students’ listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. She encouraged parents to read with their children for 20 minutes each day and to spark deeper thinking through open-ended questions, allowing English to grow naturally in authentic and meaningful contexts.

Mr. Mahoney delivered an engaging presentation on the Science and Social Studies curriculum. While the courses are anchored in Science Fusion and My World Interactive, authentic learning takes place in students’ own hands—through observing the natural world, asking questions, designing experiments, and creating through hands-on exploration.

Grade 1 students will be systematically introduced to the scientific method and the engineering design process, culminating in a week-long project-based assessment each semester. These skills and perspectives not only support learning in Grade 1, but also reshape the way children understand and engage with the world around them.

Bridging with Care: Now Is the Time to Build Strong Habits

Ms. Ye Xing focused on the “soft skills” essential for a smooth transition from kindergarten to primary school, offering parents thoughtful and practical guidance in three key areas: daily routines, social development, and homework habits.

Beyond providing concrete suggestions for academic readiness, she placed particular emphasis on fostering children’s independence in everyday life—encouraging them to pack their own schoolbags, get dressed, eat independently, and manage personal hygiene on their own.

To help parents cultivate independent learning habits at home, Ms. Ye also introduced the “Four Can’s” principle: can observe, can support, can accompany, and can communicate. She emphasized that the most important mission in the lower primary years is to develop a sense of rules and responsibility. When home and school move in step, children can begin their primary school journey with confidence and ease.

Voices of Parents: United in Purpose, Nurturing Growth

Educational success flourishes when home and school resonate in harmony. Two current parents shared sincere and heartwarming stories of their children’s transformation over the past year.

Audrey R’s mother from the Xuhui Campus reflected candidly that the essence of school readiness lies not in racing ahead academically, but in cultivating sound study habits, independence in daily life, and strong social skills. Over the course of the year, her daughter has grown from needing frequent reminders to completing homework proactively and reviewing her work independently. The most remarkable change, she noted, is the development of intrinsic motivation and self-directed learning. She also encouraged parents to take an active role in home–school volunteer initiatives, supporting teachers where possible and enriching their children’s campus experience.

The mother of twins Jacqueline and Joseph from the Lin’gang Campus shared the story of her children “growing up steadily” within the campus community. In her view, three essentials underpin healthy development in the early primary years: sufficient sleep, ample outdoor activity, and engaging after-school programs—highlighting in particular the campus’s special kayaking course. The school’s small-class teaching model, diverse reward system, and strong emphasis on reading, time management, and teamwork have helped her two children smoothly navigate adjustments in daily routines, emotional regulation, and understanding of rules.

The Voice of Principal: Empowering Growth through Inner Order

Amidst warm applause, Mr. Liu Lian, Principal of SHSID Middle and Primary School, delivered a speech. He pointed out that one of education's vital missions is to help children build a stable inner order.

The first level of order is to find one's aspiration by starting from personal interests. During the foundational stages of education, we hope that families and schools will join hands to nurture the buds of children's interests and passions, helping them discover directions they are willing to explore deeply, and gradually equipping them with the ability to navigate their own paths.

The second level of order is a drive for progress. Ambition and enterprise cannot be directly instilled through preaching; they need to grow slowly through long-term immersion in a continuous and positive atmosphere created jointly by families and schools. When a child is consistently placed in an environment that values responsibility, upward striving, and sound values, the strength within them will eventually flourish.

The third level of order — particularly important for the primary school stage — is whether learning itself can bring children positive experiences. The positive feelings accumulated through each small success serve as intrinsic motivation for sustained action. Family education should equally focus on helping children enjoy learning and develop a love for it, making learning a joyful and fulfilling experience.

The family atmosphere we cultivate should continuously reinforce these three dimensions of inner order, nourishing children's rich inner worlds. For a child to truly grow, they must ultimately rely on their own inner strength; and the primary arenas for nurturing this strength are none other than the family and the school. Only through the joint efforts of families and schools can we inject the most effective catalyst for the germination and growth of children's inner order.

Conclusion

The parent orientation drew to a close with a warm yet powerful closing remark from Vice Principal Ms. Liu Fang. Quoting a writer, she reflected: “Childhood is the most wonderful stage of life; at that time, a child is both a flower and a fruit.” She expressed her hope that home and school would work hand in hand to cherish and safeguard this precious season, enabling every child to enter campus filled with boundless potential and, in time, blossom into the most beautiful version of themselves.

This orientation was not merely an exchange of information, but a heartfelt coming together of minds and aspirations. It built a bridge for meaningful home–school communication and offered families both practical guidance and warm reassurance for the journey ahead. Although the orientation has concluded, the shared voyage of collaborative education has just quietly begun. We firmly believe that when families and the school walk side by side, the Grade 1 students of the Class of 2026 will confidently take their first steps into primary school, setting sail with joy in an environment of love and support.

When the golden days of September arrive, we look forward to witnessing them write their own wonderful chapter of primary school life.