On the afternoon of August 31, high school students of SHSID returned to school. Inside Xianmian Building, ASB carried on the tradition of the "The Last First Day of School" activity. A rich spread of snacks, along with creatively designed photo booths and props, drew students, teachers, and friends to take photos together. Meanwhile, a signature signing activity was also held simultaneously, where students left their signatures in video form to mark the beginning of their final year of high school. Xianmian Building and Zhongxing Building were filled with warmth and laughter, as teachers and students, at the start of the brand-new semester, prepared to write a new chapter of their journey together.

G11-12 Opening Ceremony

On the afternoon of August 31st, students from Grades 11–12 of SHSID high school gathered in the Grand Auditorium for the Opening Ceremony. The event was hosted by Ms. Liu Qin, Assistant Principal of SHSID High School and Director of the Student Center. The ceremony began with a warm-up video that reviewed the highlights of the previous school year, evoking familiar scenes and laughter in a warm, lively atmosphere.

Faculty and Student Representatives’ Speeches

Dr. Wu Chen, Head of Grade 12, delivered the first speech. Under the theme “Chart Your Future, Shape Your Story,” she offered students several practical suggestions: make full use of one-on-one meetings with college counselors and homeroom teachers, stay engaged in daily classroom learning, and actively participate in school activities—all of which will become cherished memories after graduation. She also assured students that teachers would always be their strong support when facing challenges. She concluded by encouraging everyone to immerse themselves fully in campus life and make this year a fulfilling and shining chapter of their journey.

Following this, Andrea from Class 12(1) delivered a student representative speech. She recounted her setbacks and growth experiences in the 11th grade, and expressed her understanding that growth is not merely about the increase in scores; rather, it lies in maintaining composure during chaotic times and prioritizing accordingly. Ricky from Class 12(6) then shared his insights gained during the year he served as the president of the Youshan Club. He deeply realized that leadership often means sharing and listening, rather than acting on one's own will.

In her speech, Ms. Zhang Yueyue, the Grade 11 head teacher, encouraged students to diligently document every activity on the school platform and to make good use of the Cialfo system to prepare in advance for their college applications. She also hoped that students would learn to collaborate and discover their own value through social practice activities. Finally, Ms. Zhang offered this message to all the students: In Grade 11—a year full of challenges and opportunities—whether to forge ahead with courage or to stand still is a choice that lies in their own hands. She wished everyone a fulfilling journey of growth and continued progress in the new academic year.

Rachel from 11(3), during the student speech segment, explored with the audience the relationship between passion and perfectionism. She suggested that we do not need to fault ourselves for our imperfections—as long as we truly love something, even if we are not yet doing it well enough, that love itself holds meaning. She called on everyone to steadfastly walk alongside their passions, and through focus and dedication, become the best version of themselves. Hank from 11(4), drawing on the concept of "entropy" from physics, vividly described how life can gradually slide into chaos as pending tasks pile up. From this, he came to realize that rather than packing one's schedule to the brim, it is better to first set aside time for rest.

Principal’s Address: The World Belongs to the Young

At the Opening Ceremony, Principal Ma Feng, Vice Principal of Shanghai High School and Principal of SHSID High School delivered a speech themed “The World Belongs to the Young” to all Grade 11 and 12 students.

Principal Ma opened his speech by citing the two young Chinese mathematicians' Fields Medal wins, encouraging students to stay true to their inner passions, face setbacks with courage, and avoid blindly following the crowd. In his address, Principal Ma highlighted some of the school's remarkable achievements: three graduates have come together to pursue their studies at MIT, one student won a gold medal at the International Chemistry Olympiad — a historic first for the school — and a student team independently developed an "AI-driven learning platform." He stated that the school will provide a stage for students with creative ideas, whether in STEAM, business, or literature. Speaking on artificial intelligence, Principal Ma drew clear boundaries for AI use, stressing that independent thinking is irreplaceable. He also made proposals on sleep, physical exercise, homework, reading, and smartphone management, calling on students to develop healthy study and lifestyle habits.

He closed with a message to all students: “Young people, the world is yours. May you delve deep into what you love, shine brightly, and make Grade 11 and Grade 12 the most brilliant chapters of your lives.”

The ceremony concluded with the most exciting segment—the awards presentation. To the sound of solemn music, students came up to the stage one by one to receive their certificates. Among them, some have won major awards in academic and scientific innovation fields during the previous academic year, some received the Principal’s List Award, Social Activity Award and Academic Achievement Award over the previous academic year. Thunderous applause filled the auditorium as students offered their warmest congratulations to each group of honorees, celebrating their growth and accomplishments over the past year.

G9-10 Opening Ceremony

On the morning of September 1st, all Grade 9 and Grade 10 students, together with the high school faculty, gathered in the Grand Auditorium to celebrate the 2026 Opening Ceremony of SHSID High School. The event was hosted by Ms. Liu Min, Vice Principal of SHSID High School.

Principal’s Address: Become a Better You

The ceremony began with an inspiring address from Principal Ma Feng. He delivered a speech entitled "Become a Better You." He warmly welcomed students back to campus and reflected on the exciting summer activities hosted by the school, including the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) and the Harvard Summit for Young Leaders in China. He encouraged students to discover their true passions, cultivate their abilities, build independence, and become more interesting individuals in the new semester. He also introduced an AI-powered learning platform developed by a student team and encouraged students to maintain independent thinking while embracing human-machine collaboration.

Finally, Principal Ma particularly emphasized the importance of a healthy lifestyle, encouraging students to build upon a foundation of healthy living by maintaining a balanced diet, getting adequate sleep, exercising regularly, reading more print books, and using mobile phones in moderation. He urged everyone to strive for excellence and kindness in the new semester, and to become better versions of themselves in all aspects.

Faculty and Student Representatives’ Speeches

Ms. Xu Dan, Grade 9 head teacher, spoke on the theme of "Stepping out of the Comfort Zone," encouraging new students to bravely take their first step and embrace the new challenges of high school life with an open mind. She introduced the rich academic resources and activity platforms available for Grade 9, and elaborated on five core competencies—self-management, critical thinking, effective communication, resilience, and proactive learning. She pointed out that the four years of high school are a long-distance race, and that the school will always be there alongside the students, offering warm and steadfast support.

Jasmine from Grade 9 used the metaphor of a "puzzle" to share her reflections on the new high school life. She believes that past experiences and challenges have formed the pieces of her current puzzle, and that high school will bring new pieces to add. She encouraged everyone to bravely explore their passions, move forward with what they have accumulated, and piece together a unique masterpiece of their own.

Ms. Chen Lin, Grade 10 head teacher, delivered a speech titled "Self-Exploration." She drew on the experiences of some students who served as volunteers for the IMO, encouraging everyone to discover themselves through serving others. Ms. Chen also encouraged students to actively participate in club activities, academic competitions, and sports teams, and to gradually get to know their true selves through action. She concluded with a message to all students: "Unleash yourself and become who you truly are."

Leyi from Grade 10 focused on "time management." She mentioned that effective time management had allowed her to gain a great deal from volunteer work and scientific research. She advised her fellow students not to blindly pursue quantity, but rather to choose what they truly love and give it their full commitment.

Ms. Yu from the Teacher Adviser (TA) Office then introduced the core programs designed to support student development. The TA Office offers lunchtime counseling sessions on self-reflection and goal-setting, along with academic tutoring, seminars, student publications, and career exploration. In addition, the House Program will pair each student with a mentor for regular meetings and special activities, providing consistent guidance and companionship throughout their high school journey.

Mr. Liao from the STEAMS Office shared insights on the mission of STEAMS education—to stimulate students' scientific curiosity through interdisciplinary education and innovative practice. He mentioned that our high school students, leveraging the school's project-based learning, have completed over 500 independent projects, many of which have produced outstanding scientific and creative achievements. Meanwhile, the annual Science Fair, science seminars, and various clubs, lectures, and courses will further enhance students' research capabilities and overall competencies.

The ceremony concluded with an awarding ceremony, honoring students who demonstrated outstanding performance during the previous academic year. Awards presented included the Principal's List Award, the Social Activity Award, and the Academic Achievement Award. Recipients were invited to the stage to receive recognition for their hard work and contributions.

As the opening ceremony draws to a closure, the 2026 academic year officially begins. May the students of SHSID strive for even greater heights—persevere on the path of exploring what they love, dare to break new ground through diligent study and practice, and forge ahead with unwavering resolve toward a future that is uniquely their own.

(Written by 10(1) Nicole, 11(3) Lola, 11(3) Emma, 11(1) Belle, 11(1) Arianna   Pictures by SHSID Media Group, Mr. Sun Hao     Supervised by Ms. Shi Meijun, Ms. Yu Lijia     Reviewed by Mr. Zuo Qian, Ms. Shen Chenli, Ms. Gu Ying)