On the afternoon of September 1, the G4-5 teachers and students of SHSID Puxi Campus gathered in the Hsi Building Auditorium to conduct the opening ceremony of the first semester of the 2026 academic year. Inside the auditorium, students radiated the vibrant energy unique to a new semester, brimming with boundless vitality and hope.

The ceremony began with a retrospective video recounting the campus life of the previous semester. On the screen, several vibrant scenes came to life. It began with the fragrant aroma of tea during Chinese Culture Week. Everyone sitting together, savoring tea, and earnestly learning the art of tea whisking with bated breath. The warm sticky notes plastered across classroom walls during Kindness Challenge Week; and the Geography Carnival that transformed the entire teaching building into a world map. As the images flickered by, the students rediscovered their own cherished moments and, with that, gained a quiet, steadfast anticipation for the new chapter about to unfold.

Afterwards, student representatives took turns delivering speeches on stage. Chloe, from 4-6, shared her unforgettable experience of participating in the design of the International Mathematical Olympiad emblem, as well as her journey of rising to challenges and growing through perseverance in her studies. She also outlined her goals for the coming semester.

Yolanda, from 4-5, turned the focus to habit formation. She not only emphasized the central role of time management in daily learning but also drew on her own methods as examples, reflecting on how the diverse activities in fourth grade had nurtured her growth and development.

Ms. Lu, Director of SHSID Puxi Campus Grade 4-5, drew upon two classic tales, "The Eight Immortals" and "The Odyssey," as reimagined through a modern cinematic lens. She noted that as times and technologies continue to evolve, so too do people's ways of thinking, their values, and their perspectives on the world. Yet, the pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty, the courage to explore the unknown, and the emotional bonds between family and friends remain timeless. She encouraged the students to stay open-minded, think independently, embrace the possibility of failure, cherish their relationships, and strive to become the protagonists of their own life stories.

At the beginning of the new semester, Mr. Liu Lian, Principal of SHSID Middle and Primary School delivered an earnest message to all students. He encouraged everyone to proactively cultivate the habit of independent learning before embarking on their new academic journey—not merely accepting knowledge passively, but learning to ask questions, think deeply, and sharpen their critical thinking skills through every exploration, so as to truly become thoughtful and reflective individuals. For the fifth-grade students, Principal Liu particularly emphasized that this year serves as both the culmination of their primary school years and a crucial bridge leading into secondary school life. He hopes that they will solidify their foundational knowledge and build up their strengths during this time, making full preparation for the challenges of growth that lie ahead. Finally, he sincerely wished that every student would gain progress and joy in the new semester, and enjoy a fulfilling and wonderful time on campus.

The subsequent summer life video, titled My "Extraordinary" Holiday, ignited the enthusiasm of the entire audience. In the video, the students' holiday footprints spanned a diverse range of fields. From the exotic charm of Malay bamboo pole dancing, the thrilling challenge of cave via ferrata, participating in the World Artificial Intelligence Conference, to competing in international gymnastics and fencing events, students made the most of their summer holiday. Some students also honed their life skills and logical thinking at NASA camps and the Kangaroo Math Competition. This holiday, filled with exploration and growth, not only broadened the students' horizons but also forged their fearless courage and independent spirit.

In addition, with the aim of bringing public welfare beyond the classroom and grounding growth in real-world practice, this past summer, 12 groups of students and their families from the SHSID Puxi Campus Grade 4-5 traveled to Xupu County, Huaihua City, Hunan Province, for a four-day charitable outreach journey. Through repeated on-site visits and conversations, the students truly felt the transformation of rural communities over time, came to understand the warm human connections within local societies, and gained a clear view of the emerging opportunities in rural development. All of this turned the textbook knowledge of rural life into a vivid, tangible reality they could see and touch with their own hands.

The subsequent award ceremony brought the event to its climax. Ms. Zhang Wei, Mr. Michael, and Ms. Mansell, Vice Grade Supervisor of Grade 4, announced the list of award recipients for categories including Independent Learning, Arts and Sports, Community Contribution, Significant Progress, and Model Attitude. Ms. Zhuo, Grade Supervisor of Grade 4, and Ms. Shi, Grade Supervisor of Grade 5, presented the Semester Honor Star Award and the Active Participation Award. Following that, Vice Principal Ms. Liu Fang presented the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award. Finally, Mr. Liu Lian, Principal of SHSID Middle and Primary School, announced the recipients of the Grade 5 Excellence Award.

The opening ceremony came to a close amid warm applause. The prologue of the new semester has now concluded, and the true journey has just begun. May all the students, in the days ahead, devote themselves to each day's learning and life with full heart and spirit, stay grounded, move forward with composure, and write their own chapters of growth and achievement in the future.