The SHSID Middle and Primary School graduation ceremonies for Grade 5 and 8 were held as scheduled in the school auditorium on 20th June. Our graduates looked back to see the footprints they had left behind and looked forward to the infinitive possibilities of the future.

Grade 5

On 20 June 2023, all Grade 5 students of Shanghai High School International Division celebrated their graduation ceremony on a glorious June day like a summer flower. On this special day, the children welcomed an important moment in their lives. Before graduation, students signed in and reflected on their achievements, said farewell to classmates and thanked their school and teachers. They looked confident in their uniforms, and excited for new beginnings. This moment will stay with them forever and they hope their graduation marks a precious memory for the school, too.

At 10:00 a.m., students were well dressed, lined up and waved to the audience with enthusiasm, showing their confidence and happiness. The moment was filled with joy and excitement. At the beginning of the graduation ceremony, the host introduced all the guests who had come to watch the graduation ceremony. They were Mr. Ma Feng, principal of SHSID High School Section, Mr. Liu Lian, principal of SHSID Middle and Primary School Section, Ms. Zhang Li, vice principal of SHSID High School Section, Ms. Liu Fang, vice principal of SHSID Middle and Primary School Section, and other school leaders and teachers.

Stacy from Pudong campus 5-2 and Stephen from Puxi campus 5-4 delivered awe-inspiring speeches that reflected on their past achievements and aspirations for the future. The two student representatives won applause and praise from the audience for their wonderful speeches, and also set an example for other graduates, showing the image of students as confident, independent, and self-reliant.

Our children’s growth is inseparable from the guidance and companionship of parents and teachers. Class 5-3 Harry's father gave a speech on behalf of all graduating parents, expressing heartfelt appreciation for the school and teachers' hard work in educating their children, and expectations for the graduates' future.

Parents also gave their children a special gift — a video message filled with sincere words of encouragement. They were in different corners of the world, bringing their children's siblings relatives and friends to participate with them. In the video, they encouraged their children to stand firm in their faith and pursue their dreams, which showed the parents' love and expectations.

Mr. Liu Lian, principal of SHSID Middle and Primary School, also gave a warm and gracious speech at the graduation ceremony. He congratulated the graduates on their achievements and further encouraged them to maintain their original intentions, to "chase the light, become the light, and emit their own light."

At this special moment in the five-year climb, a video of the teachers recorded the growth of these 5th grade graduates and the changes and progress they have made over the past five years. The video showed the children's growth from adolescence to self-confidence, which touched the hearts of all the audience, becoming one of the highlights of the graduation ceremony.

At the graduation ceremony, another highlight was the message from teachers, full of their expectations and blessings for the graduates. Moving on to middle school, students may encounter new challenges, but with sincere guidance and affection from their teachers, they will be able to triumph on their future academic journey.

When the time came for students to send flowers, student representatives handed over flowers filled with heartfelt gratitude to the teachers, and exclaimed "Teacher, we love you", expressing their sincerest emotions. Ms. Chris, director of SHSID Puxi G4-5, representing all teachers who had taught them, sent blessings to all students.

Six student representatives from two campuses shared their stories of personal growth in areas such as interest development, project creativity, charity, sports, scientific innovation, and ASB experience, showing the diverse platform provided by the school to cultivate students' individualized development. Their stories also inspired all the students presented, encouraging them to believe that they will make more progress and gain more achievements in their future growth.

At the ceremony, students received their diplomas and were congratulated by guests and school leaders, creating a special memory for all.

In addition to the students' wonderful speeches, parents also took the opportunity to showcase their singing talents and express their love and blessings to their children. Their singing warmed the entire venue and touched everyone present.

In the souvenir donation session, 10 parent representatives made a generous donation of three precious gifts to the school. Introduced by Jamie’s father, the first gift was a calligraphy piece displaying the school's motto, while the second gift was a set of postcards featuring photos of buildings on campus, in honor of the school's 20th anniversary. The third gift was a set of oil paintings depicting the school's six teaching buildings, created as a new set of postcards to celebrate the flourishing development of the school and the 30th anniversary of SHSID. Parents invited Principal Liu Lian to inscribe the new postcards with the words "Explore knowledge and exhibit sharpness today, shine independently in the future," summarizing the students' primary school life and expressing hope for the future. Overall, the ceremony was a well-received event, and the gifts were gratefully received by the school.

The Grade 5 graduation ceremony ended with "Auld Lang Syne". Graduates were encouraged to remain courageous, determined, and full of love. They were wished happiness, health, and success as they continue to grow and rise to the challenges ahead like shining stars.

Grade 8

On the afternoon of June 20, accompanied by the solemn sound of the band, the vigorous eighth-grade graduates in formal clothing marched in a line into the auditorium to welcome their graduation ceremony. Mr. Shen, director of Middle School Section and foreign teachers stood outside the door, warmly waving to the students.

Mr. Ma Feng, principal of SHSID High School Section, Mr. Liu Lian, principal of SHSID Middle and Primary School Section, Ms. Liu Min, vice-principal of High School, Ms. Liu fang, vice-principal of Middle and Primary School, Ms. Bao Guohong, vice-principal of Shanghui Experimental School, Ms. Liu Qin, assistant principal and director of student center of SHSID High School Section, Ms. Miao Xiaoling, assistant principal of SHSID Middle and Primary School Section, other school leaders and teachers, and nearly 300 parents attended the momentous occasion, to celebrate together with the eighth-grade graduates of 2023.

At 4 p.m., the ceremony kicked off with a song by the skillful and award-winning string orchestra group “Edvard Grieg, Holberg Suite: Prelude.” The speech of Principal Liu Lian ignited the audience. He reviewed the students' active participation in extracurricular activities, academic competitions, and service-learning programs, warmly praising their remarkable achievements and acknowledging their improvement in creative thinking and critical thinking skills. Finally, he encouraged students to work steadily and make solid progress, using their independent learning abilities and the spirit of responsible global citizenship to break through all kinds of obstacles!

Throughout this melodious experience, each is the composer of his/her own destiny. Hans from Class 8 (1) recalled his enriching journey over the past three years, sharing his valuable gains. He sincerely thanked all his peers who supported and accompanied him. The simple yet moving words touched the audience. Let us wish every graduate a brighter future ahead!

Professor Lei Ming, the executive director of Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine spoke as the parent representative, emphasizing the importance of deep thinking. He shared several insights with the graduates. First, learn to ask questions, summarize, and generalize to achieve better results; second, use a historical approach to study science and obtain practical knowledge; third, free yourself from mental constraints and train yourself to think openly. Finally, he hoped that students would "maintain their honest character" because life is never smooth sailing, but following one's heart will help you go further.

Amidst the enthusiastic applause, the award ceremony officially began. The host first announced the distinguished students exceling in music, arts and PE, recognizing the graduates' talents in diverse fields, symbolizing different paths of success. The following IL awardees are exceeding in academic achievements or showing top-tiered creativity, determination, resilience, or reflection skills. After the poetry recital group’s original performance "flowers quote," the award ceremony continued. The results of the service-learning groups, an important course reflecting the transformation of the growth of the eighth graders this year, were fully displayed.

In every caring activity initiated, planned, organized, and participated in by the students, the independent spirit grew in the hearts of the eighth-grade graduates. The excellent service-learning group, voted by teachers and students in the whole grade won a high honor. From the speech of the representative of the winning groups, we are sure that this honor is well deserved!

Next, the awards for Outstanding Graduates were presented, which recognized students’ pursuit for excellence both on and off campus, academically and technically, individually, and collectively. Outstanding graduates stepped onto the stage to receive trophies, certificates of honor, and flowers. Happiness was shown all over their faces as three years of hard work and perseverance paid off in the form of sincere blessings and praises from their peers, teachers, and parents.

Graduation is the blossoming of youth and embracement of the past. A Certificate of Graduation is the culmination of each student’s endeavor. Students walked onto the stage to receive their diplomas with enthusiasm and delight. After the commencement, the awards for Outstanding Graduates were presented, which recognized students’ tremendous efforts in their studies.

During the special session of the graduation ceremony, Mr. Shen gave his blessings to the graduates, hoping that they would anchor their goals and embark on a future journey filled with possibilities together with their supportive and helpful peers. With the beautiful graduation song playing, 104 graduates who spent 8 years at SHSID lit white lights, interweaving a magnificent scene with the blue lights held by other graduates, like sparkling stars in the Milky Way or shimmering lights in the deep sea.

The video was like a time machine, taking us to the past and the future. The closing hour finally arrived. They were wished happiness, health, and success as they continue to grow and rise to the challenges ahead like shining stars.

In this special day where happiness and reluctance intertwined, there the past met the future, we hope that all the graduates of class 2023 in SHSID Middle and Primary School can learn and achieve more in their upcoming new lives.

Written by Mixi, Ma Xinyu

Pictures by Parent Volunteers, and Teachers

Edited by Serene Yang, Elaine Zhu (Intern), Cong Luo (Intern), Niall Keenan