On September 1st, the morning breeze blew away the summer heat and opened up the clear sky. It also brought the laughter of all grades students into SHSID. In this laughter, there is the excitement from new acquaintance, the joy of reunion, as well as the great expectation for the new semester.

Puxi Campus G1-3

It has been a long time since we’ve met on campus! On the morning of September 1st, students from grade one to grade three held three lively but meaningful opening ceremonies in the auditorium of the primary section.

The G1 students lined up to enter the auditorium, looking around at this fresh and beautiful place in front of them. Students of the second grade and third grade looked like elder brothers and sisters who sat in the designated positions with familiarity, calm and generously waiting for the start of the opening ceremony.

With cheerful music playing, the opening ceremony of each grade officially started. Zhang Yi, the director of grades 1-3, presided over the opening ceremony. Keman from Class 2 (5) and Leonard from Class 2 (3) shared their excellent study habits with their classmates. Ryan from Class 3(1) and Josie from Class 3(4) talked about how they explored to become "independent learners" during their online classes, and how to be a independent learner in daily learning. The first grade children welcomed two special "guests", Hillary from Class 2 (2) and Jeremy from Class 2 (6) who shared their first grade stories with their younger brothers and sisters, offering a lot of practical tips to the newcomers. After sharing, the children watched the memorable video carefully made by the teachers, and reviewed the unforgettable learning and life experiences of the last semester. The pictures and the shots all witnessed every moment of their growth without exception.

SHSID middle and primary school principal, Mr. Liu Lian, and vice principal, Ms. Liu Fang, respectively sent messages to the students for the new semester. Principal Liu Lian put forward three expectations for the children. First, stay healthy and stay energitic. In the new normal of the epidemic, we need to be vigilant at all times, and the school will do its best to protect the safety of every child. Second, work hard to achieve goals. The colorful goals in childhood are worth looking forward to, and the teachers will escort them and provide everyone with all possible support and encouragement. Third, become a more independent learner. Sharpening knives does not cut wood by mistake. While learning knowledge, it is more important to control one's own learning independently and become the master of it. At the end of his speech, Principal Liu Lian wished all the children a happy and lucky new semester.

Ms. Liu Fang first affirmed the children's efforts in the past year, and then put forward some higher expectations for them. In the new school year, children should start to try to make their own judgments, instead of following the crowd blindly. After determining the goal, they must continue to challenge themselves and keep working hard. Director Zhang Yi also gave some reminders to the students. In the new school year, the SHSID primary school has different contents: Safe, Healthy, Sharing, Independent, and Delightful.

The award ceremony of the "Ten Stars" started. Waves of cheering and applauses rose throughout the auditorium, as radiant smiles shining with the hope for both better selves and a better future.

A new school year comes with new challenges and a new journey. Let’s stand hand in hand, dig in our feet, and push forward with happiness!

Puxi Campus G4-5

Autumn is coming, and the fourth and fifth grade students start a new journey. At 1:10 p.m. on September 1, the fourth and fifth grades held the 2022 school year opening ceremony in the grand auditorium.

After several months of e-learning, the students came to school with great excitement. First of all, the screen showed students’ highlights of all the major activities in the previous semester. Although they were online activities, the students still have fresh memories regarding these precious pictures and special e-learning life.

Two outstanding student representatives were also invited to give speeches. Cindy from class 4 (5) shared her learning experience during e-learning time. Derek from class 5 (2) shared how to balance learning and life, and how to maximize learning efficiency in the limited time. Then, we watched the summer holiday life video made by students.

The awarding session is what the students were most looking forward to. First, the host announced the students who won good results in Calligraphy and Painting Competition of Xuhui District. The school leaders and teachers awarded semester star, star of e-learning, star of blended learning, and other outstanding students from the previous semester. At the same time, the two award-winning students shared their feelings and learning experiences.

School leaders also delivered speeches and sent messages to students for the new academic year at the ceremony, encouraging them to overcome difficulties and to build their dreams in the new school year. Ms. Chris, the director of SHSID Puxi campus grades 4-5, summarized the fruitful achievements of the past year and affirmed the courage of the students to face challenges during e-learning time. Looking forward to the new school year, Ms. Chris promised that teachers of the fourth and fifth grades will continue to grow with the children based on the core values of GROW and GRADUATE. She also put forward many high expectations for the students to meet.

Mr. Liu Lian, SHSID Middle and Primary School Principal, sent a message to the students in the new semester, hoping that they keep healthy, make progress and achieve goals, as well as become a better independent learner.

With a new start and journey, all the teachers and students of G4-5 are going to meet new challenges and witness new growth with hope and expectations! Let’s welcome the brand new school year together!

Pudong Campus G1-5

A brand-new semester has arrived in the warm breeze. All the teachers and students assembled in the auditorium of Pudong campus to attend the opening ceremony for the new school year. At the beginning of the ceremony, Ms. Miao Xiaoling, SHSID middle and primary school principal assistant, expressed her expectations to all the students and teachers of Pudong campus. Mr. Wu Xiaodong, the director of Pudong campus, extended sweet greetings and received a warm response from all the students.

Then, student representatives from each grade came to the stage to share their experiences and insights from last semester. First, Carol, the representative from grade two shared her memorable time at SHSID and expressed her love of the school. Then came the third-grade speaker, Janice, who shared how she enriched her spare time and balanced her hobbies and academics. Jason, from the fourth grade, shared how to become a better independent learner. As the representative of the highest grade, Jeremy talked about how he coordinated and communicated effectively with the team members. The students’ speeches covered all aspects and left a deep impression on the teachers and students.

The special Lucky Draw game followed. During the new term orientation, the students wrote down their experience from this summer holiday that they are proud of and put them into the draw box. Those who were lucky enough to be selected were invited to the stage and shared their aspirations. After the Lucky Draw, it came to the highpoint of the ceremony—the awarding ceremony. Students stepped onto the stage and won not only prizes, but also the respect of everyone in the auditorium.

In the new school year, what kind of surprises will be presented by our incredible students? Let’s wait and see!

Lingang Campus G1-2

As summer gradually winds down, autumn quietly takes its place. After a half-year of being apart, SHSID Lingang campus once again opened the doors to warmly welcome each and every student back to school and embrace the incoming new faces. On the morning of September 1st, G1-2 students all gathered together to start their first chapter of a new school year.

The Big Events video kicked off the opening ceremony. The beautiful vision of Dishui lake, the cheerful and colorful school life, and rich learning experiences caught everyone's attention. Students were all looking forward to a wonderful campus life with their curious minds and bright eyes.

Judit from class 2-1 and Kevin from class 2-2 shared their learning experiences and gains during the online sessions. They also gave the new students tips for the first year. Judit recalled the fun moments of learning online - in order to upload clear photos of her homework, she often had to put one foot on the ground and one foot up, and held her breath while holding her tablet to prevent hands from shaking. 542 photos also kept a good track of how she built up her learning tempo step by step. Kevin achieved greatness despite the online learning challenges at home. For the Science Fair, he spent 10 days patiently observing and recording the growth process of bamboo, and made his own vacuum tunnel to weave his dream of future technology with his hands.

The awarding ceremony of "Twelve Stars" was met with warm applause and cheers. The dazzling "Little Stars" on the stage were not only joyful, but also inspiring, encouraging everyone to stand at a new starting point and set out again to surpass themselves. At the end of the ceremony, the Director of Lingang campus Ms.Fu Bing and other teachers also sent their blessings for the new semester - be kind, be brave, be creative, and make steady progress towards being independent learners.

We are sure that the students will all embrace these ideas and grow by leaps and bounds in the new school year at SHSID Lingang campus!

G6-8

After a blazing summer, the fruitful autumn is coming. A new semester is a new beginning. SHSID G6-8 students attended the opening ceremony in the auditorium on September 1st, 2022. At the beginning of the event, student representatives made speeches on stage about their new plans for the new term. Oscar from class 6(7) started by reflecting on the unforgettable last semester, when students were able to not only practice more skills and improve certain abilities by taking online classes at home, but also see how hard many healthcare workers performed their duties. In the new term, he claimed that he will learn from the perseverance and never-say-die spirit of healthcare professionals, while setting new goals for himself and working towards them. At the same time, he also expected everyone to keep the desire to learn, stay courageous and push forward.

Steven from class 7(4) then gave a presentation on the challenges he encountered in his first semester, such as the large campus, new environment, fast-paced classes, social life and assignments. He also shared his learning experience of increasing the sense of responsibility, improving time management skills and schedule planning through independent learning. During the period of online classes, he studied more independently and kept practicing independent learning, participated actively in various online activities and continued to do physical exercise at home.

Next, Sara, the student representative from class 8 (12) spoke. In her speech, she shared that staying at home due to the epidemic has encouraged her to be more independent, to have a stronger heart, to be grateful for the little things around her and for the dedication of each student and teacher. Additionally, knowing how to ask for help can also lead to a better recovery from adversity. She felt more excited than ever to be back on campus again, to cherish what is in front of her and not to regret it until it is lost. The new homeroom, new building, new class schedule, and everything else seemed to be normal. However, it is precious to her in this moment.

Then, Mr. Shen Tianyuan, the director of grades 6-8, delivered a speech. In his speech for the new term, Director Shen encouraged students to prepare themselves physically and mentally for the new semester and new learning tasks, to enhance their adaptability and determination in the face of changes, to build their own learning support system, as well as to find their own exclusive development track. He also appreciated all the students and teachers for their perseverance and hard work over this period of time and for the good results they have achieved.

Mr. Liu Lian, SHSID middle and primary school principal, delivered a speech for the new semester as well. Principal Liu praised the achievements students have made during their online classes last semester, with a number of students demonstrating a good sense of responsibility for their own studies. He also encouraged all students to start the new semester by setting a small goal at first and discovering their own learning drive, in order to go further in their independent learning journey and to become a better learner. Students from grades 6-8 were greatly encouraged by the warm words from Principal Liu.

After that, the Positive Online Community Contributor Awards were presented to G6 students who had actively contributed to community during their online classes, and the Social Activity Awards to G7 and G8 students who had actively participated in public welfare activities. Such awards encouraged students to keep studying hard and actively participate in school activities, as well as to be more enthusiastic about public welfare and to contribute their share of love to our society.

G6-8 students who have excelled in their studies in the previous semester came forward to receive their Good Study Award and Excellent Study Award. These students have achieved outstanding academic results in the past semester through their conscientious attitude and sensible study methods.

Next, students who had made significant progress in their academic studies in the previous academic year received their Rapid Academic Progress Awards. Finally, students who had won awards for independent e-learning, behavior and physical exercises were also honored.

The opening ceremony was short but inspiring, with the students in super high spirits. It is believed that in the coming school days, G6-8 students will continue to grow and to build up strength for their future flight!

The new semester arrives with a cool autumn breeze. We wish every student a happy start to the school year!

Written by｜Chelsea Chen, Thea Chen, Everly Hea,Liu Lei, Li Haoruo, Zhang Lei, Jia Lu, Yang Qingjia, Xue Bing, Jenny, Joyce, Xu Qinyou

Pictures by｜Ginger, Pudong Campus Teachers, Xu Chunai

Edited by｜Serene Yang, Niall Keenan