The farewell song has rung around the campus. SHSID Primary and Middle Schools held the offline graduation ceremonies of 2022 in the vibrant summer. The fifth and eighth graders came back to school, shared memories of the past years with their peers and teachers, and celebrated the critical moments in their lives.

Primary School: Take the Adventure and Chase Your Dreams

On the morning of July 3, fifth-grade graduates, teachers, and parents walked on the red carpet excitedly and entered the grand auditorium for the big ceremony.

The graduation ceremony started promptly at 10 a.m. Many distinguished faculty members attended the ceremony, including SHSID High School Principal Mr. Ma Feng, Middle and Primary School Principal Mr. Liu Lian, Middle and Primary School Vice Principal Ms. Liu Fang, as well as directors of each school section, other school administrators, and teachers.

With cheers and applause, our most important participants—all the fifth-grade graduates, walked onto the stage with bright and smiling faces and then got seated. The student representatives of the Puxi and Pudong campuses, respectively Elaine and Cathy, made speeches. They looked back at the growth they had gone through in the past five years and vowed to remember the education they had received and to try their best at becoming independent learners and responsible global citizens. Our students sang the song “Dream It Possible” to express their determination, courage, and expectations for the future.

After that, Samuel’s father made a speech as the graduates’ parent representative. He wished students to become future talents with patriotism, gratitude, and global vision. Stephanie’s mother, the representative of parents, donated to the school several pieces of precious cultural relics of the Shanghai High School history, including school badge, letters, diploma in 1930s. Principal Liu Lian accepted the donation and expressed sincere thanks to all the parents. Other graduates’ parents and relatives also sent warm video blessings from all over the world. They genuinely congratulated the students on their happy graduation and sent their love and support.

Principal Liu Lian also gave the warmest congratulations, recognition, and wishes to all the graduates at the ceremony. He was proud of our students who could quickly adapt to online learning and positively face the challenges. He encouraged students that curiosity, courage, and perseverance will assist them as they continue to grow, to thrive, to forge ahead, and to attain a promising future!

Our young journalists reviewed the amazing school life using the school architectures as links. In the video, fifth-grade students celebrated their unforgettable moments in primary school, expressed their gratitude to teachers, and shared their dreams and hopes. Afterward, students walked up to the stage and received diplomas from the school leaders and teachers. The diplomas were not only the recognition of their hard work over the past five years, but also the encouragement and best wishes for their brand-new journey.

At the time of saying goodbye, teachers gave graduates their earnest expectations and words, and students also went onto the stage and presented flowers to show their gratitude. Ms. Zhu Dan, Puxi Campus Grades 4-5 Director, expressed her appreciation to all the teachers who put enormous effort into this ceremony, invited students to clap for their parents who guard and support them all along the way, and invited everyone to give applause again to our courageous fifth-grade graduates!

At last, all the G5 students sang the graduation song “Auld Lang Syne,” honoring the long-lasting friendship and giving their sincerest regards to each other in the future. Graduation is a reunion, a farewell, and also a new start. Congratulations to all primary school graduates, in front of whom the bright future has just unfolded!

Middle School: Best Wishes on Your New Journey and Shiny Future

On the afternoon of July 3, the vigorous eighth-grade graduates in formal clothing gathered to welcome their graduation ceremony.

SHSID High School Principal Mr. Ma Feng, Middle and Primary School Principal Mr. Liu

Lian, Middle and Primary School Vice Principal Ms. Liu Fang, Middle and Primary School Principal Assistant Ms. Miao Xiaoling, directors of each school section, other school administrators, and teachers, attended the momentous occasion to celebrate together with eighth-grade graduates of 2022. This graduation ceremony was divided into four chapters, the four seasons symbolizing the different stages of school life that students have experienced at SHSID.

At 4 p.m., the chapter “Autumn” kicked off with a song by the string orchestra “Variations of Autumn.” After all the G8 students entered the grand auditorium and were seated, an elaborately edited video began streaming on the screens. The video highlighted past memorable events which took the students back to each special moment throughout their middle school life. Afterward, the student graduate representative Chelsea from 8(10) made a speech addressing her fellow peers. In a touching poetry reading “Youth Never Ends”, this chapter came to an end.

“Graduation is such an exhilarating moment,” Chelsea said. She recalled the colorful campus activities she had participated in with her classmates and the warmth gained from classes and school during the online learning period. The future, in her imagination, means that opportunities and challenges coexist. She called on the students present to bravely embrace changes and take possible risks, which are both valuable assets on the road of growth.

Winter breeds new hope in accumulation. The recognition of outstanding students in music, art, physical education, and independent learners of different subjects set off a wave of cheers in the chapter “Winter.” Professor Zhu Liyuan, the representative of the graduates’ parents, expressed our pride and excitement for the students.

Speaking on education, Professor Zhu Liyuan enthusiastically shared his ideas and experiences from the aspects of the creation of a positive family atmosphere and the importance of aesthetic education. He highly praised the education philosophies and the value of cultivating independent learners at SHSID. Finally, he expressed his earnest hope for all graduates—that the students would give full play in high school to their vivid imagination and creativity, not only making satisfactory academic progress but participating in fun extracurricular activities, to develop holistically and contribute to society.

Spring refers to new growth. The results of the service-learning groups, an important course reflecting the transformation of the growth of eighth graders this year, were fully displayed in the chapter “Spring.” 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! Finally, in a beautiful chorus entitled “Always with Me” we entered the climax of this ceremony, the chapter “Summer!”

Summer is the time to prosper. The speech of Principal Liu Lian ignited the audience. He detailed the challenges encountered by the students in the past three years, praised their commendable achievements, and affirmed the concrete steps taken by them on the road to becoming “independent learners” and “responsible global citizens.” Finally, he encouraged that graduates could set ambitious goals for themselves and bravely pursue their dreams.

Following the speech came the most exciting moment—diploma awarding. 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 Tianyuan, Middle School Section Director, revealed the exclusive gifts for graduates of 2022, the graduation gift box. Eighth-grade teachers have designed honor books, necklaces, bookmarks, and other gifts for each of our graduates. This year’s graduates are also honored to receive a graduation message from Mr. Feng, Shanghai High School Principal. In his message, Principal Feng wished the students all the way forward, develop their talents, and find their own path.

The video “Our Dreams” was like a time machine, taking us to the past and the future. With the graduation song sung by students that created a wonderful epilogue for their middle-school lives, the graduation ceremony came to an end in applause and cheers. It is hoped that our students learn and achieve more in their upcoming high-school lives.

Everything great happens in summer, just as how when we met and set out on new journeys. We proudly congratulate on our graduates of 2022. Always remember to be brave and follow your path, and you will shine in your own way.

Written by Wu Yin, Ma Xinyu

Pictures by Parent Volunteers and Teachers

Edited by Huang Shiyuan, Yang Xiyue (Intern)