As the youngest Middle School students at SUIS Qingpu, Grade 6 students had their first taste of Middle School life, quickly changing their thinking from a holiday mode to a school mode through an exciting and busy overnight orientation camp. We are very pleased that the students participated well and met the moral education requirements.
Principled
At the Opening Ceremony, our Vice-Principal Mrs. Flora Zhang delivered a speech to the new students under the theme, “Have a Clear Goal in Life”. The target of Middle School learning can be varied and diverse, but should not be unfocused. Middle school represents a key period, which requires students to take important steps to achieve success.
Nothing can be accomplished without norms or standards, especially for group living and cooperation. After the Opening Ceremony, the instructors began to explain the team-building and accommodation rules, because to work well as a team we all need to understand and follow set rules. Judging from their performance, such as their sense of spirit during the team-building exercise, the etiquette and discipline shown during assembly and lunch times, the participation in interactive classes, the respect shown in the library, their conduct during free activities and their efforts made at keeping the dormitory clean, we could see that the students understood the rules and put them into practice very well. Without doubt, their quick adaptation to the rules made us all feel that they have grown up.
Respectful
“Learning to respect others” started with an assembly and performance-viewing etiquette. During assemblies, students can show their respect to others by sitting properly and listening quietly. At the Talent Show, they can also express their respect for the performers by offering warm applause. The additional courses offered by Zhiku provided students with competitive sports activities like football, fencing and golf. Science and computer programming activities required team cooperation, and kayaking offered a new level of challenge. Regardless of their competency, we were delighted to witness our students encouraging, understanding, supporting, and learning from each other.
Responsible
Our Grade 6 students visited the Xiehe Organization History Museum during lunch time with their tutor teachers. We hope that they can be inspired by the amazing 30-year history of SUIS and develop a sense of pride and responsibility.
When the students received their textbooks for the new semester, they also unexpectedly received an album of English film reviews from the previous sixth graders. The new students were inspired and motivated by their elder brothers’ and sisters’ English learning achievements.
Contributed
Although Orientation Camp maintained a very tight schedule, many students were still willing to relieve the teachers’ burdens by volunteering. When going upstairs in the dormitory, they helped others carry their luggage, took the initiative to clean the tables in the canteen, and distributed snacks for their classmates during break time. Many students were also willing to be volunteers by helping teachers move stage equipment, handing out books, etc. All for one, one for all!
Principled, Respectful, Responsible and Contributed are our key terms for moral education at SUIS Qingpu. All kinds of learning activities are platforms for practicing how to develop these attributes. The orientation camp has established a new level for students to move towards as they embark on their new journey. Last but not least, let us read the attached students’ reflections and feel their happiness from what they have learned and experienced during this camp.