In June, it is a time to say goodbye to spring and welcome the summer. Parting, dreaming, departure and looking back have become key words for this time of year. The graduation season has quietly arrived…
this is the sadness of parting.
Accompanied by the song “Where Has the Time Gone”, SUIS Qingpu’s first Middle School graduates entered the theatre hand-in-hand with their parents. We met at the end of summer four years ago and bid farewell at the beginning of summer four years later. From strangeness to familiarity, from immaturity to maturity, from full of expectations and starting school to sweating, practicing, being confident and facing the future.
We once thought that graduation was nowhere in sight, and in a ‘blink of an eye’ we had to say goodbye. Despite all the reluctance, when the graduation bell rang, we waved goodbye to the past and walked towards the future.
Proof of growth – this is the
memory of youth.
this is the blessing of the voyage.
To celebrate this very special graduation ceremony, Campus Co-Principal Dr. Adam Neufield formed an ‘a cappella’ quartet with three teachers, Mr Zabala, Mr Sprowell and Mr Feigl, to sing “The Halls of Ivy” on behalf of the entire school. This tender song describes the beauty of growing up in school and the eventual need to walk the hallways no more – some of the oldest and most elegant school buildings in the world are full of ivy vines on their facades and corridors. Our teachers congratulate all the graduates on their great achievements. The students have made a lot of effort in order to arrive at this day. We all are so proud of them, and we hope that they will someday wander the ‘halls of ivy’ again, enjoying the beauty of growth.
past – this is an eventful time.
The past four years have been tiring, day-by-day, and today’s wings are full. The most touching time is the moment of parting, the most affectionate time. Graduate representatives Kevin Shang and Eva Wang reviewed precious memories with everyone at the ceremony. Four years of middle school life, full of laughter, tears, nostalgia, and expectations. “We thank our classmates for their company and thank our teachers for their precepts and deeds. We thank SUIS Qingpu, a young but energetic school, for its inclusive, holistic environment and open concept of education, all of which allowed us to develop in a holistic way through rich and colourful courses and activities.”
Junior students performed a song written and composed by themselves – “The Days in SUIS Qingpu”. They hoped that the seniors would work hard and live up to their youth.
In the process of growing up, it is a teacher who leads students step-by-step, with patience and love, to open their eyes and gain knowledge. Graduate representatives presented flowers to their beloved school leaders and teachers with deep affection.
Campus Co-Principal Ms. Sunny Huang and Vice-Principal Ms. Flora Zhang also addressed the graduates at the ceremony. They encouraged them to face new things, environments, and challenges with a positive and courageous attitude. Through continuous polishing, the mind becomes more mature and indestructible, always looking forward to the future, working hard for tomorrow, and striving for the future.
Mountains and rivers go on, and the future can be expected. Everything in the past is a continuation. Delighted when we meet, and no regrets when we part. At the end of the graduation ceremony, distinguished guests, school leaders, representatives of the Parent Support Group, and parent and student representatives came to the stage together. At the end of a 5-second countdown, they pressed the “Happy Graduation” button together. Our inaugural cohort of first graduates started a new chapter in their academic life.
The road ahead is long, but SUIS Qingpu will always be your harbour. With this blessing, go bravely to the mountains and seas! We believe that all our graduates will be able to go on smoothly and forge ahead, despite the treacherous seas and the long road ahead. Cherish the memories and embrace the future.
