Music can always be heard around the SUIS Qingpu Campus – The 4th Boarding House Assembly & SUIS VOICE activity

Embracing the gentle blossoms of spring, chasing the vibrant growth of summer, experiencing the splendid harvest of fall, and safeguarding the comforting warmth of winter, we traversed the four seasons throughout 2023, with the resounding echo of continuous growth. As New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day approached, all teachers and students converged at the theatre for the 4th Boarding House Assembly and SUIS VOICE activity. Together, they relished an immersive audio-visual spectacle, providing a perfect culmination to this semester in the boarding programme. The presence of esteemed guests, including Co-Principal Adam Neufield and CPC Secretary of Branch Ms. Cindy Zhang, and numerous others, added to the honour of the occasion, allowing everyone to bask in the energetic and youthful atmosphere.

Singing and Dancing

Adolescents ride the melodies of their dreams, crafting expectations with every note and flourishing in their youth before our eyes. The event kicked off with a spirited dance performance of “Pop Popping” by our primary school students, igniting our enthusiasm. This act was followed by the heartfelt rendition of “Sea of Flowers” by the high school girls, prompting a collective “Wow!” Every participant showcased a truly splendid performance, making the entire experience incredibly wonderful.

Moving forward, we turned our attention to “Out of the Light Years,” skillfully presented by Melisa Xiao, Jacqueline Shao, and Alexis Xu. They intricately blended three distinct timbres, offering a unique interpretation that evoked a different emotion from the original piece.

“This innocence is brilliant… This moment is perfect…” Gloria Qiang, Eloise Tan, and Flora Wang enchanted us with their rendition of the brilliant song “Innocence”. Accompanied by the swaying of glow sticks, their captivating singing left us intoxicated. A heartfelt thanks to them for such a wonderful performance!

Subsequently, the collaboration between middle and high school students brought forth a dynamic rendition of “Never Gonna Give You Up” that set the stage on fire. The song’s vibrant rhythm, coupled with the students’ infectious enthusiasm, compelled everyone to join in and sing along with the melody.

On this occasion, we extended a warm welcome to the enigmatic guest actor, Pan Xing Yuan, whose exceptional singing skills were greatly appreciated by many students. Mr. Pan meticulously evaluated the diverse student performances with a professional eye, and then affectionately serenaded us with the song “Wukong,” earning a round of applause from the captivated audience.

As the event drew to a close, the middle and high school students took the stage once more, delivering the lively song “Wake”. In the midst of the performance, the participants shared dolls with the students, adding a delightful touch that was warmly embraced and elevated the event to a wonderful climax.

Fun and Interactive

Being one of the assembly’s highlights, students born in December and January collectively celebrated their birthdays on the stage alongside guests, making wishes together. Some expressed wishes for good health, while others hoped for academic progress. In unison, they blew out the birthday candles, sending heartfelt wishes for all their aspirations to come true.

The pinnacle of the assembly, the “Listen and Guess” segment, received a boisterous reception from the students. As representatives of their respective houses, they attentively listened to the popular song intros, engaging in spirited competition to accurately guess the song titles. The fervent participation was aimed at securing the final opportunity to earn extra points for their houses.

Big and Little Wins

After their hard work throughout December, students kept their housekeeping tidy, attended classes on time, and went to bed on time and woke up early – their performance was all turned into House Points.

In addition to the basic points, the following students won excellent results in domestic and international academic competitions, showcasing the high academic level of SUIS Qingpu. These honours also added to the glory of the respective Houses.

The Xuanwu House won 1st Place with a total score of 86 points, gaining the House Cup for last month. This reward unites the efforts and hard work of all the students of the House and is the greatest encouragement for their excellent performance in December.

Message from the Co-Principal

“The SUIS Qingpu Boarding Programme is just like a big family,” said Co-Principal Adam and Ms. Cindy, as they opened the event with the topic of “Family”. In this big SUIS Qingpu family, we go through ‘ups and downs’ together and learn to support each other. The growth of each and every member in this big family adds power to the development of the entire family. All the teachers in the boarding programme also play an important role in the family – teachers and students support each other to work together to help the family experience steady forward development.

We cannot see time, but we can witness the power of time. With a seed, a tree can be grown. With the efforts of people, a collective upward movement can be made. During the four months of boarding life this semester, all the teachers and students have experienced the improvements in our House System, the optimization of evening study life, and the digital management of guidelines. We have also experienced monthly house assemblies themed around topics such as school safety, donations, the music festival and baking, leaving us with unforgettable memories.

Growing up is not only gazing at each other’s progress but also looking in the same direction. May all the students remember this happiness and these touching moments, and turn them into the motivation to move forward. Please don’t worry. Please don’t hesitate. The cool breeze meets with the bright moon – we look forward to meeting ‘a better you’ in the next semester.