Time flows and seasons change. On 16 January, our Middle School successfully held its Closing Ceremony and CCA Exhibition for Semester 1. With the theme of “In 2023, we saw growth!”, a series of wonderful performances were given to showcase the learning and growth journeys of our incredible students over the past semester.
The atmosphere was lively and cheerful. The opening video, entitled, “In 2023, we saw growth!” allowed us to collectively review some highlights of the semester, and teachers and students excitedly waited for the upcoming performances.

After the video, the stage lights gradually lit up and the music slowly rose – the atmosphere was instantly ignited. The first performance was “Songbird”. The students, under the guidance of our music teacher Paul Sprowell, worked well together, in perfect harmony and fully committed, delivering a sincere rendition of the famous song by Oasis.

Following that, members of the Middle School’s Student Council sent blessings to teachers and students. Their words were filled with encouragement and expectations, conveying deep recognition of the progress made by teachers and students over the past semester.

The photography show entitled, “The Year of the Dragon,” presented by teacher Gary Peng Jiaye and his CCA students, left a deep impression on the audience. It showed the charm of traditional Chinese culture from a unique perspective.

Over the past semester, our middle school students achieved dazzling results in various competitions and at all levels. During the awards portion of the event, the students’ joy was extremely high. Ms Liu Jieting and Ms Wang Chunjuan presented awards to students who earned honours in the first “Boyu Cup” Hand-drawn Map Competition in the Qingpu District, while Ms Zhou Fan and Ms Guo Huomiao awarded our winning students from the 13th “Taofen Cup” Shanghai Primary and Secondary School Students’ Creative Composition Activity.
Subsequent performances were even more colourful: “Jianjia,” guided by Ms Liu Yuan and Ms Chen Zilin; “Decoding British Styles,” led by Ms Zhang Yang; and “Super Words,” led by Ms Lana. Each performance not only showed the students’ extraordinary talents, but also revealed their improvement and growth in learning and practice.

As talents of the new era, we must be well versed in “wen” (literature) and have “wu” (a strong body). “Read and Grow in Pleasure,” guided by Ms Zhou Fan, and “Kung Fu Youth,” performed by Mr Li Xiaodi and his CCA students, not only sparked the children’s enthusiasm for learning but also enhanced their cultural confidence. Ms Su Shengnan’s “The Chaotic Muggle World Will Finally Meet You” triggered deep reflection on literature through the form of drama.

Finally, the student’s choir performed “The Day of Departure”. Led by Ms Sun Jing, the song was like a ray of sunshine in the dawn, bringing warmth and hope to everyone. Through its pure harmonies and smooth, simple melody, this piece eloquently expressed children’s appreciation for friendship, their beautiful wishes for friends, and their boundless aspirations for the future, symbolizing that they are about to embark on a new journey where they will continue to pursue their dreams and achievements.
The closing ceremony ended successfully with a round of applause and laughter. We not only saw the shared growth of teachers and students, but also felt the deep care and infinite support from the school for the growth of the students. We sincerely wish that the students will fly bravely and develop great ambition in the days to come, both in academics and in life.
In the future, let us continue to walk hand in hand and witness every important moment together. “In 2023, we saw growth!” was not only a theme but also a motto for every student as they move forward. We look forward to more such moments in the coming year, where we will all witness our students’ amazing journeys.