School is back in session! As children rushed onto the campus, carrying little secrets from their summer break and full of anticipation for new books, a scholarly-inspired opening ceremony quietly unfolded. Creative photos, reading stars, the principal’s wishes, and a special guest teaser—each segment felt like unwrapping a hidden surprise in a picture book, making everyone cheer along. Join us as we discover the secret of children’s joy on the first day of school!
The “Reunion Ritual” at the School Gate: A Melody of Longing
In the early morning, along SUIS Qingpu’s Avenue, the voices of music teachers and student volunteers flowed like lively musical notes, welcoming back the children after two months apart. Look—the little ones stood on tiptoes, surveying the campus with curious eyes, while the older students stood tall, unable to hide their excitement. This, perhaps, is what growth looks like!
“Little Goals” in the Classroom: Bookmarks and Plans full of Reading Dreams
As soon as they entered the classrooms, the children showed just how eager they were to read. The younger ones gathered around their teachers, carefully drawing their favourite book characters on bookmarks and writing down small goals like ‘read 10 storybooks this semester’. Each creation resembled a seed waiting to sprout. The older students brought detailed reading plans—from ‘read for 2 hours every week’ to ‘copy 3 pearls of wisdom’—each line a serious promise to the new semester. On this very first day, they planted the seed of a ‘love for reading’.
A Big Surprise in the Gym: Vivid Reading Moments Captured in Photos
After the flag-raising ceremony, Principal Ms. Sunny and Dr. Adam came onto the stage together and cheered on the children for the new semester.
Afterward, Principal Sunny Huang addressed all primary school teachers and students. She began by sharing the average annual reading volume among children and highlighted the many benefits of reading. She also let the kids in on a little secret: ‘5% Change’ suggests that reading one page a day, waking up five minutes earlier, or even doing just one push-up—these small actions, when added up, can lead to significant progress! For those eager to learn more, resources like Stanford Online courses are readily available. She concluded with a smile: ‘The world around us is the greatest classroom of all!’ She hopes every child will explore through books, grow through small steps, and embark on a new journey of joyful reading together.
Showcasing Reading Achievements: Big Energy in Little Efforts
When Chinese teachers Ms. Yang and Ms. Gu took the stage with thick volumes of reading records, the audience gasped in amazement! This summer, each primary school student read an average of eight Chinese books. Three classes were awarded ‘Pioneer Reading Class’ honours, and 120 beautifully illustrated reading journals showcased the children’s understanding and imagination of stories. When Li Yiyang from Class 5G shared, ‘The world in books is even more exciting than games,’ didn’t it speak for every child? English teacher Ms. Isabel revealed an astounding figure: students read a total of 42,643,377 words over the summer—equivalent to 420 Harry Potter books! Yu Huiqing (Miki) from Class 4F said, ‘Reading takes me to a grander world.’ It’s clear that reading has already opened broader horizons for them.
Subsequently, Vice Principle Ms. Helen made a joint commitment with all teachers and students of the primary to make reading a daily routine, to let thinking accompany reading, and to enable everyone to become an avid reader who is willing to share.
