Early in the morning of August 28, SUIS Qingpu’s new middle school students arrived at the school in high spirits to welcome their first day on campus.
Stepping into campus vigorously
The two-day freshman preparation camp started promptly at 8:15am. Each class held a warm welcome party, and the students introduced themselves enthusiastically and generously: What kind of hobbies do you have? What interesting stories do you have from the summer vacation? What kinds of expectations do you have for your middle school life that is about to begin? Of course, they were most looking forward to the upcoming activities!
The students introduced themselves to their new friends and teachers with enthusiasm and generosity.
The school prepared a grand opening ceremony for the new students. First, each member of the teacher team introduced themselves to the students, and the enthusiasm for education on the stage intertwined with the youthful vitality off the stage.
Then, both senior middle school representatives and freshmen spoke. The seniors imparted their experiences of study and life to the younger students, and the new students shared that they will live up to their instructions and guidance, study hard, and become better themselves in the next four years of middle school.
Ms. Flora Zhang, SUIS Qingpu’s Vice-Principal, then used a vivid story to guide the students to strengthen their aims, self-management, and set specific, measurable and challenging goals in middle school.
In order to improve students’ teamwork ability, stimulate their potential and creativity, and exercise their strong motivation, team development activities kicked off under the passionate instructions and mobilization of professional trainers and an eager response from the students. A series of wonderful moments showed the students’ enthusiastic mental state and youthful vitality. The students gradually eliminated awkwardness through a series of interactions. Through the activities, the students overcame difficulties and became more familiar with each other.
Getting ready for study
During the afternoon meeting, the students visited the school history museum, became familiar with their subject classrooms, and made progress in their understanding of SUIS Qingpu.
Leaving primary school and entering the sixth grade, the students have entered a new stage of growth. Different learning and life rhythms require an advanced way of thinking and comprehensive ability. How should students deal with it calmly? To assist students with quickly adapting to the expectations of middle school, the middle school team carefully prepared a wealth of subject experience classes for students. Diverse and interesting activities not only exposed students to the contents of various subjects they will be learning in the future, but also deepened their expectations for middle school life.
Adaptation starts from the inside.
On the second day, the students started a new exploration. On the morning of August 29, students entered the Grand Theater to listen to a wonderful lecture brought by a psychology teacher. The activity was designed by Jiang Anqi, a mental health teacher in the middle school. The main content involved perceiving change, understanding the meaning of adaptation, and learning methods of adaptation. In an atmosphere of sincerity, respect and acceptance, students learned to recognize and understand change. They actively graded their own performance, reflected carefully, and wrote down their personal “My Challenge”, which they then shared with their peers, finally reflecting on how to move forward together.
Growth lies not only in the accumulation of knowledge, but also in the improvement of comprehensive literacy. On the afternoon of the 29th, the middle school students also participated in a variety of courses provided by Think Tank: fencing, football, illustration, programming and other courses. These exciting and interesting activities allowed students to discover and explore their own interests and hobbies, roam in the magical world of science, and stroll in the charming palace of art.
The two-day SUIS Qingpu 2023 Grade 6 Freshman Experience Camp ended smoothly. In these two days of rich and colourful experiential activities, the students also conscientiously learned to understand cooperation, respect, responsibility, and independence. In the next four years, we will continue to learn about each other, accompany, struggle and grow together. We wish for our Grade 6 students to take this time as the starting point of their new middle school life and adventure!