As the early autumn sun still carried a hint of warmth, it could not dampen the vibrant atmosphere of cultural integration on campus. When students of diverse nationalities arrived with suitcases filled with anticipation for exploration, Hailiang International School (HIS) kicked off its heartwarming 2025 Fall Semester Opening Ceremony on September 12.

Guided by the theme”Chart Your Course, Explore Beyond“, Chinese and international teachers and students gathered together. In a solemn yet enthusiastic cross-cultural atmosphere, they jointly turned the new page of”holistic growth” for the new semester, allowing the school motto of “Diversity, Inclusion, Balance, Respect” to gently nurture every aspiration.

01 Warm-Up Session

The ceremony commenced with a heartwarming video recap of the spring semester. On screen, the focused eyes of students from different countries collaborating in class, and the cross-linguistic cheers on the sports field—these vivid scenes not only wove together beautiful past moments but also vividly interpreted the inclusive core of”One HIS Family“. They awakened the campus memories in the hearts of teachers and students, and accumulated warm strength for the new journey in the warm early autumn.

Shortly after, the familiar melody of the school song 《We Are Family》 filled the air, and all teachers and students stood up to sing in unison. The melodious voices echoed through the lecture hall, singing not only the sense of belonging to the cross-cultural “family culture” but also the boundless aspirations for “exploring beyond boundaries” in the new semester.

02 The Oemeanor of Educators

“Deepening teaching with professionalism, accompanying growth with passion“—the debut session of the new academic year’s teaching team heated up the on-site atmosphere and showcased HIS’s faculty characteristic of “multicultural coexistence”.

Subsequently, teachers from the Chinese Language Group, English Language Group, International Curriculum Group, Science Group, Humanities Group, and Comprehensive Group took turns to appear.

Each teaching and research group not only demonstrated its unique professional charm but also, through the tacit cooperation in cross-cultural teaching, interpreted the educational attitude of “multicultural collaboration“. They are not only disseminators of knowledge but also companions for students'”holistic growth“, practicing the concept of “respecting differences and teaching students in accordance with their aptitude” through actions and injecting full vitality into the campus.

03 Academic Recognition

After the teaching team’s debut, the ceremony entered the solemn academic recognition session.

• 2025 Spring Semester Final Exam Academic Achievement Awards: Recognized students who performed excellently in academic assessments and were skilled in inquiry, affirming their focus and breakthroughs in in-depth academic pursuit.
• 2024 Academic Year Standardized Test Subject Excellence Awards: Commended students who demonstrated solid subject foundations and critical thinking in standardized tests, highlighting HIS’s dual focus on “academic competence and international perspective”.
• 2025 Spring Semester Outstanding Academic Atmosphere Classes: Awarded to collectives with a strong classroom atmosphere and mutual assistance and inclusiveness among classmates. These classes not only achieved excellent academic performance but also were filled with a community atmosphere of “respecting each other and making progress together”.

Representatives of award-winning students and classes took the stage one after another and received honors amid applause from Chinese and international teachers and students present. This recognition was not only a tribute to past efforts but also a driving force inspiring all members of HIS to “pursue excellence in diversity and achieve growth in balance“.

04 The Power of Role Models

At the ceremony, the “2024 Academic Year HIS Star-Chasers” recognition ceremony stood out. The honor list itself was a vivid reflection of the “diversity and inclusion” school motto:

New Outstanding Teachers Bruce and Dora

Excellent Deputy Homeroom Teacher Fay

Excellent Teachers Yoga and Andrew

Excellent Homeroom Teachers Megan and Winnie

Outstanding Staff Tina and Tasker

Recipient of the Outstanding Contribution Award Diana

Excellent Foreign Teachers JAMES、LARNELLE

Advanced Safety Worker of Hailiang Education Group Tasker

Chinese and international teachers took the stage side by side. Amidst applause and cheers, the belief that “role models are around us” became increasingly clear—they interpreted the HIS spirit of “respecting every effort and embracing every style” through their actions.

Student representative Techin from Class G11-2 took the stage and shared his insights under the title “My Cross-Cultural Exploration Journey at HIS”.

He talked about his experiences of breaking through academic bottlenecks in the physics laboratory, honing collaborative skills in international club activities, and introducing his hometown customs to foreign classmates in the “Understanding China” course: “At HIS, I have not only learned to solve problems with logic but also to understand differences with tolerance—every exploration brings me closer to ‘the comprehensive self’.”

His sincere words resonated across cultures and encouraged students present to bravely take steps toward “diverse exploration“.

Teacher representative Fay focused on “Exploration—Teaching and Learning in Mutual Respect” and shared her reflections based on cross-cultural teaching experiences: “We will respect the unique growth rhythm of each student, guide them to discover their interests in diverse classrooms, teach them to embrace differences in cultural exchanges, and work with students to break boundaries and make progress together in exploration.”

05 Outlook for the New Journey

To provide teachers and students with a clearer direction for the new semester, the on-site session detailed the new semester plan integrated with the concepts of “diversity, inclusion, balance, and respect“:

• The exam schedule for teaching aligned academic depth with student workload, embodying the principle of “balance“;
• Adjustments to the moral education system focused on “cross-cultural community building“, encouraging students to learn “respect and inclusion” through mutual assistance.
• The “Understanding China” course combined traditional culture with an international perspective, enabling students to expand their global awareness while understanding local culture.

The eight school-level organizations(Campus Ambassador Club, Art Club, Sports Club, etc.) covered academic, artistic, public welfare, and sports fields, providing a growth platform for students with different interests to “balance academics and strengths“. From academics to daily life, from cultural identity to international perspective, the comprehensive framework pointed out the direction for teachers and students to pursue “whole-person development”.

What was even more touching was the cross-border blessing video recorded by senior students of the Class of 2025: “No matter which country you come from, HIS will embrace your uniqueness and support your exploration”; “Remember, beyond academics, go to the Art Club to paint a picture, go to the Sports Club to play a game—balanced growth is more wonderful.”

These concise and powerful words were full of expectations, not only conveying the warmth of “multicultural inheritance” but also allowing new students to deeply feel the inclusive foundation of the HIS family.

06 Principal’s Message

At the end of the ceremony, Principal Wade delivered a heartfelt message. Centered on the theme of “Chart Your Course, Explore Beyond”, he acknowledged the collective efforts of all faculties and students and encouraged everyone to break the boundaries of thinking and bravely try new things in the new semester: “HIS will always be your steadfast support in exploration. May every student find their own direction here and shine with unique brilliance.”

As applause rang out again, the opening ceremony came to an end, but the”new journey of diverse exploration” for HIS teachers and students had just begun.

Carrying the touch and strength gained from the ceremony, and holding the belief of”multicultural coexistence, inclusive mutual learning, balanced growth, and respect for uniqueness“, every member of HIS will, under the guidance of holistic education, write a wonderful chapter that combines international perspective and humanistic warmth on the growth path intertwined with diverse possibilities, allowing dreams to take root and thrive toward the sun on this inclusive land!