In a season that brims with hope and vitality, Tsinghua International School (THIS) unveiled its new School Year 2025-2026 with a grand opening ceremony on Aug. 20, 2025.
At the ceremony, freshmen, who were accompanied by their parents, looked slightly nervous but excited being in a new environment, whereas the returning students boisterously exchanges of their diversified activities over the summer.
Nonetheless, everyone expressed a great deal of anticipation for the new academic year, ready to embark on a new journey together.
The ceremony was attended by Dr. Fang Yan, Principal of Tsinghua University High School and Tsinghua International School (THIS), as well as members of the Administration Team of THIS.
The event was presided over by THIS Vice Principal Weiky Liu.
"Growth is a beautiful journey that would be filled with challenges and opportunities."
In her opening remarks at the ceremony, THIS Executive Principal Ms. Zhu Ying reviewed the previous school year’s remarkable achievements that were made possible through the empowerment of "Action" – keyword of last year.
Meanwhile, she also brought forward "Growth" as the keyword for this year.
She noted that when it comes to Growth, we often come up with "comparatives," as if only by becoming "more…" in every aspect can we consider it Growth. However, that is not necessarily the case.
"Growth is the theme of life, a process of continuous exploration and progress." she said.
Quoting the Confucian classic The Great Learning, Principal Zhu encouraged all students to manifest bright virtue, renovate the people, and attain the highest good in finding a direction for everyone’s growth.
Student speakers Matthew Zhao and Maggie Pan, representing the Primary and the Secondary respectively, shared their growth experienced at THIS.
In simple phrases, Matthew outlined what each grade would look like from the perspective of someone who has experienced it. In comparison, Maggie recounted in vivid words her footsteps in her journey of growth at THIS.
"I believe it’s going to be fun and exciting with lots of field trips etc, so let’s do it with courage and a confident smile!" said Matthew.
"The pathway to growth isn't defined by your starting point, nor written in advance. It’s a journey that we each have to design by ourselves," said Maggie, "Take your time, find your pace, and follow your own path. Then, you'll see that’s when real growth happens."
As is a tradition of new school year's opening ceremony at THIS, teachers prepared inspiring yet humorous videos and staged performances that successfully ignited the purest laughter amongst the audience.
Also on the school’s opening day, Mr. Bernard Geoxavier, Associate Head of Secondary, and Mrs. Rachel Rudisaile, Head of Primary, gave a special welcome to the new students. They encouraged everyone to work hard in the school year ahead.
As for a highlight of the ceremony, three newly promoted faculty members received their official appointment letters from Principal Dr. Fang Yan, who encouraged them to shoulder greater responsibilities on their new roles.
The three appointees are:
Ms. Weiky Liu, Vice Principal and Head of Secondary
Mr. Bernard Geoxavier, Associate Head of Secondary
Ms. Amy Zou, Associate Director of College Counseling
Welcome, freshmen!
This school year, more than 90 new students from different countries and regions joined the THIS family. The newcomers and their parents received a warm welcome from THIS teachers and members of the high school student council, with a hospitality package that contained some souvenirs and essential stationery items.
New students and their parents were given a guided tour of the school and briefings on the essentials, including the facilities, library uses, course selection platform, academic plans, home-school collaboration and above all, the school’s policies.
All these efforts are meant for a smooth transition for the new students to feel at home at THIS.
A new school year, a new beginning.
The greatest happiness in life is the pursuit of a goal that you consider to be great in which you grow.
