Time flies, and five years of primary school have passed in the blink of an eye. On June 17, 2026, the Grade 5 students of Tsinghua International School (THIS) celebrated their Promotion Ceremony. Transitioning from primary to middle school is a major milestone in every student's journey of growth. On this special day, all Grade 5 students, teachers, and parents gathered together to witness this significant moment.
The ceremony was hosted by Carrie and Erbao, whose confidence and poise carried the entire event and filled it with youthful energy.
Warmth and Memories in Performances and Videos
The ceremony opened in a heartwarming atmosphere. Annie and Hailey from Class 5W took the stage to perform the song “Never Grow Up”. With their pure and heartfelt delivery, they sang of their understanding of childhood and their hopes for growing up, striking an emotional chord with every parent and teacher in the audience.
Following the performance, a specially crafted "growth video" was shown on the big screen. Watching themselves transform from little toddlers into young adolescents brought waves of laughter and exclamations throughout the auditorium.
Austin delivered a powerful and composed karate performance, earning thunderous applause and showcasing the students' athletic talents and perseverance.
Michelle and Bonnie performed a flute and piano duet. Their beautiful melodies flowed through the auditorium, expressing the voices of the Grade 5 students throughout the year.
Darren then amazed the audience with a piano solo of “The Merry-Go-Round of Life”, interpreting the richness of life and the purity of dreams through his music, immersing everyone in a joyful and hopeful atmosphere.
After the performances, a Grade 5 memory video was played. It captured not only the laughter within the school walls but also the students' adventures beyond the classroom—from the tea-picking trip to Hangzhou, to the joyful carnival, to the art festival. Every moment reflected the children's most authentic and happiest selves.
Words of Wisdom for the Future
To warm applause, Ms. Rachel Rudisaile, Head of Primary School, took the stage. She spoke about the theme of "growth" and how the Grade 5 students had changed over the years. She noted that their growth is about much more than height—they have grown tremendously as learners, learned how to build friendships, and transformed into leaders who help shape the school community. She emphasized: "Growth is not always easy. Sometimes it comes from success, and sometimes it comes from mistakes. In fact, some of our greatest growth happens when things do not go exactly as planned." She encouraged the students to continue facing challenges with courage, to keep their passion for learning alive, and to always remember that THIS will forever be their home.
Next, homeroom teachers Mr. Sam Popham and Ms. Anna Court took the stage together. Their speech was both heartfelt and profound. Mr. Sam quoted a saying from their classroom wall: "If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you," and shared Neil Gaiman's metaphor about "dragons." He told the students that they will face many "dragons" (challenges) in life, but teamwork and mutual support are the keys to overcoming them.
Ms. Anna spoke from the perspective of language arts, drawing on works such as The Little Princess and The Call of the Wild. She encouraged the students to carry kindness, loyalty, courage, and hope with them. With passion, she declared: "YOU are the class of 2026, the class that can affect the lives of 800 million people in the next century. And what started here at THIS will indeed have changed the world — for the better."
Presentation of Certificates
Following the speeches came the most anticipated moment—the presentation of promotion certificates. Ms. Maureen Shang and Ms. Connie Jiao, the Grade 5 teaching assistants, called out each student's name. One by one, the students walked onto the stage and received their certificates from Ms. Ying Zhu, THIS Executive Principal, and Ms. Rachel Rudisaile, Head of Primary School. Each smiling face was captured in this moment of glory.
At the close of the ceremony, all Grade 5 students, for the last time as primary school students, sang “Tomorrow”—a song that holds their shared memories. The song carried both a reluctance to let go of the past and an eager anticipation for the future.
Spread Your Wings A Bright Future Awaits
As the hosts announced the conclusion of the
ceremony, this emotional celebration of growth and love came to a perfect close. It was a celebration of growth, and an echo of education.
What Tsinghua International School hopes to impart to every student is not only strong academic ability, but also the courage to face challenges, the perseverance to keep going in adversity, the compassion to care for others, and the kindness to make the world a better place.
From tomorrow on, the Grade 5 students will officially become middle schoolers. They will say goodbye to the primary hallways and step into a broader world. May their futures shine bright, may they never stop growing, and may they always forge ahead with courage!
