Tsinghua International School (THIS) held its opening ceremony on the morning of August 18, 2026, with bright late-summer sunshine overhead, officially marking the start of the 2026–2027 academic year. On campus, new students, some holding their parents' hands, looked around with curiosity, while returning students caught up with one another, eagerly swapping stories from their summer breaks. Laughter and greetings filled the air as the THIS community came together once again.
From 'Growth' to 'Impact'
At the School Opening Ceremony, THIS Executive Principal Renee Zhu greeted the entire THIS community. To the new students joining the family, she said, "Your arrival brings fresh energy and hope to our school;" while to the returning students, she said, "Welcome back, and may we write new chapters of excellence together in the year ahead."
Principal Zhu then reflected on the achievements of the previous academic year. She noted that, guided by the keyword "Growth," students made meaningful progress in accumulating knowledge, developing character, maturing in their thinking, and broadening their horizons. They have achieved outstanding results in college applications and academic competitions, demonstrating both solid foundations and the courage to push beyond their limits. She expressed her heartfelt gratitude to every teacher and student for their dedication, as well as to the parents for their trust and support.
Principal Zhu announced that this year's keyword is "Impact", captured in the motto "Strive for Virtue, Impact Untamed." She explained the dual significance behind this choice.
First, in the age of AI, knowledge is readily available, and what is truly scarce is character and a sense of responsibility. The more powerful technology becomes, the more we need "goodness" as our compass. At the same time, while we emphasized "Growth" last year, in that we should seek to become a better version of ourselves, this year we decide to go further: we underscore "Impact" and hope every student's growth will translate into a positive difference for others and for the world.
Second, and more fundamentally, this choice reflects the school's core educational commitment. THIS does not just cultivate successful individuals; it cultivates people who make the world a better place. This promise is the foundation of "Impact," alternatively translated as advancing toward the good.
THIS encourages students to move beyond self-focused growth and toward impact on others and the wider world. In previous years, the school encouraged students to "become the best version of themselves." This year, it expects every student's growth to become a perceptible positive change for others and the world.
The Executive Principal quoted a famous passage from Xunzi's Encouraging Learning: "Earth piled up becomes a mountain; wind and rain arise from it. Water pooled becomes an abyss; dragons are born from it. Good deeds accumulated become virtue; the spirit is illuminated, and the heart of a sage is attained."
She used these words to outline three levels of "Impact":
Advancing in goodness each day,
Turning kindness into action, and
Letting time amplify every act of goodness.
She called on all students to record their good deeds and reflections, and to complete an "Impact Project" over the course of the year, researching and addressing a problem they genuinely care about, whether on campus, in the community, or in the wider world.
At the school opening ceremony, THIS Academic Principal Scott Pare also welcomed new and returning students with warmth. He shared that as he greeted students at the gate that morning, he saw many smiles, along with a few sleepy faces, but above all, a sense of joy. "You've been gone, and now you're back. You're back with your friends, back with your teachers, back with your community," he said. He wished everyone a wonderful year ahead.
The ceremony was hosted by Vice Principal and Head of Secondary Weiky Liu. The event was also attended by other members of the Admin Team—Vice Principal of Operations Toni Dong, the newly appointed Head of Primary Sean Simkins, Associate Head of Primary Helen Luo and Associate Head of Secondary Bernard Geoxavier (Mr. Geo). They joined in welcoming the new academic year alongside faculty and students.
"Impact" Lives in Everyday Moments
For Primary and Secondary students, the concept of "impact" can feel grand, and "changing the world" may seem far beyond reach. But impacting those around us is always within grasp.
Suri On, a fifth-grade student and the Primary representative, brought the idea of "Impact" down to earth. She admitted that when she first heard the word, it sounded big and heavy, like something only movie stars or superheroes could do. But she soon realized that impact does not have to be loud or huge. It can be small and quiet, and still change a lot.
In her eyes, THIS is more than just the name on the school gate. Instead, it is
a classmate leaning over to explain a math problem.
a friend tapping your shoulder and saying, "Hey, don't forget your water bottle!"
someone falling in the hallway, and a bunch of kids rushing over to ask, "Are you okay?"
seeing a classmate crying and quietly handing them a tissue.
saving a seat at lunch for someone sitting alone or
picking up a pencil that rolled under the desk.
She said firmly that making an impact does not mean shouting the loudest or winning every race. It means keeping your eyes open and your heart ready. It means choosing to help, even when it is just something tiny. "We don't have to wait until we're all grown up. We can make impact Right now, Today, This very minute, Together."
Amy Liu, a twelfth-grade student and the Secondary representative, also shared her understanding of "Impact."
She admitted that when people hear the word, imaginations sometimes get a little too ambitious, starting an organization with hundreds of students participating, or publishing a research paper that solves a really difficult problem. But she recalled her volunteer teaching experience in Southwest China's Yunnan province, where she saw that real change often comes from small, consistent efforts. Every patient explanation, every warm smile helped local children learn more and become happier. She encouraged her peers not to rush into doing something earth-shattering, but to start small, because small actions together create real impact.
Sean Simkins, the newly appointed Head of Primary, also shared how "Impact" and kindness had already touched him personally. Having lived in Beijing for eight years, he said it was a privilege to join such a highly esteemed school. From the very first day, he was moved by the kindness of the community and the thoughtful advice people offered him. He said the school had already made an impact on him.
Continuing a beloved THIS tradition, faculty and support staff prepared encouraging and humorous videos and stage performances that drew genuine laughter and applause from the entire audience.
90+ New Students Bring the World to THIS
The day before the opening ceremony, THIS welcomed more than 90 new students for the new academic year, coming from countries and regions including the United States, Canada, Türkiye, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Mongolia. New students and their parents received a warm welcome from teachers and Secondary student clubs. Each new student received a welcome package with themed souvenirs and essential school supplies.
At the orientation, Principal Zhu also briefed on the meaning of "Impact." She explained that the Chinese character "善" (Shan) can mean kindness, perfection, and also keeping getting better. She expressed her hope that a year from now, every member of the THIS community could look at their surroundings and say, "The world is better because of me." She encouraged everyone not to worry about whether their impact is too small. Over time, small acts accumulate and make the world a better place.
New students and their parents then toured the campus and received detailed introductions to school facilities, library rules, course selection platforms, academic planning, parent-school collaboration, and school policies.
After class assignments were made, whether for students joining from first grade or transferring into other grades, every new student immediately felt the warmth of the THIS family. Homeroom teachers, teaching assistants, and homeroom buddies had prepared small welcome ceremonies, and classmates eagerly came over to say hello and show them around the classroom. From that moment on, the initial nervousness faded, replaced by a sense of belonging and acceptance.
A Year of Achievements, A Foundation of Partnership
Looking back at the previous academic year, THIS delivered an impressive report card. College admissions results reached new heights, with offers coming in from top universities around the world. The 43 graduating seniors received up to 300 offers, averaging about seven per student.
The admission lists of top American institutions gleam with names such as Stanford, Caltech, Johns Hopkins, Columbia, Brown, and Northwestern University.
In the UK, we have achieved a milestone breakthrough for the first time, having received two offers from the University of Oxford, one in the humanities and one in the sciences, a double triumph.
In Canada, prestigious universities including the University of Toronto, McGill, and the University of Waterloo continued to favour our students.
In Asia, Tsinghua University, Peking University, the University of Hong Kong, and others have also extended their offers.
Each admission is a recognition that transcends national borders.
THIS remains committed to an educational philosophy that integrates Chinese and Western traditions, believing that every child can blossom in the right environment.
Principal Zhu also quoted a classical saying, as she did on many other occassions: "When a nation is about to rise, it must value its teachers and respect its mentors. A teacher of knowledge is easy to find, but a teacher of character is hard to come by."
She emphasized that teachers are not only transmitters of knowledge but also guides of character. She looks forward to working hand in hand with parents to uphold THIS' Core Values and cultivate globally minded, outstanding talents who are rooted in Chinese culture and possess independent thinking and innovative spirit.
A new academic year has begun. May every THIS student walk the path of "Impact" with dedication and perseverance, and may their impact reach far and wide.
