Today (May 28), SUIS Gubei held the Graduation Ceremony for the Class of 2025. Around 500 graduates, parents, and teachers gathered to witness this solemn moment filled with gratitude and blessings. The graduates, in their smart graduation gowns, looked back on their school days with a mix of nostalgia and excitement for the future, while parents and teachers watched on proudly, sharing in the significance of this important occasion.
Principal Speech
“Resilience and positivity.” These are the qualities that our outstanding students embody, as succinctly highlighted by our Principal, Mr Walsh. In his address, the Principal commended our G12 graduates for their remarkable perseverance and unwavering resilience in navigating the challenges of the rigorous IB Diploma Programme. Their dedication has paid off handsomely, with an impressive collection of offers from top universities across the globe. Principal Walsh emphasized that these qualities will continue to serve them well as they embark on the next chapter of their academic journey.
Our Chinese Principal, Mr Liu, has also emphasized that the journey ahead will indeed be fraught with difficulties and obstacles. However, provided that our attention remains steadfastly fixed on the essence of humanity and the nuances of life, and assuming that our strides are resolute and our sights are set far ahead, we will indeed be capable of attaining our own exceptional and fulfilling existence.
HOG Speech
Ms Laney and Mr Chapman
You’re stepping into a future that’s constantly changing, and that’s exactly what makes it exciting. Change can be scary. It pushes us out of our comfort zones, but it’s also the catalyst for growth. Take a moment to consider how much you’ve grown since you first arrived here. You’ve gained knowledge, yes, but you’ve also discovered new passions, developed new skills, and formed lasting friendships. As you move forward, embrace change. See it not as a challenge to overcome, but as an opportunity to evolve. The future needs people who are adaptable, who can think quickly and adapt to new situations, and who aren’t afraid to try new things.
Education is often seen as an individual pursuit. Your grades, your accomplishments, your diploma – they’re all personal achievements. But the truth is, none of us get here alone. We are part of a community, and it’s this community that lifts us up, supports us, and helps us reach our goals. Your classmates have been your study partners, your competitors, and your friends. They’ve challenged you to think differently and pushed you to do better. Your teachers have guided you, not just in academic subjects, but in life lessons that will serve you well beyond these walls. And your families have been your unwavering support system, cheering you on every step of the way. As you move forward, remember the power of community. Seek out connections. Build relationships. Offer help when you can, and don’t hesitate to ask for it when you need it. The networks you build, the friendships you nurture, and the bonds you maintain will be some of your most valuable assets.
* excerpts from the speech
Student Speech
SUIS-GB 2024-2025 head prefects, Head Girl PEIJIN ZHOU, Head Boy ANDREW KIM, Deputy Head Girl SARAH SHAN and Deputy Head Boy HENRY DENG
To our parents, family and other invited guests, thank you for your support for us behind the scenes. Many of you chose the SUIS Gubei community for us when we were little, and were the ones driving us to school and to extracurricular classes throughout the years, as well as supporting us in late nights while we revised and applied for universities. Truly, we couldn’t be here today without you.
Congratulations Class of 2025. After many long years of studies, extracurricular activities, leadership in school and beyond, we’ve finally made it to see the fruits of our labor. Take the chance to celebrate your successes with your friends and family, but also to learn new skills and prepare for your life in college and beyond.
And as our time here comes to a close, I am reminded of last year’s Prefect Trip, where we all sat around a campfire and sang “See You Again”, relishing our final few moments together as prefects. Class of 2025, even though this may be the end of high school, this surely is not the end of our time together, and we’ll see you again soon. Thank you.
* excerpts from the speech
Performance
The Graduation Ceremony of SUIS Gubei Class of 2025 was a symphony of musical brilliance, featuring an array of captivating performances that delighted the audience. Kicking off the program, the SUIS GUBEI Festival Orchestra set a powerful tone with their rendition of “Eye of the Tiger,” followed by the iconic “Pomp and Circumstance” as the processional anthem, infusing the event with grandeur.
The musical highlights continued with diverse student acts that showcased exceptional talent. Gavin Gao (10KF), Emily Zhang (10FN), and Harry Chen (10CY) stunned with a seamless blend of classical and jazz improvisation, while Yolanda Jin (12SED), Dinah Wang (12TT), and Harry Chen (10CY) delivered a soulful performance of “Careless Whisper.” A standout moment was the premiere of “记忆胶卷” (Memory Film Roll), an original piece composed by Henry Deng (12PB), performed by a talented ensemble including Yiyi Xu (12DD), Tintin Yang (12LL), and Linda Wang (12SED), which woven nostalgia into melodic notes.
The choir’s rendition of “Seasons of School” was a heartfelt tribute, with Yiyi Xu (12DD) and Bernard Li (12LL) on instruments, and vocalists like Linda Wang (12SED) and Peijin Zhou (12LW) creating a harmonious ode to school life. Each musical segment, from orchestral classics to original compositions, added layers of emotion to the ceremony, capturing the graduates’ journey through melody and leaving an unforgettable soundtrack to this momentous occasion.
Splendid Moment
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Well-wishes, laughter, and emotional embraces spread across the graduating cohort after the ceremony was complete. Though our graduates will be pursuing higher education across the world, they will always be a part of the SUIS Gubei community and we hope that they look back fondly on the memories that were made in our familiar hallways. Our previous Head Boy and Head Girl also came to the stage to give speeches saying that gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.Congratulations to our Class of 2025 graduates on a magnificent job well-done and may fortune favour you all!