A splendid finish and new beginning: Pao School graduation

Philip Sohmen, Executive Deputy Chairman of Pao School, gave his advice and hopes for the future to the graduates from three campuses. As he could not be there in person, he delivered his words through video:

The Year 12 graduation ceremony was marvelous indeed. On the 29th May, Songjiang District Deputy Head Gu Jieyan, Secretary Yao Hui, Deputy Secretary Chen Jie, Co-founder and Deputy Chairman Tan Fuyun, Deputy Chairman Zhang Yixing, board members, mentors, teachers and parents witnessed 106 students successfully completing their education at Pao School and shared in their joy as the students began a new journey.

Performance by students

The ceremony opened to the majestic sound of Chinese drums. Afterwards, President Wu Zijian reviewed the achievements of this year’s graduates and congratulated them. President Wu said that he hoped the students would maintain open and inquisitive minds in their future studies. Further, he said that all students, whether Chinese or foreign, must have an outlook grounded in both China and the world, and strive to contribute to the common happiness of all mankind.

Gu Jieyan, Deputy Head of Songjiang District, said that the development of Pao School is a brave attempt to reform and develop education in Shanghai. Pao School’s philosophy and objectives are in sync with the city’s cultural spirit and the pulse of the times. Gu Jieyan pointed out that since its establishment, Pao School has always adhered to the goal of becoming a "world-class school for tomorrow’s China" and has firmly established core values of "compassion, integrity and balance.” Further, the founders of Pao School put forward a tripartite mission "to develop whole-person education, pass on traditions of Chinese culture and foster an international perspective.” This not only enables students to have a global perspective, but also a foundation in China’s outstanding traditional culture, in which they can find great wisdom.

Gu Jieyan, Deputy Head of Songjiang District

Due to pandemic travel restrictions, Chairman Mrs. Anna Pao Sohmen and Executive Deputy Chairman Philip Sohmen were unable to attend this year’s graduation ceremonies. For this reason they invited Madam Tan, Deputy Chairman, to act as their representative and wish all this year’s graduating students their most heartfelt congratulations and sincere best wishes.

Parent representative Feng Qingfeng, Senior Vice President of Geely Auto Group and CEO of Lotus, shared the latest driverless car technology and other cutting-edge technology under development in China. The graduating class listened intently, receiving inspiration and enthusiasm for the industry. 

 Feng Qingfeng

Senior Vice President of Geely Auto Group

Teacher representatives Le Yingyu and Taryn Smith shared their stories with the graduates. During the graduation ceremony, student representatives Viola and Richard spoke in Chinese and English respectively. The two students recalled many precious memories from their years at Pao School. These memories brimmed with the inspirational teaching of Pao School’s teachers, who have contributed so greatly to the students’ personal development. The students emphasized that in the Pao School community, everyone prizes integrity, mutual respect and willingness to help one another. 

Teacher representatives

Student representatives

As the host of the graduation ceremony, Executive Headmaster and High School Principal Mark Bishop expressed his appreciation for this year’s graduates:

“You are genuinely bilingual and bi-cultural; you are well rounded and well-balanced young people. You are engaging; interesting and in so many cases you have a profound inner confidence but with a delightful outward humility; you are rightly ambitious for yourselves but so often I have seen that you care deeply about each other. I hope that you are as proud as yourselves as we are for all that you have achieved but also for the deeply impressive young people you have become.”

This special graduation season also marks a notable departure from the school. The honorable President Wu Zijian, who has been with the school for eleven years, is also graduating with the current students.

President Wu Zijian’s educational career has spanned four decades. Through his long career, he has developed unique insights into educational theory through field practice and extensive experience. In his eleven years at Pao School, he embraced a philosophy of "researching the student is researching education itself" and nurtured the idea that "every student is unique". Using these philosophies and his extensive pedagogical knowledge, he has made significant contributions to the development of the school’s "Shanghai+" and "International+" curriculum, the research and practice of bilingual education and the development of a first-class multicultural teaching faculty. Throughout the construction of our Wuding, Songjiang and Hongqiao campuses, he personally visited the construction sites regularly to ensure the quality and timely completion of these projects. For every school event, even service trips deep in the mountains, he has dutifully stood alongside Pao School’s students, parents and teachers. His dedication is woven into the very fabric of the school and its community. 

Over the past 18 months, President Wu has worked assiduously to oversee epidemic control and prevention for the safe return of all the staff and students to our three campuses. After his retirement, President Wu will continue to serve Pao School as a Senior Advisor, taking on the writing of the school’s early history.

The principals, teachers and students of the three campuses also marked President Wu’s retirement with fanfare, expressing their gratitude to him for his years of hard work and selfless dedication. Primary Principal, Siobhain Allum commented that President Wu has led YK Pao School for the last 11 years; working tirelessly to ensure that the school remains on a steadfast and successful path. I have been particularly struck by President Wu’s boundless commitment to every aspect of our school life. 

In his retirement speech, President Wu Zijian said: “The graduation season has arrived once more, and it is time to set sail. I have been with Pao School for 11 years, and this year I will also ‘graduate with honors.’ At this time, I would like to thank Chairman Anna Sohmen Pao, Deputy Chairman Tan Fuyun, and Executive Deputy Chairman Philip Sohmen for entrusting me to witness Pao School’s development all of these years, together with all of the management teams, faculty and staff. These eleven years with Pao School have been the most memorable of my life.”

President Wu continued: “I would also like to thank the founders, the Chinese and foreign leaders and staff of the school, all the students and parents, the leaders and employees of the outsourcing partners of the school, the superior party and government leaders, people from all walks of life, and friends, for their contributions in the past 11 years. Thanks to you all, these past 11 years have been an unforgettable and happy time for me. In the future, I will, like the graduates, continue to play my part in the development of Pao School.”

The Year 5 graduation ceremony was held on 9th June in the Primary School's auditorium. It commenced with a speech from Primary Principal, Siobhain Allum, who spoke about the importance of the community in a child’s education. Principal Allum also made sure to thank teachers, parents and the PTA – ending on a special recognition for President Wu. She then gave some sage advice to the departing Year 5s: nothing worth having comes easily; be prepared to put forth your best effort and try, and try again, until you succeed; compassion, integrity and balance should be the cornerstone for all you do; and to never quit.

When it was time to receive their diplomas, the students took to the stage, one after the next, for the ceremony. Between each class, the students and their teachers had prepared some heartwarming videos, sharing the students’ memories and favourite aspects of Pao School.

After the students had received their diplomas, representatives from each Year 5 class took to the stage to share a message from their classmates. Matthew, Yoyo, Venus, Connie and Ryan all spoke eloquently and nostalgically about growing up at Pao School, also sharing their gratitude to the Pao School community and their hopes for the future. Connie shared that: “Our core values remain wherever we go: connect with people and treat others with compassion no matter their race or country of origin; look into our hearts and find balance in our life; maintain hope for the future; remain optimistic about humanity; and, finally, to remember we are the future of this world.”

Y5 Connie

Next, the students were surprised with some words from Philip Sohmen, Founder and Executive Deputy Chairman of Pao School, who spoke on the importance of values and how students may carry these with them as they go through life. As Philip ended his speech, he also reminded the students that they must show gratitude to their parents and teachers. He highlighted the challenges of life during the pandemic and emphasised that students should be aware of the sacrifices their parents have made to ensure they may continue their studies.

The Year 8 promotion ceremony was held on 16th June in the middle school's auditorium. The ceremony welcomed special guests Madam Tan Fuyun, Pao School Deputy-Chairman, and her guest Yang Zhenhan. 

The ceremony was hosted by Peter Kalis, Vice-Principal at the Middle School, who started by sharing fond memories he shares with the students. The student choir then sang a beautiful rendition of “Memory” by Maroon 5.

Next, the audience received a series of tribute speeches from students to teachers showing the warmth and closeness they share. Caroline Xu, Principal of Middle School recalled her memories of the early days of Hongqiao Campus: "I hope that through the accumulation of knowledge from primary and middle school you have formed a solid foundation of knowledge, as you wait to join the high school to bloom. Always carry the perseverance of bamboo with you. Become a groundbreaker.”

President Wu Zijian was soon welcomed to the stage, who highlighted how this graduating class were the first to spend their full middle school experience at the new Hongqiao Campus. 

After, the audience was treated to a lovely performance of “Beethoven in Blue Jeans” by Hongqiao’s Advanced String performers. As the music died down, Mark Bishop, Executive Headmaster shared some advice for the students as they move on to High School. In his speech, he quoted Aristotle’s sage advice: “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” – an encouragement for students to develop their self-knowledge, integrity and self-advocation. Shortly after, the students received their diplomas, marking their transition from middle school to high school.

The Year 9 graduation ceremony was held on 17th June in the high school's gymnasium. The ceremony was opened by a rousing speech from President Wu Zijian. He reminded the students to show their appreciation for the support of the founders, alongside teachers, school staff and parents. In his speech, Present Wu recognized the hard work and achievement of all the Year 9s, despite the challenges of the coronavirus.

Susie and Gavin then stood to represent their year, reflecting on the challenges they have faced growing alongside Pao School and the lessons they have learned so far. 

Mark Bishop, Executive Headmaster and High School Principal, then stood to present the students with their diplomas and share some of his own words: “Every single one of our Year 9s has contributed to our school, all of you together have contributed to what makes YK Pao School special and very unique.”