As the scent of osmanthus blossoms fills the early autumn air, Huayao Collegiate celebrated its annual Autumn Convocation on September 9, 2024—a significant day for the entire school community.

The Convocation is a cherished tradition at Huayao Collegiate, recognizing the academic achievements of the past semester, celebrating the dedication of teachers, and honoring scholars for their outstanding performance. The ceremony began with an energetic flag-raising by the elementary school division. Faculty and students, united in spirit, reflected on the school’s accomplishments, rallied together for the new academic year, and celebrated the 40th Teachers' Day with great enthusiasm.

Serving as the bilingual hosts, Charis Lu from G11 and Michael Zhang from G12 warmly welcomed attendees, guiding everyone through the remarkable journey of Huayao Collegiate. Over the past four years, the school has thrived by blending Eastern and Western educational philosophies and upholding a holistic approach to learning. Despite challenges like the pandemic, Huayao Collegiate has responded with wisdom and innovation, surmounting obstacles along the way.

As the saying goes, "Those who have walked ninety miles of a hundred-mile journey still have far to go." Standing at a new starting point, the school not only celebrates its past achievements but also looks to the future with determination, aiming to reach even greater heights. The school leadership reminded everyone that progress requires continuous effort and the ability to overcome new challenges. The focus now shifts to elevating the quality of education across the board.

At the close of the previous academic year, Huayao Collegiate was officially accredited by Cognia, a globally recognized educational accreditation institution. This accomplishment marks a significant milestone, affirming the school’s educational quality and management standards on an international level. Cognia is one of the three major accreditation organizations recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the largest nonprofit of its kind worldwide.

To celebrate this achievement, Mr. Jeff Zhu, Vice President of Dipont Education Group, addressed the assembly. His speech not only highlighted the school's accomplishments but also outlined future plans, filled with confidence in the school's ongoing development. Mr. Zhu emphasized the importance of innovation, promising continued efforts to optimize the learning environment and offer scholars broader platforms for growth.

On this special day, General Principal Cai Fang extended warm greetings to all teachers, expressing her gratitude for their tireless work and dedication. She stressed that the essence of education goes beyond merely imparting knowledge—it is about inspiring students to think independently and solve problems. The role of the teacher, she emphasized, is to nurture, helping scholars form sound values and a positive outlook on life as they continue to grow and develop into valuable members of society.

During her address, Principal Cai highlighted Mr. Hui Guo’s recent recognition by East China Normal University Education Group (ECNU) with the Outstanding Teacher Award. She praised Mr. Guo for not only achieving impressive academic results with his scholars but also fostering their holistic development through various extracurricular activities that promote teamwork and engagement. His award is a testament to his hard work and the strength of the entire teaching team. Principal Cai encouraged all teachers to follow his example in guiding students to become future pillars of society.

Executive Principal Dr. Prichett then presided over the most eagerly awaited part of the event—recognizing scholars for their academic achievements. He emphasized that the scholars honored on this stage exemplify outstanding learning abilities and perseverance. Their achievements not only bring pride to themselves but also reflect the glory of the school. Dr. Prichett encouraged all scholars to embody the principles of this year’s theme, "Agency: I Dream, I Plan, I Can," in their daily lives, as a way to show appreciation for their teachers’ efforts.

As the division principals and academic directors announced the names of the award recipients, applause filled the hall. Scholars from the elementary, middle, and high school divisions stood proudly, receiving recognition from their teachers and peers. This moment of honor inspired everyone present to continue striving toward their goals and reaching for excellence.

In this joyful moment, Huayao Collegiate extends its deepest gratitude to all its teachers, wishing them a Happy Teachers’ Day. It is through their dedication and relentless efforts that the school has flourished and its scholars have thrived.

As we look ahead to the new academic year, we also extend our best wishes to all our scholars, encouraging them to maintain their curiosity, continue their pursuit of knowledge, and strive toward their dreams with confidence.

Huayao Collegiate remains committed to innovation and excellence, continuously improving the quality of education and offering scholars even greater opportunities. As we move forward, we look forward to another year of collective progress and brilliant achievements.