Holiday Planning and Independent Thinking
——Speech by the Principal at the National Flag Ceremony, Week 16 of the Spring Semester 2026
Dear teachers and students,
Good morning, everyone.
The breeze passing through the camphor trees by the playground already carries the heat of midsummer. As we stand here, the hourglass of the 2025–2026 school year has reached its final grain. At last Saturday's graduation ceremony, we watched our A2 and F6 seniors receive their diplomas in caps and gowns, holding flowers, hugging their teachers and classmates, and saying with smiles, "See you at the top." That marked the end of their journey at Yinghua. For us, we are now approaching the close of this school year and a long, well‑deserved holiday.
Standing here today, I want to share four key words with you, in the hope of offering some practical advice for the upcoming break.
The first key word is safety. We have heard these two words countless times, but I must stress them again: whether you are staying in China travelling with friends, or going abroad for summer school or a family trip, always put safety first. Before you set out, check the local security situation and weather warnings. When travelling with others, keep your family updated on your whereabouts. Swim only in regulated venues; do not venture into unfamiliar waters. Take proper protective measures before trying any outdoor sports. Your safety is the foundation of any holiday plan.
The second key word is learning. Do not treat the holiday as a complete "blank period" without any intellectual engagement. That does not mean you have to pack your suitcase with textbooks. Instead, use this time, free from academic pressure, to do some "useful leisure": you could finally finish that vocabulary book you have been putting off, watch those documentaries you have always wanted to see, or learn a small skill – whether it is video editing, practising spoken English, cooking a few home dishes, or simply catching up on an English novel you left half‑read. All these seemingly "useless" inputs will surprise you at some point in the future. Learning is never just about sitting in a classroom doing exercises. Staying curious about the world is the best state of learning.
The third key word is holiday planning. I have seen too many students draw up a full page of plans before the holiday, only to end up spending the entire break scrolling through their phones and sleeping in, regretting it deeply when school starts. You do not need to pack your schedule too tightly. Start by thinking clearly about the three things you most want to accomplish this holiday: perhaps taking part in a volunteer activity, achieving your target IELTS score, or hiking through the Gobi Desert in the northwest with friends. Break those big goals into small daily tasks, spend an hour or two each day on them, and then enjoy the rest of your time guilt‑free. A holiday that is relaxed but not wasteful will leave you fulfilled and happy.
The final key word I want to talk about is independent thinking. As students of Yinghua, many of you will go on to study in different parts of the world. You will encounter all kinds of voices and see viewpoints different from what you have known. I hope you will always remember: do not be an "echo chamber" for information; do not let online trends push you around. When facing something, ask "why" several times, look at it from different angles, avoid jumping to conclusions, and do not blindly follow others' choices. The larger the world you see, the more important it is to maintain your own judgment. That is the most precious value of reading and travelling.
Dear students, over this school year we have shared the excitement of the Christmas and New Year's Eve gala, the late nights of exam week, and we have witnessed the shining moments of our seniors' graduation. Now this journey is about to reach its station. I hope each of you will receive your own report card and enjoy a safe, fulfilling, and rewarding holiday. See you when school starts again.
Thank you.
Mark, morning of June 15, 2026