方同学(G-Pre)

Jimmy

Good afternoon, everyone! I am Jimmy Fang, the captain of our orientation camp. It is a great honor to speak on behalf of all new students here.

In fact, my contact with SHBS can be traced back to three years ago. I participated in SHBS Summer Camps for three consecutive years, from Grade 7 to Grade 9, including serving as a student mentor during this summer camp. This is why during the orientation camp, some of the new members still recognized me as a student mentor, but in fact, I am also a freshman, officially this time.

The enthusiastic, confident student mentors helped me get to know SHBS. The welcoming, tolerant, and rigorous teachers introduced SHBS to me. It was these lovely people and fun activities that left a deep impression on me, making me want to join this community. So, I joined the orientation camp and had the opportunity to meet the new students, pursue our dreams, and explore our hobbies together in the 7-day orientation camp.

Outdoor survival training, the NewBiz contest, fun English and Science classes, and other activities helped us get to know each other quickly and develop our friendship. There are obvious differences between us, especially in terms of personalities. In the process of communicating and discussing with students with various personalities, I have gained a deeper understanding of the very concept of "discussion". Discussions should be based on self-evidence and self-validation, with participants engaging in reasoned arguments to reach the best outcome. Throughout this process, I also met and learned about many different people who have thoughts, understandings, and methods that differ from mine. This experience highlighted the distinct differences between individuals, which are natural and contribute to the richness and diversity of the world. What we need to do is to embrace and harmoniously manage these differences, seeking common ground while respecting diversity. By being inclusive and appreciating beauty in diversity, we create a community that is truly meaningful and vibrant.

I was fascinated by the community, so I decided to join. I also hope that every new student can immerse themselves into this atmosphere as soon as possible. I hope that we freshmen can work hard together and become contributors to this unique atmosphere of our own SHBS , just like the unique seniors did. We also look forward to the cooperation of new and returning students to create an even more harmonious and beautiful community, making our community culture richer and more meaningful. I wish you all a successful new semester.

谢同学 (G10)

各位老师、各位同学：

大家好！

在经历了一段充实的暑假后，再次见到大家真的非常开心。我真心地相信诸位新生能在需要的时候，感受到老师们或老生们的温暖善意，也希望大家能在新的一学期继续努力加油，肆意挥洒青春的汗水。

当然，在追求更优秀、更健康的自己的路上，每个人都是值得被赞美的，都值得自己高兴了。所以，追求梦想与未来的诸位，对于你们来说，一些微有瑕疵的边边角角就无需挂怀了。

还记得去年年末，那会数学作业欠了两三份，想着晚上恶补一下；前几天也计划着月末了在游戏上上点分；课间那会朋友问到明天经济是不是要测验，我顿了半响先是茫然后是绝望：效率再怎么高一通宵也做不完这些事啊。

事情的结果先按下不表，我后来发现，人状态不好、事情繁多的时候，做事不用去追求完满，能完成60、70分也行，没必要事事都拼尽全力，累的时候更是要放过自己。当要做的事多且难，很扰乱自己心态，放过自己一下不妨是一种选择：数学作业做快点，错个几题没关系明天订正就是了；这个赛季没来得及d上钻石，下个赛季看着再战就是了；经济测验放松心态裸考，有啥问题咱再慢慢补。该放下的东西，我们释然地放下，可能对我们后续的心态和能量有更可观的保护。

古人云：道阻且长，行则将至。只要我们出力、尽力，结果是什么样对我们来说可能就没那么重要了；那些有苦有甜的点滴，那些让人高兴的经历，可能才是我们最宝贵的财富。

最后祝愿大家都能有自己想为之付出的道路，放平心态，轻装上阵、大步向前！

那就先到这里了，我也要“放过自己”了。

Ivan

Dear Teachers and Fellow Schoolmates,

Hello everyone!

After a fulfilling summer break, it’s truly a pleasure to see you all again. I sincerely believe that our new students will feel the warmth and kindness of the teachers and returning students whenever needed. I also hope that everyone will continue to work hard in this new semester, pouring your youthful energy into your endeavors.

Of course, on the path to becoming a better and healthier version of ourselves, everyone deserves to be praised and to feel proud. So, as you pursue your dreams and your future, don’t let minor imperfections bother you.

I still remember the end of last year, when I had two or three overdue math assignments, planning to catch up at night. A few days ago, I was also planning to rank up in a game by the end of the month. During a break, a friend asked me if we had an economics test the next day. I paused, first confused and then filled with despair—no matter how efficient I was, I couldn’t finish everything in one night.

As for the results, I’ll set those aside for now. Later, I realized that when you’re not in the best state or when there’s too much to do, it’s okay not to strive for perfection in everything. Completing 60-70% is enough; there’s no need to push yourself to the limit in every situation. When you’re tired, it’s important to give yourself a break. When faced with multiple challenging tasks that overwhelm you, letting go might be a wise choice. You can finish your math homework quickly, make a few mistakes, and correct them tomorrow. If you didn’t make it to Diamond rank this season, just aim for it next season. If you take the economics test with a relaxed mindset and don’t do well, you can always catch up later. Letting go of what needs to be let go of might better protect your mental state and energy in the long run.

As the ancient saying goes, "The road is long and difficult, but as long as you walk it, you will eventually reach your destination". As long as we put in the effort and do our best, the outcome might not matter as much. The bitter and sweet moments, the experiences that bring us joy, may be our most valuable treasures.

In conclusion, I wish everyone a path worth striving for. Keep a positive mindset, travel light, and move forward with big strides!

I’ll stop here for now; it’s time for me to "give myself a break" too.

吴同学 (G12)

尊敬的老师们、家长们、亲爱的同学们：

下午好。重返校园，心中感慨万千。再次回到上海，顺着地铁17号线一路深入，直至青浦区的倒数第二站，仿佛穿越时光的隧道，回到了那个熟悉的地方。

过去的一年里，发生了太多令人难忘的故事，我甚至不知从何说起——或许是第一次面试时Irene老师问我是否愿意创立一个社团的瞬间，亦或是Chris校长在我们第一次微信通话时探讨“性别是什么”的那一刻，抑或是Jerry第一次将那本我至今未读的书借给我的场景，甚至是迎新会上第一次听Martina唱歌。我心里想，哇。

如果你细心寻找，便会发现，特别的人无处不在。正是因为他们，我才愿意每天踏入校园——即使有时清晨不愿起身，我仍会努力振作，因为我知道，今天我会有Marc老师的课，我将与Davy、Frank和David老师探讨课堂上的内容。我要去了解弗洛伊德对心理学的误解，去学习那些拗口的药物名称，去探究艾米莉·狄金森为何写下关于苍蝇的诗篇，去领悟生者从死者那里学到了什么，未来如何从过去汲取教训，自由者如何从束缚中获得启迪。我们将探索故事的脉络，理解学习的方式，但最重要的是，寻找我们学习的意义。

我不知道这是否是我作为返校学生在SHBS最后一次发言。但有一些事情我确实知道。我知道，对于我们十二年级学生来说，我们还有三个月的时间，直到2025年1月1日到来。我知道这段时间会很艰难。我知道我们会经历泪水，但感到不安是正常的。因为我们一定会成功，就像去年站在这里毕业的学长学姐们一样。

对于低年级的同学们：趁现在还有机会，尝试一些新事物：在科学与艺术展上用冰棒棍搭建一台挖掘机，在艺术课上烧制陶瓷，照顾我们校园里的小猫（小心受伤），抑或是在学校里的咖啡店尝尝鲜，为文学杂志投稿，或者去举办自己的TED演讲。在这个校园里，在这群人中，在第17条线上，你会找到你的理由，发现你的“为什么”——你学习的原因。

Ella

Good afternoon. It’s good to be back. Back in Shanghai, taking the metro all the way down to the second last stop of line 17, the only metro line that runs through Qingpu district.

So many things happened in the past year that I don’t know where my story should begin — when Irene asked me if I wanted to start a club in my first interview, when Chris asked me what is gender on our first WeChat call, or the first time when Jerry lent me a book that I still have yet to read, or when I heard Martina sing at the orientation talent show. I thought, wow.

You can find special people everywhere if you look for them. And they are the reason I come to school — when I don’t feel like getting up in the morning, I still do, because I know I have Marc’s class today, I’m going to talk to Davy, Frank, and David today. I’m going to learn about what Freud got wrong about psychology, about all the drugs I can’t spell, about why Emily Dickinson wrote about flies, and how the living learn from death, how the future learns from its past, and how the freed learn from its bondage. About stories and how they were told, about how we learn and most importantly, why we learn.

I don’t know if this is the last time I will speak as a returning student here at SHBS. But there are some things that I do know. I know that for my G12s we have three long months until we make it to the first of January, 2025. I know it’s going to be difficult. I know we will have tears on the way, and it’s ok to not feel ok. Because we’re gonna make it, just like the people who stood here last year and graduated from here last year.

For my G11s, my G10s and G9s: Try something new while you can. Try building an excavator out of popsicle sticks for the science fair. Try baking ceramics in art class. Try taking care of the kittens on our campus — but don’t get hurt! Try grabbing something from our coffee shop. Try writing for a magazine. Try making your own Ted talk. Somewhere here, on this campus, with this group of people, down line 17, you would find your reasons and discover your why — why you learn.

I can’t wait to make more stories with you all.