Nurturing Growth with Care, Building Future with Standard

The International Division of No. 2 High School of East China Normal University (ECNU) held a series of registration activities for newcomers of the 2025 academic year from Aug. 30 to Sept. 4, for the sake of helping them smoothly transit from summer vacation to the new semester and lay a good foundation for the new journey.

Immerse in School History – Embrace Spiritual Heritage

New students visited the school history museum, exploring the milestones of the school through archives and photographs. Ms. Zhou Yaji, Vice Director of the International Division, vividly interpreted the spirit of the school motto – “To be Outstanding and Independent, To Surpass and Transcend”, by connecting it to details from the school’s past. This gave students a profound understanding of the school’s educational philosophy and enduring legacy. Then, Mr. Guo Hongwei, Director of the International Division, delivered a speech entitled Walking into No. 2 High School in the music hall. He provided a comprehensive introduction to campus life, covering everything from school culture and academic planning to student growth support, to help everyone understand the school and integrate into school life.

In the lecture, Mr. Guo laid emphasis on the school motto by saying, “To be Outstanding and Independent means the school hopes that you will cultivate independent personalities and critical thinking abilities while To Surpass and Transcend means the school encourages you to constantly challenge and surpass yourselves. This is more than an academic requirement. This is a guide for life.”

Interpret Student Handbook – Clarify Code of Conduct

The school initiated a dedicated session to interpret the Student Handbook so that new students clearly understood campus regulations. Starting with daily code of conduct, the session meticulously reviewed core principles such as classroom discipline, campus etiquette, and schedule management. By translating formal rules into easy-to-follow life guidelines, the school helped students clarify its expectations, thereby building a solid foundation for them to adhere to campus rules and smoothly begin school life.

Manage Student Accommodation – Build Dorm Harmony

Great emphasis is laid on the student accommodation management as a key part of the orientation. During the move-in period, the school held a special session for newcomers called “First Move-In Lesson”. Dorm teachers used real life examples to walk students through expectations for dorm hygiene, item storage, and safety. Centered on the idea that “the dorm is your second home”, the session also encouraged students to look after one another and work together to build a harmonious community, which has a sense of belonging. This ensures that all newcomers have a strong foundation to start life on campus.

Present School Souvenir – Conveying Culture

A highlight of the activity was the collection of cultural and creative products for the International Division, designed by members of the Neighborhood Club of the International Division. The products, including notebooks, canvas bags, and card holders, all feature the Division’s signature dark blue and are crisply branded with the “EFZID” logo. Offering both practicality and a unique identity, they serve as a tangible “carrier of campus memories” for the new students.

In addition to the standard registration process, the International Division launched a two-day orientation camp for newcomers from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan on August 30 to help them quickly adapt. That morning, the opening ceremony for the orientation camp for new students from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan was held in the lecture hall.

Ice Breaking – Quick Integration

The “Mindful Start” ice-breaker session, thoughtfully designed by Psychology teacher Ms. Chen Mengjia, created a warm and welcoming atmosphere. A series of fun, interactive games successfully broke the ice among the new students. Through laughter and collaboration, they quickly grew closer, fostering a harmonious and cohesive class spirit. Li, a student from Class 1 Grade 10 of the Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan Program shared her true feelings by saying, “I was quite nervous at first, and I was worried I wouldn’t fit in. I never expected to make new friends so quickly through these little games. Now, I feel a real sense of belonging.”

Campus Tour Guided by Senior Students

Following the ice-breaker session, senior student volunteers from the Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan program took on the role of “campus guides”, enthusiastically leading newcomers on a tour of campus discovery. They not only pointed out specific locations of academic buildings, the gymnasium and the library, and patiently explained how to use various sports facilities. They also shared practical advice on academic and daily life, such as course selection and time management tips. They built a “bridge” to help new students familiarize themselves with the campus and adapt to the new school life.

Subject Lecture for Smooth Transition

To ensure a smooth transition to senior high school, teachers of various subjects jointly presented a guidance lecture series entitled Bridging from Junior to Senior High School, Empowering A New Journey, specifically designed to address common academic challenges. The mathematics teacher provided a deep analysis of the differences between junior high school and senior high school mathematical thinking, offering practical methods to bridge the gap. The English teacher focused on the unique features of the international curriculum and shared tailored learning skills. The geography teacher used concrete examples to map out the progression of knowledge from middle to high school, guiding students on how to develop spatial reasoning. The chemistry teacher covered everything from proper lab procedures to the logical framework of the subject, building a solid academic foundation for the students. All these sessions provided comprehensive support for the new students.

The closing ceremony was held on the afternoon of August 31. The International Division leaders formally presented each new student with a certificate of participation, recognizing their active engagement and impressive performance throughout the activity and marking a perfect conclusion to this journey of growth.

The registration for the International Division’s 2025 academic year ended in a satisfactory way on the afternoon of September 4. “We carefully designed this series of orientation programs not only to help new students clearly understand the school’s rules and regulations but also to make them feel warmth and care of the school, so that they can quickly integrate into the big loving family of the school.” said Mr. Guo.

Now that the new semester has started, all teachers and students are diving into learning and working with vibrant, full enthusiasm. Working side-by-side, they are ready to write a brilliant new chapter in the story of the International Division.