An Inspiring Speech from Principal Zhuang at Graduation Ceremony

Wednesday 1st of June was marked by this year’s graduation ceremony at Dulwich International High School Suzhou. 

Mrs. Zhuang Xiaoyan, Principal of DHSZ, gives the graduates an inspiring speech.

Principal Zhuang will end her fortieth year of teaching in June this year. This is also the tenth year she spent at DHSZ since founding. In the speech, she encourages the graduates to gain achievements not just academically, but morally, and not only become Dulwich alumni, but especially, become Dulwich international alumni. 

Please click here to watch the speech 

Dear parents, teachers and students,

Good afternoon!

It is my great honor to speak here today as a representative of the school management.

I joined Suzhou High School as a teacher in 1982, and I have been working in the field of education for 40 years. Many of you have parents who I taught in Suzhou High School. I will end my fortieth year of teaching in June this year. Therefore, I feel very grateful and elated to speak here on behalf of the school.

2022 is bound to be an extraordinary year. Suzhou Dulwich International High School has been running since 2012. After starting and developing, it has become mature gradually, and it will be ten years old in 2022. The school has grown from more than 100 students when it was founded to nearly 800 students today. In 10 years, nearly 1000 students have gone from DHSZ to universities around the world to complete their studies and pursue their dreams. All the students of Grade 13, as the tenth batch of graduates of Dulwich International High School, you, like your seniors, are about to embark on your college journey and move towards higher goals.

During your three/four years at DHSZ, you have opened your eyes, been exposed to different cultures, become more mature mentally, and become better academically. The DHSZ values of "respect, responsibility, integrity, international mindedness, collaboration, creativity, confidence, empathy, and excellence" have been integrated into your daily life and study. There are so many remarkable students that I should mention here.

Study is the first priority of every student. Since entering the school, just some of the many students who have achieved and maintained excellent academic performance are: Jacky C, Jonathan W, Yolanda J, Bryan C, Eva J, Sissy L, Grace W and Joyce W. Particularly worth mentioning is Solomon Z. Almost all the teachers and classmates who know him told me about his remarkable changes during the four years in DHSZ -- he has changed from a shy and introverted boy at the beginning of enrollment to an active and cheerful student with excellent grades and can be seen in various activities at school today.

Of course, our goal is to develop a "well-rounded person”, focusing on the cultivation of interests and hobbies and leadership skills. Many of you have engaged in sports, CCAs and various activities held by the school, showing strong organizational leadership, and achieved excellent results in different areas. Some examples of these students are: Vincent L, Bryan C, Mandy L , Frank W, Allen W, Giovanna G, Alex Y, George Y, Ethan H, Xinyi J, Lorenzo L, Christine N, Bruce D and our two foreign students Veronica and Aidan.

Year 13 students, in the past three/four years, you have experienced the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. Through a long period of online learning, you have learned to better manage your time, cherish the reunion with your parents and family, and have achieved achievements that parents and teachers are very proud of. On behalf of the faculty and staff of the school, I would like to congratulate you all.

Many students know that our on-campus dormitory is called Alleyn House, named after the gentleman founder of Dulwich College in London and a playwright of Shakespeare's time. Does anybody know the name of our off-campus boys' dormitory? Yes, it’s Shackleton.

Of all the Dulwich alumni, he is the most well-known. He was one of the greatest explorers of his time and perhaps all of history. From 1901 to 1916, he made three expeditions to the South Pole, but failed to reach it.

Sir Shackleton's voyage was written about and made into a film. But I choose to mention him not only because of his courage and spirit of exploration, but also because of his expedition to the South Pole in 1907-1909. This expedition, too, did not reach the South Pole because of inadequate supplies and the deteriorating health of the men. On the return journey, the crew faced the threat of starving to death from lack of food before reaching their destination, New Zealand, due to low rations on board; The situation was so bad that each crew member lived on just one biscuit a day. Under these circumstances, one of the sailors, Frank Wild, became very ill. Sir Shackleton gave Frank his biscuit even though he knew he would have nothing to eat for the next twenty-four hours.

Frank Wild, who survived the journey, later wrote: “No money ever minted could have bought that biscuit. I will always remember that spirit of sacrifice.”

Almost all of Sir Shackleton's expeditions were unsuccessful when measured by the achievement of his aims. As a leader, however, Shackleton is unquestionably excellent. He had great respect, trust and love for the expedition team. One of his teammates called him "the greatest leader in the world." Shackleton's leadership reached its zenith when he brought all the crew of the ship to safety. I consider it a greater feat than any expedition to give away one's only food and starve oneself for twenty-four hours so that another can survive. There are many such examples worth our understanding and learning!

Students, when you graduate today, each of you will be part of a very famous team. The team includes famous politicians, writers, athletes, artists and even heads of state. The name of the team is "Dulwich". Not only are you Dulwich alumni, but especially, you are Dulwich international alumni.

As a Dulwich international alumnus, you have many advantages, but also responsibilities. You represent an organization that is more than 400 years old and has a high global profile. You also represent Dulwich International High School, Suzhou, and I hope to see the same quality of graduates from our school as students from Dulwich Colleges in London, Shanghai, Beijing, and around the world - not just academically, but morally. I trust you, and I want you to prove me right.

Students, we do not know how vast the world around us extends, if we do not climb to the top of the mountain; we do not know how deep the river flows if we do not go down to the valley. Your parents and teachers have paved the smooth road for you to understand the world and built an ideal platform for you to explore knowledge. Let's express our sincere thanks to our parents and teachers for their support and help during our high school years.

As you go to universities around the world, and even in your future career, you will find success and achievements, but you will also encounter unexpected difficulties and setbacks, remember: as long as you do not give up, setbacks are only temporary.

Finally, I hope you will do well in your studies by being kind to other people andwith your country and your family. Also remember: There are many ways to measure success, and if every night you can look in the mirror and say to yourself, "Today I will have no guilt or regret," you will have achieved a level of success that many "great" people cannot achieve. I sincerely wish the class of 2022 a bright future! Thank you!