Turning ten is a significant milestone in a child’s growth—a moment when innocence begins to give way to confidence and independence. Continuing our annual tradition, Dehong Shanghai hosted the G3 10th Birthday Ceremony themed “Tenth Wonder, Unstoppable Thunder” to celebrate this important chapter. On the day of the celebration, the campus transformed into a Nezha-themed mythical realm filled with vibrant balloons and joyful decorations. G3 families joined the entire teaching team to mark this unforgettable occasion together. Let’s take a closer look at this celebration of love, growth, and shared joy—a meaningful moment to witness the transformation of our children.
A Showcase of Talent: Celebrating Growth Through the Arts
G3 students, teachers, and parents presented a spectacular show, carefully choreographed to reflect creativity and heartfelt wishes.
Each G3 class took to the stage, performing a diverse repertoire ranging from uplifting songs like "Flourish Along the Way" and "Run, Youth!" to soulful renditions of classical poems such as "Song of the Wanderer." Through music, poetry, and movement, students shared their thoughts on growing up, expressed their dreams, and showed their passion for life—an embodiment of the well-rounded talents nurtured by Dehong’s holistic education.
G3 homeroom teachers delivered a touching performance of the original song "If the Stars are Waiting," accompanied by rhythmic gymnastics. With lyrics such as “The door to greatness calls from within… The future is in sight, and we’ll walk toward it hand in hand,” they offered their hopes and promises to each student, encouraging them to forge ahead with courage and resilience.
G3 parents surprised everyone with a vibrant Nezha-themed cosplay and dance performance. Characters like the plump Taiyi Zhenren, graceful Ao Run, elegant Ao Bing, and the enigmatic Shen Gongbao came to life on stage, delighting the children and capturing hearts. With their portrayal, parents conveyed heartfelt wishes: that their children, like Nezha, will grow strong and fearless—ready to face life’s storms and create a brilliant future through their own efforts and bravery.
Words of Wisdom: Celebrating Growth with Guidance
On the day of the ceremony, Head of School Ryan Miles shared sincere blessings and inspiration with the students: "You are what you are, and that's great to see, Happy Birthday to you, all of grade 3! Always celebrate who you can be. Each one of you is unique, like a shark in the sea. You're off to great places! You're off and away! So put a smile on those faces. The world is full of possibilities, and amazing places. With the brains in your head and the feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself in any direction you choose. Always remember you have the power to achieve great things, if you aspire to be."
As important guides on the children’s journeys, G3 teachers also offered heartfelt messages reflecting on the past year together.
G3 Grade Leader Levi Ryan: "It's been a pleasure to watch you grow and mature throughout this year and I look forward to watch you continue to progress in the rest of the year and also into Grade 4."
ES Head of Creatives Matt Tollitt: "There are so many things you can be proud of this year. In Grade 3 art, for instance, you created amazing collage - themed animal artworks and even better cross - stitch pieces based on natural forms. I'm really looking forward to teaching you next year in Grade 4."
School Counsellor Wendy Li: "Today I feel filled with gratitude and emotion. I’m grateful to have witnessed your transformation and honored to walk alongside you. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me—you’ve brought great energy to my work and joy to my heart."
No celebration would be complete without recognizing the love and support of families. One of the most touching parts of the ceremony was the Parent Letter Reading, where children sat beside their parents and opened hand-written letters full of love and wisdom. As they read each heartfelt word, their eyes lit up, smiles bloomed, and some were moved to tears by the depth of parental affection.
G3C2 Brian’s Parent: "May you thrive and soar freely in the nurturing environment of Dehong. Though the road ahead may hold challenges, sunlight and hope are always on the horizon. Root yourself in solid ground, reach for the stars, and shine with every step."
G3C3 Bingchen’s Parent: "Youth is a time of brilliance. My dear child, you’re amazing! Race forward on your path of growth—your future will be even brighter."
Reflections of Growth: Embracing a Bright Future Together
During the ceremony, students shared birthday cake and sang songs together. Their glowing smiles reflected both the joy of growth and the excitement of moving forward hand in hand with their classmates.
G3C2 Louis: "Every performance was amazing—we all became little Nezhas showing off our talents! Our class sang Proud of You, and it was our special way of celebrating together. I hope we can all continue to grow with love and support."
G3C3 Dylan: "This was a joyful and touching birthday celebration. I was so happy to perform with my classmates, and the most emotional moment was reading my parents’ letter—it really made me feel their love."
G3C5 Susie: "What touched me most was seeing everyone’s childhood photos on the big screen. Each picture showed how much we’ve all grown. This birthday celebration will be a precious memory for us all."
The Dehong Shanghai G3 10th Birthday Ceremony was more than just a milestone—it was a shared celebration of growth, love, and gratitude. Through memories, mentorship, and collective joy, seeds of love have quietly taken root. AsRita Yan, ES Pastoral Leader and the event’s organizer, shared with students:“Turning ten is your first milestone of perfection. Watching you grow from curious children into confident individuals has been full of surprises and pride. As you step into the future—stay curious, be brave, lead with kindness, and carry your unstoppable energy into a boundless world.”
