Academic Excellence |CIS End of the Term Awards Review: Honor and Growth go hand in hand

As the 2024-2025 academic year comes to a close, CIS students and faculty gathered this week for a grand end-of-term awards ceremony. 

This celebration, which embodies hard work, perseverance, and dedication, not only recognizes the students' achievements over the past year but also strongly reflects our educational vision of "Innovate Today, Lead Tomorrow." A total of 240 awards were presented, honoring students for their outstanding accomplishments and growthin academics, the arts, sports, language, social skills, and more.

Mr. Nathan, Head of shcool, delivered a speech at all three division award ceremonies, commending students for their passion for learning, resilience, and well-rounded development over the past year. He encouraged every student to stay curious, act with responsibility, and embrace challenges as they grow into future leaders with global vision and inner drive.He also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated teachers who continually inspire and support students, to the parents who actively engage with the school’s mission, and especially to the PTA members whose quiet contributions make a lasting impact.

Head of shcool

 Nathan Gray

During the kindergarten award ceremony, Principal Kole warmly reflected on the children's journey of growth over the past year. She shared, “We are thrilled to see the children not only make significant progress in their cognitive and language skills but also demonstrate incredible potential in curiosity, teamwork, and emotional expression.” She encouraged the children to continue nurturing their curiosity and courage as they step into their next stage of growth.

Principal of the Kindergarten

Kole

The ceremony featured a heartfelt performance by the kindergarten students, who sang "The More We Get Together" — a beautiful expression of their joy in friendship and collaboration.

Two parents were also invited to share their children's growth stories during their time at CIS Kindergarten. They recounted how their children had improved in language expression, self-management, and, through care and support, became more confident and independent.

The awards were presented by grade level, from PK1 to K, celebrating each child's efforts and marking a beautiful conclusion to their journey.

The awards include :

• Thinker Award (4), Knowledgeable Award (3), Communicator Award (3 )

• Social  Award, Caring Award, Reflective Award, well-balanced Award,  a total of 20 students 

• Academic Excellence in Math, English, Science, and Social Studies (1 per subject)

These awards honor the students who stood out for their persistence, willingness to try, and eagerness to express themselves. They represent the first beams of light on their path of enlightenment and growth.

The Primary School Awards Ceremony opened in a warm and spirited atmosphere. Following an inspiring speech by Principal Lynne, the CIS Primary Choir energized the audience with a lively rendition of the song "Happy"， filling the room with positivity and confidence as the awards segment began.

In her speech, Principal Lynne highlighted that primary school is a crucial stage for character building and holistic development. “This year, our students have shown remarkable growth in teamwork, inquiry, global awareness, and cross-cultural understanding. They are curious, expressive, and truly deserving of recognition.” She encouraged every student to continue nurturing a sense of purpose and responsibility, to keep expanding their horizons, and to build the strength and confidence needed to embrace future challenges.

Primary School Principal

Lynne

Amidst the uplifting music and applause, the excitement in the room continued to rise as the awards were announced one by one.

Award categories included:

• IB Learner Profile Awards (10 categories, 63 students): such as the Inquirer Award, GLOBAL-MINDED award, Citizenship award, and Thinker Award—recognizing students’ consistent demonstration of core competencies.

• Academic Awards (9 categories): including the Distinguished Scholar Achievement Certificate (6), Academic Growth Award(5), Academic Perseverance Award(7), Mathematics Excellence Award (7), English Excellence Award (6), and  Chinese Excellence Award (6),  Chinese Second Language(5), Excellence in Physical Education(8),  Excellence in Visual Arts(8), celebrating both all-around academic performance and subject-specific excellence.

• Progress Certificates (for 5 grade levels): A total of 43 completion certificates were awarded, marking key milestones in the students’ learning journeys.

These awards reflect not only the students' continuous progress inside and outside the classroom but also the depth and warmth of CIS Primary’s educational approach.

Class photo

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The Secondary School Awards Ceremony was hosted by Grade 7 homeroom teacher, Mr. Mush. As a dedicated educator and a key driver behind many student initiatives, Mr. Mush opened the event with warm and heartfelt remarks, guiding students and teachers to reflect on the year’s journey and ushering in a moment of celebration for every student's achievements.

Grade 7 homeroom teacher Mush

In addition to a speech from head of school Mr. Nathan, the ceremony featured remarks from Professor Ted Sze, Dean of the School of Creative Design. He emphasized that secondary school is not only a time to explore interests, but also a crucial stage for shaping academic direction and preparing for university. Ted encouraged students to take initiative in planning their future pathways, deepen their learning through both coursework and projects, and gradually build the skills and mindset needed to thrive on a global stage.

Dean of the School of Creative Design Ted Sze

We were also delighted to invite Jan, an undergraduate student at Harvard University, to share her journey. Drawing from her personal experiences, Jan encouraged students to make the most of the educational opportunities around them and to courageously pursue their passions. she said, “You don’t have to be a genius to change the world. What matters is consistent effort and genuine care.”

an undergraduate student at Harvard University

Jan

The ceremony featured captivating student performances. Grade 7 student Chloe presented a graceful dance inspired by Chinese ethnic traditions, celebrating cultural beauty and artistic expression. Her classmate Christine followed with a piano solo filled with focus and emotion, creating a calm and touching atmosphere.

The award presentations then officially began. A total of 41 awards were presented, recognizing student excellence across a wide range of areas including academics, creativity, communication, athletic spirit, and interpersonal growth. These honors highlight the students’ dedication and perseverance on the path of well-rounded development.

Award Categories：

• Academic Excellence (12 Awards): Recognizing outstanding performance in subjects such as English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Chinese, Social Studies, Arts & Design, Business Studies, and ICT.

In addition to the above recognitions, 7 secondary students were honored with the CIS Special Distinction Awards this year. These students stood out for their strong will, integrity, and sense of community responsibility. The awards include:

Innovative Leadership Award, Leadership & Citizenship Award, Most Improved Award, Sportsmanship Award, Arts & Creativity Award, Community Service Award

These awards are a high recognition of students' year-long achievements and a symbol of their ability to lead and positively impact their community.

Behind every certificate, every medal, and every award-winning student is a story of quiet perseverance and hard work. The CIS End-of-Year Awards Ceremony is more than a celebration — it is a reflection of our values. We honor not just outcomes, but the effort, growth, and dedication behind them.

At CIS, we believe true education means awakening each child’s passion and potential, guiding them to become curious learners, global citizens, and future leaders.

Let’s celebrate every award recipient — and just as importantly, every student who strives with heart and persistence. Every effort matters, every step counts.