On a Thursday morning, the HWA One-north campus buzzed with anticipation as parents, students, and teachers gathered early for the 2023-24 graduation ceremony. The event began with an official announcement by two student emcees, marking the start of the celebration.
The principal and vice principal each delivered insightful speeches, reflecting on the remarkable achievements of the students over the past year and sharing exciting plans for the HWA campus expansion. These plans include enhanced academic support and the introduction of free after-school care services, reinforcing HWA’s commitment to holistic education.
A highlight of the ceremony was the PYP (Primary Years Programme) students’ heartfelt performance of the Chinese song “Invisible Wings.” The young students sang with passion and grace, leaving the audience visibly moved.
Following this touching performance was the pivotal segment of the ceremony: the awarding of diplomas. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as the principal called up the graduates by name. The primary school students were the first to receive their diplomas, followed by the middle school and high school graduates. Each student walked up to the stage with a beaming smile, receiving their diploma amidst applause and cheers from proud parents and teachers. The principal congratulated each student personally, highlighting their unique contributions and achievements.
The ceremony continued with a video montage featuring well-wishes from alumni and heartfelt messages from the graduates. Mitchum, a Grade 10 student from the United States, then took the stage to express his gratitude to his teachers. He highlighted his significant progress in learning Chinese, a testament to the school’s robust language program, which helps students master Chinese.
Grade6 – Naomi’s mother, representing the parents, shared her heartfelt thanks to the teachers for their dedication and highlighted Naomi’s progress at the school. As a parent from Spain, her speech reinforced HWA’s reputation as a parents recommended school.
Next, three students from different grades performed the song “Lovely,” with Hengxuan on piano, Scarlet on violin, and Naomi as the vocalist. Their performance was followed by a group of Grade 10 students singing “我是如此相信,” captivating the audience with their harmonious rendition.
The principal then recognized the SASMO winners and HSK winners who excelled in mathematics and Chinese competitions, as well as the dedicated teachers who guided them. Medals, certificates, and prizes were awarded to celebrate their achievements. Additionally, outstanding parents who have consistently supported school activities were also honored for their contributions.
The ceremony highlighted HWA’s commitment to providing a full IB program, including the IB-DP, IB-MYP, and IB-PYP, emphasizing its standing as a bilingual and bicultural school in Singapore. The event concluded with a powerful performance by the entire faculty, who sang “Greatest Love of All,” leaving the audience with a sense of inspiration and unity as the graduates prepared to embark on the next chapter of their lives.
As the ceremony drew to a close, the Grade 6 graduates lingered, not yet ready to depart. They gathered around their homeroom teacher, Ms Regina, and read a poem they had prepared specially for her. Moved by their heartfelt words,Ms Regina was brought to tears, a poignant moment that underscored the deep bonds formed between students and teachers at HWA.
This memorable HWA graduation ceremony not only celebrated the achievements of its students but also underscored the school’s dedication to academic excellence, innovative teaching methods, and a supportive, multicultural environment.
