On the morning of September 1, the new school year at Beijing National Day School began with a harmonious melody, marking the official start of the entrance procession. Under the guidance of the “Long Wa” (龙娃), the freshmen from the Class of 2024—including regular Grade 7 students, those advancing from the school’s primary division, first-year students at the North Campus, Grade 10 students, and international department Grade 10 students—walked proudly down the red carpet that symbolized their new journey. Their faces were beaming with excitement as they waved enthusiastically at the audience. Teachers and students lining the sides of the red carpet welcomed them with warm applause, sharing in this meaningful moment.

The host then introduced the six colors of the “Start-of-School Passport”: “Spring Blossom Green,” “Silver Eagle Gray,” “Autumn Harvest Yellow,” “Space Blue,” “Earth Black,” and “National Flag Red.” These colors, drawn from the BNDS emblem, correspond to different grade levels and embody the school’s sincere hopes for its students. It is the school’s wish that each student finds their direction in this fertile land of Beijing National Day School and shines brightly in their own unique way.
As the freshmen made their way into the venue, a short film produced by the BNDS Imagery Society was screened, offering a captivating glimpse of campus life through a series of campus map puzzle pieces. The video not only filled the new students with anticipation for the upcoming school year but also provided returning students with a nostalgic reminder of their joyful campus experiences.
The hosts also shared some of the new developments around campus, including the state-of-the-art digital factory, the fully upgraded gymnasium, the newly built fitness center at the North Campus, and the small wooden houses near the school—each an exciting addition to the new school year that will energize and inspire students to continue advancing in their academic and personal growth.

The Ceremony Opens with Music and Dance

As the last of the freshmen entered, the BNDS Symphony Orchestra performed an energetic rendition of “Fun Fun,” appearing in a flash mob style at the front of the stage. The host rallied the audience with a lively question: “Are you ready, students?” With that, the orchestra and the dance troupe launched into a spectacular collaborative performance, marking the official opening of the ceremony. The stirring melodies and the graceful flag dances painted a vivid picture of the flourishing arts programs and student clubs at BNDS.
After the opening performance, four student hosts—Ma Liangliang, Chen Bojin, Lü Yujie, and Peng Junlang—stepped onto the stage to formally declare the start of the 2024-2025 school year at Beijing National Day School with the theme: “Dreams Ignited by the Sacred Flame, the Red Window Reflecting the Journey Ahead.”

Raising the National Flag, Honoring the Nation

The BNDS students also participated in their first flag-raising ceremony of the new school year. Four Grade 10 students marched solemnly to bring in the five-star red flag. Chosen for their exemplary behavior and achievements, these students serve as role models who excel in academics, demonstrate self-discipline, and actively engage in extracurricular activities.

Introducing the Flag Bearers

• Pan Qimiao (Grade 10, High School Division): The youngest national champion in the Youth Fencing Group and a member of the national fencing team. On the field, she is fearless against tough competitors, while off the field, she is an eager learner, determined and constantly striving to improve.
• Hu Haoyuan (Grade 10, High School Division): A positive and outstanding member of the Youth Communist League in Haidian District, Hu is passionate about scientific innovation, music, sports, and community service. He embraces challenges and strives to exceed his limits.
• Chen Zifei (Grade 10, High School Division): An avid seeker of truth, Chen excels in mathematics competitions and contributes to a variety of school activities. She actively participates in both academic and extracurricular endeavors.
• Lin Zirui (Grade 10, International Department): A dedicated young volunteer who participates in environmental protection, Lin is an active presence in sports, film production, and academic competitions. He has received awards for his exemplary performance during military training.
With the live performance of the “March of the Volunteers,” the flag was raised high, and the students of BNDS sang the national anthem passionately, paying tribute to their country.

Honor Students Leading the Future

The annual “Honor Students” are the pinnacle of student achievement at BNDS, representing a combination of academic excellence and personal development. The 22 nominees for the 2024 Honor Student Award proudly walked the red carpet with their teachers, sharing this prestigious moment.

Olympic silver medalists in men’s badminton doubles, Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang, were present as honorary guests, joining the teachers in awarding certificates and Long Wa memorabilia to the honorees.

As new sports continue to make their way onto the Olympic stage, including flag football, lacrosse, baseball/softball, and squash, BNDS has established corresponding clubs and courses. To announce the 2024 Honor Students, members of the BNDS Dragons Football Team passed a rugby ball to reveal the winners: Chen Tianming from the former Grade 12 (Senior High) class and Xia Yuan from the former International Department Grade 12.

Speech by Chen Tianming: “Teachers, students, and friends, good morning! It is my great honor to be selected as an Honor Student. Looking back on my six years at BNDS, I am deeply grateful for the growth the school has provided me. This is my final opening ceremony. I remember my first opening ceremony as a Grade 7 student, watching with admiration as the four hosts confidently presented themselves on stage. I dreamed of becoming one of those stars. Through participating in various school activities, I gained the experience to host events, and by Grade 8, I was standing on this very stage.
I’ve always had a clear goal, whether it was to excel as an outstanding student or to aim higher in competitions. With every challenge, it was my goals that kept me moving forward. At BNDS, we are encouraged to explore freely and grow beyond the classroom, which I believe is one of the school’s greatest charms. I encourage every student to find your direction, focus on your goals, and keep evolving.”

Speech by Xia Yuan: “Dear teachers and students, good morning. It is an honor to be selected as an Honor Student, and I am fortunate to attend my final opening ceremony at BNDS. Reflecting on my time here, it wasn’t the ‘highlight moments’ that I remember most, but the small, everyday joys—the clouds outside the laboratory, the sunset in the teacher’s lounge, the evening breeze while cycling with friends. These moments, though ordinary, are what made my time here truly special.
In this short and precious time, it’s important to explore who you are and what you truly want, beyond just aiming for high grades or a good university. Life is what you define it to be. High school may not always be about grand achievements, but it is about discovering yourself and finding your path.”
Olympic Champions Share Their Wisdom Olympic medalists Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang added excitement to the ceremony. They shared how they discovered their passion for sports and became professional athletes. They also offered advice on managing stress, building friendships, and staying balanced.
Their final message to the students was simple yet inspiring: Liang encouraged students to love their studies and pursue their dreams with perseverance, while Wang urged everyone to stay active and healthy, both physically and mentally.

The Opening Bell Rings, A Symbol of New Beginnings Each year, the start of the school year at BNDS is marked by a unique tradition.

This year, the bell was rung by the colorful flags of the school, signaling the official start of the new academic year.
Before the bell rang, national swimmers Pan Zhanle and Zhang Yufei sent a video message, announcing the two student representatives chosen to ring the bell: Yuan Chuyu from Grade 7 and Qi Peilin from the International Department Grade 10.
The six colorful flags were passed forward from behind the stage by students, each holding one. The flags were raised high, and when all six were gathered at the stage, the bell was rung, echoing the school’s history and the start of a new journey for the students of BNDS.

With the sound of the bell, the new school year officially began. May all students at BNDS embark on a new chapter of their lives, fueled by ambition and determination, ready to write their own brilliant stories.