_{Picture: Stage of NUSH’s auditorium, where awards were given and speeches were made in Convocation 2025.}

14th November 2025:

It was no ordinary day. Excitement and anticipation were buzzing in the air. Principals, teachers, parents, guests, and students packed the auditorium, eagerly eyeing the doors of the auditorium.

“Ladies and Gentlemen…please welcome the Graduands of the class of 2025!”

The audience burst into a resounding ovation as my co-emcee and I rose into a crescendo. Led by the sound of upbeat music, we warmly welcomed a flowing sea of black gowns, embellished with crisp, gleaming gold stripes. Humble, yet elegant, their attire was a sharp representation of their victorious feat. As they marched proudly into the auditorium, families stood as they tried to catch a glimpse of their loved ones. The atmosphere was a mix of solemnity and unrestrained joy, thick with the silent, proud realisation that six years of their hard work had finally culminated into a single, triumphant walk towards the stage.

 Convocation 2025 held on the 14th of November that year held many memories and sombre retrospections of the year’s graduating cohort. There is much to celebrate about that day and it is truly a pinnacle event that marks the end of the NUS High School Journey.

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Ms Soh Lai Leng Magdalen – NUS High School’s principal, Mdm Liew Wei Li – Director General of Education, who graced the ceremony, and Teoh Siong En Sean – the Valedictorian of 2025, all spoke on stage that day. Having listened to their speeches as the emcee of the event, they gave many insightful, meaningful, and heartwarming advice to the graduands that I wish to share with all of you. Hopefully,  graduates, teachers and students who happen to read this article can be informed, reminisce or look forward to Convocation year after year.

Ms Soh opened the ceremony by congratulating the class of 2025 and invited the graduands to thank their family, teachers and friends who supported them in their journey. She highlighted the cohort’s successes in international Olympiads (biology, astronomy, AI, cybersecurity, nuclear science), national competitions and research fairs. She cited individual achievements such as top performers in the International Biology Olympiad and awards won at the International Science and Engineering Fair.

 Ms Soh praised the cohort for their “ethos of curiosity and wonderment” that inspired many of them to explore new frontiers and disciplines, trying out new competitions and research projects. She further highlighted the importance of inter-cohort collaboration, referencing the nanosatellite NUSHSat-1 project and mentoring across cohorts as an example of students passing knowledge forward to leave a lasting legacy. On workplace readiness, she urged graduates to view internships as opportunities to “develop street-smartness” and “workplace readiness”, not just as items for their resume.

Another key point Ms Soh highlighted is students’ leadership and service to the school & community, where she encouraged student-initiated projects such as Project Cadence, involved in hospice care, developing empathy, patience and kindness. She also announced the setting up of the NUS High Alumni Association, formalising the presence of NUSH’s alumni, to support, collaborate, and give back to the school and juniors.

Finally, Ms Soh offered the graduands some valuable advice. She cited the reminder of the late Jane Goodall, a UN Messenger of peace, scientist, conservationist and humanitarian,  of our impact on this earth, emphasising the value of small personal decisions contributing to large-scale collective effort. She said that every single one of us makes an impact on this planet every single day and we get to choose what kind of difference we make. In her parting words to the world recorded before her death, she left us an emphatic message of finding your purpose and knowing that you matter, reminding us that we have the power to make the world a better place.

Ultimately, individual decisions lead to collective impact. So take heart that you sit on the shoulders of giants. Your success today is made possible through the sacrifices and contributions of many others, seen and unseen, remembered and forgotten; they, who have supported you in your learning during your time here at NUS High. We are all part of a bigger story, part of a larger community, an ecosystem to which we can bring our offerings of courage, empathy and adaptability for the collective thriving of the greater good. Experiment and explore possibilities and ways of being a kinder, more empathetic and inclusive society, putting ‘We First’ instead of me first. Do so respectfully, with integrity, wisdom, and awareness of others’ needs.

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Liew Wei Li began her speech by situating the graduation within the broader mission of NUS High, describing it as a “distinctive” institution that has, for the past 20 years, nurtured students to push the boundaries of science and mathematics beyond conventional pathways.

She highlighted how the school’s unique curriculum and emphasis on research, innovation and interdisciplinary learning have enabled students to develop not only strong technical abilities, but also the confidence to explore new ideas. Pointing to the achievements of alumni, she noted that many have gone on to contribute meaningfully across diverse fields, from public service to entrepreneurship.

Mdm Liew also emphasised that excellence in STEM must be accompanied by strong communication and collaboration skills. She commended the school’s efforts in nurturing these qualities through initiatives such as science communication programmes and student-led conferences, where students learn to present ideas with clarity and engage meaningfully with others.

In addition, she recognised the strong culture of mentorship within the school, where seniors and alumni actively support juniors in their academic and personal growth. This spirit of giving back, she noted, reflects a deeper commitment to community that extends beyond individual success.

Offering her advice to the graduating cohort, Mdm Liew encouraged students to step beyond their comfort zones and connect with people from different backgrounds. She urged them to apply their abilities not only within familiar circles, but also in ways that benefit the wider community. She also challenged graduands to forge their own paths, rather than simply following established routes. Emphasising the importance of originality and innovation, she encouraged students to think independently, take risks, and persevere in the face of uncertainty.

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Finally, Sean, the Valedictorian of the class of 2025, shared some of his sentiments. He felt that his journey in NUS High was “very customisable”, filled with many opportunities, room for failure and time to explore in depth. He was grateful that he had a supportive network of friends and dedicated teachers throughout his journey. To help NUSH students in their school journey and beyond he gave a piece of advice: “Don’t be afraid to try new opportunities, thinking that you are not good enough or you can wait till next year. Leadership, competitions, projects. Take advantage of the freedom and range of opportunities NUSH offers.” For those who may be struggling, Sean advised that “sometimes we might feel bad for not being like the successful people in NUSH. Reality is everyone is on their own journey and only you can shape your own. Focus on one aspect to improve on at a time and know you have friends, teachers [and] seniors just next door willing to help.”.