What is a ceremony?
A ceremony is a planned event with a fixed order of things to do. It marks a moment that matters. A school is a big group, so ceremonies help everyone feel part of the same story.
Ceremonies are not lessons from a book. They are things you take part in: you stand, listen, sing, clap or walk. They teach respect, patience and togetherness.
Try it: move the slider in the 3D from left to right and say aloud which ceremony the marker is nearest to. Then ask at home: which ceremonies did your family hold for you?
Entrance and graduation ceremonies
The entrance ceremony welcomes new students. The head teacher speaks, older students may greet the new ones, and families are often invited. It tells a new child, "you belong here".
The graduation ceremony is at the other end. Students who have finished a stage, such as junior school or secondary school, receive a certificate. They thank their teachers and families. It says, "you did it, and you are ready for the next step".
What happens in each
- Welcome speech or farewell speech
- Songs, the school song or national song
- Giving certificates or flowers
- Photos with friends and teachers
Start and end of term
A term is one part of the school year. Some schools have two terms, some three or four.
At the start of term the school meets in an assembly. The head teacher explains the plan, new rules are read out, and students set goals.
At the end of term the school looks back. Teachers share results or reports, good work gets prizes, and students are told about the holidays and the next term.
Why do schools hold ceremonies?
- Fresh start: a ceremony closes one stage and opens the next.
- Belonging: everybody does the same thing together.
- Thanks and pride: we thank teachers and families and feel proud of our work.
- Good habits: we practise listening quietly, standing in line and being on time.
Key formulas and definitions
- Ceremony = planned event + fixed order + marks an important moment
- Entrance ceremony: welcomes new students (a beginning)
- Start of term: plan and goals. End of term: look back, results, prizes
- Graduation: finishing a stage and moving on (an ending that is also a beginning)
Worked examples
1. A school holds a program on the first morning where the head teacher welcomes Class 6 newcomers. Which ceremony is it?
The entrance ceremony, because it welcomes new students.
2. On the last day before holidays, report cards are given and the best artwork wins a prize. Which ceremony is it?
The end-of-term ceremony. It looks back at the term and gives results and prizes.
3. Name two ways a ceremony helps a new student feel they belong.
(1) Older students and teachers welcome them, so they see friendly faces. (2) They do the same actions as everyone else, such as standing and singing together.
4. A school has 3 terms in a year and holds a start and an end ceremony for each term. How many term ceremonies are there in a year?
3 terms x 2 ceremonies = 6 term ceremonies in the year.
Common mistakes
- Thinking a ceremony is only for fun. It also marks an important moment and teaches respect.
- Mixing up the entrance ceremony (a beginning for new students) and the start-of-term assembly (for all students).
- Thinking graduation is only an ending. It is also the start of the next stage.
- Talking, running or being late. In a ceremony we stay calm and respect the people on stage.