Home > 10 YEARS, 10 VOICES |Hearing the Story of the World at Harrow

10 YEARS, 10 VOICES |Hearing the Story of the World at Harrow

The Big Moment：The Cheer That Echoed Across The Campus

“5，4，3，2，1 ——

Happy 10th Anniversary🎂!”

The cannons rang out, confetti filled the air, and a spectacular tenth-anniversary birthday cake was wheeled onto the centre of the stage. Everyone in the auditorium rose to their feet, as cheers and sustained applause seemed to reverberate all the way to the ceiling.

The power and emotion of this moment came from the many voices gathered in the spotlight — voices from AISL Group, our Head Master, current families, alumni who had travelled across the world to return, founding families, and the many friends and partners who have witnessed Harrow Shanghai’s journey. Together, these voices have shaped the story of Harrow Shanghai’s first ten years:

⭐️AISL Group and Distinguished Guests:

Looking back on Harrow Shanghai’s remarkable ten-year journey, they reflected on how Harrow has put down roots in Shanghai, bringing together British heritage and the richness of its local context, while supporting every pupil’s individual journey and growth.

⭐️Head Master, Mr Christopher McAllister:

Bringing the focus back to the very heart of education — not grand ambitions, but the simple promise that, through ten years of unwavering commitment, Harrow Shanghai has remained dedicated to giving 100% of its attention to the growth of every individual pupil.

⭐️Haoran, a current pupil who has been part of Harrow Shanghai for nine years:

Standing in the spotlight, he spoke with calm confidence and quiet conviction, naturally embodying the Courage and Humility that lie at the heart of what it means to be a Harrovian.

⭐️Cambridge alumna Kitty Y.:

Like an old friend sharing cherished memories, she reflected on how Harrow Shanghai opened her eyes to a wider world, giving her the global perspective to look beyond the boundaries in front of her. Along the way, Fellowship and Honour gradually became two of the strongest and most treasured qualities she carries with her.

⭐️Founding parent Eva:

She shared how her two very different children found their passions and their own ways to shine within Harrow’s diverse and inclusive environment — from an artistic journey at the Rhode Island School of Design to the opportunities of the University of Washington. This is the enduring companionship and lasting impact of Harrow’s Leadership education for every family.

Yes — 10 Years, 10 Voices.

Ten years, countless voices, all coming together to tell the same story——

At Harrow, hear the story of the world.

The Story Of Growth：Hearing Every Child’s Voice In The Moments That Matter

The most moving stories of this celebration had, in fact, been quietly unfolding in every corner of the campus long before this special occasion. At Harrow, the most powerful voices have always been those of our pupils. They are not simply participants in the celebration, but the very people who shape the story of this school. As the anniversary film brought glimpses of Harrow Shanghai’s very first school uniform and its first medal back into view, voices from the stage and memories from the audience converged in one deeply moving moment — bringing tears to the eyes of many of our founding families.

Harrow Shanghai’s ten-year story has never been written solely in outstanding results or beneath the spotlight. It lives just as vividly in the small, everyday moments — in the warmth of growth, community, and the feeling of being truly seen.

Looking back on his ten years at Harrow Shanghai, Eason remembers one moment above all: a once-quiet and introverted boy sitting alone in a corner of the garden, until his friend Xavier walked over and reached out to him, opening up a world of friendship and belonging. It was perhaps Harrow’s first lesson in Fellowship.

Haoran remembers that, nine years ago, Harrow was willing to open a door for him — giving him the opportunity to find his place here and, in doing so, to find his own place in the world: “Harrow was the only one that was willing to give me that opportunity.”

Sabrinna has been playing the cello for seven years, yet she once found it daunting to perform alone in front of others. When she finally took to the stage for her first solo performance, she discovered not only the courage to step forward, but also a new sense of pride in herself: “I just felt really proud of myself.”

In Evelyn and Amelia’s eyes, Harrow is more like a garden, where every child is a different plant, growing in their own way and at their own pace. From being warmly welcomed into the community and forming meaningful connections, to finding the courage to open a new door and step into their own moment in the spotlight, these small yet deeply meaningful moments are what make up the most precious memories of ten years at Harrow Shanghai :“Everyone is included and nobody grows alone.”

And Isaac, in one simple sentence, offered a gentle footnote to these ten years :“It’s like a movie and I hope it never ends.”

From the first invitation to join a game, to the first feeling of truly belonging; from being given an opportunity, to finding the courage to step onto a stage of their own — these small, authentic moments together form the most precious story of growth across Harrow Shanghai’s first ten years.

10 Years：To Be Seen, To Be Felt, To Be Heard, To Be Celebrated

“10 Years, 10 Voices” is more than a slogan; it lives in every detail across the campus — in the moments that can be seen, felt, and experienced.

✨The Creative Expression of “10”

From a distance, a giant balloon catches the eye, floating high above the Harrow Shanghai campus — rising beyond the rooftops and into the open sky. Printed across it is the theme of the day: 10 Years, 10 Voices. Above the rooftops, so that the voices of these ten years can rise higher and travel further.

But the most ingenious expressions of “10” could be found in the classrooms themselves. In Art, pupils used “10” as the foundation for their compositions; in Physics, “10” became a variable in an experiment; and in Music, “10” was transformed into a melody. The celebration was never something separate from the classroom. It was, in essence, part of the learning journey itself.

✨Celebrating 10 Across Campus

On this special day, none of the decorations around campus were simply “bought in” — they had “grown here”. From the giant HARROW letters at the entrance to the wooden benches in the courtyard, from the displays of treasured artefacts to the “Voices for the Future” wishing wall, every corner bears the imprint of our pupils, the guidance of our teachers, and the collective contribution of the whole school community.

Because at Harrow, we have always believed that the ten years most worth celebrating are not defined by the few dozen minutes under the spotlight, but by the countless creations scattered across the campus — brought to life, together, by everyone who calls Harrow home.

• Painting Harrow in Colour: Guided by Art teacher Ms Rush, our younger pupils mixed colours, worked together, and carefully repainted the giant HARROW letters across campus, stroke by stroke. Paint found its way onto their uniforms, and smiles lit up their faces.

• Leaving Something Behind for Future Generations: The new wooden benches in the courtyard were created by our A-Level Art students together with Ms Williams. From the initial sketches and cutting to sanding and painting, the students took ownership of every stage of the process. These benches will become part of campus life, accompanying generation after generation of pupils as they grow.

• A Glimpse into the Past: The very first Harrow uniform worn by our pupils in the founding year, the school’s first medal, and a photograph from the very first Sports Day — faded with time, yet still filled with a quiet sense of history and pride.

• “Voices for the Future” Wishing Wall: From the founding of Harrow in Britain in 1572 to Shanghai in 2026, countless colourful paper aeroplanes carried messages and wishes into the golden Harrow hat installation. Preserved as a lasting display, these paper aeroplanes will remain here for future generations to discover, and to listen to the voices of those who came before them.

✨Carnival Fun & Celebration Highlights

Another side of the day was a spectacular school carnival.

A magnificent dragon and lion dance performance opened the festivities, while alongside it, our school orchestra filled the air with a melody specially rearranged for the tenth anniversary.

Food stalls offered specially created drinks and desserts featuring the 10th anniversary logo, while in the interactive activity areas, children moved from one creative game and hands-on craft stall to another, filling the gardens with laughter and joy.

It was a wonderfully full and joyful celebration — a birthday party worthy of a school turning ten.

Thank You, Here’s To The Next Ten Years

Behind every detail of this special day were countless warm hands working together. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our partners and exhibitors. Standing alongside Harrow Shanghai, you helped transform this celebration from an idea on paper into an experience that could be seen, felt, experienced and remembered.

Listed in no particular order

A special thank you to AISL Group for the tremendous support made possible through its extensive global network — from the rich array of competitions and exchange opportunities with our Harrow sister schools, to the sharing of resources and connections across the world.

Thank you to all our alumni and teachers who travelled back from around the world. Your return gave our ten years a face, a voice, and a tangible sense of history.

And thank you to every current family, founding family, and long-standing member of our community.

You are the reason “10 Years, One Community” became more than a slogan — you made it real, bringing it to life here, together, on this very special day.