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Speech Under the National Flag | Flag-Raising Ceremony, Week 3 of the First Semester, Academic Year 2026–2027

2026-09-10

Host

Qian Shuhong Sam / Zhao Qichen Allen

 

Speech Under the National Flag

Speech Under the National Flag
 

Speech by the Teacher Representative

Teacher Representative
Some things are non-negotiable, while others you can decide for yourself—Mobile Phone Management | Rules / Self-Control / Trust

At this morning’s flag-raising ceremony, Feng Bo stood on the podium and spoke to the entire school about a topic no one can avoid—mobile phones.

He said that today’s meeting isn’t about reciting a set of rules or confiscating phones; rather, he’d like to invite everyone to reflect on three key concepts: rules, self‑control, and trust. To illustrate this, he used three colors—red, yellow, and green. No need to memorize complicated regulations; just remember these three colors.

Red light: Some things are non-negotiable.

A red light means you must stop—no exceptions.

Feng Bo said that on campus, there are four things that fall into the “red-light zone”—once you cross that line, there’s no room for negotiation.

First, there’s the issue of using smartphones in class. While it may seem like a personal choice, it actually disrupts the entire classroom dynamic: when the teacher is lecturing and you’re busy scrolling through your phone, your classmates nearby are likely to lose focus as well.

Secondly, there is exam cheating. It deceives not only the teachers but also oneself, and it is unfair to those students who have studied diligently.

Third, secretly filming and disseminating others’ private information is an illegal act that can inflict severe psychological trauma on the victim.

Fourth, using your phone before bed. The screen’s brightness and notification sounds can disturb your roommate’s rest, while the brain’s sustained arousal can lead to sleep deprivation, leaving you groggy and unfocused in class the next day.

He said these matters will be met with zero tolerance—not because the school wants to micromanage you, but because such behavior harms others and ultimately harms yourself as well.

Yellow Light: If self-control fails, you’ll have to bear the consequences yourself.

A yellow light means to slow down, look out, and take control.

When it comes to mobile phones, all the school can do is set the boundaries. The one who truly controls your phone is you. So the school won’t take custody of your phone, won’t check your whereabouts every day, won’t help you set a passcode, and certainly won’t go tattling to your parents on your behalf. Studying is your own responsibility; the choice is yours, and you’ll have to bear the consequences yourself.

He also warned of several real‑world consequences: if self‑control falters, grades can plummet; dozing off in class may invite ridicule from classmates; and during group projects, procrastination that holds teammates back can erode trust and damage friendships. Over time, this not only risks missing out on academic opportunities but may also leave you stuck in a cycle from which it’s hard to recover.

This isn’t meant to scare anyone; it’s intended for everyone to see that outcome before they lose control.

Green Light: Only those who are self-disciplined attain true freedom.

A green light means you may proceed, symbolizing the school’s trust in you.

Feng Bo outlined the school’s newly implemented “mobile phone usage licensing” system. During the first month of the semester, a school-wide assessment will be administered; students who score 100 points or above on the exam will be considered to have passed. If the overall pass rate across the entire school exceeds 80%, the program will continue; otherwise, it will be discontinued.

License points start at 100. Points are both awarded and deducted: sharing mobile‑phone management tips at the weekly meeting earns 10 points; keeping a spare phone or possessing an unlicensed device results in a 30‑point deduction; using a phone during class in violation of regulations incurs a 10‑point deduction. Once all points are exhausted, the license is revoked and must be re‑obtained through a new exam.

The exam is entirely in English and consists of two types of questions. The multiple-choice section tests knowledge of school regulations and basic digital safety. The essay question is the core: each student must write, in English, a personal mobile phone usage plan that includes time-management strategies, criteria for selecting apps, and ways to strike a balance between study and leisure. According to Feng Bo, the purpose of this assessment is not to make things difficult for anyone, but to encourage every student to think carefully about one fundamental question: Can you really manage the smartphone in your hands?

This month, everyone needs to do three things.

Feng Bo granted everyone a one-month trial period, from September 1 to September 30.

He said that over the course of this month, each student needs to accomplish three tasks.

First, keep a record of yourself. Each week, honestly note whether you’ve violated classroom rules and whether you’ve turned in your phone on time. Data doesn’t lie—it can help you see your true situation clearly.

Second, try making a change. At the very least, experiment with one self‑discipline tool—such as enabling grayscale mode on your phone, using a study timer, or turning off social media notifications. Let these tools help you build new habits.

Third, feedback. After one month, please complete the questionnaire carefully and let the school know what works well, what needs improvement, and where changes are required. Every piece of feedback and every suggestion received during the trial period will directly shape the direction of adjustments to the final plan.

Both kinds of success count.

Finally, Feng Bo discussed two types of success.

The first type is collective success: if 80% of students across the entire school maintain zero classroom infractions, the class’s credit score shows positive growth, and overall student satisfaction exceeds 70%, the class will enjoy greater autonomy and flexibility in classroom management and activity planning next semester.

The second category is individual success: if an individual’s number of rule violations decreases compared to the previous month, they proactively adopt new self-discipline tools, and consistently meet the goals outlined in their commitment letter, they will earn double the usual credit points and receive the “Self-Discipline Star” certification.

There are two kinds of success: one comes from collective effort, the other from forging your own path, step by step. Both paths matter and deserve recognition.

As the morning meeting was drawing to a close, Feng Bo delivered his final remarks.

He said that these rules are not intended to restrict anyone, but rather to provide everyone with a fair and safe learning environment. As for flexibility, it is a gift for those who are self-disciplined—when you can manage yourself, the school will grant you greater trust and more room to grow.

“Self-discipline is not a constraint; it is a ladder to freedom. Each act of self-restraint earns you greater freedom of choice.”

“Credit is the most valuable asset you’ll ever have—protecting it means safeguarding the confidence you need to thrive in society going forward.”

The agenda for today’s morning meeting will be gradually put to the test this month.


 

Other faculty and student remarks

Peer & teacher views

Several students also took to the stage one after another to share their thoughts on the mobile phone management plan. One student admitted that at first, upon hearing terms like “license” and “point deductions,” he instinctively felt, “The school is going to start micromanaging us again.” But after listening to Feng Bo’s explanation, he came to realize that this was, in fact, an expression of trust—the school isn’t simply confiscating phones; instead, it’s giving each student a chance to prove they can exercise self‑control. Another student reflected on his own phone usage over the summer vacation and found that the daily time spent scrolling far exceeded his expectations. Jokingly, he said the plan might actually help him “win back” some of his time. A few other students noted that, while they weren’t sure whether they could pass the test on their first try, they were willing to give it a shot—after all, they’d spend this month carefully tracking their usage to see if anything changed.

Subsequently, School Supervisor Mark and Executive Principal Peter took to the stage one after another to deliver remarks, both expressing unequivocal support for the plan. Supervisor Mark emphasized that managing mobile phones is not the end goal; rather, the true purpose of this policy lies in helping students develop self-discipline and learn to take responsibility for their own choices. He encouraged students to view this trial period as an opportunity for personal growth. Principal Peter, from an implementation perspective, added that the school will continue to refine the plan based on feedback from both teachers and students during the trial phase, ensuring that the policy is both effective and compassionate.