In 2026, Shanghai Nanyang Middle School celebrates its 130th anniversary. As the first modern secondary school independently founded by Chinese people, how has this institution weathered 130 years of storms without decline? The answer lies hidden in its school motto: "Frugality, Love of Learning, Autonomy, Truth-Seeking." Recently, the fourth season of "Guangqi Lecture Hall" invited five teachers from the school to interpret the spirit of Nanyang Middle School's motto from their respective disciplinary perspectives.

In front of the frugality building on campus, near the Nanyang Middle School History Museum completed in 1926, civics teacher Ji Chenyu asked everyone: "Why does the school motto place 'frugality' first?" Students offered different answers. Ji Chenyu explained that over 80 years ago, Nanyang Middle School had no sports field, no cafeteria, and no auditorium. Desks and chairs were made from long wooden planks fitted with two legs. The principal at the time, Wang Peisun, said: "Value substance over form, discard excessive formalities." It was this educational philosophy of "emphasizing spirit over form" that allowed Nanyang Middle School to persist in teaching and nurturing students even during times of war. Today, in an era of material abundance, the school still advocates "frugality" — not to endure hardship for its own sake, but to encourage students to concentrate their limited energy, resources, and attention on matters of long-term value: character building, academic pursuit, and serving the nation.

Chinese language teacher Cai Wenhui led students into the Nanyang Centennial Stele Corridor. Here, each historical monument records the spiritual heritage of Nanyang Middle School and serves as the most "Nanyang" reading material for the children. Behind every stone tablet lies a story worth remembering. Cai Yuanpei's inscription reads: "Know what you lack daily, and monthly do not forget what you can do — this is what it means to love learning." This was Cai Yuanpei's hope in 1931, when the September 18th Incident broke out, for young people to actively seek knowledge and think independently. Ba Jin's inscription, "A hundred years to cultivate people, quality comes first," was the advice from Nanyang alumnus Ba Jin to students — learning is not just about competing over scores; holistic development is the foundation of education. In the Centennial Stele Corridor, Cai Wenhui guided students to appreciate the spirit of "love of learning."

Since 1900, when the first principal Wang Peisun took over the school, the institution has consistently upheld the educational spirit of "autonomy and truth-seeking," maintaining its original educational mission through turbulent times. What exactly is "autonomy"? History teacher Gong Chenqi approached this from a historical perspective. In 1896, before the imperial examination system was abolished, the predecessor of Nanyang Middle School — "Yucai Shushu" — was born in several rooms of the Wang family ancestral hall in Shanghai county. Funding sources, teacher recruitment, and curriculum design were all decided by Chinese people themselves. This "autonomy" was inscribed into the school's DNA from the very beginning. Gong Chenqi told students that autonomy has three levels: "The core is personal autonomy, which addresses why we learn; the middle circle is learning autonomy, which addresses how we learn; the outer circle is institutional autonomy, which addresses what we learn."

Biology teacher Jiang Guiming brought students to the pond by the Yingchao Pavilion on campus, telling them that autonomy is the foundation of scientific research — every plant and creature can be studied. The algae, fish, and duckweed in the pond are all readily available subjects for observation. At Nanyang Middle School, to maintain the pond long-term, students voluntarily applied to serve as "guardians." During leaf-falling season, they sweep fallen leaves along the shore every week; they persist in daily patrols and record-keeping, and have named this maintenance project "Clear Water Action." Jiang Guiming summarized: observe phenomena → identify problems → design solutions → implement solutions — this is the embodiment of "autonomy" in the school motto. The forms of science education may change, but the spirit of combining knowledge with action remains unchanged.

Since its founding, Nanyang Middle School proposed in its charter a "gymnastics theory": upright spirit must be premised on an upright body. To this day, this philosophy is still upheld. From football classes a century ago to today's rock climbing classes, the content of physical education at Nanyang Middle School has continued to enrich. PE teacher Huang Yukai, in front of the school's newly built climbing wall, teaches children rock climbing while sharing his understanding of the sport. Rock climbing is not just a physical challenge but also a psychological test. Every time you climb upward, only by facing the texture of the rock wall, the stability of each hold, and respecting your own true strength and limitations can you steadily ascend. This quality of being grounded, respecting objective reality, not relying on luck, and not exaggerating — this is the embodiment of the truth-seeking spirit.

A century of glory fulfilled, the original aspiration presses forward. Across 130 years of seasonal cycles, the motto spirit of Nanyang Middle School — "Frugality, Love of Learning, Autonomy, Truth-Seeking" — continues to radiate new vitality amid the tides of the times. This event was initiated and planned by Qin Chang, a veteran media professional, professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and chairman of the Xuhui District Library, and jointly organized by the Xuhui District Education Bureau, Shanghai People's Radio Station, Archimedes Media, and the Xuhui District Library.