Today Li Cunxin came and spoke to the year 6 cohort.  He talked about his childhood as a little peasant boy and how he was always starving but his parent’s love is what kept him going.  I learnt from him that you are the limit if you care enough and that you should always try to be the best.  I was inspired by his determination to ballet dancer, since I also dance.  My dream is to one day be a dancer at Queensland ballet and see him dance in real life.  Nellie Year 6

Li Cunxin came to talk to the Year 6 students about his young, poverty life that he had and his story of becoming one of the best dancers in the world.  What I learnt from him was that if you are going to chase your dreams you must try your hardest all the time and never give up.  I was inspired by him because of how poor his family was growing up and then him never giving up later in his life becoming one of the greatest ballerinas in the world.  What he said to us could help me by making sure that I never give up on my dreams.  Cassius Year 6

My dream is to be a kind person and smart person.  When I grow out of my childhood, I want to be successful and make my parents proud and happy by being a wonderful lawyer, a serious woman and help people.  Kelzang Year 6

Reflection on Li Cunxin’s Visit

By Isabelle King 6D

Introduction

Ballet superstar and author Li Cunxin came to share his life story, explaining his motivation, struggles, and achievements. He spoke about his childhood, how his family often didn’t have enough food to eat, and how winters were so cold the temperature dropped below minus 20 degrees. He told us about his classroom teacher who gave him an opportunity that would change his life forever.

Li described how he endured a brutal trial session for the Beijing Dance Academy, driven by his determination to create a better life for himself and his family. Out of millions of children, he became one of only 44 selected to train in Beijing. At first, he couldn’t jump very well and was laughed at by his peers, but with hard work, he rose to the top of his class. This success led to even greater opportunities, including working in America, where he also fell in love with his first wife.

Since Li was still a Chinese citizen, he faced difficulties when he wanted to stay in America. At one point, he was tricked into entering a room controlled by the Chinese government. During the time he was held there, he felt that his life was at stake. Thankfully, the situation was eventually resolved between the two governments, and he was released.

What I Learned

I took away the message of never giving up and always striving to achieve your dreams. His story also made me think about how differently people experience the world, depending on their physical and mental environments. Something that stood out to me was when he said that just loving someone isn’t always enough to keep a relationship strong. I found this interesting, and it felt like he was giving us children some valuable life advice.

Personal Response

The talk made me feel a wide range of emotions: inspired, motivated, in awe, determined, and grateful for the life and opportunities I have. It made me realise how many things I, and many others, take for granted each day.

Impact and Application

Hearing what Li achieved makes me want to take every opportunity available to me and also help create opportunities for others. After this talk, I will remind myself to look at life from different perspectives and to always consider the difficulties that others may be going through.

Conclusion

This talk was very meaningful to me because it opened my eyes to different perspectives and showed me the importance of determination in striving for and achieving success in life.

Thank you so much, Li Cunxin, for visiting Windsor State School!

Reflection on Li Cunxin’s Visit

By Sam Theofanes 6D

Introduction

On the 20th of August, Li Cunxin visited Windsor State School to share his childhood experiences and his incredible life story. He reminded us how lucky we are and explained that the true key to success is working hard. He encouraged us to aim for excellence in everything we do now, so that the future we create for ourselves can be successful.

Key Messages I Learned

One of the biggest lessons I took away was that many of us don’t realise how fortunate we are. We often take our comfortable lives for granted, while Li had to endure extreme hardship to succeed. Things don’t just happen instantly—you have to work hard for them. For example, he stayed up late perfecting his dance moves and endured painful training sessions, like when his flexibility was tested so harshly that both his hamstrings tore. Yet he smiled and said it didn’t hurt, showing just how determined he was.

What stood out to me most was how his life completely changed because of his dedication to ballet—something he may never have imagined would happen. It made me appreciate how lucky I am to be born into a family with a safe home and enough food, things Li never had growing up.

Personal Response

Li Cunxin’s talk inspired me more than I can explain. I am in awe of his dedication to ballet and his willingness to endure such intense training while his love for dance only grew stronger. His story showed me that if you put your mind and time into something, and if it’s truly possible, you can achieve anything. It reminded me to never give up on my goals and to give my best effort in everything, whether it’s school, sport, or anything else I do.

I also realised that I want to improve myself in small but important ways—like helping more around the house and taking better care of my schoolwork. Meeting Li has motivated me to take his advice to heart and keep working towards my dream job. His words may not change everything about my future, but they will definitely help me focus and grow stronger now.

Conclusion

This talk was incredibly meaningful and an unforgettable experience. Li Cunxin is world famous, and meeting him might be one of the most inspiring moments of my life. His visit meant a lot to me because he is such a powerful role model, and I hope I can grow up to be as dedicated and hardworking as he is. I’m very grateful to Li Cunxin for visiting, and to Windsor State School for organising such an amazing opportunity.

A Speech Can Change Your Life

By Thomas Nguyen

On the 20th of August, Li Cunxin visited our class to share his life story and inspire us. He spoke about his childhood and what life was like when he was our age. After hearing his story, I felt lucky to live in Australia and to have the living conditions I do today.

The key message I took away from his talk was when he said, “hard work is the key ingredient in success.” Another important idea he shared was that inspiration doesn’t always have to come from your own background—you can also learn from the experiences of others. One story that really stood out to me was when he explained that between 35–40 million people died from hunger in China during the 1960s. That number is more than the entire population of Australia, which shocked me.

His speech inspired me to work harder and give everything I have to achieve my dream of becoming a professional footballer. I want to continue my brother’s path after he gave up his career. Li Cunxin’s words made me realise that I don’t always put in my best effort, especially in football, and I now want to change that. From now on, I will give 100% so that I can make it far in life.

I also felt that some of Li Cunxin’s childhood experiences reminded me of my own family’s history. His story seemed similar to my grandad’s generation, because they both lived through difficult times, even though my grandfather has passed away. Li taught me that no matter what life throws at you, you can overcome obstacles if you stay determined and keep chasing your dream.

Overall, Li Cunxin’s talk changed the way I think about the world and the way I want to work towards my goals. It was meaningful because it taught me to appreciate life, to understand what true success takes, and how to face hardships with courage. I am very thankful to Mr Li for spending his time with us and for sharing such powerful lessons that will help me in the future.