Page 23 - Quintile_37 web

QSI Quintile • Issue 37 • • • 23

KAZAKHSTAn

QSI International School of Atyrau

I think I can? no. as well. Even if I had shown interest in these With the new program beginning to blossom,
I know I can! activities and sports at my last school, the chance lead guitarist Fernando, says, “I get to do what I
By Bill Stevenson with Lukas, Mario, Fernando and of me actually getting to do these while doing the love the most!” Besides a spring talent show, four
Tatyana sports I already like, would have been low, to say “Open Mic Nights” give additional opportunities
the least. for budding talents to perform.
Peruse the internet and you can find a school
or two, at least, drawing upon the children’s book, “The question as to whether the small student The last Winter Concert featured a student-
The Little Engine That Could, for their school body reduces the quality of the team or coaching is written script and song parody that helped close the
motto. Quality Schools International has a history easily countered by the fact that we won last year’s show. Students write monologues for their acting
of founding “Little Schools That Can” around the Central Asia Soccer Classic with only one sub and classes, also a new addition for this year.
globe. a total of eight players. Some of the other schools
had multiple teams with many players, and yet we While most students in many non-QSI schools
QSI International School of Atyrau, also known still won. This was due, in no small part, to our must drop their favorite activities away from their
as ISA, is no exception! With a current enrollment wonderful coaching staff.” home countries, the populace at ISA have only just
of just over 120 students, it finds itself as a sort of begun taking on new, life-expanding opportunities
midpoint in numbers for the many QSI schools. Besides a musical performed with a local school in the arts, sports—and most important, in
It’s small enough that everyone knows much more last March and their own musical in November, academics.
than just each other’s names, creating that special ISA is adding to performance possibilities. Music
QSI family feeling. classes added xylophones to their instruction in Tatyana, last year’s only senior said, “QSI does
2016 and ukuleles for 2017–18. Also, this year not just have ‘education’ as a foundation. We have
At the same time, it’s large enough to offer what percussion studies include the djembe, a West ‘chance.’ The school is built so many people with
can only be described as an incredibly wide range African drum. many talents have the chance to express themselves
of activities that outstrip many larger, non-QSI and make QSI a great place to be!”
international schools.
Last February’s Model United Nations in Dubai
It’s second nature for teachers to lead multiple was open to a higher-than-average percentage of
activities simultaneously. It is equally instinctive secondary students, due to being in a smaller school,
for QSI’s students to participate in most of these but also because the entire staff is highly supportive
activities offered by all their teachers. One such of each student delegate. Writing propositions will
student here at ISA played on the championship …and that’s what it’s all about, always be part of the English classes, for example.
soccer team last year, gave a well-received “TED Students as young as seventh grade get their start in
Talk” hosted by a local Kazakh school a week later, preparing students for life. QSI the in-house MUN, and soar from there. Riva, one
while preparing for the school’s in-house Model International School of Atyrau is such future diplomat, exclaimed, “It’s a pretty cool
United Nations; he practiced for the following proud to be part of the QSI family opportunity! You get to research ‘stuff’ and how the
week’s badminton championships, and attended of schools that’s doing just that! world is being affected. It’s pretty useful for when
volleyball workshops that just began a week later. you grow up!”
In November, he plays the principal role of Pierre “Success for All” is more than a motto.
Gringoire, the narrator and tragic figure in the It’s the lifeblood of every “Little …and that’s what it’s all about, preparing
school’s production of “The Hunchback of Notre School that Can!” students for life. QSI International School of Atyrau
Dame,” written by a professional actor who happens is proud to be part of the QSI family of schools
to teach English at the school. Oh, yes: Lukas does that’s doing just that! “Success for All” is more than
have classes to attend, as well. a motto. It’s the lifeblood of every “Little School
that Can!”
What’s it like, the chance to experience so
much at QSI Atyrau? The senior says, “It’s amazing.
I’ve only been here for a year, and yet have already Guitar lessons began a year ago for all interested
taken part in so many amazing things. ISA gives students, offered at two levels of experience, with
you so many opportunities while being such a small the youngest Hendrix being only 5 years old.
school. One of the great things about this school
is the fact that with the small classes, students can The student bands eagerly greeted the newly
participate in so many activities simultaneously. arrived drum set, the missing piece of the rock
band puzzle. Mario, who has been carrying the
“I know from other schools I have been to how rhythm load for the group by himself before this, is
difficult it can be to get into the sports or other grateful for the help a drum set provides. He’s been
activities you like. With more students, the chance very pleased with their latest practice sessions. The
of you doing many things and trying out different young man enthused, “The band is great! I know
sports is very low. that sounds like self-marketing. Well, we’re at least
decent, if not good.” His band was recently the
“For example, before I came here, I played central element in the community’s Oktoberfest
football and basketball. Now I also play volleyball, celebration, playing at all four sessions of the event
badminton and have started Model United Nations, over a three-day period, to lots of wild applause!