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Today all schoolchildren of the country participated in the Farewell Bell fest. Among participants of a traditional solemn meeting dedicated to the end of the school year at the International School of Astana were not only teachers, students, and their parents but also honourable guests. For example, Mr Anuar Zhangozin, the Acting Head of the capital’s Department for Education, visited the school to congratulate on finishing the school year and to reward all the teaching staff in the person of Ms Zhanna Fedotova-Yeremina, one of the most experienced teachers of the school, on behalf of the Department and City Administration, particularly Mr Yermek Amanshayev, a Deputy Mayor of Astana. In his speech, Mr Zhangozin mentioned achievements of the school and wished it further success.
The grand opening gathering began with the national anthem auditions. The school’s Principal, Mr Bauyrzhan Uzakbay was the first who gave a welcome to the audience and, his cordial greetings in honour of the day. Also, the Principal said a few words about memorable events that the past year provided:
– The first thing I would like to note in accordance with the results of the last year is that the year spent in the new academic building brought a lot of good news and opportunities for us. In addition to gaining status as an authorized International Baccalaureate school, the success of our students allowed us to take even greater satisfaction. They made us pleased as they won prestigious awards and became laureates of many competitions. A special part in all this was played by active parental involvement in their children’s education. In this regard, we express our gratitude to the teachers and parents who have made and still continue to make their invaluable contribution to their achievements.
The Chairman of the Parents’ Committee, Mr Timur Kurmanbayev also congratulated children on the end of the school year, after his speech he received a Letter of Appreciation. All other distinguished parents were also encouraged with certificates of appreciation for active participation in school life, initiative and a proactive approach to life.
The students prepared, in their turn, a concert programme comprising such songs as “Atameken”, “Zhassa, tugan zherim”, “Mektebim” and etc. There were dance routines aimed at displaying the all-round development of ISA students. The most long-awaited moment of the programme was “the last bell” ringing event, which was solemnly arranged for 1 through 8 grade students.
In all common zones of the school there was an exhibition of students’ works called “Creativity Energy”, the purpose of which was to demonstrate to the entire school community the research skills and creativity of children, as well as to engage them in creative activities. Among the presented inventions and crafts one could see: paintings, handicrafts, household items, author’s games, toys made of wood and plasticine. It is worth noting that such exhibitions are important part of the International Baccalaureate programmes, the principles and foundations of which the International School of Astana has been adhered to since its establishment.
As part of today’s activities, the school librarians Gulzhiyan Iskakova and Korkem Zhaksylykova did not let the opportunity to award the schoolchildren, who showed an irrepressible interest in reading literary works. As it turned out, the following primary years students: Insar Tungyshbayev, Rashida Karnakova and Alina Zhanat have read 90 books each only for the last school year. Moreover, for a long time the librarians have dealt with revival of the traditions of family reading. 3 A Grade student’s mother Zhanar Nuraly expressed a desire to participate in this project, for which she received a thank you letter today. “Such initiatives teach children to treat reading as an important element of culture, an instrument to enhance intellectual potential of the nation, to increase creative and social activities of the individual and society,” the organizers say.
