All students are required to do pre-military training in Grades 11 and 12. All boys are required to spend 1 year in military service after graduation. I think if they go right to university, they can put that year off until after schooling. The girls can decide if they want to serve or not.
We have a wonderful military teacher here at NIS. I can never remember his name (I am much better at remembering if I see the name written), so I call him Gunny. The rest of the International Staff have picked that up. Gunny is amazing with the kids -- and he is very involved in everything with the school and he is extremely funny. Even I understand he's funny, and I don't speak Kazakh.
Since the beginning of the year, he has been working with the Grade 11's teaching them how to march. I get to watch them out of my office window -- and hear them. Just a couple of weeks ago, there was a marching competition between the Grade 11 classes: 11A through 11H. It was a big deal. Officers in the military, along with some administrators, were the judges. Let me share some of it with you.
The event began with each class forming their unit in their assigned place in the courtyard. Each class represented a different branch of the military indicated by their uniforms.
That was followed by the national anthem:
Gunny then presented our troops to the highest officer in attendance. I don't know his rank, but he was important.
Then they marched, sang and marched, and marched some more. They did several rounds of the courtyard, saluting the judges' table as they passed. The second group that comes around on this video were clearly the winners. I was very proud that most of them are in my IELTS class that meets twice a week. They are great kids.
Now that the marching is over -- and the weather is beautiful-- instead of marching, I see dancing outside my window. Everyday, the kids go out and dance. No one is too cool. They just have a good time.
We have a wonderful military teacher here at NIS. I can never remember his name (I am much better at remembering if I see the name written), so I call him Gunny. The rest of the International Staff have picked that up. Gunny is amazing with the kids -- and he is very involved in everything with the school and he is extremely funny. Even I understand he's funny, and I don't speak Kazakh.
Since the beginning of the year, he has been working with the Grade 11's teaching them how to march. I get to watch them out of my office window -- and hear them. Just a couple of weeks ago, there was a marching competition between the Grade 11 classes: 11A through 11H. It was a big deal. Officers in the military, along with some administrators, were the judges. Let me share some of it with you.
The event began with each class forming their unit in their assigned place in the courtyard. Each class represented a different branch of the military indicated by their uniforms.
That was followed by the national anthem:
Gunny then presented our troops to the highest officer in attendance. I don't know his rank, but he was important.
Then they marched, sang and marched, and marched some more. They did several rounds of the courtyard, saluting the judges' table as they passed. The second group that comes around on this video were clearly the winners. I was very proud that most of them are in my IELTS class that meets twice a week. They are great kids.
Now that the marching is over -- and the weather is beautiful-- instead of marching, I see dancing outside my window. Everyday, the kids go out and dance. No one is too cool. They just have a good time.
I have always thought two years in the military following high school would be a great move for students. I see the result of students who have no idea why they are in college and don't appreciate the comforts they have been given. I think it would be an eye-opener for many! But it will never happen here.
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