News from our Secondary Principal Craig Randall
Dear Parents,
Transitions and Scheduling
As we near spring break it is a busy time of year in the Secondary School. It is the time of year in which:
- We begin thinking about and planning about transitions.
- Students register for courses for next year and we put our schedule together.
- We talk about our program offerings.
When we talk about transitions we mean the transitions from Elementary school to Middle school, the transition from Middle school to High school and the transition, for the first time at GAA, from High School to University. To support those transitions we begin our efforts to support our students and parents with these changes. For example, this last week we hosted an Elementary to Middle school workshop in the auditorium. Here teachers spoke about their courses in 6th grade, the important elements in student action that lead to success in Middle school and how to support our kids in these changes. Please see the link to our slide show.
Continuing with this, we will have two more presentations next week. On March 23rd we will have a program at 7pm-9pm in the auditorium, highlighting our entire Secondary Program. Department heads will be speaking about the program of studies for each department. Counsellors will talk about our counseling program.
On the 24th at 1:00pm in the auditorium we will be hosting a transitions workshop for rising 9th graders. Teachers will talk about 9th grade courses and key elements for success in High School. Counsellors will talk about the importance of grades which now count for University, amongst other things.
Our last transition is for our Seniors, our beloved first graduating class. We are excited to see the college acceptance board upstairs grow increasingly filled with University acceptances and watch the pins on the map show all the possibilities that lie ahead for our seniors.
Our scheduling is moving along nicely. Our students have completed registration forms and entered their course requests into our system for next year. Next, based on the number of requests per course we determine how many sections each course will be taught and assign teachers to courses.
As soon as that is done we put our schedule together to create next year’s schedule.
Finally, thanks for working to support your children in staying focused this last week before we all head off on our holiday.
Craig Randall
Secondary Principal
Please click on the link below to view the Grade 6 Presentation.
http://tiny.cc/grade6presentation
GAA STUDENTS ARE GETTING IN ALL OVER THE GLOBE!
Last week’s Secondary News section was bursting with exciting details of the upcoming graduation activities. This week will continue with the thrilling college and university acceptances of the first graduating class.
Colleges and Universities around the world continued to report record numbers of applications and extraordinary applicant pools with unprecedented levels of academic preparedness and quality.
This year’s Class of 2015, having worked extremely hard throughout their high school careers in their academic coursework and extracurricular pursuits, have done very well in the college application process and secured many options for attendance in the fall.
Decisions are still coming in and will do so until July for some university systems, however, to date, students received offers of acceptance from the following institutions:
UNITED STATES
Berkeley College NYC
Florida A & M University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana Tech University
New York University
Rochester Institute of Technology
Southeast Missouri State University
Stephen F. Austin University
The State University of New York at Buffalo
University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
University of Vermont
University of Central Missouri
University of Mary Hardin Baylor
University of Texas at Austin
Wingate University
UNITED KINGDOM
University of Manchester
UK Conditional Offers of Acceptance
University of Bath
University of Bristol
City University
Queen’s University Belfast
Regents University London
University of Birmingham
University of Stirling
London Metropolitan University
University of Sheffield
Brunel University
Southampton Solent University
University of the West of England, Bristol
University of Westminster
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
NYU Abu Dhabi
GERMANY
European University –Munich Business School
CANADA
University of British Columbia
York University
Spring College Visits on Campus. Open to all grade 12 and 11 students who sign up with Ms. Welch.
APRIL
- 11th - EU University in Germany, Spain, Switzerland, 10:00am
- 19th – Johns Hopkins University, Vanderbilt University, Rice University, University of Chicago, Dartmouth College, all in the USA, 9:20 am
- 20th - CIS USA & World University Tour, 9:20am. Participants include: The American College of Greece, Bard College at Simon's Rock, Clark University, Colgate University, Fordham University, IE University, Kansas State University, Les Roches International School of Hotel Management, Marist College, The Pennsylvania State University, Richmond, The American International University in London, St. Olaf College, Stony Brook University, Trinity College, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Iowa, University of Missouri, The University of Tulsa, University of Vermont, Wentworth Institute of Technology
Grade Level Info
Senior Info (grade 12): Continue to stay focused on graduation.
Junior Info (grade 11): Now that the dust is starting to settle on the college admission process for the senior class, focus has shifted to: JUNIORS! All grade 11 students had a College Info Day where they met with me and learned about topics regarding components of an application, recommendation letters from teachers and the counselor, criteria for admission, standardized & college admission tests, how to conduct a college search and what resources to use
There will be another session, again during the academic day, in May. Until then, students will have monthly activities on which to focus, starting with March:
COLLEGE FOCUS ACTIVITIES FOR MARCH
- Junior College Info Day to become familiar with information about the college search process.
- Research! Begin searching for colleges and universities that best suit your needs. Identify schools of interest.
- Begin to investigate college majors or programs of study and careers. Take advantage of the career section in Naviance.
- Be aware of SAT and ACT dates and deadlines.
- Start on your NAVIANCE Assignments.
- Stay focused on the quality of your school work.
- Review your academic performance from 1st semester.
- Test Prep! Prepare SAT or ACT with a prep class to improve your score and learn strategy tips. You can also purchase a SAT guide such as College Board’s The Official SAT Study Guide, Princeton Review Cracking the System, Barrons SAT, or Kaplan’s SAT, The Real ACT. Study materials are also available on the websites for the tests.
- Meet with Ms. Welch to discuss ways to improve your college preparation and selection processes.
Sophomore Info (grade 10): Course selection and registration has been the main focus of the past 2 weeks. To complement this, students have had several presentations to help with their decision-making to include a presentation on the International Baccalaureate (IB), Modern World Languages for IB and a Course Selection Assembly. In addition, all students have created their Four Year Academic Plan to serve as a road map and plan for achieving graduation requirements to earn a high school diploma. Students have also completed a resume and taken an interest survey as career awareness activities.
Freshman Info (grade 9): All Grade 9 students began working on their Four Year Academic Plan. Students are asked to look ahead three years and to develop a course plan or road map to ensure they are meeting their targets for earning a high school diploma. Students learned about course offerings within each department, credits, grades, grade point average, transcripts, and graduation requirements.
IB Choices
Last week Grade 10 gathered together in the IB Lounge to hear about our IB Diploma options for next year. Teachers presented information about the various courses we would like to offer students next year and explained a little about the Programme. This week, as students begin to make decisions about the make-up of their IB Diploma, we would like to offer parents the chance to see a video recording of this presentation via the link below. Please discuss these important decisions with your child and contact the DP Coordinator, Dr Tim Fryer if there are any questions the presentation left unanswered for you. The students and faculty are all excited about the coming year and the growth we are expecting in our IB Diploma Programme.
Paddy Lyons
In-coming DP Coordinator for 2015/16
Please click on the link below to see a video recording of the presentation
https://youtu.be/PZtghHPWmGg
or
Parents can access the video on The Launcher
Click on GAA Video Events in the menu
Select IB Selection Presentations (also in the menu)
Watch the video
UNIVERSITY IMPLICATIONS:
How do university plans affect IB choices?
It is important to make wise course choices. It is possible that many students will not have a clear idea of their future higher education plans and career choices, and will therefore have difficulty selecting the exact IB subjects that are needed. The IB is a program that provides a broad education and having pursued it will already be a plus point in a university application. When choosing subjects in this instance, it is helpful to know what is safe to leave behind rather than knowing exactly what needs to be chosen. Consider the list below, noting the courses, careers, and university systems that depend on each other.
Without Art, it:
Without Biology, you cannot:
Without English or History, you:
Without ITGS or Computer Science, you:
Without Languages,you:
Without Mathematics, you cannot:
Without Physics, you cannot:
These are just guidelines. If you are interested in a university and their course of study, you should consult their website and check what subject you might be required to do
Paddy Lyons
In-coming DP Coordinator for 2015/16
Please click on the link below to see a video recording of the presentation
https://youtu.be/PZtghHPWmGg
or
Parents can access the video on The Launcher
Click on GAA Video Events in the menu
Select IB Selection Presentations (also in the menu)
Watch the video
UNIVERSITY IMPLICATIONS:
How do university plans affect IB choices?
It is important to make wise course choices. It is possible that many students will not have a clear idea of their future higher education plans and career choices, and will therefore have difficulty selecting the exact IB subjects that are needed. The IB is a program that provides a broad education and having pursued it will already be a plus point in a university application. When choosing subjects in this instance, it is helpful to know what is safe to leave behind rather than knowing exactly what needs to be chosen. Consider the list below, noting the courses, careers, and university systems that depend on each other.
Without Art, it:
- is much harder to become an architect
- will not be possible to get into an art or design degree
Without Biology, you cannot:
- study sports or exercise science at the leading universities in this field (though admission to other universities in this field may be possible with Sports, health, and exercise science at IB DP level).
- study medicine in India, Pakistan or Sri Lanka
- study medicine in some UK universities (e.g. Liverpool) Without Chemistry, you cannot:
- be a doctor, a dentist, or vet
- be a pharmacist
- be a chemist or chemical engineer
- study any kind of engineering in Canada or Egypt (AUC)
Without English or History, you:
- do not develop the verbal skills essential to studying Law as easily
- have fewer opportunities to develop the analytical skills in which these subjects specialize Without ITGS or Computer Science,
Without ITGS or Computer Science, you:
- may find it more difficult to do the programming necessary in some sorts of engineering degrees
- may find it more difficult to get into or to cope with a Computing degree
Without Languages,you:
- will be less competitive when applying for jobs than others who can communicate with people in other countries in their own language
- do not understand your own first language as well
Without Mathematics, you cannot:
- study finance, economics, or be an actuary
- be an engineer
- study medicine in Australia
- study architecture at some universities
Without Physics, you cannot:
- be any sort of engineer
- study medicine in India, and some courses in the UK
- Physics is also very useful if you think you might like to be an architect or materials scientist or any sort of technologist.
These are just guidelines. If you are interested in a university and their course of study, you should consult their website and check what subject you might be required to do
SAMPLES of IB DIPLOMA SUBJECT COMBINATIONS
IB Workshop, Supporting Students in University Admissions, Apr. 2014
Students can choose many varieties of subject options. Of course, which subjects are studied depends on those that each school offers and on the student’s preferences.
Secondary MAP testing will take place from 14th – 20th April as shown in the schedule below:
Events for the Senior Class of 2015
*Junior/Senior Prom
*Senior Breakfast
*Graduation June 11th
*Graduation Celebrations (TBA)
*Junior/Senior Prom
- Viceroy Hotel, Yas Island
- Date: Wed., May 20th
- Time: 6-p.m. until midnight
- Cost 400AED per person
*Senior Breakfast
- Westin Hotel
- Date: Monday, June 8th
- Time: 10a.m. – 12p.m.
*Graduation June 11th
*Graduation Celebrations (TBA)
From our Arts Department
TRUE COLORS 2015 was a mosaic body of work, produced by the drama department which showcased the individual gifts and talents of students ranging in age from 7th through 12th grade. Much of the work was rehearsed and honed within the classroom and consisted of monologues, scenes, solos, dance, duets and production numbers as seen in the following successful Broadway musicals… MATILDA, SUESSICAL THE MUSICAL and WEST SIDE STORY.
Director/Choreographer/Music Director(Production Numbers)/ 7th, 8th, 10th Yvette McGregor
Director/Stage Manager/ 9th and 12th grade Kyle Carlin
Music Director(Solos)/7th, 8th, 12th Whitney Meninger
Producer/Stage Manager Alexandra Fatu
Sound and Lighting Technician John Paul Encarnacion Buenconsejo
Set Design/Construction Andrew Hull and Michael Eddens
Director/Choreographer/Music Director(Production Numbers)/ 7th, 8th, 10th Yvette McGregor
Director/Stage Manager/ 9th and 12th grade Kyle Carlin
Music Director(Solos)/7th, 8th, 12th Whitney Meninger
Producer/Stage Manager Alexandra Fatu
Sound and Lighting Technician John Paul Encarnacion Buenconsejo
Set Design/Construction Andrew Hull and Michael Eddens
GAA Art Students Risk and Win Big at Yas Mall
With GAA being an IB Diploma school, all students in the secondary school have heard a lot about the IB Learner profile traits over recent weeks. The IB Learner profile calls on students to exemplify 9 character traits of strong learners and leaders. Risk-taking was the first of the traits to be introduced to students in school-wide assemblies and the first that a number of students rose to the occasion to demonstrate. Proudly, three GAA Art students were no exception.
On Thursday, March 5 GAA Visual Art students were invited to compete in a high pressure timed art challenge at Yas Mall. The mall’s community outreach division sent invitations to 30 Abu Dhabi Area schools to send students to compete the Yas Mall – Smart: Art Education Art Competition. This is the first of a series of competitions that Yas Mall officials plan to host featuring full time working artists and secondary art students from the area.
This particular competition featured Dubai artist, Maria Iqbal, a 2014 Emirates Woman of the Year Nominee. Iqbal, a prominent UAE fashion designer and artist served as the judge for the competition and provided a free art making workshop to participants and guests after the competition.
GAA Students Seoyoun Choi – Grade 12, Laura Devarez – Grade 10, Allison Diclaudo – Grade 10 three of the 15 students who took up the Yas Mall challenge, stepping out as perfect examples of Risk-takers. So what made this competition such a risk for these students? Well, none of the students nor the teachers who sponsored them had any idea what the art competition would involve. No indication was given about what the overall task of the competition would be. This meant that none of the participants had any clue as to what knowledge, skills or creative ideas they would have to employ. Essentially they agreed to compete in a competition in which they could potentially have no chance of doing well in. But In the end the students fro GAA did more than well.
Of the 15 competition participants only a handful caught the attention of the contest judge. As the competition was in progress judge, Iqbal circulated to interview participants who impressed her most with their work. Iqbal interviewed 6 competitors and two teachers. Among the 6 to be interviewed were the 3 GAA student representatives. At the close of the competition 2 winners were announced. Among the 2 winners was Laura Devarez who was awarded 2nd place overall.
GAA is proud of all of the 3 students who did participate as it took a lot of courage to compete in an event such as this. These students had no idea of what this competition involved; what specific skills and knowledge they would need; nor any knowledge of their competitor’s abilities. Let’s take the time to congratulate each of these ladies for their courage and good work.
On Thursday, March 5 GAA Visual Art students were invited to compete in a high pressure timed art challenge at Yas Mall. The mall’s community outreach division sent invitations to 30 Abu Dhabi Area schools to send students to compete the Yas Mall – Smart: Art Education Art Competition. This is the first of a series of competitions that Yas Mall officials plan to host featuring full time working artists and secondary art students from the area.
This particular competition featured Dubai artist, Maria Iqbal, a 2014 Emirates Woman of the Year Nominee. Iqbal, a prominent UAE fashion designer and artist served as the judge for the competition and provided a free art making workshop to participants and guests after the competition.
GAA Students Seoyoun Choi – Grade 12, Laura Devarez – Grade 10, Allison Diclaudo – Grade 10 three of the 15 students who took up the Yas Mall challenge, stepping out as perfect examples of Risk-takers. So what made this competition such a risk for these students? Well, none of the students nor the teachers who sponsored them had any idea what the art competition would involve. No indication was given about what the overall task of the competition would be. This meant that none of the participants had any clue as to what knowledge, skills or creative ideas they would have to employ. Essentially they agreed to compete in a competition in which they could potentially have no chance of doing well in. But In the end the students fro GAA did more than well.
Of the 15 competition participants only a handful caught the attention of the contest judge. As the competition was in progress judge, Iqbal circulated to interview participants who impressed her most with their work. Iqbal interviewed 6 competitors and two teachers. Among the 6 to be interviewed were the 3 GAA student representatives. At the close of the competition 2 winners were announced. Among the 2 winners was Laura Devarez who was awarded 2nd place overall.
GAA is proud of all of the 3 students who did participate as it took a lot of courage to compete in an event such as this. These students had no idea of what this competition involved; what specific skills and knowledge they would need; nor any knowledge of their competitor’s abilities. Let’s take the time to congratulate each of these ladies for their courage and good work.
News from the CAS Corner
On Wednesday, the 18th of March, over 260 roses were handed out to the GAA community in response to the ‘Women’s Appreciation Day’ initiative. A group of IB students came together and collaborated on a CAS activity by providing a service for others to show their appreciate for the women that have a significant impact on their lives be it Mothers, Teachers, Sisters, Nannies, Aunties. Reflecting the principles of the IB Learner Profile trait ‘Caring’ that has been running this month in Secondary, IB students kicked off their CAS activity by going in to Elementary as well as Secondary homerooms to discuss the importance of appreciating and saying thank you to women that positively influence their lives. During the initial planning stage of this CAS activity IB students decided to combine UAE Mother’s Day, which is on the 21st of March and Women’s Appreciation Day which was on the 8th of March in to one major event by providing roses for students to hand out to those women they treasure. CAS Students created personalized tags for all the roses that were distributed so that students could add their personal messages. Overall, the CAS activity was a huge success and let’s hope many women within the GAA community felt appreciated.
IB CAS students look forward to creating more Creative, Community and Service activities to bring our GAA Community together.
IB CAS students look forward to creating more Creative, Community and Service activities to bring our GAA Community together.
GAA MUN TEAM In Dubai this week
Here is our Community and Secondary School Calendar - Scroll through the months to see what's planned for this year at GAA
Please make sure you check this calendar regularly for updates and new events