GAA Secondary School - Back to School Night
Thursday, September 28, 2017
(5:00 pm to 7:40 pm)
Parents will follow their child’s Sunday & Monday schedule to see presentations from all teachers. The subject, teacher and room number are available on the student timetable.
Thursday, September 28, 2017
(5:00 pm to 7:40 pm)
Parents will follow their child’s Sunday & Monday schedule to see presentations from all teachers. The subject, teacher and room number are available on the student timetable.
- Learning Support and ELL teachers will be present alongside their co-teacher in the classroom and in the Resource Room (211) for their scheduled Resource blocks.
- PE Teachers can be found in the gymnasium
- Ms. Taylor (Band/Choir) will be available in the Room 164, not the auditorium.
Grade 12 IBDP students may have a study hall in their schedule. If so, please wait patiently until the next scheduled class.
Career and Guidance Counselors
- Ms. Perez (Grades 6 to 8) will be available in Room 243
- Mr. Philip Abraham (Grades 9 & 10) will be available in Room 210.
- Ms. Katie Leishear (Grades 11 & 12) will be available in Room 209.
The following Coordinators and Administrators will be available in the Secondary Library next to the Room 208
- Ms. Jen Parker, Curriculum Coordinator
- Mr. Donald Caldwell, IBDP Coordinator
- Mr Peter Thorpe, Middle School Vice Principal (Grades 6 to 8)
- Mr Kain Klinkhammer, High School Vice Principal (Grades 9 to12)
- Ms. Katherine Banner, Secondary Principal (Grade 6 to 12)
Secondary Arts Bragging Rights
The GAA Secondary Arts Department back at it again. Keep reading to get a brief preview of the things to come in the arts this year with your students and each of the GAA Secondary Arts instructors.
Grade 6 Arts
The Grade 6 Arts rotation course is designed to allow each student to experience instruction with teachers in Drama/Theatre, Instrumental Music, Visual Art and Vocal Music over the course of the academic year. During each instructional rotation teachers introduce students to their respective arts discipline while providing them with experiences, knowledge and skills that are not only fun, but also are academically valuable.
Grade 6 Arts Showcase
At the end of every grade 6 rotation students, teachers and parents celebrate together with the highlight of the course, the Grade 6 Arts Showcase. This showcase is an informal presentation of creative work, performances and skills demonstrations featuring the fast and dynamic growth of each class; and will be presented in the GAA Auditorium.
The following are tentatively scheduled dates for the Grade 6 Arts Showcase, this academic year. Please know that these dates are tentative and are subject to change.
Instrumental & Vocal Music
Mr. Dave Holland –
IBDP Music 1 & 2, Concert/Jazz Band, Advanced Band, Digital Music, Grade 6 Band
Congratulations to Mr. Hunter Keith on yet another outstanding achievement!!!
AMIS Success… again!
Please join us in congratulating grade 12 music student, Hunter Keith, on yet another outstanding achievement. Hunter has successfully auditioned to take part in the Association of Music in International School’s (AMIS) Honor Jazz Festival. This up and coming musician will travel to Singapore in the last week of September to take his place in the AMIS Honor Jazz Band.
This 18-piece big band features only the best young musicians from around the world and the competition is fierce. The four-day residential rehearsal and performance will be an intensive experience as we prepare him for the professional music world in 2018.
Hunter is the only student representing the UAE at this event and we wish him the very best of luck.
High School Concert Band / High School Jazz Band
Our High School ensembles are already rehearsing material ahead of our performances in November. We have a large group with many new faces as well as returning musicians. Our students will have the opportunity to learn from the traditional concert band repertoire as well as chamber music when we break into smaller groups. From the larger ensemble, the GAA Jazz Band will step out and hold regular rehearsals, thus giving them the opportunity to enjoy the best of both worlds this year. In order to make all of this happen, I’m delighted to be joined by Ms. Kelley Taylor.
Middle School Advanced Band
This ensemble is where our younger musicians have the opportunity to gain a foundation in the concert band style before they advance to the High School groups. We have begun work on a variety of music ahead of the first performance that will allow them to experience traditional repertoire, world music, the classics and more modern compositions. As this group develops their ensemble sound they will enjoy this collaborative experience and prove themselves as the rising stars in the school.
Digital Music
For some of our musicians, the desire to be creative transcends the boundary of traditional instruments. Thanks to a phenomenal response, we have welcomed over 30 students into this new course in 2017/18. These students are exploring the possibilities of digital music production in our studio facilities. Whilst the course is designed to give them freedom to create new music, manage a professional recording environment and market themselves in an ever-changing industry, we are placing emphasis on learning the legal responsibilities of the artist/producer. Each class will be producing their own compilation album at the end of the year and I look forward to sharing this with you.
IB Diploma Music
As we welcome the new students to IB Music we prepare our older students for the submission of their final portfolios. This is an equally busy time for both grade levels and the support from the grade 12 students has remained exceptional as the grade 11’s hit the ground running. This is the third year of GAA’s IB Diploma Music course and it continues to be a vibrant learning environment. As the grade 11’s embark upon their first compositions, out grade 12’s are deep into their Musical Links Investigations as well as studying the works of J.S. Bach and Zoltan Kodaly.
Ms. Kelley Taylor –
Concert Band, Beginner Band, Advanced Choir, Beginner Choir, Grade 6 Choir
Celebrations in Music
Band and Choir classes are in full swing! All students have received their equipment including instruments, music, folders, and rehearsals are underway to prepare for our first performance! All performing groups are performing at the GAAPA Celebrating Kindness Carnival, November 2nd. Ms. Taylor and Mr. Holland are so proud of how hard students are working and can’t wait for you to hear them!
You can also look forward to hearing bands and choirs performing throughout the year every Tuesday right after school. “Tuesday Tunes” features a different performing group each week at 2:55 in the main lobby entrance.
All choir students and the Wind Ensemble (HS Band) are learning the UAE National Anthem, “Ishy Bilady.” Throughout the year there are many opportunities for students to perform the national anthem and our students are ready to represent!
A “Student of the Month” will be chosen from each ensemble. Students receive recognition, a certificate, and a sweet reward! Below are the students of the month for September from each ensemble-
The GAA Secondary Arts Department back at it again. Keep reading to get a brief preview of the things to come in the arts this year with your students and each of the GAA Secondary Arts instructors.
Grade 6 Arts
The Grade 6 Arts rotation course is designed to allow each student to experience instruction with teachers in Drama/Theatre, Instrumental Music, Visual Art and Vocal Music over the course of the academic year. During each instructional rotation teachers introduce students to their respective arts discipline while providing them with experiences, knowledge and skills that are not only fun, but also are academically valuable.
Grade 6 Arts Showcase
At the end of every grade 6 rotation students, teachers and parents celebrate together with the highlight of the course, the Grade 6 Arts Showcase. This showcase is an informal presentation of creative work, performances and skills demonstrations featuring the fast and dynamic growth of each class; and will be presented in the GAA Auditorium.
The following are tentatively scheduled dates for the Grade 6 Arts Showcase, this academic year. Please know that these dates are tentative and are subject to change.
- Quarter 1 – October 30
- Quarter 2 – January 17
- Quarter 3 – March 12
- Quarter 4 – May 16
Instrumental & Vocal Music
Mr. Dave Holland –
IBDP Music 1 & 2, Concert/Jazz Band, Advanced Band, Digital Music, Grade 6 Band
Congratulations to Mr. Hunter Keith on yet another outstanding achievement!!!
AMIS Success… again!
Please join us in congratulating grade 12 music student, Hunter Keith, on yet another outstanding achievement. Hunter has successfully auditioned to take part in the Association of Music in International School’s (AMIS) Honor Jazz Festival. This up and coming musician will travel to Singapore in the last week of September to take his place in the AMIS Honor Jazz Band.
This 18-piece big band features only the best young musicians from around the world and the competition is fierce. The four-day residential rehearsal and performance will be an intensive experience as we prepare him for the professional music world in 2018.
Hunter is the only student representing the UAE at this event and we wish him the very best of luck.
High School Concert Band / High School Jazz Band
Our High School ensembles are already rehearsing material ahead of our performances in November. We have a large group with many new faces as well as returning musicians. Our students will have the opportunity to learn from the traditional concert band repertoire as well as chamber music when we break into smaller groups. From the larger ensemble, the GAA Jazz Band will step out and hold regular rehearsals, thus giving them the opportunity to enjoy the best of both worlds this year. In order to make all of this happen, I’m delighted to be joined by Ms. Kelley Taylor.
Middle School Advanced Band
This ensemble is where our younger musicians have the opportunity to gain a foundation in the concert band style before they advance to the High School groups. We have begun work on a variety of music ahead of the first performance that will allow them to experience traditional repertoire, world music, the classics and more modern compositions. As this group develops their ensemble sound they will enjoy this collaborative experience and prove themselves as the rising stars in the school.
Digital Music
For some of our musicians, the desire to be creative transcends the boundary of traditional instruments. Thanks to a phenomenal response, we have welcomed over 30 students into this new course in 2017/18. These students are exploring the possibilities of digital music production in our studio facilities. Whilst the course is designed to give them freedom to create new music, manage a professional recording environment and market themselves in an ever-changing industry, we are placing emphasis on learning the legal responsibilities of the artist/producer. Each class will be producing their own compilation album at the end of the year and I look forward to sharing this with you.
IB Diploma Music
As we welcome the new students to IB Music we prepare our older students for the submission of their final portfolios. This is an equally busy time for both grade levels and the support from the grade 12 students has remained exceptional as the grade 11’s hit the ground running. This is the third year of GAA’s IB Diploma Music course and it continues to be a vibrant learning environment. As the grade 11’s embark upon their first compositions, out grade 12’s are deep into their Musical Links Investigations as well as studying the works of J.S. Bach and Zoltan Kodaly.
Ms. Kelley Taylor –
Concert Band, Beginner Band, Advanced Choir, Beginner Choir, Grade 6 Choir
Celebrations in Music
Band and Choir classes are in full swing! All students have received their equipment including instruments, music, folders, and rehearsals are underway to prepare for our first performance! All performing groups are performing at the GAAPA Celebrating Kindness Carnival, November 2nd. Ms. Taylor and Mr. Holland are so proud of how hard students are working and can’t wait for you to hear them!
You can also look forward to hearing bands and choirs performing throughout the year every Tuesday right after school. “Tuesday Tunes” features a different performing group each week at 2:55 in the main lobby entrance.
All choir students and the Wind Ensemble (HS Band) are learning the UAE National Anthem, “Ishy Bilady.” Throughout the year there are many opportunities for students to perform the national anthem and our students are ready to represent!
A “Student of the Month” will be chosen from each ensemble. Students receive recognition, a certificate, and a sweet reward! Below are the students of the month for September from each ensemble-
More information, announcements, calendar events, and musical resources can be found on the Power Learning page for each ensemble. Students are routinely directed to the website for their ensemble.
Theatre Studies
Mr. Kyle Carlin –
HS Beginning Acting, Grade 9 Theatre, Grade 8 Theatre, Grade 7 Theatre
Emerging Theatre Students
In the first weeks of school the Grade 7, 8 9 and Beginning Acting classes, will be exploring, reviewing and refining the basics principles of theatre and becoming familiar with rules and principles of communication, body language and collaboration between pairs and groups. This is a foundation building time for those students who are new to theatre, while more experienced students not only develop a greater level of proficiency with these skills, but also work to help give guidance and learning support to the new students. Before long, students in all classes will begin a series of theatre projects in which they research characters, adopt roles, learn monologues and then present their work to their classmates and other small audiences.
As students progress the Beginner Acting class will begin to explore a variety of acting methods including the function of theatre masks, as used by the used by the Trestle Mask Theatre Company. Students will engage in inquiry about the techniques and rules involved in using these special masks for performance. In conjunction with this work, students will engage in workshops on physical theatre in order to develop skills in bodily expression and to learn how to effectively communicate a story without relying on voice. Students will also be learning the techniques of blocking, passing focus and balancing the stage, three essential components for creating effective masked performances. Students will then devise and perform their own short plays as a demonstration of their newly acquired knowledge and skills.
Ms. Yvette McGregor –
IBDP Theatre 2, HS Advanced Theatre, Film Studies, Grade 6 Theatre
Ms. McGregor’s students are already super busy this semester and jumping right into challenging and exciting things.
Film Studies
After two years, the Elements of Film course returns to the GAA Secondary Arts Department; this time with the new name of Film Studies. Film Studies introduces students to the basics of film analysis, cinematic formal elements, genre, and narrative structure and helps students develop the skills to recognize, analyze, describe and enjoy film as a form of art and entertainment. This is accomplished through the study of significant and award winning directors, classic and award winning films, including the 1930's classics, HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME and THE GREAT GATSBY. Additionally, students will write, create, produce and present their own short film during the second semester which will be presented in house at GAA’s first Short Film Festival, with invited guests.
The IBDP Theatre 2
The IB Diploma Program Theatre course is a multifaceted theatre-making course of study. In this two-year course students are given the opportunity to make theatre as creators, designers, directors and performers. The skills required for intense independent, collaborative and ensemble work is emphasized, as students actively engage in research, analysis and the creative process as it pertains to the making of professional theatre. This current group of grade 12 students are working to transform ideas into action as inquisitive and productive artists. With Ms. McGregor’s guidance these students are learning to apply processes of researching, creating, preparing, presenting and critically reflecting on theatre from both an academic and artistic perspective.
In Year 2 of this course IBDP Theatre students are working hard to complete and refine their final research submissions and to create original works of theatre through the required, Collaborative Theater Project. This collaborative project requires that students work in groups of 2 or more and that they create completely new and original works that are based on clear artistic intentions and an intended impact upon their chosen audience. This work requires a great deal of deep understanding about the art form and a great deal of focus and commitment to the work. The IBDP 2 Theatre Collaborative Theatre Project is the highlight and capstone of this course and will be presented to an invited audience in the Spring of 2018.
Advanced Acting
Advanced Acting is designed to build and strengthen the skills and abilities learned and practiced in Drama 7, Drama 8 and Theatre Performance I and Theatre Performance II. This course is intended for serious acting students. It requires a heightened level of focus, engagement and commitment to the work, which can only be reached with prior training. The core group of students in this class have been studying Theatre with Ms. McGregor for three years now, and are looking forward to the added challenge being pushed beyond their individual comfort zones. Each of these veteran students share the goal of more intricately discovering their individual abilities, gifts and talents.
With this in mind, Advanced Acting students will more deeply explore the importance of the skills needed to create a detailed character analysis. The play, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST and the Broadway musical, INTO THE WOODS will be the centerpieces of this work. Additionally, students will more deeply hone their skills as actors through scene study, the monologue and improvisation. They will be given the opportunity not only to become more astute actors, but also to explore directing, producing and creating as they write an adapted version of a child's fairytale to be performed for the elementary students. On a bi-monthly basis, students will also perform a monologue, song, dance, a piece of poetry, a scene or even a stand-up comic routine at what will be called THE THEATRE CAFE. This performance will take place in the Black Box Theatre and students, faculty and parents will be invited.
Outside of the Theatre Classroom
Both Theatre and non-Theatre students are invited to audition for:
The Annual Spring Theatre Production
AUDITIONS FOR GREASE!
Don’t miss your chance to audition!
WHEN: Sunday, October 15th and Tuesday, October 17th
WHERE: Room 160/Ms. McGregor’s Room
TIME: 3:15-5:00
***See Ms. McGregor during lunch in room 160 for details!***
Please note: We will be performing the High School version of this Grease. Song lyrics and story lines have been altered to ensure that the Grease is suitable for audiences of all ages.
Don’t miss your chance to audition!
WHEN: Sunday, October 15th and Tuesday, October 17th
WHERE: Room 160/Ms. McGregor’s Room
TIME: 3:15-5:00
***See Ms. McGregor during lunch in room 160 for details!***
Please note: We will be performing the High School version of this Grease. Song lyrics and story lines have been altered to ensure that the Grease is suitable for audiences of all ages.
Dear Parents,
We are happy to announce our student educational spring trips for this year. I would like to invite you to a parent information evening on Monday Sept 25th at 7:00pm in the auditorium.
Please see the attached GAA Trips information pack. Inside this pack you will find detailed trip itinerary, cost of each each trip and a very specific instructions on how to register your child.
During our parent evening, you will have the opportunity to ask any questions that has not been addressed in information pack.
Hope to see you there.
Kind regards,
GAA Spring Break Information Pack 2017/18.docx
Spring Break Trips Registration Forms 2017/18.docx
We are happy to announce our student educational spring trips for this year. I would like to invite you to a parent information evening on Monday Sept 25th at 7:00pm in the auditorium.
Please see the attached GAA Trips information pack. Inside this pack you will find detailed trip itinerary, cost of each each trip and a very specific instructions on how to register your child.
During our parent evening, you will have the opportunity to ask any questions that has not been addressed in information pack.
Hope to see you there.
Kind regards,
GAA Spring Break Information Pack 2017/18.docx
Spring Break Trips Registration Forms 2017/18.docx
Dear Parents,
All high school students in grades 9 and up are expected to have a graphing calculator. We prefer TI 84 or TI Inspire. If your child has not had a chance to buy a graphing calculator they can still do so. On demand from parents and students the vendor from Texas Instruments will be coming again on Wednesday September 20th, 2017 from 12pm to 3pm. He will be in the main lobby selling ti-inspires at 620 AED.
Best regards,
Farah Sami
All high school students in grades 9 and up are expected to have a graphing calculator. We prefer TI 84 or TI Inspire. If your child has not had a chance to buy a graphing calculator they can still do so. On demand from parents and students the vendor from Texas Instruments will be coming again on Wednesday September 20th, 2017 from 12pm to 3pm. He will be in the main lobby selling ti-inspires at 620 AED.
Best regards,
Farah Sami
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