News from the Secondary Principal Craig Randal
Dear GAA Secondary Families,
I am excited to announce the resumption of our secondary Fall learning and team building trips. The dates of the trips and the costs for
each grade are as follows:
Click here for the details for Grade 6- October 16th-19th 1895AED
Click here for the details for Grade 7- October 16th-19th 1895AED
Click here for the details for Grade 8- October 22nd-26th 2395AED
Click here for the details for Grade 9- October 22nd-26th 2395AED
Though we don’t mandate the trips I cannot stress enough the power and importance of sending your child on these trips. The time spent together involves deep learning in the areas of the IB Learner Profile. Additionally, teams of teachers and students who bond together function better and achieve higher. Another fabulous benefit to the trips is the opportunity for students to take risks, which push themselves out of their comfort zone in a safe setting while increasing their personal awareness.
Sincerely,
Craig Randall
Secondary Principal
Dear GAA Secondary Families,
I am excited to announce the resumption of our secondary Fall learning and team building trips. The dates of the trips and the costs for
each grade are as follows:
Click here for the details for Grade 6- October 16th-19th 1895AED
Click here for the details for Grade 7- October 16th-19th 1895AED
Click here for the details for Grade 8- October 22nd-26th 2395AED
Click here for the details for Grade 9- October 22nd-26th 2395AED
Though we don’t mandate the trips I cannot stress enough the power and importance of sending your child on these trips. The time spent together involves deep learning in the areas of the IB Learner Profile. Additionally, teams of teachers and students who bond together function better and achieve higher. Another fabulous benefit to the trips is the opportunity for students to take risks, which push themselves out of their comfort zone in a safe setting while increasing their personal awareness.
Sincerely,
Craig Randall
Secondary Principal
School Counseling News
Testing, Testing 1, 2, 3
Standardized Tests: SAT, ACT, TOEFL, SAT Subject Tests
Standardized tests are the “norm” in college and university admission. Universities rely on these test scores because the results are the only common comparison they have between students coming from a variety of schools and backgrounds. Tests carry more weight in the selection process at some colleges than others, but colleges typically do not base an admission decision on scores alone and review them in relation to the student’s academic record and program of study.
SAT
The SAT Reasoning, more commonly referred to as SAT, is the most well-known college entrance exam. It is a three hour and forty-five minute test that measures critically reasoning ability in reading, math, and writing. It is the United States’ most widely used admissions test. It is also recognized by other national university systems as a valued standardized test.
All juniors and seniors are encouraged to take the SAT at least once. Time and time again students change their minds about where they want to go to college. It is better to have the scores ready rather than to be scrambling at the last minute. Juniors typically take the SAT in the spring of the junior year.Many students will also repeat the SAT in the fall of the senior year.
*The SAT will be changing its format and structure in March 2016.
For more information on the SAT, visit: www.collegeboard.org
ACT
The SAT might be the most popular, but it is not the only option. The ACT is another standardized college entrance exam. The ACT measures achievement and is based on academic knowledge and skills typically taught in the high school courses of English, math, reading, and science. The test includes an optional writing test section. Total testing time with the Writing Section is three hours and thirty-five minutes.
For more information on the ACT, visit: www.actstudent.org
TOEFL
The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is required for many students who have a native language other than English. Each college or university sets their own criteria for TOEFL scores, so students will need to do their research to determine if the test is necessary.
There is another English as a foreign language test called IELTS. This test was created in the UK and tends to use British English whereas the TOEFL was created in the USA and uses American English.
SAT Subject Tests
Some colleges and universities require 2 to 3 SAT Subject Tests. Subject tests are one hour in length and a student can take a maximum of three on a test date. There are many different subject tests to choose from across all academic disciplines: Literature, US History, World History, Mathematics I & II, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and several languages.
PSAT
A practice test for the SAT, called PSAT, is offered annually to students in grades 10 and 11. The PSAT is also the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The test is approximately two hours and 15 minutes. Students take the test in October and receive a detailed score report in December. Click Here for more information on the PSAT
Senior: Info (grade 12): Reminders: 1) Make an appointment with Ms. Welch for a fall update! 2) Check your GAA Google e-mail and your Naviance account regularly for important information from College Counseling. 3)
Junior: Info (grade 11): Register for the PSAT
Sophomore Info (grade 10): Register for the PSAT
Testing, Testing 1, 2, 3
Standardized Tests: SAT, ACT, TOEFL, SAT Subject Tests
Standardized tests are the “norm” in college and university admission. Universities rely on these test scores because the results are the only common comparison they have between students coming from a variety of schools and backgrounds. Tests carry more weight in the selection process at some colleges than others, but colleges typically do not base an admission decision on scores alone and review them in relation to the student’s academic record and program of study.
SAT
The SAT Reasoning, more commonly referred to as SAT, is the most well-known college entrance exam. It is a three hour and forty-five minute test that measures critically reasoning ability in reading, math, and writing. It is the United States’ most widely used admissions test. It is also recognized by other national university systems as a valued standardized test.
All juniors and seniors are encouraged to take the SAT at least once. Time and time again students change their minds about where they want to go to college. It is better to have the scores ready rather than to be scrambling at the last minute. Juniors typically take the SAT in the spring of the junior year.Many students will also repeat the SAT in the fall of the senior year.
*The SAT will be changing its format and structure in March 2016.
For more information on the SAT, visit: www.collegeboard.org
ACT
The SAT might be the most popular, but it is not the only option. The ACT is another standardized college entrance exam. The ACT measures achievement and is based on academic knowledge and skills typically taught in the high school courses of English, math, reading, and science. The test includes an optional writing test section. Total testing time with the Writing Section is three hours and thirty-five minutes.
For more information on the ACT, visit: www.actstudent.org
TOEFL
The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is required for many students who have a native language other than English. Each college or university sets their own criteria for TOEFL scores, so students will need to do their research to determine if the test is necessary.
There is another English as a foreign language test called IELTS. This test was created in the UK and tends to use British English whereas the TOEFL was created in the USA and uses American English.
SAT Subject Tests
Some colleges and universities require 2 to 3 SAT Subject Tests. Subject tests are one hour in length and a student can take a maximum of three on a test date. There are many different subject tests to choose from across all academic disciplines: Literature, US History, World History, Mathematics I & II, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and several languages.
PSAT
A practice test for the SAT, called PSAT, is offered annually to students in grades 10 and 11. The PSAT is also the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The test is approximately two hours and 15 minutes. Students take the test in October and receive a detailed score report in December. Click Here for more information on the PSAT
Senior: Info (grade 12): Reminders: 1) Make an appointment with Ms. Welch for a fall update! 2) Check your GAA Google e-mail and your Naviance account regularly for important information from College Counseling. 3)
Junior: Info (grade 11): Register for the PSAT
Sophomore Info (grade 10): Register for the PSAT
Spring Break International Travel Update
Dear Secondary Parents,
Spring Break deposits must be in by September 29th to secure your spot on one of trips.
1st week of Spring Break for Grades 7-12
Kenya: 10% by September 29th and 40% by October 20th
Nepal: 10% by September 29th and 40% by October 20th
Romania: 10% by September 29th and 40% by October 20th
2nd week of Spring Break for Grades 9-12:
Switzerland: 40% deposit by September 29th and copy of visa photo page and residency visa
THESE PAYMENT MUST BE MADE BY CASH OR CHEQUE TO THE SCHOOL ACCOUNTS OFFICE
Any questions or concerns please contact Joanna Ruderman [email protected]
Dear Secondary Parents,
Spring Break deposits must be in by September 29th to secure your spot on one of trips.
1st week of Spring Break for Grades 7-12
Kenya: 10% by September 29th and 40% by October 20th
Nepal: 10% by September 29th and 40% by October 20th
Romania: 10% by September 29th and 40% by October 20th
2nd week of Spring Break for Grades 9-12:
Switzerland: 40% deposit by September 29th and copy of visa photo page and residency visa
THESE PAYMENT MUST BE MADE BY CASH OR CHEQUE TO THE SCHOOL ACCOUNTS OFFICE
Any questions or concerns please contact Joanna Ruderman [email protected]
Swimming team tryouts for Secondary students
It is with most excitement that I introduce myself to you. My name is Iliana Jaltova. I am the new Aquatics Director for GAA. I was a national competitive swimmer for Bulgaria in my younger years. It is now my aim to build a strong, competitive swimming team for GAA. I have been very successful in the past to build very strong swimming squads. We are currently holding swimming trials, to establish GAA’s Swimming Teams for Under 14 and Junior Varsity/Varsity teams. Squad training takes place 3 times a week after school. For those families who have children who are interested in competitive swimming, please encourage your students to attend the trials and practice sessions next week on Sunday 14th of September, Monday 15th ,and Wednesday 17th from 3:00-4:30 in our swimming pool.
We believe that GAA has the potential talent to dominate the schools swimming galas.
I would like to invite you to meet me to discuss your child’s swimming careers, for which I am eager to mold.
Please feel free to contact me, my email address is [email protected]. I would love to hear from you.
It is with most excitement that I introduce myself to you. My name is Iliana Jaltova. I am the new Aquatics Director for GAA. I was a national competitive swimmer for Bulgaria in my younger years. It is now my aim to build a strong, competitive swimming team for GAA. I have been very successful in the past to build very strong swimming squads. We are currently holding swimming trials, to establish GAA’s Swimming Teams for Under 14 and Junior Varsity/Varsity teams. Squad training takes place 3 times a week after school. For those families who have children who are interested in competitive swimming, please encourage your students to attend the trials and practice sessions next week on Sunday 14th of September, Monday 15th ,and Wednesday 17th from 3:00-4:30 in our swimming pool.
We believe that GAA has the potential talent to dominate the schools swimming galas.
I would like to invite you to meet me to discuss your child’s swimming careers, for which I am eager to mold.
Please feel free to contact me, my email address is [email protected]. I would love to hear from you.
Secondary School Fitness Challenge
This year all the kids from secondary and middle school started their PE lessons with a fitness test that included the beep test, squats and pushups until failure. They also did the sit-up challenge for 1 minute.
Some of the students were outstanding even after a 2 month holiday. Here are some of
the outstanding results from Grade 6:
PARIS - 40 push ups and 300 squats
DOYUN- 43 p-ups and 300 squats
ALEXANDER& RISHIKESH- 40 p-ups
ETHAN- 8.5 beep test
ABDULLA- 8.6 beep test
LACHLAN- 45 sit-ups, 62 p-ups, 174 squats
NIEL – 150 squats
BIANCA- 120 squats
ALISHA-140 squats
GIULIA, MATILDE, ASHLEY, DAVIDE, ADAM, KYUNGWON, SUNG YUN SOHN – 300 squats
This year all the kids from secondary and middle school started their PE lessons with a fitness test that included the beep test, squats and pushups until failure. They also did the sit-up challenge for 1 minute.
Some of the students were outstanding even after a 2 month holiday. Here are some of
the outstanding results from Grade 6:
PARIS - 40 push ups and 300 squats
DOYUN- 43 p-ups and 300 squats
ALEXANDER& RISHIKESH- 40 p-ups
ETHAN- 8.5 beep test
ABDULLA- 8.6 beep test
LACHLAN- 45 sit-ups, 62 p-ups, 174 squats
NIEL – 150 squats
BIANCA- 120 squats
ALISHA-140 squats
GIULIA, MATILDE, ASHLEY, DAVIDE, ADAM, KYUNGWON, SUNG YUN SOHN – 300 squats
Don't Forget!
Sunday 14th September - Swim team try outs 3 - 4.30pm
Monday 15th September - Big Band Auditions 3.30pm
Monday 15th September - Swim Team Try outs 3-4.30pm
Tuesday 16th September - Auditions for The GEMS Show Choir Grades 6-12
Wednesday 17th September - Big Band Auditions 3.30pm
Wednesday 17th September - Auditions for The GEMS Show Choir Grades 6-12
Wednesday 17th September - Swim Team Try Outs 3-4.30pm
Thursday 18th September - Adjusting to life in a new country – presentation for parents – 2.15pm in the planetarium
Thursday 18th September - Registration Closes for the Community Golf Tournament
Thursday 25th September - Professional Development for Teachers - School closes at 12pm
Sunday 14th September - Swim team try outs 3 - 4.30pm
Monday 15th September - Big Band Auditions 3.30pm
Monday 15th September - Swim Team Try outs 3-4.30pm
Tuesday 16th September - Auditions for The GEMS Show Choir Grades 6-12
Wednesday 17th September - Big Band Auditions 3.30pm
Wednesday 17th September - Auditions for The GEMS Show Choir Grades 6-12
Wednesday 17th September - Swim Team Try Outs 3-4.30pm
Thursday 18th September - Adjusting to life in a new country – presentation for parents – 2.15pm in the planetarium
Thursday 18th September - Registration Closes for the Community Golf Tournament
Thursday 25th September - Professional Development for Teachers - School closes at 12pm