News from our Secondary Principal Craig Randall
Dear Parents,
Graduation! GAA’s First Graduation is Less Than Three Months Away
I knew I was going to write all about graduation festivities this week, but it wasn’t until last night that it hit me, GAA’s first graduating class graduates three months from yesterday. This culminating celebration, a time of reward and reflection on the accomplishments of this resilient group of students who have overcome so much in the last three years is just around the corner. They have and will set the tone for what it means to be a GAA graduate now and in the future. This passionate, tight knit, fun loving yet serious group of students exemplify so many of the traits that lead to success in the adult world. I look forward in the coming months to spend more time articulating these successes as we build towards that magical graduation night in June. It is all incredibly exciting, mixed in with a little bit of scariness for our graduates.
With graduation looming I thought this would be a perfect time to share out details on many of the events related to graduation:
- Final Exams for seniors: Senior finals will take place Sunday, May 31st through Thursday June 4th, with the 7th of June as the make-up exam date.
- Diplomas: Diplomas will be handed out at graduation for all students who have their records cleared, books returned, all sign-outs are complete, and any money owed, if applicable, is paid.
- School Attendance: Students are not required to attend school once their finals are complete except for graduation dress rehearsals.
- Prom: Will take place on Wednesday, May 20th, from 7:00-11:00 p.m. The Rush room at the Viceroy Hotel has been reserved for this private GAA function. Tickets will be 400 dirhams per person and includes appetisers and dinner. Tickets will go on sale soon. Should students be too tired to attend school on the 21st this will not be counted against their attendance. If any of our young ladies feel the need to leave after lunch to prepare for the event (meaning, have their hair done) this will not count against their attendance. Students are required to attend school until lunch that day in order to be able to attend the prom.
- Graduation rehearsals: Mandatory rehearsals will take place on June 8th and 10th at school. Times to be announced.
- Graduation breakfast/brunch: We will have a graduation breakfast for students after rehearsal on the 8th of June from 10:00-12:00 at the Westin Hotel. Students are required to ride the bus to and from the breakfast. We will have fun awards and a student and teacher speaker. Thank you to GAAPA for helping to fund this event.
- Graduation Dinner: Some of our moms are organising a special family event the night before graduation. This event is scheduled to for June 10th. More details to come.
- Graduation: June 11th at 7:00 in the GAA Auditorium followed by a reception in the foyer/entryway. Though I don’t want to spoil the surprise by sharing the complete program for the evening I will share that we will have a guest speaker, musical performances, student, teacher and administrator speakers and all the pomp and circumstance that a first graduation should include.
Have a great weekend.
Craig Randall
Secondary Principal
Events for the Senior Class of 2015
*Ring Turning Ceremony for Seniors and Juniors (Date pending the receipt of rings the week of April 20th)
*Junior/Senior Prom
*Senior Breakfast
*Graduation June 11th
*Graduation Celebrations (TBA)
*Ring Turning Ceremony for Seniors and Juniors (Date pending the receipt of rings the week of April 20th)
*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)
News from Secondary Student Council
The Terry Fox Run has come and gone with many GAA students eagerly taking part. We also invited Terry Fox’s brother to come to our school and take part in spreading awareness on the Terry Fox story which impacted a lot of students thoughts on the cause. A special thank you to Kennedy Miller from student council who made the arrangements for the t-shirt orders and coordinated with Terry Fox’s brother on arrangements for the school assembly.
As the sporting season in upon us with sports day just taking place GAA’s student council have started following through with the Spirit Week activities. Last week saw students in each of their homerooms participate in the door decorating competition which allowed them to decorate their homeroom door with the animal and color of their house mascot. The idea motivated and encouraged students to become more engaged in their homeroom environment and definitely spread spirit around the school. Next week’s spirit competition is all in the video and cheer…get those cameras rolling and spread the GAA spirit!
From our music department..
The GEMS American Academy Singers (10th-12th grade) were honored to be invited by the United States Embassy to sing at the National Day Celebration at the Palace on February 18th. They sang beautifully in front of approximately 1500 distinguished guests, and throughout the evening were able to meet important officials from all over the world! We are so grateful to Barbara A. Leaf, The US Ambassador to Abu Dhabi for inviting us to come and be part of this incredible event!
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