News from our Secondary Principal Craig Randall
Dear Parents,
A big welcome back to all of our GAA families after our two week spring break. Almost all reports that I hear from speaking with teachers, parents and students is that whether a staycation or a more exotic vacation, people feel rested and re-energized for the home stretch.
Over the holiday we had four school trips. We had a group of IB World History students go to Germany for a living history holiday; we had a group of students go to Kenya for a combination service learning and safari holiday; we had another group of students go to Nepal for a combination service learning and cultural enrichment holiday and finally we had a group of students travel to Switzerland for a ski holiday.
Articles written by our teacher leaders on each of these trips are attached describing the fantastic experiences had by our students. I encourage you to read these and begin to think now about the possibility of sending your children on one of these trips next year. These are fantastic cultural experiences and are also a fantastic way for students to build independence as they continue their learning trek towards the independence that necessarily accompanies attendance at university.
As a graduation update, we are now less than two months away from graduating our first senior class. The reality and excitement grow on a near daily basis. The arrival this week of our caps, gowns and tassels is another reminder of the momentous accomplishment. Prom is five weeks away on Wednesday May 20th.
Next week we have our second round of parent teacher conferences. Students are encouraged to attend these events with parents. The added perspective of student voice combined with teachers helps to give a more complete picture of student progress. Trying to cater a little more to our working parents we have changed the times of the conferences slightly. On Wednesday the 22nd of May the conferences will run from 11:00am-7:00pm and on Thursday conferences will run from 7:30am-3:30pm.
Finally, I saw this very interesting article on teens and social networking written by a young teacher who uses many of the same social networking devices that students use. As a parent of 7th grade twins I found this article to be eye-opening and has me set to up my diligence level with my children’s use of social media.
Here is the link: http://www.foreverymom.com/dear-well-meaning-but-ignorant-parents-this-is-what-your-teens-are-really-doing-on-the-internet/.
Craig Randall
Secondary School Principal
A big welcome back to all of our GAA families after our two week spring break. Almost all reports that I hear from speaking with teachers, parents and students is that whether a staycation or a more exotic vacation, people feel rested and re-energized for the home stretch.
Over the holiday we had four school trips. We had a group of IB World History students go to Germany for a living history holiday; we had a group of students go to Kenya for a combination service learning and safari holiday; we had another group of students go to Nepal for a combination service learning and cultural enrichment holiday and finally we had a group of students travel to Switzerland for a ski holiday.
Articles written by our teacher leaders on each of these trips are attached describing the fantastic experiences had by our students. I encourage you to read these and begin to think now about the possibility of sending your children on one of these trips next year. These are fantastic cultural experiences and are also a fantastic way for students to build independence as they continue their learning trek towards the independence that necessarily accompanies attendance at university.
As a graduation update, we are now less than two months away from graduating our first senior class. The reality and excitement grow on a near daily basis. The arrival this week of our caps, gowns and tassels is another reminder of the momentous accomplishment. Prom is five weeks away on Wednesday May 20th.
Next week we have our second round of parent teacher conferences. Students are encouraged to attend these events with parents. The added perspective of student voice combined with teachers helps to give a more complete picture of student progress. Trying to cater a little more to our working parents we have changed the times of the conferences slightly. On Wednesday the 22nd of May the conferences will run from 11:00am-7:00pm and on Thursday conferences will run from 7:30am-3:30pm.
Finally, I saw this very interesting article on teens and social networking written by a young teacher who uses many of the same social networking devices that students use. As a parent of 7th grade twins I found this article to be eye-opening and has me set to up my diligence level with my children’s use of social media.
Here is the link: http://www.foreverymom.com/dear-well-meaning-but-ignorant-parents-this-is-what-your-teens-are-really-doing-on-the-internet/.
Craig Randall
Secondary School Principal
Spring Break Travels
GAA Students Shine in Switzerland
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience”
-Eleanor Roosevelt
This spring break I had the distinct pleasure of bringing a group of wonderful GAA students to Verbier, Switzerland on our 2nd ever GAA Ski Trip. We had GAA students ranging from grades 9 through 12 on this trip. As we approached our chalet nestled deep within the beautiful landscape of the Canton of Valais region in the Swiss Alps, it began to snow heavily and this set the tone for a magical week that followed.
For some students, this was the first time they had ever seen snow yet only a few days later these same students conquered the mountains with either skis or snowboards attached to their feet and huge smiles on their faces. The weather could not have been any better as the snow continued to fall for the next 2 days, blue skies and bright sunshine followed for the remainder of the week. The conditions for a ski adventure were perfect. Each and every student displayed numerous IB learner traits at different stages throughout the week. The instructor feedback on our students at the end of the week was truly inspiring as a result. We had students demonstrating leadership, risk taking and open mindedness at different stages. Every student improved his or her own abilities on the mountain through communication, reflective practice and an inquiring attitude towards skill development. All of our first time snow borders were able to negotiate turns and 180-degree jumps and our skiers were parallel stopping and carving with precision by the final day on the snow-covered mountains. The resort manager Adam Brook commented at the end of our stay that the instructors felt GAA Abu Dhabi students were the best school group to visit this season. Most complimentary of all was his personal opinion that we were the best school he has dealt with in his eight years as Les Elfes Ski Resort Manager in Verbier. The students’ kind and helpful interactions with each other, the Les Elfes staff and the other school communities sharing the busy ski resort during the week left a lasting impression on the experienced resort manager. As a teacher, I was extremely proud to be associated with this group of students while representing Gems American Academy and we are now already looking forward to next years GAA Ski Trip!
Mr. Gerard Lovett
GAA Ski Trip Students 2015
Julian Restrepo, Liam Fjellstedt, George Tarasis,
Zayed Al Meraikhi, Sultan Al Hameli, Luti Radovanvic,
Connor Sullivan, Dennis Chavez, Mark Slezak,
Kaylee Taylor, Brianda Hickey, Eva Tarasis, Sophia Hargis
-Eleanor Roosevelt
This spring break I had the distinct pleasure of bringing a group of wonderful GAA students to Verbier, Switzerland on our 2nd ever GAA Ski Trip. We had GAA students ranging from grades 9 through 12 on this trip. As we approached our chalet nestled deep within the beautiful landscape of the Canton of Valais region in the Swiss Alps, it began to snow heavily and this set the tone for a magical week that followed.
For some students, this was the first time they had ever seen snow yet only a few days later these same students conquered the mountains with either skis or snowboards attached to their feet and huge smiles on their faces. The weather could not have been any better as the snow continued to fall for the next 2 days, blue skies and bright sunshine followed for the remainder of the week. The conditions for a ski adventure were perfect. Each and every student displayed numerous IB learner traits at different stages throughout the week. The instructor feedback on our students at the end of the week was truly inspiring as a result. We had students demonstrating leadership, risk taking and open mindedness at different stages. Every student improved his or her own abilities on the mountain through communication, reflective practice and an inquiring attitude towards skill development. All of our first time snow borders were able to negotiate turns and 180-degree jumps and our skiers were parallel stopping and carving with precision by the final day on the snow-covered mountains. The resort manager Adam Brook commented at the end of our stay that the instructors felt GAA Abu Dhabi students were the best school group to visit this season. Most complimentary of all was his personal opinion that we were the best school he has dealt with in his eight years as Les Elfes Ski Resort Manager in Verbier. The students’ kind and helpful interactions with each other, the Les Elfes staff and the other school communities sharing the busy ski resort during the week left a lasting impression on the experienced resort manager. As a teacher, I was extremely proud to be associated with this group of students while representing Gems American Academy and we are now already looking forward to next years GAA Ski Trip!
Mr. Gerard Lovett
GAA Ski Trip Students 2015
Julian Restrepo, Liam Fjellstedt, George Tarasis,
Zayed Al Meraikhi, Sultan Al Hameli, Luti Radovanvic,
Connor Sullivan, Dennis Chavez, Mark Slezak,
Kaylee Taylor, Brianda Hickey, Eva Tarasis, Sophia Hargis
Berlin
Visiting Berlin, Germany was an incredible and enlightening experience that gave history students a chance to view things unable to be attained from readings. Exploring museums and historical buildings, visiting the Reichstag (German Parliament), speaking to locals who lived during the time of the fall of the Berlin Wall, and walking side by side to the Berlin wall itself, gave students an experience that can not be taught in the classroom. Students experienced first hand the thrill of walking the streets of one of the cities that changed the course of history.
Nepal
Students had a lot of fun and faced some challenging situations such as hiking for 5 hours, abseiling, and high ropes. The best outcome is that everyone is now aware of the importance of teamwork, effective communication and positive reinforcement. Students were brilliant in supporting each other, reflecting on their days, writing journals and self-development. We as teachers had a fantastic time with them! We hope it’s an adventure to be remembered forever.
“Nepal was an amazing adventure. It was a unique adventure that I will never forget. I am so grateful after seeing all the schools and villages” - Christine
“First time, I thought Nepal is bad and dangerous. After we arrived, I could see the difference between a city life and the nature. I learned that people must help each other and show their ability. Nepal was the best trip I have ever been!” -Dean
“Nepal for me was exciting & fun.. Some parts were scary and challenging because I’m afraid of heights and one thing is clear now; I am NOT afraid anymore!!“ –Rion
“Nepal was an amazing adventure. It was a unique adventure that I will never forget. I am so grateful after seeing all the schools and villages” - Christine
“First time, I thought Nepal is bad and dangerous. After we arrived, I could see the difference between a city life and the nature. I learned that people must help each other and show their ability. Nepal was the best trip I have ever been!” -Dean
“Nepal for me was exciting & fun.. Some parts were scary and challenging because I’m afraid of heights and one thing is clear now; I am NOT afraid anymore!!“ –Rion
Kenya
Traveling to Kenya was a rewarding experience for everyone. We were located in Tsavo, Kenya and took part in a wide range of community, environmental, and wildlife activities. Some highlights included: working at a local school and building a boys’ bathroom, donating school supplies, playing football, helping out the Tumanini Women’ s Group by cultivating a group member’s farm, maintaining an oil and rope fence that helps keep elephants out of farm land, and hiking. We were welcomed openly by members of the community, both young and old. Through future IB CAS projects, we hope to continue to support the school and students we met.
From our Arts Department
GAA's very own Gyeonjae Yoo singing in the World Honor Choir in Luxembourg over Spring break. Well done Gyeonjae!
Spirit day
March 26th 2015
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)
Secondary MAP testing will take place from 14th – 20th April as shown in the schedule below:
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