GAA Hajj Assembly
Last week secondary students performed an excellent Hajj assembly in which students learned about the Prophet Ibrahim, Hajj and Zam Zam Water. We recoded the assembly so parents could enjoy and learn too!
Grade 11 Student Youssef Abdul Aziz also took some photographs of the assembly . Thank you Youssef for sharing these with us!
College Counseling News
Registered students in Grades 10 and 11 will take the PSAT next Saturday, October 18. Below is an article that provides tips for taking the test.
7 tips for taking the PSAT/NMSQT
By Lee Bierer, an independent college adviser based in North Carolina, USA
On Wednesday Oct. 15 and Saturday, Oct. 18, high school juniors and many sophomores will get their first taste of standardized testing for college when they take the PSAT/NMSQT.
That’s a lot of letters. It stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The PSAT/NMSQT is co-sponsored by the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
Colleges will not see students’ PSAT scores unless their score qualifies them for scholarships and recognition through the National Merit Scholarship Corp. and the National Hispanic Recognition Program. So, there is no need for students to be anxious about taking the test. However, students who have performed well on standardized tests in the past would be well served by prepping for this test.
The PSAT/NMSQT is good practice for the SAT and helps students get comfortable with the testing format. At 2 hours, 10 minutes, the PSAT is roughly half the length of the SAT. The PSAT has five sections: two 25-minute critical reading sections, two 25-minute math sections and one 30-minute writing skills section.
Unlike the SAT, the PSAT has no essay. The test provides personalized feedback for students, specifying skill strengths and weaknesses. Analyzing the feedback is one of the smartest things students can do to improve their test scores. Students can take free PSAT/NMSQT practice questions on the College Board website. www.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt/preparation.
Strategies for the PSAT/NMSQT
1. Know when to guess and when to pass. The PSAT, like the SAT, penalizes students a quarter point for each incorrect response. General testing wisdom says that if a student can eliminate at least one answer in a multiple choice question, it is worth taking an educated guess. Random guessing is discouraged. According to the College Board website, “getting only half the questions right and not answering the rest will still earn an above-average score.”
2. Read the instructions carefully and don’t assume you know the format of the test.
3. Use the test book as scratch paper for your calculations.
4. Be sure to read ALL the answer choices before making a decision and marking your answer sheet.
5. Manage your time. All questions have the same value (harder questions don’t earn more points). Don’t waste time on difficult questions. Make a mark in the book and come back if time allows.
6. Check the answer sheet to be certain you are filling in the correct response.
7. Come prepared. Know what you can bring and what you can’t. You can bring two No. 2 pencils with erasers and an approved calculator (check the website). You can’t bring food, beverages, dictionaries, rulers, compasses, pamphlets/papers, highlighters, or devices for listening, recording, copying or taking photos (including watches and cellphones with cameras).
OCTOBER
Save-the-Dates
18th- PSAT for registered students in grades 10 and 11.
28th-30th – NAJAH Higher Education & Careers Fair
Fall College Visits
OCTOBER
13th – NYU Abu Dhabi, UAE, USA, 12:20pm
15th – Rose Hulman University, USA, 9:15am
16th – Johns Hopkins, USA, 8:00am
16th - University of Chicago, USA, 8:00am
16th – EU European University Business School, Europe 9:15am
19th – Trinity University, USA, 9:15am
19th - Hult International Business School, UAE, UK, USA, 9:15am
20th – US Education Group US University Fair, 11:15am
27th – Washington College, USA, 8:30am
Grade Level Info
Senior Info (grade 12): Keep the Senior Planning Timeline and Check List in mind as we move through the semester. We are already in October and time is flying by.
Junior Info (grade 11): More details for the PSAT. Please note that the testing day is a Saturday. School Buses are not available. Students are responsible for their own transportation. Students should arrive at school by 8:45am. Testing will finish by 12:30pm. Students do not have to wear their uniform.
Sophomore Info (grade 10): More details for the PSAT. Please note that the testing day is a Saturday. School Buses are not available. Students are responsible for their own transportation. Students should arrive at school by 8:45am. Testing will finish by 12:30pm. Students do not have to wear their uniform.
Registered students in Grades 10 and 11 will take the PSAT next Saturday, October 18. Below is an article that provides tips for taking the test.
7 tips for taking the PSAT/NMSQT
By Lee Bierer, an independent college adviser based in North Carolina, USA
On Wednesday Oct. 15 and Saturday, Oct. 18, high school juniors and many sophomores will get their first taste of standardized testing for college when they take the PSAT/NMSQT.
That’s a lot of letters. It stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The PSAT/NMSQT is co-sponsored by the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
Colleges will not see students’ PSAT scores unless their score qualifies them for scholarships and recognition through the National Merit Scholarship Corp. and the National Hispanic Recognition Program. So, there is no need for students to be anxious about taking the test. However, students who have performed well on standardized tests in the past would be well served by prepping for this test.
The PSAT/NMSQT is good practice for the SAT and helps students get comfortable with the testing format. At 2 hours, 10 minutes, the PSAT is roughly half the length of the SAT. The PSAT has five sections: two 25-minute critical reading sections, two 25-minute math sections and one 30-minute writing skills section.
Unlike the SAT, the PSAT has no essay. The test provides personalized feedback for students, specifying skill strengths and weaknesses. Analyzing the feedback is one of the smartest things students can do to improve their test scores. Students can take free PSAT/NMSQT practice questions on the College Board website. www.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt/preparation.
Strategies for the PSAT/NMSQT
1. Know when to guess and when to pass. The PSAT, like the SAT, penalizes students a quarter point for each incorrect response. General testing wisdom says that if a student can eliminate at least one answer in a multiple choice question, it is worth taking an educated guess. Random guessing is discouraged. According to the College Board website, “getting only half the questions right and not answering the rest will still earn an above-average score.”
2. Read the instructions carefully and don’t assume you know the format of the test.
3. Use the test book as scratch paper for your calculations.
4. Be sure to read ALL the answer choices before making a decision and marking your answer sheet.
5. Manage your time. All questions have the same value (harder questions don’t earn more points). Don’t waste time on difficult questions. Make a mark in the book and come back if time allows.
6. Check the answer sheet to be certain you are filling in the correct response.
7. Come prepared. Know what you can bring and what you can’t. You can bring two No. 2 pencils with erasers and an approved calculator (check the website). You can’t bring food, beverages, dictionaries, rulers, compasses, pamphlets/papers, highlighters, or devices for listening, recording, copying or taking photos (including watches and cellphones with cameras).
OCTOBER
Save-the-Dates
18th- PSAT for registered students in grades 10 and 11.
28th-30th – NAJAH Higher Education & Careers Fair
Fall College Visits
OCTOBER
13th – NYU Abu Dhabi, UAE, USA, 12:20pm
15th – Rose Hulman University, USA, 9:15am
16th – Johns Hopkins, USA, 8:00am
16th - University of Chicago, USA, 8:00am
16th – EU European University Business School, Europe 9:15am
19th – Trinity University, USA, 9:15am
19th - Hult International Business School, UAE, UK, USA, 9:15am
20th – US Education Group US University Fair, 11:15am
27th – Washington College, USA, 8:30am
Grade Level Info
Senior Info (grade 12): Keep the Senior Planning Timeline and Check List in mind as we move through the semester. We are already in October and time is flying by.
Junior Info (grade 11): More details for the PSAT. Please note that the testing day is a Saturday. School Buses are not available. Students are responsible for their own transportation. Students should arrive at school by 8:45am. Testing will finish by 12:30pm. Students do not have to wear their uniform.
Sophomore Info (grade 10): More details for the PSAT. Please note that the testing day is a Saturday. School Buses are not available. Students are responsible for their own transportation. Students should arrive at school by 8:45am. Testing will finish by 12:30pm. Students do not have to wear their uniform.
Registration is now open for students interested in taking part in the World Scholar’s Cup this year.
WSC is an activity ideal for students who love debating, competing and making new friends. Activities include debating, an interactive multiple-choice quiz, written essays and a talent show, to name but a few. If successful in the regional round, students then have the opportunity to compete against other schools from around the world in the Global round, which took place last year in Singapore and will be in Kuala Lumpur in 2015.
The regional rounds will be held in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and we are trying to encourage as many teams to represent GAA as possible, since we are aiming to host a regional round in our school like last year.
If you are aged between Grade 5 and Grade 8, and like working with others, competing academically and debating, sign up now, either as an individual or as a team of three.
At the moment, we hold our activity on Wednesdays from 3-4pm in room 265, but with growing numbers expected and several students unable to do an activity on that day, we may change it to another day or split it into two groups, if enough students show an interest. Sign up sheets are outside rooms 208, 265 and Mr. Mott’s office opposite the cafeteria. Sign up this week and let us know you are interested.
Contact Mr. Broderick (room 265) or Miss Heatly (room 208) for further information
Congratulations to our Under14's Volleyball Team!
Here is a picture of the Under 14 girls and boys volleyball team was taken in Dubai at the Universal American School after BOTH teams swept UAS in all 3 sets, winning the games! The girls overall season record is 3 wins and 0 losses and the boys overall record is 2 wins and 1 loss. The teams next game is here at GAA on October 13th at 4:30pm. We encourage spectators!
Girl team coaches: Stephanie Liebhart with assistant Katie Gellatly
Boy team coaches: Anna Ramirez with assistant Kasey Stafford
Here is a picture of the Under 14 girls and boys volleyball team was taken in Dubai at the Universal American School after BOTH teams swept UAS in all 3 sets, winning the games! The girls overall season record is 3 wins and 0 losses and the boys overall record is 2 wins and 1 loss. The teams next game is here at GAA on October 13th at 4:30pm. We encourage spectators!
Girl team coaches: Stephanie Liebhart with assistant Katie Gellatly
Boy team coaches: Anna Ramirez with assistant Kasey Stafford
Winter Variety Show Auditions
GAA Secondary Drama department will be holding AUDITIONS for our Winter Solstice Variety Show (December 11th)!
The production will showcase different theatrical acts including songs and dances from popular musicals, as well as scenes and monologues from various contemporary and classical plays.
Interested students can sign up for an audition time and collect a form located on the bulletin board outside of room 267!
Students must prepare a one minute performance piece (song, dance, monologue, scene) for their audition.
Students can audition as a group or solo
Students will be required to attend after school rehearsals starting from the October 19th from 3-4 every Sunday and Wednesday. We can work around student schedules and other after school commitments
GAA Secondary Drama department will be holding AUDITIONS for our Winter Solstice Variety Show (December 11th)!
The production will showcase different theatrical acts including songs and dances from popular musicals, as well as scenes and monologues from various contemporary and classical plays.
Interested students can sign up for an audition time and collect a form located on the bulletin board outside of room 267!
Students must prepare a one minute performance piece (song, dance, monologue, scene) for their audition.
Students can audition as a group or solo
Students will be required to attend after school rehearsals starting from the October 19th from 3-4 every Sunday and Wednesday. We can work around student schedules and other after school commitments
Don't Forget - Next Week!
12th-16th October -Anti Bullying Week
12th-16th October -Anti Bullying 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