News from our Secondary Principal, Craig Randall
Dear Parents,
Thanks so much to those who attended Back to School Night on Wednesday evening. I heard lots of positive feedback about the evening and impressions of the teachers. We are proud of what we are developing at GAA and thank you for your support. I would like to extend a special thank you to our amazing teachers for putting in a very long day on Wednesday and to our GAAPA moms for providing snacks for our parents, many of whom came straight from work and were probably hungry. Thanks!
One of my favorite things about our teachers is their continual desire to grow as professionals. They want to become better teachers to provide better educational experiences for your children. As part of their growth we regularly put on professional development sessions during our divisional faculty meetings. This year we are adding a new element to these sessions; we are adding monthly Professional Learning Community (PLC’s) meetings.
PLC’s are specifically designed to get groups of teachers together to collaboratively develop methods and practices to improve student learning. One of the impressive things about our faculty is that we have so many experts in different areas right on our own campus. In one of our last faculty meetings our experts shared mini-lessons of their proposed PLC’s to their peers in order to help our teachers make their decision on which PLC to participate in. These included Kagan Cooperative Learning Strategies, differentiation strategies, assessment for learning, lesson study, The importance of being idle (not what it sounds like), technology integration, technology apps for learning, Discipline with Love and Logic, Approaches to Learning and Understanding by Design.
Teachers have all made their choices and we will begin monthly PLC meetings in October. Everyone is excited to begin growing in these new areas soon. We are confident that your children will benefit from our teachers’ continued commitment to growth.
Sincerely,
Craig Randall
Thanks so much to those who attended Back to School Night on Wednesday evening. I heard lots of positive feedback about the evening and impressions of the teachers. We are proud of what we are developing at GAA and thank you for your support. I would like to extend a special thank you to our amazing teachers for putting in a very long day on Wednesday and to our GAAPA moms for providing snacks for our parents, many of whom came straight from work and were probably hungry. Thanks!
One of my favorite things about our teachers is their continual desire to grow as professionals. They want to become better teachers to provide better educational experiences for your children. As part of their growth we regularly put on professional development sessions during our divisional faculty meetings. This year we are adding a new element to these sessions; we are adding monthly Professional Learning Community (PLC’s) meetings.
PLC’s are specifically designed to get groups of teachers together to collaboratively develop methods and practices to improve student learning. One of the impressive things about our faculty is that we have so many experts in different areas right on our own campus. In one of our last faculty meetings our experts shared mini-lessons of their proposed PLC’s to their peers in order to help our teachers make their decision on which PLC to participate in. These included Kagan Cooperative Learning Strategies, differentiation strategies, assessment for learning, lesson study, The importance of being idle (not what it sounds like), technology integration, technology apps for learning, Discipline with Love and Logic, Approaches to Learning and Understanding by Design.
Teachers have all made their choices and we will begin monthly PLC meetings in October. Everyone is excited to begin growing in these new areas soon. We are confident that your children will benefit from our teachers’ continued commitment to growth.
Sincerely,
Craig Randall
Hajj Celebration at GAA
MAKE A PLAN
Last week, I mentioned how overwhelming the college admission process can be. A College Planning Timeline will help keep students and parents on track and tell you what and when things should be done.
College Planning Timeline for Students
Last week, I mentioned how overwhelming the college admission process can be. A College Planning Timeline will help keep students and parents on track and tell you what and when things should be done.
College Planning Timeline for Students
Freshman or Ninth Grade
college_planning_timeline_for_9th.pdf | |
File Size: | 130 kb |
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Sophomore or Tenth Grade
college_planning_timeline_for_10th.pdf | |
File Size: | 130 kb |
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Junior or Eleventh Grade
college_planning_timeline_for_11th.pdf | |
File Size: | 146 kb |
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Senior or Twelfth Grade
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File Size: | 145 kb |
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College Planning Timeline for Parents with links to Peterson’s Education. (These are general suggestions and may not be required or necessary depending on the country or region to which a student applies or the type of institution.)
Ninth Grade
Tenth Grade
Eleventh Grade
Twelfth Grade
SENIOR COLLEGE NIGHT for 12th grade students and parents.All students and parents are strongly encouraged to attend
Ninth Grade
Tenth Grade
Eleventh Grade
Twelfth Grade
SENIOR COLLEGE NIGHT for 12th grade students and parents.All students and parents are strongly encouraged to attend
COLLEGES VISITING CAMPUS
High school visits from college and university admission representatives are common practice at many schools around the globe. Students attending these visits will benefit from the opportunity to:
Campus College visits are open to students in grades 11 and 12. It is appropriate to leave class to meet with a few representatives. However, students are encouraged to choose carefully which representatives to meet, making sure their absence from class does not negatively affect classroom performance.
Interested students should sign up with Ms. Welch.
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
GRADE LEVEL INFO
SENIOR Info (grade 12)
REMINDERS for students:
ACT Registration: www.actstudent.org
JUNIOR Info (grade 11)
Sign-Up for College and University Visits
SOPHOMORE Info (grade 10)
Get back into “study mode.” Improve reading, writing, and math skills. Develop work habits.
FRESHMAN Info (grade 9)
Welcome to high school! Set a regular time for studying each day. Work on developing reading, writing, and math skills. Get involved in at least one extracurricular activity.
High school visits from college and university admission representatives are common practice at many schools around the globe. Students attending these visits will benefit from the opportunity to:
- Meet face-to-face with a rep and ask specific questions, instead of by email, chat, or websites.
- In most cases, the reps are admission officers from the college, so students have a unique opportunity to make contact with a person who may be evaluating their application in the future.
- Have a specific contact at the college to whom they can send questions.
- Let the college or university know they are seriously interested.
- Learn about a new college or university not previously considered.
Campus College visits are open to students in grades 11 and 12. It is appropriate to leave class to meet with a few representatives. However, students are encouraged to choose carefully which representatives to meet, making sure their absence from class does not negatively affect classroom performance.
Interested students should sign up with Ms. Welch.
SEPTEMBER
- Sept. 15 @ 9am-9:45am – Chapman University & Baylor University, USA
- Sept. 15 @ 10:45am – 11:30am- Yale NUS College Singapore
- Sept. 16 @ 10:40am-11:15am – Hult University, Dubai, UK, USA.
- Sept. 21 @ 9am-9:45am- Swisslinx Hospitality & Hotel Management, Switzerland
OCTOBER
- Oct. 21 @ 9am-9:45am – Liberal Arts Group: Washington & Jefferson College, Knox College, Dickinson College, Bryn Mawr College, Lawrence College, USA
- Oct. 22 @ 9am-9:45am – University of California, Davis, USA
GRADE LEVEL INFO
SENIOR Info (grade 12)
REMINDERS for students:
- Make an appointment with Ms. Welch for a fall update! The best way to schedule a meeting is to stop by the office or email.
- Don't miss important ACT/SAT Registration deadlines! Students sign up on their own on the testing websites.
ACT Registration: www.actstudent.org
- Sign up for College & University Visits
- Plan to attend SENIOR COLLEGE NIGHT on Monday, Sept. 28th
JUNIOR Info (grade 11)
Sign-Up for College and University Visits
SOPHOMORE Info (grade 10)
Get back into “study mode.” Improve reading, writing, and math skills. Develop work habits.
FRESHMAN Info (grade 9)
Welcome to high school! Set a regular time for studying each day. Work on developing reading, writing, and math skills. Get involved in at least one extracurricular activity.
Message from the IBDP coordinator, Patrick Lyons
Extended Essay in the IB Diploma
This week saw the launch of the Extended Essay for our new IB Diploma students in Grade 11 just as the journey is hopefully drawing to a close for our first IB Diploma class, the Grade 12s. The Extended Essay (EE) is one of the three core elements of the Diploma, alongside Creativity Activity and Service (CAS) and Theory of Knowledge (TOK). Yes, the IB certainly do love their acronyms!
The Extended Essay is a 4000 word research paper complete with a bibliography, an abstract and everything else you would expect from a University assignment. It is one of the elements that allows IB Diploma students to excel after leaving school and prepares them for further study. The Grade 11 students are now preparing their research topic and research question and I have made it clear that the one thing that must be there right from the start is ‘passion’.
The Extended Essay is not just about building research skills, self-management skills and a familiarity with formal academic writing – although it certainly is about all of those. The EE is about making discovery through enquiring about a topic of real, passionate interest to the student. When the challenges of getting the research and the writing done become onerous, what pulls a successful student through is their enthusiasm for the subject matter.
Therefore, I would encourage all Grade 11 parents and families to engage with these students over the next two weeks as they form research questions. What is it that excites and drives them? What do they really yearn to find out more about? Help them work towards a process that they can remain focused on over 12 months. For the Grade 12s, ask them how ready they are for their final submissions and have them remind themselves of the reasons they chose their topics to start with. Hopefully that passion has been brightened by the research they are about to present. We are a new programme but I am already very excited by the research our students are putting together and can’t wait to read the final essays.
Regards,
Paddy Lyons
IBDP Coordinator
This week saw the launch of the Extended Essay for our new IB Diploma students in Grade 11 just as the journey is hopefully drawing to a close for our first IB Diploma class, the Grade 12s. The Extended Essay (EE) is one of the three core elements of the Diploma, alongside Creativity Activity and Service (CAS) and Theory of Knowledge (TOK). Yes, the IB certainly do love their acronyms!
The Extended Essay is a 4000 word research paper complete with a bibliography, an abstract and everything else you would expect from a University assignment. It is one of the elements that allows IB Diploma students to excel after leaving school and prepares them for further study. The Grade 11 students are now preparing their research topic and research question and I have made it clear that the one thing that must be there right from the start is ‘passion’.
The Extended Essay is not just about building research skills, self-management skills and a familiarity with formal academic writing – although it certainly is about all of those. The EE is about making discovery through enquiring about a topic of real, passionate interest to the student. When the challenges of getting the research and the writing done become onerous, what pulls a successful student through is their enthusiasm for the subject matter.
Therefore, I would encourage all Grade 11 parents and families to engage with these students over the next two weeks as they form research questions. What is it that excites and drives them? What do they really yearn to find out more about? Help them work towards a process that they can remain focused on over 12 months. For the Grade 12s, ask them how ready they are for their final submissions and have them remind themselves of the reasons they chose their topics to start with. Hopefully that passion has been brightened by the research they are about to present. We are a new programme but I am already very excited by the research our students are putting together and can’t wait to read the final essays.
Regards,
Paddy Lyons
IBDP Coordinator
From our Arts department
An exciting year ahead for Secondary Arts
A full and engaging After School Program for Secondary Arts is now under way with many exciting oportunities for students to get involved. Please see the attached document outlining all that is going on throughout the year. No need to sign up online but please have students talk to the teacher directly. Feel free to email the respective teachers or myself with any questions.
Andrew Hull
Secondary Arts Coordinator
After school arts program at GAA
Grades 6-12
Instrumental Music
Program: GAA Big Band
Lead teacher: Dave Holland
Time: Every Sunday throughout the year. 3-4pm
Grade level: All grades considered
Selection process: Audition
Details: The GAA Big Band is an 18 piece ensemble that pays tribute to the American Big Band style. Consisting of saxophones, trumpets, trombones and rhythm section, this ensemble performs repertoire from the likes of Duke Ellington through to modern-day artists including Michael Buble and Weather Report. Spaces are limited to the authentic instrumental line up and experience in sight-reading and improvisation is essential.
Program: The Rubber Band
Lead teacher: Dave Holland
Time: Lunchtimes
Grade level: 7-12
Selection process: Audition
Details: This is a student led ensemble. The Rubber Band performs a variety of electro pop music in an acoustic (dixieland-like) style. It has emerged by fusing the subculture of street-playing with the desire to offer a purely acoustic party band at GAA. Rehearsals are supervised by Mr Holland, but the core members of the group are encouraged to rehearse and manage the band as they see fit.
Program: Percussion Ensemble
Lead Teacher: Jared Robertson
Time: Every Tuesday throughout the year. 3-4pm
Grade level: 6-12
Selection process: By audition or permission of Lead Teacher ONLY. Ability to read music at an intermediate level is required.
Details: Participants will have the opportunity to learn techniques on a variety of percussion instruments and rehearse different styles of music as a percussion ensemble, with the goal of having on and/or off-campus performances.
Choral Music
Program: Singers
Lead teachers: Whitney Meininger
Time: Every Wednesday throughout the year 3-4pm, 1 lunch rehearsal
Grade level: 9-12
Selection process: 2 days of open audition
Details: An all A Capella Choir that will perform at competitions, events and assemblies throughout the year.
Program: Jazz 9
Lead teachers: Whitney Meininger
Time: Every Sunday throughout the year 3-4pm, 1 lunch rehearsal
Grade level: 8-12
Selection process: 2 days of open audition
Details: A Jazz focused Choir that will perform at multiple events with a jazz combo, as well as some combined numbers with the Jazz Band.
Program: Show Choir
Lead teachers: Whitney Meininger
Time: Every Tuesday throughout the year 3-4pm, 1 lunch rehearsal
Grade level: 6-12
Selection process: 2 days of open audition
Details: An all singing all dancing show choir who will meet every week to practice new tunes and perform at assemblies and events throughout the year.
Theatre Arts
Program: SEASONS OF LOVE/Showcase of Talent
Lead teachers: Yvette McGregor/ Kyle Carlin
Time: Will begin in September and run until mid November
Grade level: 6-12
Selection process: open to drama students only 9-12
Details: Practice/ rehearsing of a chosen play or performance culminating in a one night theatre experience open to all. The performance will be the third weekend in November.
Program: School production
Lead teachers: Yvette McGregor/Kyle Carlin
Time: Will meet twice a week from January until the end of March
Grade level: 6-12
Selection process: Open auditions to be held in November
Details: The school production rehearsals will run for the whole of semester two with final performances the third week of March.
Program: UNDERGROUND(student led cabaret/coffee house)
Lead Teachers: Yvette McGregor/Kyle Carlin
Time: Will begin meeting Wednesdays from 3:00-4:00
Grade Level: 8-12
Selection Process: Open to those interested and motivated
Details: UNDERGROUND will coordinate and direct a bi-monthly cabaret to be performed in the Black Box Theatre.
Visual Arts
Program: Art club
Lead teachers: Michael Eddens/ Andrew Hull/ Peter Presnail
Time: Every Sunday throughout the year
Grade level: 6-12
Selection process: Open to all
Details: The club will run every week and be open to anyone interested in learning new art skills they wont necessarily learn during class time. There will be themed projects classes. Drawing skills, painting, 3D, printmaking and photography. Students will also be able to work on personal projects (not class projects) during this time.
Program: Stage and prop design
Lead teachers: Andrew Hull/ Michael Eddens
Time: Every Sunday as part of the art club from semester 2.
Grade level: 6-12
Selection process: Open to all
Details: working closely with the Theatre arts dept to design and create sets for the production. This will also include props and costumes.
Program: Mural Painting (CAS activity)
Lead teachers: Andrew Hull
Time: Every Tuesday
Grade level: 11-12 IB students
Selection process: Open to IB students on request.
Details: To work on designing, creating and producing murals for the Gym and Pool areas to raise school spirit. The ability to Liaise with PE staff, canvass student opinion and strong organisational skills are essential.
Supervised studio time: Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday will be open for high school art students, particularly IB students for studio time. Studio time will be from 3-6pm on
A full and engaging After School Program for Secondary Arts is now under way with many exciting oportunities for students to get involved. Please see the attached document outlining all that is going on throughout the year. No need to sign up online but please have students talk to the teacher directly. Feel free to email the respective teachers or myself with any questions.
Andrew Hull
Secondary Arts Coordinator
After school arts program at GAA
Grades 6-12
Instrumental Music
Program: GAA Big Band
Lead teacher: Dave Holland
Time: Every Sunday throughout the year. 3-4pm
Grade level: All grades considered
Selection process: Audition
Details: The GAA Big Band is an 18 piece ensemble that pays tribute to the American Big Band style. Consisting of saxophones, trumpets, trombones and rhythm section, this ensemble performs repertoire from the likes of Duke Ellington through to modern-day artists including Michael Buble and Weather Report. Spaces are limited to the authentic instrumental line up and experience in sight-reading and improvisation is essential.
Program: The Rubber Band
Lead teacher: Dave Holland
Time: Lunchtimes
Grade level: 7-12
Selection process: Audition
Details: This is a student led ensemble. The Rubber Band performs a variety of electro pop music in an acoustic (dixieland-like) style. It has emerged by fusing the subculture of street-playing with the desire to offer a purely acoustic party band at GAA. Rehearsals are supervised by Mr Holland, but the core members of the group are encouraged to rehearse and manage the band as they see fit.
Program: Percussion Ensemble
Lead Teacher: Jared Robertson
Time: Every Tuesday throughout the year. 3-4pm
Grade level: 6-12
Selection process: By audition or permission of Lead Teacher ONLY. Ability to read music at an intermediate level is required.
Details: Participants will have the opportunity to learn techniques on a variety of percussion instruments and rehearse different styles of music as a percussion ensemble, with the goal of having on and/or off-campus performances.
Choral Music
Program: Singers
Lead teachers: Whitney Meininger
Time: Every Wednesday throughout the year 3-4pm, 1 lunch rehearsal
Grade level: 9-12
Selection process: 2 days of open audition
Details: An all A Capella Choir that will perform at competitions, events and assemblies throughout the year.
Program: Jazz 9
Lead teachers: Whitney Meininger
Time: Every Sunday throughout the year 3-4pm, 1 lunch rehearsal
Grade level: 8-12
Selection process: 2 days of open audition
Details: A Jazz focused Choir that will perform at multiple events with a jazz combo, as well as some combined numbers with the Jazz Band.
Program: Show Choir
Lead teachers: Whitney Meininger
Time: Every Tuesday throughout the year 3-4pm, 1 lunch rehearsal
Grade level: 6-12
Selection process: 2 days of open audition
Details: An all singing all dancing show choir who will meet every week to practice new tunes and perform at assemblies and events throughout the year.
Theatre Arts
Program: SEASONS OF LOVE/Showcase of Talent
Lead teachers: Yvette McGregor/ Kyle Carlin
Time: Will begin in September and run until mid November
Grade level: 6-12
Selection process: open to drama students only 9-12
Details: Practice/ rehearsing of a chosen play or performance culminating in a one night theatre experience open to all. The performance will be the third weekend in November.
Program: School production
Lead teachers: Yvette McGregor/Kyle Carlin
Time: Will meet twice a week from January until the end of March
Grade level: 6-12
Selection process: Open auditions to be held in November
Details: The school production rehearsals will run for the whole of semester two with final performances the third week of March.
Program: UNDERGROUND(student led cabaret/coffee house)
Lead Teachers: Yvette McGregor/Kyle Carlin
Time: Will begin meeting Wednesdays from 3:00-4:00
Grade Level: 8-12
Selection Process: Open to those interested and motivated
Details: UNDERGROUND will coordinate and direct a bi-monthly cabaret to be performed in the Black Box Theatre.
Visual Arts
Program: Art club
Lead teachers: Michael Eddens/ Andrew Hull/ Peter Presnail
Time: Every Sunday throughout the year
Grade level: 6-12
Selection process: Open to all
Details: The club will run every week and be open to anyone interested in learning new art skills they wont necessarily learn during class time. There will be themed projects classes. Drawing skills, painting, 3D, printmaking and photography. Students will also be able to work on personal projects (not class projects) during this time.
Program: Stage and prop design
Lead teachers: Andrew Hull/ Michael Eddens
Time: Every Sunday as part of the art club from semester 2.
Grade level: 6-12
Selection process: Open to all
Details: working closely with the Theatre arts dept to design and create sets for the production. This will also include props and costumes.
Program: Mural Painting (CAS activity)
Lead teachers: Andrew Hull
Time: Every Tuesday
Grade level: 11-12 IB students
Selection process: Open to IB students on request.
Details: To work on designing, creating and producing murals for the Gym and Pool areas to raise school spirit. The ability to Liaise with PE staff, canvass student opinion and strong organisational skills are essential.
Supervised studio time: Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday will be open for high school art students, particularly IB students for studio time. Studio time will be from 3-6pm on
From our English department
In celebration of the beginning of another new school year, we teachers in the English Department thought it would be fitting to share a book (or books) that effectively got us started as readers.
As a child growing up among the rolling hills and farms of Chester County, a green and lovely part of the world located an hour west of Philadelphia in the state of Pennsylvania, I was always surrounded by animals. With a cow farm at the end of our road and horse farms everywhere, I wondered how these animals were cared for and so I read All Creatures Great and Small written by veterinarian/writer, James Herriott who worked in Yorkshire, England. I was so taken by his book that I continued to read his other books on his large animal veterinary experiences: All Things Bright and Beautiful and All Things Wise and Wonderful. It was probably a natural choice for someone who spent a large part of her childhood riding horses and who spent even more time reading books about horses and dogs.
Helen Hyun, Grade Six/IB HL
I grew up in a home where reading was encouraged and valued. Both my parents were readers and our home bespoke of this; books crowded shelves, magazines littered tables. As a child, I was a voracious reader of Little Golden Books and my favorites included The Poky Little Puppy and The Monster at the End of This Book. By the time I was nine years old I had read all 33 books in The Happy Hollisters series and had turned my attention to Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys.
The summer before I entered the fifth grade, my aunt gave me a copy of To Kill a Mockingbird. An avid reader herself, she wanted to share one of her all-time favorites with me. I was transfixed by the initial words of the opening chapter, “When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow.” This was the first time I felt as though a character in a book was actually talking to me. As I read, I could hear Scout’s voice in my head and came to laugh with her as well as cry. Through the voice of Scout and the artistry of Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird made its claim as my all-time favorite book. Catherine Sciolis, Grade Nine/Ten
For as long as I can remember, I loved listening to stories. When I was young, those stories were told or read aloud by a parent, and they were diverse: Babar the Elephant; “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe”; any stories that had the name “George” in the title (think Curious George and “George Shrinks”) – these were all part of my earliest memories and formative to my personality. In short, I experienced the world through the lens of stories. Some were old, some were contemporary, but all were fascinating.
One book, however, remains more important than all others in my memory. It was an illustrated collection of Greek Myths – in fact, the only title given it was simply “Greek Myths,” although I know now that it borrowed as much from the Roman tradition as the Greek. I read about Hercules’ labors; the curiosity of Icarus; Perseus’ adventure with the Minotaur. Full of awe, I read about Arachne being turned into a spider by the jealous Athena; I read about the Golden Apple and Atalanta’s footrace; and I received my first glimpse of literature and history by learning about Odysseus’ cunning when he planted the Trojan Horse.
Looking back now, I know that this book was the beginning of my life of reading and learning. And I hope to share these passions with my GAA students.
George Van Pelt, Grade Six/Ten/IBSL
I remember growing up with reading all around me—weekly trips to the public library, summer reading programs with great prizes in exchange for pages read, and all kinds of books and magazines at home. I particularly loved Shel Silverstein books when I was young because of his hilarious approach to writing, an approach that both connected to my sense of humor and spoke to things a kid could understand. Imaginative poetry collections like A Light in the Attic, Where the Sidewalk Ends, and Falling Up where a few of my favorites. The Giving Tree is a story I will never forget and one that really has a lot to say about our world and how we should interact with it. I found out later in life that Silverstein had a passion for music, having written Johnny Cash’s famous “A Boy Named Sue,” among other songs. He was such an interesting writer and was so fun to read that his work motivated me to go out and explore the written word even further.
Todd Gonzales, Grade Eight/Nine
I have three memories of favourite books, which aptly depict my three stages of school life. My first memory was when I was about five years old and my daddy read “The Little Prince” to me. The first image of the ‘hat’ enthralled and hooked me into a new world of imagination, where I could travel to destinations unknown and share the experience with my favourite reading partner. As I became older, the next book to greatly impact my life was “To Kill A Mockingbird”. I had always dreamed of having an older brother and Jem was almost exactly what I imagined a big brother to be, even with the occasional teasing and fighting. I also realized what it meant to be a hero, and I was able to see people in a different light instead of at face value. The last book of my teens was “Pillars of the Earth”. My fascination in architecture, stained glass and cathedrals was fuelled by this epic novel. The novel also spanned three generations of cathedral builders and by the end of the novel; I was heart sore to say goodbye to Tom Builder and his family. On reflection, I can see that each of these books impacted so greatly on me that the message, which I acquired out of each story still, to this day, plays a role in the development of who I am. Without these exceptional stories, I believe that my ability to truly see beyond what’s in front of you, would not be nearly as honed if I had not been given the privilege to and grown a love for reading.
Kimberly Masters, Grade Six/Nine/IBSL & IB HL
Have you ever battled a ferocious hill giant? Hitched a ride with a ghostly armored knight perhaps? No? Well, I have! Okay, not really, though in the early eighties I began reading a series of wonderful books that plunged me – imaginatively at least - into those exact situations. The books in question were the Fighting Fantasy series and they were created by two men, Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone, who between them showed me what a thrilling experience reading could be.
Fighting Fantasy titles were role-play game books. They were written in the second person, making you (the humble reader) the protagonist of each daunting adventure. They involved decision-making and dice-rolling, both of which influenced the development of the narrative. How exactly? At the end of each section you were usually given at least a couple of options as to your next course of action. Go east or west? Fight your lizard-like foe or beat a hasty retreat? When you’d decided how best to successfully pursue your quest, you’d turn to the relevant page and discover the outcome of your choice.
These books had a richly descriptive yet dynamic and exciting style. They featured strange, often macabre scenarios that you didn’t always survive. Some pages were graced with striking illustrations, whilst the evocative front covers never failed to disappoint. As for the titles - “City of Thieves”, “Citadel of Chaos”, “Caverns of the Snow Witch” - what wasn’t to like?
The Fighting Fantasy series played a crucial role in my reading journey, acting as a vivid gateway to countless rewarding literary experiences. It all goes to show that J.K. Rowling was undoubtedly right when she said, “If you don’t like to read, you haven’t found the right book.”
Richard Cugley, Grade Seven
Please check out this article http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/24/books/review/malala-yousafzai-by-the-book.html?_r=0
Swimming Tryouts for Elementary and Gr.6 GAA teams:
Dear Parents,
From October 7th through to the beginning of June 2016, GAA will host advanced swimming training for students from Gr.1-6.
These are competitive swimming teams and are for students interested in representing GAA in competitions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Due to limited spaces, swimmers will be required to meet specific skills and endurance requirements to participate in this opportunity.
Tryouts days are:
Sunday 27th and Tuesday 29th tryouts for Gr.1-2 Time: 3:10-4:30
Tuesday 29th Sept. and Thursday 1st of October Gr.5-6 Time: 3:10-4:30
Thursday 1st and Sunday 4th of October Gr.3-4 Time: 3:10-4:30
Entrance Expectations (at coaches discretion)*
Skill requirements for Gr.1-2 team: Freestyle with good side breathing, Backstroke and 4 laps (100 meters) continuous swim.
Grade 3 and 4: Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke with proper whip kick and 300meters continuous swim.
Grade 5 and 6: Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly and 400 meters continuous swim.100 meter IM continuous.
* given the limited space and high numbers, the strongest and fastest swimmers will be selected if there are too many. Students will be timed on 25 meters for each stroke.
Training days starting from 7th of October – 10th of December:
Gr.1-2 Sunday and Tuesday - Coach Mr. Francis Carvalho Time: 3:05-4:05
Gr.3-4 Tuesday and Thursday - Coach Mrs.Sharolyn and Mr. Walter Duhaime Time: 3:05- 4:15
Gr.5-6 Monday and Thursday – Coach Ms.Virginia Ingle Time: 3:05-4:30
If you have any further questions or need clarifications, please do not hesitate to contact me.
GAA Aquatic Director Ms.Iliana Jaltova: [email protected]
Dear Parents,
From October 7th through to the beginning of June 2016, GAA will host advanced swimming training for students from Gr.1-6.
These are competitive swimming teams and are for students interested in representing GAA in competitions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Due to limited spaces, swimmers will be required to meet specific skills and endurance requirements to participate in this opportunity.
Tryouts days are:
Sunday 27th and Tuesday 29th tryouts for Gr.1-2 Time: 3:10-4:30
Tuesday 29th Sept. and Thursday 1st of October Gr.5-6 Time: 3:10-4:30
Thursday 1st and Sunday 4th of October Gr.3-4 Time: 3:10-4:30
Entrance Expectations (at coaches discretion)*
Skill requirements for Gr.1-2 team: Freestyle with good side breathing, Backstroke and 4 laps (100 meters) continuous swim.
Grade 3 and 4: Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke with proper whip kick and 300meters continuous swim.
Grade 5 and 6: Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly and 400 meters continuous swim.100 meter IM continuous.
* given the limited space and high numbers, the strongest and fastest swimmers will be selected if there are too many. Students will be timed on 25 meters for each stroke.
Training days starting from 7th of October – 10th of December:
Gr.1-2 Sunday and Tuesday - Coach Mr. Francis Carvalho Time: 3:05-4:05
Gr.3-4 Tuesday and Thursday - Coach Mrs.Sharolyn and Mr. Walter Duhaime Time: 3:05- 4:15
Gr.5-6 Monday and Thursday – Coach Ms.Virginia Ingle Time: 3:05-4:30
If you have any further questions or need clarifications, please do not hesitate to contact me.
GAA Aquatic Director Ms.Iliana Jaltova: [email protected]
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