News from Secondary Principal Craig Randall
Dear Parents,
High school final exams are off to a fantastic start. Students are diligently working to show how much they learned this semester - thanks to everyone for their cooperation and ensuring students are arriving on time for their exams. Exams continue Sunday - Wednesday with make ups on Thursday. For the exam timetable please click here.
Please remember that any student absent from an exam must present a medical certificate upon return in order to be able to take a make up exam on Thursday. Remember that these exams count for 20% of students semester grades - do all you can to ensure your child is prepared.
Semester two will begin on Sunday 1st February. Though students in Middle School will not be having final exams, some of them will be having end of unit exams next week. Thank you for making sure your children are prepared.
Can you believe we are almost half way through the year! I am looking forward to the next semester and continuing the growth and learning in the coming months.
Have a lovely weekend
Craig Randall
High school final exams are off to a fantastic start. Students are diligently working to show how much they learned this semester - thanks to everyone for their cooperation and ensuring students are arriving on time for their exams. Exams continue Sunday - Wednesday with make ups on Thursday. For the exam timetable please click here.
Please remember that any student absent from an exam must present a medical certificate upon return in order to be able to take a make up exam on Thursday. Remember that these exams count for 20% of students semester grades - do all you can to ensure your child is prepared.
Semester two will begin on Sunday 1st February. Though students in Middle School will not be having final exams, some of them will be having end of unit exams next week. Thank you for making sure your children are prepared.
Can you believe we are almost half way through the year! I am looking forward to the next semester and continuing the growth and learning in the coming months.
Have a lovely weekend
Craig Randall
News from the College Counselor
Which Country? A continuation from the fall: Canada
Canadian University System
In Canada, there is a very real distinction between a university and a college. Institutions granting bachelors and advanced degrees are universities. Colleges only focus on vocational and technical training. To make it just a little more confusing, a school within a Canadian university (such as arts, science, or commerce) is called a faculty or a college, similar to the system in UK universities and US.
Most universities in Canada offer undergraduate programs. However, professional programs such as medicine, dentistry, law, architecture, engineering, and journalism may not be available in all provinces. Degrees conferred from Canadian universities include the Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D.
Canada also has community colleges, and in some provinces, there are colleges of general and vocational education that are different from universities. These non-degree granting institutions offer technical or vocational post-secondary courses or courses for transfer to a university.
Admission and entrance requirements vary at each university. However, there is a general minimum admission standard based on Canadian grading standards. These minimum GPA and course requirements vary depending on discipline/ faculty/department. If you are interested in being admitted to an engineering program, you may read that you are required to earn an 80%. Since an 80% is an A- on the Canadian scale while at GAA, an 80% is a B-; your grades will be reviewed with those differences in mind.
It’s important to contact each university to understand submission requirements, such as transcript and SAT scores. Some schools also require SAT Subject Tests or AP/ IB results in particular subjects.
Canadian University System
In Canada, there is a very real distinction between a university and a college. Institutions granting bachelors and advanced degrees are universities. Colleges only focus on vocational and technical training. To make it just a little more confusing, a school within a Canadian university (such as arts, science, or commerce) is called a faculty or a college, similar to the system in UK universities and US.
Most universities in Canada offer undergraduate programs. However, professional programs such as medicine, dentistry, law, architecture, engineering, and journalism may not be available in all provinces. Degrees conferred from Canadian universities include the Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D.
Canada also has community colleges, and in some provinces, there are colleges of general and vocational education that are different from universities. These non-degree granting institutions offer technical or vocational post-secondary courses or courses for transfer to a university.
Admission and entrance requirements vary at each university. However, there is a general minimum admission standard based on Canadian grading standards. These minimum GPA and course requirements vary depending on discipline/ faculty/department. If you are interested in being admitted to an engineering program, you may read that you are required to earn an 80%. Since an 80% is an A- on the Canadian scale while at GAA, an 80% is a B-; your grades will be reviewed with those differences in mind.
It’s important to contact each university to understand submission requirements, such as transcript and SAT scores. Some schools also require SAT Subject Tests or AP/ IB results in particular subjects.
SAT & ACT Test Prep with TestRocker®
GEMS Education has partnered with an online SAT and ACT preparation program, TestRocker®. This is an award-winning program designed to help students improve their SAT or ACT scores.
All students in grades 9-11 attended a presentation in November. If you want to find out more, please speak with your son or daughter, or find further details enclosed.
GEMS families can now purchase TestRocker's SAT or ACT prep directly on TestRocker's website at www.testrocker.com.
GEMS Education has partnered with an online SAT and ACT preparation program, TestRocker®. This is an award-winning program designed to help students improve their SAT or ACT scores.
All students in grades 9-11 attended a presentation in November. If you want to find out more, please speak with your son or daughter, or find further details enclosed.
GEMS families can now purchase TestRocker's SAT or ACT prep directly on TestRocker's website at www.testrocker.com.
Spring College Visits on Campus. Open to all Grade 12 and 11 students who sign up with Ms. Welch.
FEBRUARY
2nd – IHC International Horizons College, Dubai, UAE, 9:15am. GEMS has a partnership with this institution and All GEMS students are eligible for a 50% scholarship for the Fall 2015 semester. Scholarships are limited and are provided on first come first serve basis.
FEBRUARY
2nd – IHC International Horizons College, Dubai, UAE, 9:15am. GEMS has a partnership with this institution and All GEMS students are eligible for a 50% scholarship for the Fall 2015 semester. Scholarships are limited and are provided on first come first serve basis.
4th – University of Sheffield, Engineering program discussion, UK, 9:15am
Sheffield University is offering a unique scholarships to GEMS students.
*New* GEMS Specific Merit Scholarship for 2015 one scholarship worth £7000 for international fee paying GEMS students
4th – CIS Canadian Universities Tour, Canada, 10:15am
Participating universities are:
University of Calgary
Carleton University
Concordia University
Dalhousie University
University of Guelph
McGill University
Memorial University
University of New Brunswick
Ryerson University
St Francis Xavier University
Trent University
York University
26th – University of Northern Iowa, USA, 9:15am
Grade Level Info
Senior Info (grade 12): Check On The Status of Applications. Once applications are submitted, follow-up with the university often to make sure your application is complete. Be sure to check that transcripts, letters of recommendation, and official test scores from the testing agencies have been received.
Junior Info (grade 11): Sign-Up For The SAT or ACT according to your own schedule and plan. The spring test dates are January or May or June for SAT and April and June for ACT. Consider Test Prep With Test Rocker.
Sophomore Info (grade 10): Start Thinking About Test Prep for college admission tests. The summer before grade 11 is a perfect time to practice. Consider Test Prep With Test Rocker
Sheffield University is offering a unique scholarships to GEMS students.
*New* GEMS Specific Merit Scholarship for 2015 one scholarship worth £7000 for international fee paying GEMS students
4th – CIS Canadian Universities Tour, Canada, 10:15am
Participating universities are:
University of Calgary
Carleton University
Concordia University
Dalhousie University
University of Guelph
McGill University
Memorial University
University of New Brunswick
Ryerson University
St Francis Xavier University
Trent University
York University
26th – University of Northern Iowa, USA, 9:15am
Grade Level Info
Senior Info (grade 12): Check On The Status of Applications. Once applications are submitted, follow-up with the university often to make sure your application is complete. Be sure to check that transcripts, letters of recommendation, and official test scores from the testing agencies have been received.
Junior Info (grade 11): Sign-Up For The SAT or ACT according to your own schedule and plan. The spring test dates are January or May or June for SAT and April and June for ACT. Consider Test Prep With Test Rocker.
Sophomore Info (grade 10): Start Thinking About Test Prep for college admission tests. The summer before grade 11 is a perfect time to practice. Consider Test Prep With Test Rocker
News From Student Council
This week saw the launch of our GAA Learner Profile Reward System.
The emphasis of the reward system is to reinforce positive student behavior and achievement so that success is recognized and celebrated for our active, compassionate lifelong learners.
Through an assembly students were educated on the 10 learner profile traits and how they can embed them in to their school life.
As the Learner Profile Reward System starts off with being a Risk-Taker an inspirational guest speaker ‘Nabil Al Busaidi’ was invited to share his worldly adventures.
Nabil Al Busaidi is the first Arab to walk 650 km to the magnetic North Pole and the first Arab to row 4,600 km across the Atlantic Ocean.
Students listened eagerly to his inspiring adventures and some students even had the opportunity to try on some of his expedition outfits as well as take pictures.
If you wish to purchase a copy of Nabil Al Busaidi’s book ‘The Arab who took on the Arctic’ please see Mr. Moat in the Library. The cost of the book is 150 Dirhams.
Below are some pictures we would like to share with you…
The emphasis of the reward system is to reinforce positive student behavior and achievement so that success is recognized and celebrated for our active, compassionate lifelong learners.
Through an assembly students were educated on the 10 learner profile traits and how they can embed them in to their school life.
As the Learner Profile Reward System starts off with being a Risk-Taker an inspirational guest speaker ‘Nabil Al Busaidi’ was invited to share his worldly adventures.
Nabil Al Busaidi is the first Arab to walk 650 km to the magnetic North Pole and the first Arab to row 4,600 km across the Atlantic Ocean.
Students listened eagerly to his inspiring adventures and some students even had the opportunity to try on some of his expedition outfits as well as take pictures.
If you wish to purchase a copy of Nabil Al Busaidi’s book ‘The Arab who took on the Arctic’ please see Mr. Moat in the Library. The cost of the book is 150 Dirhams.
Below are some pictures we would like to share with you…
CAS Corner
During the first semester students were busy finding their way around the IB Diploma Programme, being educated on new ways of teaching and learning and understanding how the intricate IB Programme links a variety skills and knowledge together to create well balanced individuals.
With this in mind we have taken the opportunity to set ALL Grade 11 students a Creativity, Action & Service Challenge that will expose them to a diverse amount of 21st Century skills.
This will be a 1 day challenge taking place on the 1st of February from 7.45am to 2.55pm. All grade 11 students will be off their school timetable and will spend the day in the IB Lounge working as part of a team of six to work through the challenge set to them.
Students should arrive at school in smart office wear -
• Males: Blazer, suit and ties
• Females: if wearing skirts should not be below the knee and no sleeveless.
Students should also make sure they have the following:
• Laptops (fully charged)
• Healthy snack for the morning
Further information will be sent via email to all grade 11 parents and students will receive an email via Managebac.
We look forward to an action packed day this creative learning opportunity will provide our grade 11 students.
If you need further clarification please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Sabina – CAS Coordinator [email protected]
During the first semester students were busy finding their way around the IB Diploma Programme, being educated on new ways of teaching and learning and understanding how the intricate IB Programme links a variety skills and knowledge together to create well balanced individuals.
With this in mind we have taken the opportunity to set ALL Grade 11 students a Creativity, Action & Service Challenge that will expose them to a diverse amount of 21st Century skills.
This will be a 1 day challenge taking place on the 1st of February from 7.45am to 2.55pm. All grade 11 students will be off their school timetable and will spend the day in the IB Lounge working as part of a team of six to work through the challenge set to them.
Students should arrive at school in smart office wear -
• Males: Blazer, suit and ties
• Females: if wearing skirts should not be below the knee and no sleeveless.
Students should also make sure they have the following:
• Laptops (fully charged)
• Healthy snack for the morning
Further information will be sent via email to all grade 11 parents and students will receive an email via Managebac.
We look forward to an action packed day this creative learning opportunity will provide our grade 11 students.
If you need further clarification please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Sabina – CAS Coordinator [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