News from our Secondary Principal, Craig Randall
Dear Parents,
I want to share dates for some events and final exams occurring closer to the end of the semester. This might seem strange to share these dates only three weeks into the semester, but these things can sneak up on people and it is better to be informed early and regularly.
Let’s begin with Promotion Ceremonies and Graduation:
This is the first year we have IB or International Baccalaureate examinations for our grade 12 students (seniors). One aspect of the exams that might seem strange is the early dates of the exams.
Other exams are as follows:
Have a great weekend and enjoy the International Food Festival on Friday.
Craig Randall
Secondary School Principal
I want to share dates for some events and final exams occurring closer to the end of the semester. This might seem strange to share these dates only three weeks into the semester, but these things can sneak up on people and it is better to be informed early and regularly.
Let’s begin with Promotion Ceremonies and Graduation:
- The Grade 8 Promotion Ceremony will occur on Thursday, May 26th at 10:00 a.m. in the Auditorium. This will be followed by a student celebration at 11:00 in the gym.
- The High-School Graduation Ceremony will occur on Thursday, June 2nd at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium. This will be followed by a brief reception afterwards in the GAA entryway.
This is the first year we have IB or International Baccalaureate examinations for our grade 12 students (seniors). One aspect of the exams that might seem strange is the early dates of the exams.
- The IB Exams will run from Monday, May 2nd through Friday, May 20th. Even though our school weeks runs from Sunday thru Thursday, the IB exams are in line with the more Western work week, meaning Monday thru Friday. So, even though this does not align with our week, our students must take exams on Fridays if they have an exam scheduled that day. It does also mean that they do not need to come to school on Sundays during IB exam weeks if they are full IB Diploma students.
Other exams are as follows:
- Non IB grade 12, senior exams will run from Sunday, May 22th through Wednesday, May 25th.
- Grade 9-11 final exams will run from Sunday, May 29th through Wednesday, June 1st and on Sunday, June 5th. Make up exams will be on Monday, June 6th.
- There are no scheduled final exam times for grade six through eight students.
Have a great weekend and enjoy the International Food Festival on Friday.
Craig Randall
Secondary School Principal
COLLEGES VISITING CAMPUS for Seniors & Juniors
FEBRUARY
February 1 @ 9am – 9:45am – Northumbria University, UK
**February 24 @ 10:40am – 11:15am – International Student Network Fair of US universities: Illinois State University, Oklahoma City University, Transylvania University, New York Institute of Technology, San Diego State University, University of South Florida, California State University at Bakersfield, Stephen F. Austin State University, Christian Brothers University
Snow College, University of San Diego, School of Law
**This fair is open to students in grade 10 as an introduction to the College and University Search process.
February 29 @ 8am – Arts University Bournemouth, UK, special presentation to IBDP Arts Y1 class.
MARCH
March 2 @ 9am – 9:45am – University of Alberta, Canada
GRADE LEVEL INFO
SENIOR Info (grade 12)
JUNIOR Info (grade 11)
FEBRUARY
February 1 @ 9am – 9:45am – Northumbria University, UK
**February 24 @ 10:40am – 11:15am – International Student Network Fair of US universities: Illinois State University, Oklahoma City University, Transylvania University, New York Institute of Technology, San Diego State University, University of South Florida, California State University at Bakersfield, Stephen F. Austin State University, Christian Brothers University
Snow College, University of San Diego, School of Law
**This fair is open to students in grade 10 as an introduction to the College and University Search process.
February 29 @ 8am – Arts University Bournemouth, UK, special presentation to IBDP Arts Y1 class.
MARCH
March 2 @ 9am – 9:45am – University of Alberta, Canada
GRADE LEVEL INFO
SENIOR Info (grade 12)
- Follow up on university applications that were already submitted to ensure all documents have been received and processed.
- Update your Naviance accounts.
- Stay strong and focused in your studies as your final semester of high school begins.
JUNIOR Info (grade 11)
- The spring semester in college and university admission counseling is all about you.
- College & University Awareness Night on Feb. 22, 2016, 5:30pm-7:30pm
SOPHOMORE Info (grade 10)
Students who registered for the PSAT 10:
Key Points of PSAT 10
Who: grade 10 only
When & Where: Monday, February 22, 7:45am – 12:00pm; in the Auditorium
FRESHMAN Info (grade 9)
Academic Plans and discussions on course requests and high school diploma pathways: American diploma, International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma, American diploma with IB courses; have occurred. Counseling on course selection and course choices will take place over the next several weeks.
Other things happening in the area:
Etihad Airways and London Univeristies International Partnership invite all GAA secondary students to come and meet 14 of London’s most reputable universities.
Etihad Airways will have special offers in place for students and their families to fly to London.
Date: Sunday 28 February 2016
Time: 4.00pm till 7:45pm
Venue: Sky Done, Dusit Thani Hotel, Abu Dhabi
Universities attending:
Students who registered for the PSAT 10:
Key Points of PSAT 10
Who: grade 10 only
When & Where: Monday, February 22, 7:45am – 12:00pm; in the Auditorium
FRESHMAN Info (grade 9)
Academic Plans and discussions on course requests and high school diploma pathways: American diploma, International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma, American diploma with IB courses; have occurred. Counseling on course selection and course choices will take place over the next several weeks.
Other things happening in the area:
Etihad Airways and London Univeristies International Partnership invite all GAA secondary students to come and meet 14 of London’s most reputable universities.
Etihad Airways will have special offers in place for students and their families to fly to London.
Date: Sunday 28 February 2016
Time: 4.00pm till 7:45pm
Venue: Sky Done, Dusit Thani Hotel, Abu Dhabi
Universities attending:
- AA School of Architecture
- Brunel University
- Goldsmiths, University of London
- Kingston University London
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
- London South Bank University
- Middlesex University
- Queen Mary, University of London
- Royal College of Art
- Royal Veterinary College
- School of Oriental & African Studies
- St Georges, University of London
- Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance
- UCL Institute of Education
- University of East London
- University of Roehampton
- University of the Arts London
- University of Westminster
News from our IB Diploma Coordinator, Patrick Lyons
Dear parents,
We have the honour this weekend of hosting the Global Issues Network (GIN) conference at GAA. Ms Sabina Motashim and a group of our Grade 11 and 12 IB students have put together a programme of events that brings speakers and other schools from Abu Dhabi to us and takes our GAA CAS programme out to engage with our local community. This is a network with global reach that I first came across on the other side of the world and it is a wonderful way for students to be creative, take action and engage in service.
With GIN kicking off the week, we will end it as teachers involved in a vital collaborative process. There are elements in all IB Diploma subjects that are assessed internally at IB World Schools. However, to maintain the quality and integrity of an IB education, samples of this work are sent around the world to be moderated by examiners. Therefore it is important that we, as a staff, have a process for moderating each other’s marking and ensuring we are as accurate and as consistent as possible. So on Thursday once our students have left for their weekend, we will spend time together to moderate each other’s marking, learn from each other’s experience and share our professional opinions.
This will help us to give students the most accurate assessment of where they are, what their goals should be and how close they are to achieving them. It is not long now until their final assessments – the exams in May. Please join me in encouraging these students to finish strong and get Diplomas to be proud of.
Regards,
Patrick Lyons
We have the honour this weekend of hosting the Global Issues Network (GIN) conference at GAA. Ms Sabina Motashim and a group of our Grade 11 and 12 IB students have put together a programme of events that brings speakers and other schools from Abu Dhabi to us and takes our GAA CAS programme out to engage with our local community. This is a network with global reach that I first came across on the other side of the world and it is a wonderful way for students to be creative, take action and engage in service.
With GIN kicking off the week, we will end it as teachers involved in a vital collaborative process. There are elements in all IB Diploma subjects that are assessed internally at IB World Schools. However, to maintain the quality and integrity of an IB education, samples of this work are sent around the world to be moderated by examiners. Therefore it is important that we, as a staff, have a process for moderating each other’s marking and ensuring we are as accurate and as consistent as possible. So on Thursday once our students have left for their weekend, we will spend time together to moderate each other’s marking, learn from each other’s experience and share our professional opinions.
This will help us to give students the most accurate assessment of where they are, what their goals should be and how close they are to achieving them. It is not long now until their final assessments – the exams in May. Please join me in encouraging these students to finish strong and get Diplomas to be proud of.
Regards,
Patrick Lyons
News from our Curriculum Coordinator, Jennifer Parker
Dear Parents
Update on Course Registration for 2016/2017
Teachers have been busy making recommendations for students' courses for next year.
Meanwhile, students have had grade level meetings with the guidance counsellor to learn how they will be using PlusPortals to make their course selections.
We are encouraging students to have ongoing conversations with their parents and with their teachers regarding their course options.
In order to help, a program of studies is being published and course descriptions are being added to PlusPortals. In the meantime, please find the parent presentation attached.
Warm regards,
Jennifer Parker
Curriculum Coordinator 6-12
Update on Course Registration for 2016/2017
Teachers have been busy making recommendations for students' courses for next year.
Meanwhile, students have had grade level meetings with the guidance counsellor to learn how they will be using PlusPortals to make their course selections.
We are encouraging students to have ongoing conversations with their parents and with their teachers regarding their course options.
In order to help, a program of studies is being published and course descriptions are being added to PlusPortals. In the meantime, please find the parent presentation attached.
Warm regards,
Jennifer Parker
Curriculum Coordinator 6-12
Congratulations to all for winning the trophy for 1st place. Well done swimmers!
Our swimmers competed against Cranleigh School and the team from the hosting school at Al Bateen Secondary.
We couldn’t be more happier as coaches from our swimmers when they are able to complete the tasks and reach the set goals.
Gr. 6 - Nika Vredenbregt, Melanie Osley and Robert Turkama.
Gr.7 –Mark Follinus, Alexander Golubkov, Sofia Barbero and Adie Aiman Nazri
Gr.8 – Anthea Meijer, Cassidy Pistun, Acalia Randall, Jaemin Yang and Adithya Ajith Mathew.
Gr.9- Skye Totton, Donghyan Cho and Nina Brisbane.
Gr.10- Madison Roby, Jong Yeon Park(Ryan), Dominica Krzymowska, Meghan Pace, Ishmeet Singh and Alexander Meijer.
Thank you everyone and Happy Thursday!
Coach Kirsten Baillie and Coach Iliana.
Our swimmers competed against Cranleigh School and the team from the hosting school at Al Bateen Secondary.
We couldn’t be more happier as coaches from our swimmers when they are able to complete the tasks and reach the set goals.
Gr. 6 - Nika Vredenbregt, Melanie Osley and Robert Turkama.
Gr.7 –Mark Follinus, Alexander Golubkov, Sofia Barbero and Adie Aiman Nazri
Gr.8 – Anthea Meijer, Cassidy Pistun, Acalia Randall, Jaemin Yang and Adithya Ajith Mathew.
Gr.9- Skye Totton, Donghyan Cho and Nina Brisbane.
Gr.10- Madison Roby, Jong Yeon Park(Ryan), Dominica Krzymowska, Meghan Pace, Ishmeet Singh and Alexander Meijer.
Thank you everyone and Happy Thursday!
Coach Kirsten Baillie and Coach Iliana.
Dear parents and guardians,
The Prom Committee would like to formally notify you of an upcoming event that has been planned and organized since the beginning of the school year.
Prom is a high school tradition that celebrates not only the success and completion of high school education, but also the transition into the next part of our lives. Thus, the students of GAA are highly enthusiastic and excited about such an event, and we are thrilled to announce that Prom will take place later this year. We are working hard to ensure a memorable experience, and we hope every student invited can participate and enjoy this celebratory occasion.
This year’s Prom will be held at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi on the 26th of May, 2016. Please be aware that this event will be supervised by chaperone teachers to ensure safety and responsibility.
This event is made possible through the purchase of tickets at the cost of 400 AED, and fundraisers held throughout the year. We welcome and appreciate any further donations by parents. We would also like to acknowledge the help from GAAPA and Booster Club, and thank them for their unconditional support.
Should you have any inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact our Prom Committee Advisors via email:
Ms. Alexandra Fatu: [email protected]
Ms. Kamila Shakarchi: [email protected]
Warm regards,
Prom Committee
The Prom Committee would like to formally notify you of an upcoming event that has been planned and organized since the beginning of the school year.
Prom is a high school tradition that celebrates not only the success and completion of high school education, but also the transition into the next part of our lives. Thus, the students of GAA are highly enthusiastic and excited about such an event, and we are thrilled to announce that Prom will take place later this year. We are working hard to ensure a memorable experience, and we hope every student invited can participate and enjoy this celebratory occasion.
This year’s Prom will be held at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi on the 26th of May, 2016. Please be aware that this event will be supervised by chaperone teachers to ensure safety and responsibility.
This event is made possible through the purchase of tickets at the cost of 400 AED, and fundraisers held throughout the year. We welcome and appreciate any further donations by parents. We would also like to acknowledge the help from GAAPA and Booster Club, and thank them for their unconditional support.
Should you have any inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact our Prom Committee Advisors via email:
Ms. Alexandra Fatu: [email protected]
Ms. Kamila Shakarchi: [email protected]
Warm regards,
Prom Committee
تحية طيبة الي اولياء الأمور و الطلبة، تود لجنة حفلة التخرج لأكادمية جيمس الأمريكية أن تعلن عن قدوم عشاء رسمي بمناسبة تخرج صف الثاني عشر.
يعتبر العشاء الرسمي جزء من عادات و تقاليد المدرسة الثانوية. هذا الإحتفال ليس فقط بنجاح و إجتهاد طلاب, و لكن هو أيضًا احتفال بإنتهاء جزء كبير من حياتهم اليومية و الإستعداد لبداية فصل جديد من قصة حياتهم الشيقة. وبالتاي طلاب أكادمية جيمس الأمريكية متحمسين ليعلنوا أن العشاء الرسمي سيقام في وق ٍت لاحق في هذا العام. نعمل بإجتهاد لضمان ذكريات لا تنسى.
هذه السنة ستكون حفلة التخرج في فندق الفيرمونت باب البحر، الموافق ل 26 من مايو 2016. أن حفلة التخرج )أو prom( هي حفلة مخصصة لطلاب الصف الأحدى عشر و الثاني عشر وليست لأولياء الأمور. لضمان الأمن و الأنضباط سيقوم المعلمون بمرافقة الطلاب أثناء الحدث.
ستتم تغطية تكاليف هذا الحدث من خلال شراء تذاكر بتكلفة 400 درهم، وجمع التبرعات التي جمعت من المتبرعين على مدار السنة. نحن نرحب ونقدر أي تبرعات أخرى من قبل الأهل. كما نريد أن نشكر gappa و GAA Booster club على دعمهم و مساعدتهم فى ترتيبات الحدث.
لأي من الاستشارات نرجوا التواصل مع مسؤولي الحفلة:
المعلمة ألكساندرا فاتو: s.fatu_gaa@gaaad.com المعلمة كاميلا شاكارتشي: k.shakarchi_gaa@gaaad.com
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.