News from our Secondary Principal, Kathrine Banner
Dear Parents
GAA Secondary division is off to a terrific start to the 2016-17 school year. Included in our activities were the Grade 6 Soft Start and Grade 11 Orientation.
Entering Middle School for the first time is not easy. Students can find it quite intimidating as they leave the safety of their Elementary School homeroom environment and enter the twisting and turning hallways of Middle School, wandering from class to class trying to remember the name of their next teacher and if they had any homework due today.
At GAA we recognize that our new Middle School students need support, coping strategies and time to successfully adjust to their new setting. In order to help get them started off on the right path, our Grade Six students spent the first two days of school taking part in a “Soft Start” schedule. Students followed an adjusted schedule to meet their new teachers and classmates. Instead of having subject specific lesson, the students took part in many different activities to help familiarize them with Middle School life. There were various ice-breakers allowing students to get to know their new classmates, as well as team-building activities to promote collaboration and school spirit. Students were assigned lockers and shown how to log into their school Gmail, Gradebook and Haiku accounts. Various role playing activities were used to teach students about bullying, cooperation and school rules relating to dress code and the use of technology. The students received a tour of the building on day one and took part in a scavenger hunt on day 2. It was great to see the energy and enthusiasm our new middle school students brought to the secondary floor. There was a lot of laughter and fun to start the year, culminating in a frozen treat for all of the students at the end of the day Wednesday. As the Grade Six students begin their regular lessons we understand that they will still require assistance and patience as they continue to adjust to Middle School, but we are confident that the foundation laid in the first two days will go a long way toward their growth and success at GAA.
PARENTS : Come learn more about your child’s transition to grade 6 at our Welcome to Grade 6 Parent Informational Session September 6, 18:15pm in the Auditorium.
Grade 11 is perhaps the most academically challenging year of high school in addition to the time students are looking at post-secondary options for university. It is important that our students receive appropriate guidance throughout this crucial year. Please be assured our teachers and counsellors are keen to provide the support our grade 11 students may need throughout this important year.
Students began the day in the IB Lounge receiving general expectations regarding grades, exams, transcripts and behavior. In breakout sessions Mr. Lyons provided an overview of the IB Diploma requirements, directions for how to login and use Managebac, information on the Extended Essay, the Theory of Knowledge (ToK) course and the Learner Profile. Additionally, Our counselors provided an intro to the college application process and reviewed the Academic Honesty policy. The day culminated in a presentation on mindfulness focusing on how to cope with stress and pressure when managing a variety of tasks or responsibilities.
Parents and Students a gentle reminder that our school dress code is expected every day. Students must be in full school uniform.
Upcoming Parent Events and Informational Sessions:
The following Parent Information sessions will take place 9:45am-11:00am AND 6:15pm-7:30pm in the Auditorium:
Sincerely,
Katherine Banner
GAA Secondary division is off to a terrific start to the 2016-17 school year. Included in our activities were the Grade 6 Soft Start and Grade 11 Orientation.
Entering Middle School for the first time is not easy. Students can find it quite intimidating as they leave the safety of their Elementary School homeroom environment and enter the twisting and turning hallways of Middle School, wandering from class to class trying to remember the name of their next teacher and if they had any homework due today.
At GAA we recognize that our new Middle School students need support, coping strategies and time to successfully adjust to their new setting. In order to help get them started off on the right path, our Grade Six students spent the first two days of school taking part in a “Soft Start” schedule. Students followed an adjusted schedule to meet their new teachers and classmates. Instead of having subject specific lesson, the students took part in many different activities to help familiarize them with Middle School life. There were various ice-breakers allowing students to get to know their new classmates, as well as team-building activities to promote collaboration and school spirit. Students were assigned lockers and shown how to log into their school Gmail, Gradebook and Haiku accounts. Various role playing activities were used to teach students about bullying, cooperation and school rules relating to dress code and the use of technology. The students received a tour of the building on day one and took part in a scavenger hunt on day 2. It was great to see the energy and enthusiasm our new middle school students brought to the secondary floor. There was a lot of laughter and fun to start the year, culminating in a frozen treat for all of the students at the end of the day Wednesday. As the Grade Six students begin their regular lessons we understand that they will still require assistance and patience as they continue to adjust to Middle School, but we are confident that the foundation laid in the first two days will go a long way toward their growth and success at GAA.
PARENTS : Come learn more about your child’s transition to grade 6 at our Welcome to Grade 6 Parent Informational Session September 6, 18:15pm in the Auditorium.
Grade 11 is perhaps the most academically challenging year of high school in addition to the time students are looking at post-secondary options for university. It is important that our students receive appropriate guidance throughout this crucial year. Please be assured our teachers and counsellors are keen to provide the support our grade 11 students may need throughout this important year.
Students began the day in the IB Lounge receiving general expectations regarding grades, exams, transcripts and behavior. In breakout sessions Mr. Lyons provided an overview of the IB Diploma requirements, directions for how to login and use Managebac, information on the Extended Essay, the Theory of Knowledge (ToK) course and the Learner Profile. Additionally, Our counselors provided an intro to the college application process and reviewed the Academic Honesty policy. The day culminated in a presentation on mindfulness focusing on how to cope with stress and pressure when managing a variety of tasks or responsibilities.
Parents and Students a gentle reminder that our school dress code is expected every day. Students must be in full school uniform.
Upcoming Parent Events and Informational Sessions:
- September 6 Secondary Night for all Parents new to GAA AND all Grade 6 Parents 6:15pm in the Auditorium
- September 21 Secondary School Back to School Night 5pm in the Auditorium
The following Parent Information sessions will take place 9:45am-11:00am AND 6:15pm-7:30pm in the Auditorium:
- September 27 Informational Session What is IB?
- October 4 Informational Session GAA Secondary Math Program
- October 11 Informational Session GAA Secondary Science Program
- October 18 Informational Session GAA World Language Program
- October 25 Informational Session GAA College Preparation Information
- November 1 Informational Session GAA Social Studies Program
Sincerely,
Katherine Banner
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.