News from our Secondary Principal, Katherine Banner
This week we have much to highlight in the GAA Secondary Division. Our students have been busy excelling academically and athletically. Please enjoy reading about several of our exemplary students and their outstanding teachers and coaches
Grade 9 Spotlight
The entire ninth grade just finished reading A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier as part of a personal narrative unit. In addition to reading the autobiography, the students also watched the documentary Fight Like Soldiers, Die Like Children. They also researched various issues and conflicts surrounding the exploitation of child soldiers around the world. February 12th is Red Hand Day, a day that is recognized internationally as a day to recognize and bring awareness to the plight of child soldiers all around the world.
Grade nine students each filled out and signed a paper with a red hand in order to share their knowledge with their peers here at GAA. These red hands will be displayed in the English hallway in the coming week. Thank you Mrs. Sciolis and Mr. Gonzales.
Cross Country news
Hatta Fort Cross Country Race 21st January
Congratulations to Matt Moye who gained 1st place in the Junior Varsity category and Dean Oh who got 6th place. The JV distance was 5 kilometers of hilly cross country terrain, Matt completed this distance in 20mins 50secs.
Jamie Broadhead came 9th in Middle school race.
Five secondary schools took part in this event. GAA came 3rd overall in the team rankings for this athletics meet.
Thanks to coaches Mr. Palano, Ms. Newman and Mr. O’Hagan
Grade 9 Spotlight
The entire ninth grade just finished reading A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier as part of a personal narrative unit. In addition to reading the autobiography, the students also watched the documentary Fight Like Soldiers, Die Like Children. They also researched various issues and conflicts surrounding the exploitation of child soldiers around the world. February 12th is Red Hand Day, a day that is recognized internationally as a day to recognize and bring awareness to the plight of child soldiers all around the world.
Grade nine students each filled out and signed a paper with a red hand in order to share their knowledge with their peers here at GAA. These red hands will be displayed in the English hallway in the coming week. Thank you Mrs. Sciolis and Mr. Gonzales.
Cross Country news
Hatta Fort Cross Country Race 21st January
Congratulations to Matt Moye who gained 1st place in the Junior Varsity category and Dean Oh who got 6th place. The JV distance was 5 kilometers of hilly cross country terrain, Matt completed this distance in 20mins 50secs.
Jamie Broadhead came 9th in Middle school race.
Five secondary schools took part in this event. GAA came 3rd overall in the team rankings for this athletics meet.
Thanks to coaches Mr. Palano, Ms. Newman and Mr. O’Hagan
News from our IB Diploma Coordinator, Patrick Lyons
Academic Honesty is the best policy.
The Grade 11 and 12 students are currently in the process of returning signed pledges to abide by our updated Academic Honesty Policy. I have met with both grades to explain the importance of avoiding plagiarism and other dishonest practices in principled IB and GAA Diploma programmes. The habits that accompany academically honest practices such as citing quotes and referencing statistics will also be necessary as students take the next steps at University and beyond.
Maybe I hadn't explained myself well enough though, as one student put his hand up to ask; "but what does academic honesty actually mean?" The only reply I could think of to tell him was; "it means 'not cheating'." It was an accurate answer but I have reflected since that I could have given an actual example too.
Sir Isaac Newton famously summed up his achievements in a quote that is currently embossed on coins in the UK. "If I have seen further than others, it is only because I was standing on the shoulders of giants." This really says it all. By acknowledging Galileo and others, Newton's reputation was enhanced rather than diminished. He did the right thing and put his own contributions beyond suspicion.
We have a good record of honest practice at GAA and I expect our top two grades to lead the way by upholding this tradition. If you would like to know more about academic honesty at GAA, please also read the new policy found here.
Regards,
Patrick Lyons
The Grade 11 and 12 students are currently in the process of returning signed pledges to abide by our updated Academic Honesty Policy. I have met with both grades to explain the importance of avoiding plagiarism and other dishonest practices in principled IB and GAA Diploma programmes. The habits that accompany academically honest practices such as citing quotes and referencing statistics will also be necessary as students take the next steps at University and beyond.
Maybe I hadn't explained myself well enough though, as one student put his hand up to ask; "but what does academic honesty actually mean?" The only reply I could think of to tell him was; "it means 'not cheating'." It was an accurate answer but I have reflected since that I could have given an actual example too.
Sir Isaac Newton famously summed up his achievements in a quote that is currently embossed on coins in the UK. "If I have seen further than others, it is only because I was standing on the shoulders of giants." This really says it all. By acknowledging Galileo and others, Newton's reputation was enhanced rather than diminished. He did the right thing and put his own contributions beyond suspicion.
We have a good record of honest practice at GAA and I expect our top two grades to lead the way by upholding this tradition. If you would like to know more about academic honesty at GAA, please also read the new policy found here.
Regards,
Patrick Lyons
Grade 6 & 7 students will be having their Sports Day on Tuesday, Jan 31st from 7:45-11:15.
Grade 8, 9, & 10 students will be having their Sports Day on Wednesday, Feb 1st from 7:45-11:15.
Students are permitted to wear sports clothing in their house colors – but – will be required to change back into their regular school uniform at the end of the activities at 11:15. Parents, please ensure that your child has their school uniform on their Sports Day.
Grade 8, 9, & 10 students will be having their Sports Day on Wednesday, Feb 1st from 7:45-11:15.
Students are permitted to wear sports clothing in their house colors – but – will be required to change back into their regular school uniform at the end of the activities at 11:15. Parents, please ensure that your child has their school uniform on their Sports Day.