News from our Secondary Principal, Craig Randall
Dear Parents,
As we head into this last week before our three week winter holiday I want to take the time to say thank you for all of your support of your children, of our teachers and of the school. It is evident to all that the school is continuously getting better and better. The growth in our students’ performances this past week in the music concerts, both band and choir is a shining example. The combination of student and teacher hard work are what make this possible.
We finish up final exams for many of our high school students this week and then upon return there are three more weeks left in the semester. While the holiday is best used for relaxation and family time, for some of our students putting some extra time in over the holiday can make a difference and bump a grade up for the semester. I trust you all to make the best judgement for your family.
Happy holidays!
Craig Randall
Secondary Principal
As we head into this last week before our three week winter holiday I want to take the time to say thank you for all of your support of your children, of our teachers and of the school. It is evident to all that the school is continuously getting better and better. The growth in our students’ performances this past week in the music concerts, both band and choir is a shining example. The combination of student and teacher hard work are what make this possible.
We finish up final exams for many of our high school students this week and then upon return there are three more weeks left in the semester. While the holiday is best used for relaxation and family time, for some of our students putting some extra time in over the holiday can make a difference and bump a grade up for the semester. I trust you all to make the best judgement for your family.
Happy holidays!
Craig Randall
Secondary Principal
Most seniors will use the time over the vacation to take a break from school work, but many of them will still be working to put the final touches on their university applications. The next major deadlines are January 1 for many schools in the US and January 15 for schools in the UK and some in the US and Canada.
Results from the October SAT will be coming in the next weeks. The College Board will communicate directly with the students via email when they are available.
PSAT 10
As you may know, the SAT is changing in 2016. To prepare students, the official practice test, the PSAT, has also undergone revision. The test maker, the College Board, has introduced multiple versions of the PSAT targeted specifically for different grades. The new 10th grade test is called the PSAT 10. Students in grade 10 have the opportunity to take the new PSAT 10 in February.
Interested students were asked to sign up to take the test 2 weeks ago. Students confirm their participation by paying 90AED to Ms. Welch. There is still space, so encourage your 10th graders to sign up if they haven’t already. If your 10th grader already took the test in October, it is not recommended or necessary that they take this PSAT10 as it is the same test. Students take the PSAT in grade 10 as early practice and will have another opportunity to take the PSAT/NMSQT in grade 11. Students who are looking for more practice and preparation should use the study materials on the College Board website. There are full-length practice tests available and online resources through Khan Academy.
PSAT 10 Key Points:
Who: grade 10
When & Where: Monday, February 22, 7:45am – 12:00pm; in the Auditorium
Cost: 90 AED includes test fee & administrative costs and practice booklet. Monies should be given to Ms. Welch prior to departing for the winter break.
COLLEGES VISITING CAMPUS for Seniors & Juniors
JANUARY
January 26 @ 9am-9:45am — Global Study UK University Fair.
GRADE LEVEL INFO
SENIOR Info (grade 12)
1) January is the last opportunity to take the current SAT. Register by December 28 if interested in this test date. Students sign up on their own on the testing website: SAT Registration: sat.org/international
2) Use the break to finalize your applications with January deadlines.
3) IB Mock Semester exams will take place when we return in January. Use the winter break to study.
JUNIOR Info (grade 11)
The spring semester in college and university admission is all about you.
Look out for more information about College Info meetings for students and parents.
SOPHOMORE Info (grade 10)
1) Take the PSAT 10 in February. Sign Up and pay the testing fee with Ms. Welch. You confirm your registration by paying the 90AED.
2) Academic Plans will be revisited when we return from the break, along with discussions on course requests and high school diploma pathways: American diploma, International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma, American diploma with IB courses.
FRESHMAN Info (grade 9)
With the first semester of high school completed, an important activity in the spring is to complete an Academic Plan. Start thinking about which high school diploma pathway one might want to complete: American diploma? International Baccalaureate diploma? A mixture of the two --the American diploma with IB courses?
PSAT 10
As you may know, the SAT is changing in 2016. To prepare students, the official practice test, the PSAT, has also undergone revision. The test maker, the College Board, has introduced multiple versions of the PSAT targeted specifically for different grades. The new 10th grade test is called the PSAT 10. Students in grade 10 have the opportunity to take the new PSAT 10 in February.
Interested students were asked to sign up to take the test 2 weeks ago. Students confirm their participation by paying 90AED to Ms. Welch. There is still space, so encourage your 10th graders to sign up if they haven’t already. If your 10th grader already took the test in October, it is not recommended or necessary that they take this PSAT10 as it is the same test. Students take the PSAT in grade 10 as early practice and will have another opportunity to take the PSAT/NMSQT in grade 11. Students who are looking for more practice and preparation should use the study materials on the College Board website. There are full-length practice tests available and online resources through Khan Academy.
PSAT 10 Key Points:
Who: grade 10
When & Where: Monday, February 22, 7:45am – 12:00pm; in the Auditorium
Cost: 90 AED includes test fee & administrative costs and practice booklet. Monies should be given to Ms. Welch prior to departing for the winter break.
COLLEGES VISITING CAMPUS for Seniors & Juniors
JANUARY
January 26 @ 9am-9:45am — Global Study UK University Fair.
GRADE LEVEL INFO
SENIOR Info (grade 12)
1) January is the last opportunity to take the current SAT. Register by December 28 if interested in this test date. Students sign up on their own on the testing website: SAT Registration: sat.org/international
2) Use the break to finalize your applications with January deadlines.
3) IB Mock Semester exams will take place when we return in January. Use the winter break to study.
JUNIOR Info (grade 11)
The spring semester in college and university admission is all about you.
Look out for more information about College Info meetings for students and parents.
SOPHOMORE Info (grade 10)
1) Take the PSAT 10 in February. Sign Up and pay the testing fee with Ms. Welch. You confirm your registration by paying the 90AED.
2) Academic Plans will be revisited when we return from the break, along with discussions on course requests and high school diploma pathways: American diploma, International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma, American diploma with IB courses.
FRESHMAN Info (grade 9)
With the first semester of high school completed, an important activity in the spring is to complete an Academic Plan. Start thinking about which high school diploma pathway one might want to complete: American diploma? International Baccalaureate diploma? A mixture of the two --the American diploma with IB courses?
From our IB Diploma Coordinator, Patrick Lyons
2016 will be momentous year for our school with our first IB Diploma students completing their coursework, taking exams and receiving their IB Diplomas. The Seniors' sweat (hopefully not too much blood or tears) will pay off in May and they will blaze a trail for the GAA students of the future. However, it is not only the students whose efforts will be rewarded but our incredibly hard-working teachers and our patient and determined parents too.
Being a parent of an IB Diploma student is no easy job (I am now one myself) so it pays to be informed and involved with a caring community of supportive friends. With this in mind, I would like to invite current and future IB Parents to a presentation, seminar and social gathering at school on Tuesday, January 12th at 6.00pm.
I have presented an overview of the IB Diploma Programme already at sessions held during the school day but understand that many of our parents have been unable to attend due to work commitments. So I plan to kick off the new year with a presentation regarding the IB Diploma in a global and GAA context before inviting questions and encouraging parents to make connections with each other and build a supportive community of IB parents.
The session will be open to all and I would especially encourage existing IB parents to attend to hear what the opportunities and expectations will be for their children. The presentation will also be especially useful for Grade 10 parents who will soon be making decisions about the Diploma for their own families.
So I look forward to meeting you in January and building our understanding of the IB Diploma Programme as a community. And rest assured, we will serve tea and coffee, tea and biscuits or tea and sympathy as required.
Paddy Lyons
IB Diploma Coordinator
Being a parent of an IB Diploma student is no easy job (I am now one myself) so it pays to be informed and involved with a caring community of supportive friends. With this in mind, I would like to invite current and future IB Parents to a presentation, seminar and social gathering at school on Tuesday, January 12th at 6.00pm.
I have presented an overview of the IB Diploma Programme already at sessions held during the school day but understand that many of our parents have been unable to attend due to work commitments. So I plan to kick off the new year with a presentation regarding the IB Diploma in a global and GAA context before inviting questions and encouraging parents to make connections with each other and build a supportive community of IB parents.
The session will be open to all and I would especially encourage existing IB parents to attend to hear what the opportunities and expectations will be for their children. The presentation will also be especially useful for Grade 10 parents who will soon be making decisions about the Diploma for their own families.
So I look forward to meeting you in January and building our understanding of the IB Diploma Programme as a community. And rest assured, we will serve tea and coffee, tea and biscuits or tea and sympathy as required.
Paddy Lyons
IB Diploma Coordinator
Arts Department News
There has been a lot happening over the past few weeks in Secondary arts:
Drama
The Drama Department held auditions for our spring production. YOU’RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN. We had over 50 students audition and were thrilled to double cast the show as there were many talented students. We will have our first official rehearsal when we return from the holiday break and the show will be performed the third week in March. Keep your eyes open for tickets! It’s going to be fun show.
Instrumental Music
Wednesday night was a showcase for our Secondary School instrumentalists in their annual Winter Concert. This is an opportunity for each of our ensembles to perform repertoire that they have mastered since September. For many of our students it is a celebration of their growth as musicians, but for some it is the first time they have stepped onto a stage to perform. The concert was a huge success and featured both Middle School Concert Bands, the High School Concert Band, the High School Percussion Ensemble and the High School Big Band. In addition to the ensemble performances, we were delighted to welcome a number of our students to the stage as they performed solo and duet numbers as well as some Grade 5 and 7 musicians who featured in a collaborative work on the night.
The Drama Department held auditions for our spring production. YOU’RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN. We had over 50 students audition and were thrilled to double cast the show as there were many talented students. We will have our first official rehearsal when we return from the holiday break and the show will be performed the third week in March. Keep your eyes open for tickets! It’s going to be fun show.
Instrumental Music
Wednesday night was a showcase for our Secondary School instrumentalists in their annual Winter Concert. This is an opportunity for each of our ensembles to perform repertoire that they have mastered since September. For many of our students it is a celebration of their growth as musicians, but for some it is the first time they have stepped onto a stage to perform. The concert was a huge success and featured both Middle School Concert Bands, the High School Concert Band, the High School Percussion Ensemble and the High School Big Band. In addition to the ensemble performances, we were delighted to welcome a number of our students to the stage as they performed solo and duet numbers as well as some Grade 5 and 7 musicians who featured in a collaborative work on the night.
UAE Band Festival
The talented High School Big Band and Advanced Middle School Concert Band travelled to Dubai on Saturday, 12th December to attend the UAE Band Festival at The Els Club, Dubai Sports City. It is a huge honor to have been invited to perform at this event and to receive the recognition for our talented and dedicated musicians. GAA was the only school that represented Abu Dhabi at this performance and it proved to be a fun family event in the sun
The talented High School Big Band and Advanced Middle School Concert Band travelled to Dubai on Saturday, 12th December to attend the UAE Band Festival at The Els Club, Dubai Sports City. It is a huge honor to have been invited to perform at this event and to receive the recognition for our talented and dedicated musicians. GAA was the only school that represented Abu Dhabi at this performance and it proved to be a fun family event in the sun
Choir
Thursday evening saw the first showcase of the year of our many Secondary school choral groups. This was a chance for students to perform pieces that that have been practicing since September and a great opportunity for all to see just how much the choir program has grown in just two years.
Students have also been busy performing festive songs at both The Sheraton and Emirates Palace Hotel.
Students have also been busy performing festive songs at both The Sheraton and Emirates Palace Hotel.
Visual Arts
Middle and High School students with Mr. Eddens are putting the finishing touches on projects that explore the creative possibilities of found objects and rescued materials in the form of Collage and Assemblage.
The term collage is derived from the French, coller, meaning “to glue”. It is an art production technique in which designs and images are constructed from various 2-dimensional fragments of paper fabric wood or other relatively flat 2-dimensional material.
Grade 8 students have been using collage techniques along with close observational drawing to build deconstructed and reconstructed versions of still life images. These students have also been experimenting with observational drawing in a variety of other media such as oil pastel and watercolor.
Middle and High School students with Mr. Eddens are putting the finishing touches on projects that explore the creative possibilities of found objects and rescued materials in the form of Collage and Assemblage.
The term collage is derived from the French, coller, meaning “to glue”. It is an art production technique in which designs and images are constructed from various 2-dimensional fragments of paper fabric wood or other relatively flat 2-dimensional material.
Grade 8 students have been using collage techniques along with close observational drawing to build deconstructed and reconstructed versions of still life images. These students have also been experimenting with observational drawing in a variety of other media such as oil pastel and watercolor.
The work that high school students in the Proficient Visual Art Class are engaged in is similar, but with greater complexity and the requirement of more technical skill. These students are working with the mindset that their mixed media collage work will evolve from Collage to Assemblage. In this form the work takes on actual 3-dimesional objects or fragments of those objects to bring added depth and complexity to the work. These students are also incorporating created textural effects and color manipulation to their work.
Swimming Update:
Tryouts for Season 2(January 17th – March 24th 2016) for Gr.5-6 and Gr.6-12 GAA competitive swimming teams.
Dear Parents,
After the winter break we will have tryouts for our competitive teams in Gr.5-12.
Tryouts days are:
Monday 11th of January and Wednesday 13th for Gr.5-12 competitive swimmers Time: 3:05-4:30.
Entrance Expectations (at coaches discretion)*
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.
Grade 6-12: Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly and 800 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 50 meters for each stroke.
Training days starting from 17th of January – 24th of March:
Gr.5-6 Monday and Thursday – Coach Ms.Virginia Ingle Time: 3:05-4:30
Gr.6-12 Monday and Wednesday – Coaches Mrs.Kirsten Baillie and Mrs.Iliana Jaltova. Time: 3:05-4:30.
If you have any further questions or need clarifications, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Best Regards,
GAA Aquatic Director Ms.Iliana Jaltova: [email protected]
Tryouts for Season 2(January 17th – March 24th 2016) for Gr.5-6 and Gr.6-12 GAA competitive swimming teams.
Dear Parents,
After the winter break we will have tryouts for our competitive teams in Gr.5-12.
Tryouts days are:
Monday 11th of January and Wednesday 13th for Gr.5-12 competitive swimmers Time: 3:05-4:30.
Entrance Expectations (at coaches discretion)*
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.
Grade 6-12: Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly and 800 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 50 meters for each stroke.
Training days starting from 17th of January – 24th of March:
Gr.5-6 Monday and Thursday – Coach Ms.Virginia Ingle Time: 3:05-4:30
Gr.6-12 Monday and Wednesday – Coaches Mrs.Kirsten Baillie and Mrs.Iliana Jaltova. Time: 3:05-4:30.
If you have any further questions or need clarifications, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Best Regards,
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.