News from our Secondary Vice Principal, Derek Lea
Dear Parents,
The end of Semester 1 and the beginning of Semester 2 is a fantastic time for students and parents to pause, reflect, and assess their progress and goals for the school year. Semester 1 report cards were issued on February 4th. For some, the reports will be a pleasant surprise; for others the reports will be a confirmation of their own self-assessment of their progress; and for some the report will be an indication that they need to reassess their approach to find success. Fortunately, for everyone, there are still 5 months left to continue to grow and learn.
Report cards provide an excellent talking point for parents and children to discuss what they hope to achieve in their school year. Take the time to listen to your child about what they feel are realistic, attainable goals. Encourage them to push themselves to reach their potential, and help them to articulate the details that will ensure that their goals can be met.
Goals should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time Bound – we refer to these as S.M.A.R.T. Goals. “I want to get better grades this semester” is an admirable goal, and it is somewhat measurable, may be attainable and is relevant, but it is not particularly specific and only loosely time bound. A better goal may be; “I want to increase my grade in Math from a C+ to a B by spring break by handing in my assignments in on time, asking for extra help when I don’t understand something in class, and spending at least 30 minutes a night reviewing for tests and quizzes.”
Without a road map of how to get to their goals, students will often fall into old habits and patterns and get discouraged when they do not see the results they hoped for.
Once you have helped your child create strong S.M.A.R.T. Goals, have them write them down and keep them somewhere that they can refer back to them often – in the front of their notebook, on the fridge in the kitchen, inside their locker, or on the mirror in their bedroom. By keeping the goal visible, students will remember the what, the why, and the how of their goals, and can continually assess their own progress.
Finally, talk to your child about their goals and their progress regularly. Praise their successes, and support them through their challenges by holding them accountable to their own targets.
regards,
Derek lea
The end of Semester 1 and the beginning of Semester 2 is a fantastic time for students and parents to pause, reflect, and assess their progress and goals for the school year. Semester 1 report cards were issued on February 4th. For some, the reports will be a pleasant surprise; for others the reports will be a confirmation of their own self-assessment of their progress; and for some the report will be an indication that they need to reassess their approach to find success. Fortunately, for everyone, there are still 5 months left to continue to grow and learn.
Report cards provide an excellent talking point for parents and children to discuss what they hope to achieve in their school year. Take the time to listen to your child about what they feel are realistic, attainable goals. Encourage them to push themselves to reach their potential, and help them to articulate the details that will ensure that their goals can be met.
Goals should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time Bound – we refer to these as S.M.A.R.T. Goals. “I want to get better grades this semester” is an admirable goal, and it is somewhat measurable, may be attainable and is relevant, but it is not particularly specific and only loosely time bound. A better goal may be; “I want to increase my grade in Math from a C+ to a B by spring break by handing in my assignments in on time, asking for extra help when I don’t understand something in class, and spending at least 30 minutes a night reviewing for tests and quizzes.”
Without a road map of how to get to their goals, students will often fall into old habits and patterns and get discouraged when they do not see the results they hoped for.
Once you have helped your child create strong S.M.A.R.T. Goals, have them write them down and keep them somewhere that they can refer back to them often – in the front of their notebook, on the fridge in the kitchen, inside their locker, or on the mirror in their bedroom. By keeping the goal visible, students will remember the what, the why, and the how of their goals, and can continually assess their own progress.
Finally, talk to your child about their goals and their progress regularly. Praise their successes, and support them through their challenges by holding them accountable to their own targets.
regards,
Derek lea
Summer in February?!
Summer time, for students, while a well-deserved break from the demands of the academic year, should be used for more than just relaxing. It is a great time for them to do things they enjoy such as travel, intern, work, and study areas of interest. Making productive use of unstructured summer time says a lot about the kind of person one is and the kind of initiative one takes.
Many colleges, universities and other organizations offer organized programs for high school students. They include domestic and international programs that focus on: general and specialized pre-college academic courses, cultural and scholarly enrichment programs, sessions for students with special academic needs, career exploration workshops, and outdoor adventure experiences.
Please keep in mind that a meaningful summer experience does not require participation in an organized enrichment program. It is simply one option. If you are concerned with how this factors into college admissions criteria, they are looking for ways in which a student shows initiative and independence, leadership and responsibility. There are lots of worthy options and below are a few ideas. Talking with teachers and other students and families can also provide good program referrals.
Here are few noteworthy websites to conduct research:
Teen Ink: A great site with a listing of programs that includes everything from sports, writing and engineering camps to those located on university campuses, ships and overseas. Visit the website HERE
High School Programs Abroad: Leading provider of international opportunities for students. Visit the website HERE
Go Overseas: A database of summer, enrichment, and gap year opportunities. Visit the website HERE
What Can Kids Do (WCKD): A directory of international summer programs that welcome high school students and combine volunteer work, cultural and language immersion. Visit the website HERE.
Boarding Schools USA: Online handbook for families considering summer programs at boarding schools the United States. Visit the website HERE
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
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)
1) Follow up on university applications that were already submitted to ensure all documents have been received and processed.
2) Update your Naviance accounts.
3) Stay strong and focused in your studies as your final semester of high school begins.
JUNIOR Info (grade 11)
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
2) 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. Course Selection and counseling on course choices and diploma pathways will take place over the next weeks.
Ms. Welch will be available for small group and individual counseling during Advisory on February 3 and after school on February 7 from 3pm – 4pm.
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.
Summer time, for students, while a well-deserved break from the demands of the academic year, should be used for more than just relaxing. It is a great time for them to do things they enjoy such as travel, intern, work, and study areas of interest. Making productive use of unstructured summer time says a lot about the kind of person one is and the kind of initiative one takes.
Many colleges, universities and other organizations offer organized programs for high school students. They include domestic and international programs that focus on: general and specialized pre-college academic courses, cultural and scholarly enrichment programs, sessions for students with special academic needs, career exploration workshops, and outdoor adventure experiences.
Please keep in mind that a meaningful summer experience does not require participation in an organized enrichment program. It is simply one option. If you are concerned with how this factors into college admissions criteria, they are looking for ways in which a student shows initiative and independence, leadership and responsibility. There are lots of worthy options and below are a few ideas. Talking with teachers and other students and families can also provide good program referrals.
Here are few noteworthy websites to conduct research:
Teen Ink: A great site with a listing of programs that includes everything from sports, writing and engineering camps to those located on university campuses, ships and overseas. Visit the website HERE
High School Programs Abroad: Leading provider of international opportunities for students. Visit the website HERE
Go Overseas: A database of summer, enrichment, and gap year opportunities. Visit the website HERE
What Can Kids Do (WCKD): A directory of international summer programs that welcome high school students and combine volunteer work, cultural and language immersion. Visit the website HERE.
Boarding Schools USA: Online handbook for families considering summer programs at boarding schools the United States. Visit the website HERE
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
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)
1) Follow up on university applications that were already submitted to ensure all documents have been received and processed.
2) Update your Naviance accounts.
3) 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.
- Save-the-Date for February 22, 2016 for an evening event, Junior College Info Night, for parents and students.
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
2) 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. Course Selection and counseling on course choices and diploma pathways will take place over the next weeks.
Ms. Welch will be available for small group and individual counseling during Advisory on February 3 and after school on February 7 from 3pm – 4pm.
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.
From our IB Diploma Coordinator, Patrick Lyons
Our mock IB Diploma exams are finally over and our Grade 12 students have seen the fruits of their efforts. The exams were a great opportunity for students who got a taste of the real thing, regulations and all.
As a faculty too we now know all the little glitches and what we need to do to iron them out. GAA is now ready to host IB Diploma exams alongside thousands of schools worldwide this May.
Special thanks go to Ms Baindu who kindly gave up her room and the music department who offered her a temporary home. Also we owe a lot to the maintenance staff who set up the venue overnight and returned it to its former glory as a dance studio in the same time a week later.
Our attention is still firmly fixed on the Grade 12 class and their upcoming deadlines as well as the Grade 11s progressing through courses, Extended Essay and starting Theory of Knowledge. However, this last week the Diploma teachers also managed to lavish a little attention on Grade 10. On Sunday afternoon, presented to Grade 10 in order to explain the various courses we offer to inform their IB Diploma choices for the upcoming two years. JP recorded this event for posterity and we will make it available to parents through the parent launcher. Please look out for this if you have a student with these choices ahead of them as they will undoubtedly need your support and guidance in these big decisions.
Regards,
Patrick Lyons
As a faculty too we now know all the little glitches and what we need to do to iron them out. GAA is now ready to host IB Diploma exams alongside thousands of schools worldwide this May.
Special thanks go to Ms Baindu who kindly gave up her room and the music department who offered her a temporary home. Also we owe a lot to the maintenance staff who set up the venue overnight and returned it to its former glory as a dance studio in the same time a week later.
Our attention is still firmly fixed on the Grade 12 class and their upcoming deadlines as well as the Grade 11s progressing through courses, Extended Essay and starting Theory of Knowledge. However, this last week the Diploma teachers also managed to lavish a little attention on Grade 10. On Sunday afternoon, presented to Grade 10 in order to explain the various courses we offer to inform their IB Diploma choices for the upcoming two years. JP recorded this event for posterity and we will make it available to parents through the parent launcher. Please look out for this if you have a student with these choices ahead of them as they will undoubtedly need your support and guidance in these big decisions.
Regards,
Patrick Lyons
From our Curriculum Coordinator, Jennifer Parker
Dear Parents,
You are invited to join us for a brief information session about gr.7, 8, 9, 10, 11, & 12 course offerings with specific focus in Mathematics, Science, and World Languages.
Although we hosted one daytime session and are hosting one evening session, you may be unable to attend; as such, we will be sharing the presentation in the next newsletter as well.
An information session for students coming into grade 6 in 2016/2017 will be held later this year.
Secondary students will begin course registration for 2016/2017 within the next two weeks. Grade 10 students received information about the IBDP programme earlier this week and other grade levels will be receiving information about courses and registration over the coming weeks. Likewise, an updated Program of Studies will be published and shared in order to help guide in choosing courses.
Evening Session: All Course Offerings 7-12
When: Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 6:00 pm
Where: GAA Auditorium
Please direct queries regarding these information sessions to the Curriculum Coordinator (6-12) at [email protected]
We look forward to seeing you at the evening information session.
Warm regards,
Jennifer Parker
Curriculum Coordinator (6-12)
[email protected]
You are invited to join us for a brief information session about gr.7, 8, 9, 10, 11, & 12 course offerings with specific focus in Mathematics, Science, and World Languages.
Although we hosted one daytime session and are hosting one evening session, you may be unable to attend; as such, we will be sharing the presentation in the next newsletter as well.
An information session for students coming into grade 6 in 2016/2017 will be held later this year.
Secondary students will begin course registration for 2016/2017 within the next two weeks. Grade 10 students received information about the IBDP programme earlier this week and other grade levels will be receiving information about courses and registration over the coming weeks. Likewise, an updated Program of Studies will be published and shared in order to help guide in choosing courses.
Evening Session: All Course Offerings 7-12
When: Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 6:00 pm
Where: GAA Auditorium
Please direct queries regarding these information sessions to the Curriculum Coordinator (6-12) at [email protected]
We look forward to seeing you at the evening information session.
Warm regards,
Jennifer Parker
Curriculum Coordinator (6-12)
[email protected]
Science Department
Hello, welcome to the GAA Science department’s contribution to your newsletter. What an exciting time for the science department as the second semester begins. As our students in Grades 9 and 10 switch from one discipline of science to another, it gives them further opportunity to find out which science courses they might select for the IBDP. I look forward to meeting many parents in the Information Sessions that you have coming up – keep an eye out for those and help guide your children to the courses that they need.
We have seen some wonderful work from all grades and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the teachers of our wonderful department for the passionate, diverse, innovative, informative, and hard-working teaching that they deliver day in, day out. The work that they do ‘behind the scenes’ to educate your children is beyond belief and I am beginning to see this reflected in the continuous progress that is evident in the grades of your children.
Grade 6 have been building model homes as part of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week but with a slight twist. They must design their homes to be energy-efficient, the models made out of recycled materials and a website to be designed to show off what has been learned. It is thanks to Miss Aida (welcome back!) and Miss Perez that when I visit these classes, the students have not even noticed my presence; such is their level of engagement in their projects. There will be a prize-giving ceremony for the best teams, homes, and websites soon.
We have seen some wonderful work from all grades and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the teachers of our wonderful department for the passionate, diverse, innovative, informative, and hard-working teaching that they deliver day in, day out. The work that they do ‘behind the scenes’ to educate your children is beyond belief and I am beginning to see this reflected in the continuous progress that is evident in the grades of your children.
Grade 6 have been building model homes as part of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week but with a slight twist. They must design their homes to be energy-efficient, the models made out of recycled materials and a website to be designed to show off what has been learned. It is thanks to Miss Aida (welcome back!) and Miss Perez that when I visit these classes, the students have not even noticed my presence; such is their level of engagement in their projects. There will be a prize-giving ceremony for the best teams, homes, and websites soon.
Some of the G6 Sustainable Home Models
Grade 7 are completing their Physics journey with Mr. Christofi by also taking part in a project for Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. The students are putting together their superb array of knowledge from semester 1 to research and evaluate the energy resources around us. As the UAE makes its own effort to become more sustainable, our Grade 7s are mirroring this effort with their own websites. Who knows? Maybe the sustainable energy engineer of the future is in one of our science classrooms right now (please do not forget your teachers when you are mega-billionaires!).
Screenshots of two of the best G7 websites
The wonderful students of Grade 8 are in for a real treat as they use their biological knowledge of cells and animal behavior to embark on a journey of neurobiology. Students will be looking closely at how we learn, how our brains work, and what we can do to make the most of them. Within a few weeks, they should be able to read your minds, I apologize in advance, parents! The students have also submitted entries to the ADEC-run Young Scientists competition, which comes with monetary prizes, prestige, and real work opportunities. There is 1,000,000 AED of prizes available to the 76 best scientists of the Abu Dhabi school community. At least three groups of Grade 8 students will be entered into the finals, where they will show off their ideas and research in a two-day festival of science. Good luck to our students
Anubhav Mandal separating mixtures in G8
Now that the end-of-semester exams are over, graded and fed back, it is time to start afresh. Grades 9 and 10 have the made the switch from biology to chemistry, chemistry to biology, physics to chemistry, or chemistry to biology. It is essential to use the methods and skills from each subject, transfer them across – as the scientific disciplines are similar - and have many overlapping skillsets. These students are lucky to have TWO science teachers in one year and should make the most of the knowledge and experience at their disposal. I know that the Biology course will involve the cloning of cauliflower this semester – if successful; we should be able to save money on buying cauliflower for you and your family!
G10 Chemistry listening intently to Miss. Shakarchi
Grade 11 are starting to realize what science at IB is all about; as the demands of the Extended Essay, CAS, and courses become evident. Biology students have been looking ahead to their Internal Assessment by carrying out osmosis labs with potato. Physics students have been determining the speed of sound and our chemists have been carrying out titrations with Mr. Klein to determine the molecular mass of an unknown substance. I remember doing these experiments at college and it sounds like our IB students are doing a far better job than I ever did! Mr. Walker has been wowing students with his amazing insights into astronomy and space – but he does have the best classroom in the auditorium to do so!
Grade 12 students have recently sat their mock examinations and teachers and staff alike are planning to make sure our graduating classes are submitting their Internal Assessments and Extended Essays. The overriding feeling from the mock examinations is that these students have a lot of work ahead of them in order to be a success in their finals. Steady, regular revision is essential, will reap greater rewards, as well as being a lot less stressful. A focus on key words and showing off full knowledge is important and my time as an examiner tells me that this is where most marks are lost in examinations. I have really enjoyed watching the seniors carry out their Internal Assessments, ranging from bacteria growth on bread, to the link between baseball pitching and ligament damage. Physics students with Mr. Lyons have been imaginative with their Internal Assessments, investigating seawater capacitors, the effect of mass on a loudspeaker and even how much smoke triggers a smoke alarm.
Grade 12 students have recently sat their mock examinations and teachers and staff alike are planning to make sure our graduating classes are submitting their Internal Assessments and Extended Essays. The overriding feeling from the mock examinations is that these students have a lot of work ahead of them in order to be a success in their finals. Steady, regular revision is essential, will reap greater rewards, as well as being a lot less stressful. A focus on key words and showing off full knowledge is important and my time as an examiner tells me that this is where most marks are lost in examinations. I have really enjoyed watching the seniors carry out their Internal Assessments, ranging from bacteria growth on bread, to the link between baseball pitching and ligament damage. Physics students with Mr. Lyons have been imaginative with their Internal Assessments, investigating seawater capacitors, the effect of mass on a loudspeaker and even how much smoke triggers a smoke alarm.
Our seniors working hard in a study hall
This semester is shaping up to be another journey of discovery and learning, and hopefully we will produce a few budding scientists of the future.
Mr. Broderick,
Science Head of Department
Mr. Broderick,
Science Head of Department
Our fourth math contest was on January 14th, 2016. Below are the top GAA students for each test. Congratulations!
Junior Division
Jaesung Park
Donghyun Cho
Siean Kim
Injoon Jun
Seungwoo Jeong
Junhyeok lee
Jin Park
Yeongseo jo
Senior Division
Sein Lee
Hongchan Lee
Hyunseo Park
Dong Chan Kim
Seung Min Lee
Dong Geun Lee
Changhyun Jo
Eun Chan Kim
The next contest will be moved to Wednesday, February 10thth due to our half day on the 11th. It will be held in Room 238 (Ms. Ruderman’s room) at 3:10. If you have any questions please contact [email protected]
Sincerely,
The Math Department
Junior Division
Jaesung Park
Donghyun Cho
Siean Kim
Injoon Jun
Seungwoo Jeong
Junhyeok lee
Jin Park
Yeongseo jo
Senior Division
Sein Lee
Hongchan Lee
Hyunseo Park
Dong Chan Kim
Seung Min Lee
Dong Geun Lee
Changhyun Jo
Eun Chan Kim
The next contest will be moved to Wednesday, February 10thth due to our half day on the 11th. It will be held in Room 238 (Ms. Ruderman’s room) at 3:10. If you have any questions please contact [email protected]
Sincerely,
The Math Department
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.