News from our Secondary Principal, Katherine Banner
Final Exams
Our final exam schedule for students in Grades 9-11 have been set. They will take place in the Auditorium between May 28th and June 8th as per the schedule below. It is important to note:
Attendance in these exams is MANDATORY.
Our final exam schedule for students in Grades 9-11 have been set. They will take place in the Auditorium between May 28th and June 8th as per the schedule below. It is important to note:
Attendance in these exams is MANDATORY.
- Students who miss an exam for illness must produce a medical certificate and will be required to write the exam in the earliest Make-Up session.
- Students who miss an exam without just cause will be given a 0 score for the exam, which will significantly impact their final grade.
- Classes for Grades 6-8 will continue as usual (on our Ramadan timings). Final assessments for Grades 6-8 will be done in class.
- Classes for non-IB Grades 9-11 will NOT be in session during these two weeks.
- Students in these grades are not required to be in school outside of their exam times, but may choose to stay at school to study in designated study areas.
- Classes for IBDP1 (Grade 11) students will continue as usual (on our Ramadan timings) through May 31st.
- Students are expected to attend in full uniform and abide by our student code of conduct at all times when on campus.
Mrs. Elhalwagy’s Grade 6 Science Class
This week the 6th grade science students have been designing their own experiment that shows how force, mass, and acceleration relate to one another. They’ve calculated velocity and acceleration and conducted an experiment to show how mass or force affects the acceleration of an object. They were given a set of materials and nothing else and had to formulate a testable question. They then conducted a controlled experiment and the end of this week they’ll be presenting their findings by giving the class a presentation.
The grade 6s are bright, enthusiastic, and inquirers – Mrs. Elhalwagy enjoy’s teaching them very much!
This week the 6th grade science students have been designing their own experiment that shows how force, mass, and acceleration relate to one another. They’ve calculated velocity and acceleration and conducted an experiment to show how mass or force affects the acceleration of an object. They were given a set of materials and nothing else and had to formulate a testable question. They then conducted a controlled experiment and the end of this week they’ll be presenting their findings by giving the class a presentation.
The grade 6s are bright, enthusiastic, and inquirers – Mrs. Elhalwagy enjoy’s teaching them very much!
MAP Testing
From May 7 to May 25, students in grades 2 through 10 will do the Spring NWEA MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) assessments. Students will receive preparation including test-taking strategies and mindfulness.
NWEA MAP is a form of standardized assessment done on a computer that allow students and teachers to track progress as well as providing a comparison to school and international standards. The purpose of MAP is to see what students are capable of and to monitor and set goals for further learning. In addition, MAP testing results are one data point used for determining acceptance into the IB Diplomma Programme. Grade 2 students sit three assessments: Reading, Language Usage, Mathematics. Grade 3 to 10 students take four assessments: Reading, Language Usage, Mathematics, Science. While MAP is untimed, each assessment takes about one hour and have anywhere from 40 to 54 questions.
This assessment is an opportunity for your student to show what they know. Please encourage your child to take their time on this assessment and to try their best - it is not a race! Ensure that your child is well rested the night before the assessment. (Students will have only one assessment per day and may have one or two days of rest in between.) MAP assessments are unique in that they adapt the questions based on your child's previous answers; questions get progressively more challenging with each correct response. As a result, each student has the same opportunity to succeed, show growth and maintain a positive attitude toward testing.
If you would like to look at some practice questions of how the test will look, follow this link with your child:
http://warmup.nwea.org/map_student_menu.html
Please bare in mind these are questions that go up to Grade 5 so don't be alarmed! This is just to show you the format, not the exact questions given. The actual MAP assessment will adapt Results of the Spring MAP will be sent home at the end of the school year.
For more information visit: https://www.nwea.org/assessments/resources-for-parents/
Band Concert
This is a reminder that our end of year concert will take place next week.
Details:
Our secondary school band students will be showcasing the very best of their repertoire from the first half of 2017 in this summative performance. This will feature the Middle School Concert Bands, High School Concert Band, GAA Big Band / High School Jazz Band and various soloists.
Monday will be an A, B, C, D schedule and this allows us to have one final rehearsal after the long weekend. Students please remember to bring instruments, sheet music and concert clothing to avoid any last-minute complications on the day.
The Booster Club concession stand will stay open a little later on Monday but you are encouraged to pack some extra food to be eaten before we play.
Please encourage your friends and family to support this wonderful performance. Feedback from our winter concert suggests that the earlier start time of 6pm is favored by our parents and we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on the night!
Upcoming Dates of Interest
Thursday 20th April 2017 - Grade 12 Half day (Hawaiian themed) and Senior Wildcat Walk from 2.00 to 2.30 pm.
Saturday 22nd April 2017 - Var./JV Award Celebrations - 6:00pm @ the Marriott Hotel Al Forsan. Tickets will be available from the Booster Club Spirit Shop starting April 9th.
Thursday 27th April 2017 - International Day - Dress Down day for all students to wear national dress or colours of flag. All MS students will be in the auditorium for blocks F and E on that day. More to follow.
Thursday 27th April 2017 - Half Day Pizza/National Dress Down Day. Students will finish school at 12 noon. Skinny Schedule is H,G,F,E.
Saturday 29th April 2017 – Innovation Day @ 10.00 am to 2.00 pm at GAA.
From May 7 to May 25, students in grades 2 through 10 will do the Spring NWEA MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) assessments. Students will receive preparation including test-taking strategies and mindfulness.
NWEA MAP is a form of standardized assessment done on a computer that allow students and teachers to track progress as well as providing a comparison to school and international standards. The purpose of MAP is to see what students are capable of and to monitor and set goals for further learning. In addition, MAP testing results are one data point used for determining acceptance into the IB Diplomma Programme. Grade 2 students sit three assessments: Reading, Language Usage, Mathematics. Grade 3 to 10 students take four assessments: Reading, Language Usage, Mathematics, Science. While MAP is untimed, each assessment takes about one hour and have anywhere from 40 to 54 questions.
This assessment is an opportunity for your student to show what they know. Please encourage your child to take their time on this assessment and to try their best - it is not a race! Ensure that your child is well rested the night before the assessment. (Students will have only one assessment per day and may have one or two days of rest in between.) MAP assessments are unique in that they adapt the questions based on your child's previous answers; questions get progressively more challenging with each correct response. As a result, each student has the same opportunity to succeed, show growth and maintain a positive attitude toward testing.
If you would like to look at some practice questions of how the test will look, follow this link with your child:
http://warmup.nwea.org/map_student_menu.html
Please bare in mind these are questions that go up to Grade 5 so don't be alarmed! This is just to show you the format, not the exact questions given. The actual MAP assessment will adapt Results of the Spring MAP will be sent home at the end of the school year.
For more information visit: https://www.nwea.org/assessments/resources-for-parents/
Band Concert
This is a reminder that our end of year concert will take place next week.
Details:
- Date: Monday, 24th April 2017
- Time: 6pm
- Duration: Approximately 70 minutes
- Venue: GAA Auditorium
- Call time for students: 4:30pm for dress rehearsal
- Dress code: Smart black clothing (no jeans or t-shirts)
Our secondary school band students will be showcasing the very best of their repertoire from the first half of 2017 in this summative performance. This will feature the Middle School Concert Bands, High School Concert Band, GAA Big Band / High School Jazz Band and various soloists.
Monday will be an A, B, C, D schedule and this allows us to have one final rehearsal after the long weekend. Students please remember to bring instruments, sheet music and concert clothing to avoid any last-minute complications on the day.
The Booster Club concession stand will stay open a little later on Monday but you are encouraged to pack some extra food to be eaten before we play.
Please encourage your friends and family to support this wonderful performance. Feedback from our winter concert suggests that the earlier start time of 6pm is favored by our parents and we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on the night!
Upcoming Dates of Interest
Thursday 20th April 2017 - Grade 12 Half day (Hawaiian themed) and Senior Wildcat Walk from 2.00 to 2.30 pm.
Saturday 22nd April 2017 - Var./JV Award Celebrations - 6:00pm @ the Marriott Hotel Al Forsan. Tickets will be available from the Booster Club Spirit Shop starting April 9th.
Thursday 27th April 2017 - International Day - Dress Down day for all students to wear national dress or colours of flag. All MS students will be in the auditorium for blocks F and E on that day. More to follow.
Thursday 27th April 2017 - Half Day Pizza/National Dress Down Day. Students will finish school at 12 noon. Skinny Schedule is H,G,F,E.
Saturday 29th April 2017 – Innovation Day @ 10.00 am to 2.00 pm at GAA.
A group of 29 Grade 7 through 11 students toured the mountain region of Verbier, Switzerland over spring break. They spent the week skiing and snowboarding at one of the premier ski resorts in the world and former host of the Winter Olympics. A one day break was taken to visit the Cailler chocolate factory and a Gruyere cheese factory to witness how these products are made. Student bought and ate their weight in both. Great fun was had by all and are looking for attending the trip again nest year!
Spring Instrumental Concert
Join us at 6pm on Monday, 24th April for the Spring Instrumental Concert. The Middle School Bands, High School Concert Band and combined GAA Big Band / High School Jazz Band will perform the very best of their repertoire from 2017 so far.
This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the growth and creativity of each student this year in their final major performance.
Entrance is free and we look forward to seeing you there!
Dave Holland and Kelley Taylor
Join us at 6pm on Monday, 24th April for the Spring Instrumental Concert. The Middle School Bands, High School Concert Band and combined GAA Big Band / High School Jazz Band will perform the very best of their repertoire from 2017 so far.
This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the growth and creativity of each student this year in their final major performance.
Entrance is free and we look forward to seeing you there!
Dave Holland and Kelley Taylor