Dear Wildcats Community,

Please take a moment to view Dr. Ethan's video message.

We would like to inform you that, in accordance with the latest directive issued by ADEK, the school will fully resume in-person learning for all students starting Monday, April 27, 2026.

As per ADEK guidelines, please note that distance learning will only be permitted in exceptional cases, such as for students who are currently outside the country or receiving treatment in hospitals.

To support this process:

• Parents of students who are currently outside the UAE are kindly requested to complete the following form: Distance Learner Outside UAE Form. 

• For hospitalized students, if any, please email the medical records to pre_gaa@gemsedu.com   

Attendance procedures will be followed strictly for all students who do not fall under any of the above-mentioned categories. Please refer to below ADEK Attendance Guidelines for more details:

• Visual Guide on ADEK Attendance Rules in English

• Visual Guide on ADEK Attendance Rules in Arabic

Kindly take note of the adjusted school timings as per our earlier email of April 23:

Monday to Thursday (in person):

• School hours: 7:45 AM to 1:50 PM

• Bus departure: 2:00 PM

• No early dismissals after 12:30 PM

Friday (in person):

• School hours: 7:45 AM to 11:30 AM

• Bus departure: 11:25 AM

• No early dismissals after 10:00 AM 

We appreciate your cooperation and continued support in implementing this directive and ensuring a smooth transition back to full in-person learning.

Should you have any questions or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact the school leadership.

We are proud to share a snapshot of university acceptances for our Class of 2026, with offers from leading institutions around the world - and more still to come!

United States

• Brandeis University | Case Western Reserve University | Fordham University | George Washington University | Michigan State University | Northwestern University | Rochester Institute of Technology | Sarah Lawrence College | Skidmore College | Temple University | University of California, San Diego (UCSD) | University of California, Irvine (UCI) | University of Miami (FL) | University of Minnesota Twin Cities | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | University of Virginia | University of Wisconsin–Madison

United Kingdom

• Durham University | University of Exeter | King’s College London | Kingston University | Lancaster University | Newcastle University | University of Birmingham | University of Bath | University of Brighton | University of Glasgow | University of London | University College London (UCL) | University of Sussex | University of the Arts London | University of Warwick | Nottingham Trent University | Queen Mary University of London | Queen’s University Belfast

Netherlands

Maastricht University | The Hague University of Applied Sciences | Tilburg University | Eindhoven University of Technology (TU Eindhoven) | University of Groningen

United Arab Emirates

• New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD)

• American University of Sharjah

Canada

• University of Ottawa | University of Calgary

Australia

• University of Wollongong

We celebrate the achievements of our students and look forward to sharing even more exciting offers in the coming weeks!

From GAA to Wisconsin: Siyoung’s Inspiring University Success

We are proud to celebrate Siyoung Park on her outstanding university achievement. Having been part of our school community since Grade 3, Siyoung’s journey reflects years of dedication, growth, and perseverance.

She has been accepted to the University of Wisconsin - Madison, her first-choice university, along with several other offers and scholarships. Ranked among the top public universities in the United States and globally recognized for its academic excellence and research impact, the University of Wisconsin–Madison is a remarkable destination for higher education.

Reflecting on her journey, Siyoung shared:

“Some places teach you, but others shape who you become, and GAA did both for me. Along the way, the constant love and support of my parents became the foundation of who I am today, while the guidance of my teachers nurtured my curiosity for learning. With the support of my counselor and Assistant Principal, I found the confidence to move forward with courage. Strong performance in three IB subjects led to my proud acceptance into the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and every challenge helped shape the path to my major.

Forever grateful for the past decade and for every teacher who believed in me along the way.

‘Let your heart lead, always!’ ✨”

Congratulations, Siyoung! We are incredibly proud of you and look forward to seeing all that you will accomplish in this exciting next chapter.

Innovation, creativity, and purpose came together in one inspiring achievement as we celebrate GAA Grade 10 student, Maryam Bajwa.

Maryam was selected among 50 shortlisted participants for the prestigious FemTech Hackathon, held at Expo City Dubai. Competing alongside talented young innovators, she was part of the 3rd place winning team, developing a digital app designed to help women optimise their nutrition and support preventative healthcare - an idea focused on empowering women through technology and wellbeing.

The hackathon brought together future changemakers to tackle real-world challenges in women’s health, fostering entrepreneurship, collaboration, and innovation.

Congratulations, Maryam! Your passion for using technology to create meaningful impact truly reflects the spirit of GAA learners—curious, compassionate, and ready to shape the future.

Family First April Initiative: “Through the Lens of My Family Home”

We are pleased to inform our parent community that the deadline for the Family First April Activation – “Through the Lens of My Family Home” poetry submissions has been extended to 28 April 2026.

This is a wonderful opportunity for students to reflect on and express their thoughts and feelings about home and family through poetry. We encourage you to support your child in participating and to share their submissions with us.

This meaningful initiative is led by our Chairman, Mr. Varkey, and selected poems will be featured in the Family First Anthology, celebrating the voices and creativity of our students.

Lamia Ghouli

Family First Champion

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

• Please check out Important Reminders and Procedures Page for policies, handbooks, and much more..

USEFUL LINKS:

• Frequently Asked Questions - covering key topics such as lunch routines, assessment practices, attendance expectations, curriculum support, academic competitions, communication channels, traffic flow, and student entry/exit procedures. This resource is designed to keep you informed and supported as partners in our school community.

• Welcome Pack: your go-to guide for starting the school year at GAA. It includes essential information on school timings, calendar updates, supplies, health forms, uniforms, cafeteria details, and admissions requirements. Families are encouraged to bookmark the link, as it will be regularly updated.

• GEMS Connect Parent Portal: Access student information, view attendance and assessment reports, pay tuition fees, register for bus, and much more...

• GAA Policies and Key Documents

• ADEK Policies - You can access all the authoritative ADEK policies guiding our educational system - including attendance rules, student administration, behavior standards, and more - by visiting the ADEK official policies page. This is your go-to resource for understanding the rules, regulations, and standards that drive schooling across Abu Dhabi, and that GAA aligns with.

• GAA Senior Leadership Bios - Learn more about the GAA Senior Leadership Team - their backgrounds, experience, and areas of responsibility - by visiting our Leadership Bios page. This resource introduces the Superintendent, Executive Team, and Divisional Principals who guide teaching, learning, and operations at GAA.

• Parent/Student Handbooks - The School Handbooks provide parents and students with essential information about expectations, routines, policies, and resources for each school division. They serve as a practical guide to help families navigate daily life at GAA.

• Mental Health Guides for Parents: In cooperation with Ministry of Education, ADEK and Department for Health, Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority has developed a practical guide, with tips and resources about supporting your child's mental health: ENGLISH, ARABIC

• April 29: AP & IB Information Session for Grade 10-11 Parents @GAA Auditorium

• May 26-29: Expected Public Holiday Eid Al Adha (no school in session)

• June 5: Senior Walk

• June 7: Graduation Ceremony Class of 2026

• June 17-24: Grade 6-11 End-of-Year Exams