Dear GAA Students, Parents, and Faculty,

As we approach the end of the semester, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the significant progress we've made together at GEMS American Academy. This has been a semester marked by growth, dedication, and a commitment to excellence. I am proud of our students and staff for the hard work and passion you have all put into making this a successful term.

One of the highlights of this semester has been our student’s development of their Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills. These skills are integral to growth of habits, helping them become not only knowledgeable individuals, but also critical thinkers, effective communicators, and responsible citizens. The development of these skills is essential as we work to prepare our students for the challenges that tomorrow will bring.

In January and February, GAA will hold meetings with students and parents to share the course offerings for SY25-26. These are important meetings to learn about our multiple pathways to graduation. Please take note of your child’s grade level meeting date and time. This year we will offer a face to face meeting during your child’s school day, followed by a Teams meeting in which you can join from home.

I wish you all a restful and joyous holiday. Looking forward to an even more productive and inspiring second semester!

Warm regards,

Garth Wyncoll

Secondary Principal

November 27, 2024 Information Session

Thank you for attending Grade 10 Parent Information Session on November 27. Please take a moment to view below presentation. For Contact information please scroll down to the end of this page GAAzette.

Dear Parents of Grade 9 and 10 Students,

On Monday, November 25th, we held a Grade 9/10 assembly to reaffirm our school’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful community. During the assembly, we addressed the harmful impact of racist language and acts, emphasising the importance of anti-racism as a core value in our school. Anti-racism requires actively challenging discrimination and bias to ensure our school remains a safe and welcoming environment for students from all backgrounds.

As an international school in the UAE, we are inspired by the vision of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who championed values of tolerance, respect, and unity among diverse communities. Sheikh Zayed’s legacy reminds us of the importance of building bridges across cultures and fostering understanding. It is our shared responsibility to ensure that these principles are deeply embedded within GAA’s Culture of Kindness.

Our Challenge and Opportunity

We recognise that in today’s world, online spaces, music, and gaming cultures may inadvertently normalise the use of racial slurs. While this presents a challenge, it also provides an opportunity to educate our students on why such language is harmful and how it affects individuals and communities.

Since the assembly, we have seen an increase in reports of racist language among students. While this is concerning, it also reflects a positive cultural shift—students are taking a stand and refusing to tolerate this behaviour. To build on this momentum, we are continuing to embed discussions about diversity and empathy in both our mainstream and advisory curriculums. Now, we want to take this a step further, with the help of our parent community. 

We believe that meaningful change requires collective effort. To deepen our students’ understanding, we would like to invite parents to share their personal experiences of racism or discrimination with our students. Even if you prefer not to participate in this way, we strongly encourage you to continue the conversation about anti-racism at home. To support you, we’ve included the diagram below as a helpful resource for discussing these important topics with your child(ren).

If you are willing to contribute to this important work by speaking to our students, either in person or via sharing a testimonial, please complete THIS FORM. Your experiences and insights can make a profound difference in shaping a more inclusive future for our community.

Thank you for your support in creating a school environment that reflects the values of respect and tolerance that are foundational to the UAE’s culture and Sheikh Zayed’s vision, alongside GAA’s Culture of Kindness. Please feel free to reach out to me directly if you have any questions or suggestions.

Warm regards,

Zahra Bhatty

High School Vice Principal (9-10)

Dear Families,

The end of semester 1 is coming to an end for us in secondary. On January 10th reports will be sent to families.

• The week we return from break is a blue week. Monday starts with G block.

• 6th Grade C Block rotation changes on Tuesday, January 7th.

I wish for you all to have a good break. Enjoy your family time, I know I will!

Ms. Williams

Dear Parents,

We are excited to announce a new initiative aimed at enhancing the athletic experience for our GAA Varsity and JV student-athletes. As part of our commitment to fostering school spirit and elevating our athletic program, we are offering students the opportunity to order personalized sports gear. This initiative is in response to requests from our student-athletes, and we are thrilled to bring it to life.

Student-athletes have received links to a selection of items they can order, including gear specifically designed for their respective teams. This gear is intended to complement the uniforms provided by GAA and to help athletes feel a deeper connection to their team and school.

Here are the prices for the items:

• Personalized Warm-Up Shirt – AED 150

• Personalized Game Jersey – AED 150

• Personalized Shorts (number only) – AED 120

Please note that the purchase of any of these items is not compulsory for Varsity and JV athletes. While the new personalized sports gear requires a purchase, GAA will continue to provide team uniforms at no cost for student-athletes to borrow for their respective seasons. The new gear is an addition to, and not a replacement for, the team uniforms we provide.

We believe this initiative will help build a stronger sense of community and pride among our athletes while also providing them with high-quality gear to support their performance.

To ensure the gear arrives on time for the upcoming ISAC Finals and NESAC tournaments in February, payments must be made in cash by this coming Friday, December 13. Detailed instructions on how to proceed with the cash payment were sent directly to students within the ordering link.

If you have any questions or concerns about the gear selection or the ordering process, please feel free to contact us.

Thank you for your continued support of our athletic program. We’re excited for the continuation of Season #2 in January 2025!

Rodrigo De Marco

Athletics Director

For DP1 English Language & Literature Parents! 

Ms. Claudia and Ms. Sirina have shared this information regarding semester 2 preparations. Thank you for supporting your students in their next steps. 

"In preparation for Semester 2, it will be helpful for you to work on the following tasks during the December holiday. Working on these tasks will help you feel more prepared once the semester starts. 

While it seems like it is still far away, your final IB Individual Oral will take place the week of 19-23 May 2025. In preparation for this, we want to give you another opportunity to practice your spoken analysis skills in January. More details about this are below. 

During the holiday:

1. Read “Attack on Titan”, Volumes 1-3

• Volume 1

• Volume 2

• Volume 3

2. Prepare for Formative: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep Individual Oral Practice

• Instead of presenting your 40 lines in front of your classmates, you will present individually in front of your teacher. You will be assessed on all four Individual Oral criteria. 

• You should follow the speech structure shared in the Formative: DADOES Spoken Analysis handout.

• You are allowed to use this form (make a copy) during the presentation. You will need to print this out on the day of your presentation. 

• Your teacher will provide feedback during this session that is related to the skills needed for the Individual Oral.

Your teacher will inform you of your presentation dates on Google Classroom. If you will not be present in class, please inform your teacher prior so that the schedule can be adjusted if possible. 

Thanks for all of your hard work in Semester 1. We look forward to seeing you in Semester 2!" 

Thank you for your continued support. 

A Culinary Celebration in French Class

This week, our French class transformed into a vibrant celebration of culinary and cultural diversity, featuring an international buffet that delighted both the palate and the mind.

Students showcased a rich array of traditional dishes, from French favorites like charcuterie, croissants, and quiches to Emirati specialties such as majbous and lugaymat. The buffet offered a flavorful journey through the rich traditions of France, the UAE, and other cultures around the globe.

As part of the Bon Appétit unit, students presented their dishes in French, eloquently sharing their origins and cultural significance. This interactive experience not only enhanced their language skills but also fostered a deeper appreciation for Francophone and Emirati heritage.

A heartfelt merci to all the students for their creativity and enthusiasm in making this event an unforgettable celebration of culture and cuisine!

Middle Schoolers Shine in Arabic Speaking Presentations

Last week, our middle school students showcased their Arabic speaking projects in a special presentation attended by proud parents. This event marked the culmination of their hard work, as each student confidently delivered their projects entirely in Arabic.

Parents were deeply impressed by the students' language skills, creativity, and dedication. The presentations highlighted not only the progress the students have made in mastering Arabic but also their ability to express themselves with poise and confidence.

This memorable occasion fostered a meaningful connection between families and the students’ learning journey, celebrating their remarkable achievements in the Arabic language. Congratulations to all the students for their inspiring efforts!

في الأسبوع الماضي، أتيحت لطلاب المرحلة المتوسطة الفرصة لعرض مشاريعهم في اللغة العربية في عرض خاص حضره أولياء الأمور. عمل الطلاب جاهدين على مشاريعهم، وكان الحدث ناجحًا جدًا، حيث قدم كل طالب عرضه بثقة باللغة العربية. أعرب الآباء عن إعجابهم بمهارات الطلاب اللغوية، وإبداعهم، واهتمامهم. لم يُظهر هذا الحدث فقط تقدم الطلاب، بل سمح أيضًا للعائلات بالتفاعل مع إنجازات أطفالهم في اللغة العربية والاحتفال بها. كان يومًا مميزًا وملهمًا للطلاب وأولياء الأمور على حد سواء.

• December 16 - WINTER BREAK STARTS

• January 6 -  SCHOOL RESUMES

• January 6 - GAAPA Welcome Coffee

• January 11, 18, 25 - Grade 12 Cap and Gown Photoshoot

• January 18 - GAAPA Movie Night & Garage Sale

• January 29-30 - Middle School Musical Production of Beauty and the Beast

• January 30-31 - Grade 10-11 Official School Photoshoot

• February 10-12 - Half-Term Break (NO SCHOOL)