Issue # 7 - December 5, 2025

Message from Superintendent/CEO

DR. ETHAN HILDRETH

click on photo for bio

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GREAT NEWS! GEMS Ambassador Program Update

4% for you + 4% for your friend!

Refer a family to a participating GEMS school and once they enrol, you both earn 4% in GEMS Points.

Use points for fees, transport, uniforms and more.

No referral limits. Offer valid until 31 Jan 2026.

Start sharing and earning today.

Eid Al Etihad (Union Day) Celebrations at GAA

November 25-27

Dear Parents,

Please click on below link to view the recordings of Eid Al Etihad (Union Day) Performances at GAA.

November 25 - PreK to KG2 Performances

November 25 - Grades 1-3 Performances

November 25 - Grades 4-5 Performances

November 26 - Grades 6-7-8 Performances

November 26 - Grade 9-10 Performances

November 26 - Grades 11-12 Performances

High School Musical "LEGENDARY"

November 25-26

Relive the Magic of LEGENDARY!

Our High School Performing Arts students brought the sci-fi musical LEGENDARY to life on November 25-26, delivering a high-energy show full of courage, identity, and unforgettable music.

Watch the full recordings and experience the epic journey of our aspiring heroes as they discover that true greatness is forged, not inherited.

November 25 Show

November 26 Show

Reminder! Please complete Reading at Home Survey

We would like to know where your family is on this journey. Please take a minute to reply to this Reading At Home Survey so we can understand the needs of our community and support them.

Director of Children’s Services & Inclusion

DR. CHRISTINA COLEY

email: c.coley_gaa@gemsedu.com

Save the Date: January 14 - Parent Coffee Morning: Understanding Learning Challenges & Dyslexia

Is your child struggling with reading or other learning challenges? Join us on Wednesday, 14 January 2025 at 8:30 AM for a Parent Coffee Morning hosted with DYStinct Learners.

Their Head of Learning will provide expert advice, practical strategies, and answer your questions to help your child thrive. The session will last around 1 hour, followed by a 15-20 minute Q&A.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and support!

GAA Parent Support Group

We’re happy to share that we have a dedicated WhatsApp group for families of students with learning needs and Students of Determination. This space is designed to offer support, share helpful resources, recommendations, and updates on community events.

The group is moderated by our Head of Inclusion, Dr. Tina Coley, to ensure it remains a positive, supportive, and informative environment for all.

If you feel this group would benefit you or your child, we warmly invite you to join using below link.

Together, we continue building a community where every child feels supported and included.

GAA Parent Support Group

Reminder! Please complete Parent Workshop Survey

As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting student well-being and strengthening our school–home partnership, the counselling department would like to offer a series of parent workshops throughout the year.

To help us plan sessions that are meaningful and convenient for you, please take a few minutes to complete below survey.

With thanks,

GAA Counseling Team

Parent Workshops Survey

MESSAGE FROM GAA PARENT ASSOCIATION (GAAPA)

email: gaa.parentsteam@gmail.com

Dear GAA Families,

We are excited to share that preparations for our annual International Food Festival (IFF) 2026 have begun! This year’s event will take place on Saturday, January 31, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on the GAA soccer field.

This marks the 12th edition of IFF, and we are committed to creating a memorable celebration where every family feels proud to showcase their culture. With over 85 nationalities represented at GAA, what could be more meaningful than sharing your traditions and culinary heritage with the community?

What to Expect at IFF

IFF includes three major experiences, supported and coordinated by the GAA Parents Association (GAAPA):

Country Booths featuring cultural displays and traditional food
Country Flag Parade
Live Performances

Creating Country & Regional Teams

Our first step is to bring communities together. You will find the list of countries in the document below. Please feel free to join your country’s team:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BoytHXGECOEo8A0oaSUmp4eGB9g4OhCQ2-OUswkaNPk/edit?usp=sharing

If your country is not listed and you would like to form a group, please complete the participation form below. We will gladly set up a WhatsApp group for your country:

https://forms.gle/SUD6Jm6QdmyQHgJXA

Deadline to register participation: January 9, 2026.

Small Team? No Problem!

If your booth has only a few families or even just you, that’s absolutely fine. IFF is about celebrating our community and ensuring every culture feels included. GAAPA is here to support you in every step of the way. Smaller countries are welcome to team up with others or form a regional booth. We will work with you to make sure your country is represented.

Next Meeting

Thank you to everyone who attended our first information meeting last Tuesday. (Presentation slides below)

Please save the date for our second meeting: Friday, January 9th at 10:00 AM.

If you have any questions, you may reach us at: gaa.parentsteam@gmail.com

Join us in making Saturday, January 31 a memorable and meaningful day for our GAA community!

We look forward to seeing you at IFF!

Warm regards,
The GAAPA Team

2026 IFF First Meeting.pptx.pdf

FAMILY FIRST NEWS

Dear Parents,

We are excited to announce our Winter Family Art Challenge “Our Magical Winter”!

This winter, we invite all GAA families to celebrate creativity and togetherness by creating a winter-inspired artwork with your child. It’s a fun way to spend quality time together, spark your imagination, and add some festive cheer to your holiday break.

How to participate:

Create a winter-inspired artwork with your child.
Take a photo of your artwork and include a short description. You can either email it to l.ghouli_gaa@gemsedu.com or bring it to school in January.
The winning family (up to 4 members) will receive an experience voucher from Art by Zoya Studio.

Timeline:

Submission deadline: Last week of January 2026

We can’t wait to see the wonderful creations from our GAA families and celebrate the festive season together!

Lamia Ghouli

Family First Champion

IMPORTANT NEWS

December 9 - January 2 Winter Camp

🌟 Winter Holidays Just Got a Whole Lot More Fun! ❄️🎉

Looking for the ultimate way to keep your kids active, happy, and smiling all December long?

🎈 Join the ESM Holiday Camp at GEMS American Academy Khalifa City – the place to be for children aged 3.5 to 12 years this festive season!

🗓 8th December – 2nd January 2026

💥 What’s in store:

✅ Action-packed activities every day

✅ Safe, structured & full of excitement

✅ New friendships, big smiles, and lasting memories

🎁 Don’t miss our Super Early Bird Offer!

🎪 Bonus fun: Bouncy Castles (venue specific!)

⚡️ Spaces are limited – book now before it’s too late!

🔗 Click Here to REGISTER

Exciting New Afterschool Activities

ESM is delighted to share three new after school programs that will be launching this school session in January. These offerings include Dance, Gymnastics and Badminton all of which provide students a wonderful opportunity to stay active, develop new skills, and enjoy enriching experiences beyond the classroom.

1. Dance – Move Dance Sport Academy

Move Dane Sport Academy, one of Europe's most prominent dance academy brings students the chance to explore rhythm, movement, and creativity through inspiring dance sessions. This program encourages self-expression, builds confidence, and promotes physical fitness in a fun and supportive environment.

Learn more at www.movedsa.com and watch the introduction video here.

2. Gymnastics – Absolute Gymnastics

Our Gymnastics ASA is delivered by Absolute Gymnastics, focuses on strength, flexibility, and coordination. Students signed up for these sessions will learn fundamental gymnastics skills while developing discipline, resilience, teamwork and experiencing the fun side of the activity.

3. Badminton – Shuttlezone

In deliverance with Shuttlezone, students will be introduced to the fast-paced and exciting sport of badminton. The program looks to enhances agility, focus, and sportsmanship, while providing a fun way to stay active and competitive.

These activities are open on esm.ae for booking. All activities take place directly after school with Monday - Thursday running from 3:15-4:15pm and Friday taking place 12:15-13:15pm.

We look forward to welcoming your child to these enriching programs. Wishing you all the best winter break!

GAA ASAs - Timetable session 2.pdf

IMPORTANT REMINDERS AND USEFUL LINKS

Parent's Guide to Drugs Prevention.pdf

Dear GAA Families,

In alignment with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Interior’s commitment to ensuring a safe, supportive, and nurturing learning environment, we would like to share with you an important resource.

This guide has been developed to raise awareness, promote prevention, and strengthen our collective efforts in safeguarding students from the risks of substance abuse.

We encourage all parents to review the guide carefully. Your active engagement plays a vital role in supporting our shared goal of maintaining a healthy, informed, and resilient school community.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

Parent Pack- Digital.pdf

MANDATORY HEALTH FORMS

This is a kind reminder to please complete your child’s Health Form as soon as possible. The form is a mandatory requirement for all students in our care so that we can best understand their individual medical needs.

In addition, please be aware that student participation in field trips and athletic activities will be impacted if the form is not submitted.

We appreciate your immediate attention to this matter so that we can best care for your child and ensure they are able to take part in activities that enrich their educational experience.

MANDATORY HEALTH FORMS (online)

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

Visual Guide on Attendance Rules- En.pdf

Visual Guide on Attendance Rules- Ar.pdf

UPCOMING EVENTS

December 8 - January 4: WINTER BREAK
January 5 - 1st day of Term 2
January 5 - Welcome Back Coffee and Used Uniform Sale by GAA Parent Association @8:00am
January 5 - New Secondary Student Orientation @8:45am
January 10, 17, 24, 31 - Grade 12 Cap and Gown and Family Photoshoot
January 14 - Parent Information Session: Understanding Learning Challenges and Dyslexia @8:30am
January 26-30 - Book Fair
January 29 - Coffee with GAA Leaders
January 31 - International Food Festival by GAAPA