Dear Wildcats Community,

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

As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi warmly invites our community to come together in the spirit of generosity, gratitude, and compassion.

To honor and appreciate the dedicated staff and workers who support our school each day, we are launching a Ramadan Food Donation Drive beginning February 25 and concluding on March 3. Secondary students (Grades 6–12) are encouraged to contribute non-perishable food items such as:

• Rice, sugar, and flour

• Cooking oil

• Pasta and noodles

• Lentils and dried beans

• Canned vegetables, tuna, or beef

• Oats or breakfast cereals

• Powdered milk

• Tea and coffee

• Dates

We kindly ask that all donated items are sealed, non-perishable, and within their expiry date.

In addition, our IBDP2 students are leading a Toy Donation Drive in collaboration with UAE charities to support underprivileged children in the community. To ensure safety and dignity for recipients, we request that donated toys:

• Are not plush toys

• Are in fully working condition

• Include all pieces and complete sets

• Are safe and undamaged (no broken or sharp items)

Donations can be placed in the designated collection boxes located in the Main Lobby.

This initiative reflects the core values of Ramadan and our school community—compassion, service, and social responsibility. We sincerely appreciate your support in guiding your child to participate and helping us make a meaningful difference.

Wishing all our families a blessed and peaceful Ramadan.

Sultan & Hamdan Al Shamsi – Leading the Way in Cybersecurity and AI

We are proud to celebrate the outstanding achievement of two of our talented students, Sultan Al Shamsi (Grade 10) and Hamdan Al Shamsi (Grade 8), who have both successfully completed a Diploma in Cybersecurity with Artificial Intelligence.

The certification was awarded in January 2026 following extensive coursework and training hours, reflecting both dedication and academic excellence.

By completing this diploma, Sultan and Hamdan have demonstrated:

• Strong commitment to learning beyond the classroom

• Advanced technical skills in cybersecurity principles

• Knowledge of artificial intelligence applications

• Discipline and perseverance in completing a professional-level qualification

Their accomplishment is especially inspiring as they balance their regular school studies with advanced professional training. This milestone not only highlights their passion for technology but also sets a powerful example for their peers about the value of ambition, focus, and lifelong learning.

We congratulate Sultan and Hamdan on this remarkable achievement and look forward to seeing how they continue to innovate and excel in the future. The world of technology is bright - and so are they!

Our Students Win 1st Place at “AI for Good” Hackathon

We are proud to announce that our students achieved 1st Place at the AI for Good – Solve Real World Problems Hackathon, hosted by Symbiosis International University Dubai in collaboration with the Embassy of India on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

Representing our school as a team were:

• Shinkyeom Byun

• Yoochan Chae

• Kino Yap

Competing against 50+ teams from schools across the nation, our students demonstrated exceptional creativity, collaboration, and technical skill to secure the top position.

The hackathon was designed as an interactive AI workshop and competition aimed at encouraging students to develop simple yet impactful AI solutions to address real-world challenges. Notably, the event was structured to be inclusive—no prior AI experience was required—making innovation, problem-solving, and teamwork the true differentiators.

The competition format included:

• On-site solution development

• Presentation to a professional judging panel

• A structured feedback session

• Inter-school team participation

• Award-Winning Project: AI for Education

Our students developed an AI-powered tool to support school counsellors in career guidance and student evaluation.

Their project focused on enhancing educational support systems through artificial intelligence by providing:

• Career pathway evaluation support

• Analysis of student interests and academic preferences

• Structured, data-driven insights to assist counsellor decision-making

• A study timer feature to help identify student work behaviour patterns

The team’s solution was designed to augment counsellors’ capacity by automating the analytical aspects of career guidance. By handling data analysis and pattern recognition, the tool allows counsellors to dedicate more time to meaningful, face-to-face student interaction—where human connection matters most.

Their innovative approach to applying AI in education impressed the judges and stood out among dozens of competing teams.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Shinkyeom, Yoochan, and Kino for this outstanding accomplishment. Their success reflects not only technical excellence but also thoughtful problem-solving and a strong commitment to using technology for good.

Well done on bringing home 1st Place!

Thank You to Our STEAM Champions Volunteers

On Saturday, January 24, our high school students volunteered at the STEAM Champions Competition, hosted at GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi in partnership with EduStream.

Welcoming participants from across the UAE, the event celebrated innovation in STEM, Robotics, AI, the Arts, and Project-Based Learning. Our CAS volunteers supported the event from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM, assisting with facilitation, supervision, and general coordination throughout the day.

By giving their time and energy, our students helped ensure the event ran smoothly while earning CAS Service hours and building valuable leadership and teamwork skills.

We sincerely thank all our volunteers for their commitment and for representing our school with pride. Your service truly made a difference!

ESM is delighted to share three new after school programs that launched 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!

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

• March 5 - Community Iftar

• March 16-29 - Spring Break

• March 18-21 - Expected Eid Al Fitr (subject to Abu Dhabi Authorities confirmation)

• March 30 - School Resumes for Term 3