Issue # 7 - December 9, 2022

SECONDARY NEWS

(Grades 6-12)

Please read whole school news section for all school updates!

MESSAGE FROM SECONDARY PRINCIPAL

Mr. Garth Wyncoll

(email:g.wyncoll_gaa@gemsedu.com)

Happy Holidays from GAA

At this time of year we have opportunities to reflect on the year that has been and which decisions we have made that led to negative and positive consequences in our lives. I must say that I am very happy to have made the decision to join the GAA Community. The faculty and staff are inspiring to work alongside each day. Our bus monitors, security and ground staff provide the support for all of us to our jobs to the best of our abilities. Our faculty are truly dedicated to student learning. I have witnessed many examples of teachers going above and beyond, spending extra time with a student to ensure learning occurs or a habit formed. I am proud to walk through the gates each morning and work towards improving GAA one conversation and one decision at a time.

I’ll send a note to families on December 30 with a few reminders for our January 2 start.

Enjoy the holidays, enjoy time with family and friends.

Mr. Wyncoll

MESSAGE FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL VICE-PRINCIPAL

Ms. Alicia Bakey

(email:a.bakey_gaa@gemsedu.com)

We made it to Winter Break and how busy we have been! In middle school there have been so many events and activities the students have been active in.

For the last 8 weeks the middle school student council spearheaded a project called Pile It Up! This project is a larger Abu Dhabi competition with other schools to pile up as many recyclable plastic bottles as possible. These were then donated to be recycled and reused. Ms. Wafaa Deknach, the middle school student council advisor, was able to work with the students and the organization to promote and get students involved. During this time the teams made signs and advertisements for the entire school about this project. They also decorated collection boxes and placed them strategically around the campus for collection. The last day for donation was Monday, November 21. When reported back, Gems American Academy students donated 270 kgs! Thank you to all students and families who supported our recycling drive. It is fantastic to see the middle school team pull together and inspire the entire school and community on such a positive environmental issue. Thank you all for your support!

Additionally, we had the Scholastic Book Fair back on campus and took over our lobby last week. Middle school English teachers created time in their lessons to bring classes down and get students excited about reading. There were so many options for students to shop in novels, creativity books, and practice books. Many of the students took advantage of the bookfair to purchase gifts and get books they had been wanting for quite some time. Thank you, English teachers, Ms. Ana, our librarian, and to the GAAPA parents who supported us during this time with supervision!

This week, Mr. David Torres led the middle school students in their love of football to create a World Cup. During lunch time break, students were placed in teams and competed for the honor of GAA World Cup. The students have been very excited to join in and the amount of collaboration and teamwork seen by our middle school students is amazing! Especially after COVID, students seem to be very open and looking forward to events like these to connect with other students and be active and healthy. Thank you, Mr. David, for leading this activity all week for our students!

Each month, as a middle school we like to come together in grade-level teams to celebrate our successes. We have basic announcements, but the real exciting part of the assembly is to celebrate our amazing students and teachers. We are handing out certificates to students who have earned top Critter Coins. GAA Expectation Award, and Student of the Month. We had so many students recognized and inspired others with their hard work and drive. Congratulations to all of our award winners. Additionally, we had 3 teachers chosen for Teacher of the Month, which is selected by student votes. Grade 6 teacher was Mr. Josh Oldershaw, Grade 7 teacher was Ms. Wafaa Deknach, and Grade 8 winner was Ms. Ghada Mohamed.

We have currently started a new ASA season. There are new sports and club options for students to get involved and participate in. Please continue to check in with Mr. David Rashleigh on options and he has created many opportunities for students to join an afterschool activity if they are interested. It is wonderful to get this up and running after the last few years. Thank you, Mr. Rashleigh, for your continued development of our events and programs at GAA.

The Fall Festival was full of events and games to get all the students excited. The middle school students represented us in so many ways, and it was fantastic to bring back such an amazing event, we have been missing out on this! Thank you to all involved in the organizing of this amazing day!

National Day followed, we have a whole school day dedicated to celebrating this holiday. Students from elementary to high school were able to enjoy the day to learn more about the UAE and its history and culture. Ms. Samah Awad was one of the main leaders in organizing it, along with Mr. Ghofran Zamrik. We thank you and the rest of the committee in organizing the day and events that our students can not only learn from but enjoy.

We have many more events in the near future!

Over Winter Break, middle school students can participate in the Reaching Challenge. This is organized by our amazing librarian, Ms. Ana Parente. Students would read for 25 hours and submit a paragraph along with the log. Participants are also eligible to attend a Dubai field trip in February to meet a real author! Check out the Library Site to gain more information.

Lastly, we want to share out the event we are hoping to get involved in, the Camps International trip for Middle School! Middle School has their own exclusive trip to Kenya full of adventure, wildlife and community service. One of the most impactful times for a student’s life is seeing where they fit into the world and how they can have a positive effect on the world around them. Our students have an opportunity to enjoy their adventures, but also give back. If you are interested in your child joining the Kenya trip please reach out to Mr. Rashleigh.

Kenya Trip (Grades 6-8)

NEWS FROM ARTS DEPARTMENT

Ms. Victoria Wilson

HS Theatre and Film Studies newsletter info.pdf

December 12 - January 1: Winter Break (No classes in session)
January 2: Start of Term 2
January 3: GAAPA Welcome Parent Coffee @8-10am, Parent Cafe and Used Uniform Sale
January 7: Grade 12 Cap and Gown Photoshoot (including family pics)
January 11: GAAPA Parent Coffee for Middle School (Grades 6-8) Parents @8-10am, Parent Cafe
January 12: GAAPA Parent Coffee for High School (Grades 9-12) Parents @8-10am, Parent Cafe
January 14: Grade 12 Cap and Gown Photoshoot (including family pics)
January 21: Grade 12 Cap and Gown Photoshoot (including family pics)
January 26-27: Aladdin Elementary Musical at GAA Auditorium @6-8pm
January 27: GAAPA Used Uniform Sale
January 27: Pizza Day by GAAPA
February 25: International Food Festival