Dear GAA Community,

This past week we celebrated our GAA graduating class of 2023 in a beautiful ceremony held at the Zayed University Auditorium. Families, faculty, and friends were on hand to congratulate and recognize the graduates as they reached this significant milestone in their educational journey. As they prepare to embark on the next chapter of their lives, we wish them continued success in all their future endeavors.

The last two weeks of school will also be full of events that celebrate the progress and growth of our students, with promotion ceremonies scheduled for our KG2, 5th, and 8th grade students. 

I am also excited to announce our PYP Exhibit is scheduled for this coming week. PYPx is a 5th grade capstone project that allows students to apply their skills and knowledge and demonstrate their understanding of an issue or opportunity they have chosen to explore. Their study culminates in an exhibit where students share their learning, present their findings, and demonstrate the actions they will take to try and positively impact their communities. Thank you to our Elementary school faculty and administration that have supported students throughout this process. We are eager to see their creative and compassionate projects.

Lastly, I want to mention that in preparation for our 2023-24 Council of International Schools (CIS) reaccreditation visit next school year, you will be asked to participate in a short survey. Your feedback is crucial as we work towards reaccreditation, and we value your input. I encourage you to be on the lookout for the survey early next week and to take a few moments to respond.

Together, we can continue to enhance our educational programs and provide the best possible learning environment for our students.

Thank you and regards,

Robert Rinaldo

Here is the English translation of the speech by Grade 12 student Hazza Almarbooei.

At the tender age of eight, I caught sight of graduates for the very first time. I couldn't believe my eyes when I found out that they had completed their entire educational journey. It was beyond my wildest imagination. I couldn't understand the purpose or meaning behind their garments, but their presence was so captivating that left me in a state of innocent curiosity. Thoughts always haunted me that there was still a lot of time and effort required to reach that moment. Hours, days, and years passed, and today, after ten years, I stand before you adorned in graduation attire on the stage, as a proud  graduate of GEMS American Academy.

Your Highnesses, honorable audience, fellow graduates, it gives me a great pleasure to stand before you today to organize the whirlwind of thoughts that crossed us since childhood. We wrote down dreams and deposited them with convoys of wishes. Though we waved goodbye to those caravans, we never forgot the dreams we left behind. Wishes were made, and the ranks lined up to receive the deposits. Yesterday's dream has become a reality, and today's dream, as yesterday, will come true with God’s will. 

I stand in front of you at this mixed moment, in which I and my fellow graduates of GEMS American Academy celebrate with you for this year, class of 2023. We have gone through exciting experiences, from learning inside the school as usual —pen, paper, and classrooms, to a shift into distance education with new standards and electronic systems, which we never expected. Thanks to our wise government, we were able to overcome all developments and adapt to this new system until we came back with mixed systems between old and new. 

So, we raise our heads high for this achievement, and came to be crowned in our established school, which is full of our laughter, pain, tiredness, and dreams that we set for the elevation of our dear homeland. We believe that the future of the country is in our hands. That is why we will do all it takes to achieve the highest levels of innovation and creativity in all fields. (The real prosperity of a country is its youth) Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan -may his soul rest in peace- said.so, inspired by our leadership's principles and approaches, we are driven to relentlessly pursue development that aligns with their vision. 

I would like to take a moment to express my deepest appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to all the mothers and fathers. I also want to express my deepest gratitude to my own parents, who had no prior knowledge that I would be standing here delivering the graduation speech. 

So, to my father, my role model, my friend, and my mentor. In fact, whoever stands here is you, and I am the one who sits in your place. You are the one who delivers the word, and I am the one who listens. I find my origin in you, as I am not a part of you, but from you, and in your presence, I feel safe, so my name is not said except in association with you. 

My dear mother, in your presence, I shine, and have a sense that all is well. You have been a healing balm to my wounds, even without realizing the depth of your impact. Now, I address you, with utmost love and gratitude. 

Gentlemen of the audience, on this great day, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to every teacher and our esteemed principals, who contributed greatly to reaching this moment that is full of pride. Also, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my second mother and virtuous educator, Ms. Laila who has been a pillar of support in our education.

Our honorable teachers, From the very moment we stepped into the world, you have been our guiding lights and our mentors. you have embraced the immense responsibility of shaping our minds and have played an instrumental role in molding us into the individuals we are today. You were not the engine that drove the boat, but you were the entire sea.

First and foremost, I express my gratitude to God for this moment. Next, I extend heartfelt congratulations not only to myself but also to my colleagues on the remarkable achievement of our graduation. Additionally, I extend my sincerest appreciation to my beloved country, and I express profound gratitude to GEMS American Academy.

Thank you all,

Thank you to all our Parents for their generosity and cooperation in celebrating our wonderful GAA School Community! Here is the short recap video.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We would love to get some input from our school community to find out what you wish to see offered by the school as Clubs & Activities for the 2023-2024 year.  This information will help guide us to create opportunities that are meaningful.  

*Please note that we will take all suggestions into account but we may not be able to offer all the Activities & Clubs that are suggested*

For any support or comments related specifically to Activities & Clubs please email both

• David Rashleigh (Athletics Director) d.rashleigh_gaa@gemsedu.com 

• Claire Davies (Activities Administrator) c.davies_gaa@gemsedu.com 

Please use the following link to share your ideas and suggestions:

https://forms.gle/Mkz75RR3f7PJ79a98 

Kind regards,

The Athletics & Activities Department

• June 13: KG2 A, B, C Promotion Ceremonies

• June 14: KG2 D, E Promotion Ceremonies

• June 13: PYP Exhibition by Grade 5 @4:30pm

• June 15: Grade 5 Promotion Ceremony @1pm

• June 16: Grade 8 Promotion Ceremony @8am

• June 15: Grade 10 Field Trip to IMG

• June 21: Grade 9 Field Trip to IMG

• June 23: Varsity Cup

• June 26: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL