Issue #14 - May 22, 2026

Message from Superintendent/CEO

DR. ETHAN HILDRETH

click on photo for bio

Dear Wildcats Community,

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

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We are delighted to welcome Keith Chicquen to the GAA community. With more than three decades of international educational leadership experience spanning schools in Portugal, Canada, and Singapore, Keith is widely recognized for building thriving school communities rooted in strong relationships, academic excellence, and a clear sense of purpose.

Most recently, Keith served as the Founding Headmaster of TASIS Portugal, where he led the successful establishment and growth of the school, fostering a culture known for academic achievement, strong community engagement, and high levels of student and staff retention. His belief in the importance of partnership between educators, students, and families aligns naturally with the welcoming and connected spirit of GAA.

We are excited for the experience, vision, and sense of community that Keith brings as we look ahead to the next chapter of our journey.

Please take a moment to listen to his message.

GAA_Keith Chicquen New Principal.mp4

News from Athletics and Activities Director

MR. RODRIGO DE MARCO

Dear GAA Community,

Our Annual GAA Athletics Sports Awards Night is just around the corner! The event will take place on Wednesday, June 3rd, starting at 5:00 PM at the GAA Auditorium.

This special evening brings all our teams together to celebrate the achievements of our student-athletes throughout the year. We gather to honor the accomplishments, commitment, and the GAA spirit that our teams have demonstrated every single day.

Confirmation links have been sent directly to our program participants and their families.

We look forward to a memorable night of celebration!

FRONTLINER TRIBUTE CAMPAIGN

GEMS American Academy AbuDhabi on Instagram: "When the world faced uncertainty, our frontliners gave us safety, strength, and hope. Our students stand together to say one simple but powerful word: Thank You. From our classrooms to our heroes - with gratitude and pride. 🇦🇪 #proudofuae #thankyouuae #frontlinerstribute #abudhabischools @adek_insta @moeuaeofficial @modgovae"17 likes, 1 comments - gems_gaa on May 12, 2026: "When the world faced uncertainty, our frontliners gave us safety, strength, and hope. Our students stand together to say one simple but powerful word: Thank You. From our classrooms to our heroes - with gratitude and pride. 🇦🇪 #proudofuae #thankyouuae #frontlinerstribute #abudhabischools @adek_insta @moeuaeofficial @modgovae".

GEMS American Academy AbuDhabi on Instagram: "From small hands to big heroes… thank you. ❤️ #wergaa #uae #thankyouuae #frontlinertribute #abudhabischools @adek_insta @modgovae @moeuaeofficial"17 likes, 1 comments - gems_gaa on May 12, 2026: "From small hands to big heroes… thank you. ❤️ #wergaa #uae #thankyouuae #frontlinertribute #abudhabischools @adek_insta @modgovae @moeuaeofficial".

Enjoy AI Nationals

at STEAM Champions UAE 2026

Our talented students first qualified at the EnjoyAI EduStream Regionals in January and went on to proudly represent our school at the Robotics Nationals in Dubai - the largest robotics competition in the region!

The event challenged students across coding, problem solving, teamwork, and drone soccer missions, pushing them to think creatively and collaborate under pressure.

We are delighted to celebrate Abdelaziz Fahad (3A), who earned the Best Innovative Solution award in ENJOY AI Drone Soccer, and Diva Sinha (5D) and Ayham Zalt (3D), who were recognised as Best Mission Accomplishers in the ENJOY AI Cyber City Senior category.

In an even more exciting achievement, all three students have qualified for the ENJOY AI Global Final in China this December. The ENJOY AI competition is a global platform that challenges young innovators to push boundaries in STEM and robotics through creative, real-world problem solving. Students from around the world design, code, and compete in robotics and drone challenges, culminating in the prestigious Global Final held annually in December.

A remarkable milestone for our students — we are incredibly proud of their creativity, perseverance, and teamwork.

CELEBRATING CLASS OF 2026

A proud moment for the GAA community as we celebrate the remarkable achievements of Vidushi Verma. Since joining GAA in Grade 6, Vidushi has embraced every opportunity to grow - contributing to clubs, taking on sports leadership roles, and engaging in thoughtful classroom discussions that reflected both curiosity and determination.

Her dedication and commitment were recognized this year with the prestigious Shaikha Fatima Award for Excellence, honoring her resilience, leadership, and outstanding accomplishments both inside and outside the classroom.

Throughout her senior year, Vidushi received offers from several highly respected universities in the United States, including University of Michigan, Northeastern University, and University of North Carolina. We are thrilled to share that she has chosen to continue her journey at University of California, Los Angeles, where she will pursue her studies in Pre-Med.

Supported by dedicated teachers and inspired by a community of like-minded peers, Vidushi has developed the confidence, perseverance, and strong work ethic that will continue to guide her far beyond GAA. Her journey reflects consistency, ambition, and excellence, and we are excited to see all that she will accomplish in the years ahead.

From his very first day at GAA, Ayan Bhutani embraced every opportunity to grow, lead, and make a difference within the school community. Reflecting on his journey, Ayan shared that “GAA is not just a place where I went to school; it became my second home,” highlighting the positive and supportive environment that shaped both his academic and personal growth.

One of Ayan’s most meaningful contributions to the school community was founding the Buddy Networking System, an initiative that grew to support more than 400 students. With the encouragement of the school’s leadership team, the program became a powerful example of student-led impact, connection, and kindness - values that are deeply rooted within the GAA community.

In recognition of his achievements and leadership, Ayan was nominated for the Sharakah Scholarship at American University of Sharjah, where he earned a 45% scholarship to study International Studies, reflecting his passion for diplomacy, leadership, and global affairs.

Adding to this exciting chapter, Ayan has now officially accepted his offer from New York University Abu Dhabi, where he will study Social Research and Public Policy. Ranked among the world’s leading universities, NYU Abu Dhabi offers the perfect next step for Ayan as he continues pursuing his passion for leadership, global understanding, and creating meaningful impact.

We are incredibly proud of Ayan’s journey and all that he has contributed to the GAA community. We wish him continued success as he takes this exciting next step onto the global stage.

Updates from Family First Champion

LAMIA GHOULI

email: l.ghouli_gaa@gemsedu.com

Family First May Initiative: “One Community, One Voice”

This month, the GAA community came together through music for our May Family First Activation, “One Community, One Voice,” inspired by the Gemstone Value of Aquamarine - Leading with Adaptability.

In a heartfelt performance, our Elementary and Secondary choir students joined staff members to perform We Are a GEM, an original song written and composed by our Choir Director, Ms. Megan. The song celebrated resilience, unity, and the power of working together as one community.

More than just a performance, the experience reflected the spirit of GAA - a place where students and staff connect, collaborate, and inspire one another through shared experiences and meaningful moments.

Lamia Ghouli

Family First Champion

We are a GEM.MP4

2025-2026 YEARBOOK IS ALMOST HERE!

The 2025–2026 school year has been filled with unforgettable moments, achievements, friendships, performances, competitions, celebrations, and milestones - and our Yearbook captures them all in one special keepsake your child will treasure for years to come.

This is a reminder to secure your copy of the GAA Yearbook before orders close. Once the yearbooks arrive in mid-June, only a limited number of extra copies may be available.

📘 Yearbook Price: 100 AED

📦 Expected Arrival: Mid-June 2026

From classroom memories to school events and student highlights, the yearbook is a wonderful way for students to look back on the experiences that shaped this school year and the friendships they built along the way. Many families tell us it becomes one of their children’s favorite school keepsakes over the years.

Purchases can be made through the GEMS Connect App (Activities section) or directly at the Accounts Office.

Don’t miss the opportunity to secure this lasting memory of the 2025–2026 school year for your child.

ADPHC Advisory: “Smoking-Piping Candies” Awareness

We would like to bring parents’ attention to an advisory from the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) regarding a type of confectionery sometimes referred to as “smoking-piping candies.”

These products may create visible vapour effects, strong scents, or intense flavour sensations while being consumed. Although they may seem fun or appealing to children, ADPHC highlights that there are potential health and safety considerations, particularly for younger age groups.

We encourage families to be aware of these products and to speak with children about making safe and informed choices when it comes to unfamiliar sweets or snacks.

For more information, please refer to the ADPHC brochure HERE.

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