Issue # 17 - May 26, 2023
Please be reminded that Monday, May 29 is reserved for students who have missed a final course assessment due to a medical or approved absence. Students who have completed all assessments may stay at home on Monday. Regular learning continues on Tuesday and summative assessments will continue through the remainder of Quarter 4.
For SY23-24 Secondary PE classes (grades 6-9) will be segregated by male and female students. Each class will be taught by a teacher of the same sex. This is an ADEK requirement and GAA will fully comply. For students who have chosen Fitness as an elective (students in grades 10-12) the segregation does not apply. The Fitness class will be mixed.
The GEMS American Academy Graduating Class of 2023 will walk the stage on Tuesday evening at Zayed University. Please pass on congratulations to our Seniors as you see them.
Good afternoon GAA families,
The End of Course Assessment Period has come to an end for our High School students. Congratulations students! On Monday 29th May, only students who have missed assessments (with supporting medical documentation) will be sitting assessments. Other students will be allowed to stay at home on this day, whilst teachers prepare for our Senior Graduation on Tuesday 30th May. We hope that students get some well-deserved quality time with friends and family over this weekend!
Students who will be coming to school on Monday, will be sent an email from one of the High School Vice-Principals on Friday 26th May, notifying them of the assessments that they will be completing. If students and parents do not receive an email, they do not need to attend school on Monday 29th May.
Seniors must arrive at school by 9:00 a.m. on Monday morning, they should only go to the auditorium. ALL Seniors will ride on the school buses to Zayed University for rehearsal then ride to the St. Regis for brunch. Students will all ride back to GAA (unless you have filled in this form - allowing your Senior to be picked up directly from the St. Regis). Pick up at the school will be at approximately 3:45 p.m. It is mandatory for all seniors to attend graduation rehearsal in order to prepare for the ceremony.
Grade 10 Student Government representatives: Dalal Al Mukhtar, Worood Bukhashem and Lilou Claudel worked efficiently and collaboratively in organising the Grade 10 Field Trip which will take place in June. They have worked effectively together as a team, alongside collaborating with teachers Ms. Luiza Bueno and Ms. Ana Chainho. Thank you for your leadership!
Although this assessment period has ended, learning still continues. Students will continue to work towards standards that have not been assessed yet. The final student submission deadline for this quarter is Friday 9th June. After this date, students will be engaged in activities that prepare them for the next academic year. DP1 students will also continue with learning, alongside work towards their final exams. In addition, we have a number of fun activities planned for students to end the year with. These include:
June 6: Grade 11 End of Year Awards Ceremony
June 7: Grade 9 End of Year Awards Ceremony
June 8: Grade 10 End of Year Awards Ceremony
June 9: High School Talent Show
June 15: Grade 10 Field Trip to IMG
June 23: Varsity Cup
Finally, we would like to remind parents of the lanyard policy. Parents/guardians must wear a yellow lanyard whilst on campus. We thank you in advance for supporting us with this policy. Visitors, must wear a green lanyard.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Zahra Bhatty and Monica Martin (High School Vice Principals)
We are delighted to bring you the latest updates from our Physical Education (PE) department. The past couple of months has been packed with remarkable achievements and exciting events that showcase the talent and spirit of our students. Here's a quick rundown of what's been happening and what's on the horizon:
Our Secondary Sports Day was a tremendous success! Students displayed their athletic abilities and team spirit, participating in a variety of sporting events. The day was filled with friendly competition, sportsmanship, and unforgettable moments. Kudos to all participants and a special thank you to the dedicated PE staff and volunteers for organizing such a fantastic event.
The Tug of War Challenge was a thrilling affair, showcasing our students' strength and teamwork. Teams from different grades competed fiercely, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and camaraderie. Congratulations to the winning teams and a round of applause to all participants for their determination and resilience.
Get ready for the upcoming Varsity Cup, taking place in June. Our high school's finest athletes will go head-to-head against the teachers in various sports disciplines. Our students have been training rigorously and are prepared to give their all. Let's show our support and cheer on our teams as they strive for victory.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our dedicated PE department, coaches, and staff members for their unwavering commitment to inspiring our students in physical education. We take immense pride in our students' accomplishments and their dedication to a healthy and active lifestyle.
Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. Together, we can continue to cultivate a thriving and successful PE program that enriches the lives of our students.
John Coulter
Head of PE Department
Ms. Kathryn's grade 7 visual arts students are working with clay for a choice project (they choose the subject and the medium) and really enjoying it!
قام قسم التربية الإسلامية بعمل معرض يهدف الى توفير فهم وتقدير أعمق للقيم الإسلاميَّة المُستنبطة من القصص الإسلاميَّة والآيات الكريمة والسُّنَّة النبويَّة وعرضها بطريقة إيجابية بسيطة تُمكن المُتعلم من فهم تعاليم دينه وقيمهِ وموروثه الإسلامي بشكل عصري وحديث ومتأصل بجذوره العميقة.
This exhibition aims to provide a deeper understanding and appreciation of Islamic culture and traditions.
Our students have been working hard to prepare an engaging and informative exhibition that showcases various aspects of Islamic art, history, and culture.
Our grade 7 and 8 non-native speakers create project about a grammatical 3D model and games. Each student chose a grammar topic and created a 3D model to explain the rule of the topic they chose, and they create a game to apply around this rule. . These projects were presented in the presence of middle and high school students and teachers.
قام طلاب الصف السابع والثامن - غير الناطقين – بابتكار مشروع لغة عربية بعنوان: مجسمات وألعاب نحوية.
اختار كل طالب موضوعًا من مواضيع النحو وقاموا بابتكار مجسمًا ثلاثي الأبعاد لشرح القاعدة وألعابًا للتطبيق حول هذه القاعدة. وقد تم عرض هذه المشاريع بحضور طلاب ومعلمي المرحلة المتوسطة والثانوية.
May 29: Senior Graduation Rehearsal
May 30: Senior Graduation @Zayed University
May 29 - June 2: Teacher Appreciation Week by GAA Parent Association
June 16: Grade 8 Promotion Ceremony @8am
June 26: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
Head of School
Robert Rinaldo, email: hos_gaa@gemsedu.com
ADMISSIONS
Registrar: registrar_gaa@gemsedu.com, ext. 515
Admission Secretary (GR6-GR12): c.dumo_gaa@gemsedu.com, ext. 603
Admission Secretary (KG-GR5): h.barriga_gaa@gemsedu.com, ext. 604
FINANCE
Email: finance_gaa@gemsedu.com, ext. 102
CLINIC
Email: nurse_gaa@gemsedu.com, ext. 688
Parent Relations Executive
Fatma Chabanova: pre_gaa@gemsedu.com, ext. 502
Government Relations Executive (for ADEK issues)
Shahd Hamdan: s.hamdan_gaa@gemsedu.com ext. 505
SLICES CATERING
Email: slicesgaa@gmail.com, ext. 566
BBT BUS TRANSPORTATION
Rameez Rasheed, email: rameez.rasheed@sts-group.com, ext. 608
GAAPA (GAA Parent Association)
email: gaa.parentsteam@gmail.com
Booster Club
email: boosterclub.gaa@gmail.com
IT
Email: support_gaa@gemsedu.com, ext. 666
ATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES
Email: athletic_gaa@gemsedu.com, ext. 627
Secondary Principal
Garth Wyncoll, email: ssprincipal_gaa@gemsedu.com
Middle School Vice Principal (Grades 6-8)
Alicia Bakey, email: msvprincipal_gaa@gemsedu.com
High School Vice Principal (Grades 9-10)
Zahra Bhatty, email: hsvprincipal_gaa@gemsedu.com
High School Vice Principal (Grades 11-12)
Monica Martin, email: m.martin1_gaa@gemsedu.com
Secondary Secretary:
Email: secsecretary_gaa@gemsedu.com
Middle School Counsellor (Grades 6-8)
Nora Eldrageely, email: n.eldrageely_gaa@gemsedu.com
High School Counsellors (by students' last names)
Catherine Sciolis (Ali-Alp, I-P), email: c.sciolis_gaa@gemsedu.com
Lia Noronha (Aaa-Alh, B-H), email: l.noronha_gaa@gemsedu.com
Pushpa Dasari (Alq-Azz, Q-Z), email:p.dasari_gaa@gemsedu.com
IBDP Coordinator:
John Thompson, email: j.thompson2_gaa@Gemsedu.com
Curriculum Coordinator:
David Dasari, email: d.dasari_gaa@gemsedu.com
Dean of Students:
Middle School - Paul Teehan, email: p.teahan_gaa@gemsedu.com
High School - Kelly Jamieson, email: k.jamieson_gaa@gemsedu.com
Heads of Grades:
GR06 - Kimberly Strong k.strong_gaa@gemsedu.com
GR07 - Ana Chainho a.chainho_gaa@Gemsedu.com
GR08 - Conor Stuart c.stuart_gaa@gemsedu.com
GR09 - Kasey Stafford k.stafford2_gaa@gemsedu.com
GR10 - Casey Hack c.hack_gaa@Gemsedu.com
GR11 - Sulaiman Willis s.willis_gaa@gemsedu.com
GR12 - Lauren Massman l.massman_gaa@gemsedu.com