Embedded Files
The MYP empowers students aged 11–16 to make practical connections between their studies and the real world. Rooted in inquiry and concept-based learning, the MYP encourages critical thinking, intercultural understanding, and responsible action. Students are supported in developing their identity, becoming self-directed learners, and engaging with global challenges through meaningful learning experiences across a broad range of disciplines.
Secondary Leadership Team
Aaron Kane
Aaron Kane
Head of Secondary
Nicolas Walters
Nicolas Walters
Deputy Head of Secondary
Well-being / Pastoral
Jennifer Grace
Jennifer Grace
Deputy Head of Secondary
Teaching and Learning
MYP Coordinator - Sandra Trull
MYP Coordinator - Sandra Trull
Sandy has spent the past nine years as a passionate Middle Years Programme Coordinator and the past sixteen years as a dedicated International Baccalaureate educator, here in the UAE, in China and her home country of South Africa. She is deeply committed to bringing the IB mission to life—nurturing inquiring, knowledgeable, and compassionate young people who strive to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
GIS is an inspiring place in which to pursue these goals. With our wonderfully diverse community of students and staff, we are united by shared values of respect, trust, and ambition—the pillars of our school. We believe that personal well-being is the foundation of meaningful experiences, strong relationships, and, ultimately, academic success.
Our top priority is to create a supportive and joyful environment in which students can truly thrive. Through student-centered learning that emphasizes collaboration and inquiry, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of the world—intertwining academic, personal, and social growth for every student.
The MYP aims to develop students who are...
Active learners
Internationally minded
Able to empathize with others
Have the intellect and skills to pursue lives of purpose and meaning
As part of the IB continuum, the MYP is designed to help students develop the characteristics of the IB learner profile.
At a time when students are establishing their identity and building their self-esteem, the MYP can motivate students and help them to achieve success in school and in life beyond the classroom. (Source: ibo.org)
Conceptual Learning
Conceptual Learning
Conceptual learning focusses on powerful organizing ideas that have relevance within and across subject-groups. Concepts reach beyond national and cultural boundaries. They help to integrate learning, add coherence to the curriculum, deepen disciplinary understanding, build capacity to engage with complex ideas and allow transfer of learning to new contexts. PYP students encounter key and related concepts and students in the MYP, CP and DP further develop these conceptual understandings. (From Principles to Practice, IBO)
Global Contexts
Global Contexts
In the MYP, learning contexts should be (or should model) authentic world settings, events or world circumstances. Contexts for learning in the MYP are chosen from global contexts to encourage international mindedness and global engagement with the programme. (From Principles to Practice, IBO).
ATL Skills
ATL Skills
In the MYP we focus on explicitly teaching a variety of skills in each of the skill-areas to ensure that students become independent and lifelong learners through this secure foundation.
These skills help students to learn how to learn. They set the MYP apart from other curricula and ensure the success of our students in whatever career or academic pathway they choose to follow.
MYP Subjects
Language and Literature
Students at GIS may study: English and/or Arabic Language and Literature.
The importance of language cannot be overstated. The course focuses on developing reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. In addition, students will continue to hone their analytical skills through a range of nuanced close-reading and creative tasks. A strong Language and Literature student will be able to apply those same skills to other subjects.
Language Acquisition
Students at GIS may study Arabic and/or French or Spanish in this learning area.
Learning an additional language is integral to our development as global citizens as it provides a lens through which we understand the perspective of ourselves and others.
Language Acquisition courses at GIS are divided into phases according to the students’ proficiency in the language and the number of years students have been studying the language. Courses are assessed according to 4 objectives: Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing.
GIS offers Language Acquisition courses in: Arabic, French and Spanish.
Individuals & Societies
Students at GIS study the Integrated Humanities in this learning area.
Individuals & Societies is a dynamic learning environment. Rather than memorizing facts and figures, our integrated humanities program develops students' argumentative skills in order to answer complex questions. Students are encouraged to challenge their understanding of the world and engage in lively discussion with their peers. By taking a conceptual approach to lessons, students are empowered to pursue topics that interest them the most. How do I know when to trust information? How can I communicate effectively? How can I research and plan efficiently? These are but some of the core discoveries students will make in Individuals & Societies.
Sciences
Students at GIS study Integrated Sciences in Grades 6, 7, 8 & 9 and in Grade 10, choose either:
Biology & Chemistry
Chemistry & Physics
Physics & Biology
Integrated Science
“With inquiry at the core the MYP sciences framework aims to guide students to independently and collaboratively investigate issues through research, observation and experimentation. The MYP sciences curriculum must explore the connections between science and everyday life. As they investigate real examples of science applications, students will discover the tensions and dependencies between science and morality, ethics, culture, economics, politics, and the environment” (Sciences guide, IBO).
Mathematics
Students at GIS study Mathematics, and in Grade 9 & 10 may be invited to join the Extended Mathematics class.
Mathematics is the language that we use to formulate hypotheses and attempt to model the world, while logic is the method that we need to draw conclusions. It is this understanding that students need to apply their knowledge and their skills to real life problems, to investigate new areas of interest and to correctly communicate these findings.
The Arts
Students at GIS study: Drama, Music and Visual Art within this learning area.
In the Arts MYP students are encouraged to think creatively and explore the world and their own imaginations. “Arts challenge and enrich personal identity and build awareness of the aesthetic in the real-world context” (Arts guide, IBO).
The Arts learning area at GIS consists of Drama, Music and Visual Arts.
Physical & Health Education
All students at GIS study Physical and Health Education.
MYP Physical and Health Education aims to empower students to understand and appreciate the value of being physically active and develop the motivation for making healthy life choices. Students engaged in physical and health education will explore a variety of concepts that help foster an awareness of physical development and health perspectives, empowering them to make informed decisions and promoting positive social interaction.
Design
In this learning area, students at GIS study: Digital Design, Food Design, Product Design, Textile Design and Aviation.
Design is the link between innovation and creativity, taking thoughts and exploring the possibilities and constraints associated with products or systems, allowing students to redefine and manage the generation of further thought through prototyping, experimentation and adaptation. It is human-centered and focuses on the needs, wants and limitations of the end-user. (Design guide, IBO).
Islamic Studies
Muslim students at GIS study Islamic Studies.
MYP Islamic studies encourages learners to respect and understand their religion in connection with the world around them and equips them with the necessary skills to inquire into religious, historical, contemporary, social and cultural factors that have an impact on individuals and their faith. It encourages learners, both students and teachers, to consider contemporary issues in context with local and global contexts.
Moral, Social &Cultural Studies
All students at GIS study Moral, Social and Cultural Studies.
In the UAE we teach Moral, Social and Cultural Studies according to the curriculum of the UAE Ministry of Education.
Digital Literacy & Citizenship
Digital Literacy is embedded in all aspects of our curriculum through our Approaches to Teaching and Learning and our IT policy. We have aligned our practices with the ITSE standards and that alignment is reflected in our unit plans. In addition Digital Citizenship is explicitly taught during Advisory lessons.
Global Citizenship
"Global citizenship is how we talk about the social, environmental and economic actions of people and communities who know that every person is a citizen of the world. It is about how decisions in one part of the planet can affect people living in a different part of it. And about how we all share a common humanity and are of equal worth. It means being open to engaging positively with other identities and cultures and being able to recognise and challenge stereotypes. It is also about how we use and share the earth's resources fairly and uphold the human rights of all." (Oxfam) GIS is a very international school and we explicitly teach global citizenship in all units of inquiry.
Study Guides
Personal Project
Personal Project
In Grade 10 students will undertake their Personal Project. This learning experience is directed entirely by the student with the support of a supervisor. The student will create a product, which they will be expected to show at the Personal Project Exhibition. In addition, they are required to document the process in a Process Journal and write a Report, which will be submitted to the International Baccalaureate for external assessment. Students receive an IB certificate for this learning experience, which is the culmination of all their learning in the MYP.
Service as action is a core component of the MYP. It helps students develop their personal understanding, their emerging sense of self and their developmentally appropriate responsibility in their community by engaging them with in-depth inquiry that leads to action.
“Service as Action is an opportunity for us, students, to use our learning and skills in the real world… to make a difference and help others. We can be the ones to give back to others now” (GIS Grade 10 student).
Service as Action has 7 learning outcomes, which students must achieve each one at least once during their MYP years through individual and curriculum projects. The Service as Action Student site may be found HERE.
Interdiciplinary Units
Interdiciplinary Units
Interdisciplinary teaching and learning is a key feature of the MYP. In the units taught, students have to be critical thinkers who integrate disciplinary perspectives to understand real-world issues, ideas and challenges. The aims of the teaching and study of MYP interdisciplinary units are to encourage students to:
develop, analyse and synthesize knowledge from different disciplines to generate deeper understanding
explore (and integrate) different and diverse perspectives through inquiry
reflect on the unique ways interdisciplinary learning allows us to communicate and act
Communication
Communication
We use ManageBac to for our planning, assessment and communication. Please use it too! Find out how to connect to Managebac by clicking on the link.
Communication
Communication
We use ManageBac to for our planning, assessment and communication. Please use it too! Find out how to connect to Managebac by clicking on the link.
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