Secondary SCHOOL news

Dear GJS Community,

Once upon a time, a dedicated team of well-prepared, motivated, and knowledgeable teachers welcomed our students into the new academic year. And just like that, a whole month has passed in the blink of an eye! As I reflect on our first month, I’m amazed at how smoothly we’ve started the year.

GJS truly knows how to kick off a new term with enthusiasm and purpose. In just four weeks, we’ve accomplished so much: completed our initial diagnostic tests, including iReady and WIDA, participated in National Assessments, celebrated two assemblies and Independence Day, hosted our first House competition, welcomed parents for WWW meetings, launched our After-School Activities, and begun our first sports season. This success is thanks to a meticulous planning carried over from last year. Our school operates like a well-oiled machine, where every part has a purpose and every experience is intentional.

This first month has also been a time for teachers to engage in meaningful discussions focused on data analysis to inform their planning and goal-setting. With students at the centre, our faculty has set goals aligned with our Strategic Action Plan. Teachers are now ready to guide students through the same reflective process. This is a core aspect of an IB education—continuous reflection and analysis to set challenging, achievable, and measurable goals.

For Y7 to Y11 students, MYP Core and Advisory lessons will help them explore their own learning by identifying ATL skills or learner profile attributes that will aid their success. They’ll also address potential challenges and develop strategies to overcome them. We encourage you to discuss these goals with your child. As Zig Ziglar said, “What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.”

We  want to invite you to enrich our students’ learning experiences by joining our database of parents’ and alumni’s expertise. If your skills align with our students’ needs, we may reach out to see if you’re available to support a class goal or event. There’s no obligation—just an opportunity to contribute if you’re interested. Thank you for considering this initiative to enhance our students' learning. If you’re interested to be a part of our database, please fill out this form.

One last important thought to share: the highlight of my day will always be the opportunity to interact directly with our students. From greeting them every morning at the gate, to exchanging a hello in the hallways, to peeking into their classrooms and witnessing learning in action, or—my favorite—having them visit my office to share their amazing, creative initiatives, nothing compares to those moments. During these meetings, I’m the lucky recipient of the incredible work every teacher and parent has invested in these wonderful human beings who are getting ready to fly on their own.

Ready, set, go! Month two has begun, and the school's momentum is in full swing. I can’t wait to share all the exciting stories with you in our next issue.