December, 2017

Head of Senior School Leaving

Two weeks ago, I informed our Head of School, Mr. Walker, that I would not be returning to GEMS World Academy for the 2018-19 school year. My wife and I have taken a position at another school starting in August of 2018. I am very grateful to the students and staff at GWA and have grown tremendously as a teacher, leader and person as a result of my five years at our school. In a subsequent newsletter I will make you aware who will transition to the DP/CP Coordinator position.

- Brian Hull

The Senior School Website

Please link to the newly designed Senior School website. We have a ton of information on Diploma and Career-related Programmes and are adding new information regularly. The website is in an intuitive and easily accessible format making it easier for you to find information.

Mock Examinations

Mock exams begin on January 8, should your son or daughter be unable to attend, please contact me directly. A doctor’s note for any illness will need to be provided before we will consider offering students who have missed an exam the opportunity to write. The schedule is located on the website under the "assessments" link.

These exams will be part of student’s grades for the February reports and used to focus on areas for improvement as we work toward the World Exams in May.

Grade 12 Interventions

Grade 12 students who are underperforming or are at risk of not achieving the Diploma will be asked participate in supervised study.

Senior School Lounge

With the lounge opening students now have access to a tailor-made space for collaboration and study. This space belongs to our Senior School students and we hope that sense of ownership will ensure this is treated with respect. Should this not be the case, limitations may need to be placed on access to the lounge.

The Senior School Lounge will be available for student use on Thursday, January 18.

Ms Rania

Rania Hussein will be leaving us at the end of December and returning from her maternity leave in May. Christophe Neuerburg, Head of the Secondary Learning Commons, will be taking over her Extended Essay responsibilities. Students have already constructed their research question, been assigned to a supervisor, created an outline and their first 1000 words will be due in January. Ms Rania’s classes will be covered two of our experienced Language and Literature teachers, Ms. Maria Haji and Ms. Madeleine Ni Ghallchobhair. Please stay tuned for a further communication from Mr. Pruett.

Career-related Programme

Grade 11 Theory of Knowledge

Some students and parents have expressed concerns regarding a number of issues surrounding the delivery of the Grade 11 Theory of Knowledge programme. We are working with Pamoja to try to address the issues to our satisfaction. Megan LaCaze (Director of Teaching and Learning), Mr. Markey (Theory of Knowledge Coordinator) and myself will be meeting with the Director of Pamoja this week to formulate a plan for the new year. Already, we have experienced TOK teachers at GWA actively teaching students once a week. Next year, Grade 11 students will have the option of choosing between continuing their online course or taking TOK as a fully GWA taught course for their Grade 12 year.