Secondary Newsletter
Giving you a snapshot of our monthly news
Secondary Principal Message
Dear Parents,
How quickly we seem to have arrived at week 4. Over these initial weeks, our students have been undertaking baseline assessments in class time. These assessments are used to inform our teachers of where your child is at; how they are progressing and so we can develop ways to optimise the learning experience for every student in our care.
Our students in MYP grades 6, 7 and 8 have begun learning their first units of inquiry. These are taught over a 6-week timeframe. Upon completion of these first units, we will issue brief progress reports on 22nd October. These will be followed by parent-student interviews which will take place on Thursday, 25th October where we will discuss your child’s progress with you. Further information will be shared with you shortly via D6.
Our website has a fresh new look, and the refreshed site is now live! The new website provides plenty of helpful information and is an easy way to learn all about AJAC. We are excited to share this with you and encourage you to visit our website soon.
Best wishes,
Peter Ross
Secondary School Principal
MYP Parent Presentation
An MYP parent presentation for parents of children in grades 6 to 8 will precede our parent/student interviews on Thursday 25th October at 9.00 AM in the school auditorium. Please join us for this critical introduction to the MYP at Ajman Academy.
I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible on the day.
Ms. Debbie Vincent
MYP Coordinator
Head of Individuals & Societies
Pastoral Care
Pastoral care remains a strong focus at Ajman Academy. Secondary school students move from subject teacher to subject teacher during their daily timetable, and pastoral care is facilitated at the respective grade levels by tutors, in conjunction with grade leaders and subject leaders. Tutors are the first point of contact for students seeking encouragement, assistance and support.
When students are not following Ajman Academy’s daily routines and procedures, tutors and teachers will often give consequences for particular levels of behaviour. These levels come directly from the Ministry of Education Code of Conduct. For more information regarding our behaviour policy, please contact the school.
Student planners and setting of homework
A large number of our students and parents requested these planners, and we are delighted that they are finally in the hands of our students. The planners were handed out on Sunday 30 September during tutor time.
The use of planners assist students in improving their organisation, and also, the planners are also a tool for teachers to communicate with parents. Individual subject teachers will set weekly homework and students will write it in their planners. Parents and tutors can keep track of homework and are asked to check the planners weekly and sign. If you have any concerns about your son or daughter’s homework, please email the tutor who will speak to the relevant department(s).
EISSA Sporting at AJAC
In the Secondary Physical Education classes, the students are taking part in the following units:
Grade 6: Teamwork and initiative games
Grade 7: European handball and nutrition
Grade 8: Invasion Games II
Grade 9: Net and Wall Games II
Grade 10: Basketball
We will surely update you with pictures and more news on these developments.
On another note, EISSA Boys basketball matches were played this week at the Victoria International School Sharjah.
The Under 14 team played on Tuesday, and the Under 10 and 12s played on Wednesday.
The boys are learning the game and trying their best, and Mr. Hayden is very proud of them.
Drop off & Pick up reminder
We also ask parents when using the main school entrance to not park in the yellow drop off zone at the main door.
Parent Portal
Ajman Academy communicates to parents via the D6, our website (www.ajmanacademy.com) and our social media channels.
Please ensure that you have the D6 application uploaded to your phone. To ensure you receive the news that is relevant to the grade level of your child(ren), please refresh your settings from last year.
Ms Rana, located at the secondary boy's reception area, will be more than happy to assist you with this.
A reminder of our "No Mobile Phone" Policy
Parents and students are kindly reminded that we have a strict "No Mobile Phone Policy" at school.
A procedure is in place, and there will be consequences for students who use mobile phones during the school day.
If your child requires to contact home for an important message, our admin staff will be able to assist.
At Ajman Academy, school is important!
We would like to remind you that the school day starts at 7.50 AM and finishes at 2.40 PM (1.00 PM on Thursdays).
Educating your child is an important job and to do it well, we need your support.
Attending and arriving on time to school means that your child(ren) arrive each day ready to learn in their classrooms. Ajman Academy teachers are committed to providing the best education to your child and are prepared to commence at 7.50 AM every day.
Regular attendance sets up a pattern for your child’s entire schooling. Please assist us in this process by scheduling routine doctor and dentist appointments for after school or during school holidays.
Please note that unless your child is required to exit for an emergency family reason or we have received prior written notification, we will not interrupt classrooms before 2.00 PM for early dismissals. This policy will reduce the interruptions to classroom teaching and ensures that every child has the opportunity to maximise his/her learning opportunities.
If you need to make arrangements, please provide your child’s tutor with prior written permission. The note will ensure that we do not inconvenience you and keep you waiting while your child is collected from the classroom.
Please note that if your child uses the school bus and you wish to change the arrangement and pick up your child on a particular day, our reception must be notified no later than 1.00 PM on the day.
This will allow us sufficient time to notify teachers and your child(ren) of the change in arrangement. Late notification means that we may not be able to convey your message in time to your child(ren).
We thank you for your continuing support.