Secondary Newsletter
All the latest news and updates from 30th April - 14th May
Principal’s note
The term is certainly gaining momentum now! Our year 11 students enjoyed their last day of school based lessons on 19 April with a farewell assembly and have commenced their study leave for their IGCSE exams. A revision timetable has been given to all year 11 students and it has been pleasing to see so many students take advantage of the sessions run by their teachers. Exams have already commenced with the English speaking, Arabic speaking and reading and the practical component of Food and Nutrition. It is all systems-go behind the scenes with the logistics of exam room preparation, delivery of examination papers and organising couriers.
There is a buzz about school this week with our EdTech Innovation project which is being held over three days and the celebrations continued on Sunday this week with excellent results and PBs from our swimming team in the Middle East Unity Cup held at Hamdan Sports Complex. Our swimmers continue to gain recognition in the region under the outstanding coaching of Mr Burak and Mr Irakli. Congratulations to all our swimmers and their coaches.
We welcome year 6 students to the secondary school next week, as they immerse themselves into secondary school life over two days. This is an important milestone in a student’s educational journey and we look forward to working with our new students as they adapt to their new environment. Thank you to Miss Ailie for leading this project.
I hope that you enjoy reading through this edition of our newsletter.
Peter Ross, Secondary School Principal.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award
The final section, and by far the students’ favourite, is the Adventurous Journey. Students have to undertake an exploratory journey in which they remain self-sufficient over a set period of time - for the Bronze level, two days and one night. The photographs here show the students on the Bronze Training and Practice Adventurous Journey Weekend run by myself and Mark Pollitt; the groups’ assessor was Lisa Pollitt. The students were trained to map read and navigate using a compass, route plan, set up camp, cook outdoors, pack a rucksack and some basic first aid, before heading out to explore the theme of ‘Old and New’ in areas of Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah.
The International Award provides a great opportunity for students to build their skills and confidence beyond the classroom and we look forward to many more students joining us on the Award journey next year.
Elise Marlow
International Award Co-ordinator
Fast times and medals at the Middle East Unity Cup
The Middle East Unity Cup (MEUC) was held at the Hamdan Sports Complex in Dubai on 29 and 30 April. Over 800 swimmers represented 32 international schools from 10 countries. AJAC participated in this prestigious event with 7 swimmers and came home medallists with: 4 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze and places for 4th and 5th positions.
All the hard work in training paid off and on the day, our swimmers were definitely ones to watch. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our “swim parents” who support the development of our swimmers.
Burak Bilgutay
Swimming CoachUpdate from Islamic Department
أجرت مدرستنا مسابقة (اقرأ وارتق) لحفظ القرآن الكريم للسنة الثالثة على التوالي، وقد شهدت المسابقة مشاركة كبيرة من الطلاب، حيث شارك أكثر من 140 طالباً في المسابقة، وبلغ عدد المشاركين من المرحلة المتوسطة والثانوية 25 طالباً وطالبة، تنافسوا على المراكز الثلاثة الأولى في المستويين الثالث (جزء عم) والرابع (جزء عم وخمس سور من جزء تبارك)، وسيتم الإعلان عن الفائزين في حفل تكريم تجريه المدرسة في الرابع والعشرين من هذا الشهر.
EdTech Innovation Academy
Technology in the classroom enables the use of more interactive educational tools, which allows for a dynamic learning experience that directly benefits students.
Our students across Secondary school worked on many different projects that embraced the technology that is available to them here at school.