Secondary Newsletter
A look back at what has happened in October 2019
Dear Parents and Carers,
October started with such excitement across the whole of the country as Hazzaa Al Mansouri became the first Emirati to visit the International Space Station. Ajman Academy followed his journey closely, and a group of our students were fortunate enough to be able to visit the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Station to see first-hand the work being done here on earth to support the astronauts up in space. The student visit incorporated a ‘conference call’, and Humaid Almandoos (Grade 11) was able to speak directly to Hazzaa on behalf of AJAC. What a memorable moment that was for Humaid!
Back in school, I have been delighted with the notably improved attendance rates this month. Typically, we now have over 95% attendance on all school days, and several tutor groups are now regularly achieving 98-99% attendance scores. There is, of course, a proven and direct correlation between higher attendance and improved student attainment. Thank you for all of your parental support in this area.
This past week has seen students in all grade levels undertake their half-term assessments and reports will be with you by the time you receive this newsletter. We follow up on our monitoring of student progress with a Parent-Student-Teacher day in school (31st October) which allows you to consult with all teachers about the current performance of your son/daughter. If you are unable to attend on this PST day, I encourage you to liaise with any teachers you may wish to hear from so that you have the fullest available picture of your child’s progress at this time.
Behind the scenes, we have also been doing a huge amount of work in readiness for an important visit to Ajman Academy from an evaluation team of the Council of International Schools. This takes place throughout the whole of next week and sees a team of educational professionals onsite to assess the school’s current position and performance levels across a wide range of domains. A successful visit leads to formal accreditation by the CIS, which is a globally recognised and highly reputed organisation. This would be another significant step in the growth of Ajman Academy and, from a Secondary viewpoint, I am optimistic that the amount of work done and the considerable improvements made over the past year will be recognised with a strong feedback report. I look forward also to being able to learn from the evaluating team as we seek to follow up on areas of development that this report will also provide.
As always, I thank you for your continued interest in what we are seeking to achieve here at Ajman Academy. This newsletter serves to inform you still further.
Enjoy!
Mr Colin
A message from our Head of English, Ms. Sophia
The English Department were delighted to support Mr Bob’s Book Worm Book Fair this month by scheduling opportunities for students to browse the impressive range of fiction and non-fiction texts on display. Whether students were in a position to buy something or not, they benefitted from being able to take time to look at the range of books available for young adults. Of course, many of the books are also available in the school library to borrow for a period of time.
Research shows that reading for pleasure has a big impact on your academic success.
The English Department recommend that all students have a ‘book on the go’ and that they spent a minimum of 20 minutes reading daily.
Good reading habits are a lifelong skill that will bring hours of relaxation and pleasure. Why not encourage your child to step away from their computer for a little while, open a book and relax?
A message from our Head of Maths, Ms. Farah
Another month of productive and exciting learning of maths has now passed. Students completed the first unit of study and the corresponding summative assessment tasks during week 7. They’ve identified what went well during unit 1 and reflected on what can they improve before the next unit starts.
This month our MYP classes have started their second units of study; our Grade 6 students have started a new Global Context Identities and Relationship in which they explore relationships between algebraic expressions and equations.
Grades 7 and 8 are now looking at the Global Context Fairness and Development from two different points of view; data handling and Algebra, respectively.
We ask our International IGCSE, IAS and IAL students to plan carefully for their time in school. Use your free periods and lunchtimes to talk about your learning with your friends and spend more time practising reading questions to check your understanding.
Students can always find additional Maths resources to support their learning at home and in school at Khan Academy, GeoGebra and Desmos websites. Students may also access past exam papers on Physics and Maths Tutors website.
A message from our Head of Individuals and Societies, Ms Debbie
“Geography is the subject which holds the key to our future” Michael Palin
The month of October has been very busy for all our MYP students as they came to the end of their first MYP unit and sat the end of unit summative assessments. These levels are recorded and go towards a final grade at the end of the year.
Grade 6 students enjoyed discovering different types of settlements around the world and how they compare to their own.
Grade 7 girls took part in a role-play as part of our unit of Inquiry on Natural Environments - they were acting as farmers, miners, loggers and environmentalists. They had to present their ideas and arguments to the Brazilian Prime Minister who decides what happens to the Amazon Rainforest. The girls thoroughly enjoyed this activity and had some very interesting arguments and solutions to such a controversial topic.
Grade 8 boys enjoyed the debate on ‘Are we couch potatoes?’ as part of our Unit of Inquiry on Technology and how it affects our identities and relationships. The students thoroughly enjoyed discussing their ideas and arguments for and against, responding to each other in a mature and organised manner.
Grade 9 IGCSE students have settled into the routine of IGCSE and the challenges it brings with an increased workload as well as a more mature approach to independent learning. They have produced some pleasing results in the first half of the term — well-done Grade 9.
Our senior students in Grades 10, 11 and 12 are fast approaching the Mock Exams in February and are coming to the end of their syllabi before they start their exam preparation. They are aware that every day counts as they move towards their final examinations. We continue to support them during lessons, extra lessons during break and after school and with past paper booklets to aid their learning.
A brief progress report has been sent home for all Secondary students, and we look forward to meeting parents on Thursday 31st October to discuss further your children’s progress.
A message from our Head of Science, Ms Remi
It’s been a busy month in the Science department; all students have hit the ground running!
Our newest Grade 6 students in Secondary, have been exploring what reversible and irreversible reactions are, asking scientific questions and are in the process of designing experiments to answer them.
Our IGCSE students have been preparing themselves for the summer exams from now, methodically assessing their communication of Science.
To infinity and beyond! Students across Secondary represented AJAC at the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, speaking to the main man himself Hazza AlMansoori, in a Live video call all the way from the International Space Centre - 400Km above the surface of the earth, where he was on a mission studying the effect of microgravity compared to Earth as well as other things.
A message from our French Teacher, Ms. Zahra
During the month of October, our grade 6, 7 and 8 students have continued exploring the French culture.
They were introduced to the basic grammar topics that enable them to speak and write using a simple and easy language.
Students have shown a lot of enthusiasm using what they have learned in describing their favourite celebrities.
I encourage students to practice more vocabulary and improve their speaking skills with the help of the Linguascope website; it is a very efficient language website where students can solidify their basic skills in the language.
Click on the link below....
A message from our Moral Education Teacher, Ms. Mabrouka
In our school, we recognise that value formation is essential for students ‘to be committed, compassionate individuals who positively enhance the lives of others’ and ‘to be successful global citizens’, as shown in our daily practices and reflected in our student's behaviour.
The set of universal values outlined in the school’s Moral Education Curriculum enable the students to engage and peacefully interact with other people in society, complementing the School’s Core Values as well as the UAE vision and understand ethical challenges affecting their environment.
During this term, MYP students learned about the civic system and fairness. They discovered that 'fairness' is the quality of treating people equally and in a way that is right, the same way they would like to be treated back. Students also lead open discussions about key responsibilities and duties towards family, school and the wider community under the theme of Character and morality.
Our upper Grades discussed the topic of Globalisation they used technology to search for the impact of Globalisation on the UAE society in the international framework to understand the ethical issues connected with economic changes and how individual companies can dominate.
They explored the term financial awareness and how to avoid financial complications, citing examples of financial mismanagement, greed and poor governance. They also understood how less fortunate people could be financially supported through improved financial management and philanthropy.
Grade 6 students planting the Tree of Tolerance - The Ghaff
A message from our Secondary Art Teacher, Ms. Luzaan
The Art Department is doing very well this term. We have been experimenting with different Art styles.
Grade 6 students have been exploring the colour wheel. They can now identify the Primary-, Secondary- and Tertiary colours well. They also learnt more about the importance of knowing how to mix colours as an artist and how to make all of the colours in the colour wheel only using the Primary colours. They were introduced to the Dutch De Stijl Artist: Piet Mondrian who was very well known for his accurate use of Primary colours in his art. They explored his very unique way of creating art by applying his techniques to their own De Stijl inspired works.
The Grade 7 students have been expressing themselves in the Art of Collage making. They have been using bits of torn pieces of magazines to create their masterpieces using a glueing technique. The mess that was made (paper and glue everywhere) in the classroom shows just how engaged the students were during the lessons. They enjoyed themselves. Artists such as George Braque and Pablo Picasso, who used fragmented images to create a collage inspired them.
The Grade students have been using the learner profile: “Reflective” to inspire their reflection artworks. They have realised that as global learners, they need to reflect in Art continually. That there will always be something, you can change or do better next time. Sometimes good things take time, and there is no need to rush. They have explored different ways of reflecting on their Art lessons, and they didn’t realise that there are so many ways to reflect.
Overall, an excellent start to the new year. We look forward to inspiring you throughout the rest of the year.
Quote of the month: “ Creativity is as important as literacy”-Sir Ken Robinson
A message from our Head of ICT & Artificial Intelligence, Ms. Asma
Artificial Intelligence
This month during A.I lessons Grade 6 students learnt the concept of the Internet of Things (Electronics) from its core pillars up to creating and programming a security system using SAMLAB kit.
Grade 7 Students learnt the concept of Robotics. Students introduced to LEGO EV3 Mindstroms Kit. The system includes the EV3 Intelligent Brick, a compact and powerful programmable computer that makes it possible to control motors and sensors to be able to create projects such as Smart Home, Art designer device, and an Earthquake simulator.
Grade 8 Students learnt the concept of Tello Drones and flight safety, connecting to Tello EDU, and autonomous flight with block coding.
ICT
Grade 6, 7, and 8 students learnt how to create projects using digital tools.
Grade 7 students learnt how to use Kudo game lab app to program and design a game.
Grade 8 students learnt how to create and design a website using different digital tools, and apps like Adobe Dream weaver and W3. They also created short videos using the Stop Motion app.
IGCSE students learnt the main hardware components of the computer system and the main storage devices.
Ms Asma Sobhi
ICT & A.I Leader
A message from our Head of Arabic, Mr. Jamal
السادة الأفاضل أولياء الأمور الكرام …
تحية من عند الله مباركة طيبة …… السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
انطلاقا من رؤية دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة في ترسيخ الانتماء العربي وتعزيز اللغة العربية ، وتماشيًا مع سياسة مدرسة أكاديمية عجمان في استمرار تطوير أقسام اللغة العربية ، تشارك الأقسام الناطقة باللغة العربية في المدرسة (اللغة العربية - التربية الإسلامية - الدراسات الاجتماعية) في هذه المسيرة بكل نشاط وجدية والتزام.
أوشك الشهر الثاني من الدراسة على الانتهاء؛ شهر أكتوبر استخدم فيه الطلاب بجميع الصفوف اللغة العربية للتعبير عن مناسبات مختلفة منها مشاركة الاحتفال باليوم الوطني للمملكة العربية السعودية ، ويوم المعلم ، وأسبوع التوعية بسرطان الثدي.
كما أدى فيه الطلاب وبنتائج جيدة الاختبارات النصفية للفصل الدراسي الأول وعلى نفس المنوال استمرت التقييمات البنائية (التكوينية) من ملاحظات صفية ومحادثات شفهية ومتابعات أعمال.
أعلنا في شهر أكتوبر عن مسابقة الكتابة الإبداعية للمقال والقصة القصيرة باللغة العربية في موضوعات تتمركز حول التسامح والتعايش السلمي راجين استمرار المشاركات والإبداعات ، ونرحب بمساندة أولياء الأمور لتشجيع أولادهم على الكتابة الإبداعية.
بقدوم شهر نوفمبر يُطِلُّ علينا عرس الشارقة الثقافي (معرض الشارقة للكتاب) حيث نعتزم اصطحاب مجموعات من الطلاب لزيارة أروقة المعرض والتزود من الكتب العربية في المجالات التي يفضل الطلاب القراءة فيها وذلك في إطار تشجيع القراءة باللغة العربية.
كما يسعدنا أن نحتفل في شهر نوفمبر بمولد سيد الخلق (نبينا محمد عليه الصلاة والسلام) حيث تعتزم الأقسام العربية بالمدرسة مشاركة العالم الإسلامي الاحتفال بهذه المناسبة وانتهاز الفرصة للتعريف بشخصية الرسول أعظم رموز التسامح والسلام وتصحيح بعض المفاهيم عنه صلى الله عليه وسلم وعن تاريخه المجيد.
سيتم ذلك من خلال مجموعة من العروض التقديمية ومقاطع الأفلام القصيرة والتي تتم مراجعتها وتنقيحها. ستقام أيضاً بعض المسابقات الدينية حول السيرة النبوية ، وسنختتم أسبوع الاحتفال بحفل يجتمع فيه طلبة المدرسة بمسرح المدرسة يتضمن مجموعة من الفعاليات الممتعة والمفيدة. وبهذه المناسبة يسرنا تلقي استعداداتكم للمشاركة التطوعية - إن أردتم - في أسبوع المولد النبوي بما تبرعون فيه أو ترونه مناسبًا.
يسعدني تلقي ملاحظاتكم ومساهماتكم على البريد الأليكتروني j.younis@ajmanacademy.com
جمال يونس
رئيس الأقسام العربية بأكاديمية عجمان