Primary End of Year Newsletter
Giving you a summary of our 2018-2019 Academic Year
MESSAGE FROM OUR PRIMARY PRINCIPAL - MS. SANDRA KELLEC
Dear All,
As we are now in the final days of the 2018-2019 school year, I would like to share some of the highlights of the Primary School over the year, as well as to acknowledge the efforts made by our staff, parents and students. The commitment of all has led to a year of success and flourishing as a community of IB learners.
Some of the most notable highlights in the Primary School this year are:
- Preparation and submittal of AJAC Academic Plan and subsequent MoE licensing of the Pre-KG.
- UAE Reading month and Anti-Bullying week with a visit to the school from Abood (MoE).
- MoE approved student field trips aligned to units of inquiry/dramatic productions/community connections/book fairs.
- iPad delivery in the second week of school to all students, breaking all previous records of delivery.
- Science Lab periods added to weekly student schedules and the implementation of scientific method lab reports written by all children in Grades 1-5 with the addition of differentiated Science comprehension passages across Primary.
- CAT4; GL Progress tests in Maths/English/Science; PASS; IBT testing for students in Grades 1-5.
- Introduction of Classroom Monitor Online Assessment tool: School Improvement through a focus on data-driven teaching.
- 100% of Primary teachers and Learning Assistants are Apple teacher trained.
- Re-introduction of Celebratory Unit Assemblies for parents and PYP Gallery of student work from our Units of Inquiry.
- Parents as partners (e.g. Grade 3 Art Attack unit in which parents led student workshops in various artistic forms; Science experiments with students; reading to KG1 and KG2 students etc.)
- In-school workshops for parents: Pre-KG and KG Introduction; Parent Information afternoons, Arabic and English Early Literacy/ Read, Write, Inc./ Moral Education/Re-Alignment meeting for parents.
- PYP Curriculum Scope and Sequence documents (Pre-KG - Grade 5) for English, Maths, Science, Information Technology, Arts, Music have been updated and further aligned to National Curriculum standards and external assessment requirements.
- Moral Education infused into daily morning assemblies, the addition of a Moral Education gallery, parent introduction meetings, parent/school connections (including Moral Education on the weekly homework schedule, home projects and portfolios). Whole school scope and sequence of Moral Education integrating, where possible, connections within and through units of inquiry.
- iPads sent home by schedule to enhance learning as informed through weekly homework notices.
- Read, Write, Inc. phonics programme weekly sessions were increased to improve overall reading skills (KG2-Grade 2).
- Ajman University and Higher Colleges of Technology student teachers mentored by classroom teachers and Additional Education Needs department.
- Al Jalila Foundation/Ta’alouf learning programme through Zayed University and reflection on inclusion in schools. Several activities took place in the Primary school with input from our student leaders in the Student Leadership Association.
I am delighted to report that the vast majority of our Primary teachers are returning to AJAC next academic year. The commitment of the Primary team is much appreciated, and for those few who are leaving, we wish them every success in their future careers.
Finally, I wish to thank all our AJAC families for their support and trust in us along the way. We look forward to working with your children again in the upcoming academic year. Have an enjoyable and safe summer break.
Best wishes
Sandra Kellec
Primary Principal
MESSAGE FROM OUR PYP COORDINATOR - MS. RACHEL POULTON
Children are naturally curious and interested in making sense of their world. Our job as educators is to tap into their curiosity and develop their learning. This is the essence of PYP. We hear so many parents telling us how their children love coming to school and how they ask great questions. When we ask questions, we genuinely want to know the answer, and this creates long-lasting learning. As teachers, we set up learning opportunities that create interest, curiosity, and the need to question.
We were originally authorised as a PYP school in 2014 and were successfully evaluated to continue with the programme in May 2017.
Our wonderful exhibition that Grade 5 pupils shared with their parents and the community is the culmination of their primary education. Pupils are expected to present with knowledge and understanding on an issue that they have researched in depth. This year, our students did well showing not only their knowledge but their passion for learning while developing all the skills of managing their time, meeting deadlines, presenting and working in teams. These skills are so important as they transfer into MYP and later life. Their journey through Primary school provides the stepping stones for them to be able to produce work demonstrating both their skills and knowledge as witnessed by our young KG2 pupils presenting a stunning exhibition of their artwork.
Hopefully, many of you will have attended the range of assemblies over the year. The assemblies have showcased the learning, and we have been impressed with the standard of language that the children have been able to use.
During the year, the teachers have been refining the curriculum documentation to ensure that while your children are experiencing learning in this framework of inquiry and curiosity, they are also meeting the learning objectives outlined by the UK National Curriculum. Our documentation links the National Curriculum into the PYP framework of teaching, and so you can be assured that their level of learning is meeting international standards.
During the next academic year, there will be several workshops for parents, which will help you gain a deeper understanding of what we teach and how we teach it.
Grade 5 Students
KG2 Students
Out and About Ajman Academy
فعاليات اللغة العربية 2018/ 2019
تعود معلمو الدراسات العربية على الجدّ والنّشاط في مجالات شتى، وكانت هذه السنة مميزة وحافلة بالأنشطة و الفعاليات التي أجريت في مدرستنا، وهي كالتالي:
- تواصل معلمو الدراسات العربية مع أولياء الأمور بخصوص متابعة تحصيل وتطوير الطلبة عن طريق التقييمات المستمرة.
- قام طلبتنا باختبار دولي لتحديد مستواهم في اللغة العربية (IBT)
- اشترك طلبتنا في المرحلة الإبتدائية والثانوية في مسابقة ” تحدي القراءة“ وقد وصل بعض منهم إلى التصفية الرابعة على مستوى المدارس الخاصة بمنطقة عجمان.
- اشترك طلبتنا في مسابقة القرآن ( مسابقة داخلية على مستوى المدرسة، وأخرى خارجية على مستوى الإمارة ” دار البّر“ ).
- شارك طلبتنا بعدة أنشطة خلال فعاليات العيد الوطني.
- الاحتفال بعيد المولد النبوي.
- تعلم طلبة أكاديمية عجمان الكثير عن طريق الرحلات التعليمية، والتي كان منها رحلات ترفيهية لمشاهدة المسرحيتين ( أين اختفت الحروف ؟ في إمارة الشارقة)، ( التسامح في إمارة عجمان) تماشيًا مع عام التسامح.
- شارك طلبتنا بعدد من الأنشطة والمسرحيات المختلفة معبرين عن عام التسامح خلال التّجمع الصباحي.
- نظمت أكاديمية عجمان أنشطة مختلفة بمناسبة ”شهر القراءة“، حيث أظهر طلبتنا قدراتهم في مهارتي القراءة والكتابة.
- عبر طلبتنا عن اهتمامهم بالحفاظ على البيئة من خلال مشاركتهم بأنشطة مختلفة في يوم البيئة مبينين أهمية التدوير في حياة الإنسان.
- أظهر طلبة صف الروضة الثانية قدراتهم في مسابقة القراءة، حيث استطاعوا قراءة مائة كلمة خالية من الأخطاء.
كانت هذه السنة حافلة بأنشطة مختلفة ( صفية ولاصفية ) تماشياً مع منهاج البكالوريا الدولية ” برنامج السنوات الإبتدائية“.
Ajman Academy's 2018/2019 Yearbook
Please pass by and collect your copy if you have not received one yet!