Director's Newsletter
News and updates from 17th September - 01st October
School Director's welcome
Welcome to the new academic year!
In our first newsletter you will find a wealth of information, an opportunity to meet the new staff and a flavor of how Ajman Academy will realize the vision of providing "World leading learning for all" and following our motto "We all succeed, every day" as well as supporting the UAE National Agenda targets for Happiness and Innovation.
During this academic year, Ajman Academy will align its practices with the UAE National Agenda and KHDA Outstanding expectations using the KHDA self-evaluation procedures to drive development. In order to ensure that learning is world leading and validate Internationally, Ajman Academy will commence the CIS self-study status & IB authorisation for MYP and DP. As a leading technology school, we are now very close to becoming an Apple Distinguished School.
We will continue to use data to plan to learn and celebrate the successes in School results e.g. IGCSE/GL results – aiming for most students to attain levels above their expected personal start points using standardised test results/attainment & progress.
Most students make better than expected progress against their start points, over time, in lessons and for all groups, using internal test results.
Our aim will be that most students will make better than expected progress against the learning ladders. We will continue to encourage performance in extra-curricular activities to be world-leading in provision and outcome.
A major area of development will be the focus on Performance Management – continuing to develop staff leadership and implement a continuous development policy
The following are realistic targets that we will be aiming for
1. Positive staff morale.
2. Outstanding parent survey satisfaction.
3. Ensure that every member of staff receives continuous professional development and succeeds
4. Embed the values of positivity and happiness
5. Relationships with students, parents are a priority, through student's voice, parent support group, advisory council
6. Clear development plans aligned with school vision and strategic plans
I am positive that the very focused vision, our highly experienced staff, and an outstanding learning environment is a recipe for everyone succeeding every day. Without your support, none of this would be possible. I thank all parents and members of the community for putting your child's future in our hands and trusting us to unleash their talents.
Secondary principal’s welcome
It is my pleasure to welcome everyone to the 2017/2018 school year. We are all excited to have our students return to our classrooms and see our mission in action! We aim to inspire all learners to be the most innovative and successful individuals they can be in an ever changing world. We are privileged to be a part of your child’s education and look forward to working with you to develop and support your child’s enthusiasm for learning every day.
The Secondary School team are energised and deeply committed to making a difference in the lives of your children through inspirational teaching and embedding an ethos of learning without limits.
I am pleased to be able to introduce you to new team members in our secondary school (click the link below to view all new staff profiles on our website).
Peter Ross
Primary principal’s welcome
We were delighted to welcome everyone to AJAC Primary School this week and we were happy to meet all of the new students who have joined the AJAC family this year.
The youngest 3 year old students in PreKG and KG1 have begun to settle in well, getting used to being in a school classroom for the very first time. We have shared some photographs below. We appreciate all of the positive feedback from parents this week and always welcome your ideas for further development.
Our new Secondary School Campus
IGCSE Results
We are pleased to announce that the IGCSE results have come in and we couldn’t be happier of the outcome. Congratulations to all our Grade 11 students for the successful completion of their IGCSE’s. All students proved that hard work has paid off! A special shout-out to the following students for their exceptional results:
Ayesha for achieving 5A*
Jamil for achieving 10A* - C
Osama for achieving 8 A* - C including 2 A*
We strongly believe that our students can be truly successful in life if they do what they love to do and choose their subjects accordingly. It is our duty to bring out the best in our students and guide them through these crucial years.
Education is something we carry throughout our lives, and, as educators, Ajman Academy takes pride in the role we play within our students.
Meet our new IB Team
Miss May Campbell - MYP Coordinator
Ajman Academy aims to empower students in taking responsibility for their learning by facilitating students in their learning journey, by embedding the IB ethos, we are providing the building blocks for independent learners.
Ajman Academy is continuing its' International Baccalaureate (IB) journey. Our vision at Ajman is to create an holistic and challenging learning environment that will prepare students as future global citizens. The Primary Years Programme (PYP) continues to lay the foundations; the implementation of the Middle years programme (MYP)and the Diploma (DP) programme are now in progress.
Ms May joined AJAC in 2013 and worked on developing the successful PYP curriculum, as MYP Coordinator she is developing the curriculum with a supportive staff. Most parents will already know Miss May as do the students, she continuous to support and guide the AJAC community in becoming an IB world school.
Miss Rachel Poulton - PYP Coordinator
I would like to introduce myself as the new PYP coordinator, taking over from Miss Cindy. I am Miss Rachel and I am teaching in Grade 5. I have been in education for 25 years and have taught in a PYP school in the Middle East for 5 years as well as teaching in the UK. I am thrilled to be part of the team at Ajman Academy and look forward to the year ahead.
It has already been an exciting start to the new academic year - lots of curious, inquiring minds arriving in school and excited new teachers to help develop their learning.
The PYP philosophy encourages lifelong learners and global citizens of the future. As parents you can help us by encouraging reading at home in both English and Mother Tongue. A love of literacy helps to feed curious minds. This year we will be working on developing the PYP teaching and helping your children achieve their potential. If you have any questions regarding the programme please feel free to come and ask.
Miss Shamma Rahman - Diploma Programme Coordinator
I was born and raised in the UK and studied my BA in Business and Finance at the University of West of England in Bristol. After several years in marketing, working for a large online advertising multinational, I decided to change my profession. So I recommenced university to study my PGCE in Business Education and began my teaching career.
In 2005, a fantastic opportunity to work for an International school in Dubai enticed us to move to the UAE and we have not looked back! I have loved the rich and culturally diverse educational experience here and was fortunately introduced to the IB Diploma Programme. I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching IB Business Management, Economics as well as ICT and computer science.
Aside from gaining extensive IB Diploma teaching experience, I shortly progressed, to becoming an IB Business Management Examiner.
I am delighted to be joining Ajman Academy at such an exciting stage of the school’s development. As an IB DP Coordinator, I am looking forward to helping AJAC become a fully-fledged IB world school, getting to know the students and contributing to the wider life of the school community in as many ways possible.
The IB Diploma is an academically challenging, two-year pre-university course that is a well-known, respected and rewarding program. It offers students the opportunity to choose a curriculum that fits their interests and skills and is a passport to higher education. This rigorous international curriculum challenges students to take ownership of their learning, and encourages each individual to deeply explore each subject with an open mind and authentic inquiry. It also helps students to become effective communicators, critical thinkers, and informed global citizens.
At the very heart of the program is the call for students to get involved both locally and beyond through a CAS initiative, which engages candidates through Creativity in the arts, Activity outside of school, and Service in the community. The sum result is a quality educational experience that teaches the whole student, preparing young adults to be well-rounded lifelong learners as they set out on their own individual paths beyond high school.
Not all students are the same and not all want to follow an academic path to higher education, some students prefer to learn hands on rather than by reading it in books. Thus, Ajman Academy will also offer an alternative pathway to A Levels and IB Diploma Program, which is the International Baccalaureate Career related Certificate (IBCC). This is a two-year course with students studying 2 subjects from the IB Diploma program one-core subject and the other a career-related study.
The IB career related certificate was specifically developed for students who wish to engage in career-related learning while gaining transferable and lifelong skills in applied knowledge, critical thinking, communication, and cross-cultural engagement.
Every student has something different to offer and this course might just be the different route your child wishes to follow.
Shama Abdul-Rehman
British Schools Overseas
The feedback we have received from BSO (and earlier from CIS) is incredibly encouraging. The report validates for us as community that we have hard working, devoted teachers who provide a wonderful learning environment for our students. Everyone is a part of this success. The feedback also confirms for us that on the international stage we are moving in the right direction and have the right personnel, resources and support to make our vision a reality. We can all look forward to starting next year in a very strong position to continue to offer the community a robust curriculum, a caring environment and a home where we can all succeed, every day.
Council of International Schools (CIS) Membership granted
Celebrating Abdulla Anwar Alhammadi Grade 8
Mother Tongue Language Programme
This year as part of the timetable for students in Grade 1 through to Grade 12 we will have mother-tongue language lessons. This week we emailed our parents a survey asking for your feedback in the languages provided. Please click the link below to respond to the survey if you have not already done so. We are super excited to be now offering additional languages to our students.
Happiness and Innovation
Next academic year we will be introducing a mother tongue language programme. If you are interested in contribution, please contact our Community Liaison Manager, Miss Yasmeen Ali via email on y.ali@ajmanacademy.com
‘Happiness Hallway’ at The Ajman Academy School. “We really want the children to be happy…“We need to teach them how to be happy, not only how to work hard. Hard work will come subsequent to being happy and, for being happy; one does not have to wait till the end of the semester… It has to be every morning and every hour, every step in this hallway.”
AJAC parents would see the benefits of the happiness strategy that envisions a happy and healthy environment in Ajman Academy School. AJAC School outputs and relies on innovative teaching in an inspiring educational environment and supporting excellence and innovation.
We will invite Her Excellency Ohood bin Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Happiness.
Innovation:
· By promoting the UAE culture of innovation in AJAC.
· Adopting new and creative ideas and the use of new approaches.
· AJAC slogan is to be “UAE The most innovative nation in the world”
· Community involvement, volunteering and social contribution
· Work ethic, innovation, enterprise and entrepreneurship
· Environmental awareness and action
Our vision
World-leading learning for all is now central to all our decision making
Our mission will be to inspire all learners to be the most innovative and successful individuals they can be, in an ever changing world.
We are now collecting evidence to ensure the following guiding statements continue to drive all strategic planning and day to day operations
To provide an authentic and rich child-centred environment.
To strengthen the giftedness and uniqueness of all through opportunities to create, express and lead.
To nurture digital citizenship and innovation to world-class standards.
To foster a deep sense of personal and cultural identity rooted in international-mindedness.
To promote an appreciation of Islamic and Emirati cultures.
To enquire, reflect and act positively in all areas of school life,in line with the philosophy of the International Baccalaureate Organization.
On a day to day basis, we embrace the following values
Happiness:
Positivity
Success
Responsibility
Individuality
Co-operation
Respect
Indeed, most important, we all succeed, every day.
Contact Details
Email: school@ajmanacademy.com
Website: www.ajmanacademy.com
Location: Ajman - United Arab Emirates
Phone: 971 6 731 4444
Facebook: facebook.com/ajmanacademy
Twitter: @twitter_ajmanacademy