Director's Newsletter
Final update from our Director & our Senior Leadership Team
A message from our Director, Dr. Tassos
As we come to the end of the academic year at Ajman Academy, there are many areas of reflection that make our education world leading. You will have enjoyed our successes in the sports competitions, the academic highlights, the new upgraded curriculum with clear expectations, the GL, IBT and formative testing, the improvement in our facilities with our new Secondary School building due to open this September. Also CIS Membership, BSO approved and now an Oxford Examination Centre, MYP and DP candidate … and much much more.
We look forward to welcoming our new staff on the 2nd September - who are already involved in preparing the personalized curriculum for your child.
Most important, we have happy positive enthusiastic and passionate children who love coming to school and learning. Our vision to succeed every day can be seen in every corner of the school.
We are looking for even better next year, with more improvements in the quality of teaching and learning, a robust curriculum and a real emphasis on standards ensuring that our students have a learning journey that will take them above.
Some exciting additions will be, a Mother Tongue programme, music instrument teaching, even more sports, and many more activities to increase student choice.
In September you will have the pleasure of meeting our new catering partner, Tuck Shop Café.
We will also be introducing formal leadership training for all our students with ‘The Seven Habits and Leader in Me, Stephen Covey programme being introduced from October, inspiring greatness, one child at a time. We only get one chance to prepare our students for a future that none of us can possibly predict! At Ajman Academy we take this very seriously...
Stepping Forward
As the year draws to a close in the Primary School, we are reflecting on our PYP successes this year.
We have had 13 teachers achieve certification in Teaching ESL students in mainstream classrooms.
Another highlight for staff has been completing our Inspire to Teach Programme Phase 1. This enables 6 teachers to become mentors for colleagues so that we aim for outstanding teaching and learning for all students.
Stepping forward to next academic year, many exciting developments are already planned : We believe music has a very important role in the life of the students and the school. It has the capacity to improve and enrich children’s lives. Our children learn to appreciate music and have many opportunities to listen to, compose, sing and perform their own music. We enjoy singing and will continue to share our voices and instruments with anyone who will listen! Plans are underway for choir, termly productions and concerts of musical talent.
We also plan to take the children on residential trips locally during the cooler months where children can experience outdoor adventure activities subject to approval.
As a school, we take pride in wearing the AJAC uniform. Please do ensure that your child follows the uniform guidelines next year to wear our uniform correctly, Detailed information may be found on our website.
We would welcome your ideas, feedback and suggestions so that AJAC Primary School goes from strength to strength next year.
British Schools Overseas Feedback
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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
Council of International Schools (CIS) Membership granted
Following the CIS membership evaluation carried out by Alan Scott, concluding on 07-05-2017, we are pleased to announce Ajman Academy has been granted membership of the Council of International Schools (CIS).
Our Director, Dr. Tassos offered his congratulations to the staff at Ajman Academy and our school community on this major achievement.
Some of the strengths identified were:
- Clear guiding statements including a commitment to internationalism and inter-culturalism
- Modern, purpose-built facilities
- Sound financial plans and practices ensuring the school’s viability in the short and longer term
- Good teaching and assessment practices based on a curriculum aligned with the school’s purpose and direction
More positive feedback included:
* warm welcome and hospitable environment
* confident students
* attractive buildings and facilities
* engagement of students in lessons
* good use of differentiation and support staff
* good admissions procedures
* good management and maintenance of buildings and facilities
* openness of staff
* outstanding IT provision
* strong ECA programme
* good communication and relationship with parents
* direction provided by guiding statements
Happiness and Innovation
Innovations for Life, Innovation Arabia which will be held from March 11th, 20 to March 13th, 2018 “Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum” The innovation month will be on February 2018 the aspiration of individuals, private institutions and governments to achieve development by generating creative ideas and introducing new products, services and operations that improve the overall quality of life.
Innovation is essential to:
- Improving the quality of life
- Increasing economic diversification - Enhancing knowledge economy
- Improving competitiveness
- Creating high skilled jobs
- Promoting entrepreneurship
The future for innovation is:
All emirates to make a valuable contribution to their nation’s growth by building their knowledge and applying their talent with innovation and drive. Innovation, research, science and technology will from the pillars of a knowledge-based economy.
UAE to be among the most innovative nations in the world
AJAC students will be involved in the different sectors of the innovation:
Renewable and clean energy
Transportation
Technology
Education
Health
Water
Space
Happiness the latest initiative launched for happiness and positivity was “100 days of giving
The top 10 students projects will be recognized with certificates of gratitude handed out at an awards ceremony.
Creating a logo of happiness programmed next academic year 2017/2018
Not to forget that there will be many other activities regarding innovation and happiness that Ajman academy students and staff will take a part on it.
Student Council
After a positively productive year filled with projects and powerful ideas, Secondary School Student Council have concluded their academic year looking forward to taking the next step. As school we understand the importance of developing student leadership and so we strive to provide opportunities through different type of regular events to empower our student-leaders. On this note, next 30 and 31 October 2017 Ajman Academy will be welcoming student leaders from international schools on the catchment area to join our group of student-leaders for an intensive and specific 2 day Leadership Training event. We are certainly looking forward to this fantastic opportunity and invite all Ajman Academy students to apply for a position to join 2017-2018 Student Council. Ms Carolina Fuentes, Head of Student Council
Sports
Sports participation is a very important element for developing the whole child and the Physical Education department strives to offer a wide variety of activities to support a healthy and balanced development of our students. Next academic year, students will be involved on a leaders program embedded on the PE curriculum to discover their leadership style, learning to lead and inspire others, uncovering their leadership potential. Students will also have the opportunity to take part on after school activities such as Netball, Football, Basketball, and the inclusion of the new AA Fit club (Ajman Academy Fit club) where students will work on improving their fitness levels through activities such as fitness classes, cross country running, duathlons, etc. Participation in competitions will be available to all through the Emirates International Schools Sport Association tournaments and leagues (EISSA), as well as the British Schools Middle East small Games (BSME) in March 2018. On top of these, we are aiming to offer a Netball trip to Paris, France in April 2018 where students will have the opportunity to take part in coaching session and clinics lead by England Netball and play at the tournament alongside many other international schools. Students are to look forward to a fantastic year ahead, full of opportunities. Carolina Fuentes Head of Girls’ PE
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.