Secondary Newsletter
A look back at what has happened in February 2020
Good schools are always such busy places and another month has flown by here at Ajman Academy. Student commitment and engagement has been impressively on display in a whole range of activities, both curricular and extra-curricular.
On the pastoral side, Ms Charmaine has produced some impressive data which confirms the enhanced student improvement in daily behaviour, peer respect and commitment to homework. The secondary school now has such a positive feel about it, and visitors frequently pass comment on the calm and more studious atmosphere that has become firmly embedded.
This past month, as part of our staff performance management cycle, the Secondary Leadership Team has been undertaking lesson observations of all teachers in their classroom context. Performance judgements are recorded and feedback provided to all staff on what they are doing well in their teaching and how they can seek to improve further. This is an essential part of any school’s improvement journey, and criteria-based judgements are made, and feedback conversations held with teachers. Recorded evidence affirms that the learning and teaching in the Secondary School is notably stronger than last year. On behalf of yourselves as parents and your sons/daughters as students, I commit wholeheartedly to this ongoing ‘raising of the bar’ expectations. While it is not always an easy process, the right decisions simply have to be made if meaningful, year-on-year school improvement is to occur.
During February, we have welcomed six student-teachers from Ajman University to spend time in lessons and being mentored by members of our English and Science Departments. It is a reassuring sign that Ajman University identifies AJAC and its staff as a school of choice for these emerging new teachers.
An important reminder; student re-registration is now open, and you will have received a letter informing you of the ‘preference status’ being offered to you as existing parents. Please refer to the online application form on the school website before the 29th February if you wish to guarantee student places for next school year.
On the extra-curricular side of the school, there have been numerous achievements and events of note, including the planting of Ghaf trees, EISSA swimming and athletics success, football performances of note (both boys and girls), a trip to the Dubai Duty-Free tennis and a visiting Drums Troupe. More on these things to be found in subsequent sections of this
Newsletter.
Enjoy!
Secondary Principal.
A message from our Head of English, Ms. Sophia
During Term 1, Zayed Ahmed covered a science fiction unit as part of his MYP studies in English, and it was in his assessment that he revealed his secret life in product development.
Ms Kholoud, our trainee teacher from Ajman University, interviews him here.
Zayed’s Secret Life
Ms Kholoud: I’d like to ask you some questions if you don’t mind.
Zayed: Sure.
Ms Kholoud: What is your project idea about?
Zayed: The project called “Safety Watch” is basically a watch that measures your inner and outer pain through the aid of satellites. For example, if someone hit me and threatened me, the watch will figure that I’m in danger through my vital signs and directly it’ll notify the authorities that would be my family or the police.
Ms Kholoud: Where did your inspiration come from?
Zayed: One day in 2017, I went to City Walk in Dubai with my family. There was an event about innovation and technology. I thought about how the UAE consider safety as a top priority. Then, the idea popped into my head.
Ms Kholoud: So, whom did you present your project ideas to?
Zayed: I met HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum at City Walk. He liked the idea of the safety watch and said we would try to make it happen. Later, I presented it to the police, who then helped me in developing the prototype.
Ms Kholoud: What have you achieved so far with the development of the watch?
Zayed: I’ve created a keynote, trailer video and a prototype. Several authorities have contacted me about the project, so it’s under process.
Ms Kholoud: Whom do you think needs this watch?
Zayed: The safety watch is basically for kids, but it could be very useful for adults, the elderly and endangered animals.
Ms Kholoud: Have your family and friends encouraged you?
Zayed: My family and some friends are very supportive, but there are some critics. They feel that there are already many similar products in the market, but I have done my research and think that I have a unique product.
Ms Kholoud: Thank you for your time. You’re a true entrepreneur, and I hope you realize your dreams.
A message from our Design and Technology Teacher, Mr Thomas
Grade 6 Design and Technology students fully engaged in developing key fob design ideas this week. They demonstrated a good understanding of how products develop during the design process cycle, well done.
Grade 7 Design and Technology students are developing (modelling) desk tidy design ideas. Most students demonstrated excellent technical skills during this activity, well done!
Grade 6
Grade 7
A message from our Head of Maths, Ms. Farah
Our MYP students have successfully completed their third unit of study and are now in their new journeys discovering a world full of algebra, statistics and probability. Together, we will look at some statistical reports that have been prepared and published by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority in UAE and consider factors affecting the population count in each of the seven Emirates. Pupils will also work on collecting data from our school context and simulate a real-world statistics report. We are very excited to witness the final result of these internal maths projects.
Our IGCSE and Sixth Form groups have completed their mock examinations this month and it is now the time to prepare for the real exams. Armed with the experience of sitting a mock exam, our students can approach the real exam with more confidence. If the results were not what we all hoped for, pupils have the opportunity to attend intervention sessions that have been placed by the maths department on the times announced by their teacher.
These sessions will help pupils reflect on their weaknesses and monitor their scope of improvement, which will motivate them to set themselves new goals of higher standards.
Recommended website for revision Corbettmaths.com, Khanacademy.com and Physicsandmathstutor.com.
A message from our Head of Individuals and Societies, Ms Debbie
February has been a very active month in the Individuals and Societies Department.
Grades 6, 7 and 8 students are soon to start their final investigations.
Grade six students are creating their own continent with the skills they have learnt in map work.
Grade 7 students will present on a modern-day explorer, and we look forward to the Grade 8 students infographic presentation on population data of a country of their choice.
Grade 9, 10 and 11 Geography students spent an exciting day at the Al Jubail Mangrove Swamp National Park in Abu Dhabi. Ajman Academy is one of the first schools in the UAE to visit the park. This was part of the GCSE Coastal Geography Fieldwork, which requires students to complete fieldwork in two units of study.
Students chose to complete the 2km walk through the mangroves accompanied by a marine biologist who gave them invaluable information. They were able to gain first-hand knowledge of mangrove ecosystems and the plants and animals found in them. The boys were fortunate enough to listen to the company who built the walkway, talk about the problems they faced while building in a conservation area.
The students also completed the Coastal Processes fieldwork investigation. Students measured and collected data on beach profiles, beach sediments and longshore drift. For the first time, the group used their iPads to measure and record data.
Grades 10 to 12 students in Business Studies, Economics and Geography have been very busy sitting their mock exams. We look forward to the results of these exams and to meeting as many parents as possible at the PTS conference to help our exam students achieve the targets they need.
A message from our Head of Science, Ms Remi
It’s been another exciting month in the Secondary Science Department - especially in the Science club.
Under the watchful supervision of the older students in Grades 11 and 12, we have been making Glowing Magic mud, Rocket tea bags, Glowing eggs, and Magnetic slime.
Just have a look!
International Women in Science
A message from our Moral Education Teacher, Ms. Mabrouka
In moral education this month, our secondary students learnt about the distinctive traits and uniqueness we all possess and how everyone plays a crucial part in establishing an enriched culture within the UAE.
Our talented students participated in the Ghaf tree week assembly highlighting the importance of afforestation and the preservation of Ghaf trees which signify the spirit of co-existence and acceptance, peace and social stability.
Grade 6 students are learning about museums and how artefacts can tell us a lot about our past. They have recognised the vital role that museums play in preserving history and helping us appreciate our cultural heritage. They are working on creating posters and artwork to encourage people to visit museums which will be displayed soon in the cultural gallery. The posters explain and give examples of what is meant by terms such as multiculturalism, diversity, cultural heritage and inclusivity.
Grade 7 students are learning how the UAE is growing in a developing globalised and interconnected world in which understanding cultural diversity and acceptance are key factors to development. They are enjoying building their understanding of the concept of globalisation and some of the issues it raises, including how it affects the UAE. They confidently expressed their thoughts regarding the positive and negative effects of globalisation through the evaluation of real-life situations.
Grade 8 continue to focus on exploring the UAE’s political heritage, based on consensus and how it continues to be part of the modern state. They were introduced to the tradition of the majlis, considering its essential role in the UAE’s political life. They understood that a consultative governance system makes everyone feel valued and engaged.
The moral education topics for our upper grades are focusing on universal, tangible and intangible cultures. Students have recognised the various threats to their cultural heritage and how they can contribute to its preservation through knowledge sharing, which will be passed on to future generations.
These topics aim to develop our student’s awareness of how the world and its people are connected, how shared values help to promote development and peace while also considering our role in a broader context as global citizens.
A message from our Head of Arabic, Mr. Jamal
السادة الأكارم أولياء الأمور
تحية من عند الله مباركة طيبة .... حياكم الله في رسالتنا الشهرية للتعريف بأهم الأحداث التي مضت والتي تأتي في مدرسة أكاديمية عجمان (الأقسام الناطقة بالعربية) ...
منذ بداية الفصل الدراسي الثاني وطلابنا ومعلمونا في شغل فاكهون ، وعمل دائبون لمزيد من الرقي لصالح الطلاب جميعا.
مجددا نلقاكم ونطلعكم على ما يلي.
من أهم التحديثات التي قمنا بها خلال هذا الفصل أننا بدأنا بالفعل العمل على منصة (ألف) الإليكترونية للطلاب من الخامس إلى التاسع ، وفي المستقبل سيتم توسعتها لتشمل بقية صفوف المدرسة وهي منصة إليكترونية تعزيزية تشتمل على مقررات الوزارة للمواد العربية (اللغة العربية – التربية الإسلامية – الدراسات الاجتماعية) بشكل تفاعلي جذاب وطرق تعلم حديثة تتوافق مع معطيات التعليم الحديث ووثيقة دولة الإمارات، حيث أعطي كل طالب اسم مستخدم وكلمة مرور للدخول إلى حساب خاص يتم فيه التعامل تفاعليا مع المناهج العربية الثلاثة، نهيب بكم جميعا أن تلقوا نظرة على المحتوى وطريقة العمل وتشجيع الطلاب على الاستمرار في العمل في أوقات الفراغ حيث إن هذه المنصة تعتبر بمثابة تعلم منزلي موازٍ للتعلم المدرسي ، ونحن نتابع بفخر أداء الطلاب عليها ونرجو منكم مساندتنا في ذلك.
يمكنكم إلقاء نظرة عليها من آي باد الطالب أو من موقع https://www.alefeducation.com
أيضا من أهم الأحداث أننا أطلقنا مسابقة القرآن الكريم السنوية والتي تقيمها المدرسة للتنافس في حفظ وتلاوة القرآن الكريم للطلاب من الصف الأول حتى الصف الثاني عشر ، وقد تم إرسال رسالة مفصلة بالمسابقة مع كل طالب ، يرجى قراءتها وإعادة إرسالها لتسجيل ابنكم/بنتكم في المسابقة حتى المستوى الممكن له.
يقوم طلاب صفوف الثاني والسادس والتاسع بأداء اختبار خارجي لقياس أداء المدرسة ومستويات تحصيل الطلاب في مهارات اللغة العربية ، علما بأن هذا الاختبار لا يؤثر مطلقًا على علامات الطالب أو تقاريره ، ولكنه يؤثر بشكل إيجابي ويساعدنا كمدرسة على تحسين التخطيط للمضي قدما في مساندة أبنائنا.
نقدر تعاونكم معنا ويسعدنا دوما التواصل معكم لمزيد من التطور في العملية التعليمية.
للتواصل مع أستاذ جمال يونس j.younis@ajmanacdemy.com
A message from our Secondary Art Teacher, Ms. Luzaan
This month in we have been working very hard on completing our unit of inquiries.
Grade six students are still exploring what it means to be more tolerant. They have now started planning their ideas and are in the starting point for their final attempts. They are inspired by the LA artist “Thank you x” which uses this alias and is inspired by the works of the late “Andy Warhol”. Students are reflecting the true meaning of tolerance, and they are looking forward to the end result-where they will be making a big mural to display their works.
Grade seven students have been working very hard on perfecting their “Pointillism” skills. They have learnt about the artist Georges Seurat and his painting: “ A Sunday afternoon on the island of La Grande Jatte.”
Did you know that Seurat spent almost two years of his life completing this work? The painting is nearly 10 feet in length and 7 feet in width? No wonder it took him that long to complete it. Students are genuinely admiring his hard work and dedication to this painting.
Grade eight students have shown outstanding Graffiti skills. They have been drawing their names in a style of their choice, expressing their personalities by adding symbols/pictures that represent who they are and what they enjoy. They have also learnt how to effectively place their objects so that they can create an effective composition. Did you know that the most prolonged display of graffiti is in the UAE? It currently holds the record for the world’s longest display of graffiti and is located near Jumeirah Beach Park-known as “ The Rehlatna/Our Journey”.
Art quote of the month in the spirit of tolerance: “ There is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.”-Vincent van Gogh