Metropole News
Bulletin #01 17-18 | GEMS Metropole School, Motor City
Welcome Back ....
I would like to cordially thank all parents for their awareness of the school's non-negotiables and ensuring their lanyards are worn whilst in the school and to those parents who attended the recent Curriculum evenings for all year-levels.
Following on welcoming in the new academic year, I would like to introduce to you all the "new look" Extended Leadership Team for 2017.
Extended Leadership Team
Members of the Extended Leadership Team
Jan Steel - Executive Vice Principal
Jan Steel is a very successful and experienced UK Head teacher, with a proven track record of school improvement. Her school featured in the top 5% of UK schools for Reading progress across KS2, and this year achieving 100% success rate in learners’ meeting curriculum expectations in both Reading and Maths and 97% success in Writing.
Since joining GEMS in January 2017, Jan has worked as an Associate Principal at Jumeirah Primary School and for a short time at Jumeirah College. By taking part in internal reviews of many different GEMS schools during this time, she has developed a clear understanding of the "Journey to Outstanding" within the UAE, linked to the inspection framework.
Passionate about all children achieving their very best, whilst being fully involved in the learning process through a wide range of exciting and engaging learning opportunities, Jan believes in the importance of setting high expectations for all stakeholders within the school community, including students, parents and staff.
Sara Hedger - Executive Vice Principal
Sara Hedger joined GEMS Metropole in 2013 whilst the school was being built. Since that time, Sara has held the position of Head of Primary and has been able to work with the founding team to help mold and create the school's vision.
Sara's experience is rooted in the UK, where she spent some 20 years teaching every Primary age group before becoming Headteacher of a large Primary school in England for 8 years before moving to Dubai.
Sara is currently undertaking a Masters degree in Educational Leadership in order to continue to develop teaching and learning across the school as well as Inclusion and Child Protection.
Sara believes that GEMS Metropole school has always been a place where innovation and creative thinking is encouraged and looks forward to working with Metropole's brilliant students to see the development of their entrepreneurship and creativity.
Amanda Dixon - Manager of School Operations
Amanda joined GEMS Metropole School in July 2014 after previously serving GEMS Bradenton Prep Academy in Sport City. Previously a long-standing employee at Lloyds Banking Group in the United Kingdom, Amanda has taken on the role of MSO with passion to ensure the back office is well-managed and operations run efficiently and effectively.
As part of her role here at Metropole, Amanda deals with the day-to-day management of a wide range of functions including transport, catering, clinic, security, lifeguards, health & safety, procurement, accommodation, visas, maintenance, cleaning, government relations, license renewals and general support around the school.
With a team of more than 100 staff, Amanda is looking forward to another successful year here at GEMS Metropole.
Mike O'Sullivan - Head of Primary School
Mike O'Sullivan joins us this year from successful headships at some of the largest British curriculum primary schools in the world. As the newly appointed Head of Primary, Mike will continue to provide an inclusive and innovative environment whereby all students will achieve. His personal approach will reflects the diversity of our individual students and he will place great emphasis on individual learning styles and the pursuit of excellence. Mike realises that it is by supporting our children to learn together and by respecting each other that forms the real foundation for true global citizenship.
Mike O'Sullivan graduated with a Bachelor of Education degree and holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Management from Trinity College, Dublin. He is currently completing a PhD in educational research involving some of the world’s outstanding International schools.
He is excited about becoming a new member of the Metropole family and is looking forward in building strong, successful relationships with all our Metropole families.
Lynsey Seeley - Head of Secondary School
Lynsey Seeley has been the Head of Secondary since the school opened its doors back in 2013. Coming from the small coastal town of St Andrews in Scotland, Lynsey moved to Dubai to assist with setting up this highly successful school.
Lynsey has worked in education for over 18 years and has been in leadership positions for 14 years. Her competitive nature stems from her time as a PE specialist and as such loves a challenge, whether it is a personal physical challenge or supporting teachers and students alike to reach their goals. Lynsey is a firm believer in the important values of hard work, positive attitudes, supporting others and manners.
Lynsey is a strong and proud leader who takes pride when pupils continue to surprise her with their talents, the amazing work they produce, their diverse personalities and their confidence and ideas. She enjoys congratulating pupils for their successes and progress, and loves seeing each and every individual beam with personal pride.
As GEMS Metropole continues to celebrate its many successes, she highlights the fact that our staff are also determined to continue to make our school the very best if can be.
Jumana Shehadeh - Principal of Intercultural Learning
Jumana Shehadeh is a Jordanian and has been in the education sector in the UAE for a vast number of years. During this time, she has held numerous prestigious positions in schools including Head of English Department, Chair of Quality Management and most recently Vice Principal respectively. She has successfully led schools pursuing their international accreditation with the New England Agency of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and AdvancedEd agency. Jumana joins GEMS Metropole to oversee the Arabic, Islamic, Moral Education Programme and the UAE Social Studies curriculum.
Jumana is a highly credible curriculum designer and places great emphasis on internationalism, inclusiveness and innovation. Her capacity is evidenced in setting transformational models of educational leadership and establishing strategic planning in order to raise international standards.
An English language poet, a published author, editor of professional learning resources, a researcher and a passionate educationalist, Jumana has dedicated much of her time to improve performance standards in schools and to ensure the implementation of the best practices by creating dynamic, well guided teams and learning communities.
Tracey Holliman - Head of Inclusion
Tracey comes from South Africa and has worked in an inclusive school for hearing impaired students as well as working in a fully specialised Special Needs School in Johannesburg, South Africa. It was there that she became engaged with students who were on the spectrum, with global developmental delays, hearing impairments, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, severe dyscalculia, dyspraxia, dyslexia, Down's Syndrome and children who have endured life changing car accidents and injury.
Since starting at Metropole in 2015, Tracy has been at the forefront of the Inclusion Centre where she has supported learners with additional needs within the Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 areas for school. She became Head of the Inclusive Education Action Team in 2016 and has set her sights on reaching outstanding targets through the school's support for SEND students, ELL students, Gifted and Talented students and those who receive specific counselling.
Jeff Grigsby - Chief Digital Officer
Jeff Grigsby is GEMS Metropole School’s Chief Digital Officer (CDO). He is responsible for integrating technology into the administration of the school and developing 21st century pedagogy at GEMS Metropole. Jeff will be responsible for driving digital transformation and improvement throughout the school to further develop student capacity and educational performance.
In his previous role as IT Integrator at a regional-leading 1:1 iPad all Apple School, he pioneered and integrated digital workflows and solutions from start-up in a varied ecosystem from the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme framework in Primary School to the National Curriculum of England requirements and guidelines in Secondary School.
Prior to this role, Jeff has excelled in the use of creative computer solutions in roles ranging from graphic design, marketing, social media, print production, and video production. He is an Apple Teacher, Google Certified Educator, Apple Certified Technical Coordinator and Apple Support Professional.
A member of the Extended Leadership Team, Jeff manages the entire digital ecosystem of the school, keeping abreast of constant technological and innovative changes and the impact it has on the school’s educational platforms. Jeff works closely with the Executive Principal/CEO to produce, share and implement a clear vision for whole school digital learning and innovation via the school’s Digital and Innovation Strategies in conjunction with GEMS Innovation, Research and Development Team. Ongoing improvement with parent communications is a focus, as well as improving student access and awareness to new, evolving and innovative technologies in the greater marketplace.
Peter Nash - Deputy Head of Primary School
Peter Nash is the Deputy Head Teacher of the Primary School. His role is to make sure that the management of the Primary School is focused around producing an innovative, creative, safe and a happy learning environment for each child.
Peter trained at the University of Liverpool, studying Chemistry with Pharmacology before completing his PGCE (teaching certificate) at University College Worcester. Peter comes to us with a wealth of experience from the United Kingdom and last year arrived in Dubai and taught his first year abroad here at GEMS Metropole.
Peter has worked in many different roles within a primary school, from class teacher, to Head of Phase, culminating in an Assistant Head Teacher before starting in his new role at GEMS Metropole.
Maya Vaghela - Deputy Head of Secondary School
Maya Vaghela started her journey at GEMS Metropole as the Head of Mathematics when the school opened in September 2014 and has seen it develop into the dynamic place it is today. She is very proud of Metropole's staff and students' achievements over the last three years and looks forward to our students future successes.
Originally from London, where she completed her Undergraduate Degree in Economics, Statistics and French at University College London, Maya went on to gain her Masters in Education Leadership, studying at The Institute of Education, University of London. She initially spent 4 years teaching Mathematics in London, and has now been in Dubai for 5 years, previously working as the Head of Mathematics as well as the KS3 Phase Leader role at GEMS Metropole School.
Maya will be responsible for student achievement in the Secondary School and as such will be responsible for analysing student data and ensuring learning skills are embedded throughout the curriculum. Additionally, she will be overseeing the pastoral well-being of students, focusing on behaviour, attendance and punctuality, healthy lifestyles and attitudes to school and learning.
Maya is looking forward to working closely with the Secondary Phase Leaders, Heads of Department and Heads of Year to ensure every student at Metropole reaches their full potential.
Mark Mc Adam - Deputy Head of Secondary School
Mark Mc Adam joins the GEMS Metropole Team as Deputy Head of Secondary. Mark will be focusing on the teaching and learning and curriculum development in the Secondary School to ensure our students receive the best possible learning experience each and every day.
Mark is keen to support each and every student in order to give them the best possible opportunity to improve and prepare for an ever-increasing competitive society. He believes that it is our duty as education specialists to challenge all students in a stimulating learning environment and instil a sense of pride in our school.
A keen sportsman, Mark understands the positive impact that sport can have on young children in terms of self-confidence, teamwork and discipline, all off which contribute to a better working environment in the classroom.
Mark is looking forward to meeting all the students, parents and new staff and supporting them to achieve their full potential.
Anthony Cashin - Executive Principal/CEO
Prior to taking up his post as Executive Principal at Metropole, Anthony was the Foundation Director of new Academy school in the UAE - a school built around the conceptualisation of teaching and learning for ‘digital natives’. Anthony was instrumental in developing the school’s vision to ensure cutting-edge educational technologies transfer into a fully integrated IT school for progressive twenty-first century learning.
Having qualified as a teacher in his native Australia, Anthony has held numerous high-level management positions and led schools in Japan, Denmark, Thailand, Oman and now the United Arab Emirates. During this time, he has achieved great success as Principal of Ascot International School in Bangkok, and more recently as Principal of The Sultan’s School, Oman.
Together with leading schools, Anthony also has vast experience in the accreditation and evaluation for British Schools in the Middle East, the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO).
Anthony is an Apple Education Trainer and has been guest speaker at a number of Apple events. He has also been an active speaker referencing technology theory, the importance of technology integration in schools and the implementation process of 1:1 devices in a school ecosystem. He has also recently co-published a paper surrounding "The Parental Perspective over the Use of iPads in Primary and Middle Years of Schooling: Issues for Pedagogical and Policy Debates" and a short article concerning children's misuse of tablets and smart phones titles "Too much screen time."
After School Activity Sign Ups
Dear Parents,
Over the past three years, GEMS Metropole has endeavoured to improve the sign-up and management of our free After School Activities. This year, the school purchased a third party extra-curricular software solution from the world leaders in this area, to allow easier access and a more efficient approach for sign-ups. It is a massive undertaking to organise over 80 recurring activities, 200 teachers and 2,500 families over each term of an academic year. Our staff have dedicated a large amount of time preparing the lists and activity information necessary for this solution to work effectively.
We are very aware that parents experienced significant issues with the performance of the system during the first two sign up phases (Sunday and Monday evening) and we have been actively working with the company to identify the cause and remedy. We are now able to report that the issue has been identified and corrected. The configuration has been updated and server response times and the quality of service will return to the expected levels of performance moving forward. The issue was exceptional and the management team at CHQ would like to apologise to parents who were inconvenienced in any way.
We can reassure parents that the staff at GEMS Metropole are getting support from the highest level to ensure that the school has an extra-curricular management software system that is robust, entirely fit for purpose and enhances school life for our pupils and parents.
Thank you for your understanding.
Kind Regards,
Anthony Cashin & Jeff Grigsby
Contact us ...
Email: registrar_mts@gemsedu.com
Website: http://www.gemsmetropoleschool-dubai.com
Location: https://goo.gl/Uiw48i
Phone: 045507200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gemsmetropoleschooldubai/
Twitter: @metropole_gems