End of Year Newsletter
Highlights & Reflections from the 2017-2018 Academic Year
Director's Message
As the final days for this term draw to a close, I would like to acknowledge the efforts made by so very many of our students, staff and parents in the AJAC community during the course of this year. The extraordinary commitment made by all our staff, academic and support staff alike, means that we can continue to succeed and flourish as a learning community.
I would also like to express my gratitude to all for your generous support during the time that I have been Acting Director. I have enjoyed meeting many parents throughout the year at various events and working with you to provide the best possible learning outcomes for your child. I will return in August to resume in the role of Secondary School Principal and, with you, I look forward to welcoming our new director, Mr Fiyaz Ahmed.
I am delighted to report that the vast majority of our teachers are returning to AJAC next academic year which ensures great stability but there are some who move on to new opportunities. I wish all our leavers every success in the future and sincerely thank them for their contribution to our school and students.
The leadership team has already commenced planning for the new academic year and we will return on 19 August to put into place a smooth opening for all parts of the school. The school administration offices will remain open throughout the holiday period should you need to visit us
Finally, I wish all our AJAC families all the very best for the summer holidays and look forward to welcoming you all back, relaxed and refreshed for what promises to be an enjoyable and productive year.
Best wishes
Peter Ross
Acting Director
Primary Principal Message
After two immensely enjoyable years, leading the Primary School, I would like the school community to know that I will be leaving Ajman Academy at the end of term. I will be taking up a challenging career opportunity of becoming the Founding Principal of a brand new British curriculum school opening in Jebel Ali next year.
It has been a wonderful privilege to have been entrusted by the Board of Governors with the Principal’s position and a pleasure to see hundreds of children grow and develop into successful, confident learners. I have been supported throughout by a dedicated team of teachers, teaching assistants and administrative staff. I’m very grateful indeed to have been part of the AJAC family.
The Primary School enjoyed an excellent reputation with the IB PYP inspection team this year and recently with the Ministry of Education Inspectorate. We have a strong and dedicated governing body who has supported our work this year.
I know that I will be leaving the Primary School in very safe hands. We are fortunate to welcome back to Ajman Academy, Ms Sandra Kellec, who returns to the position of Primary School Principal next year to continue the growth and development of the Primary School.
Ms Sandra is well known to the AJAC community and excels in her unparalleled knowledge of the Primary Years Programme. She is very much looking forward to taking the Primary School from strength to strength. I have every confidence that the school will continue to flourish under her leadership.
I wish you and your children all the very best for a bright educational journey and prosperous future with Ajman Academy.
Best wishes for a happy and relaxing summer vacation and safe travels.
Kindest regards
Kerry Smith
Primary Principal
Secondary Principal Message
Dear Parents & Members of the School Community,
It has been a busy term and an eventful year. The announcement of the new Director has been received with great interest and promises to be a fresh start in the new academic year.
In school, the students in Secondary have been involved in numerous activities this term, most recently the ski trips arranged by the PE Department, the Individuals and Societies fun mock money fund raiser and the Science Fair last week. Student received certificates for the latter in Assembly this morning.
Graduation took place for our first cohort of Grade 12 Leavers and the PYP Graduates. They all looked very smart in their gowns. We wish the elder students the very best of luck on their academic journey. Staff and students spent months preparing for the two important events. It was a pleasure to have seen such satisfied expressions of parents and families.
Ramadan came and went so quickly and it is hoped that families enjoyed the extended holiday for Eid al Fitr. Internal examinations exams were sat by students for the first time during, which proved to be a challenge and an opportunity for some.
The second and final Book Fair took place too, which the Library staff arranged. The Quran competition awards were given out to students too, with many honoured for their hard work and excellent memorization.
Recently, Grade 5 transition to Secondary experiences took place with tours and lunches in the Secondary building, allowing Grade 5’s to taste what it was like to be in the upper school. Mr Darren and the Grade 5 teachers all helped to make this a smooth process. In the last month, the elder students sat public examinations in Grades 8-12, the first time by the younger students. So, the end of August will be nervously awaited by some.
The next academic year is already quickly filling up with lots of events already, amongst them being an exciting partnership with Ajman Government and Ajyal Talent based in Abu Dhabi visiting AJAC and helping the students to enter the world of Artificial Intelligence.
With the term approaching the threshold of the extended summer holidays, everyone is wished a relaxing and safe experience. Time to recharge and spend time with family, friends and acquiring new memories.
Best regards,
Sam Hamdani
Acting Secondary Principal
AJAC New director: mr. Fiyaz ahmed
Ajman Academy is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Fiyaz Ahmed as AJAC Director effective 26 August, 2018.
Mr Fiyaz has worked successfully in large international schools in the UAE and Jordan; within the International Baccalaureate framework. He has gained extensive experience within the education field by starting as a Secondary teacher and then steadily moving up through the various levels of management. This grass roots beginning has provided invaluable exposure to overcoming challenging situations providing him with the confidence, knowledge and skills to lead an effective team and school towards meeting and exceeding its goals.
Mr Fiyaz spent the last four years as Vice Principal at Amman Baccalaureate School in Jordan. Prior to this, he spent 5 years in the UAE working in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah.
Mr Fiyaz’s professional qualifications include: an MA in Education from University of Bath, UK; PGCE in Science from Loughborough University, UK and BSc (Hons) in Applied Biology from Coventry University, UK.
We look forward to working with Mr Fiyaz and we are confident that under Mr Fiyaz’s leadership, Ajman Academy will rise to new heights of excellence.
Secondary School Leadership Team
Mr. Peter Ross: Secondary School Principal
Mr. Darren Stanbury: Secondary School Deputy Principal
Ms. Sam Hamdani: Assistant Principal / Pastoral Girls
Ms. Nicola Sachse: Pastoral Care Leader
Ms. Debbie Vincent: MYP Coordinator
Graduation Ceremonies at AJAC
Moving forward, our graduates will be going onto further education, some staying locally in the UAE, while others will be traveling abroad. Wherever they go, we are confident that they will excel!
Our graduating Grade 12 class of 2018 are:
BOYS
Ahmad Khaled Alnuaimi
Ali Mahamud Jamal Abdinasir
Chu Chieh
Jamil Hassan Alalami
Khaled Al Hosini
Omar Raeed Ataya
Osama Tariq
GIRLS
Fatima Ibrahim Alzarooni
Kawther Nadham Alhamad
Leen Khazneh Katbi
Lydia Jane Pollitt
Nikita Stanbury
Primary Graduations
Our KG2 students are It's moving onto Grade 1! We wish them all the best of luck as they start their new journey and beginning in PYP!
Grade 5 students are officially entering Secondary school! AJAC is proud to present the Graduation ceremony of our Grade 5 students! It was heartfelt and emotional seeing our students blossom through the years and we would like to wish them all the very best of luck in the new milestone that awaits ahead!
And finally, we would like to extend our congratulations to our Grade 6 students who have now officially graduated from PYP onto the MYP. We wish them all the very best of luck in Grade 7 next year!
Please visit our Facebook page to view our albums and videos for the Graduations
New Ajman Academy Website
Exam results
We are in a position to confirm the following dates:
Grade 12 results: 16.08.2018
Grade 11 results: 23.08.2018
We wish all our students the very best of luck!
Back to school
We look forward to welcoming back our students to a fresh, new start on what promises to be a great year head!