Aldar Academies - Educational Institutes in Abu Dhabi
Transcription
Aldar Academies - Educational Institutes in Abu Dhabi
ABU DHABI & AL AIN Innovate Initiate LEARN Lead SOLVE ISSUE NO.1 June 2014 ALDAR ACADEMIES r e t t e l s ew N Photo featured: Al Bateen Secondary School trip to Switzerland ALDARACADEMIES.COM s t n e Cont Welcome Letter from the CEO By Nilay Ozral, Chief Executive Officer, Aldar Academies 4-5 Interview with Chairman of Aldar Academies Education in Abu Dhabi by Mohamed Al Mubarak 6-7 Aldar Academies News Aldar Academies New Appointments 8-12 13-15 Q&A with Dr Chiara Tabet, Head of Al Bateen Senior School16 International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Aldar Academies School Activities 18-19 School news Al Ain International School Al Bateen Secondary School Al Muna Primary School Al Mushrif Primary School The Pearl Primary School Al Yasmina School Term Dates 2 20-21 22-23 24-25 26-27 28-29 30-31 32 3 ALDAR ACADEMIES Welcome Letter Welcome Letter Dear Parents and Colleagues, I would like to welcome you to our maiden issue of the Aldar Academies newsletter. As we continue to grow, we hope updates like this, through our newsletter will be of benefit and keep you informed about the exciting on-goings across all our schools. Our journey as a provider of academic services began humbly in 2007 with a single school of 250 students. Today, we operate six schools spread across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, serving nearly 4,600 students. Constantly in motion are our plans to open new institutions in order to serve the increasing demand for an Aldar Academies’ quality education. We are happy to announce plans to launch a primary and girls’ secondary school which will be located behind the Al Mamoura Building in Abu Dhabi just off the East Ring Road. Due to the tireless work of our team, we are well on track to open for the 2015-2016 academic year. Besides this, we are also excited to let you know that we have plans to open nursery schools in the near future. This move will ensure that students can get an Aldar Academies education right from their formative years all the way till they enter college. But without an already existent foundation of excellence, we would not venture to open new schools. In order to ensure this foundation of excellence, it is in our best interest to provide our teachers with the most cutting edge strategies in teaching. Teachers at an Aldar Academies school undergo continuing professional development, or CPD, which equips them with leadership skills in order to be the best teachers they can possibly be. Implemented in the last year, our performance management strategy rewards teachers whose students have performed well in recognition of their effort. This training has been one of the many reasons why all of Aldar Academies’ schools were awarded top Band A ratings by the Abu Dhabi Education Council, with Al Yasmina School, Pearl Primary School, Al Muna and Al Bateen placed in the A2 or ‘Very Good’ category. Despite having an international flavour, our roots are strongly planted in this region and Arabic studies continues to get a major impetus. We travelled to the King’s Academy, a renowned institution in Jordan, and met with the Head of the Arabic Department to better understand their curriculum and best practice teaching methods. In addition, we also established relationships with the Queen Rania Teaching Academy in Jordan that aims to develop Arabic language, teachers, attitudes, pedagogical skills and practices. At Aldar Academies, it is of the utmost importance for us to encourage the development of the whole child – academically, athletically, creatively, and socially. For example, in this previous term, our children took part in the Middle East’s first Montessori Model United Nations that promoted the skills of teamwork, public speaking and leadership among others. This is but one example of an inspiring event organized by Aldar Academies, and I’m sure you’ll read with pride, the other exciting events that your child participated in over the past year. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge our incredible teaching and support staff. They have been the cornerstones in our vision to create leaders of tomorrow, inspiring our children and sparking their passions. Lastly, thank you, dear parents for your support in our quest to shape your children into leaders of tomorrow. We hope you enjoy reading this newsletter and we look forward to hearing from you. Have a great summer holiday! Yours Sincerely Nilay Ozral Aldar Academies Chief Executive Officer 4 5 ALDAR ACADEMIES Chairman Interview ALDAR ACADEMIES Chairman Interview education in abu dhabi an INTERVIEW WITH Mr Mohammed Al Mubarak, Chairman of Aldar Academies 1. What are the main challenges that Abu Dhabi has faced in recent years in delivering quality education? Abu Dhabi aims to develop a quality education system that equips students with the skills and knowledge needed to drive the Emirate’s socio-economic progress. At Aldar Academies, we are committed to taking this vision forward. The education process is evolving in Abu Dhabi and we see that challenges are being addressed as we bring the system on par with global best practices. As is the case with education anywhere, success is dependent on the infrastructure that is available. Beyond infrastructure, finding good quality teachers, who can positively impact students’ progress, is important. Lastly, quality education needs to go beyond academics and we need to ensure that we are empowering students with other skills, like music, sports, arts, which complement what is taught in the classroom. ADEC’s P-12 Strategic Plan focuses on developing teaching and learning in schools to meet international standards which will develop students to become independent thinkers, demonstrating the skills required to excel in higher education and in their future careers. 2. What are the current challenges? Currently most Abu Dhabi schools have faculty from around the world. We want to develop and train world-class teachers from the UAE itself. It is also important for us to draw a balance between modernity while still ensuring students in Abu Dhabi are taught about the UAE’s rich culture and heritage. At Aldar Academies we prepare children for a future that does not yet exist. Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders. They will have a major role to play in the country’s economic and social development. Therefore, it’s important that we prepare them for this responsibility. As Abu Dhabi and the UAE develop, there are exciting opportunities being made available for youth in various fields. It’s important that youth are aware of these opportunities and are actively pursuing them. 6 including school inspections and the publication of ratings, have made schools more accountable to parents and students. In addition, the introduction of child care and mandatory implementation of civil defence guidelines have made education safer in the Emirate. 4. What are the significant trends underway in the education sector? There has been a significant shift in how education is imparted to students in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Standalone schools have made way for group run schools because parents are seeing the benefits of efficiencies and best practices when applied across multiple schools. There is also increased interest in curriculums, such as the IB, which encourage learning beyond the textbook, including the development of leadership and critical thinking skills as well as sports, arts and culture. At Aldar Academies, we are committed to inspiring new ways of learning while ensuring we put in place a robust education system. 5. Which are some innovative initiatives that are having a positive impact? I think one of the most important initiatives that has had a positive impact was the introduction of a wide range of extra-curricular activities for school students across age groups. This has helped develop well-rounded students whether they choose to pursue swimming, arts and culture, languages and even music. It’s important that students in Abu Dhabi are prepared for a future of success and we believe that initiatives like these will play a large role in ensuring that. Our recent programmes have included the Montessori Model United Nations, interactions with Monica Seles which taught students about the importance of an active lifestyle. We’ve also had Laila Ali, daughter of Mohammed Ali, come in to interact with students. At Aldar Academies, we strongly believe in interactive teaching and creating experiences for our students. 6. What are some examples of best practice or significant improvement in schools? While I can’t speak for other schools in Abu Dhabi, I can tell you about Aldar Academies. The introduction of a British curriculum followed by the IB Diploma programme is a step we believe has led to significant improvement amongst our students. We have also ensured a focus on Arabic, which has helped promote a national identity amongst Emirati students while at the same time introducing expat students to the local culture and heritage. 3. What are key milestones in the development of education over the last decade? 7. What has been the impact of the formation of the AD Education Council (in 2005)? Over the last decade, I believe the biggest milestone in education in Abu Dhabi has been the introduction of regulations. With that we have seen a distinct rise in the quality of education. Initiatives, The formation of ADEC has been of considerable benefit to education here in Abu Dhabi. The introduction of regulations and the rating system has been an important step towards ensuring that education in Abu Dhabi is supported by certain guidelines. All Aldar Academies schools have been rated Band A, which is testament to the quality of education that we provide. In addition, ADEC has been instrumental in ensuring that the curriculum is up-to-date and relevant. Changes have included the shift from a rote based curriculum to one that encourages a well-rounded education, and development of soft skills. 8. What is significant about The National Curriculum(rolled out in 2007)? At Aldar Academies, we have introduced the British Curriculum and IB Diploma programmes in our schools. This way parents are able to choose the best of international curriculum, here in Abu Dhabi, for their children. While we don’t follow The National Curriculum, we do know that it helped to ensure that students are not just being spoon-fed. The bilingual curriculum has helped more students have access to teaching methods that are worldclass. It is important for Abu Dhabi’s future socio-economic growth that schools, through their choice of curriculum, are focused on developing well rounded students and not just following text books. 9. How is the roll out of the New Schools Model going? The New School Model (NSM) was an initiative by the Abu Dhabi government to improve teaching in public schools and is not relevant to Aldar Academies. I see it as the foundation for an improved educational system in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. This model is based on a student-centered learning approach, where students learn in a resource and technology-rich environment, within modern teaching facilities. A wide variety of learning activities cater to the different learning styles of each student. Within this model, the curriculum, which is linked to student learning outcomes, and the new teaching methods, enhance student learning by developing the student as a communicator, a thinker and a problem solver. The roll-out so far seems to be positive and has had a great impact. 10.What is the progress on the Future Schools Programme? (building 100 schools by 2020) In 2008, ADEC embarked on an ambitious program: to build 100 new schools throughout Abu Dhabi by 2020. Much more than just a construction project, this is an intrinsic part of our overall strategic plan to transform education in our Emirate. The future schools project aims to gain a thorough understanding of educational needs and community expectations, to achieve the highest international standards in education and to produce designs that are not only safe, appropriate for learning, sustainable, well-built and easy to maintain, but also attractive, stimulating for students and teachers, and welcoming for parent and community participation. primary school in 2007, followed shortly by a through school called Al Yasmina. This was followed by two more primary schools Al Muna and Al Mushrif, as well as a secondary school, Al Bateen. We have plans to open another through school with a girls only secondary by 2015 We also have plans to expand into the nursery market. 11. What has been the experience of private management of public schools? At Aldar Academies, we run our own schools. However, there have been instances of private management taking over public schools. This has helped bring in efficiencies and improve the quality of education at such schools. In addition, students are given access to a robust education system. 12. What is the status of teacher training? We understand that a world-class teaching staff is the key to an engaging and effective education. Our search for the best teachers takes us around the world, giving our schools a real international feel. Teacher training not only benefits Aldar Academies’ faculty, but also improves students’ performances. That is why, it is important to have a training program in place. Our Continuous Professional Development (CPD) plan helps improve our teachers’ skills and encourages promotion and growth from within. The CPD has been instrumental in teacher retention while ensuring their commitment to our vision for students. All Aldar Academies teachers recently completed Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and leadership training. 13. What are the activities of Aldar Academies and how have they evolved since its creation? From a single 247-student facility in 2007, Aldar Academies has fast grown into a highly sought-after institution serving 4,600 students in six schools in Abu Dhabi and one in Al Ain. This phenomenal expansion reflects the great confidence of parents, students, and Abu Dhabi’s education authorities in Aldar Academies’ model At Aldar Academies, we provide inspiring learning environments, combining the very best academic, arts and sporting facilities with the highest standards of teaching. Becoming an integral part of the communities to which we belong, Aldar Academies’ schools allow all our children to find and pursue their passions and prepare them for a future of success. Aldar Academies is committed to offering the very best in sport and fitness to its pupils. We are also focussed on interaction between students from our community of schools. We look to develop and maintain excellent relationships with parents and the local community, in order to create an environment where students from diverse cultures and background feel a true sense of belonging. As per information from ADEC, at the end of 2012, 32 schools were completed in Abu Dhabi. The schools that have been built so far have a capacity of over 25,000 and are spread across Al Ain, the Western Region and Abu Dhabi. Aldar Academies opened its first 7 ALDAR ACADEMIES NEWS ALDAR ACADEMIES The United Nations at Aldar Academies NEWS Hitting a High Note Featuring over 600 of our talented students, Aldar Academies proudly presented Musical Celebration – A Journey across the World. The charity event, held in honour of Special Care Centre in Abu Dhabi, was hosted at Emirates Palace on June 18th and featured performances of symphonies from across the world. Showcasing the talents in different musical styles in Arabic, Samba, Pop, Jazz and Reggae, the students performed music from the UAE, Ireland, Brazil and the USA. This event sought to help the Special Care Centre reach its goal of raising AED 25 million to build a new centre in Al Bahia for 400 children. Global students make for global institutions that challenge the status quo and aim to lead on the international stage. With nearly 300 of our students in attendance, Aldar Academies had the honour of hosting the Middle East’s first Montessori Model United Nations from January 31st to February 4th. The event opened with a personalized video message from the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and aimed to further educate our students about current world events, diplomacy and key topics in international relations. “We are proud to see our students use skills learnt in school to raise funds for Abu Dhabi’s Special Care Centre. We hope that our students, through their talents, continue to contribute to the creation of a better future for society,” Nilay Ozral, Chief Executive Officer of Aldar Academies, commented. Sponsored by the Mubadala Development Company and the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, students were able to attend the event that promoted instrumental skills in their development as leaders and nurtured interests, in areas such as research, time management, world affairs, international relations, debating and negotiating, tolerance for other cultures, leadership qualities, public speaking, written communication, role playing and empathy concerning the plight of world citizens. The event highlighted Aldar Academies’ acknowledgement of the importance of creative capacity in its pupils as well as the nurturing of a charitable spirit among its student body. Aldar Academies’ students raised a total of AED 136,275, including an AED 100,000 donation from Aldar. The event was a reflection of Aldar Academies’ sweeping internationalism and community spirit. As an amalgamation of numerous nationalities, cultures, and ideals, MMUN provided the students of Aldar Academies’ with useful tools to further their probing into world issues while encouraging their understanding of one another’s backgrounds. Monica Seles: Inspiring Students to Lead Healthy Lifestyles Former world champion tennis player, Monica Seles, inspired over 1,000 Aldar Academies’ students at a health and wellbeing event at Zayed Sports City tennis stadium. Seles was in Abu Dhabi for the Inspirational Women of Fitness event, which was sponsored by the Mubadala Development Company, and coincided with International Women’s Day on March 8th, 2014. Aldar Academies’ philosophy consistently emphasises the importance of a healthy lifestyle and physical fitness. Seles engaged students in a talk where she spoke about the importance of prioritizing healthy lifestyles, her experience as a professional tennis player, and the hardships that influenced her life decisions. Attracting Emirati Talent Maha Salha, 43, is an Emirati Arabic teacher at Al Mushrif Primary School. Recently, she was featured in an article in The National. While the article discussed difficulties in engaging Emirati youth in the teaching profession, Ms Salha commented, “It’s the best job in the world.” She went on, “The children are the future and it’s up to us as teachers, the ones who work at schools, to educate them and give them motivation to build a country, to build a future, because our hope for our future relies on them.” It satisfies us immensely that we are able to attract top Emirati talent at our schools, and in the process, authentically teach our pupils about UAE culture. The event was the latest in a series of health and fitness events with inspirational figures at Aldar Academies. Last year, Laila Ali, the four-time boxing world champion spoke to students at Al Bateen School about following their career dreams and fitting exercise into their daily lifestyles. 7 8 9 ALDAR ACADEMIES NEWS islamic studies and arabic achievements Aysel Al Abd had the honor of winning the first place in Memorising the Holy Quran Contest under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Hissa Bint Mohammad Al Nahyan. Aysel, aged 8, is a Year 2 student at Al Mushrif School - Aldar Academies. She was able to memorise five chapters of the Quran with perfect pronounciation (Tajweed) and to win the competition for all age’s group which took place on Saturday, the 11th of May 2014. ALDAR ACADEMIES NEWS الدراسات اإلسالمية ولغة عربية رفيعة ّ ّ ّ ّ ّ الت ميز في مسابقة جائزة الشيخة على المركز األول مع كان للطالبة ّ أيسل العبد ّ شرف الحصول ّ ّ التي أقيمت في الحادي عشر من شهر مايو برعاية،حصة بنت محمد آل ّنهيان للقرآن الكريم ّ ّ سمو الشيخة شيخة بنت سيف آل .نهيان سامية من ّ ّ ّ ثماني سنوات و هي من تالميذ الصف الثاني في مدرسة المشرف أيسل البالغة من العمر ّ ّ ّ ّ ّ ّ تمكنت من حفظ خمسة أجزاء من القرآن الكريم؛ مما جعلها تتفوق،ألكاديميات الدار التابعة ّ .على جميع المشاركين في المسابقة من مختلف الفئات العمرية ّ ّ ّ ّ ّ ّ تميز شهاب العبد من الصف الخامس ومنصور الفالسي من الص ّف الثالث في مدرسة ّ ّ ّ ّ فقد،المشاركة في مسابقة الثقافة اإلسالمية خالل من ار الد ات ألكاديمي ابعة الت المشرف ّ ّ ّ ّ استطاعا و مقابلة،بتميز اجتياز المراحل الثالث من المسابقة و التي تتضمن حفظ القرآن الكريم ّ ّ باإلضافة إلى القيام بعمل تطو ّعي يسهم في،شخص له دور فعال في خدمة الوطن ّ ّ و قد تم تكريم الفائزين في الحفل الذي أقيم في،إدخال السعادة على قلوب اآلخرين ّ .الوطنية في العاشر من شهر يونيو مدرسة اإلمارات ّ ّ ّ ّ ألكاديميات الدار بمشاركة الطالبة ريماس صالح باظفاري من تفخر مدرسة ّالمشرف التابعة ّ ّ ّ ّ ّ و تميزها في مسابقة،انية في مدرسة المشرف التابعة ألكاديميات الدار ّ صف الروضة الث ّ وقد،في السابع والعشرين من شهر ّمايو ّ شاعر المستقبل التي أقيمت في قصر اإلمارات ّ ريماس على جائزة إلبداعها في إلقاء الشعر النبطي في هذا الحدث الذي جمع حصلت ّ ّ مدير عام مجلس- العديد من الشعراء اإلماراتيين ومعالي الدكتورة أمل عبداهلل القبيسي ّ ّ ّ .نفيذي أبوظبي للتعليم و عضو المجلس الت Shehab Al Abd from Year 5 and Mansour Al Falasi from Year 3 at Al Mushrif School participated in the Islamic Culture Competition. Shehab and Mansour were able to successfully complete the three stages of the competition: memorizing Chapters from the Holy Quran, interviewing an active person in the UAE society and participating in voluntary work. Shehab and Mansour were honored in Emirates National School in June 2014. Al Mushrif School - Aldar Academies is proud of the success of Reemas Saleh Badhafari from FS2 for her participation in “Future Poet Competition”, which was held at Emirates Palace on Tuesday, 27th May 2014. Reemas received special recognition for her recitation of Nabati Poetry. The event was attended by many local dignitaries including H.E. Dr. Amal Abdulla Al Qubaisi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Education Council, and a member of the Executive Council 7 8 10 11 ALDAR ACADEMIES NEWS Aldar Academies Continued Professional Development Aldar Academies is firmly committed to providing and facilitating a range of personalised CPD opportunities for teachers and support staff. This year, there has been an extensive menu of in-house training and conference activities. Senior and Middle Leaders have worked collaboratively through a range of networks to ensure best practice is shared across our six schools. The Academies wide appointments of Vanessa Matthews (Head of ICT) and Iman Ghannoum (Head of Arabic) have served to significantly strengthen our CPD offer and we have welcomed colleagues from Cambridge Education, Shonette Basin, Sir John Jones and Tim Rylands to deliver Arabic Dimension, EYFS, Leadership and ICT training respectively. In addition to opportunities to attend accredited IB, ADEC and BSME courses, a number of staff have also undertaken ‘Action Research’ Projects or are studying for Masters Degrees. Looking ahead to the new academic year, the menu of training and CPD opportunities will continue to expand and we look forward to the roll out our new, on-line Professional Learning Platform. ALDAR ACADEMIES Aldar Academies Education IT Strategy This year has been a year of planning and setting the foundations for our IT Strategy. There has been a range of CPD activity for teachers to strengthen and develop our creative use of technology for teaching and learning. The delightful and inspiring Tim Rylands and Sarah Neild worked with our teachers at the Aldar Academies ICT to Inspire Conference in April and inspired some amazing work in classrooms across Aldar Academies. It is wonderful to see the ongoing impact and creativity. We plan to have Tim and Sarah back to work with us later this year to share our achievements and continue this work. During the year some of our students and teachers have been trialling the use of class sets of iPads. They have shown us that these devices offer so much for the classroom and are leading the way with some fabulous work on Padlet, ThingLink, and GarageBand to name just a few tools. Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 pupils have been very busy with Busy Things! We have also trialled a range of other learning tools and look forward to introducing new services to all Key Stages over the coming academic year. As the school year comes to a close, there has been a flurry of activity as orders are placed and we can look forward to the next round of new hardware and software arriving in Term 1. Thanks to both students and teachers for their ongoing personal development in the use of technology, and we look forward to working together towards our vision for ICT within Aldar Academies. Aldar Academies Arabic Dimension As we strive for excellence in all areas of the curriculum, a key priority is to ensure the delivery of high quality teaching and learning in the Arabic Dimension. At the start of the year, we were delighted to announce the appointment of Mrs. Iman Ghannoum as Head of Arabic across Aldar Academies. Since her appointment, Mrs. Ghannoum has worked in partnership with EMT, Principals and Heads of Arabic to ensure the highest calibre of Arabic teachers have been recruited and exciting, engaging resources to support the Arabic dimension have been procured and developed. There have been a number of Academies-wide activities to promote and further enhance National Identity, including the wonderful Aldar Academies 42nd National Day Celebrations in each school. In addition, an extensive programme of CPD has been delivered, which blended internal and external expertise, as Aldar Academies worked in partnership with Cambridge Education and colleagues from ADEC. All of these initiatives have impacted positively on teaching and learning in classrooms across our schools this year. Our focus and commitment to ensure the delivery of high quality teaching and learning in the Arabic Dimension will continue across 2014-15. 12 New Appointments New Appointments Aldar Academies Head of Inclusion We are delighted to announce the appointment of Kate McMillan as the new Academies-wide Head of Inclusion, from September 2014. Working collaboratively with Aldar Academies EMT, Principals and SENCOs from ALDAR Academies Primary and Secondary Schools, Kate McMillan will drive the strategic leadership of inclusion across our schools to further develop, expand and enhance provision and services available to families and students with additional needs. During Term 1 of the new academic year, Kate will lead an Academies-wide audit of existing provision to inform the development and implementation of Academies-wide policy and practice for pupils with additional learning needs. Kate will also continue to actively contribute to the delivery of high standards of teaching and learning, pupil achievement and progression through effective provision for pupils with inclusion needs as SENCO at Al Muna School coordinating and delivering support sessions and intervention. Leadership and Management of the Instrumental Music Service Aldar Academies is delighted to announce that from September 2014, in addition to her role as Head of Primary Music at Al Yasmina School, Miss Rebecca Octave will also assume leadership and management of the Aldar Academies Instrumental Music Service. Working collaboratively with Aldar Academies EMT, Principals and Heads of Music from ALDAR Academies Primary and Secondary Schools, Miss Rebecca Octave will assume accountability for ensuring delivery of high quality music provision, the effective use of staffing and resources, and actively contribute to improving standards of music and performance across all schools. As IMS Leader, Rebecca Octave will develop and lead an Academieswide IMS performance programme for parents and the community, including recitals, assemblies and concerts. Rebecca Octave will also co-ordinate the IMS extra-curricular activities programmes across all the schools, including ensembles, orchestra, choirs and music trips / events / performances as required. We are fully confident that, with 100% support from her colleagues, Rebecca’s appointment will serve to strengthen the strategic leadership of Aldar Academies IMS, delivering innovation and excellence, growing partnerships and ultimately increasing participation at all levels of music across our six high performing, successful schools in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. Appointment of Head of Arabic We are delighted to announce the appointment of Mrs. Iman Ghannoum as the Head of Arabic at Aldar Academies. An Aldar Academies veteran, Mrs. Ghannoum joined the organization as an Arabic and Islamic Studies Teacher in September 2008 and was last appointed as Head of the Arabic Department at Al Mushrif School in September 2011. Iman’s dedication to her role is visible in her ability to build effective partnerships and demonstrates resourcefulness and innovative professional characteristics that she brings to her job. Working closely with colleagues, she is committed to facilitating every Aldar Academies’ students’ social and intellectual growth by creating an atmosphere of mutual respect and open communication. She has tremendous love for children and places the highest value on learning. Her calm attitude and excellent understanding of children and staff needs have allowed her to lead her team effectively through the challenges of raising the standards of teaching Arabic, thereby achieving outstanding results. Speaking on her appointment Mrs. Iman Ghannoum said, “I am humbled to be appointed as Head of Arabic at Aldar Academies. After spending more than half a decade in this organization, I am only more excited to support the growth and development of the Arabic language amongst our students. As a professional, I believe in being learning is a continuous process, a belief I apply to my personal and professional life. I look forward to working closely with my colleagues and parents of students to develop the younger generation’s skills and knowledge to become successful citizens and ambassadors to the world.” HEAD OF ICT We are delighted to announce the appointment of Vanessa Matthews as Head of ICT (Education IT Strategy Lead). She has a wealth of experience in ICT leadership and Professional Development having been a Senior Lecturer for Education and ICT as well as an Advisory Teacher for a UK Local Authority. Vanessa’s role initially involved reviewing IT provision across all of our schools to plan and implement the Education IT strategy. This is well underway and there are some interesting and innovative developments emerging. I’m sure you will be hearing more about this in the coming months. Vanessa also leads on e-safety, using her previous experience as a CEOP ambassador to support our pupils in developing positive online profiles. Speaking on her appointment Vanessa Matthews said, “I believe it is an exciting time to be both an educator and a pupil at Aldar Academies and worldwide. Technology offers us a wealth of opportunities for learning that expand all of our experiences and allow our pupils to grow as digital citizens of the world.” 13 ALDAR ACADEMIES New Appointments ALDAR ACADEMIES New Appointments New Principals Al Bateen Al Mushrif We are delighted to announce that Mr. David Hutson, currently Deputy Principal of Al Bateen Secondary School, is to succeed Mrs. Bradbury from September 2014. Mr. Hutson has been a part of the school’s senior leadership team since its opening in September 2011. Mr. Hutson is a highly experienced educator who joined Aldar Academies after time spent in a number of leadership positions in UK schools. We are delighted to announce that Mrs. Emma Shanahan is to become Principal of Al Mushrif Primary School. Mrs. Shanahan has worked for Aldar Academies for six years and is currently Deputy Head Teacher at Al Muna Primary School. Mrs. Shanahan takes on the leadership of the school at an important time in the school’s history as Al Mushrif begins the next phase of development that will see it open on a new site, which will also include a ‘girls only’ secondary school, in September 2015. Statement from Mr. David Hutson: “I am delighted to have been appointed as the new Principal and am excited about the challenges ahead. I strongly believe in the school’s vision for an outstanding, holistic, international education for all students; a learning environment in which students achieve their academic potential, develop intercultural understanding and gain the personal attributes needed for working life in the 21st century. I look forward to working collaboratively with students, parents and staff as we continue our journey towards being a truly outstanding school.” Al Yasmina Dr. Timothy Hughes will become the new Principal of Al Yasmina School. Dr. Hughes is married with two children and has fifteen years of experience in teaching, the last seven of which have been in leadership roles. He is currently leading a large academy in the UK that is Ofsted outstanding in all aspects and a designated national teaching school. Dr. Hughes has a background in Science, holding a degree in Chemistry and a doctorate in Physics, and spent two years in the industry as a senior medical researcher. Statement from Mrs. Emma Shanahan: “I am delighted to be taking up the post of Principal of Al Mushrif, and feel hugely excited at the future opportunities for our school community. My family and I, like many people who are new to Abu Dhabi, initially committed to living here for two years – six years later, we are still learning and thriving, and Abu Dhabi has become our home. Al Mushrif has been built on firm foundations, and developing these as we move forward – eventually to our very own school site – will be an exciting focus for the coming months. In my leadership, building positive relationships and mutual respect is key – with families, staff, and children. School needs to be an exciting, friendly environment so children feel secure to commit to learning, and family involvement is key to their success. I believe working with families and giving them tools to support their children’s learning is beneficial for all, the school community, and most importantly the children and their learning. I ensure that our teachers are well trained, and supported to develop new teaching skills to ensure that your children make outstanding progress – both academically and socially. Finally, a central theme is to ensure your children’s learning is meaningful and relevant, as then they will be engaged, motivated, and make as much progress as possible. I am looking forward to meeting you all in due course and working with you closely to provide the very best environment for your children to thrive.” The Pearl Primary School We are delighted to announce that Mr. Alistair Bond is to become Principal of The Pearl. Mr. Bond joined Aldar Academies as Deputy Principal at the Pearl Primary School in April 2012 and was appointed Principal of Al Mushrif School in April 2013. Under his leadership and with his team of outstanding teaching staff and supportive parent community, Al Mushrif has gone from strength to strength, providing children with a well-rounded education in an enriched environment. He firmly believes that a key ingredient to ensuring a successful school is inspiring children to become lifelong learners who are curious about the world around them. Statement from Mr Alistair Bond: “I feel privileged and honoured to be taking on the role of Principal of the Pearl Primary School; a school I know extremely well both as a teacher and parent. I am most excited at the prospect of building on its tremendous success and further enhancing the reputation it so deservedly enjoys both here in the UAE and internationally. I very much look forward to meeting you all over the coming months.” NEW School due to open in 2015 appointment We are delighted to announce that Mrs. Tamra Bradbury has recently accepted the post of Secondary Principal for the new Al Mamoura School and will be remaining with Aldar Academies. Al Mamoura School is planned to open in September 2015 and will accommodate students from Al Mushrif School. Mrs. Tamra Bradbury will strengthen the strategic leadership for the new school and will spearhead the exciting development of an Aldar Academies Girls Secondary School. Ahead of September 2015, Mrs. Tamra Bradbury will work collaboratively with Aldar Academies EMT and Mrs. Emma Shanahan (new Primary Principal, Al Mushrif School) to assume responsibility for all administrative duties associated with the initial set-up and management of Al Mamoura School; licensing, marketing, secondary curriculum development, resourcing, staffing and recruitment, policy development and admissions. Tamra will also act to strengthen the secondary support and IB expertise across Aldar Academies, as we continue to develop and enhance our post 16 provision. Commenting on his appointment, Dr. Timothy Hughes said, “I am delighted and privileged to have been appointed as Principal of Al Yasmina School and very much look forward to joining the community in August and to playing my part in helping Al Yasmina reach even higher levels of excellence. I believe passionately in the role education can play in making the world a better place, to ensuring that no child is left behind and that all children are able to fulfil their hopes, dreams and ambitions. I am passionate about educational research and believe firmly that research holds the key to new levels of success in teaching, learning and achievement. Success comes through partnership and collaboration and I look forward to working with all staff, students and parents at Al Yasmina over the coming years. Let’s dare to dream to be beyond world class!” 14 15 Q&A ALDAR ACADEMIES ALDAR ACADEMIES ABU DHABI AL BATEEN SECONDARY SCHOOL IB DIPLOMA PROGRAMME STARTING SEPT 2014 All you want to know about the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Interview with dr. chiara tabet. ibdp coordinator and head of al bateen senior school. What are the key strengths the IB Diploma programmes bring to students wishing to study at an international university? They’re well prepared both from an academic and cultural view. From an academic point of view, they study a challenging programme and develop excellent time-management skills. You really learn the importance of deadlines on the IB, which is a crucial life skill. Students study broadly and deeply and acquire a rounded knowledge. Culturally, they learn how to discuss views with people from all other parts of the world, and acknowledged other people’s views. They learn to accept that there might be many different points of view on an issue, and that, from an academic side, there is often a multiplicity of perspectives and it is an international one. What are the key academic strengths the IBDP brings to students wishing to study at an international university? Students take six subjects, three of which we are at a higher level. This gives them an opportunity to study the subjects that are directly related to their future career choices in depth, while enjoying a much broader learning experience. They will also develop excellent time management skills. You really learn the importance of deadlines and self-discipline, which are crucial life skills in general, and which will stand them in good stead once they reach university. It comes as no surprise, then, that according to recent studies IBDP graduates have a considerably higher chance of being admitted into leading international universities than students with other qualifications, and that they tend to do much better once they are at university. For example, a study conducted by a leading UK school between 2000 and 2007 show that IBDP students’ results at Oxford and Cambridge universities are significantly better than the ones achieved by the overall student population– this is in addition to earning, on average, higher starting salaries when they enter the job market! Culturally speaking, the programme gives students a framework to think deeply about themselves, about why they are studying what they are and where it will all lead. For example, students study Theory of Knowledge, so they reflect on what truth and knowledge are, on why research is important, on why disagreement in science is key to progress, and they gain a better understanding of the dynamics of intellectual development, all of which is excellent preparation for higher education: top universities welcome reflective students who are critical and independent thinkers. How does the programme help students to stand out in their 8 16 Dr. Chiara Tabet. university applications? All students complete around 150 hours of community, action and service over the two years. This doesn’t just mean going to chess club. It might be starting a chess tournament and giving money to charity, or managing football tournaments, or learning a new skill while reflecting on its importance. The activities are designed to enable students to develop leadership qualities and team working skills. By the time they write their personal statement or essay for their university applications they will not just write about what they have done; they will write about who they are and who they aspire to become. That ability to reflect upon their identity and beliefs is quite striking, and is something university admission officers notice. What are the biggest misconceptions students have over the IBDP? That they will spend their lives working late every night and at weekends too! The style of workload with the IB is different to A Levels. It is more like university study in many ways with the extended essay, the regular assignment deadlines and the need to acquire a broad base of knowledge across many areas. But it should not require more hours than students can manage. All students have to study hard to achieve success no matter what academic system they are in – the IBDP provides them with additional opportunities to achieve the success they strive for. More than 1 million students in over 145 countries attend IB World Schools. I am Savannah Sutherland and this is why I choose the IB Diploma: “While studying for the IB Diploma we will also be asked to play a leadership role by managing special events and teams. I am passionate about International Relations and Diplomacy, which I am hoping to study at University because they bring people together, focusing on what they have in common and allowing them to appreciate and respect their differences. The IB Diploma will open a world of opportunities for me and my friends – we are all truly looking forward to it!” More than 1 million students in over 145 countries attend IB World Schools. To learn more about the IB Diploma Programme at Al Bateen Secondary School in Abu Dhabi go to www.aldaracademies.com ALDARACADEMIES.COM 17 ALDAR ACADEMIES schools activities ALDAR ACADEMIES schools activities schools activities The Pearl Book oduction occhio Theatre Pr The Pearl Pin Al Bate Al Bateen School Trip ip to Italy en School Tr en Inte a Week Al Mushrif’s Al Ya smin a Trip to Ne w York C ity to Umm A Al Ain UAE l-Quwain nal Day 42nd Natio Al Mushrif’s Get Active Week In Al Bateen w York City Al Yasmina Trip to Ne l Day wain Al Muna Dram l Day ternationa Nationa m Al-Qu ip to Um Al Ain Tr Drama W eek AE 42 nd nal Da y Al Ain Trip Al Muna Al Ain U rnatio Al Bate to Italy Week eek Get Active W Al Mushrif’s Vis it from Manchester City Football Club Al Yasmina Extracurricul ar Activities Al Mushri f’s World Record A ttemp t nal Day E 42nd Natio The Pearl’s UA in 18 m Al Yas s ctivitie ular A curric a Extra Al Yasmina Trip i Mangroves to the Abu Dhab 19 ALDAR ACADEMIES AROUND THE SCHOOLS AROUND THE SCHOOLS Principal‘s Review Al Ain International School This has been a transformative year for Al Ain International School. With the opening of our Secondary School and the expansion of our Foundation Stage Department, we now have children ranging from ages 3 up to 13. With nearly 400 pupils enrolled this academic year, our student body has doubled compared to the previous 2012-2013 academic year. This development has in no way hindered our success, instead it has inspired our students, teachers and parents to think on a larger scale. Both our primary and secondary students have been delighted with their new facilities – in particular the Science Labs and the Art and Design Studios. It has certainly been rewarding to witness the way in which students and staff have banded together across the school in supporting one another. Throughout the term, there have been a number of highlights of which we are incredibly proud. In March, our Year 1 children put on a fantastic Pirate Assembly and did brilliantly learning their lines and cues to be on stage. The children really enjoyed taking part in the performance and learning and singing the songs. Some possible actors of the future! We have also had our Pirate Day, which was a day of fun and exciting activities and the children also got the chance to dress up and be a pirate for the day. In April, our Year 6 student took part in Greek Day. They bought together many elements to celebrate their studies revolving around the ancient Greeks. In numeracy, they looked at Pythagoras and his work on triangles as well as entering the strange world of Pi that has inspired a day of celebration worldwide. In literacy, the students were incredible. In small groups the students had prepared a play; scripting and directing it in their mother tongue. This meant we had five plays in English and one play in Arabic. This is a huge step forward in properly integrating the development of language for all students. I think this was especially good for the younger students watching the play as they were able to hear classic Arabic used by their older peers. Thank you to all the parents who have supported Friends of the School this year. We have had some wonderful events this year beginning with National Day, International Day then the Spring Fayre which raised over 5200 Dhs for Operation Smile. On behalf of all the friends of the School we would like to wish you an enjoyable summer holiday! Chris Nourse, Principal 20 21 ALDAR ACADEMIES AROUND THE SCHOOLS AROUND THE SCHOOLS Principal‘s Review Al Bateen Secondary School As the academic term comes to a close, it is extremely gratifying to acknowledge the success of the past year. Our students have shined in numerous areas, from academics to arts to sport. The year began with the news that our first cohort of examination students had been successful in their GCSE Statistics and IGCSE German courses. Mathematical ability is a strength vital to an increasingly quantitative world and we were proud upon hearing that 82% of our Year 10 students achieved A+ to C grades in GCSE Statistics, which is above the international average for the course. Students from Years 7 – 10 took IGCSE German, with an unprecedented 100% of our students achieving an A+ result. Throughout the year, every effort has been made by students, teachers and parents to ensure a similar result for our second batch. As many of you may know, Al Bateen Secondary School was designated an IB World School following a visit from the IB verification system. Our first batch of IB Diploma Programme students will begin classes in September 2014 and we very much look forward to the success they will have in the unique programme. With this achievement, Aldar Academies is now the only educational house to offer both the International Baccalaureate and the Advanced Level curriculums. Buzzing with different events and activities taking place each term, Al Bateen Secondary School is an incredibly busy place! The school is supported by an active PTA, whose help and support is invaluable in providing refreshments for events, fundraising for charity and organising events. From our Art & Design Trip to Italy in February to our festive International Day celebrations in March, we aim to provide our students with various learning opportunities outside of the classroom. Tamra Bradbury, Principal 22 23 ALDAR ACADEMIES AROUND THE SCHOOLS Principal‘s Review Al Muna Primary school It has been another joyous term here at Al Muna Primary School, with our students growing as budding young leaders and making progress on numerous fronts. This year’s Drama Week production saw the students put on Oliver, a play based off the legendary tale of Oliver Twist. Students undertook exciting activities to help create Oliver, with the children taking part using skills such as illustrating and writing, while another group was learning to translate the story into Arabic – a feat impossible without their insurmountable effort. Many children, throughout Drama Week, practised how to play different types of instruments for the play. They used many skills involving woodwind instruments, strumming and percussion. The play was originally intended to be outdoors, though it began to rain on the day of. Despite this setback, the children performed tremendously and the sun shined on Al Muna! The children at Al Muna School continue to make good use of the community to extend their learning – trips and visits this term have included the ‘History of the World in 100 Objects’ exhibition at Manarat Al Saadiyat and the Children’s International Film Festival. Trips such as these expose the children to a world beyond a classroom and aim to inspire their thought processes to incorporate the community at large. Another exciting undertaking here at Al Muna has been our breaking of a World Record! At the suggestion of one of our Year 6 pupils, we applied for permission to break the World Record for most people popping bubble wrap at the same time. Although it sounds fun, the rules were very strict and our attempt was observed by official adjudicators. All participants had to do it continuously for two minutes – much harder than it sounds! As the school year comes to a close, our teachers, students, and parents leave for the summer with a sense of accomplishment. Wayne Howsen, Principal 15 24 25 ALDAR ACADEMIES AROUND THE SCHOOLS Principal‘s Review Al Mushrif Primary School Both inside and outside of the classroom, this term has been an incredibly spirited one. In the span of a few months, we have been able to create lasting memories through a variety of events and activities. We have been fortunate to host visits from many inspirational people in our series entitled ‘Celebrating Emirati Success.’ Zahra Lari, the first figure skater to represent the United Arab Emirates, came to the school in January to explain to the children the demands of being an athlete and how, despite facing many obstacles, she remains utterly determined to achieve her goal of competing in the Winter Olympic Games. She was a truly inspirational person whose quiet determination will undoubtedly result in her achieving her goal. It is our pleasure to host individuals who, through their perseverance and dedication, serve as inspirations to our student body. We were fortunate to be one of only two schools from the whole of Abu Dhabi to receive a visit from the Carnegie Hall Decoda. They visited the school in March as part of the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation Festival. The interactive performance was inspiring for the children and filled the whole school with the most beautiful music from the four exceptionally talented musicians. At the end of April, the school had a focus on healthy lifestyles with a whole host of activities aimed at encouraging more children and adults to think about their diets and to enjoy being physically active. Each morning we started with a ‘Wake Up – Shake Up’ with everyone, children, parents and teachers all joining in with aerobics to start the day in an energetic way! We here at Al Mushrif Primary School are extremely fortunate and understand that many of these events would not be the same without our supportive parent body. Their tireless efforts afford our students the tremendous opportunities that will one day undeniably allow them to go on to become leaders in the world. Alistair Bond, Principal 26 27 ALDAR ACADEMIES AROUND THE SCHOOLS Principal‘s Review The Pearl Primary School As the school finishes its seventh year of operation, it is incredibly important to celebrate the achievements of our students. They have pushed themselves to achieve great successes, and we could not be more proud of their efforts. The year began in September with more than 200 new students as the school expanded to accommodate a four-form entry for the first time. They were warmly welcomed by our community and have finished their first year here at The Pearl Primary School with excellence. Our highly successful creative curriculum acknowledges the importance of events and activities outside of the classroom, and we have managed to capture the imaginations of the bright, young minds in our institution through different opportunities. Book Week, an annual event at Pearl Primary School, acknowledges the importance of books to lives all across the world and celebrates their contributions to society. To mark the end of Book Week in March, the annual week ended with a Book Character’s Day Parade. Hundreds of elaborate book costumes could be admired, and children were very excited to see one another dressed up as their favourite book characters. Among the represented books were the Harry Potter series, the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and Peter Pan. Shakespeare4Kidz Theatre Company presented a magnificent performance of Pinocchio to children at The Pearl Primary School during the month of May. All of the students enjoyed watching high quality acting, to retell this traditional tale. The children followed the story of a wooden puppet who dreams of becoming a real boy but first he must prove he is brave, truthful, unselfish, and good! But, as the children soon realised, things are never as easy as they seem. In April, children from Year 4, 5 and 6 ventured to Umm Al Quwain for their annual residential visit. They took part in a range of activities from roasting marshmallows to finding their way through challenging obstacles. They had a truly wonderful time. These activities and many like them could not be made possible without our dedicated parent group, Friends of Pearl. Their support is greatly appreciated by all at The Pearl Primary School, and we look forward to seeing you all next school year. Maureen Chapman, Principal 28 29 ALDAR ACADEMIES AROUND THE SCHOOLS Principal‘s Review Al Yasmina What a remarkable term this has been at Al Yasmina School. To serve as the principal at such an inspiring institution is an honour to say the least. As we complete our sixth year of operation, we are fully confident in our students to uphold the exceptional academic achievements of their peers before them in their summer examinations. Last year, our Year 6 students attained level 6s in their KS2 SATs for the first time, we had our first set of A2 examination results and our founding Year 7 students achieved stellar results at GCSE, placing us in in the top 5 per cent of schools nationally. Coupled with our very pleasing inspection result of Grade 2, Band A by the Abu Dhabi Education Council, this set a high-performing tone for the 2013-14 academic year. We are proud to say that this tone has been consistently present throughout the year, and we are confident it has carried through the examination period. Throughout our educational ethos, our vision is to not only enable our students to be the best version of themselves at school, but also both personally and professionally. In other words, we aim to develop our pupils as wellrounded members of society. We have provided a range of activities that have enabled students to develop both inside and outside of the classroom, from exploring the fragile ecosystem at the Abu Dhabi Mangroves to travelling to New York City to study commerce and modern technology. We continue to seek to provide opportunities for our students that are wide and diverse. Our teachers have worked hard to implement advanced learning techniques in the classroom as we encourage students to take more responsibility for their own learning. These include student collaboration, higher order questioning and student-led learning. Staff have attended a number of workshops to enhance their professional development in this regard. This term, we received BSME accreditation, benchmarking our progress and performance as a school alongside other British schools in the Middle East. To put it in the words of the accreditors, “The quality of learning and teaching is well above the standard required. Darren Gale, Principal 30 31 ALDAR ACADEMIES TERM DATES TERM DATES 2014-2015 ACADEMIC YEAR TERM 1 2014 Thursday 28 August New Student Induction Time to be Confirmed Sunday 31 August First Day for all Students Start of Term 1 Sunday 5-7 October (inclusive) School Closed Eid Al Adha*/ Half Term Break Tuesday / Wednesday 2 & 3 December School Closed National Day Holiday Thursday 18 December End of Term 1 Normal Finish Time Sunday January CPD Day for Staff Monday 5 January First Day for all Students Start of Term 2 Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday 17 -19 February (inclusive) School Closed Half Term Thursday 26 March End of Term 2 Normal Finish Time 12 April First Day for all Students and Staff Start of Term 3 Sunday / Monday 24 & 25 May School Closed Half Term Holiday Wednesday 2 July End of Term 3 Normal Finish Time TERM 2 2015 School Closed to Students TERM 3 2015 Sunday * Subject to change by ADEC and Ministry of Education . Raised 5 7 6,2 3 1 AED 32 33 34 35 CONTACT US 3 4 1-2 5 ABU DHABI 131st St 131st St 131st St 135th St 135th St 135th St 106th st 1 AL BATEEN SECONDARY SCHOOL Tel : +971 2 8132000 Fax: +971 2 8132033 www.albateen.sch.ae 137th St -------------------------------------- 137 th S 6 143rd St 137 ALDARACADEMIES.COM 36 106th St 5 AL YASMINA SCHOOL Tel : +971 2 501 4888 Fax: +971 2 556 3961 www.alyasmina.sch.ae t -------------------------------------- 118th St -------------------------------------4 THE PEARL PRIMARY SCHOOL Tel : +971 2 6418887 Tel : +971 2 6424046 Fax: +971 2 642 4041 www.pearlprimary.sch.ae th S -------------------------------------3 AL MUNA PRIMARY SCHOOL Tel : +971 2 501 4777 Fax: +971 2 631 9490 www.almunaprimary.sch.ae t St 2 AL MUSHRIF PRIMARY SCHOOL Tel : +971 2 8132200 Fax: +971 2 8132233 www.almushrif.sch.ae 137th St 118th 137th st AL AIN 6 AL AIN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Tel : +971 3 7151000 Fax: +971 3 7151010 www.alaininternational.sch.ae 147th St