AABA School Scoop - Autumn 2023

AL AIN BRITISH ACADEMY PAPER Issue No.11

Autumn 2023

WELCOME Hello everyone and welcome to the very first edition of our Al Ain British Academy School Scoop (AABA School Scoop) for the academic year 2023-24!

As you may notice, our paper has gone through a rebranda new school name, a new school scoop!

We have a few new changes going on. Starting now, we will be publishing more issues! That’s right folks, you’ll get to hear more from us.

Being the beginning of the year, lots of things have been going on. Our talented, young journalists have written them all out for you. I hope you all are excited to read what our students have been working on this half-term; there are excellent articles for this edition and we are eager to present them to you.

Thank you for taking the time to read our newspaper We hope you enjoy, and see you soon!

Raya Khaled Chief Editor of the AABA School Scoop

IGCSE Student Spotlight By: Raya Khaled (Y11) Last year, our group of dedicated and diligent Year 11 students embarked on a challenging academic journey, preparing themselves for their final examinations. These young scholars exhibited unwavering determination and commitment as they delved into a rigorous curriculum, striving to excel in their respective subjects. Their collective efforts and perseverance not only showcased their intellectual prowess but also reflected their remarkable resilience in the face of academic challenges, such as being interrupted the shift from online learning, cancelled exams and raised grade boundaries. As we look back on their remarkable journey, we celebrate the accomplishments and growth of these IGCSE students, who are now ready to embrace the next chapter of their educational voyage with confidence and enthusiasm.

I had the chance to interview two of our wonderful students, who are actually our Head Boys! Read on to find out about their IGCSE journey.

Hamza El-Hattab Year 12 Head Boy Can you briefly describe your overall experience preparing for and taking the IGCSE exams this summer?

Could you share some of the study techniques or strategies you found most effective in preparing for your IGCSE exams?

Preparing for and taking the IGCSE exams this summer was a challenging journey that demanded unwavering dedication and selfdiscipline throughout the two-year course.

Most of the hard work came in the weeks and months leading up to exam season, although it is very important to start revising from the start of Year 11. In general, the experience was highly stressful at times, especially during exam season.

One of the most important strategies is time blocking. You need to have a plan of when you will be revising each subject, and what specifically you will be revising in that time, especially in the months nearing exam season.

I also personally liked creating long-term plans featuring what I will do specifically for each subject every day from the start of the year until close to the end of it. My main strategy for studying started by getting through the course. This should be by a combination of work at school and work at home. How you would do this depends on the subject; for example, for all the sciences I would study from the textbook and take notes from that to add on to my school notes. During that time, I’d also be doing topic-specific past paper questions after covering each topic. After getting through the course, you need to start doing timed full past papers as soon as possible. This will probably be the most beneficial factor towards your progress. Do as many past papers as you can, and in between them, study the topics you struggled with the most on those papers. Mark the past papers yourself so you can see what answers the mark scheme requires and you will quickly get used to how to answer the questions well, while also being mindful about not writing too much or wasting too much time.

What subjects did you take IGCSE exams in, and why did you choose those subjects?

I took Mathematics a year early in the summer of Year 10, which gave me more time to do more IGCSEs. This summer, I took exams in Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Geography, Music, English language, English Literature, Arabic as a first language, Further Pure Mathematics, and Statistics. I chose Chemistry, Biology and Physics because I enjoy science, and I plan to study medicine in the future. I chose Further Maths and statistics because I had extra time due to sitting Maths in Year 10. Both of these courses, especially Further Maths, have already helped me significantly in my transition to A-Level Mathematics, and will continue to help me throughout the course. I selected both English language and English Literature, as well as Arabic as a first language because they will be a massive help in terms of getting into universities. Finally, I also picked Geography and Music because they are both subjects I thoroughly enjoy and will also help me with university applications.

Were there any specific challenges or obstacles you faced during your exam preparation? How did you overcome them?

Were there any resources or study materials that you found particularly helpful in your preparation for the IGCSE exams?

During my exam preparation I encountered several challenges and obstacles. One of the most common difficulties was understanding certain topics or concepts that remained unclear during my independent revision at home. Asking for help could be challenging, especially as the exams drew nearer. This was quite common with material we had covered in class over a year ago and hadn't reviewed enough, resulting in gaps in understanding.

There were also times when I didn’t understand a concept from the beginning. To overcome these challenges, I would try to find a YouTube video about the topic, because there are many YouTube channels that are successful in getting the idea across to you. I would also try to contact a teacher for help, or if this is not possible, I would contact a friend and see if they understand the topic. Although it is not ideal, when there were topics that I just couldn’t grasp no matter how hard I’d try, I would just look at some past paper questions and mark schemes on the topic, so I could at least try to memorise how the examiners would like certain questions to be answered.

To me, the most important resources were the textbooks, especially for the sciences. They always contained the necessary information and suitable real-life examples. The only issue with these textbooks is that they often contained too much information, and it would be a waste of time to learn it all. For this reason, its important to regularly check the specification for your subject and learning just what is necessary. As mentioned earlier, past papers and topic-specific past paper questions are crucial for your progress and you should be doing as many as possible, and that is the case for almost every subject. I used a variety of other sources too. For example, physics and maths tutor was a very useful website for almost every subject. For maths, the YouTube channel “The GCSE maths tutor” was very useful and provided topic-specific videos.

How did you manage your time leading up to the exams?

Time management is crucial leading up to exams. Your regular revision should start from the beginning of Year 11, but it shouldn’t be much. It should be about an hour a week per subject at the start, and that can increase depending on your performance in each subject leading to January mock exams and then final exams in the summer. In the weeks leading up to the exams, I used time blocking and planned out each day. This included when I would study and what I would study specifically each day. Although I did not remain completely consistent to these time blocks, trying to follow them helped me know how much I should be doing each day and minimise the time I wasted throughout my days.

Can you share any tips or advice for future IGCSE candidates who will be sitting their exams?

I have mentioned many small bits of advice in my answers to the previous sections, but here are a few main tips. First of all, trust your teachers, but also trust yourself. Luckily, we are in a very good school with an outstanding group of teachers for each and every one of our subjects. These teachers are experienced and have seen many students do well in the IGCSE exams, and they know what needs to be done to achieve high grades. For this reason, listen to their advice and their tips, or at least give it a go. I also say you need to trust yourself because, sometimes, the advice given doesn’t work for everybody. In addition, you should listen to a variety of people’s tips to study well and achieve high grades, but you should know that each person studies differently, and some things work well for some people but not so well for others. You don’t need to listen to every bit of advice—even mine—but you should at least give it a go. If you are doing something differently, and its working, keep doing it. On the other hand, if what you’re doing isn’t working well, seek advice from your teachers on how to improve. Once you figure out how you study best, study consistently from the start of Year 11 to gain a head start and stop the pressure from piling on in the end of the year. You should be studying every one of your subjects equally at the start. When it gets close to exam season, focus on the subjects you are struggling with, but keep studying everything. This is necessary because a group of consistently good grades is better than a few great grades and a lot of mediocre ones. You should try to do well in every subject, not just the ones that you feel will be important for your future. Also, do as many past papers as you can. When it gets to exam season, don’t panic. If you feel under-prepared and overwhelmed, just know that these grades won’t define you, even in terms of academic ability. Just do as much as you can in the time you have, and hopefully you will get the grades you want.

What A-Level subjects have you chosen? Were you always planning on taking them based off of the IGCSE subjects you chose?

I chose Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. I’ve had a similar plan for a while, although I didn’t think I would take 4 subjects, and I didn’t think I would take Physics.

However, I decided to choose it because I enjoyed IGCSE Physics lessons. Also, I plan to study medicine at university, and I have been told that this is the best combination of A levels I can pick to help with my application process.

Hamza achieved an astounding ten 9s, and one 7. He received 9s in: Mathematics, Further Pure Mathematics, Statistics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, Arabic as a First Language, English Language and English Literature. He received a 7 in Music.

Ahmed Al Suwaidi Year 12 Deputy Head Boy Can you briefly describe your overall experience preparing for and taking the IGCSE exams this summer?

Preparing for the IGCSE’s took a lot of time and effort. However, I didn’t stress much about it as I focused in class and always went over what we did when I went back home so I didn’t really fall behind.

What subjects did you take IGCSE exams in, and why did you choose those subjects?

I took Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Physics, Chemistry, Accounting, English Language and Business. I really enjoy doing math and I felt it was linked to most of the subjects I took, unlike Geography and History which requires a lot of writing Could you share some of the study techniques or strategies you found most effective in preparing for your IGCSE exams?

I didn’t really use any specific study techniques. What I realized helped me the most was making a study schedule and sticking to it.

Were there any specific challenges or obstacles you faced during your exam preparation? How did you overcome them?

I used to really struggle with Business as it requires more writing than the rest of my subjects. What helped me with Business was understanding the structure that I had to answer the questions with.

Were there any resources or study materials that you found particularly helpful in your preparation for the IGCSE exams?

I used to use physicsandmathstutor and savemyexams. You can find a lot of past paper questions by topic there and I used it to help me understand certain areas of a subject that I didn’t really understand at first.

How did you manage your time leading up to the exams?

During the first half of the academic year I wasn’t really studying seriously which I eventually regretted . However , after the mocks I realized that the IGCSE weren’t going to be easy unless I actually started revising so i had to have a balance between studies and other activities. One piece of advice that I’d give is to start studying from the beginning of the academic year so the pressure doesn’t pile up when it’s exam season.

Can you share any tips or advice for future IGCSE candidates who will be sitting their exams?

I recommend that you have short study sessions (around 20-25 minutes) and take a 5 minute break in between. This stops you from burning out which will help you be efficient and also help keep a balanced schedule for any other activities you want to do during the day.

What A-Level subjects have you chosen? Were you always planning on taking them based off of the IGCSE subjects you chose?

I took 4 A-Levels this year: Maths , Further Maths , Physics and Chemistry. During Year 11 I didn’t know that I’d take 4 A-Levels and didn’t really plan to take Chemistry. Throughout the year I always asked my teachers for their opinions and eventually decided to take all 4 of these A-levels.

School Council By: Kinda El-Hattab I asked this year’s School Council a couple of questions so we could find out a bit about the process of getting into the School Council and how it works.

Hamza El-Hattab (Head Boy) Hamza says that process was very long, with many steps to it. Firstly, you had to write an application letter, then all the applicants were asked to have a fishbowl interview. Lastly, some students would be chosen to get interviewed by the Senior Leadership Team (SLT). His main goal this year is to represent the student voice and make a positive impact on the school community. This includes improving events days, and making sure that the students are happy. Hamza recommends other students joining the School Council for many reasons such as improving social skills, responsibility and something great to add to university applications.

Haya Alsenaani (Head Girl) Haya describes that the process of getting into the School Council was in fact, easy for her. This was because she was one of the only two girls applying for Head girl, so she was promised a role. However, she did have to prepare herself for an interview and write a great application letter. Her goals as a part of the School Council this year are to gain public speaking and leadership skills and to make this year’s events more memorable. She would recommend the School Council to students because of the fun experience, and you get to know people around the school better. Her main motivation for joining the SC was to gain leadership experience.

Marya Ali (Deputy Head Girl) Marya talks about how the process is quite straightforward, she really enjoyed the fishbowl interview.

However, she felt nervous for the final interview but then felt as if it were a safe space and that brought out the best of her. This year, she would like to make the school a comfortable space for all students and make it a fun learning environment. Marya would 100% recommend joining the school council because it can help you develop many skills and push you to do the best you can. Her main reason for joining the School Council was because she wanted to give back to the school as it has given her so much.

Raya Khaled (Prefect) Raya is a Majlis prefect. Her job is to aid students who feel they haven’t quite landed on their feet or need assistance with something in particular. In her second step in the process, in a fishbowl interview, she and the other prefect applicants were asked questions about what they would do in different scenarios. Her main goal this year is to integrate new ideas and events for students based on the feedback that they receive. She recommends joining the School Council because it is a friendly environment and a great place to get yourself involved in especially if you want to enhance certain skills.

Maham Ali (Year 8 Form captain) The process of getting into the School Council was not particularly easy to Maham; there was a lot of competition in her class, but she still managed to get the role. She has many goals she would like to achieve such as sustainable alternatives and fun games. She would recommend joining the School Council to help make positive changes to our school environment by suggesting your ideas to the rest of the School Council. Her reasoning for joining was to get students to be heard and support extra help, along with planning things such as national day.

We hope you enjoy getting to know some of our School Council this year and maybe even consider joining sometime in the near future!

How to Revise for Exams By: Yusri Attoub (Y13) Everyone struggles to study, well more realistically, many hate studying, and some study for hours but don’t achieve the grades they want. All students ask their teacher what they should do for revision and all the teachers say, “Do past papers!”. While I do agree that past papers are a fantastic way of revision, however, that is after you have revised the content for your exams. Moreover, what if you are not in Year 10, 11, 12, or 13? Then you don’t even have the option of utilising past papers. In this article I will show you how to take your learning to the next level.

What if I told you 6 learning methods that I wish I knew sooner that you must use right NOW! This should not only be used for IGCSEs and A-Levels but also Year 7 & 8. In this article I will be going through six methods and explaining how to actively include them in your study program. The six methods are called: Pomodoro technique, Blurting method, 5-minute rule, Freynman technique, Spaced repetition, and interleaving.

Pomodoro technique Pomodoro technique is a method for staying focused and mentally fresh. Step one is to pick a task, subject, or topic. Now you should work on this task for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break. You can set a timer as a reminder. Repeat for 4 rounds a.k.a 4 Pomodoro’s. After 4 pomodoro, take a longer 15–30-minute break and repeat.

Blurting method Blurting method is best used for revision. In essence, it is reading a section of your notes or text, then closing them and writing down as much of the information as you can remember. Once you have done this, re-open your notes and compare checking pieces of information you may have gotten wrong, or information you didn’t remember. This makes your brain work harder to retain the information making it stick to your long-term memory.

5-Minute Rule We have all felt lazy at some point in our lives and wanted to procrastinate the homework or revision. An easy solution to this would be the 5-minute rule. No, you don’t just study for five minutes. But you should commit on doing a task or activity for just five minutes, without the pressure of completing it entirely within that time frame. Once you get started it is easier to continue working on the task as most of the pressure and lazy has been dispelled.

Freynman technique If you want to test yourself, you must try the Freynman technique. It might be embarrassing at first and people might think you’re mental. But first you need to choose a subject, the pretend to teach it to a child from your imaginations, and fill in gaps in your information, organise and simplify it. The reason this works is because talking to yourself increases your selfawareness of what information is in your brain.

Spaced repetition All subjects require memorising some information, whether it is memorising key definitions or historical events, it can get boring very quickly & inefficient. This is why you should use “Spaced repetition”. After understanding the topic and memorising it on day one, the second revision session should be three days after if you still remember the material, the 3rd repetition should be seven days after. Then, space them out to 21, 30, 45 and finally 60. By the end you should find that you can recall almost 90% of the information, unlike the normal 20%.

Interleaving Finally, interleaving. This is especially important if you have several topics or subjects to revise. This technique allows your brain to make links between different topics, which gives you a better understanding overall and makes studying more fun than being stuck in one topic. However, you should not keep switching topics every 2 minutes or studying one topic for 1 hour, as that is against the point of interleaving subjects; make sure to space out evenly.

In conclusion, I hope these six methods have helped you improve and engage more with your learning to achieve the dream grades you want. The aim of these methods is not to reduce to study time, but to increase your learning efficiency!

Teacher Talks By: Sara Ali & Kinda El-Hattab (Y8) After interviewing some teachers, we heard many different answers and ideas. Ms. Gul, Mr. Scheepers, Ms. Johnson, Mr. Petersen and Ms. Meher were all asked a couple of short questions about their teaching career and their experience at Al Ain British Academy.

Ms. Gul – an amazing English teacher – was asked why she decided to teach the subject English. She explained how she knows not many people like learning and studying English and wanted students to see it from a different perspective and enjoy learning English. This is her second year in AABA and she loves the calm atmosphere and family friendly students and staff.

Our computing teacher, Mr. Scheepers, is having a great time in his first year in AABA. He is ecstatic about the amount of respect coming from all the students. He has loved both computers and teaching his entire life so that is why he decided to become a computing/ICT teacher.

Mr. Petersen teaches both Geography and Chemistry.

He has great passion for both subjects. Geography was his favorite subject in school while growing up and even went on to study it in university. He is passionate about Chemistry because everything involves it and ‘life is all about Chemistry’.

In her third year in this school, Ms. Johnson describes the students as ‘well-behaved people who want to learn’. She is a great Biology teacher, however, if she wasn’t teaching Biology, she said she would be teaching Physics instead.

Ms. Meher decided to become an art teacher because she loves working with children and seeing their progress. She is also very talented in Art. Ms. Meher described her first year in AABA as very different from her past experiences. However, she enjoys new differences and experiences.

Talking with all these teachers and learning about their different thoughts was a great experience. It’s great to see so many people working so closely together, having completely different passions and values.

Setting Up for School Success By: Raya Khaled (Y11) A new school year brings with it fresh opportunities, challenges, and a chance to start afresh. Whether you're entering a new year, transitioning to a new school, or pursuing higher education, setting yourself up for success is crucial. By establishing effective habits, setting clear goals, and fostering a positive mindset, you can maximise your potential and make the most out of the upcoming academic year.

Set Clear Goals The first step in setting yourself up for success is to define your goals for the school year. Think about what you want to achieve academically, personally, and socially. Set both short-term and long-term goals that are specific, measurable, and achievable. For example, you might aim to improve your overall grades or work hard to achieve that final IGCSE or A-Level grade you desire, participate in extracurricular activities, or make new friends. Having clear goals will give you direction and motivation throughout the year.

Create a Study Schedule Time management is a crucial skill for academic success.

Develop a study schedule that allocates dedicated time for homework, assignments, and exam preparation. Be realistic about your commitments and prioritise your most challenging subjects or tasks. Stick to your schedule as consistently as possible to establish a productive routine.

Organise You and Your Workspace Organisation is a fundamental skill for success in school.

Use a planner or digital calendar to keep track of assignments, deadlines, and important dates. Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps, and create to-do lists to stay on top of your responsibilities.

A well-organised approach reduces stress and helps you stay focused. A clutter-free and organised workspace can significantly boost your productivity. Set up a designated study area where you have all the necessary materials within reach. Ensure you have adequate lighting and a comfortable chair. Keep your workspace clean and free from distractions, such as your phone or noisy siblings.

Stay Engaged in Class Active participation in class is key to understanding and retaining information. Attend all of your classes on time, take thorough notes, and ask questions when you need clarification. Engaging with your teachers and classmates not only helps you learn but also builds valuable relationships that can be beneficial throughout the school year.

Seek Help When Needed Don't hesitate to seek help when you're struggling with a subject or assignment. Your teachers, tutors, and peers are valuable resources. Utilise the school hours, try study groups, and online resources to clarify doubts and reinforce your understanding. Remember that seeking assistance is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Take Care of Your Health Physical and mental well-being are closely linked to academic success. Make sure to get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet, and engage in regular physical activity.

Manage stress through relaxation techniques and reward yourself with things and activities you enjoy.

Don't hesitate to seek help if you're struggling with anything; your well-being should always be a top priority.

Join Extracurricular Activities Participating in extracurricular activities not only enhances your resume but also provides a well-rounded education. Choose clubs or organisations that align with your interests and passions. It's an excellent way to make friends, develop leadership skills, and have fun outside of the classroom.

Stay Positive and Flexible A positive mindset can make a significant difference in your school year. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and don't be too hard on yourself when things don't go as planned. Adaptability and resilience are valuable qualities that will serve you well in both your academic and personal life.

Avoiding Burnout While striving for success in the new school year is important, it's equally crucial to guard against burnout.

Burnout can be a real threat, especially when you're juggling numerous academic and extracurricular responsibilities. To avoid burnout, it's vital to maintain a healthy balance. Stick to your study schedule, but also allocate time for relaxation, hobbies, and spending quality time with friends and family. Listen to your body and mind; if you're feeling overwhelmed, don't hesitate to take a break. Practicing self-care, setting boundaries, and learning to say no when necessary are all essential strategies to prevent burnout. Remember, sustainable success is built on a foundation of well-being and resilience, so make self-care a non-negotiable part of your routine throughout the school year.

In essence, setting yourself up for success in the new school year requires careful planning, dedication, and a positive attitude. By setting clear goals, managing your time effectively, staying organised, seeking help when needed, and prioritising your health and well-being, you can make the most out of your educational journey.

Remember that success is a journey, not a destination, and each day is an opportunity to learn and grow.

AABA Alumni By: Kinda El-Hattab & Sara Ali (Y8) We interviewed a couple of graduates from AABA and found out where they are now, and how they are doing.

We asked them about their experience at our school and what message they would like to give to all the students currently at our school.

Masa El-Hattab is in her second year studying medicine at a university in Jordan. She talks about how the school provided good teaching which helped her a lot in the future. She wishes that she paid more attention to the small details, because huge opportunities can go just because of small mistakes. Her message for other students is to study well, yet have fun when you’re not, and to always have backup plans because things don’t always go according to plan.

Vanya Sachdeva is a Medicine and BMedSci student at The University of Nottingham – says that the school had applied lots of support for her. When asked about the process of getting into a university in the UK, she said that the process was not easy at all. She would like students to know that time flies, and to cherish the moments, and to also try to get involved as much as you can.

Ahmed Saddig, a nursing student in Ajman, described his process of getting into his university as quite hard because of the negative impact the pandemic had.

However, the school gave him many opportunities which gave him an advantage, while his motivation was his future. The next question was whether he wishes he’d done anything differently; he says that he wishes he was braver and didn’t choose the ‘safe’ options because he didn’t see himself pursuing a career in that field. His message to the students is “Don’t compare your journey to others, because if you are, is it really your journey, or a copy of someone else’s?’

Maya Nourse is a Bsc and International Relations student at the at the London School of Economics.

Getting into the UK required hard work and research which was not easy. Maya’s skills for working independently were learnt from being in Sixth Form.

She wishes she followed her initial thoughts when choosing her A-levels at first. Her message is do what interests you and follow your passions.

Speaking with all these people, coming from the same place however now studying and working in different parts of the world, was a great experience. We hope that they inspired you to work hard in school and chase your dreams.

Academy of Excellence By: Destiny Thor (Y8) The Academy of Excellence (AoE for short) has been going on for nearly 7 years, and it is getting bigger and better each year.

After a successful last year, the AoE is back once again and ready for the new school year. In the past months, students from Year 5 and up had the opportunity to apply to be part of the AoE Program. You must prepare a personal profile and attend an interview to talk about yourself and why you deserve a place in the program.

After these things, you will be considered for a place in the Academy of Excellence Program.

AoE is a program that includes all the Aldar, ADNOC and Cranleigh schools. From Year 5 – Year 8, you are part of the Junior cohort and students from Year 9 and up are part of the Seniors group. A student who joins in Year 5 will have the opportunity to learn through four different topics, AoE Visionaries, AoE Entrepreneurs, AoE Speakers and AoE Governors. In the Senior group, starting from Year 9, you can spend 4 years learning more about a subject area you are passionate about: STEM, Performance Arts, Humanities, Art and Design, Sport, Business and Enterprise or National Identity/ Emirati Culture.

It is also important to remember that the cohorts are organized by how many years you have participated in the Academy of Excellence not by which year group you are in (for example, if you join in Year 7, you would be placed in the first year of the Junior cohort, which is AoE Visionaries).

If you would like to join AoE next year, here are some things that you could focus on to build a successful application. Remember to participate in lots of ECA’s.

Getting good grades during the school year is important as well as taking part in activities outside of class.

The AoE is an amazing opportunity, that would look brilliant on things like university and college applications. The AoE also teaches you a variety of skills that are important in life such as time management, planning, goals setting etc.

As I get ready to start my fourth and final year in AoE Juniors, I can say I have immensely enjoyed being part of the program. I love how AoE gives us room for creativity, and a chance to express myself and my interests through my projects. I love how satisfying it feels to look through a completed project and I feel so much pride in presenting my work at the end-of-year celebrations.

In the past few years, our school earned top spots at the end-of-the-year award Ceremony: Best Languages and Humanities winner (2020 – 2021) - Adithi Sathiyan Best Junior -- AoE winner (2021 – 2022) – Destiny Thor Best Languages and Humanities winner (2021 – 2022) – Raya Khaled Best Languages and Humanities winner (2022 – 2023) – Raya Khaled Best Business and Enterprise winner (2022 – 2023) – Alishba Abbasi

Alice in Oz By: Mariam Elghoul (Y7) Hello everyone! I hope you have a wonderful start to the new academic year!

I’m sure you have heard of (the highly advertised) play “Alice in Oz”, an amazing production taking place in the school auditorium. We all must give our thanks to Ms. Oladele by creatively combining two stories, ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and producing a beautifully written script, which perfectly takes aspects of each story and shapes it into one. This article will be a summary of the story and finish with an interview of one of our outstanding main role students, Sofia Myers, who has the role of Alice.

Additionally, for anyone interested in next year, auditioning is a great opportunity to present your acting skills and how you play certain characters. It builds confidence and overall is a great experience! Some tips: Experience the scene, don’t control it.

Change the tone of your voice depending on your character.

Use different levels when using body language.

Practice improvisation, you never know what might be needed.

Always be confident in front of an audience.

Short summary Alice is one of the main characters who has been hired to narrate the story of Dorothy. Dorothy and Toto the dog are best friends and after Toto is arrested by the sheriff, they both escape to a land called Oz, hoping to go somewhere Over the Rainbow where they shall have peace at last.

Alice admits that she pre-judged Toto and Dorothy and as a turn finds them quite fascinating. At this point they all become friends.

After meeting the Good Fairy, the munchkins, the bad fairy and obtaining a pair of magic slippers, all three make their way to Oz to see the wizard who can hopefully give Alice a brain, so she’ll remember her name and Dorothy is still adamant that she wants to go to a place Over the Rainbow, where she can be happy and free.

Their journey on the yellow brick road becomes even more interesting when they meet the Tin Man, who wants a heart so his ‘feelings will start.’ They then meet a Lion who is actually a ‘scaredy cat’ (how ironic!) and needs some courage.

When they finally meet the wizard, they are disappointed and let down as he is horrible and has a very bad attitude. Thanks to Toto for opening the curtains and revealing who the Wizard really is.

In the end, the Wizard lets them know that everything they all wanted and desired was with them already -the courage, the brain, the heart and finally a place Dorothy can call home. As Dorothy began to tap her shoes, suddenly she...

Coming soon to AABA Sofia’s Interview: Please click the hyperlink below

Parent Perspective By: Oindrila Chakraborty (Y8) We know that at AABA, we have a very diverse community of parents who partake in wonderful jobs. I had the opportunity to interview a few parents and get their opinions on the school.

Interviews Mariam – Parent Mariam chose this school because it was the best school in Al Ain. She also says that she likes everything about AABA, this includes our variety of ECAs (Extra Curricular Activities), our facilities and many more things that we have to offer here. Mariam likes our teachers because they’re nice and good at teaching.

Norayza – Guardian Norayza is a guardian who kindly let me interview her.

The children’s parents chose this school because they though that the school was nice. They like that the lessons are very interactive, fun and challenge the children’s skills by pushing them to do harder problems and know what they’re capable of. The parents think that our teachers are friendly and kind.

Abraham – Parent He says he chose this school because it was close to his house. He also mentions liking the facilities. In his opinion, our teachers are fair during lesson time and are good at teaching by using various different methods.

First Day at AABA By: Lana El-Sayed (Y8) In this article, we will explore our new students' first day of school in Al Ain British Academy. We'll hear from our new students as they share their experiences from that memorable day. This is a significant moment, marked by various emotions and uncertainties. These stories offer insights into their initial steps in education.

Nabiha Faisal, Year 8 - "The first day of school was very fun, I quickly made new friends. All the teachers were nice, comfortable and supportive. The school is very big and has a lot of space and interesting activities.”

Latifa Alblooshi, Year 8 - “I decided to join this school, because I have read great things about it. It offers students lots of opportunities to showcase their talents and the things they love. Secondly, I would also definitely recommend it to other students because the community is very comfortable, and AABA treats students like family. What I most liked about the teachers was they were very friendly, and helpful to all students.”

I am also a new student at AABA! On my first day in Year 8, I felt excited yet nervous. The school seemed big and busy, but I immediately adjusted quickly and got to know my teachers. They were all very supportive, helpful, and understanding. I also met my new classmates and made new friends. The lessons were interesting but a bit harder than last year. At lunch, I got to explore the school and all its facilities. The day then ended, and I felt proud to start this year as a new student in AABA.

ELF in Space By: Destiny Thor (Y8) As the ELF in Space Program activities come to wrap this month, I interviewed the teachers and students who were involved in the program to find out the highlights of the program, and here’s a summary of what most of them had to say. Each episode can be found on Instagram. #1 LIVE phone call with Sultan Al Neyadi. Our school took 300+ kids to the UAEU university to have a live phone call with Sultan al Neyadi. We also had 2 students from our school asking him questions. The event was very successful, and everyone had a great time. #2 Video Coverage from the International Space Station with Astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi. #3 Science related tasks. Through ELF in Space, we had multiple different activities, including many science activities. We got to experiment with capillary action!

#4 Creative opportunities. We also had many creative opportunities through elf in space. We had a poem week, a story week and an art week. We also had many drawing activities. #5 Work together as a school Stay tuned to hear the ELF in Space Podcast, where we discuss ELF in Space and talk to the minds behind it all!

Big Project Review By: Dania Amira Attoub (Y11) Hello fellow students, this is Dania, back to work after the wonderful summer break. It is good to be back at my work as a journalist and investigating what is going on in the school. This year, I interviewed some student of different ages about what they did in the big project and what was their experience like. If you’re interested in knowing, please watch the video below.

Please click the hyperlink below

By: Nabiha Faisal

The Forgotten Doll By: Oindrila Chakraborty (Y8) In a decaying old mansion on the outskirts of town, there lived a reclusive collector named Mr. Jameson.

His peculiar obsession was antique dolls, each with a haunting history. The locals whispered tales of his macabre collection, and few dared to venture near his eerie home.

One gloomy evening, as rain poured relentlessly, a young girl named Lily sought shelter from the storm.

She had heard rumors about Mr. Jameson but was desperate for refuge. She timidly knocked on his door.

The door creaked open, revealing the tall, shadowy figure of Mr. Jameson. His eyes gleamed with an unsettling curiosity as he invited Lily inside. He offered her tea, and as she sipped, he spoke of his dolls, recounting tales of tragedy and sorrow attached to each one.

Lily's eyes wandered around the dimly lit room, finally landing on a doll hidden in the corner. It had matted hair and cracked porcelain, its eyes cloudy with age. Mr. Jameson noticed her interest and, with a wicked smile, revealed the doll's story.

"This one," he sighed, "is the most tragic of them all. It's said to be cursed. Anyone who touches it meets a gruesome end."

Lily scoffed, dismissing the superstition. With a trembling hand, she reached out and touched the doll.

Suddenly, the lights flickered, and a chilling breeze swept through the room. Time froze. The clock stopped ticking. The villagers wondered what was going on.

Panicking, Lily tried to stand, but her limbs refused to move. She watched in horror as the doll's eyes began to glow, and it slowly and eerily turned it's cracked face to look at her. It whispered in a voice like rustling leaves, "Who dares disturb my sleep?"

Time froze, and Lily's scream was silenced as the doll's porcelain hand reached out, its fingers wrapping around her throat. The room filled with an otherworldly wail, and in an instant, Lily vanished, leaving only a chilling echo.

From that day on, the locals swore they heard Lily's voice in the wind, a mournful plea for help that seemed to come from the depths of Mr. Jameson's sinister doll collection.

ECAs at AABA By: Lana El-Sayed & Destiny Thor (Y8)

Extra-Curricular Activities are a great opportunity for students to try new skills, learn a new skill, spend time with friends and make new friends. Every term, teachers at our school offer different ECAs for the students.

This year, due to the longer breaks and lunches, we have lunch and break ECAs. This means that there are more clubs open every day. This term, there are a total of 26 ECAs in Primary and Secondary! There are around 14 ECA’s in Primary and 12 ECA’s in Secondary.

Primary ECA’s Drama Club Fine Motor Club Emirati Performances Book Club Choir Global Skills COP 28/Sustainability club Multisport club Art Club Quran Club Emirates Lit Fest Arts and Crafts Robotics/Lego League French Club

Secondary Club First Lego League Emirati Heritage Global skills Emirates Lit Fest.

Girls Netball School Newspaper French Club World Scholars’ Cup Chess club Boys football UAEU ICT Marathon Modern Band Many of the clubs are open to all students. Sign up through the parent portal for clubs and with others, it is invite only. For example, the Modern Band ECA is for students who have experience in playing an instrument and singing.

Jokes & Riddles By: Dania Amira Attoub (Year 11) What do computer snack on?

Microchips Why do Basketball plays always stay cool?

Because they sit beside their fans What is a teenager who never grows old?

Constantine Where do you learn to make ice cream?

Sundae School Why did one ocean say to the other ocean?

Nothing. It just waved Do you want to hear a construction joke?

Sorry, I’m still working on it.

Arabic Riddles ‫ماالشيء الذي كلما زاد نقص؟‬ ‫شيء يستطيع حمل قنطار وال يستطيع حمل مسمار ؟‬ ‫ضعيف حتى أن النسيم يحركه وقوي حتى أن السكين الحاد ال يترك في‬ ‫أي أثر ؟فما هو ؟‬ ‫ماهو الحيوان الذي يحك أذنه بأنفه؟‬ ‫الشيء الذي صانعه يبيعه وشاريه اليستعمله ومستعمله اليراه؟‬

English Riddles What has to be broken before you can use it?

I’m tall when I’m young, and I’m short when I’m old. What am I? What is full of holes but still holds water?

What question can you never answer yes to?

What is always in front of you but can’t be seen?

Answers in next issue...

Pop Culture Info By: Raya Khaled (Year 11) Movies/Films Top 10 box office movies of 2023 so far: Barbie The Super Mario Bros. Movie Oppenheimer Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Fast X Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse7 The Little Mermaid Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One Elemental Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

Music Top Albums 10 of 2023 so far: THE HIGHLIGHTS - THE WEEKND MIDNIGHTS - TAYLOR SWIFT HARRY'S HOUSE - HARRY STYLES DIAMONDS - ELTON JOHN SOS - SZA 50 YEARS - DON'T STOP - FLEETWOOD MAC CURTAIN CALL - THE HITS - EMINEM BROKEN BY DESIRE TO BE HEAVENLY SENT LEWIS CAPALDI AM - ARCTIC MONKEYS GOLD - GREATEST HITS ABBA

Random News WGA members ratify agreement, officially ending the Hollywood writers strike.

David Beckham roasts Victoria Beckham for saying she's 'working class' A John Legend look-alike joined the singer's 'Voice' team, setting up for a confusing season ‘Only Murders in the Building’ renewed for Season 4.

'America's Got Talent' goes to the dogs as it names a new winner.

Kraft Mac & Cheese brings back beloved shape after fans beg for its return.

Bruce Springsteen postpones remaining 2023 tour dates Books Best books for teens (according to the internet): https://www.buzzfeed.com/rachelstrolle/2023s-mostanticipated-young-adult-novels https://www.seventeen.com/celebrity/g42127025/best -young-adult-books-2023/ https://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/ya-books2023-49050224

THANK YOU! Thank you for reading our newspaper! We hope you have enjoyed the wonderful articles our students have collated.

See you in the next edition (very soon).

Have a restful half-term break