AKA Maputo Open Day 2022
On 26 March 2022, the Aga Khan Academy Maputo hosted an Open Day session for existing and new families to visit the campus and learn more about the different academic programmes offered at the Academy.
Head of Academy Andrea Spinner welcomed all parents and guardians and began the Open Day session with an introduction of the Academy, its mission and vision and of the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. After this, Junior School Principal Maike Silver and Primary Years Programme (PYP) Coordinator Emma Wheatley provided information on the PYP.
“Open Day serves as a glimpse into the student life and the academic programmes at the Academy,” Maike said. “Families were impressed with the facilities and the approaches to teaching and learning as seen around the school environment and in the student work displayed in classrooms. My favourite quote from a parent is ‘Can I enrol at the Academy? I want to learn here.’”
Dean of Studies and interim Senior School Principal Alejandro Zepeda then provided information on the AKA Maputo’s Senior School, and Middle Years Programme (MYP) Coordinator Smita Gangola presented on the MYP. Lastly, Diploma Programme (DP) Coordinator Morag Makey and Career Counsellor Shannon Lue presented on the DP and university counselling offered at the Academy, respectively.
“Our parent body who attended the Open House were relatively new to the IB,” Smita said. “Keeping that in mind, it was interesting to present the MYP as a bridge between the PYP and DP and the transition at both ends. Subject choices, nature of assessments and eAssessments were also viewed with keen interest. Parents were able to obtain an insight into a typical working day for the Senior School Students followed by further information on the Academy’s Residential Programme.”
This was echoed by Morag, who commented on the DP presentation saying “The DP presentation was an opportunity for existing families of Grade 10 parents and new families interested in enrolling in Grade 11 to learn more about the programme,” Morag said. “We talked about what students in the DP can expect as they transition from the MYP. We also viewed the available DP subject choices and answered questions about different subject combinations and career pathways. Mostly, we explored the huge benefits of the DP as preparation for university and beyond, and what makes the IB DP such a good choice.”
The Academy’s admissions team was also present to explain the admissions process to new families, and the residential students guided new families to the Open Day session venue. The students also assisted with attendance registration and looked after young children while their parents and guardians attended the session.
After the information session, new families were given a tour of the campus.
“Overall, Open Day was a great opportunity to showcase the core of what we do at the Academy," Alejandro said. “New families were able to learn about our international curriculum and about the underlying philosophy and values we share.”
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