Editor: Labeeb Ahmed Term 4, 2014 Newsletter Week 4 Volume: 15/2014 Message from: Br. Farouk Khan Chairman and Founder of Islamic College of South Australia AsSalamuAlaikum wa RahmatUllah-e Wa Barakatuhu All praise to Allah SWT the most merciful and beneficent and for his countless blessings. Peace and blessings of Allah be upon our beloved Prophet Mohammed SAWW, his family and companions. I am pleased to announce that the new board of the school has been formed. As a result of your prayers and support, I have been given the responsibility to lead the board as Chairman once again for which I am thankful to you, my brothers and sisters. The Islamic College of South Australia is progressing very well under my leadership and the College is growing rapidly, Alhamdulillah. As the Chairman of the School Board, I attend regular meetings with regulators (federal & state government), council, AISSA, NGOs teachers, parents, children and the community to ensure, Insha’Allah, the continued progress and success of the school. We have been given feedback from funding bodies/AISSA about the improvement of our school. We have completed construction of six new class rooms. These class rooms are equipped with state of art IT technology as we focus on future requirements of the school. AlhamdoLillah, I am pleased to inform you that we have negotiated and got approval for the construction of a new block worth $5.5Million with approximately fifteen class rooms, a mosque and technical labs. The plan is ready and we are waiting for completion of few formalities. Our library is well equipped with Islamic and curriculum based resources that provide a wealth of resources that support teaching, learning, and research across all departments. We have appointed a School Welfare Officer and a psychologist to attend behavioural needs of our students and staff. We have also appointed a consultant to look in to curriculum updating, policies revision and attending to special education needs on continuous basis. Our year 12 students are sitting the SACE exams in this month. We are confident that they will do their best and pray for their success in future. Last year our 100% students passed and most of them are doing their degrees in universities. We hope and pray that our existing and future year 12 students will attend universities after they pass their SACE exams. Another good news is that our NAPLAN results are better than previous years through hard work of teachers, students, parents and board and we are focusing to improve these results much better next year. I have received good feedback from parents that year 12 graduation ceremony was very successful and one of the best so far. Children and parents enjoyed the evening it was well received by everyone. Students were awarded with certificates, a copy of Quran and parents were recognized for their hard work and time. We always endeavour to bring our community together as I believe that unity is our main strength. United we stand-Divided we fall. The school Parents Committee and ICOSA Mother’s club play a vital role in this regard. We also keep ourselves engaged with mosques and Islamic societies in South Australia, interstate and internationally to invite them as guest speakers and to share thoughts for policy making and curriculum of Islamic studies and ethos. I would like to stress here that please do not disintegrate among groups and divide the community. It is important that we all work together for the benefit of all Australian Muslims and not become divided and seek reward from Allah Subhanaho wa ta’ala. We have also initiated new programs for professional development for teaching and non-teaching staff. We believe in merit and professionalism. Our financial position has improved with vigilance and cautious approach towards spending. The government bodies and NGOs have put their confidence in our school and the way school board is managing its affairs. The staff is motivated and engaged towards the goal of providing best standard of education to the children. We are looking for quality teachers and quality education through transparent and on merit selection process. Every job is advertised in leading newspaper and job website. The existing board is highly committed and professional in its dealings. This board believes in transparency and has an open door policy. There is a protocol and professional manner to deal with all suggestions, grievances and comments. If you have any thing to say, you can talk to Dr. Pam, Principal, on academic and teaching matters and non teaching and administrative matters are dealt by Br. Labeeb, Office Administrator. And if you do not want to talk to any of these, drop a letter in suggestion box placed at front office. Your letter will be treated strictly confidential and private and would not be released to anyone. I also welcome all parents to attend a meeting on 22nd November, 2014 from 5:00PM to 7:00PM to discuss the future development plan of the school. The board would like to have your input and advice and answer your queries related to the new project. A copy of plan is also given for your perusal. We have also started looking for new premises at different locations to expand our school. The board members are performing their jobs without any monetary or personal interest. We thank Allah for giving us the opportunity and ability to make Islamic college of South Australia as one of the most successful project of our community throughout Australia. I also request all of us to pray for brothers and sisters all over the world who are suffering. We ask Allah to accept all our prayers and bless us to become better than we were before, by His mercy and grace. I also take this opportunity to thank all my board members, AFIC, friends of ICOSA, teachers and parents for their dedication and support. May Allah keep us all together and sharing and caring for each others. Your brother in Islam Farouk Khan MOSQUE From the Principal’s Desk This week finds the Yr 12 students very busy but generally very happy with the exams they have had so far. There are just a few more to go and they will be free to take a well-deserved break before thinking about the next stage of their lives. Yr 11 students have tests and exams coming over the next two weeks, so we wish them luck as well. Meanwhile, there are several excursions happening at the moment, with classes undertaking a range of interesting activities. Yesterday, for instance, Miss G’s Year 10 English class explored the Adelaide Central Markets and then walked through the City to the University of Adelaide, where they spent time at the Confucius Institute for an intercultural experience and had their names written in Chinese. From all reports this excursion was greatly enjoyed. Next week the primary camps will be held at Aldinga, with girls going from Monday to Wednesday and boys from Wednesday till Friday. If this goes well we may be able to do more of this activity in the future. Finally, all students are invited to submit a design for the cover of the 2014 Yearbook. We look forward to judging this competition, which should bring out everyone’s artistic talent. As the year draws to a close, I hope all parents, students and staff have enjoyed this year as much as I have. From beginning to end there has been a great deal of fun, especially in our teaching and learning programme. The Year 12s from last year started us off well with their excellent results, which allowed the whole group to take their chosen paths for life after school. Throughout the year we have been running a solid literacy and numeracy teaching/testing programme, which shows that a great deal of progress has been made. Indeed, many students have made quite remarkable progress. The NAPLAN results for years 3,5, 7 and 9, which we received later in the year, showed that we had improved in thirty out of forty areas since last year, which is truly excellent. Finally, many students received merit certificates at assemblies for their efforts and their achievement in particular subjects. The Board has also taken steps this year to develop our curriculum offerings in all aspects of Religion. Several meetings have been held to consider best teaching practice in Islamic Studies, Quranic Studies and Arabic, while some excellent resources have been identified and obtained to help our teachers to provide more variety and sequencing in their work. These materials will be very useful and interesting for our students. Dr Pam Dettman Principal Community Youth & Family Program Every Saturday, we have organized family get together in School Hall/ Library. All friends of ICOSA, staff, parents, neighbours, non Muslim, students and staff are invited to attend the Islamic knowledge sharing session which will start at 7:00PM every Saturday evening. International and interstate Scholars, Imams and speakers will also be invited. The purpose of this program is to engage our children to learn about islamic and quranic values and other positive activities including sports. We also intend to provide refreshment/food for which if anybody wants to contribute is requested to contact Office Administrator Br Labeeb Ahmed for further information. ISLAMIC CORNER And [in] the alternation of night and day and [in] what Allah sends down from the sky of provision and gives life thereby to the earth after its lifelessness and [in His] directing of the winds are signs for a people who reason. Al Jathia 45:5 LOST PROPERTY Parents are requested to write/label student names on uniforms and other personal properties. This will enable us and them to identify in case they lose it. Many uniform items have been piled in lost and found box which are non traceable as they are not labeled. UPDATE CONTACT Kindly keep us updated with your residential address, email address, home and mobile phone number to communicate with you swiftly and promptly. Leadership Opportunity On Monday the 3rd of November, the year 7 boys were privileged to assist in the junior Primary ‘hands on Mathematics workshop’. This not only enhanced their Maths skills and experience but also enriched us with leadership quality. We thoroughly enjoyed assisting our junior brothers in the program. It was fascinating to discover how to give effective accurate instructions to the year ones in the problem solving games activities. Thanks to Mr Albert for his time and effort; and for this opportunity to discover our capabilities. Feedback - (Adam, Saalik, Asad year 7 boys) Christina Rodrigues SADAKA JAARIYA FUNDRAISER Dear parent/caregiver, Assalamualaikum, My name is Eman Abdulaziz. I am organizing a fundraiser for the most important people of Islamic College, the Kindy students. They are in need of equipment and supplies. To raise the funds, there will be a colouring competition from Kindy to yr6. There will be prizes for each year level. To enter the competition students need to pay $2 and get a colouring-in sheet from their teacher. They can enter as many times as they like. For years 7-10, they will have to write in 50 words, why they love their mum. Winners will receive a prize for their mum. There are at least five prizes to win. To enter, students must pay $2 and get a sheet from their class teacher. Please support the Kindy and get rewards from Allah. All entries must be submitted before Friday week 6. Winners will be announced on Friday week 7 Eman Abdulaziz / 5Byrne ADMISSIONS OPEN FOR 2015 Please enrol your child now. Enrolment for Kindergarten to Year 12 is open and limited seats available. Please contact front office at (08) 8340 7799. [email protected] . You can download enrolment form by visiting www.icosa.sa.edu.au Ring ring ! The year 2M and year 2 EALD class went to the Road Safety Centre at Bonython Park . The students have been learning about bike and pedestrian safety on the roads and were keen to put this knowledge to the test on the practice track . All had a good time Ms Dounas and Ms Mitchell 1M The students of 1M have continued to produce some excellent work this term. In Mathematics we have been learning about different 3D shapes and the properties they each have. Many students in 1M attended the World Of Maths workshop, which included many hands on activities. In Science students have been ‘Spotting the Difference’, this week, students have been comparing cooked and uncooked spaghetti. Notes have been distributed about our excursion to the ‘Marine Discovery Centre’. This is an excellent opportunity for students to have a hands on learning experience based around our theme ‘Oceans’. Thank You, Miss Mitchell 2BM: Assalaamu Alaikum World of Math Yr 2 pupils had an educational excursion to the Urrbrae Agricultural School. They learnt how water creatures are kept at survival level by use of sedentary ponds. They had the opportunity to hold chicks and yabbi. After an eventful experience they enjoyed a picnic at the nearby Mitcham Park. 3rd November marked an interesting event for the Junior Primary Pupils as ‘The World of Math’ program took place in our school. The program developed an interest in Math activities in our pupils. Pupils had a 70-minute hands-on session that taught them to explore and analyse how they can apply mathematical knowledge in practice. Balgish Mydeen Balgish Mydeen JP Coordinator Fees ICOSA management introduced 10% discount on school fees for those who pay full amount by 12/12/2014. Parents can contact account department for any fees related inquiry. ICOSA account requests parents to apply for School Card those who are eligible (have concession or health care card) and not yet applied (school card application close on 21/11/2014). Please update your invoice account details to CentrePay. There will be a dishonor fees for direct debit when it bounces due to insufficient money in your account. We encourage all the parents to pay their children's school fees as early as possible. We appreciate your supports. May Allah SWT bless you with lots of rahma'a and mercy. Accounts Department Parents Committee We welcome all parents to provide their interest to become member of the Islamic College Parent’s Committee for 2015 as the existing committee will complete its term for 2014. Please visit front office or submit your interest at the following email address, [email protected] KINDERGARTEN Dear Parents and Caregivers Asslam U Alaikum Hopefully everyone had relaxed holiday break and you are ready to accompany us in another term which is full of excitement. We will have Kindy’s Graduation ceremony in December all of us are looking forward to it. Parents are most welcome to come and help staff to prepare props for children’s performances. We are learning about space in term 4, a visit has been arranged to Adelaide planetarium to broaden children learning. Children are learning about space through, stories, songs, art and craft activities and dramatic play. We are busy making alien masks, observing night sky, making stars & constellations, learning about solar system, and playing maths games. Sun Smart According to our sun smart policy in Term 4 and 1, all children are required to wear hats and sunscreen when playing outside. Please make sure your child has a hat when they come to Kindergarten. You can apply sunscreen in the morning to your child upon your arrival, its available in Kindergarten. Enrolments Open for 2015 Spaces in Kindergarten are filling up quickly, we are licensed for 70 places, 90% of these places are already filled, only few spots left. If your child turns 4 between, 1st May 2010 to 30th April 2011he/she is eligible to start Preschool in 2015. Kindy Fundraising We owe A Big THANKS to parents who made delicious cupcakes for our bake sale at Carnival day. Your generous donations and help raised $860. All proceeds will be spent to buy resources for Kindy. You are welcome to give us suggestions about the places you want to improve. We also Thank Eman from Year 5, who initiated a project to raise funds for kindy; all monies raised through this initiative will go to improve learning spaces in kindergarten. We are also planning with collaboration of whole school to organize another Family Fun Day to do fundraising for Kindergarten. Flyers and Posters will be out soon all classes/ Teachers and parents are welcome to give suggestions and participate in this event, for further details please contact Kindergarten Coordinator. Kind regards Qudsia Haider Kindergarten Coordinator Hon STEVEN MARSHALL, Opposition leader in South Australian parliament visited Islamic College and addressed the morning assembly. He was very impressed with our students and staff. At morning tea with school board, matters of mutual interest were discussed. He assured his cooperation to the school and Muslim community. We thank him for his visit and support to our children, parents and staff.