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Dear Maarif Parents,
Welcome to the 2025 academic year! This year, Maarif has started with a strong and dedicated team. I want to welcome all our new teachers and new leadership roles warmly.
Finance Department
- İbrahim Uzgur – Finance Manager
Primary Leadership Roles
- Fatima Memedoski – Year 1 – Year 6 Curriculum Coordinator
- Khadijeh Sakalaki – Appointed as Welfare Officer and Social Media Coordinator
- Ülkü Türkmen – Prep & Kindergarten Coordinator
Primary Class Teachers
- Aisha Basic – Year 2 Teacher
- Atike Özkan – Year 3 Teacher
- Aslı Tekirdağ – Returning from maternity leave as a part-time teacher
Secondary Leadership Roles
- Ayşe Tokyürek – Welfare Coordinator and Secondary School Turkish Teacher
- Canan Korkut: – Turkish Coordinator and English Teacher
- Recep Öz – PDHPE Coordinator and Sports Teacher
Secondary School
- Anureet Kaur – Science Teacher
- Mitchell Gordon – Music Teacher
- Ying Li – Maths Teacher
Today, we held primary school captain speeches and elections at our school. The elected students represented our school and serve as future leaders in our community. Congratulations to all students who have stepped up to deliver speeches and take on this responsibility!
We have three new classes this year that we did not have last year: a small Prep class, one Kindergarten class, and one new Year 1 class. These students are all new to Maarif. Therefore, we have arranged an informative session on "Adaptation to School and Environment" for their parents, presented by experienced psychologist Ms Burçin Gençoğlu on Tuesday, the 18th.
We look forward to the presence of our Prep, Kindergarten, and Year 1 parents at the session.
Maarif Lunch Clubs Are Starting! We are excited to introduce Maarif Lunch Clubs for students from Kindergarten to Year 9. Club activities are a vital part of student life at International Maarif Schools of
Australia and contribute to their personal and social development. Clubs will be organized based on students' age groups and depend on student interest and participation. This year's clubs include the choir, folk dancing, chess, orchestra, soccer, art club, and kindergarten buddy club. Kindergarten Buddy Club is a new club that pairs younger students with older peers to provide guidance, support, and friendship, helping them feel comfortable at school while fostering leadership, empathy, and responsibility. Maarif Lunch Club participation link: Club Registration Form
The NAPLAN exam schedule has been emailed to the parents of Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 students. All exams will take place in March. Please review the schedule, and if you wish to withdraw your child from the exam for any reason, kindly fill out the attached form sent via email.
Ramadan is approaching with all its beauty! We are pleased to invite our Year 3 – 11 students to the 7th Traditional Maarif Student Iftar on Tuesday, March 11. I wish you all a blessed Ramadan! Enjoy this special time. Ramazanınız şimdiden Hayırlı olsun!
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to the education and well-being of our students. We are excited about the opportunities and growth that 2025 will bring to Maarif.
Best regards,
Dr Zeynep Yaseen
Principal
Dear parents and Guardians,
Kind regards,
Mrs Adeba Qasim
Secondary School Coordinator
On 11/02/2025, our MAARIF SWISSA Basketball team debuted at Bankstown Basketball Stadium for the first week of competitive sport. The students' display of camaraderie, teamwork, and dedication was a shining example of the spirit of our school. We extend our warmest congratulations to all the students who embarked on this sports journey and our teams. Their achievements fill us with pride and inspire us to look forward with anticipation and excitement for the future success we hope to witness in the coming weeks.
Mr Recep Oz
PDHPE Coordinator
On behalf of the English faculty, I’d like to welcome students back after what I hope was a great summer break!
We are delighted to welcome Mrs Turgut to our growing faculty this year. She brings a wealth of experience from Australia and Türkiye, from which we will all benefit. Mrs Turgut will teach Year 7 and Year 8. Many of you may have seen her at primary school last year.
This year, we have a Stage 6 cohort working hard to build the skills they need to complete their Higher School Certificate. Students have elected to study either the Advanced English course (taught by Mrs Naser) or the Standard English course (taught by Mrs Korkut). Students are adjusting to the demands of senior English and the standard of work expected of them. Both groups are studying the Common Module- Reading to Write, which is their transition into Stage 6 English.
Our Years 7-10 students have settled into their Term 1 English routine, which includes silent reading at the beginning of every lesson. Parents were asked to ensure their child had an age-appropriate book to read for this compulsory component of the English program. Week On was an introduction to the teaching and learning programs, and all classes will start the year with a novel or non-fiction study. Year 7 will read A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, Year 8 will read Trash by Andy Mulligan, Year 9 will read Tell Me Why by Archie Roach, and Year 10 will read the dystopic classic Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.
Term 1 promises to be demanding. Students will be challenged to consider serious and often topical themes and ideas that will challenge their thinking and perhaps consolidate and extend their existing knowledge. We are very excited to see this process play out in our classrooms.
Students and parents are encouraged to contact us with any issues or concerns.
Ms Susan Naser, Mrs Canan Korkut, Mrs Melike Turgut
English Coordinator & English Teacher
Year 7
Year 7 TAS students have been exploring digital technologies and their impact on daily life. They have examined the evolution of technology over time, distinguishing between hardware and software and developing essential skills in word processing. These foundational skills will support their ongoing learning in digital literacy.
Year 8
Ms Beyza Nur Çelik and Mr Mitchell Gordan
TAS Teacher
The start of Term 1 has been an exciting time as we settle into our new campus. It has been wonderful to see our students adapting so well to their new learning environment and embracing new opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Year 7
Welcome Year 7 to term 1. Students are developing an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of historians and archaeologists. Furthermore, students have participated in a variety of learning activities in the classroom, providing an opportunity to develop historical skills and concepts. Year 7 History students will take part in an excursion to the Museum sometime this term.
Year 8
Year 8 History students have been exploring the historical foundations of the Ottoman Empire, focusing on the establishment and leaders of the emperor. Students have been actively involved in class discussions, applying their knowledge to the content presented throughout the lessons. Students will continue to discover the rich contributions of the Ottoman influences throughout the term.
Year 9
Year 9 students are examining the motives and consequences of past civilisation groups and exploring challenging historical events. During lessons, students are investigating the significance and nature of the Industrial Revolution by analysing historical sources and videos. Year 9 History students will have the opportunity to take part in an excursion sometime during the year.
Year 10
Year 10 students have begun exploring the modern world and Australia and look into key historical events that have shaped the society we live in today. Their discussions have been thought-provoking as they examine the impact of these events on our nation's identity.
Year 11
In Legal Studies, Year 11 students are developing a strong foundation in the Australian legal system. They have been engaging in meaningful discussions about justice, fairness, and the real-world impact of laws on our daily lives.
In Society and Culture, Year 11 students have started unpacking fundamental and additional concepts, sparking insightful conversations about identity, power, and social change. Their curiosity and enthusiasm for exploring these topics have made for active and engaging classroom discussions.
Ms Burcin Taskin & Ms. Aysha Imtiyas
HSIE Teachers
It's a new year, a new term, and endless opportunities to grow, learn, and create! As we enter this thrilling chapter, we can't contain our excitement to see our students explore their creativity, refine their skills, and embrace the power of art and design in their academic journeys.
On behalf of the CAPA Faculty, we are thrilled to announce the Young Archie competition as part of our school! We wholeheartedly encourage all students to participate in the Young Archie competition regardless of their artistic background. This event, where students can draw or paint a portrait of a significant figure in their lives, is open to all students throughout Maarif.
We look forward to seeing this prestigious event's diverse and creative entries!
Year 7
Welcome to high school, Year 7! This term, students embark on an exciting journey into portraiture. This subject captures facial expressions, emotions, and individuality through drawing and painting. They will explore the elements of art, such as line, shape, and colour, while also studying historical and contemporary portrait artists. Through engaging and hands-on projects, they will develop their technical skills, gain confidence in their artistic abilities, and understand how art is a powerful expression.
Year 8
Welcome back, Year 8 students! This term, we are diving into the fascinating world of Australian art, exploring the artists and movements that have shaped its rich history. Students will analyse influential works from Indigenous art traditions to contemporary Australian artists and experiment with different artistic styles. Through painting, printmaking, and mixed-media projects, they will gain insight into how art reflects culture, identity, and social change. As they refine their techniques, they develop critical thinking skills by discussing and interpreting artwork from various perspectives.
Year 10
In Year 10 Visual Arts, students have been investigating the use of symbols in artworks. They have analysed various pieces to explore how artists convey meaning through symbolic imagery. Building on this knowledge, students have begun designing their symbols, drawing inspiration from their interests and experiences.
Ms. Noor Elmubasher & Mr Mitchell Gordon
Visual Arts Teachers
This year brings some exciting changes for Turkish, starting with our new teachers who have joined the faculty and will be taking on Turkish classes.
We have a wonderful year ahead, with opportunities for students to engage deeply with the Turkish language through debating competitions, performances, and celebrating cultural and national events. These activities will enhance their language skills and foster confidence and a strong connection to Turkish.
Learning a language is more than acquiring vocabulary and grammar—it is a gateway to cultural understanding, critical thinking, and effective communication. Mastering Turkish enables students to connect with diverse communities and develop valuable skills that will benefit them academically and professionally. Language learning fosters adaptability, broadens global perspectives, and enhances problem-solving abilities.
As the Turkish Faculty, we are committed to creating a dynamic and engaging learning environment where students can thrive. We look forward to a successful year of learning, collaboration, and growth, supporting our students in becoming confident and proficient Turkish speakers.
Mrs Canan Korkut, Mrs Ayse Tokyurek, Ms Melike Turgul, Mr Bahadir Korkut
Turkish Teachers
Dr Zeynep Yaseen, Mr Bahadir Korkut, Ms Lark Lu, Ms Ying Li, & Ms Mariam El Maarraoui
Maths Teachers
First, the Maarif PDHPE team wants to welcome our parents and students to the new school year 2025! This is the year for new beginnings and many more memorable moments to capture and celebrate! Mr Oz and Ms Asli hope the students return fresh with a new mindset and goal. Weeks 1 and 2 were used as a transition phase, and the key expectations from our students were identified. This year, we want to shift the students’ focus to key educational priorities in health and competitive sports and use the house colour system as a key motivator among our students. We will continue with SWISSA and encourage our students to show their competitive nature with discipline without any injuries. Term 1’s SWISSA sport is Basketball, and our first game is on the 11th of February. There will be some exciting news from the PDHPE department this year, so please watch this space!
Thank you, and we look forward to working with you all soon!
Mr. Recep OZ and Ms Aslihan Agyar
PDHPE Coordinator and Teachers
Year 7
In our first lessons, students explored the four domains of Science: Physical World, Earth and Space, Living World, and Chemical World. They matched the eight units we'll study this year to these domains, setting the stage for a year of scientific discovery.
We then dived into Unit 1: Working Scientifically, where students defined Science and explored its branches through a fun matching activity.
Learned the names and uses of laboratory equipment, including scientific drawings.
Studied safety in labs with peer activities and an engaging lab rules song.
With curiosity and hands-on learning, we're ready for an exciting journey into Science.
Year 8
Our Year 8 Science students have started the term by learning how to write a scientific report, an essential skill for any budding scientist. To get started, they each grabbed a ruler. They measured the everyday items in their pencil cases, recorded their findings and wrote an introductory report. This hands-on activity helped them understand the key sections of a scientific report, including the aim, method, results, and conclusion.
At the same time, they have begun exploring the fascinating world of atoms, discovering how protons, neutrons, and electrons come together to form different elements. They are building their understanding of atomic structure using interactive models, which will be an essential foundation for future scientific studies.
Year 9
This week in Year 9 Science, we are exploring the fascinating topic of metabolism and enzymes as part of our unit on Coordinated Body Systems. We aim to thoroughly understand how the body manages energy and the processes that support growth and repair.
We will begin by discussing metabolism, focusing on its essential role in the body. Students will learn that metabolism involves two main processes: catabolism, where larger molecules are broken down into smaller ones to release energy, and anabolism, where smaller molecules are built into larger ones, requiring energy. These two processes work together to maintain the body's energy balance and ensure cells have the materials to function effectively.
Our discussions will then shift to enzymes, the unique proteins that act as catalysts to speed up chemical reactions in the body. As a class, we defined key terms such as "enzyme," "substrate," and "lock-and-key model. "Students can draw a diagram of the lock-and-key model in their notebooks to visualize how enzymes work. This activity will help students understand enzyme specificity and their role in metabolism.
This week, we will continue building on this knowledge by investigating digestion and how enzymes break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. We will also examine how nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream and delivered to cells via diffusion.
Year 10
We've had a productive start to the Energy topic in Year 10 Science. Over the past two weeks, students have been learning about energy conservation, transfers, and transformations. They've explored how energy cannot be created or destroyed but only converted between forms and how systems are never 100% efficient due to energy loss, often as heat.
Students have also looked at different forms of energy, including kinetic, potential, and chemical energy, with a hands-on investigation into how elastic bands stretch with added weight to demonstrate potential energy. To further deepen their understanding, we will soon be doing an activity that looks at roller coaster energy changes, where students will track how energy changes from potential to kinetic energy as the roller coaster moves, helping them better visualize these concepts in action.
I appreciate your support as we explore these essential concepts in Science.
Our young scientists hit the ground running this week as we dove into one of the most fundamental skills in scientific inquiry—observation. Students explored the crucial difference between what we observe with our senses and what we infer from those observations. Through hands-on activities, they discovered that while observations tell us directly what something looks like, sounds like, feels like, smells like, or tastes like, inferences are the conclusions we draw from those observations.
We discussed how qualitative observations (using our senses to describe properties) and quantitative observations (involving measurements and numbers) play vital roles in scientific investigation. The students practised making detailed observations and learned why careful, accurate observation skills are essential for everything from conducting experiments to making new scientific discoveries.
Year 11 Biology
Year 11 Biology students began the term by exploring the NSW Stage 6 Biology course structure, gaining an overview of the Year 11 and 12 modules. They reviewed course requirements, learning outcomes, and assessment expectations, including an introduction to the Depth Study, a significant research-based component of their studies.
The first module, Cells as the Basis of Life, started with an inquiry question and students engaged in:
- Investigating different cell types through interactive animations and inquiry-based worksheets.
- Tracing the development of cell research technologies by analyzing a historical timeline and using digital simulations.
- Comparing the sizes of cells at the micro and nanometer scale with visual demonstrations.
- Examining similarities and differences between plant and animal cells through detailed image analysis.
Through hands-on activities and engaging discussions, students have laid a strong foundation for understanding the fundamental role of cells in life processes. We look forward to deeper explorations in the coming weeks!
Year 11 HSC Chemistry
Dear Parents, I am excited to share an update on what we've been learning in Year 11 Chemistry as we begin our journey through this fascinating subject. Our current topic is the Properties of Matter. We explore key concepts such as mixtures and pure substances, types of mixtures and their separation techniques, the states of matter and their properties, solutions and suspensions, and physical and chemical changes. We've also introduced the study of atoms, molecules, and their chemical symbols and formulae.
This year, we've started using our new lab, which is gradually taking shape. We've already begun conducting some experiments, and we're excited to continue exploring the hands-on, practical side of Chemistry. We aim to make Chemistry educational and enjoyable by engaging in exciting practical investigations that help bring the theory to life.
There is still much to learn and many experiments to conduct, but we can turn challenges into valuable learning opportunities with consistent effort. I encourage all students to keep up with their work and stay engaged in both the theoretical and practical aspects of Chemistry.
Year 11 HSC Physics
Welcome back to Physics! We've started Term 1 by delving deep into kinematics, the branch of physics that describes the motion of objects. Our students explored the subtle yet essential distinctions between commonly confused concepts: distance versus displacement and speed versus velocity.
Through engaging problems and real-world examples, students learned how to analyze motion using key concepts like acceleration, average speed, and average velocity. They discovered that while distance tells us how far an object has travelled, displacement reveals the actual change in position from start to finish. Similarly, they grasped that speed is about how fast something moves, while velocity also considers the direction of motion.
This week, we focused heavily on HSC exam techniques. Students practised interpreting questions, identifying key physics terms, and structuring their responses to maximize marks. We emphasized the importance of clearly working out, using correct units, and explaining physical concepts precisely—all crucial skills for success in the HSC.
Mrs. Derya Koc Kalkan, Ms Beyza Nur Çelik, Ms Anureet Kaur, Ms Asli Agyar and Miss Betul Koyinci
Science Teachers
Year 7 Music
Year 7 students have been developing their understanding of rhythm and pitch through a Kodály-based approach, which has proven effective in music education. This approach encourages learning through aural discovery, visual representation, and, most importantly, practical application, providing a strong foundation in musical literacy. Students have also begun learning to play the keyboard, and they will apply their skills to perform a selection of popular songs, demonstrating the practicality of their learning.
Year 8 Music
In Year 8 Music, students have revised rhythmic values and applied their understanding to instrumental practice. They recently began learning the ukulele, focusing on basic chords and smooth chord transitions. As they refine their technique, they gain the confidence to perform well-known songs easily and assuredly.
Mr Mitchell Gordan
Music Teacher
Assalamu Alaikum wa rahmetullahi wa barakatuh
Our secondary students were learning a Tajweed rule, shown and explained on the board. They gave examples and watched the video lesson on the rules being taught.
This term, students throughout Secondary school are learning and focussing on Islam's fundamental beliefs and acts of worship. Our year 9 students were learning the chapter on fasting and answered study questions in their exercise books.
We pray that Allah (SWT) alloQur'an students keep the Qur’an in the centre of their lives and let the book of Allah be the light of their hearts.
Mr Muhammed Ordukaya
Secondary Islamic Studies Teacher
Welcome back, students! I hope you had a restful break and are ready for an exciting year ahead in Commerce and Business Studies.
Year 9 Commerce will explore Consumer and Financial Decisions, learning to make informed choices, understand consumer rights, and manage finances effectively this term. Year 10 Commerce will examine Employment and Work Futures, focusing on workplace rights, employment trends, and financial planning. Year 11 Business Studies will begin with The Nature of Business, studying different business structures, roles, and economic influences.
I look forward to a fantastic year of learning and success!
Mrs Adeba Qasim and Ms Noor Elmubasher
Design Technology Teacher
We request that our parents and/or carers be extra cautious during school drop-off and pick-up times. Please ensure NSW Government rules regarding road safety are being followed and adhered to at all times.
This means:
- Respecting the road rules and signs, and driving within the speed limit of 40km/h in a school zone.
- Parking safely in designated parking areas or in drop off/pick up zones.
- No double parking, as it is dangerous and illegal.
- Three-point turns and U-turns are not permitted in school zones, as not only is it dangerous for students and other vehicles but also causes traffic congestion.
- Follow the directions of our school crossing supervisors.
- Give way to our School Bus drivers.
Thank you for your cooperation.
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