Best regards,

Dr Zeynep Yaseen

Principal 

Dear Parents/Carers,

As we reach the midway point of Term 1, it is wonderful to see our students settling into their learning routines and embracing new challenges with enthusiasm. The weeks ahead promise to be exciting and enriching, with a variety of events and opportunities for students to engage in both academic and cultural activities.

A range of excursions are planned to complement classroom learning, providing students with hands-on experiences to deepen their understanding of different subjects. Additionally, students can look forward to engaging in various competitions and challenges across English, Mathematics, Visual Arts, and more! These opportunities encourage creativity, critical thinking, and healthy competition among students.

With Ramadan approaching, our school is excited to host a special Iftar evening for Years 3-11, bringing together students and staff to break fast and celebrate this meaningful time. We are also looking forward to our Ramadan Gift Exchange, fostering a spirit of kindness and generosity within our school community. More details on how to participate will be shared soon.

We are excited to announce that our lunch clubs will be commencing next week. These clubs offer students the chance to explore new interests and develop new skills in a fun and supportive environment. A variety of clubs will be available, including folk dancing, art, choir, orchestra, chess, kindergarten buddies and soccer.

For our Year 3 and 5 students, NAPLAN will take place between 12 March and 24 March 2025. Parents can support their children by encouraging daily reading, problem-solving activities, and practice with past papers can also help build confidence. Most importantly, please remind your children that NAPLAN is just one way of measuring their progress, and their efforts are what truly matter.

In the final week of the term, we will celebrate Harmony Day, which is a time to recognise and embrace the cultural diversity that makes our school so special. Students are encouraged to wear orange or traditional cultural attire and take part in activities that promote inclusivity and respect. It is a great opportunity for us all to celebrate the values of harmony and unity.

A reminder that updates on student learning and important messages from your children's teachers are also shared via Seesaw. If you are having trouble logging into your Seesaw account or unable to connect to your childs account, please inform your class teacher.

With so much to look forward to, we encourage students to stay engaged, participate fully, and make the most of the exciting weeks ahead.

Warm regards,

Mrs Reyhan Er

Primary School Coordinator

Well done to the students who have been selected as 'Student of the Week'. These students are selected for academic achievement and for modelling our school values. 

Also, well done to these students for receiving awards.

Shape Fun!

This week, we introduced our children to triangles, circles, and squares. To make the learning process engaging and enjoyable, we incorporated various games, question-and-answer activities, songs, and creative projects. We painted wooden boards and used them to create triangle and square shapes, helping the children understand these concepts through hands-on experiences. Additionally, we reinforced their learning by incorporating colouring activities, supporting their visual perception skills. Through these fun and educational activities, we aimed to create a meaningful learning environment and help the children retain their understanding of basic geometric shapes.

Mrs Ayşe Açıkkol

Prep Teacher

Sunlight is Important for the Growth of Plants

In an engaging hands-on activity, our kindergarten students explored the fascinating world of plants, using simple materials like cotton balls and chia seeds. The goal of the experiment was to introduce young learners to the basic concept of how plants grow and what they need to thrive. This activity not only nurtured curiosity but also offered an exciting opportunity for the children to understand the relationship between sunlight and plant development.

To begin, each student received a plastic cup, some cotton balls, and a sprinkle of chia seeds. The cotton balls acted as the base for the seeds, providing a soft and absorbent material for them to grow on. The students were instructed to place the seeds on the cotton balls and water them lightly, beginning the process of plant growth.

At the same time, we divided the students into two groups based on the placement of their cups. Half of the cups were placed in a sunny spot where the plants could bask in natural light, while the other half was kept in a shaded area where the plants would not receive any direct sunlight.

Over the following days, the students observed the progress of their chia plants. A notable difference quickly emerged between the two groups of cups. The plants in the cups exposed to sunlight grew much thicker and healthier. Their stems were strong, and the leaves appeared larger and greener. On the other hand, the plants in the cups that did not receive sunlight were noticeably thinner, weaker, and less developed. These plants struggled to thrive, demonstrating the critical role sunlight plays in plant growth.

This observation became a perfect opportunity to discuss the needs of plants, particularly how they depend on sunlight to grow strong and healthy. We explained to the students that sunlight provides energy for plants, helping them produce food through a process called photosynthesis. Without sunlight, plants cannot grow as well, which was clearly demonstrated by the difference between the two groups of cups.

What a great experience for our Kindergarten students!

Mrs Ülkü Türkmen

Kindergarten Class Teacher 

Giraffes Can't Dance

We have had a wonderful fortnight here in 1A, filled with engaging learning and creative learning experiences. In our PDH lessons, we read the book Giraffes Can't Dance. This story taught us about self-esteem, persistence, and the positive side of being different. It also reinforced an important anti-bullying and acceptance message. Gerald, the main character, was a self-conscious giraffe who struggled with his gangly legs, making it hard for him to dance. However, he discovered that being unique was something to celebrate.

To explore the concept of uniqueness further, our students created beautiful artwork of Gerald the Giraffe. Each student's interpretation reflected their own creativity and deepened their understanding of what it means to be unique. We then worked on identifying our own positive strengths and qualities and created personalised cubes that represented these attributes.

In History, we have been exploring the concepts of the past, present, and future. We watched videos and looked at pictures of items from the past, which helped us understand how technology has evolved over time. By categorising photos into past and present, we were able to see the differences in how things have changed. Afterward, we wrote about the future in our books and used our creativity to design something we think could exist in the future, imagining how technology might shape the world ahead. Great work 1A!

Ms Bahar Sevgi

1A Class Teacher 

Ms Zeliha Mehcur

2A Class Teacher 

Exploring, Creating & Growing in 2B!

2B has had a wonderful and fun fortnight filled with exciting learning experiences! We've had a productive time in class, and the students have put in a lot of effort over the past few days. In Geography, we have been exploring the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The students have gained a deeper understanding of these concepts, and their learning was enhanced by exploring this content in Turkish. To put their learning into practice, the students applied their creative skills in a fun and engaging task. They created visual representations of the hemispheres and continents, which allowed them to showcase their creativity while reinforcing the key concepts.

In English, 2B has been diving into a variety of informative texts. We have been unpacking the key features of such texts, and the students have been putting this into practice by creating their own informative texts. The students undertook a research task based on the book The Snail and the Whale, where they explored different aspects of the story and shared their findings in a creative way.

Class 2B recently participated in two exciting school events—Jersey Day and Clean Up Australia Day. For Jersey Day, students wore their favourite sports jerseys. Then, on Clean Up Australia Day, 2B joined in to help clean up the school grounds, promoting environmental care and community spirit. It was a great way for the class to get involved and make a positive impact!

It’s been amazing to see how much the students have enjoyed and engaged with these lessons, and we’re excited to continue building on these foundations in the weeks ahead!

Ms Aisha Basic

2B Class Teacher

Ms Amel Mehana

3A Class Teacher 

Exploring Identity and Culture through the Art of Silhouettes

Our class has been exploring the powerful theme of identity and culture through the art of silhouettes. This engaging project has allowed our young artists to celebrate how different cultures use art to express their stories, identities, and traditions. This was a wonderful opportunity for them to learn about diversity and the rich array of cultures that surround us. The results have been nothing short of amazing! Students’ silhouettes were filled with symbolism that reflected their personal and cultural connections. Some students incorporated elements such as family patterns, national flags, or cultural attire into their backgrounds, while others drew inspiration from their passions and hobbies.

Ms Atike Ozkan

3B Class Teacher 

4A Engages with Indigenous Art through Dot Painting

 Recently, the students of 4A embarked on an exciting journey to explore the rich and vibrant world of Aboriginal Indigenous art.

 The students were introduced to the traditional technique of dot painting, a characteristic style of Aboriginal art. They learned about the symbolic meanings behind the dots, lines, and patterns, which often tell stories about the land, ancestors, and Dreamtime.

 To get hands-on experience, the students painted pebbles using dot painting techniques. They carefully applied small dots of paint to create intricate designs, exploring the notion of storytelling through art. As they worked, they discussed the cultural significance of Indigenous art and its role in preserving traditions and passing down knowledge.

 Through this engaging experience, 4A gained a deeper understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal Indigenous art and its importance in Australian culture. By exploring the stories and symbolism behind the art, they developed a greater respect for the rich cultural heritage of Australia's Indigenous peoples.

Mrs Aslı Tekirdağ & Mrs Irem Taş

4A Class Teachers

Inquiry-based Lesson in Geography

This week, our 5A students have been involved in an engaging inquiry-based learning project in their Geography class, focusing on the biomes around the world. Each pair selected a specific continent and studied the biomes found in that region, exploring the diverse ecosystems and the flora and fauna that inhabit them. They practiced essential individual research skills, diving deep into various geographical concepts and topics that sparked their curiosity. Working collaboratively with a partner, students shared insights, asked critical questions, and developed a richer understanding of the subject matter. This hands-on approach not only enhanced their knowledge of geography but also fostered teamwork and communication skills.

Mr Mike Liu

5A Class Teacher

STEM in Action: Building, Creating, and Innovating!

In our STEM program this term, students have been hands-on with exciting engineering challenges, including constructing a Yoga Ring, Spike, and LEGO models. These projects encourage creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork while reinforcing key STEM concepts.

The Yoga Ring activity challenged students to explore balance and structure, Spike introduced coding and robotics, and LEGO models allowed for imaginative engineering solutions. Each project sparked curiosity and critical thinking, empowering students to become young innovators.

It’s inspiring to see their enthusiasm and perseverance in action—STEM learning at its best!

Ms Dilara Aydoğdu

5B Class Teacher

Collaborative Storytelling: 6A's Creative Writing Journey!

Year 6A students had a fascinating English writing lesson in which they collaborated with their classmates to brainstorm and write short stories. Brainstorming ideas through discussion, students constructed the framework of their stories and brought their imaginations to life. Having written their stories, students had their work critiqued so that their writing could be improved by enhancing their storytelling abilities. The lesson not only stimulated imagination but also encouraged collaboration and critical thinking and was thus a priceless learning experience.

Ms Samira Asad

6A Class Teacher

Morning Assembly Performance

6B has had the privilege to perform an item in the morning assembly. Their presentation item is about a tribute to teachers: to honour, appreciate, and acknowledge their hard work.

To express their heartfelt gratitude, they have prepared a special acrostic poem that reflects the impact of teachers in their lives. Each letter of the word "TEACHERS" represents the values, dedication, and care teachers show every day.

6B hoped their performance brought joy to all teachers present at the time.

Ms Zeny Galsim

6B Class Teacher

Progress of Kindergarten Students in Turkish Classes

Kindergarten students continue to develop their language skills in Turkish classes. In Turkish Mathematics lessons, they have been learning to express numbers in Turkish, write them, and match them with visuals. They have also engaged in various activities to reinforce their understanding of numbers.

In Turkish HSIE (Human Society and Its Environment) lessons, students have introduced themselves and explored the concept of family. They have discussed family members and their roles, learning key words and expressions that they can use in daily life.

During Turkish lessons, students have practised the correct pronunciation of the İstiklal Marşı (Turkish National Anthem) and participated in activities to understand its meaning. Additionally, they have been introduced to the alphabet and started their letter recognition journey with the letter "A", engaging in a variety of related activities.

Students have also been working on greeting and self-introduction skills to improve their communication abilities in Turkish. As they expand their vocabulary, they are also developing their sentence formation skills, using more accurate and structured expressions in their speech.

Ms Meyra Biçer

Turkish Language Teacher 

Year 2

In Turkish lesson with our Year 2 students, we learned about the continents and oceans. To consolidate our learning, we engaged in a fun and educational puzzle activity.

Ms Tutku Şahin

Turkish Language Teacher

Year 2

With our Year 2 students, we learned the names and locations of the continents. We identified the state we live in and Turkey’s position in the world.

Year 3

We introduced our Year 3 students to Karagöz and Hacivat. We learned how to perform the traditional Turkish “Shadow Play.” By stepping behind the curtain, we became Karagöz and Hacivat, engaging in humorous dialogues. We revisited synonyms and learned new words.

Mrs Özge Akçelik

Turkish Language Teacher

Year 2

Year 2 students learned about continents and their locations in the world. They gathered information about how many continents there are in the world, their names, and their locations. Later, they completed this information with a cut-and-paste activity.

Year 4

Year 4 students prepared a presentation about what they did during the last summer holiday. In their presentations, they used both sentences and their own photos. While presenting, they shared their holiday memories with their friends in detail.

Mrs Şeyma Akdemir

Turkish Language Teacher 

We Discover Our Own Musical Talent and Music

This week, we sang songs as a class with our musical instruments and accompanied ıt wıth rhythm. We wıll try to make it a habit to listen to each other, take turns talking to each other and treating each other with respect when we make music together.

Mrs Fisun Benlisoy

Music Teacher

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh,     

(May peace and mercy be upon you) 

All praise be to Allah (SWT), the most merciful and may peace and blessings be upon His beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW), his family, companions and all those who follow him.     

We are pleased to inform you that Year 6 students are memorizing Surah-Al-Qadr this term. They pray the Dhur prayer together in the class as well. Quran Students recite the Surah-Ar-Rahman in this term and memorise some ayat of the surah. Students who are in Elif-Ba book also continue to progress from where they left off.  

Religion Teachers

From Ms Khadijeh Sakalaki......

Clean Up Australia Day!

On Tuesday, February 25th, students of Maarif School participated in the annual Clean Up Australia Day, an initiative that brought the entire school community together to take action in cleaning their surroundings and raise awareness about the importance of keeping the environment clean.

From the early hours of the morning, students were on a mission to tidy up all corners of the school grounds. Armed with gloves, bags, and an unwavering spirit, they worked diligently to clean the areas that often go unnoticed—particularly the netball courts, which were given special attention to ensure the area remained pristine for future use. It was heartening to see students of all ages come together, demonstrating their commitment to maintaining not just their school, but their community as a whole.

But the event didn’t stop at just cleaning up the school grounds. After the cleanup, students participated in a series of engaging activities that helped them understand why it’s crucial to keep our environment clean. These activities focused on the broader impact of pollution on our planet and the small actions that individuals can take to reduce their carbon footprint.

One of the most creative elements of the day was the poster-making activity, where students were tasked with designing colourful and thought-provoking posters that encouraged others to take responsibility for their environment. These posters, filled with catchy slogans and eye-catching designs, aimed to spread the message that keeping Australia clean is not just a responsibility for one day, but a lifelong commitment.

In doing so, Maarif students not only participated in a community event but also gained a deeper understanding of their role in preserving the beauty of Australia. The day served as a reminder that even small efforts, like picking up litter or spreading awareness, can lead to a cleaner, healthier world for all.

The success of the day was evident in the smiles of the students and the sparkling clean grounds they left behind. The cleanup was a symbol of their collective effort to make a lasting impact, demonstrating that when we work together, even the smallest hands can make a big difference.

Maarif School’s participation in Clean Up Australia Day was more than just an event—it was a celebration of the school’s commitment to sustainability and a call to action for every student to contribute positively to the environment. Through such initiatives, the students of Maarif are not only learning about the importance of a clean environment, but they are also becoming the leaders of tomorrow who will inspire others to follow in their footsteps.

School Drop off and Pick Up

Students need to be dropped off at school by 8:45am daily and pick up at 3:30pm. 

Parent-Teacher Communication 

When communicating with teachers, please try to be respectful of their time and understand that they may not always be able to respond immediately. This means, giving them a reasonable amount of time to respond to your emails or messages, and understanding their work hours. 

Please avoid sending multiple follow-up messages when not receiving a response immediately, teachers have many responsibilities. 

Written Communications

Written communications to the school, including emails and letters, please include the student's full name and class for identification purposes

Phone & Electronics

Primary School students are not permitted to bring to school, their phones and/or any electronics. This includes smartwatches. 

Birthday Celebrations

We love to celebrate our students at Maarif and accept that some families may want to share the special occasion of their child’s birthday with his/her class peers. As a school, we embrace this opportunity however would like to enforce a strict policy of not bringing in food or other edible items for these one-off occasions. It is important we cater to all students including those who have severe allergies by monitoring this closely. If you would like to celebrate your child’s birthday, we would suggest an alternative to food. 

Toys and Valuables 

Students are not permitted to bring toys and valuables to school. These include Pokemon cards, fidget toys and weapon-like toys. Students are only permitted to bring in appropriate toys on allocated Show and Tell days. Please check with your child's class teacher if unsure.

Student Lunches

We understand that occasionally dropping off a meal may seem convenient, but we appreciate your cooperation in supporting our efforts to promote fairness and healthy eating for all students by not dropping off fast food for your child. It is no longer allowed at our school. When fast food is brought to school, it can lead to other children feeling left out or upset if they do not have similar meals. 

All uniform requests can be made as follows:

Order Submission Only

• Primary school parents are to complete the attached uniform order form
• Order forms should be emailed to uniforms@maarif.nsw.edu.au or sent to the school office with students if required
• Orders will be processed weekly on Wednesdays and uniform items will be sent home with students by the following day
• Contact number for uniform-related enquiries 0402 393 844

Attached below is the Uniform Order Form

We consider that uniform is important for several reasons.

• It provides pupils with a sense of identity and pride in their school. 
• It enhances the appearance of pupils and therefore the reputation of the school. 
• It helps to instil a sense of purpose in pupils when they put on their uniform in the mornings. 
• It helps overcome the worry about “fitting in” with fashions and keeping up with other children. All children feel equal and there is no stress, competition or worry for families about expensive brands/labels.
• It overcomes the problem for both parents and teachers about what is suitable attire for school. 

We request that our parents and/or carers be extra cautious during school drop-off and pick-up times.

Years Prep, Kindergarten - 3 are dismissed from the Front School Gate.

Years 4 - 6 are dismissed from the Side School Gate.

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 it also causes traffic congestion.  

- Follow the directions of our school crossing supervisors.

- Give way to our School Bus drivers. 

According to ACARA National Standards for student attendance, parents are required to complete an Application for Leave Form for holidays within the school term or other leave. Applications should be submitted 14 days prior to the leave. The Principal approves this leave as appropriate.

For all student leave requests (1-50 days) an application form should be submitted to the school at least 14 days prior to the requested leave date. Supporting documentation, such as travel ticket or itinerary, should be included with student holiday leave applications.

Holidays taken by students outside of School vacation periods are included as absences.

Families are encouraged to holiday or travel during school vacations rather than in term time. If travel during the school term is necessary, the following considerations apply:

• If the Principal accepts the reason for the absence, the absence will be marked as justified leave.
• If the Principal does not believe the absence is in the student’s best interests and does not accept the reason, the absence will be recorded as unjustified leave.

The Leave form can be accessed below:

Did you know you can organise your school fee payments into weekly, fortnight or monthly payments? International Maarif Schools of Australia uses Edstart to provide more flexibility and choice for your school fee payments. There are no additional charges for the service regardless of the schedule or payment method you choose. Getting started is easy, simply visit edstart.com.au/Maarif to set up your payments online or call 1300 139 445. If you would like further information, you can also contact our accounts team at accounts@maarif.nsw.edu.au or 02 8316 0655.

Instagram: @australiamaarif 

Facebook: Maarif Australia 

Twitter: @AUmaarif

Youtube: @MaarifSchoolsOfAustralia