International Maarif Schools of Australia eNewsletter

Dear Maarif Parents and Carers, I would like to acknowledge and congratulate all the Academic and Maarif Values award recipients who were recognised on Friday 2 December at Maarif End of Year Ceremony. It is important to remember, that no matter what, we celebrate all the achievements of our precious children, and support them to be the best that they can be.

Our Year 6 families have shared their gratitude for the education, care and support our teachers have given to their children in building character and learning over the past 4 years. Congratulations to our Year 6 students they are high schoolers now.

Many thanks to those parents who have helped out with our activities. We could not do it without you! Some of these events require a huge and ongoing commitment of time and energy. It is much appreciated. We thank you the work that you have done in supporting us to support your children this year. We all worked hard as a team to achieve the success. Thank you to all of the parents for your contributions to the school.

I want to personally thank the students who have come to the end of their Maarif journey this year, for being a part of our community, and I wish you all the brightest of futures. Thank you for all your hard work throughout the school year. You are always welcome back to Maarif community anytime!

Next year, we will see further development and improvement and we will be in our modern brand-new building with doubled up student numbers. Something which we are all excited and passionate about. The wonderful team at Maarif will continue to provide modern teaching and learning practise, to the highest standard with our values.

Thank you to my fabulous team, who have continued our learning journey even though last 2 years have been full of challenges. You are all incredibly dedicated and hardworking team. I appreciate your expertise and encouragement of all the students.

Farewell to our magnificent:

Rojier Eliah, who will be spreading his teaching skills around Maarif as a math and science teacher. Thank you for your enthusiasm and care.
Amel Mehana and Rooba El-Sayed, we wish you all the very best with your growing family and look forward to seeing baby pictures in the new year.

It is with a saddened heart that we farewell these wonderful people who have made a real difference to our school and your children. Thank you so much for the energy and support you have given us here. We will miss you but wish you all the very best.

Wishing you all an enjoyable summer break and I look forward to seeing you all on Monday 13 February in 2023.

Dr Zeynep Yaseen

Principal

What a spectacular evening! An evening filled with student performances, the celebration of student achievement and recognition of teachers. With special visitors including the Consul General of the Republic of Turkiye, Mr Ali Sevim, the Member of Parliament Honarable Lynda Voltz MP and our Maarif families had all come together in celebration of this successful academic year

Congratulations to our high school students for achieving such amazing awards!

2022 Academic Excellence Award

MANSUR UZUN - Year 7

TALHA ORDUKAYA - Year 8

2022 Cooperation and Solidarity Award

HALE CALISKAN

2022 Competence and Virtue Award

AMIRA KHAN

2022 Music Excellence Award

TARIK UZUN

2022 Turkish Speaker Award for Non-Turkish Speaking Student

XAVIER KAARSBERG

2022 Turkish Speaker Award for Turkish Speaking Student

ELIF OZAL

For more photos of the event and of the award recipients, please get in contact with our school office.

Congratulations to these beautiful students for progressing from Elif Ba Book to the Quran. Such an amazing achievement!

Yusuf Sama - 7B

Shamsullah Saidzada - 7A

Yunus Gokdemir - 7A

Year 7 English

This term, year 7 students have been engaged in a unit titled “Advertising” which aims to teach them about the various techniques and purposes of the advertising world. Students have enjoyed gaining an understanding of the way in which advertisers target certain audiences and use various techniques to persuade consumers to purchase products. They have been particularly engaged due the relevance of advertising in their everyday lives and have learnt the importance of being aware of the way products are marketed to them. At the end of the unit, the students imagined their own product and created an advertisement to market that product to consumers.

Year 8 English

This term, year 8 students have been engaged in a unit titled “Visual Techniques” which explores the way in which visual techniques create meaning and contribute to the overall cohesion of texts. Visual techniques are important for a range of areas, including film, photography and art but are also significant in the advertising world as tools of persuasion. The unit has worked well alongside their previous unit “Media Texts” as it continues the exploration of media, particularly in the form of magazines and newspapers.

Our Year 7 students had their Maths exams on Indices, Statistics and Probability. We had two weeks of revision before the exam. The students had their Science exam on Mixtures and Solutions. Again, we had two weeks of revision. It was pleasant to see students applying what they learned in Maths and Science during the school Camp. The instructors were impressed with their answers.

Year 8 students had their Maths exam on Probability, Equations and Ratios. We had two weeks revisions before the exams to make sure the students are ready. In science They did the exams on Energy types and transformation. It was pleasant to see students applying what they learned in Maths and Science during the school Camp. The instructors were impressed with their answers.

Netball was a challenge at first for both Year 7 and 8. Starting from not knowing the concept of the game to playing at a competent level. The sound of starting netball wasn’t exciting for all students, students were eager to get started. Students completed the drills such as chest and overhead passing and mini games such as tag followed by a netball games, the laughter and enjoyment of our PDHPE classes was contagious! Not only did the enjoyment and smiles increases in presence but they also simultaneously enhanced their netball skills and began to play at a competent level. Students also continued to work on theory lessons in class.

Year 7

In Year 7 Visual Arts students have been busy painting! Students have participated in a range of activities including drawing, sketching and painting. Visual Arts lessons have focused on a range of artists and painting styles. Students have analysed various paintings, biography of artists and meaning and messages.

During Music classes, students have been busy researching various music genres and music styles. Students have research music genres, famous composers and famous melodies. Students have played various melodies both individually and Infront of the class.

Year 8

In Visual Arts, students have been busy learning about a range of artists, painting styles and techniques. Students have completed various in class tasks. Students have completed drawing, painting and sketching in Visual Arts classroom.

In year 8 Music, Students have been busy investigating various forms of parades and music of various parades. Students have been busily looking at various instruments that are played in parades. Students have also completed assessment task for CAPA during Week 8.

Year 7

Students have been learning about Engineered Systems in TAS. Students have been busy participating in an Engineering workshop. They worked with their instructor and learned about Engineering, robotics, and STEM. Students have been working on a TAS portfolio. They designed a building and answered various questions. Students completed end of term assessment. In addition, students have been busy gardening. They have been watering, turning the soil and taking care of the plants. Our plants have grown so much!

Year 8

Students have been learning about Engineered Systems in TAS. Students have been busy participating in various individual, pair and group tasks. They have been learning about research techniques and writing information in their own words. In addition, students have been working with their instructor to participate in STEM and Robotics workshop. Students have also completed a TAS portfolio. They designed a car and answered various questions. In addition, students complete end of term assessment task.

Year 7

Students in year 7 have been studying environmental quality and liveability, social connectedness, and a range of Geo skills. Students have analysed the various Push and Pull factors relating to environment and internal and external migration. Students have focused on availability of services for various communities within Australia. Students focused on both city and rural regions. The geography lessons also focused on liveability and how to measure it. Students have been participating in individual, pair and group tasks as well as watch a range of video and analysing the content. Students have been engaged in learning geo skills during weeks 5-10.

Year 8

Students in year 8 Geography have been focusing on a range of Geographic skills. In addition, students have been focusing on Interconnections. Geography lessons focused on perception of places and what is meant by place and interconnection. The lessons also focused on how place can have an impact on the identity of people and places. Interconnection has a major impact on the cultural adaptation and diffusion of a region. Students focused on elements of culture and personal geography. Geography lessons focused on Australia’s tourism industry and sport. Students analysed Australia’s transport system, technological advancements, and virtual spaces. Students participated in individual, pair and group tasks.

Students went through the assessment task feedback. Attention was drawn to common mistakes, and kinship terms were revised.

The names of countries, nationalities and languages, the question “where are you from?” (nerelisin) and the answer “I am from Sydney” (Sydney’liyim) were revised with exercises and Q&A.

The words that were learned were written in syllables and mixed, and students were asked to find the words. Students learnt additional Turkish words. They learnt the spelling and 20 words and the correct spelling was written on the board. The students evaluated each other’s results, and everyone corrected their own mistakes.

Year 7 and 8

Assalamu Alaikum wa rahmetullahi wa barakatuh,

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

Our Secondary students in Years 7 and Year 8 have participated in the journey of understanding ‘The Fundamentals of Islam.’ Year 7 students focused on the Topic of ‘Early events of the Seerah.’ Our Year 8 students were covering the unit topics from the ‘Level 7 Weekend Learning Series Islamic Studies Textbook.’

For Qur’an Studies, beginners were reciting, practising from the Elif Ba book and students on the Mushaf practicing reciting with Tajweed. Students were memorising chapters (Surah) and verses from the Qur’an which was displayed on the smartboard throughout the term.

I would like to congratulate our students for their hard work and motivation. Wishing our students are happy and safe holiday.

Maarif Basketball Team

The Maarif basketball team have been training and dedicated these past two terms. They have developed and strengthened their techniques and shooting abilties. We are so proud of how far they have come, and await the basketball competitions in the new year.

Maarif Soccer Team

The Maarif soccer team have been training diligently and have been commited to their weekly training sessions. They have been demonstrating sportsmanship and been developing their dribbling skills and shooting abilities. We can not wait to see them begin to compete in soccer games in the new year.

The Maarif Debate has been busy practising for debates throughout Term 4. Students have been attending after school debate coaching sessions every Monday afternoon. Students have been participating in debates on various debate topics including the impacts of plastic, the impact of global warming and the importance of school.

The debate team has progressed over the course the last few terms. We are very proud of their effort.

Omar Balabanel - 7B

Mustafa Kara - 7B

Eleyda Kopuz - 7B

Hadi Shahrouk - 7B

Yousef Moniriraad - 7B

Onur Beyaz - 7A

Yusuf Sama - 7B

Aminah Taha - 7B

Zaid Al Mashkor - 7A

Tasneem Ali - 7A

Hale Caliskan - 7B

Years 6,7 and 8 students had an amazing opportunity to participate in an End of Year Camp. Students participated in a range of activities including kayaking, paddle boarding, raft building, bushwalking, trivia, archery and campfire.

Managing Director Mr Necmi Uzun, School Principal Dr Zeynep Yaseen, Primary School Coordinator Ms Reyhan Er, Secondary School Coordinator Ms Adeba Qasim, Business Manager Mr Hasan Alca, Assistant project Manager Mr Izzet Anmak and baglama hoca Mr Serder gave the students a surprise visit, bringing them food and drinks and an impromptu baglama performance. Students had a great time at the camp. We are looking forward to another camp in 2023!

Senior Constable Gabriella visited our school as part of ongoing education opportunities for students. Students participated in a workshop to learn about being safe. Students learnt about the dangers and risks associated with vaping, carrying prohibited items, drugs and socializing with people that are unknown to them. Senior Constable Gabriella has visited our school on a number of occasions throughout 2022. We look forward to seeing our Youth Liaison officers in Term 1 2023!

The Mukerrem Turhan Exhibition 'From Traditional to Universal' was held at our School on the 25th and 26th of November. Our students had the opportunity to explore her art works and understand their deeper meanings. The Consul General of the Republic of Turkiye, Mr Ali Sevim, the Education Attache of the Republic of Turkiye, Dr Cem Gencoglu, and Commerce Attache of the Republic of Turkiye, Mr Yavuz Gokcayir, were present for the opening of the exhibition.

The Maarif Soccer Team engaged in the Republic Cup Soccer match against Auburn FC. The Ambassador, his excellency Korhan Karakoc, presented the trophy to the winning team, Auburn FC, congratulations! We hope to continue this annual competition.

To celebrate the end of the school year, Year 7 and 8 had the opportunity to participate in a game of Laser Tag. It was a great initative to promote team work and to enjoy the final days with their friends.

Dr Zeynep Yaseen, Ms Reyhan Er, Ms Adeba Qasim and Mr Abdel-Ghani attended a two-day Suicide Intervention Program. The program provided an evidence-based suicide intervention model to intervene and help prevent the immediate risk of suicide.

Over two days our team was trained in the following:

Skill to provide suicide first-aid intervention
Work to develop a personalised safety Plan for some with thoughts of suicide to keep ‘safe-for-now’
Connect the person with thoughts of suicide to further help
Acquire skills in a science-based intervention model

20% Discount on Co-Curricular Group Photos available until 16/12/2022

Dear Parents,

These school sports and co-curricular groups were photographed on 24/10/2022:

Leadership Group

School Captains Group

You can now view and purchase the group images listed above and if you place your order before 16/12/2022 you will get a 20% early order discount. Just click on the link below. Please note the discount will be automatically applied at checkout.

Images can also be viewed by visiting www.advancedlife.com.au entering the code: ZBV 8YW KBN and clicking on “Group Photos”

Important

Sports and co-curricular group photos can only be purchased online, PLEASE DO NOT return payment to your school
If your child's group or team is scheduled to be photographed at a later date, you will receive an additional email notification when the images are ready to be ordered
Photos will be returned to your school for distribution approximately six weeks after the discounted early order period has closed
Past years' photographs including sports, co-curricular and representative groups are also available at your school's advancedorder and your child's advancedyou photo sites

The 20% discount will only show in the shopping cart for the sports/co-curricular groups, which does work with the older images in that category as well. All other photos can be ordered online, with no discount available.

Instagram: @australiamaarif

Facebook: Maarif Australia

Twitter: @AUmaarif

Parents Communications

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

Printing Homework

It is kindly requested that any homework or school assignment printing should be completed at home and not requesed from the school office.

Lost and Found

Items of jewellery, watch face, glasses and a boxing glove was found, please contact the front office on 1800 622 743. Unclaimed items will be donated to the school building fund by the end of October 2022.

Dear Parents/Carers,

Based on parent feedback and to assist our working parents, we have made some changes to our uniform shop and purchasing of school uniforms.

All uniform purchases can be made as follows:

High School Students – Faz Uniforms Pty Ltd

High school uniforms will no longer be available from the school uniform shop
Parents and students can purchase high school uniforms directly from Faz Uniforms Pty Ltd.
Faz Uniforms Contact Details:

Address: 15/364 Park Road, Regents Park 2143
Phone: 02 9644 7999
Hours: 9am to 4pm weekdays and 9:30am to 11:30am Saturdays

Maarif students are expected to wear their Summer school uniform during Term 4. Please be reminded of the importance of naming all items of school uniform with your child’s name and class. This means that lost items found around school can easily be returned.

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.

On behalf of Maarif, we would like to wish our students a very Happy Birthday who have celebrated their birthday during the month of November and December:

Yusuf Sama

Hale Caliskan

Sahra Ornek

Yousef Moniriraad

Majed Faraj

Elif Ozal

Amira Khan

Liyana Nabouche

Eleyda Kopuz

Yusuf Strik

Illayda Karadas

Amira Hoblos