International Maarif Schools of Australia eNewsletter

Dear Parents and Carers,

We made it! What a challenging year it has been! We are all delighted to reach the end of the year. Looking ahead to next year, we have exciting opportunities in our school, including clubs and a sports academy. Music lessons will be conducted by specialised music teachers. In high school, classes will be organised based on students' strong skills. The school year for Maarif students will commence on February 1, 2024.

We plan to continue offering many camps and excursions in 2024. For high school students, there is an exciting International Excursion to Türkiye, scheduled for approximately three weeks after the middle of June.

Great news! Due to popular demand, we are thrilled to announce that we will be presenting our amazing musical, "Bir Sevdadır Anadolu," in Melbourne. Selected students for the musical and the Melbourne excursion in early March will receive Consent2go invitations this week. Kindly respond to Consent2go with a Yes or No, as a lack of response makes it challenging for the school to make termly arrangements.

My team and I genuinely appreciate your support throughout the entire year. I extend my best wishes to all our parents and carers. For those families leaving Maarif, please know that Maarif’s door will always be open for you to come and visit anytime.

Have a wonderful break!

Kind regards,

Screen_Shot_2023_02_20_at_11.07.07_am.jpg

Dr Zeynep Yaseen

Principal

Dear Maarif Families,

We leave behind another eventful and productive year full of many achievements and great memories. Over the last couple of weeks at our award ceremonies and Year 6 graduation ceremony, I reflect on the amazing qualities of our students here at Maarif and commend you parents for raising such wonderful individuals. The Year 6 graduation ceremony which was truly a memorable evening. I wish all our Year 6 students well as they start their new journey in secondary school next year.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our Year 3 student Nilgun Basiri who has been chosen as a finalist in the Auburn Poet Laureate Competition 2023, sponsored by the Member for Auburn, Lynda Voltz and presented by the Mayor of Auburn, Lisa Lake. A Laureate is an award for outstanding creative or intellectual achievement and the topic for this year was “Seeing things differently”. I encourage more of our students to participate in the competition next year.

Wishing you all a safe and restful summer holiday break. There is a lot to look forward to in 2024, full of learning and fun!

Warmest Regards,

Mrs Reyhan Er

Primary School Coordinator

On Monday, 4 December, Maarif celebrated the graduation of the Year 6 Class. It was a night of achievements and farewells where we recognised the graduating students' academic accomplishments and personal growth. The ceremony featured heartfelt speeches, performances and the presentation of certificates, symbolising the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.

We are confident that our students are well-prepared for the exciting challenges in their secondary school journey.

Congratulations to our graduating students from 6A and 6B!

Congratulations to those students who received trophies, awards and certificates, recognising academic excellence, sporting, extracurricular and Maarif values.

Here are some more photos of the night!

Certain Primary students received a 'Certificate of Achievement', as they have progressed from the 'Elif Ba' book to the Quran. This is an amazing achievement!

Here are photos of the awardees:

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.

	Week 9	Week 10
KA	Cesur Bugdayli	Elisa Sencan
KC	Rayah El Helou	Lara Lahham
1A	Ahmed Boga	Ibrahim Tarabay
1B	Esila Alagoz	Musa Chehaita
2A	Mikaal Khan	Taliha Aslan
3A	Ibrahim Karaca	Abu Bakr Kanj
3B	Adem Mete	Aneesa Samrout
4A	Raheem Jawas	Musa Kassem
4B	Yusuf Varol	Miray Bicici
5A	Adam Haouchar	Aisha Maaliki
6A	Talia Ilser	Melih Yenice
6B	Yara Shahrouk	Salahuddin Hawat

Also congratulations to these students for receiving an award.

Congratulations to our 'Principal Award' recipients. These students received 2 Gold Awards!

We are Artists!

KA students were involved with drawing the Galata Tower as part of the Turkish competition. We had some really good drawings and are now being displayed on our wall of art. The students used all types of media to decorate them such as textas, oil pastels, crayons etc. They really enjoyed this experience. It also allowed them to be familiar with some of the famous monuments in Turkiye.

Drawing helps students improve their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. It also helps children improve their hand-eye coordination. It gives them the opportunity to form connections between what they see and do. This was a great challenge for the students as they were able to create an image of what they can see on the screen.

KA also took some photos celebrating the day of kindergarten. This was a great achievement as they have completed the final year of their school ready to start year 1 in 2024. We wish all the student the best of luck in their learning and hope they all have a great holiday.

Mrs Ulku Turkmen

KA Teacher

Acceptance & Cultural Diversity

KC has been focusing on acceptance during our morning sessions to teach each other about cultural diversity and accepting each other regardless of our differences. We placed our hands into a circle and spoke about differences in skin colours and we spoke about how we are all human, despite differences in how we look, dress, what we eat or celebrate. We then paired up and said one thing that we really like about our partner and shared these interactions with the class.

Our Art committee organised a lovely themed activity to create artwork based around famous Turkish monuments. As a class, we explored popular Turkish monuments and decided that we would create a silhouette sunset painting. We explored sunset art created by different artists to gain inspiration from and explored the techniques that they used to seamlessly blend colours together. We enjoyed painting along to calming Turkish music to really connect with our artwork.

Great work KC!

Miss Bahar Sevgi

KC Teacher

The Sharing Show

Our Year 1 students recently had a blast at the Sharing Show. They each got to bring in special toys and objects from home to share with their classmates. This engaging activity not only allowed them to showcase their favourite items but also helped develop their oral language and communication skills.

During the event, students had the chance to answer questions from their peers, enhancing their ability to express themselves and fostering a positive learning environment. We're thrilled to see our young learners confidently sharing and communicating in this fun and interactive way!

Ms Merve Sarikaya

1A Teacher

Counting by ten’s, five’s and two’s

Last week and this week we focused on counting by ten’s, two’s and five’s without skipping any numbers. We turned our song on, sang the 10’s and copied the movements. That way the children got visually engaged and had fun counting without skipping numbers. Such videos can incorporate animation, sound effects and even interactive elements that help children with memory retention of the subject. We continued skip counting with five’s and two’s afterwards the same way.

Ms Gulden Aksoy

1B Teacher

Celebrating Individual Brilliance: Our Classroom's Unique End-of-Year Awards Ceremony

As we approach the end of another academic year, it is time to reflect on the incredible journey we have undertaken together. This year, to recognise and celebrate the diverse strengths and abilities of each student, I have introduced a set of unique awards tailored to highlight the individual talents that make our students truly exceptional.

To my incredible students: Each one of you is a shining star with your own constellation of talents. These awards are a testament to your perseverance, creativity, leadership, and the myriad of other remarkable qualities that make you uniquely you. Embrace these strengths, and never forget that they are the building blocks of your future successes.

To the parents and guardians who have been pillars of support throughout the year: Your understanding, encouragement, and collaboration have been invaluable. Thank you for entrusting me with the privilege of nurturing and guiding your children. I appreciate your continuous support, and it is truly heartening to witness the collective effort in shaping a positive and enriching educational experience for each student.

As we conclude this academic year, let us carry forward the lessons learned, celebrate the accomplishments achieved, and look forward to the endless possibilities that the future holds. May the spirit of uniqueness and perseverance guide us all to continued success, both inside and outside the classroom.

Here is to each student's unique brilliance and to a bright future ahead!

Mrs Maryam Faisal

2A Teacher

Goodbye Year 3!

In Year 3, students got to watch a cool animated movie connected to the book “The Iron Man” that they studied during this term. This made learning more fun and helped them picture the characters and places in the story better. The movie had pictures and sounds that suited different ways of learning, making it easier for everyone to understand. After watching, the students talked about what they thought and compared the movie to how they imagined the story in their minds. This made them like storytelling even more in different ways.

Students of Year 3 engaged in math games that were a fun and effective way for students to enhance their learning. By incorporating problem-solving and critical thinking, students deepen their understanding of mathematical principles. The competitive or collaborative nature of these games adds motivation, encouraging students to apply and practice their math skills in a playful context. Overall, math games contribute to building confidence and a positive attitude toward the subject, making the learning process more engaging and impactful.

We are delighted to announce that Nilgun has been awarded the esteemed runners-up title in the Poet Laureate Competition. As her classroom teachers, witnessing her poetic talent flourish and being recognised in such a prestigious competition fills us with immense pride and joy. Congratulations to Nilgun for this well-deserved honour!

As the year comes to an end, I want to extend my heartfelt best wishes to all the students. It has been an exciting and joyous year filled with growth, learning, and memorable experiences. As you approach the next chapter in your academic journey, I wish you the very best of luck. May your enthusiasm and hard work continue to lead you to success. Remember to carry the positivity and excitement from this year into the future, embracing each new challenge with determination and a smile. Congratulations on a fantastic year, and may the upcoming ones be equally fulfilling and rewarding. Best of luck! Ms. Asad will certainly miss you all.

Ms Samira Asad

3A Teacher

Making a Sundial

Year 3 students enthusiastically engaged in creating their very own sundials, putting their knowledge into practice. They carefully measured and marked the hours on their sundials, and had a wonderful time getting creative and colourful. It was fantastic to witness their excitement as they witnessed the practical application of what they had learned.

Writing a Book Review

In English, we've concluded our literary journey through 'The Iron Man'. The students thoroughly enjoyed this remarkable book and have completed insightful book reviews, showcasing their comprehension and analytical skills. Their reviews highlighted their favourite parts, and plotlines, and compared the book with the movie adaptation. It's wonderful to see their love for literature flourishing.

While this academic year may be coming to an end, our memories of the exciting adventures and knowledge gained will stay with us. We wish all our Year 3B students a restful and enjoyable break, filled with new discoveries and cherished moments with family and friends.

Ms Sumeyye Islek

3B Teacher

Dear Year 4 Families and Students

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the privilege of teaching the incredible Year 4 students. This year has been a journey of growth, laughter, and shared accomplishments. I've witnessed their academic achievements, the development of lasting friendships, and the emergence of unique talents.

Thank you to the parents and families for their ongoing support this year. A highlight of my fortnight has been playing soccer with the students, as well as our favourite class game, silent ball, where they all try to get me out. As we exchange goodbyes with 4A, I am so very proud of their beautiful growth and development this year. Wishing you all a restful and joyous summer break, and I look forward to reconnecting in the new school year.

Mrs Ayse Yildiz

4A Teacher

Erosion Exploration: A Splash of Science in Every Classroom!

This week in 4B, saw our young scientists transforming into erosion investigators, bringing excitement and laughter to the study of soil erosion. Armed with spray bottles, straws, and a heap of enthusiasm, students delved into the thrilling world of erosion, simulating water and wind forces to understand their impact on soil. The scientific method became their compass as they formulated questions, made predictions, and observed the mesmerising dance of soil particles, fostering critical thinking skills that will undoubtedly shape their scientific journey.

As the classrooms echoed with the sounds of spray bottles and the whoosh of air through straws, our students explored the wonders of nature's movers and shakers—water and wind. The experiment not only provided hands-on learning but also emphasised the importance of protecting our land. Through this lively exploration, our young scientists not only became erosion experts but also planted the seeds of curiosity and environmental responsibility, ensuring that learning about soil erosion was not only educational but also an absolute blast!

Ms Suzan Tarpis & Ms Fatima Memedoski

4B Teachers

Class Party!

Bringing the academic year to a close, year 5 students celebrated a successful year with a party. Students enjoyed sharing food and engaging in a variety of end of year activities. A sincere thank you to everyone who contributed to our class party, and heartfelt appreciation to parents for your unwavering commitment to your child’s academic journey. Wishing everyone a joyous holiday break!

Ms Amel Mehana & Ms Khadijeh Sakalaki

Casual Teacher & Teacher Aide

Welcome to Week 10 of Term 4!

I hope that all students have been having an amazing term and had an amazing year. I hope all students are excited for the summer school holidays which are approaching. Students throughout the term in science were learning about different plants and the solar system. Students were actively engaged by working as a team to build a small replication of the solar system using recycled material. Students deepened their knowledge in class in the last three weeks by learning about the different solar systems. Students in class created different environments of the different plants that make up the Milky Way. Students created a whole replication of the Milky Way, which was also part of their assessment. Students enjoy hands-on activities in class which increases their creative thinking and allows them to use different mental and physical strategies to build a solar system that is successfully replication.

Here are some photos of students' projects.

Miss Dilara Ozhan

6A Teacher

Year 6 Graduation Ceremony

As we bid farewell to the academic year, we take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey our Year 6 students have embarked upon this year. These past two weeks have been a whirlwind of emotions, achievements and memorable experiences as we celebrated the culmination of our Year 6 students' primary school years.

The highlight of the fortnight was undoubtedly the Year 6 Graduation Ceremony. It was a night of achievements and farewells where we recognised the academic accomplishments and personal growth of our graduating students. The ceremony featured heartfelt speeches, performances and the presentation of certificates, symbolising the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. We are confident that our students are well-prepared for the exciting challenges that lie ahead in their secondary school journey.

As we say goodbye to our Year 6 students, we want to express our deepest gratitude for the positive impact they have had on our school community. Remember that you carry with you the knowledge, skills and friendships forged during your time here at International Maarif Schools of Australia. We have every confidence that you will continue to shine and achieve great things in your secondary school years and beyond.

I would also like to take this time to thank parents and teachers at our school for your unwavering support in nurturing these remarkable individuals!

May your holiday be filled with safety and joy!

Mrs Asli Tekirdag

6B Teacher

Cartoon Characters

Each student presented the cartoon characters they had created by cutting and pasting, to their friends. Afterwards, to bring their cartoon characters to life, each child wore their masks and pretended to act like their character.

Mrs Fisun Benlisoy

Turkish Language Teacher

Enjoying the Last Week of School!

Due to it being the last week of school, students played fun Turkish games. They game they played reinforced what they had learnt throughout the year and worked to improve their Turkish vocabulary.

I wish all Maarif students a happy and safe holiday.

Mrs Ayşegül Şeyma Akdemir

Turkish Coordinator

Crafting Masks & Parties!

The last week of kindergarten was marked by a delightful party where students actively participated. A fun activity involved crafting masks together, resulting in adorable creations. I provided simple instructions to guide the mask-making process, allowing the children to enjoy themselves and enhance their fine motor skills. The students practised Turkish through questioning sentences, creating an interactive experience to strengthen language skills. This lesson created memorable moments for the students as they came together to learn and have fun.

Ms Sever Merya Bicer

Turkish Language Teacher

İyi Tatiller Maarif!

As the end of the school year speedily approaches students at International Maarif Schools of Australia celebrated by playing cultural Turkish games as well as interactive games about the topics we’ve learned this year. All the students did an amazing job this year and I am so proud of their progress and achievements. Have a great holiday everyone!

Ms Esma Dogan

Turkish Language Teacher

Islamic Studies

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 all those who follow him.

Our Primary students attended daily congregational prayers and learnt some of the etiquettes of prayer and entering in and out of a place of prayer.

Some of our Primary students received their certificate of achievement who have progressed from the Elif Ba book to the Qur’an this term. Congratulations!

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

Mr Muhammed Ordukaya

Qur’an and Islamic Studies Teacher

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.

InternationalMaarifSchools_Edstart_A4_Flyer_Plus_2.pdf

InternationalMaarifSchools_Edstart_A4_Flyer_Plus_2 _pdf 642.05 KB

Maarif_Behaviour_Expectations_Matrix_final_2 _pdf 98.00 KB

The Student Corner is a dedicated space for students of any year level to showcase their unique work and talents!

Ada Ozkan - KA

Aliza Ahmed - 1A

Ibrahim Abbas - 2A

Asma Kanj - 1B

Nadeen Abu Issa - 6A

Ela Safak - 6B

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.

Lost Property

We have many items including school uniforms, lunch boxes and water bottles in our lost property baskets. Please be advised that all these items will be thrown out if not claimed. The lost property baskets will be located in the office area. Please clearly label all items with your child's name, surname and class.

We request that our parents and/or carers are 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.

Road_Safety.pdf

Road_Safety _pdf 1.68 MB

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:

Student_Short_Term_Leave_Application_Form_less_than_50_days_.pdf

Student_Short_Term_Leave_Application_Form_less_than_50_days pdf 263.96 KB

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 in 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

2023_Primary_School_Uniform_Order_Form.pdf

2023_Primary_School_Uniform_Order_Form _pdf 186.13 KB

Maarif students are expected to wear their Summer school uniform during Term 1. 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.

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Facebook: Maarif Australia

Twitter: @AUmaarif

Youtube: @MaarifSchoolsOfAustralia

First Day of Term 1

1 February, 2024

2024_Maarif_Calendar.pdf

2024_Maarif_Calendar _pdf 3.35 MB