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- Primary School Coordinator's Message
- Maarif Sports Academy
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- NAPLAN 2024 parent and carer information
- Maarif Behaviour Expectations Matrix
- Edstart
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- Parent Reminders
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Welcome to all our parents,
Welcome back to Maarif, a place we hold dear to our hearts. We wish to announce that we have moved to our new building, although the construction is still in progress, preventing us from starting our academic year there. Nevertheless, we are excited about the prospect of settling into our new space.
This year marks a significant milestone for us as we welcome our very first Year 10 students. It fills us with joy to know that we will witness our first graduates in 2026, a testament to the growth and progress of our school community.
We extend a warm welcome to our new staff members joining us in 2024:
Primary Team:
- Melike Tugrul: Year 4 Teacher
- Huaiyang Lui (Mike): Year 5 Teacher
- Ozge Akcelik: Turkish Teacher
- Amel Mehana: Returning from maternity leave, part-time Year 5 Teacher
- Safa Abusadah: Primary Arabic Teacher
Secondary Team:
- Bahadir Korkut: Welfare Coordinator / Maths Teacher
- Canan Korkut: English Teacher
- Noor Elmubasher: TAS Teacher
- Sumeyye Islek: HSIE Teacher
- Deya Mohamed: Secondary Quran Teacher
- George Hassoun: Secondary Science Teacher
- Jane Lawler: Secondary Maths Teacher
We bid farewell to the following staff members who will not be returning in 2024: Mr Mohamed Abdel-Ghani, Mr Yahya Al Neiame, Mrs Sabriye Boz, Ms Fatma Sahin, Miss Merve Sarikaya, and Ms Rouba Kodr. We extend our best wishes for success in their future endeavours. Our lovely teachers Asli Tekirdag and Rooba El-Sayed are commencing their maternity leave starting this year. As both prepare to welcome their new bundle of joy, we extend our warmest wishes for a healthy and smooth pregnancy and delivery.
We are delighted to announce that Ms. Fisun Benlisoy will be our music teacher for all year levels throughout the year. Our students will have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument during their music lessons, and parents will receive Consent2Go information regarding musical instrument options.
Our Sports Academy has commenced this week, providing our students with the opportunity to benefit from professional coaching.
Exciting news awaits as our Bir Sevdadir Anadolu selected students will be performing in Melbourne on the 9th of March. If parents wish to attend the show, tickets are available for purchase here: Bir Sevdadir Anadolu (Anatolia is a Passion) - MyProVenue™ (tickets.com)
Baglama lessons will resume on Saturdays, and registration forms will be distributed accordingly.
As we enter week 2 of the academic year, we have observed that there are still many latecomers. Punctuality is essential for academic success and sets the tone for a productive learning environment. We remind parents and students of the importance of regular attendance and punctuality. Consequences for being late to school or class may include:
- Verbal reminders and counselling from teachers or school staff.
- Loss of privileges, such as participation in extracurricular activities such as sports academy or access to certain school facilities.
- Parental notification and involvement to address persistent tardiness.
- In high school, repeated lateness may result in disciplinary actions in accordance with the school's policies, including detention, community service, or other consequences.
It is important that we collectively uphold the standards of punctuality and reinforce its importance in our daily routines. Parents are encouraged to support their children in developing good habits that prioritize punctuality, such as establishing consistent bedtime schedules and ensuring timely departure from home.
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 await us in 2024 at Maarif.
Kind regards,
Principal
Dear Parents/Carers,
Welcome back to another exciting year at Maarif!
Students have started the year with enthusiasm and it is great to see them settled in their classes and so much exciting and productive learning taking place already. We offer an educational approach that provides a well-rounded learning experience for students across all Key Learning Areas of English, Mathematics, Science & Technology, HSIE, PDHPE, Creative Arts, Turkish and Religion with specialist teachers.
All students in Years 1-6 have commenced PAT assessments - Progressive Achievement Tests to establish what they know and understand. Teachers will use the data to support students’ individual learning progress with targeted activities and resources. These assessments help monitor progress over time and the tests will be repeated at the end of the year. In-class NAPLAN practice have commenced this year for our Year 3 and Year 5 students where they have the opportunity to focus on exam strategies so they are prepared for the NAPLAN tests which is scheduled for Term 1, between 13–25 March.
We highly encourage students to complete home activities tasks set, particularly reading daily. Students will continue to complete online learning tasks, Reading Eggs/Eggspress staying the same for literacy, however, we have moved on to MathsOnline for numeracy. Teachers will be following up on home activities set weekly.
‘Meet the Teacher’ session is scheduled for Tuesday 20th February between 5:00-6:00pm. Parents/Carers are invited to meet their child’s teachers in their classrooms. Teachers will share information about the curriculum, classroom and school expectations for the academic year. Language, Religion, Music teachers and Support staff will walk around to each classroom to introduce themselves. The session aims to foster a positive partnership between parents and teachers, promoting collaboration and support for students’ education.
We will continue to promote and reinforce our school values of Respect, Honesty, Cooperation and Excellence and build upon the positive impact of Positive Behavioural Interventions and Supports (PBIS), creating a supportive environment where all students can thrive academically and socially. Students are selected as the ‘Student of the Week’ for modelling our school values. School Captains, Vice Captains, Class Prefects will present their speeches soon and Maarif students will choose their school leaders.
School uniforms develop pride and sense of identity. It is wonderful to see students looking smart in their school uniforms. We have a new positive motto we adopted towards the end of last year, reminding students to wear their school hats during recess and lunch, that is ‘Hats On, Game On’.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I wish all our families a fantastic school year ahead!
Warmest Regards,
Mrs Reyhan Er
Primary School Coordinator
Welcome back to a sporty start to the school year! We're thrilled to kick off Term 1 with a line-up of action-packed sporting activities for grades 3-10 throughout the term, including swimming, cricket, basketball, oz-tag, touch football, and volleyball.
We are thrilled to witness the development of new skills, courage, and confidence in all students. Get ready for a fun and sporty term ahead!
A friendly reminder to all participating students: Please do not forget your sports uniform. Sports shoes, water bottles, and hats on sports days. For those involved in swimming, please remember to pack swimming clothes and towels. We extend our gratitude to all parents who encourage a love for sports and a healthy lifestyle.
Let's make this term a winning chapter in our student’s athletic journey.
Let’s Celebrate Diversity!
Class 1A made paper lanterns to show acknowledgement for other cultures after reading the book 'Fang Fang'. They showed good fine motor skills in cutting the lines and pasting the strings along with decorating their piece of work.
Doing things that recognise other cultures teaches children to respect and appreciate diversity. In a world where everybody is different, it also allows them to realise the beauty of being different and celebrating this uniqueness.
Mrs Ulku Turkmen
1A Class Teacher
Learning Intentions
Welcome to 1B! We are doing so well adjusting to our new Year 1 class this year and are super excited for the year ahead. We have started to outline our learning intentions and success criteria before conducting our lessons and are giving feedback by holding out thumbs up if we think we have been successful in learning the content. In 1B we have also been forming groups as we engage in more group work and have been exploring data through the form of tallies. We are incorporating our learning through our day to day routines such as tallying up students present and tallying when forming decisions such as: themes for our table groups, reading groups etc.
We have had a great start to our year, well done 1B!
Ms Bahar Sevgi
1B Class Teacher
Year 2 Adventures Await
Big news from Year 2!
We are all abuzz with excitement! Our newest additions, the Maths Trek Program and Initialit-2, have lit up our classroom like fireworks! But wait, there is more! Our little explorers are setting sail on a colourful journey through Vincent Van Gogh's magical world of paintings.
Stay tuned for more adventures ahead!
Mrs Maryam Faisal
2A Class Teacher
Captivating Realm of Science!
In a dynamic start to the school year, students in 2B have delved into the captivating realm of science. Exploring the life stages of living organisms, they've embarked on a journey of self-discovery and collaborative learning. Through reflective exercises and group brainstorming sessions, students have unveiled their existing knowledge and curiosity about the intricate processes of growth and development in the natural world. With enthusiasm and engagement at the forefront, it's evident that this class is primed for an enriching and stimulating exploration of science throughout the year.
Ms Suzan Tarpis
2B Class Teacher
Year 3 is One in a Melon!
Dear parents and students of Year 3, welcome to an exciting and enriching school year! In our initial week together, the focus was on establishing a positive and inclusive classroom environment through the introduction of essential class rules. To kickstart the year on a warm note, each student received a small welcoming gift as a gesture of appreciation for being part of our class community.
As part of our commitment to fostering a love for reading, I have introduced D.E.A.R time (Drop Everything And Read). During this dedicated 10-15 minute period after lunch or recess, students immerse themselves in the joy of reading. To further inspire their literary journey, each student had the opportunity to design their own personalised bookmark—a unique touch to make their reading experiences even more special.
Here's to a fantastic year of growth, learning, and shared adventures in the world of books!
Ms Samira Asad
3A Class Teacher
Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome to a fresh new year in Grade 4! In our first official week, our focus was on our first value word, "Respect." We delved into its definition, exploring what it means to show respect to others and ourselves. Through discussions and activities, students examined how respect looks and sounds in various situations, both inside and outside the classroom. As a culminating activity, students worked on creating posters that visually represent the concept of respect and its importance in our daily interactions. These posters will remind us of the values we believe in as a class and the actions we aim to show every day in our lives.
Ms Melike Tugrul
4A Class Teacher
Indigenous Regions
Dear Year 4 families, welcome to Term 1. I am looking forward to the year ahead, and all the wonderful learning experiences we have planned!
This week during History lessons, students were introduced to Indigenous regions and differing dialects of people from these regions. Using this information, they completed targeted activities to further enhance their knowledge.
Mrs Ayse Yildiz
4B Class Teacher
Learning Journey
Welcome back to school to start another exciting learning journey in 2024. The students were happy to see old friends in the same class, and they also extended their social network by getting to know a few fresh faces. 2024 is a fresh start for everyone, and the class surely loves it with new stationaries, workbooks, name tags, and even a pen licence for everybody! They also learned how to use a student diary, and the first thing they did was to write down the timetable for this term. They also enjoyed the dancing lesson, which was storytelling through dance. A lot of creativity went into their movements to bring us joy and laughter.
Mr Mike Liu
5A Class Teacher
Good vs Evil
Embarking on a new year and term in 5B class, our minds are brimming with wonderful and exciting ideas that we are eager to share during our English lessons. The focal point of our literary exploration of this term is the captivating theme of good vs evil. We will explore a variety of imaginative texts, analysing the character traits and motives of three key archetypes: heroes, anti-heroes, and villains.
This week, our focus was on the "Rainbow Serpent", which led us into the realm of the fantasy genre and unravelling the elements that render a narrative captivating. We explored the concept of sizzling starts, and used stimulus pictures with prompts like "The magic whistle," "When I looked through the keyhole," "The dragon," and "The time machine." Working together in small groups, students tapped into their imagination, completing a narrative story graph to chart the course of their fantasy stories based on the prompts. From sizzling starts to pebble-rock-boulder problems culminating in an exciting ending, students seamlessly integrated narrative elements into their fantasy narratives.
The lesson was enjoyable, providing an opportunity to collaboratively share our ideas. We gained insights into the significance of engaging writing techniques, encompassing descriptive language, character development, plot twists, and fantasy elements. Through this exploration, we were not only refining our literary skills but also nurturing a deep-seated love for storytelling that is poised to grow throughout the term.
Mrs Fatima Memedoski & Ms Amel Mehana
5B Class Teachers
WELCOME 6A!
Welcome back to the new academic year of 2024!
I hope that all students had an amazing and restful break with their families. This year is an important year for our Year 6 students who are now our school leaders in primary. It is also their last year in primary school before moving on to the next chapter of their educational journey which is high school. I would also like to extend my welcome to all new students who have joined our MAARIF family. All students and teachers are excited to be supporting each other through the year 2024.
Students in 6A started their Geography lessons with a challenge of map labelling to test students’ prior knowledge of countries around the world specifically in the Asia Region. Geography lessons this term align with our English skills where students will be focusing on the concept of diversity around the world. I am excited to see all the fantastic work and development throughout the term.
Here are some photos of students' maps from their first week:
Miss Dilara Ozhan
6A Class Teacher
Year 3, Hoş geldiniz!
Welcome to Term 1! This week in Turkish Year 3 students did an artistic recap of their Turkish knowledge. The teacher called out various words and the students drew them on their whiteboards. They had a blast and did a great refresher on their Turkish vocabulary. Keep up the good work Year 3!
Year 4 and 5, Hoş geldiniz!
Welcome to Term 1! This week in Turkish Year 4 and 5 worked on their knowledge of the Turkish National Anthem. They also made Turkish cover pages for their Turkish notebooks. They worked on their speaking skills by interacting with their peers and teachers by introducing themselves and speaking about their holidays. Great work Years 4 and 5!
Year 6, Hoş geldiniz!
Welcome to Term 1! This week in Turkish Year 6 recapped their holidays by writing a page about what they got up to. They also told stories about what they did and then proceeded to discuss how reading affects the imagination. They came up with their own stories and used their imagination to come up with new characters for their stories. Great job Year 6!
Miss Esma Dogan
Turkish Language Teacher
The Concept of Time
In the Turkish lesson, we greeted and got acquainted with our 1st-grade students according to Turkish customs and traditions.
To help them understand the concept of time, we created our own calendars and completed a calendar activity.
With Year 2 students, we reinforced our greeting activity in everyday Turkish language both with enjoyment and repetition. We remembered the letters in the Turkish alphabet, used an alphabetical puzzle, and reviewed our letters.
Ms Özge Ilıca Akçelik
Turkish Language Teacher
Tatilim Nasıl Geçti?
4th-grade students completed an activity where they wrote about memories from their holiday experiences and things they missed at school. They shared what they wrote with their classmates in the classroom.
Mrs Seyma Akdemir
Turkish Language Coordinator
Year 2 Turkish
In the Turkish lesson, we recalled the alphabet with our 2nd grade students and practised correct pronunciation. We played a game where we found a word for each letter of the alphabet. We learned that there is no word starting with the letter "Ğ" and improved our understanding of this letter by finding words like "yoğurt", "ağaç", and "ağ" that contain the letter "Ğ."
Ms Tutku Sahin
Turkish Language Teacher
The Introduction of Music
Maarif students were introduced to music lessons. Students have been encouraged to use their voices collectively and individually, through musical activities, students are exploring their voices by singing. By discovering the rhythm of music, they were enabled to do rhythm studies with their physical characteristics. An attempt was made to gain sensitivity and understand the different musical sounds.
Mrs Fisun Benlisoy
Music 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.
The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, "The best of you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it to others.”
Students were reciting, practising, and memorising chapters (Surah) which were displayed on the smartboard.
We pray that Allah (SWT) allows our students to 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
Qur’an and Islamic Studies Teacher
The Student Corner is a dedicated space for students of any year level to showcase their unique work and talents!
Elisa Kice - 1A
Esma Youssef - 2A
Asiya Ulucanli - 2B
Year 3 Class
Safiya Abbas - 5A
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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:
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First Day of Term 1 |
Thursday, 1 February |
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'Meet the Teacher' Session |
Tuesday, 20 February |
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Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews |
Tuesday, 9 April |
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Last Day of Term 1 |
Monday, 8 April |