International Maarif Schools of Australia eNewsletter

Dear Maarif Parents,

Our students were delighted to be chosen for Maarif leadership team for 2024. They proudly wore their badges and felt the pride of leadership. Our role model leaders will help us to organize our school in positive ways.

Being a leader is about teamwork, caring for others, and supporting your team. Otherwise, being a leader is no different from being a boss, which none of our students like. The proud moments during the announcement of the school leaders were shared happily with their friends. They all cheered and celebrated their classmates' happiness. It made us more powerful and proud to see that we are teaching our values to our students. They are truly embracing our cultural and religious values. It is easy to be upset with someone’s misfortune, but being happy for someone else’s happiness is hard. Our students have succeeded in achieving the hardest part.

On this occasion, I wish you all a happy Eid al-Adha and hope you have a wonderful holiday.

Bu vesileyle hepinizin Kurban Bayramı'nı kutluyor ve hepinize iyi bayramlar diliyorum.

Thank you to our parents who always support our school ethos and values.

Best regards,

Screen_Shot_2023_02_20_at_11.07.07_am.jpg

Dr Zeynep Yaseen

Principal

Dear Parents/Carers,

Students have been diligently working away in their classrooms this term. It is pleasing to see students focusing on our PBIS values, Respect, Honesty, Cooperation and Excellence. In all of these values lies kindness. Kindness in primary school is essential for fostering a positive and supportive learning environment. Maarif students have been practising being kind to one another as they smile and say hello to their peers and teachers as well as choosing kind words that are powerful which can really make someone's day.

To keep everyone safe and happy during recess and lunch play time, we have playground expectations that emphasize all our values mentioned above. These are found on the Behaviour Expectations matrix you may view in this newsletter. Students are aware of the playground expectations where inclusive play is promoted. They are being encouraged to resolve any disputes restpectfully without resorting to verbal or physical aggression. Ensuring safe play on playgrounds in primary schools is priority for the physical and emotional wellbeing of students.

As the final weeks of this term unfold, we anticipate the excitement of Kurban Bayram/Eid-al Adha and Harmony Day celebrations as well as World Music Day. We will also acknowledge National Reconciliation Week which is a time for us to learn about our shared histories, cultures and acheivements and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconcilliation in Australia.

Until next edition,

Mrs Reyhan Er

Primary School Coordinator

Maarif had the honor of hosting the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, His Excellency Mr. Ersin Tatar. Accompanied by the Turkish Ambassador, Mr. Ufuk Gezer, and a delegation from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, President Tatar was warmly greeted with a special ceremony reflective of Turkish culture.

The event began with the Turkish and Australian National Anthems, followed by the Maarif Marsi. Speeches were delivered by the school Principal, Dr. Zeynep Yaseen, Mr. Necmi Uzun, Director of the International Maarif Schools of Australia, Ambassador Mr. Ufuk Gezer, and President Mr. Ersin Tatar.

Adding a touch of cultural flair, the Maarif Seymen Group and the Maarif Choir performed captivating folk dances and traditional songs, accompanied by the melodic tunes of the bağlama.

President Tatar engaged with our students, answering their questions, and toured our classrooms to witness the dynamic learning environment at Maarif. His interactions with students and staff enriched the visit, and he expressed his admiration for the quality of education Maarif provides to students from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

Before concluding his visit, President Tatar honored us by signing the Maarif Guest Book, expressing his appreciation, and extending an invitation to meet the Maarif excursion group in Lefkosa this summer.

We are immensely proud to have hosted His Excellency Mr. Ersin Tatar and are grateful for the opportunity to showcase our school's vibrant community and exceptional educational environment.

Primary School Leadership Team

We are delighted to announce School Captains, School Vice-Captains and Class Prefects for the year 2024! A special assembly was held to mark this important occasion, where the selected students were presented their badges, symbolising their new roles and responsibilities.

School Captains: Aisha Maaliki, Deema Ahmed

School Vice-Captains: Ziya Ciyim, Rayyan Khan

Class Prefects

1A: Hasan Karakocoglu, Liya Gokmen

1B: Zafer Karaca, Belinay Elustu

2A: Esma Youssef, Asiya Yilmam

2B: Haroon Fahme, Elifsu Cifci

3A: Mikaal Khan, Amelia Khan

4A: Jasmine Skaf, Melaad Kakall

4B: Adem Mete, Alina Khan

5A: Kerem Er, Anaum Khan

5B: Salimah Nahle, Daniyal Khan

The roles of our Leadership Team involves a range of additional responsibilities aimed at enhancing the school environment. Captains and Prefects are expected to exemplify student leadership and serve as role models for their peers. We are confident that they all will excel in their roles and contribute positively to the school community.

Congratulations to our Primary Leadership Team! We look forward to seeing their leadership in action and the positive impact they will undoubtedly make throughout the year.

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 5	Week 6
1A	Hasan Karakocoglu	Razan Ali Hussain
1B	Yasin Safie	Elaa El Hallak
2A	Asiya Yilmam	Aneesa Barham
2B	Zara Rafiq	Timurhan Mengi
3A	Amelia Khan	Muhammad Fahme
4A	Widad Hawat	Junaid Saidi
4B	Yagmur Yesil	Elifnur Sahin
5A	Mikail Inan	Zubeyir Ha
5B	Omer Kale	Halil Ibrahim Aytekin
6A	Maya Alnabulsi	Cinar Hasgul

Also congratulations to these students for receiving an award.

Bath Bomb Experiment

Students had so much experimenting with bath bombs as they dropped them inside cups of water and saw how they dissolved. We discussed that even though it dissolved, it doesn’t change the ingredients in the bath bomb, they have just been added to the water and not disappeared. Students had the opportunity to touch the frizzy water and smell the pleasant fragrance that were being produced by the products. Their senses allowed them to understand the chemical reaction of their experience.

They really enjoyed this experience. Students were involved in active learning as they engaged in the experience in the learning process. Students became active participants who manipulated materials, made observations, and drew on conclusions. This hands-on experience helped solidify their understanding of scientific principles. It was a fantastic way to explore science, and specifically chemistry, in a hands-on, real-life way.

Mrs Ulku Turkmen

1A Class Teacher

Time in IB

1B for Mathematics this term have been learning all about time. We have been exploring both Digital and Analog Clocks and exploring terms such as ‘O Clock’ and ‘Half Past’. We created analog clocks using paper plates to help guide and assist us in being able to read time. We will also be creating clock hats to make learning about time fun and enjoyable!

For Science, 1B displayed excellence in identifying the basic needs of living things, we need Air, Water, Food and Shelter to survive. We drew lots of illustrations to show our understanding of these terms and related these to humans, to animals, plants etc. as these are living things.

Great work 1B!

Miss Bahar Sevgi

1B Class Teacher

Maths Activity

It has been a wonderful week with 2A, for mathematics this week we have been learning about how to tell the time on a analogue clock using the words: o'clock, half-past and quarter-past. Students represented their learning by drawing the arrows on a clock for a given time and enjoyed hands-on activities to show the time.

I look forward to working in collaboration with you and my lovely 2A students for a fruitful and enjoyable year of learning.

Writing Using Sensory Adjectives

Students are learning to use sensory adjectives to build tension in their narrative writing. In groups students discussed and listed sensory adjectives to describe a picture of a haunted house. They then used these adjectives to write a narrative about the haunted house. All students did a fantastic job using all 5 senses to describe the haunted house whilst composing their narrative.

Mrs Zeliha Mehcur

2A Class Teacher

Exploring Nature at Carss Bush Park

In an exciting day at Carss Bush Park, our students explored various environments, including wetlands, lagoons, bushland, and beaches. They discussed the importance of different places to people and living things, and how access has been improved by technology.

Hands-on activities included using bug-catching tools and sharing their findings. Students learned about the features of natural and human-made places and their connections to people. The day concluded with a bush walk, where they observed activities and discussed ways to care for places in Australia and around the world. It was a memorable and engaging day for everyone!

Ms Suzan Tarpis

2B Class Teacher

Zoo Expedition: Exploring Animal Classification with Year 3 Students

In an exciting excursion to Sydney Zoo, the Year 3 students delved into the fascinating world of animal classification. The trip provided a hands-on opportunity for the students to observe and learn about the diverse range of creatures they had been studying in both English and Science classes. As they explored the zoo's exhibits, the students were able to see firsthand the animals they had read about in textbooks and discussed in class. This immersive experience not only enhanced their understanding of animal classification but also sparked their curiosity and passion for wildlife conservation. Overall, the excursion was a memorable and enriching educational adventure for the Year 3 students.

Congratulations to Mikaal and Amelia for being elected the 2024 Class Prefects for Year 3A! Best of luck in your new roles!

Ms Samira Asad

3A Class Teacher

We Love Art

In the past two weeks of our art lessons, we have been learning about the abstract artist Reggie Laurent who has a very interesting life. The students were inspired by his silhouette self-portrait, which consisted of three steps. Drawing a draft of the abstract art, then painting it. The next round was to decorate the inside of the shapes. Finally, students had their photos taken. After cutting out the photo on a black paper, students stuck it onto to their abstract artwork. It was an engaging activity for all.

Ms Melike Tugrul

4A Class Teacher

Exploration of Force

This term, during science students have been exploring the topic of force and how forces are at play during our day-to-day activities, as well as recreational activities, like sports. To solidify their knowledge, students discussed games that they play and what forces are evident in them. This was then tied in with researching indigenous games and creating a poster about them. The posters included the rules and equipment needed and the forces used within the game. 4B enjoyed this activity and added lots of creative flair to their posters.

Mrs Ayse Yildiz

4B Class Teacher

Battleship in 5A

It was great to see our 5A students coming to school dressed nice and cozy on the Oodie/Hoodie Day. They enjoyed learning and playing with some differences, and they shared laughter looking at each other’s outfit.

In Maths, 5A have been learning about coordinates. It is a rather “easy” topic for them as they said “we don’t need to calculate anything”. We played different games in class to help us understand the concept of horizontal and vertical coordinates, and their favourite one is the classic Battleship. By competing with a peer and trying to sink the opponent’s fleet, students strengthen the process of describing locations through an engaging game.

Mr Mike Liu

5A Class Teacher

Buzzing with Excitement

Students in 5B participated in a science incursion on Natural Hazards & Disasters, led by Ben from Fizzics Education. As part of their ongoing inquiry unit focused on understanding natural calamities and their impacts, our students enthusiastically explored investigations and hypothesised reactions and simulations. Through hands-on exploration, they uncovered scientific principles and made cross-curricular connections. The classroom buzzed with excitement as students immersed themselves in practical learning, eager to comprehend the complexities of the natural world and its forces.

Mrs Fatima Memedoski & Ms Amel Mehana

5B Class Teachers

Welcome to Week 6 of Term 3!

I hope that all students have been having an amazing week and are excited for the last 4 weeks of the term. Students from years five and six were lucky enough to participate in an incursion for science conducted by Fizzics Education. Students for science were able to actively engage by working as a team to build to build different aspects of the earths core. Fizzics Education spoke about the different aspects of the earth focusing on the concept of living disasters. These opportunities allow students to interact with external learning activities that allow them to build their critical and creative thinking skills by participating in front of their peers as volunteers for the exhibition. Here are some photos of students participating in the Incursion.

Oodie/Hoodie Day

Students on Friday the 4^th of June enjoyed Oodie/Hoodie day as a fundraiser that year 6 students had organised as a fundraiser idea for the year 6 graduation. Students were creative in coming in different Oodie/Hoodies that were both creative and cozy.

Miss Dilara Ozhan

6A Class Teacher

Year 1

We learned about our five sense organs with our 1st-grade students. Through various activities, we named the five sense organs and formed sentences to describe the functions of each one. We developed our writing skills by writing these sentences in our notebooks. We also achieved gains in skills such as proper pencil grip and correct usage of our notebooks.

Year 2

With our 2nd-grade students, we made robots out of recycled materials. We named three-dimensional and two-dimensional geometric shapes and identified whether the shapes used in making our robots were three-dimensional or two-dimensional by showing their edges, vertices, and faces.

Ms Özge Ilıca Akçelik

Turkish Language Teacher

Istanbul'un Fethi

In commemoration of the 571st anniversary of the conquest of Istanbul, the topic of the conquest was covered with the students. First, the students watched a short video about the conquest and discussed it. Then, they turned to May 29 on the calendar in our classroom and read a passage explaining the significance of the day. They once again remembered the conqueror, Fatih Sultan Mehmed.

Mrs Seyma Akdemir

Turkish Language Teacher

Year 2

Recently, we organised a quiz competition among our 2^ndgrade students. This competition allowed us to reinforce and review what we have learned, while also having a lot of fun. Our students had the chance to showcase their knowledge and competed in a friendly and enjoyable environment with their peers. Congratulations to all Year 2!

Year 5

In our Turkish lesson with our students, we read about and learned information on great Turkish figures such as Yunus Emre who hold an important place in Turkish culture. Through this activity, our students gained an understanding of significant figures in Turkish history and culture and developed an awareness of preserving and appreciating our cultural heritage.

Ms Tutku Sahin

Turkish Language 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.

It is my honour to inform you that Year 5 students have completed the memorisation of a significant part of Dua-e-Qunoot. Moreover, students have successfully demonstrated how Salatul-Witr is performed and the significance of this prayer.

Witr Salah is a recommended prayer that yields Allah's love, blessings, and rewards. The prayer is said along with Dua Qunoot.

The performance of the class has shown optimism in completing this Dua by this term.

With Eid incoming, students are also taught about its significance and morals, so that they can uphold the teachings of it. Wishing everyone a happy and peaceful Eid.

Mr Usama Mohammad

Primary Religion Teacher

Musical Moments

Our students enjoyed musical moments by playing musical instruments such as the triangle and xylophone.

Mrs Fisun Benlisoy

Music Teacher

Food Allergy Week

During Food Allergy Week, students were immersed in activities designed to increase their awareness of various food types and the potential allergic reactions they can trigger, such as nut and egg allergies. They participated in educational presentations where they learned about common allergens and their symptoms and engaged in interactive demonstrations to simulate real-life allergic reactions. To demonstrate their understanding, students write stories to create awareness on specific allergies and participated in role-playing exercises. These activities not only deepened their knowledge but also highlighted the importance of empathy and preparedness in managing food allergies.

Science Committee

Oodie/Hoodie Day

On Tuesday 4 June, Year 6 students organised a fundraising event where all students and staff had the option of coming to school dressed in their faviourite oodie or hoodie and donated a gold coin that will go towards their graduation ceremony at the end of the year. It was a great way to promote school spirit and comfort while adding an element of fun to the school day. Thank you tou our school community for their generous contribution and support.

Year 6 Committee

Australia's Biggest Afternoon Tea

Staff at Maarif have hosted an afternoon tea where they have helped raise vital funds to bring us closer to a cancer free future.

Social Committee

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

Cesur Bugdayli - 1A

Khadijah Kassem - 1B

Aneesa Barham - 2A

Asma Kanj - 2B

Berkay Dogru - 3A

Ibrahim Karaca - 4A

Erkut Odabasi - 4B

Elisa Ozdemir - 5A

Aleena Khan - 5B

Maarif_Behaviour_Expectations_Matrix_final_2 _pdf 98.00 KB

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

2024_Primary_School_Uniform_Order_Form.pdf

2024_Primary_School_Uniform_Order_Form _pdf 186.13 KB

Maarif students are expected to wear their Winter school uniform during Term 2. 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 be extra cautious during school drop-off and pick-up times.

Years 1 - 3 are dismissed from the Front School Gate.

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

Road_Safety.pdf

Road_Safety _pdf 274.27 KB

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.

Road_Safety.pdf

Road_Safety _pdf 1.68 MB

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:

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

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

2024_Maarif_Calendar.pdf

2024_Maarif_Calendar _pdf 3.35 MB

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