Australian International Academy

Message from Mr Moustafa Elakkoumi

Asalaamu alaikum Parents and Guardians,

A warm welcome back to all our returning families and a special greeting to our new parents joining the AIA family. We look forward to an enriching year filled with learning, growth, and positive experiences for all our students. Together, we can promote a nurturing environment that encourages academic excellence, personal development, and strong community values. We believe that a strong partnership between home and school is essential for the success of our students.

The Australian International Academy has worked towards enhancing the strategic plan for the next five years. It is of paramount importance that all stakeholders are familiar and onboard with the direction of the school. The Vision statement has been adjusted for 2025 and beyond. The Academy vision is to inspire and prepare graduates to advance Australia and contribute globally, guided by Muslim values. The drive to have our graduates as decision makers guided by our Muslim values will be at the forefront. The Academy mission is to deliver quality education in a nurturing, enriching, comfortable and safe learning environment in pursuit of academic and spiritual excellence. We will endeavour to become a global leader in academic and spiritual excellence, Insha’Allah. More correspondence will be given as the year progresses regarding our strategic plan.

EXPLICIT TEACHING PRACTICES

This year, we continue our commitment to high-quality instruction by further embedding Explicit Teaching through the MultiLit programs, utilising the Gradual Release Model. InitaLit and SpellEx are an evidence-based approach that ensures students receive direct, structured guidance before moving towards independent learning. This method enhances literacy development and supports students in becoming confident, capable readers and writers.

RAMADAN SCHOOL HOURS

During Ramadan, school hours will be adjusted to accommodate our students’ needs. From 8:35 am to 2:00 pm, students will have a structured day that balances their academic and spiritual commitments. The Year 3-5 students will pray their Dhuhr prayer followed by a Ramadan reminder.

May Allah grant you and your family a productive Ramadan encapsulated by Mercy, Forgiveness and Safety from the fire. Ameen.

CHILD SAFE STANDARDS VICTORIA

The safety and well-being of our students is our top priorities. We adhere to the Child Safe Standards set by the Victorian Government, which aim to create a child-safe environment and prevent child abuse. The Academy’s Australian International Academy of Education (AIAE) is a child safe organisation that is committed to providing an environment where all our students are safe and feel safe, where their participation is valued, their views are respected, and they are empowered. We have zero tolerance for child abuse and have strategies and systems to protect children from abuse.

Our staff are trained in child safety practices, and we have policies and procedures in place to ensure the safety of all students.

GROWTH MINDSET

As we embark on a new academic year, we encourage our students to embrace a positive attitude towards learning. A growth mindset fosters resilience, curiosity, and a love for knowledge. Research by psychologist Carol Dweck highlights students who believe their abilities can be developed through dedication and effort tend to achieve higher levels of success compared to those with a fixed mindset. By praising effort and persistence, rather than innate ability, we help children develop confidence and a willingness to take on challenges. The power of ‘yet’ should be acknowledged at home to maintain confidence and self-esteem.

GETTING CONNECTED TO THE COMPASS COMMUNICATION PORTAL

To stay informed about school news, events, and your child's progress, please ensure you are connected to the Compass communication portal. Compass allows you to access important information such as school notices, attendance records, and academic progress. If you need assistance with accessing Compass, please contact the school office.

SCHOOL CAPTAINS

School captains play a vital role in setting a positive example for their peers through their actions, attitude, and leadership. By demonstrating respect, responsibility, and commitment, they inspire others to uphold school values and strive for excellence. Their ability to lead by example fosters a strong sense of community, encouraging all students to contribute positively to the school environment. We would to congratulate Fedy Assaad and Badia Qamar Nasba as the 2025 school captains as well as Jana Ghabbour, Dima Fakhr and Mariam Abbas as the school vice-captains.

NAPLAN

NAPLAN will commence on Wednesday 12th March to Monday 24th March. Students in grade three and five will complete their Numeracy, Writing, Reading and Conventions of Language tests. If if the student is absent, they will be required to complete the test on a subsequent day.

CONTACT PERSONS FOR STUDENT CONCERNS:

Office Manager and Assistants at the Main Office - Phone 9354 0833

Classroom Teacher of the student.

Team leaders:

Foundation – Ms Hannah Mina
Year 1 – Ms Sarah El Nemar
Year 2 – Ms Mona Atyabi
Year 3 – Ms Nadia Mohamed
Year 4 – Ms Tugba Demirkaya
Year 5 – Ms Amanda Dessmann
Head of Infants – Ms Filiz Cansiz
Head of Uppers – Ms Yurdagul Talic
School Counsellor – Ms Hadiya Taleb

– Ms Rahma (Hani) Mohamed

School Nurse – Ms Deniz Yilmaz

– Ms Michelle Richardson

We look forward to a fantastic year ahead and thank you for your ongoing support. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the school office or the relevant staff member.

Wa alaikum asalaam
Mr Moustafa Elakkoumi

New staff intro

My name is Lesly and I’m excited to be joining AIA this year. I’ve been teaching for eight years, and I’m passionate about helping students learn and grow.

Outside of the classroom, I love baking—trying out new recipes is one of my favorite ways to relax. I also enjoy spending time at the beach whenever I get the chance. My family and I love to travel, and we’re always looking for new places to explore.

I’m looking forward to getting to know all of you and becoming a part of this wonderful school community. Let’s make this a great year together!

As-Salamu Alaykum wa Rahmatu Allah wa Barakatuh!

I’m Heba Abdulhamid, and I'm delighted to introduce myself as the new Islamic Studies teacher at AIA. My 20-year teaching journey has taken me across the globe, from Cairo, Jeddah, Riyadh and Adelaide to Melbourne, where I’ve had the privilege of working with students of all ages and backgrounds and the opportunity to teach years 3, 4 and 5 as classroom teacher and specialist teacher of English SL, Arabic SL, Islamic and Qur’an studies in both primary and high schools. I also had the opportunity to work with a lot of teachers from different schools as a teacher trainer.

Teaching Islamic and Qur’an studies is my true calling, I'm passionate about sharing the beauty of Islam with young minds, and thrilled to be a part of this community. Together, we can inspire a generation of Muslims who will shine with faith and make a difference in the world.

My name is Dua Awwadallah, a graduate of Al-Aqsa University in Gaza, where I studied English Education with passion and dedication. I have always strived to enhance my teaching skills, working as an English teacher and university trainer, developing innovative teaching methodologies to enrich students’ learning experiences. Additionally, I gained expertise in web and application design, creating digital solutions for major companies and international institutions, including a Canadian organization. After moving to Australia, I pursued further education and obtained a Support staff certification. I am currently working as an Education Support Staff at Australian International Academy, committed to fostering an inclusive and engaging learning environment.

As salaamu alaikum, I am Siti and I have been teaching in Australia for the past eight years. I am passionate about creating engaging and supportive learning environments for students. I believe that education goes beyond academics—it’s about instilling good values, resilience, and kindness.

Things I enjoy doing include reading, travelling, learning new skills and am regularly looking for ways to grow and bring fresh ideas into my teaching.

I strive to inspire and nurture students to reach their full potential. I’m excited to continue this journey at AIA, guiding students not just in their learning but also in developing good akhlaq and strong moral values inshaAllah.

Assalamualaikum Everyone!

I'm Ayoob Mohamed, all the way from Sri Lanka, and I’m excited to be part of this wonderful school community! Before joining here, I worked at Fitra Community School, and I completed my bachelor’s degree at Melbourne Polytechnic (yes, I did survive the Melbourne weather!). Now, let’s talk about something really important – FOOTY! I’m a proud supporter of the best footy club – Collingwood! If you’re not already on the Collingwood train, well, it’s not too late to jump on board… I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I do!

Looking forward to getting to know all of you, and I hope we can share a laugh (and maybe a few footy stories) along the way!

My name is Ceyda, and I’m excited to be joining AIA and teaching Grade 5 this year. I recently graduated with a Bachelor of Education (Primary) and am passionate about creating an engaging and supportive learning environment for my students. One of my favorite subjects to teach is English, as it allows students to express their creativity, think critically, and explore the world around them. I enjoy incorporating storytelling, discussions, and hands-on activities to make learning meaningful and enjoyable. I’m looking forward to a fantastic year of learning and growth with my students!

Arabic

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to the 2025 School Year!

We are excited to welcome you and your child to another fantastic year of learning Arabic. Learning a second language at an early age helps develop cognitive skills, cultural awareness, and communication abilities, we are eager to support our students in their Arabic language journey.

To support your child's Arabic learning at home, we recommend the following strategies:

Ask your child about what they have learned at school and encourage them to share new words and phrases.
Repeat the new words they have learnt to reinforce their vocabulary.
Try to use Arabic in daily conversations with your child, even if it is simple phrases.
Listen to Arabic nasheeds together and ask about the meanings, fostering curiosity in learning new words.
Show enthusiasm for their progress and make Arabic learning a fun and engaging experience at home.

Recommended Arabic Learning Websites:

Story Weaver (https://storyweaver.org.in/)– A digital library offering free Arabic stories for children at various reading levels.
Kosas 3asafeer (https://3asafeer.com /) – A free Arabic storytelling app that offers engaging stories for children to improve their language skills.

At Australian International Academy the staff encourage parents to explore the relevant resources with your child and integrate Arabic learning into daily activities. Throughout the year, we will be hosting interactive language activities and cultural events, and we look forward to your participation.

If you have any questions or have further enquiries about the Arabic LOTE program, please feel free to contact us.

Thank you for your support, and we look forward to a wonderful year of Arabic learning!

Best regards,
Ms. Nancy Koubeisi
Arabic Coordinator and Teacher

Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea

Dear Parents / Guardians,

Assalamu Alaikum Wr. Wb.

How would you like to be more involved with your child’s school?
Would you like to be able to assist us?
How would you like to have a little fun and a sense of well done?
Well… we have thing/s for you to do!

Events are to be held throughout 2025, with you being notified of dates of specific events closer to their time.

One future event that you may like to be a part of is:

Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea
– to be held at our school on Thursday 22^rd May Term 2
Week 5 In shaa ALLAH.

For anyone who would love to assist us and give us their valuable time on school grounds with either food preparation or setting up or even just to assist to supervise… please inform the office of your name and contact details and a you have a Working with Children card as this is a Legal requirement (these cards are free to obtain for volunteers and you will have plenty of time to get one if you would like to join us).

Once again, just to kindly remind you, all of our Volunteers are legally required to have a WWC before they are able to participate in any of our events.

Your support will be truly appreciated.

And if you know of someone who is willing to, able to and in a position to assist in any form of donations for our event, we would sincerely welcome.

All applicants are to apply at our school’s office.

We welcome you and look forward with working with you collaboratively, in shaa ALLAH.

With Kindest Regards
Ms Iman Habboucheh
Community Liaison Officer

Library

Welcome to the library for 2025!

We have had an excellent start to the year in the library. Students have been reading and listening to stories, answering questions and borrowing books. Please ensure that your child has a library bag with their name clearly visible so they can borrow from the many wonderful books from our library to read at home. Library bags can be purchased from the uniform shop. Click here for the direct link to the library bag.

The library staff promote ‘Voice, Choice and Agency’ during library sessions and the book your child has brought home is something that your child has chosen independently. Take the opportunity to embrace your child’s choice and ask them why they chose that book. Reading a book together, especially in the early years is a great way to bond with your child. Unlike a home reader, a library book may not be a book your child can read independently and they may need a little bit of help and encouragement from you. The library is open before school each day and after school every day except Tuesday. You are more than welcome to come in and choose a book with your child during this time.

We would also like to take this opportunity to remind all parents and guardians to please return any school library books back to school. We are always very happy to receive overdue books!

If you would like to volunteer in the library, please fill out the form which can be found at the main office.

Have fun reading!

Kindest regards
Ms Stacey Hector (Teacher Librarian), Ms Rawia El-Mallah and Ms Iman Habboucheh

Assalamu Alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh

Welcome to the new academic year. The students are settling in quite well into their routines and are enthusiastic about the year ahead.

The Religion department is working towards giving our students an exciting and successful year. We have planned many activities for them to participate in. The first of which will be the Ramadan Assembly before the start of the month of Ramadan. We are also excited to organise the annual iftar night for the year 5s. We will keep you posted with the other activities during the year.

The Religion curriculum will be divided into different strands so that the students are able to understand Aqeedah, Fiqh, Seerah as well as learn various ahadith and dua. Students will be able to make connections between each strand and how they are interrelated as the terms progress.

All year levels will be learning about Tawheed and the attributes of Allah (SWT). They will study and explore the Seerah of the life of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) and of other Prophets. They will also learn one dua and one hadith each term and they will look into how we can apply these in our daily lives.

Students inquire and reflect on the different topics and have meaningful discussions in class while making connections. Their curiosity encourages them and their teachers to look further into the deen and expand on their existing knowledge.

Students will be memorising different surahs each term in their Quran periods. They will learn different tajweed rules through practicing their Iqra lessons which will be tested weekly. We are very blessed to have many support staff helping the students with their Quran and Iqra and we hope that we will have your support from home so that our students can be successful in achieving their goals.

On behalf of the Religion team,
Ms Fathima Siddeeka Wazeer
Religion Coordinator

Lost Property

Dear Parents / Guardians,

Welcome back to 2025.

We would like to remind you to label all your children’s school uniforms and other school belongings.

School is still keeping all the school uniforms from last year in the Lost / Found cabinet. Please check.

Thank You
Lobna El-Saafin

Learn To Play

We are excited to introduce our Learn to Play sessions held every Thursday for our Foundation students. These sessions provide a fun and engaging environment where the students can develop essential social, communication and problem solving skills through structured play. Guided by our dedicated staff, students will explore imaginative play, teamwork, and creativity while building confidence in a supportive setting. We look forward to seeing our young learners grow and thrive through play.

Learn to play assistant

SRC

Building and fostering leaders: It was a great pleasure and honour to be assigned the role of the SRC and Values Coordinator this year. Working alongside the Schools current Academy heads to help choose and assign different roles to some of our future leaders was an awe-inspiring experience. Alhamdulillah, we have created our leadership team consisting of 2 School Captains, 3 Vice-Captains and 11 School leaders. Working alongside them will be 26 SRC class representatives and our 8 Mosque monitors/mentors. Mubarak once again to all those given this Amanah. I am looking forward to mentoring you, and guiding and inspiring you as we endeavour to do great things for our school and community.

World Hijab Day: The theme for World Hijab Day for 2025 was #Hijabis Unsilenced.

Its aim was to amplify the voices of hijab-wearing women around the world. During the week, the Islamic department focused on educating our students about the Islamic obligation of wearing the hijab and the significance and blessing assigned to this great duty. Girls in year 5 were given the opportunity to adorn themselves with a coloured hijab of their choice, helping them to build the love for, and confidence in, wearing the hijab in their everyday lives.

Lunch time fun:

One of our first initiatives as an SRC collective, was to itroduce games during lunch time to give students more choice on which activities to undertake during this time. We wanted to provide students with games that would challenge their minds, create critical thinking and give them the confidence to engage with other children outside their normal friendship circles. I am happy to announce that our students, especially our upper students, have enjoyed the choice of Chess, Connect Four and Jenga. Insha Allah, there are other initiatives in the pipeline, which will be rolled out gradually throughout the year.

PSPE

Welcome back to a fresh and exciting school year filled with opportunities to explore new activities and build valuable skills! In our physical education classes, we're not only focusing on improving athletic abilities, but also on nurturing personal growth and social development.

This term, we're concentrating on setting and achieving both personal and social goals. We believe that developing teamwork, communication, and sportsmanship is just as important as mastering physical skills. By setting these goals, students learn to collaborate effectively, communicate respectfully, and support each other, both on and off the court!

To kick off the year, we've introduced tennis as our first sport. Thanks to the expertise of coaches from the BTS Tennis Academy, students are enjoying engaging lessons tailored to their individual skill levels. These lessons not only enhance tennis skills, but also promote important values like perseverance, resilience, and fair play.

As we continue exploring a variety of sports and activities, we encourage all students to stay resilient, push their limits, and strive to "ace" their physical education goals!

Mr Dillon

Visual Arts

Welcome back to the school year! The start of this term has been an engaging and busy time in Visual Arts.

Foundation students have been introduced to the artist Pablo Picasso. We have been inspired to use many different shapes and colours in our artwork when drawing portraits and animals. We are learning that different colours can represent different emotions.

Year Ones are exploring the elements of art: colour and line. We are inspired by the artist and author, Herve Tullet, while learning about the primary colours and how they can be mixed to create secondary colours. The children are very excited to begin mixing and making different colours themselves!

Year Twos are looking at the artwork by Vincent Van Gogh and are practising their drawing and painting skills. We are looking at his Sunflower series and will be making our own Sunflower inspired artwork using oil pastels and water colour paints. Did you know that Van Gogh’s Sunflowers symbolise: gratitude?

This term, the Year Threes and Fours are looking at the amazing artwork by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. We will be making our own interesting paintings and sculptures inspired by her many, many dots and patterns. The Kusama exhibition is in the National Gallery of Victoria right now, and I highly recommend a visit!

Year Fives will be welcoming Ramadan with our Islamic Art unit and are learning to make beautiful tessellating tiles.

I am looking forward to another exciting term in Visual Arts!

Ms Iman Mustapha

Visual Arts Teacher

My New Gallery

Welcome to 2025!

We have another exciting year ahead. This term I am mostly focusing on spatial awareness and social interaction games to build cooperation, positive relationships in the classroom, confidence and Safe Practice and establishing protocols in the Performing Arts Space.

Foundation- Year 2 will be establishing spatial awareness, listening and responding skills through movement, creative play, playing instruments and interactive drama games using role play and characterisation.

Year 3 and 4 will be likewise establishing spatial awareness, listening and responding skills through movement and interactive drama games using role play and characterisation but additionally will be exploring mime. Year 4s will also be developing audition skills for the production to build a real-life experience which requires focus, diligence, patience and dedication.

Year 5’s will be exploring Broadcast Media from Term 1- 3 integrating skills for camera and radio instead of the stage/theatre utilising focus of the Unit of Inquiry. This term the focus is on planning, developing, filming and editing a Media/News Report based on Civilians and Communities. This will explore the understanding of Theme, Setting, Characters, Roles and Responsibilities, Costumes, Props and editing Apps.

Furthermore, students should wear sports uniform to Performing Arts class due to comfortability in movement.

I am always here to answer any queries.

Warmest Regards
Jodi Bilsborow
Coordinator of Arts
Performing Arts Teacher

Foundation

Assalam wa alaykum parents,

Welcome to Foundation 2025! We hope you all had a wonderful and rejuvenating summer break. As we embark on a new school year, we are thrilled to connect with familiar faces and extend a warm welcome to all our new families that are starting their educational journey with us at AIA.

The dedicated Foundation team has been hard at work preparing for an engaging and successful academic year. We have many exciting initiatives and activities planned to ensure a positive and enriching experience for all our students.

The Foundation Teachers are some of the most talented and passionate group of educators that your child is so fortunate to have this year. We have Ms Ganime in Foundation A, Ms Hannah in Foundation B, Ms Danya in Foundation C and Ms Rayan in Foundation D.

Our Foundation students have been settling into their new school environment with enthusiasm and curiosity. We are proud to see their confidence grow each day. The first day of Foundation was filled with a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation. It was wonderful to see the children exploring their new classrooms, meeting their teachers and making new friends. Foundation teachers have focused on establishing routines, encouraging independence and helping students feel comfortable in their new learning space.

Play is at the heart of early Foundation learning and our students have been engaged in a range of hands-on activities that foster creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. From building with blocks to role-playing, children are developing essential social and cognitive skills through purposeful play.

Our Literacy journey has begun with exploring sounds, letters, and early reading strategies. Students are enjoying interactive story sessions and opportunities to practice writing their names. In numeracy, we have been working on number recognition and counting through fun and engaging activities that make learning meaningful and enjoyable.

Starting school is a big transition, and we are dedicating time to helping children understand and regulate their emotions. Through stories, discussions and activities, we are identifying different feelings and learning strategies to help students manage them effectively. Encouraging deep breathing, using ‘calm corners’’ and practicing mindfulness are just some of the ways we support emotional well-being in the classroom.

We are incredibly proud of how well our Foundation students have adjusted to school life and we look forward to a fantastic term of learning and growth. Thank you for your ongoing support in helping to make this transition a positive experience for your child at AIA! We can’t wait for your child to have an exciting first year of school!

Warm regards,
Foundation Team leader,
Ms Hanna Mina

Welcome Back to School!

Dear Parents and Students,

A warm welcome to the start of another exciting school year! We are thrilled to have everyone back, and it's been wonderful to see how quickly our students have settled into their new routines. As we begin this new year together, we’re looking forward to the incredible learning experiences ahead!

This term, our Unit of Inquiry is titled “Who We Are”. Through this unit, students will explore their identities, the importance of self-awareness, and how they relate to others. It’s an engaging topic that fosters personal growth and reflection, and we can’t wait to see how our students connect with it.

In Math, we are focusing on the numbers 1 to 120. Students will practice counting, comparing, and recognising numbers, building a solid foundation for their number sense and mathematical understanding. This hands-on approach helps to strengthen their confidence in numbers as they progress.

Our Grammar focus this term is on nouns. Understanding how nouns function in sentences will help students better express their ideas in both spoken and written forms. Alongside this, our writing focus is centred on description and recounts. Students will be honing their ability to describe people, places, and events while learning to recount experiences in a clear and organised way.

To support writing development, we are emphasising letter formation and phonological awareness. Students will practice forming letters accurately, and through phonological awareness, they will strengthen their ability to decode and build words. These skills are essential for creating strong writers, and we are excited to watch them grow in these areas.

It’s been a fantastic start to the year, and we are looking forward to all the learning and growth that will take place. As always, we are grateful for your continued support and partnership in your child’s education. Let’s make this a memorable and successful year together!

Warm regards,
Year 1A Class teacher
Ms Aysegul Velidedeoglu

Year 2

Assalam wa alaykum parents,

Welcome to Year 2 2025! We hope you all had a wonderful and relaxing summer break. The committed Year 2 team has worked tirelessly to prepare an academically successful year. We have planned many engaging and effective learning activities and are thrilled to be teaching again!

The Year 2 teachers are all highly educated and dedicated in providing an excellent educational experience for all students. We have Ms Fatima in 2A, Ms Reem in 2B, Ms Mona in 2C and Ms Lesly in 2D.

Our Year 2 students have been settling into the classroom routines and while many have made new friends, they have also continued to build on their friendships from previous years. Students have additionally had the opportunity to participate in creating the classroom essential agreements and these reflect our school values.

Each morning we begin the day with Surah Al-Fatihah and the Morning Dua. Moreover, our literacy journey has begun with descriptive writing. Students have been learning about nouns and adjectives as well as coordinating conjunctions. In reading, we have had a strong focus on retelling familiar texts with detail and reading fluently.

In Mathematics, we have been using a range of engaging learning activities to teach place value (one-, two-, three- and four-digit numbers), partitioning, renaming and regrouping numbers. Students have especially enjoyed representing numbers in different ways using a range of manipulatives and working collaboratively with their peers.

Importantly, we have been using a range of strategies to support student wellbeing. For example, students are encouraged to regulate their emotions using breathing techniques and to use their words effectively to express their emotions. We recommend the use of such strategies at home as well and are excited to continue to support our students to achieve their full potential Inshallah.

Kind regards,
Year 2 Team Leader,
Ms Mona Atyabi

Year 3

Welcome to Grade 3 – 2025!

We hope you all had a wonderful and relaxing summer break. The Grade 3 team has been working hard to prepare an engaging and academically successful year, and we are thrilled to be teaching again!

Our dedicated teachers this year are Ms. Khadejah in 3A, Ms Evette in 3B, Ms. Iman in 3C, and Ms. Nadia in 3D. Students have been settling into routines, forming friendships, and establishing classroom agreements that reflect our school values. Each morning, we begin the day with Surah Al-Fatihah and the Morning Dua, setting a positive and mindful tone.

Our first Unit of Inquiry, Who We Are, focuses on how people become more self-sufficient when facing challenges. Students will explore resilience and problem-solving through discussions and hands-on activities.

In Mathematics, we are strengthening our understanding of numbers and place value through engaging activities that build number sense and problem-solving skills.

In Literacy, we have introduced the SpellEX program, which enhances spelling skills and boosts writing confidence. We are also reading The One and Only Ivan, a novel that fosters vocabulary development and deep thinking through discussions and comprehension tasks.

We look forward to a fantastic year ahead! Your support is invaluable in making this a positive and enriching experience. Please reach out if you have any questions or wish to contribute.

Warm regards,

Year 3 Team Leader,
Ms Nadia Mohamed

Year 4

Dear Year 4 Parents and Guardians,

We are delighted to share that the first few weeks of Year 4 have been a great success! The students have settled well into their new routines and are demonstrating enthusiasm for learning. They have been actively engaging in our Unit of Inquiry, ‘Who We Are,’ making meaningful connections to the world around them and deepening their understanding of identity, culture, and community.

One exciting addition to our literacy program is the Spell X program, which the students have embraced with curiosity and enthusiasm. This structured approach is helping them build their spelling skills while fostering confidence in their writing.

In reading, we have begun exploring the novel Kensuke’s Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo. Through this engaging text, students are developing their vocabulary and comprehension skills by participating in discussions and completing tasks that encourage deeper thinking about the story and its themes.

We are also excited to announce that students will soon be embarking on their first inquiry excursion to the Chinese Museum. This visit will provide valuable insights into different cultures, identities, and communities, supporting their learning in our current unit. Further details and permission notices will be sent home shortly.

To further support your child’s understanding of this unit, we encourage family discussions about identity, religion, social groups, and family heritage. These conversations will help them make personal connections and enrich their learning experience in the classroom.

Thank you for your ongoing support. We look forward to an exciting and enriching term ahead!

Best regards,

Year 4 Team Leader,
Ms Tugba Demirkaya

Year 5

Salams and Welcome to Year 5. A warm welcome back to our current and new students. Year 5 has started off with a lot of activities and energy and it is wonderful to see the students settling into their last year of primary school at our junior campus. During these first few weeks we have engaged in our Year 5 Assembly and students were presented with their leadership pins and they are especially looking forward to camp. We congratulate the year 5 leaders and know they will lead the way with bright smiles and ideas. We look forward to unpacking our Transdisciplinary Theme of Who We Are and organising our Clean Up AIA day for the whole school to participate in. Overall we are smiling and being responsible and open minded as we start this year in our new classes. We congratulate our Class Leaders and School Captains and wish them all the best in 2025. Warmest Regards,

Year 5 Team Leader,
Ms Amanda Dessmann

Camp:

Salams,

Unplug, explore, grow – that was our camp motto. Where every sunrise brings new challenges and every sunset, new friendships. Building tomorrow's leaders, one activity at a time. In nature's classroom, every lesson is an adventure.

This term, the year 5 students went on the adventure that they eagerly awaited - School Camp. 2 nights away from home in the wonderful surrounding of the Strzelecki Alpine Region and despite the cold and rain at times, they embraced the fresh air and stepped out of their comfort zones to try new activities including the flying fox, giant swing and vertical challenge. The teachers were most impressed with their skills and bravery as they braced themselves for new learning experiences.

Not only did they build trust and respect for one another, they also discovered that their teachers could be fun leaders too.

They learnt responsibility and taking action by helping in the kitchen, rotating rosters to assist in clearing up and also sharing the responsibility of leading prayer daily.

According to the girls and boys, they all had an AWESOME time and were most exhausted when they all boarded the bus! I know there would have been many happy faces when they arrived back at school.

It was a wonderful experience all around and the teachers and myself, all had a wonderful time with the students and sharing this with them. I would like to shout out a big thank you to those teachers who offered to come along and share this with the students - Ms Hadiya, Ms Tina, Ms Deniz, Mr Walid, Ms Ceyda, Ms Aisha, Ms Iman (Art), Ms Clair and to Mr Dillon for organising it and making sure it was lots of fun for us to enjoy.