Minaret College

Message from the Head of Middle School----------------------------------------------------------------------^Top

Allah (SWT) requires from all of us Muslims to give the best of ourselves to serve His cause and help and support each other. We feel privileged to have Qur’an as our holy book and source of knowledge and prophet Mohamed (SAW) as our role model and source of inspiration. Therefore, our educational decisions are derived from Qur’an and modelled after the teachings of prophet Mohamed (SAW). Based on these Islamic requirements, we in the middle school believe in the motto “ what ever it takes, we will do to educate our students” and we also believe that “no student should be left behind”. Translated into daily practices, the two above mottos mean that our focus in the middle school is on developing students’ potential to the best of their abilities in all aspects related to schooling and life skills, fostering moral Islamic values, encouraging intellectual curiosity and critical thinking skills, and caring about others. To achieve the above, we have introduced the following in 2006: (1) Small number of students in the classrooms; (2) Specialist teachers to year seven after the success encountered for the last two years with years five and six; (3) Full implementation of the Victorian Essentials of Learning after a successful trial in 2005, in addition to introducing dimensions of learning- an instructional framework based on cognitive theory- with a focus on hands-on activities and integrated projects; (4) Sport competitions with specialised teams that will be trained from the beginning of the year by Mr. Jason Mahmood, our PE co-ordinator; and (5) Strong mentoring programme that involves students, teachers and parents; and (6) Parents’ club activities for women after school and on weekends coordinated by our school counsellor.

Rationale-------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------^Top

The rationale behind the future direction developed by the head of middle school is to build strong structures, improve learning and teaching and enhance the image of the middle school. The future direction framework will also support the head of the middle school and his team in managing the school effectively and efficiently. The recommended action plan is based on Minaret College strategic plan 2005-2009 approved by the school board in March 2005 and the director’s future vision document.

Description of the Middle School at Minaret College -----------------------------------------------------^Top

Levels five, six, seven, eight, and nine constitute the middle school at Minaret College with an enrolment of about 330 students for the 2006 academic year. The age range of students in the middle school is between 10 and 15 years old, which make it a challenging journey for the students in many ways. On the academic level, it marks the end of the lower primary school experience and beginning of the preparatory middle school stages to senior school, as students progress towards year nine. On the physical, emotional, and intellectual levels, it is a transition from childhood to early adulthood.
At Minaret College Middle School we are aware of these challenges, and we make it our priority to ensure the well being of our students inside and outside the classroom. For that purpose, we put in place a support system with the help of teachers, parents, and community leaders that ensures (1) the students’ exposure to the highest level of instructional practices that challenge them academically and expand their intellectual interest, in a caring, nurturing, and supportive learning environment; and (2) their participation in intellectual competitions, debates, excursions, camps and sport events. Our support system encourages self-reliance, knowledge of oneself and capacity for leadership through our special programs designed and delivered by the head of middle school, school counselor, and social worker. It also encourages students to acquire the skills and discipline necessary for academic accomplishment and learn to reflect, take risks and discover by themselves.
It is important to note that all instruction in the Middle School is in line with the Victorian Essentials of Learning VELS requirements in all Key Learning Areas (KLA’s). The curriculum is further strengthened by our commitment to a comprehensive program in Islamic studies, learning of Qur’an, hadith, Arabic, the arts, woodwork, ceramics, textiles, food technology, information and communication technology, and athletics.

Vision-------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------^Top

The vision of the Middle School reflects the vision of Minaret College in producing Muslim graduates who are independent learners, self-motivated and possess the knowledge and skills to enter senior school and compete for admissions to any university or tertiary course of their choice after VCE.

Mission-------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------^Top

The mission of the middle school is to make the transition for our students from the primary to the middle school smooth, and help them build a strong academic bridge to Senior School, by providing them with the highest quality instruction and creating a rich and stimulating learning environment for them. It is intended that the natural and academic talents of students will be identified and strengthened throughout the five years period.

Philosophy-------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------^Top

Our philosophy is to help our students improve their learning and increase their knowledge on a daily basis, to the best of their abilities.

Values-------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------^Top

We abide by the Islamic values that are derived from Qur’an and the teaching of prophet Mohamed (SAW), which promote love, care, respect, tolerance, honesty, and perseverance.

Integration of Islamic Principles and Values--------------------------------------------------------------------^Top

Integration of Islamic principles and values inside and outside classroom is observed and reinforced for the five levels of the middle school. We conduct daily recitation of Qur’an during the morning assemblies and Zuhr prayers at 1: 30 p.m.

Motivation-------------------------------- ---------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------^Top

Motivation is an integral part of the Middle School instruction process. It is our policy to address motivation from the affective (emotional), cognitive, and behavioral perspectives. Motivation can help student (1) value learning; (2) learn to readily involve themselves in classroom assignments and extra-curricular activities; and (3) experience higher achievement. Motivation will be addressed in the following activities:
• Classroom learning experience;
• Mentoring
• Extra-curricular activities;
• Workshops; and
• Counseling.
One motivational method that will be used by the Middle School is a semi-formal, contractual agreement between students and the Head of Middle School.

What to expect from students ------ ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------------^Top

• Be a Muslim role model;
• Respect the school dress code for different activities;
• Respect school property and keep it clean e.g. walls, tables, heaters, etc.
• Attend and participate in assembly activities;
• Attend all classes on time;
• Bring all textbooks, exercise books and pencil box;
• Participate actively in class and extra-curricular activities;
• Care about my school and promote it positively;
• Be respectful to teachers, classmates, and administrative staff;
• Observe all prayers and Islamic conduct;
• Respect my peers and never tease or bully anyone of them;
• Respect bus rules and be courteous to the driver and peers;
• Report any serious matter in the bus or in the school to teachers, form teachers, head of middle school; or director; and
• Help my peers and support them.

What to expect from parents---------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------^Top

• Bring their children to school on time (no later than 8:25 a.m.);
• Send their children in the right uniform to school;
• Pick up their children on time after 3:30 p.m.;
• Be on time for bus pick up and drop off;
• Communicate with the teachers regularly through the diaries;
• Take an appointment to see teachers and/or head of school;
• Volunteer some time when it is possible;
• Participate actively in extra-curricular activities either during special events or weekend.

• Provide leadership for teachers and students;
• Run the middle school smoothly, efficiently and effectively;
• Manage discipline problems in the buses and classes in collaboration with the form teachers, level coordinators and parents;
• Deliver professional development for teachers;
• Conduct workshops for students from grade five to year nine;
• Counsel students;
• Conduct workshops for parents to help them assist their children with homework and familiarize themselves with the different areas of the curriculum;
• Seek opportunities for funding special programs;
• Create a network among schools in the area to exchange expertise;
• Initiate contacts and assist teachers in the organization of excursions, incursions, and competitions;
• Assist students and provide guidance for them in different areas of need;
• Be available for teachers and provide them with assistance as needed;
• Research best practices for the different levels and subjects and guide teachers to experiment with innovative ideas;
• Enter classes to observe teaching/learning as much as it is needed;
• Meet with the heads of departments, teachers, coordinators individually and on a regular basis to run the school effectively;
• Meet with the director to discuss weekly planners; and
• Organize regular meetings for the middle school to discuss common issues.

What to expect from heads of departments---------------------------------------------------------------------^Top

• Run their departments smoothly in collaboration with the teachers;
• Ensure the curriculum requirements are met;
• Assist teachers in lesson planning;
• Provide guidance and resources for teachers within their departments;
• Invite guest speakers and seek opportunities for students to go to excursions; and
• Plan and conduct competitions within their departments.

What to expect from the level coordinators--------------------------------------------------------------------^Top

• Coordinate the curriculum with teachers and heads of departments as well as activities within their level;
• Manage discipline problems for students in their level in the buses and classes, in collaboration with the teachers, the head of school and parents; and
• Assist the head of middle school with tasks related to their level.

What to expect from the form teacher----------------------------------------------------------------------------^Top

• Coordinate activities within the form;
• Coordinate work closely with the level coordinator and head of school;
• Provide Pastoral care;
• Prepare the students for the daily activities;
• Check diaries and sign them; and
• Maintain the rolls in accordance with the school policies

What to expect from the subject teacher-------------------------------------------------------------------------^Top

• Plan lessons effectively;
• Include use of different media (audio, video, and Internet);
• Plan excursions and incursions related to the different chapters and/or themes;
• Deliver instruction using various strategies;
• Cater for different needs;
• Assess regularly, inspect and correct students’ class/homework thoroughly;
• Motivate students and help them with their learning; and
• Manage behaviour in the class to allow all students to learn.

Accountability and Appraisal System-----------------------------------------------------------------------------^Top

The middle school also designed accountability and appraisal systems that provide the administrators, teachers, and parents with a clear picture about our commitments to serve the students, abide by the schools' ethos and policies, and improve our daily practices. The goals of the accountability and appraisal systems are to (1) carry out the mission of Minaret College; (2) meet the requirements of accreditation set by the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT); (3) use the VELS and curriculum standards framework II (CSF II) as the main source to design lesson plans and deliver instruction; (4) provide internal self-correctives in the middle school system to identify, diagnose, and change courses of action that are not effective; and (5) reward effort.