Curriculum Update
HSC Cohort
The final HSC Trajectory Report, provided to each Year 12 student, is an important tool for tracking academic growth and guiding students to courses that may require additional revision. Our Year 12 students, along with Year 11 students enrolled in Acceleration programs, are currently undertaking the HSC Trial Examinations which commenced with English paper 1 on 14 August and will conclude on 29 August. These trials represent the final school-based assessment and contribute 50% of each student’s overall HSC mark. The remaining 50% will be determined by the external HSC examinations, beginning on Thursday 16 October conducted at the Greenacre campus.
While many of our students receive early university offers, maintaining consistent revision is essential for both individual success and the collective performance of the cohort. Students are also reminded to minimise distractions such as mobile phones, as research shows that even a single notification can disrupt focus for up to 20 minutes.
It is crucial that students remain focused and persevere in their studies during these last few months to achieve their personal best. Teachers have provided past papers, which are strongly recommended for consolidating knowledge, identifying areas for revision, and practicing under exam-style conditions. These resources include solutions and exemplar responses to support self-assessment, improve exam technique, and strengthen time management skills.
May Allah (swt) support all our students to achieve their personal best, Insha’Allah.
Academy U
We extend our thanks to our Careers Advisors, Ms Kathryn O’Connor (Beaumont Hills and Hoxton Park) and Ms Fatma Mehana (Greenacre Secondary), for their ongoing collaboration with the Future Student Engagement team at Western Sydney University. The Academy U program continues to grow in popularity, with this year’s approved Year 9 intake increasing from ten to twelve students. Our newest cohort and their parents are warmly invited to attend the Welcome Ceremony at the Parramatta South Campus on Friday, 19 September.
Looking ahead, our Year 10 students are preparing for the Sustainable Futures Hackathon, to be held at Western Sydney University on Wednesday, 10 September. Students will collaborate with peers from other Academy U schools to design and present innovative solutions to real-world sustainability challenges. Year 11 students successfully completed two on-campus sessions for the Leadership in Complexity course and have now submitted their final university assessments.
2025 Subject Selection
In Term 2, each campus hosted Subject Selection Information Sessions to support Year 8 and Year 10 students and their families in making informed and purposeful decisions about their future studies. Students were encouraged to select subjects they genuinely enjoy and feel motivated to pursue, as sustained interest remains one of the strongest indicators of engagement and academic success.
At Malek Fahd Islamic School, our philosophy of education is rooted in the belief that holistic learning within a faith-enriching environment nurtures God-consciousness, moral excellence, and purposeful action. We encourage every student to strive for their personal best, knowing that consistent effort, self-discipline, and a genuine love for learning are essential to both academic achievement and spiritual growth.
To help guide students on this journey, entry requirements for certain courses were communicated to parents and students. Please be reminded that minimum student numbers are required for courses to run, and the School reserves the right to discontinue a course if enrolments are low.
We ask Allāh ﷻ to guide our students towards beneficial knowledge, righteous action, and pathways that will lead to success in this life and the next insha’Allah.
Term 3 Professional Learning Program
As a faith-based school committed to holistic education, two of our Wednesday afternoon professional learning sessions are dedicated to the Instructional Practice domain of our Teaching and Learning Framework. This term, our focus is on delivering flexible instruction, using differentiation to engage every learner, scaffolding to offer multiple pathways of support, and challenging students to move beyond surface-level understanding.
International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS)
Students across campuses participated in 365 ICAS tests, a suite of internationally recognised full-colour online competitions. These test include Writing, English, Mathematics, Science, Spelling and Digital Technology. The assessments go beyond rote learning by promoting critical thinking, problem-solving, and applying knowledge in new and creative ways. Participation can boost confidence, highlight strengths, and provide valuable learning opportunities for students of all abilities. Results can be accessed online via the portal, typically 5 weeks after the final sitting day for Writing, and two weeks for others.
Half-Yearly Reports
Kindergarten to Year 10 students received their Half-Yearly Reports in Week 2, with Parent-Teacher afternoons providing an opportunity to discuss each child’s progress. Families who wish to meet at another time are welcome to contact the administration office to arrange a suitable appointment.
NAPLAN
Your child’s NAPLAN report has been sent home, giving you a snapshot of their progress in literacy and numeracy. We encourage you to review the results together, celebrating achievements and discussing areas for growth. Please remember that NAPLAN is only one measure of learning and should be considered alongside classroom work and overall development. At Greenacre Secondary, NAPLAN results will be one of several factors used when selecting students for Enrichment Classes.
We are currently in the process of reviewing data for our Year 6 cohort who will be invited to enrol in the 2026 Year 7 Enrichment Class. Entry into the Enrichment classes will be assessed annually.
Ms Tulin Bragg, Deputy Principal Teaching & Learning
