Principal's Message

Assalamualaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh.

Dear Parents, Guardians and Students,

Alhamdulillah, Term 3 has come to an end, and I am delighted to reflect on the final few weeks of what has been a wonderfully busy and eventful period for our students, staff, and families alike.

Our Quran Awards Night was an incredible success. It was a beautiful evening celebrating the dedication and achievements of our many students in strengthening their Quranic knowledge across multiple categories. Not only was this the very first event the Islamic College of Melbourne held in the new Admin & Wellness Building’s Grand Briefing Room, it was also an undeniable success.

Alongside awards for Quran memorisation and recitation, the College recognised the Best Azan Performance and the Best Khutbah or Short Speech in their own dedicated categories. Our Secondary students presented several wonderful items throughout the evening, including a Nasheed from students in ILEAD, our exclusive Diploma of Islamic Leadership pathway. A truly defining moment of the night was the presentation of the College Hafiz Awards to nine students who completed the memorisation of the entire Holy Quran.

Our Primary students were also honoured for their progress in Quran memorisation and recitation, and we proudly celebrated our Iqra graduates as well as students in the Primary Quran Accelerated Program (QAP), a dedicated pathway for those who excel and are ready to extend their Quranic learning. The stage beautifully reflected the breadth of their efforts, with students performing a Congratulatory Nasheed, a piece structured around Surah Al-Ma'oun, and two choreographed performances inspired by the Holy Quran. Together, the awards and performances showcased the confidence of our students and the important place the Holy Quran holds within life here at ICOM.

These achievements reflect a Quranic pathway that begins in Primary and continues through to the senior years, guided by staff who support our students at every stage. Subhan Allah, I am incredibly proud of these students for their hard work, dedication, and consistency. May Allah (SWT) reward our students and staff and continue to keep the Holy Quran close to their hearts.

ICOM welcomed the month of September on a wonderfully positive note with our very own Sunnah to Smile Week, this year themed "1000 Smiles, 1 Ummah." The week was a beautiful reminder to stay kind, compassionate, and understanding towards one another, filled with meaningful activities that reinforced the connection between positive behaviour and our Islamic values. From Emotional Awareness and Mental Health Workshops to our much-loved Wellness Picnics, lunchtime crafts, and competitions, our students embraced the spirit of the week wholeheartedly. Our Year 9 students proudly participated in the spirit of the week and took the initiative of running stalls for all of Secondary to enjoy.

It concluded with ICOM’s special S2S Day, where students and staff wore green in support of mental health awareness and empathy for those in need, which was a lovely reminder that even a smile is an act of charity.

In the final week of term, we celebrated STEM Week, a wonderful and educational close to the term themed "Seeds of Science, Roots of Faith." The week was filled with engaging incursions and hands-on learning that sparked curiosity and creativity across all year levels here at ICOM. Students delighted in our STEM Dress-Up Day, coming to school as scientists, inventors, and innovators.

It was incredible to host our vibrant STEM fair for students to showcase their talents and discoveries to the school community and a blessing that parents were able to experience this alongside their children. It was a fitting reminder that the pursuit of knowledge and the wonders of science are deeply rooted in our faith as Muslims, and it was inspiring to see our students engage with such enthusiasm.

While major events took centre stage this term, it was also packed with exciting incursions and excursions across Primary and Secondary. Our year 2 students had lots of fun on their excursion to Werribee Mansion, dressing up in clothes from the past and educating themselves about how people lived in times before them. Our Secondary students also engaged in countless opportunities for practical, real-world education, with our Year 8 and 9 students exploring the worlds of Forensic Science and the Drone Rescue Academy, while others took part in Virtual Reality experiences, a Mosque visit, and even Bush Ranger Survival Skills. Subhan Allah, hands-on learning is a fantastic way to keep our students engaged and involved in their learning.

Finally, this term marked a significant milestone for our senior students, as our Year 12 VCE and IB students completed their final content and attended their last day of regular classes. Subhan Allah, it feels like only yesterday that they began their schooling journey with us. As they now turn towards their final assessments and examinations, it is incredible to see how far they have come, and we pray Allah (SWT) grants them ease, clarity, and success in this final stretch.

It truly feels as though the achievements made by everyone here at ICOM never come to an end, and for that I am filled with immense gratitude and pride for our entire school community. It has been a term rich in spiritual growth, academic dedication, and joyful celebration, and I have no doubt our students will carry these experiences with them into the term ahead. May Allah (SWT) continue to guide, protect, and bless our entire school community. Ameen.

I wish all our families a safe, restful, and enjoyable break. I look forward to welcoming everyone back for our final term of the year as refreshed and enthusiastic as possible, Insha Allah.