Teaching and Learning Update
Assalaamu Alaykum WRWB,
Celebrating Achievement in Islamic Education
We also proudly celebrate the achievements of Ms Zenah Neouchi, Ms Sarah Succari, Ms Oraeb Abughanem, Ms Fatima Fay Zayed and Ms Sheena Khan, who successfully completed the Graduate Certificate of Education – Islamic Education with the University of South Australia in Semester 1.
Their accomplishment adds to our growing cohort of educators who are not only highly skilled in their respective fields, but also deeply committed to grounding the Islamic worldview within teaching and learning.
We congratulate them on this significant achievement and thank them for their ongoing commitment to professional growth and to the educational mission of MFIS.
Academy U
The Academy U Program through Western Sydney University provides opportunities for students demonstrating high potential. Year 9 to 12 students can gain access to unique learning opportunities designed to spark curiosity and unlock their full potential. Students can thrive when given the chance to engage with material beyond the standard curriculum. Academy U provides exactly that, preparing students for a successful transition to tertiary education while introducing them to exciting new academic and career pathways.
Leadership in Complexity is a University Developed Board Endorsed Course (UDBEC) through the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). This subject is designed to supplement and extend the HSC curriculum and can be counted towards a student's pattern of study. If a student satisfactorily completes the course, the unit value and name of the course will appear on the student's HSC Record of Achievement.
This challenging University level subject explores diverse leadership styles across interdisciplinary environments, encouraging students to think creatively and act as emergent leaders in a complex world. Balancing university-level coursework with high school studies requires immense perseverance, self-discipline, and dedication. Students who achieve a Pass grade or above in Leadership in Complexity will receive a conditional early entry offer to Western Sydney University in 2028, subject to the successful completion of their HSC studies. These students will also be eligible to apply for the Academy U Engagement Scholarship to support their university studies at Western Sydney University. Students who achieve a Distinction or High Distinction will also be eligible to apply for the Academy U Excellence Scholarship. Both scholarships are valued at $22,500 and recognise students who have demonstrated strong academic achievement and engagement through Academy U.
We are incredibly proud to celebrate our 2026 Year 12 Academy U graduates of the four-year program, who were formally recognised on Friday, 8th May, at Western Sydney University’s Parramatta South Campus:
Sara Hasan (Greenacre Campus)
May Thandar Oo (Greenacre Campus)
Maryam Kassar (Hoxton Park Campus)
Reflections from Maryam Kassar (Year 12 Student, Academy U Graduate 2026)
My Academy U journey from Year 9 to Year 11 has been such a good experience.In Years 9-10, I learnt how to annotate properly and how to be an independent learner. More than that, I learnt how to be a problem solver and not to give up when things got tough. We also built strong writing skills that set us up for what was next.In Year 11, we took on real university assignments alongside our prelims. It was challenging, but it was worth it. I learnt new things, experienced what it’s like to be a leader, and learnt how to tackle real-life issues.
Academy U also helped me step out of my comfort zone. I got to communicate and collaborate with people of different and the same faith as myself, and it taught me that no one is better than anyone else- we're all here to learn and grow together.
For more information, please reach out to our Careers Advisors, Ms Kathryn O’Connor (Hoxton Park), Ms Sabeehah Dawood (Beaumont Hills) and Ms Fatma Mehana (Greenacre Secondary).
HSC Cohort
Year 11 and Year 12 students have received their individualised HSC Trajectory Report reflecting their last assessment task. This important tool is designed to track academic growth and highlighting courses that may require additional revision. Our Year 12 students, along with Year 11 students enrolled in Acceleration programs, have just completed their final school assessment task, which marks the final contribution towards assessment and the overall HSC mark. The remaining 50% will be determined by the external HSC examinations, beginning on Tuesday 13 October.
This year, the Catholic Schools Secondary Association trials were used as our final assessment. The security of these papers ensured valid and reliable data for our students across campuses. 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.
A special program has been developed for the last few weeks of the term, providing students with opportunities to complete exam questions under timed conditions, receiving teacher feedback and consolidation of the course. 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 practising under exam-style conditions. These resources include solutions and exemplar responses to support self-assessment, improve exam technique, and strengthen time management skills. Please ensure Year 12 students attend school as the regular timetable is implemented until end of Week 9.
Year 12 students are reminded of the importance of using their study periods wisely and productively. Many students have at least one study period each day, and this time provides a valuable opportunity to consolidate learning, complete revision, practise past HSC questions and seek support where needed. The school provides a range of resources to support effective study, including access to past HSC papers, study rooms and teacher guidance. We encourage all Year 12 students to make the most of these opportunities, develop disciplined study routines and use their time purposefully as they work towards achieving their personal best.
To accommodate the consistent growth of the number of HSC students, for the first time this year, Malek Fahd Islamic School will operate two HSC exam centres. Our Greenacre students will sit the HSC exams at the Greenacre campus, and our Beaumont Hills and Hoxton Park students will sit the exams at our Hoxton Park campus.
May Allah (swt) support all our students to achieve their personal best, Insha’Allah.
A Note on Early Offers
As some students begin receiving early university offers, we remind our senior students and families that these offers should be seen as encouragement, not a reason to reduce effort. While an early offer can provide reassurance, it can also create a false sense of security if students begin to disengage from their studies before the end of the year. Final HSC results still matter. Strong results preserve future options, support scholarship opportunities, allow students to reconsider pathways if their interests change, and contribute positively to the overall strength of the cohort. Most importantly, maintaining consistent effort until the end reflects the values of discipline, responsibility and excellence that we seek to nurture in our students. Research shows that students who enter university with an early offer are less likely to graduate, when compared to students who enter using the ATAR. We encourage all students to finish well, honour the effort they have invested, and continue striving for their personal best.
Entrepreneurial Pathway
We are pleased to introduce the Entrepreneurial Pathway at our Greenacre Secondary campus this year, designed to support students who are interested in exploring trades, TAFE study, vocational learning, certificates, apprenticeships, traineeships, or earlier entry into the workforce. This pathway recognises that success after school can take many forms, and that not every student requires an ATAR to pursue a meaningful and successful future. Through this initiative, students will be supported to identify their strengths, interests and career goals, while exploring practical pathways that may help them fast-track employment and develop industry-relevant skills. At MFIS, we value every student’s journey and remain committed to helping each learner pursue a purposeful pathway that reflects their talents, aspirations and future ambitions.
Enrichment Program Expansion
We are pleased to share that the school’s Enrichment Program will be extended to Years 7–9 in 2027 in Greenacre. This initiative is designed to provide targeted opportunities for students who demonstrate strong academic potential, curiosity, creativity and a capacity for deeper learning. The school is currently in the process of identifying potential students for the 2027 Year 7 Enrichment Program using 2026 Year 6 data and is also considering appropriate assessment processes for students entering Years 8 and 9. Through this program, students will be supported and challenged through enriched learning experiences that extend their thinking, strengthen their skills and encourage them to strive for excellence. Further information will be shared with families as the identification and assessment processes are finalised. Please reach out to the Greenacre Primary and Secondary Heads of Campus for further information.
Melbourne Metrics
MFIS is pleased to be partnering with the University of Melbourne through the Melbourne Metrics program to strengthen how we understand, assess and recognise the qualities that matter most in our learners’ formation. Our aim is to ensure that we assess what we value and value what we assess. As education continues to evolve, particularly in a world where artificial intelligence is reshaping learning, work and society like a digital earthquake, it is increasingly important that schools look beyond content knowledge alone. Melbourne Metrics brings expertise in assessing complex competencies such as critical thinking, collaboration, communication, ethical reasoning and problem-solving. For MFIS, this work connects deeply with our Graduate Qualities, which represent the skills, dispositions and character we most value in our learners. Through this partnership, we hope to develop more meaningful ways of recognising student growth in the qualities that will help them flourish academically, spiritually, personally and socially, Insha’Allah.
https://education.unimelb.edu.au/melbourne-metrics
Removal of Year 7 Laptops from 2027
In recent years, MFIS introduced personal laptops from Year 7 to support students in developing digital literacy and confidence with technology. Following ongoing feedback from parents and teachers, the school has decided that the 2027 Year 7 cohort will not be provided with individual laptops. Instead, students will continue to develop digital skills through supervised and purposeful use of computer labs and class sets of laptops when required for learning. This approach reflects growing research that, while technology can support learning when used intentionally, constant access to personal devices can also create distraction for younger learners and reduce attention, engagement and learning quality. At MFIS, our aim is not to remove technology from learning, but to ensure it is used at the right time, for the right purpose, and in ways that support student focus, wellbeing and academic growth.
2025 Subject Selection
Subject Selection Information Sessions were scheduled 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. While we would like to cater for the many diverse learners, please be reminded that minimum student numbers are required for courses to run, and the school reserves the right to discontinue a particular course if enrolments are low.
We ask Allāh (SWT) to guide our students towards beneficial knowledge, righteous action, and pathways that will lead to success in this life and the next insha’Allah.
Half-Yearly Reports
Kindergarten to Year 10 students received their Half-Yearly Reports in Week 2, with Parent-Teacher afternoon scheduled for Week 7 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
We are also pleased to share that our recent NAPLAN results show encouraging growth across year levels and learning areas, improving in 18 out of 20 domains. While NAPLAN is only one measure of student progress, these results provide valuable evidence that our focus on explicit teaching, strong literacy and numeracy foundations, data-informed practice and targeted student support is having a positive impact. We are proud of the efforts of our students and grateful for the ongoing commitment of our teachers and families. As a school, we will continue to use this data thoughtfully to identify further areas of strength, respond to areas for growth, and ensure every student is supported to achieve their personal best.
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.
International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS)
Many students across campuses participated in the ICAS, a suite of internationally recognised full-colour online competitions. 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.
Primary Library and Reading Program
Primary students participate in regular library lessons and are strongly encouraged to borrow books from the school library to support their reading development. In addition, classroom library boxes provide students with regular access to hardcopy books throughout the school day. As children are increasingly surrounded by screens and digital content, the habit of reading physical books is becoming more important than ever. Regular reading supports vocabulary development, comprehension, concentration, imagination and critical thinking, while also strengthening the foundations needed for success in both literacy and numeracy. We encourage families to support this focus by making reading a regular and enjoyable part of their child’s daily routine.
Scholarships
The MFIS Student Scholarships and Bursaries Policy has been updated. All students are automatically considered for academic scholarships, as eligibility is determined using whole campus assessment data. You are encouraged to access the updated policy through the Parent Portal.
Wa Assalaamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh.
Ms Tulin Bragg, Deputy Principal Teaching & Learning
