Secondary: Literacy & Humanities Week

The Islamic College of Melbourne proudly celebrated Literacy and Humanities Week 2026, a vibrant and engaging week dedicated to promoting literacy, critical thinking, creativity, and a deeper understanding of the world around us. Throughout the week, held between the 8th to 15th of May, students participated in a wide range of activities that showcased the importance of communication, culture, history, and civic engagement while strengthening connections across the school community.

One of the standout events of the week was ICOM Talks, where students in Years 10–12 demonstrated exceptional public speaking skills by delivering speeches on themes centred around responsibility, justice, and global citizenship. Students impressed both judges and audiences with their confidence, insight, and ability to articulate thoughtful perspectives on issues that matter to them and their communities.

Creativity was also celebrated through the Short Story Competition, which encouraged students to explore and express their identities through writing. The quality of submissions was outstanding, reflecting the imagination, talent, and diverse experiences of our students. Winning entries were recognised for their originality and powerful storytelling.

Students embraced opportunities to collaborate and problem-solve through activities such as the ICOM Grand Amazing Race and the highly anticipated Murder Mystery Competition. The Amazing Race challenged teams to work together while navigating clues and completing tasks around the school, while the Murder Mystery saw students analyse evidence, question suspects, and apply their reasoning skills to solve an intriguing case. Both events generated significant excitement and participation throughout the week.

Academic excellence was on display through the Spelling Bee, which showcased the impressive vocabulary and spelling abilities of students across Years 7–9, and the House Feud Competition, where students represented their houses in a spirited literacy and humanities trivia challenge. Daily quizzes, including the popular Guess the Historical Quote competition, further encouraged students to engage with historical, geographical, civic, and literary knowledge in enjoyable and interactive ways.

A highlight of the week was the celebration of culture through the ICOM MasterChef Competition, where students prepared dishes that reflected their cultural heritage. The event provided an opportunity for students to share their traditions through food while demonstrating creativity and culinary skill.

The school community also came together for ICOM Market Day, where students applied entrepreneurial and business skills to organise and operate market stalls. The event successfully raised funds for Gaza, demonstrating the strong commitment of ICOM students to service, compassion, and social responsibility.

The week concluded with a colourful Character Day, where students and staff celebrated memorable literary and historical figures through creative costumes. The event highlighted the joy of reading, storytelling, and historical learning while adding a sense of fun and school spirit to the final day of celebrations.

Literacy and Humanities Week 2026 was a tremendous success and reflected the values that underpin an Islamic education: knowledge, reflection, communication, and service to others. We congratulate all students who participated, the staff who organised and supported the events, and the wider school community for embracing the week with such enthusiasm. The many achievements and memorable moments throughout the week served as a reminder that literacy and humanities education empowers students to become thoughtful, informed, and engaged members of society.