Assalamualaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh.

Dear Parents, Guardians and Students,

Alhamdulillah, 2025 has been a year of purpose, progress and positivity at the Islamic College of Melbourne. From the first day of Term 1 to the final weeks of Term 4, our students have embraced a rich tapestry of learning experiences with enthusiasm and resilience. Such experiences will support them as they grow academically, spiritually and beyond.

This year marked a historic milestone with the launch of ourDiploma of Islamic Leadership (ILEAD) Program, the first of its kind in Australia and exclusive to ICOM. Developed in-house, ILEAD is our accredited program designed to nurture the next generation of Islamic leaders. It represents a significant step forward in structured, faith-based leadership education, Insha Allah.

Our Meet the Teacher Information Nights early in the year were a great success, allowing parents to connect with their children’s teachers. We also proudly introduced our captains and prefects and honoured the achievements of our 2024 Year 12 high achievers.

Term 1 was action-packed with events including Athletics Days, ICOM Kindness Week, Ramadan celebrations and Multicultural Week. These activities enriched student learning with purpose and meaning.

Celebrating Unity and Identity

During our Athletics Days, house celebrations and competitions were on full display:

Blue House (Faith/Iman) topped the Secondary Boys’ event.
Red House (Wisdom/Hikmah) led the Secondary Girls’ event.
Yellow House (Knowledge/Ilm) won the Primary event.

Kindness Week in Primary saw students wearing soft pastel colours and taking part in activities that promoted compassion, empathy and respect. The program also encouraged students to reflect on the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who taught that even a smile is an act of charity.

Multicultural Week celebrated the vibrant cultures of the STAN countries; Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan. Students explored traditional foods, languages, and customs, culminating in a colourful Multicultural Day.

Running alongside these events was our Orphan Sponsorship Campaign, through which we raised a phenomenal amount, Alhamdulillah. A heartfelt thank you to all who contributed and may Allah (SWT) reward your generosity abundantly.

Ramadan, Eid & Spiritual Moments

Ramadan was warmly embraced across the school. We hosted three iftars for Senior Primary, Secondary and Year 12 students, and a serene, spiritually uplifting Qiyam Night for the college’s Year 12 boys. Alhamdullilah, students thoroughly enjoyed the Qiyam, which was an evening filled with Qur’an recitation, dhikr and heartfelt dua.

We joyfully celebrated Eid with our vibrant Eid Festival, the largest holiday celebration of any Islamic school, filled with carnival rides, smiling faces and memorable moments of unity.

A highlight of the year was our Annual Quran Competition in Primary and Secondary Schools with students competing in various categories. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, ‘Allah has His own people among mankind.’ The companions said, 'O Messenger of Allah, who are they?' He said, 'The people of the Qur'an, the people of Allah and those who are closest to Him.' Subhan Allah, what a great honour to achieve. In this spirit, our Annual Qur’an Awards Night was an evening of spiritual beauty. We honoured our Quran Competition high achievers, including four students who completed their memorisation of the entire Quran and were formally recognised as Hafiz. May the Qur’an be the guiding light for all our students in this life and the next, Ameen.

Enriching Learning Beyond the Classroom

Term 2 brought many highlights:

Hajj Week gave students a hands-on experience of this sacred journey, complete with camel rides, a beautifully crafted Kaaba and a display of Hajj replicas, in addition to students wearing Islamic attire to school on Hajj Dress-Up Day.
The Meet the Professionals event in Secondary connected Year 12 students with industry experts and returning ICOM alumni. Now well established in their fields, guests shared stories of their career journeys, offering inspiration and insight to our students.
Literacy Week encouraged students to ‘Book an Adventure’, with memorable activities, including the most-anticipated Murder Mystery, Amazing Race, ICOM MasterChef and Character Dress-Up Day.
Year 4 and Year 7 students participated in their annual sleepovers, building confidence and resilience through fun, faith-based activities. It was another fantastic opportunity for students to step out of their comfort zones.

Throughout the year, our students enjoyed meaningful camps and retreats:

Year 5 visited Sovereign Hill, immersing themselves in Australia’s rich history.
Year 6 journeyed to Canberra to explore our nation’s democracy and experience Australia’s parliamentary system first-hand.
ILIAS students participated in their annual Quran camp: a spiritually enriching experience focused on deepening their connection with the Quran and Sunnah.
Year 9 students embraced the great outdoors with two separate wellbeing camps tailored to boys and girls. Each of these experiences offered students valuable moments of growth and discovery beyond the classroom.
Year 12 enjoyed a productive study retreat, benefiting spiritually and academically as they prepared for their final exams and the transition beyond school life.

Wellbeing, Innovation & New Beginnings

In the spirit of the hadith of our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) - ‘The most beloved people to Allah (SWT) are those who benefit others the most, and the most beloved of actions to Allah (SWT) is pleasure and happiness that you cause to enter the heart of a Muslim’- ‘Sunnah to Smile’ Mental Health Week was a great new initiative this year. It highlighted emotional wellbeing through Islamic teachings, promoting mindfulness, self‑care and positivity.

STEM Week was another highlight of the year, with electrifying incursions that brought science, technology, engineering and mathematics to life. Alhamdulillah, under this year’s theme, ‘Discovering Allah’s Grand Design’, the week combined exciting incursions and dress‑up activities that deepened both understanding and faith.

In Term 3, we welcomed prospective families to our 2026 Information Nights. I had the pleasure of meeting many new faces and sharing insights into the college’s programs and values. Building strong relationships from the outset is key, and we are committed to supporting every new student on their ICOM journey.

Celebrating Success & Growth

Term 4 was filled with joy and celebration with six grand end of year events:

Our youngest students shone at the Foundation Concert, a memorable milestone in their first year of school.
The Year 6 Graduation Ceremony marked a proud transition for students and their families as they prepared to enter Secondary school.
Our Year 12 Graduation Ceremony celebrated the end of school for students in our three outstanding pathways: VCE, IB and VM.
The Secondary Annual Awards Night recognised academic excellence and student achievement throughout the year.
Our annual Principal’s Lunch event honoured outstanding students for their exemplary behaviour and excellence throughout the year.
The college’s Hijab Day instilled pride and confidence via engaging students in a range of special activities.

A major highlight of the year was the official opening of our Admin and Wellbeing Centre, a landmark investment in our future. This state-of-the-art facility includes:

A modern sick bay
Outside School Hours Care area
Dedicated Qur’an memorisation space
Event and exam halls
Wellbeing and counselling rooms
Creative Arts, Language and Technology spaces
Purpose-built areas for the ILEAD Diploma Program

This achievement is a testament to ICOM’s vision for excellence in Islamic education, driven by exceptional staff and world-class programs.

Looking Ahead with Hope and Faith

As I reflect on this remarkable year, I extend my deepest gratitude to our teachers, support staff, students, and families. Your dedication, effort, and trust have shaped a year filled with barakah and growth.

May Allah (SWT) accept our efforts and grant continued success, unity, and progress to our ICOM community. I eagerly look forward to what 2026 will bring, Insha Allah.

Wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Dr. Abdul M. Kamareddine, College Principal

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