OTHER SCHOOL NEWS
Year 9 and 10 Queensland Camp
Sherryn Martin
The Gold Coast camp is fast approaching and has now entered the final stages of planning. Students received letters this week outlining the final costings, travel insurance application forms and medical forms. These must be returned to Mrs Martin by week 2 of term 3. Final payment of the camp is due by September 1st. Students wishing to withdraw from the camp at this late stage may be liable for the full cost of the camp so it is very important that any student not attending notify Mrs Martin by 20th June 2016.
Fifty and Fabulous Concert
EVENTS
Fifty and Fabulous Concert – Friday, August 26, 7.30, Costa Hall
Tickets are available from GPAC for the Fifty and Fabulous Concert. Simply go to the GPAC website https://www.gpac.org.au/event/722/fifty-and-fabulous-concert or visit GPAC, 50 Little Malop Street, Geelong (opposite the Geelong Library).
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Growing Understanding: NGSC’s Iftar Party
Katherine Roberts
On Thursday 16th June, NGSC hosted a party to foster friendships and understanding between Muslim and non-Muslim members of the school community. This lunar month is the month of Ramadan and many of our students are fasting during daylight hours, but we learnt that Ramadan is not only about refraining from eating. It is also a time for people to reflect on their lives and to focus on how they can help love and support others. The self-discipline and sacrifice required during this time aims to cultivate empathy and charity towards those who are less fortunate.
At sundown each day during Ramadan, people break their fast with ‘Iftar,’ which often consists of specific kinds of foods, followed by a main meal. During the event held in the BER building on Thursday evening, members of the school and local community joined together to share the Iftar meal as well as a larger meal, which was prepared by parents of students at the school. There were over 200 people in attendance, both Muslims and non-Muslims, who ate delicious food and socialised together.
The Iftar event was the final project of an educational and leadership program facilitated by the Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights. Around 25 of our female students participated in these workshops throughout Term 2. During the program, the girls learnt about their rights and responsibilities as members of Australian society, set personal goals and devised plans for their futures. They then organised this huge event, and came up with ideas for keeping attendees entertained and sharing information during the three hour event. These ideas included a Q&A session, workshops (calligraphy, tile art, fashion, and henna), face painting for the kids, an informative poster display, and a chai khana (tea café). Moshtagh Haidari, a past student of NGSC, was the MC for the night.
A huge congratulations to the girls on this wonderful evening.
MULTICULTURAL Committee NEWS
The second and final Multicultural meeting for Term Two was held on Monday June 6th.
We had our student guest speakers: Farzana and Freshta update us on the upcoming Multicultural Event “Iftary Party” (Thursday June 16th) where we will celebrate together and break down the barriers between Muslims and non-Muslims in our local community. A group of our NGSC girls have been participating in specialised leadership training with the Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights. As part of this project, they have organised an event called 'Iftary Party’ to which everyone is invited.
This was the Committee’s final meeting for this term and as holidays are approaching I wish one and all a very restful and safe winter holiday.
The next Multicultural Committee meeting will be on Monday July 25th.