Friday 29th:

Year Five Celebration

Monday 2nd - Friday 6th:

F-12 Headstart

Friday 6th:

Whole College Assembly

Year 12 Graduation

Monday 9th:

Activity Day

MS/SS Last Day

Tuesday 10th:

JS Awards Ceremony

JS Last Day (Early Finish)

Awards Night (MS/SS)

Wednesday 11th - Friday 13th:

Curriculum Day (No Students)

Term Four Ends

January 31st:

Term One Begins

Assalamu Alaikum,

Dear Parents, Students, Staff and Friends of Mt Hira College,

Alhamdulillah the 2019 School Year is almost over and this our last

Newsletter for 2019. Students have completed their exams and teach-

ers have written their reports. Reports will be given out on Tuesday 10th

December, 2019 which is the last official day of term involving students.

Please collect your child’s report on this day. Next week (Week 9) we

will have the 2020 Headstart Program commencing where all current

students will be going into their 2020 classes and meeting their teachers

for next year. Our new students will also be attending our Headstart

Program.

We will be celebrating the Year Five students having successfully com-

pleted their Junior School this afternoon at 5:00 pm followed by a Din-

ner organised by our parents. I would like to take this opportunity to

congratulate all forty-five ‘graduating’ students and wish them every

success in Middle School next year.

Our thirty-six Year Twelve students have also completed their exams

and are now looking forward to their Graduation Ceremony which will

be held on Friday 6th December, at The Grand Reception in Mulgrave.

Their ATAR scores will be out at 7:00 am on Thursday 12th December,

2019.

Just a number of important announcements:

Headstart for Foundation to Year Twelve will commence in Week

9 (2nd – 6th December, 2019)

The last fay for Junior School will be Tuesday 10th December, 2019

The last day for Middle School and Senior School will be Monday

9th December, 2019 with their Awards Night being held on Tues-

day 10th December at 6:00 p.m. in the College Gymnasium

All reports will be distributed on Tuesday 10th December, 2019

Last day for our staff will be Friday 13th December, 2019

Term One, 2020 commences on Friday 31st January 2020 for all

students from Foundation to Year Twelve

I wish you all a very safe restful Summer Break and look forward to see-

ing all back in 2020!

May Allah protect you all, safeguard our school and guide us all in His

Straight Path – Amin.

Yours faithfully,

Mr. Kadir Emniyet

Principal

Dear Junior School,

Preparations for Headstart and the 2020 Academic Year are well under way. Junior School teach-

ers have been planning activities that will engage students as well as excite them about the up-

coming year.

It is important to breakdown some of the processes involved in organising students for next year so

that parents can gain a better understanding of the work that goes into classroom and teacher

allocations. Teachers and leaders put conscious effort into weighing up the most effective combi-

nations. These need to be ideal for both students as well as teachers. Balancing academic levels,

students with emotional or wellbeing needs, behavioural concerns as well as learning difficulties

are some of the things taken into consideration when setting up a classroom. It is a tedious task,

which requires a lot of time, thought and effort by all involved.

Sometimes it may be perceived that children have been separated from their friends, or that an-

other teacher is the better option. Although some parents raise their concerns about the outcomes

of the selection process, I want to kindly remind all parents that as a College, unless very well war-

ranted, we are likely to be strict in our decisions. It is important for our children to learn how to

adapt to change and to different approaches and styles of teaching. This is crucial in building resili-

ence. It is also important to bear in mind that a change requested might appear simple, but inter-

nally, this can cause us numerous flow effects and imbalance. Any concerns should be brought

directly to a member of leadership; teachers should not be approached directly under these cir-

cumstances. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support.

Parents may have noticed the reduced cost of book packs for 2020. This is due to the lesser total

items that need to be ordered. Students will be receiving one of items such as scissors, rulers, textas,

crayons and coloured pencils. This approach is designed for both cost efficiency but more im-

portantly, we would like to help students become more conscious of the waste they are producing

and take more responsibility in taking care of their belongings.

Our Year Five students are finalising preparations for their celebration. They are working hard with

their teachers to make their final Junior School event a memorable one for all. A sad and joyous

event in one for both Junior School teachers and the Year Five students. We are looking forward to

seeing all of our Year Five parents on the night to celebrate this event.

A few reminders…we have the Year Five Celebration on the 29th of November, Headstart com-

mencing on the 2nd of December, Activity Day on the 9th of December, and our Junior Awards Cer-

emony on the 10th of December. A great time of year for all of us.

Regards,

Ms. Hulya Ucler

Head of Junior School

Assalamu Alaykum

Year Six-Information Evening

Year Five students and parents attended the Year Six Information Evening on the 13th of November, 2019.

Parents had the opportunity to listen to the transitional changes, which will take place when their child

enters Middle School in 2020. Thank you to all the parents who attended the night and I look forward to

working with your children in the future.

Scholarships

Well done to all of the Middle School recipients who applied, produced wonderful portfolios, sat the ex-

amination and had an interview with leadership. Congratulations to the students who qualified and re-

ceived a scholarship for 2020.

Examinations

Middle School examination took place from the 15th of November to 22nd November 2019. The students

had to use their skills with reviewing and summarising learnt skills from this semester. Inshallah everyone

will have great results, which will be reflective in their Semester Two reports.

Activity Day

Activity Day is scheduled for our Middle School students on the 9th of December, 2019. The Year Six stu-

dents are off to Clip and Climb and then they will put their feet up and watch a movie. The Year Seven

students will have an awesome time at Tunzafun Rush and movies and the Year Eight students will go off

to Trees Adventure.

Awards Night

The Annual Awards Night is fast approaching and will be held on Tuesday the 10th of December, 2019, in

the College Gymnasium. All members of our community are welcome to attend and congratulate the

students who will receive awards for the different subject categories during 2019. I look forward to seeing

you there.

I wish everyone a safe and relaxing holiday and hope to see you all refreshed back in 2020.

Ms. Ayse Erenli

Head of Middle School

Assalamu Alaykum.

Senior School students and staff have been working hard to complete final assessment tasks as we approach the

end of Term Four. Whilst we have concluded 2019 curriculum and assessment, we will be commencing 2020 cours-

es during a week-long Head Start program from Monday the 2nd of December to Friday the 6th of December. Fol-

lowing this, we will be celebrating our students’ achievements at the Middle and Senior Awards Night on Tuesday

the 10th of December.

Year Ten students have just finished their Semester Two examinations and are looking forward to commence their

VCE studies soon. We will be analysing students’ results next week and meeting with them individually to determine

their final VCE program for 2020. Students are advised not to order their textbooks for 2020 until they receive written

confirmation of their VCE enrolment for 2020.

Year Eleven students are enthusiastically looking forward to progressing to the final stage of their schooling as they

commence Year Twelve classes in Head Start. Students will have the opportunity to discuss changes to their VCE

program during Head Start and are reminded to finalise their subjects prior to the conclusion of Term Four. Year

Eleven students are advised to purchase their textbooks for 2020 as early as possible so that they can utilise the

summer holidays to prepare for their Unit 3 and 4 classes.

Year Twelve students completed their final Unit 3 and 4 external examinations over the past three weeks. These ex-

aminations were the culmination of a challenging year of study and preparation. Every student is feeling relieved

and jubilant that this stressful period has finally come to an end. Students will receive their results on Thursday the

12th of December. Our Careers Coordinator has e-mailed students a detailed guide outlining the different ways in

which the results can be accessed and students are advised to read this carefully. The Careers Coordinator will be

available on Thursday the 12th of December and Friday the 13th of December to assist students to change their uni-

versity and/or TAFE course preferences after the release of the VCE results. Our counsellor, Ms. Bogarts, will also be

available to support students on Friday the 13th of December and Monday the 16th of December. While we pray

that our students achieve the results they hope for, it is important to keep in mind that there are many pathways

that lead to students’ desired careers. I wish the Class of 2019 all the best for the future. May Allah guide them as

they navigate life in the wider society and may He keep them steadfast in their faith.

I would like to thank the Senior School community for a wonderful year. Thank you for trying your best and contrib-

uting to another successful year of education. I wish you a safe and relaxing summer holiday and look forward to

see you at the commencement of Term One, 2020 on Friday the 31st of January.

Ms. Nazreen Amirudin

Head of Senior School

Communication in Islam-PART 2

Dear Parent/Guardian, Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu,

I hope and pray to Allah that the following message will enhance our understanding of our faith.

Talking is the basic means of communication among people. Wishes, desires, feelings, thoughts, experi-

ences and knowledge are transmitted by talking. People are thinking and speaking beings. Speaking is

a part of daily life. Talking is an effective method of communication in all aspects of life. People general-

ly communicate with each other by talking in business life, education, at home and in streets.

Speaking is one of the most effective methods. Informing people, attracting their attention, enlightening,

persuading and motivating them is carried out by speaking. Language is the instrument of speaking.

Words are the meaningful utterances pronounced by the tongue. That is why these words should be

chosen wisely, used in proper place and in accordance with the object targeted by the speech. Allah

the Almighty states in a verse:

“Due to the mercy of Allah, you deal with them gently. If you had been rude and hard hearted, they

would certainly have dispersed from around you. Pardon them therefore, and ask forgiveness for them,

and consult them in the matter. When you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Surely Allah loves who

rely (upon Him).”

There is a famous Turkish proverb “Tatlı dil yılanı deliğinden çıkarır” which can be roughly translated as

you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. It is stated in another proverb: “Speech is silver,

but silence is gold”.

Mr. Muhammed Sezgin

Head of Religious Affairs/RE Domain Leader

Last week all Middle and Senior School students completed their Semester Two Examinations. It

was a challenging and demanding week for students, who have been required to review and

master the skills and knowledge taught over the last six months and then display this within their

examination answers.

With an eye to preparing all students for their eventual VCE examinations, the College is slowly

introducing students to the requirements, environment and pressures associated with these exter-

nal examinations. For the Year Eight students, this process began with completing their first exami-

nation in the Gymnasium with other Year Levels. For the Year Eleven Students, their examinations

covered content from both Semester One and Two, instead of just one semester and the length

of their examinations became longer to mimic the examinations they will be required to com-

plete next year.

The student cohort has dealt with the pressures associated with examinations very well over the

last week. It is now very important for the students to make time over their extended weekend to

rest, de-stress and dedicate time to their leisure activities they have been sacrificing recently in

order to prepare for the examination period.

Mr. Jack Franklin

Head of Student Engagement

SHORT COURSES AT JMC ACADEMY

Short Courses are a great opportunity for creative-thinkers aged fifteen and above to get a

unique insight into life at JMC Academy while engaging in a fun, hands-on program relating to

their own creative passion. The JMC Academy offers courses that are between two and five

days long in the following areas in January 2020:

• Character Design (2-days)

• Recording and Mixing a Band (2-days)

• Songwriting and Production (4 -days)

• Script to Screen Filmmaking (5-days)

When: All courses start on 20 January 2020

Where: Melbourne campus

For more information, cost and to RSVP, visit: https://www.jmcacademy.edu.au/events/

upcomingworkshops

MY HEALTH CAREER WEBSITE

My Health Career is a fantastic website that has career resources such as information sheets

and videos about careers in several health fields including physiotherapy, dentistry, optometry

and occupational therapy. Check it out at: https://www.myhealthcareer.com.au/

Careers Coordinator

White Ribbon Day – 22nd November, 2019

On White Ribbon Day – Friday 22nd November, 2019, Mt Hira College highlighted and promoted

awareness around violence against women. This is where communities comes together and as a

whole school approach we shared the message to stand up, speak out and act by saying ‘no’

to gendered violence.

On this day, students were educated around how we aim to create an Australian society where

all women can live in safety, free from violence and abuse. The White Ribbon movement is the

world's largest movement engaging men and boys working to end men's violence against wom-

en and where women and girls, promote gender equality and create a new vision of masculini-

ty.

Delicious cupcakes were given to staff for morning tea, a pledge was put up for students and

staff to sign and receive a white ribbon, then we completed the day with a strong message from

an Islamic perspective as part of the Friday Prayer sermon.

A small exert from the Friday’s sermon:

“Compassion is about treating one’s family with fairness, kindness and affection. Affection was

another indispensable value in the family of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). In the home, he would

neither break anyone’s heart, nor speak rudely or offensively to anyone. He would not scold any-

one or use vulgar words. He would never resort to violence, now would he ever let any woman

or child be harmed in any way”…

As awareness is highlighted, this will hopefully, bring down the statistics that are currently circulat-

ing…

Thank you for showing your support.

Ms. Rose Boggarts

School Counsellor

As we have approached the end of the academic year – 2019, I take this wonderful opportunity to congratu-

late and thank all the students and teachers at Mt. Hira College for their valuable contribution towards Sci-

ence throughout this year. I am confident that the students at each year level have had a wonderful Science

learning experience during this year that would envisage building up their potential further. In particular, a few

of the many dynamic activities viz., National Science Week, World Environment day, Science Demo Day etc.,

have been thoroughly enjoyed by the students this year.

Our budding Year Six students have done an amazing ‘Electronic Project’ during this term and displayed their

working models under the guidance of Ms. Mazni highlighting the effects of their concrete learning experienc-

es in Science. The Middle and Senior School students have completed their Semester-Two Examinations suc-

cessfully and will be actively engaged with a planned Headstart activities. I would encourage the students to

sustain their learning during this time and be prepared for 2020.

The Mt. Hira College Science Team have planned many engaging and competitive IT and STEM activities for

2020 and I am sure that students across all year levels will surely benefit from these. I invite all the students to

look at the ‘Weekly Science Space – Wall’ in the Junior and Middle School corridors. This will have weekly up-

dates of Science news from around the world, a Science Quiz, list of high achieving as well as most improved

students in Science.

Last but not the least, I wish all the very best to our Senior Students, who sat their VCE Examination recently and

are going to pursue their further education.

My wishes and compliments of the New Season to you all! Have an exciting and restful break.

Mr. Peter Louis

Science Domain Leader

Year Six ‘Buzzing’

During this term, the Year Six students had a fantastic time learning about electricity and experi-

menting with circuits. They explored the different conductors and insulators of electricity. The high-

light of the topic is producing a Buzzer using a rotor mechanism powered by a DC motor. The Year

Six students did an amazing job demonstrating how the various Buzzers work. They were excited at

their own achievement and they were very proud of themselves.

Excellent work Year Sixes!

Ms. Mazni Muhamad-Kadir

Year 6M Form Teacher

The end of the school is year is almost upon us and the next few weeks will be the busiest for Mt Hira

College.

Students will be undertaking their last examinations for the year and will be eager to see all their

hard work this semester come into fruition. We wish the students well in their results and hope for the

best outcomes to end their academic year.

All Humanities classes will also be completing their Head Start program to introduce next year’s Civ-

ics and Citizenship Unit. Students will discuss key knowledge and learn key skills required to succeed

in Term One.

Students are encouraged to read through the relevant textbook unit over the holiday, to be ready

for a strong start in 2020.

From all of the Humanities Domain members, we wish students, parents, guardians and the entire Mt

Hira College community, a safe and restful summer break!

Ms. Diala Nahas

Humanities Domain Leader

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh parents and guardians. We are fast approaching the end

of the semester and I am pleased to report that it has been a successful term for the HPE Domain. We

have been successful in organising and executing numerous activities throughout the year for all students

from Junior, Middle and Senior School in 2019.

Students from Year Five and Six were involved in annual Islamic School Competition. It was a competitive

interschool competition among all Islamic Schools here in Victoria. Students competed in futsal and bas-

ketball at the Coburg Basketball Stadium. Both boys and girls portrayed all College values and along with

great sportsmanship.

We were also pleased to welcome the St Kilda Football Club back to our campus for the “Play To Your

Strength” program which is a two week health and wellbeing program with the Year Seven and Eight stu-

dents.

Mt Hira College was again successful with the Sporting Schools Grant for both the Primary and Secondary

School application for Term 4. Year Three, Four and Five (Junior) and Year Seven and Eight students were

the chosen recipients for the grant. Year Seven and Eight students participated in a basketball and rugby

program, Year Four and Year Five students participated in a basketball program while the Year Three stu-

dents were involved in a volleyball program.

The Year Four and Year Five students successfully participated in the St Kilda FC Multicultural Football com-

petition at Tattersons Park in Keysborough against other schools within the district. The Foundation and Year

One students completed their swimming program at the Toby Haenen Swim Centre in Chelsea recently as

well.

Thank you and looking forward to 2020.

Mr. Desmond Khoo

HPE Domain Leader

Dear Parent/Guardian, Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu,

The students in Year Six had an opportunity to visit the Islamic Museum of Australia this term.

It was an experience for our students to understand the Islamic tradition and culture. The

Islamic Museum of Australia provides educational and cross-cultural experiences and show-

cases the artistic and cultural heritage of Muslims in Australia and abroad. Through the five

galleries – Islamic Faith, Islamic Contributions to Civilisation, Art, Architecture and Australian

Muslim History - the museum fosters a more nuanced and realistic understanding of what it

means to be an Australian Muslim.

Mr. Muhammed Sezgin

Head of Religious Affairs / RE Domain Leader

The Islamic Museum was a really

great experience for me since I man-

aged to bring myself closer to my

faith and my culture. I also learnt and

understood more about the Islamic

community in Australia.

Adem Efe Temel 6T

Year Two students:

During their Religious Education lesson

the students had the opportunity to visit

the Keysborough Turkish Islamic and Cul-

tural Centre Mosque to understand the

importance of prayer and congregation.

The aim of the excursion was to teach

the students how to pray, the mosque

etiquette and wudu (ablution) accord-

ing to the Prophet’s teaching. Thank you

to Ms Nurain and Ms Karataş for

organising the excursion.

Mt Hira is taking part in “Movember”

DONATE NOW!

www.moteam.co/mthiramen

LAST CHANCE

2020 Term Dates Term One: 31/01 - 27/03

Term Two: 14/04 - 26/06

Term Three: 13/07 - 18/09

Term Four: 05/10 - 08/12