Week 7 - 8 Term 4 2017

Message From CEO

NewsletterFortnightly

Spiritual Message

As Muslims we believe that perfection is only for Allah (SWT). All humans are fallible and have shortcomings. We accept that we make mistakes. However, when it comes to reality, not everyone finds it easy to admit their mistakes. It is only when we fail to acknowledge our fallibility, we find it hard to forgive others. Forgiving others is recognising that much like ourselves, they are far from perfect and prone to error.In many verses, Allah (SWT) encourages us to forgive others. Surat Aal‘Imran states ‘Those who control their rage and pardon other people – Allah loves the good-doers’ (3:133). In one hadith, the

Prophet (PBUH) said ‘those who do not show mercy, will not be shown mercy (by Allah), and those who do not forgive, will not be forgiven (by Allah).’Knowing that Allah (SWT) loves those who forgive, and hoping to both receive the forgiveness of Allah (SWT) and be among those whom Allah loves, should inspire us to forgive, even if only for the sake of Allah.Dr. Louay AbdulbakiHead of Islamic Studies and Arabic

In the name of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful Save the Dates

Assalamu Alaikum,Two months ago, our staff, parents and students completed a survey for our College to provide feedback on areas that were working well and areas that suggest improvement. In this newsletter I would like to share with you the key findings from the parent survey.Based on the below feedback, clearly our parent community view our College as a safe place, where our students are happy and feel a sense of belonging. Staff are seen to be positively working together to achieve a welcoming, clear and supportive vision for our students and community.

There are also areas that require improvement. Anti-bullying and student support are two areas that our K-12 Wellbeing team will be focusing on in 2018. We have already identified plans for 2018 to improve our sport participation, and we will begin our Gifted and Talented program to further challenge students and meet their needs. An area that requires further planning will be providing opportunities for our students to participate in community activities.We are keen to receive parent feedback, as this assists us to communicate more regularly and effectively, as well as providing the opportunity for Unity Grammar to foster a culture of continuous improvement.Lastly, I wish our Unity Grammar robotics students the best of luck in the National FLL Robotics competition this weekend. I can’t wait to see our students in action!Kind regardsAaron BoydChief Executive Officer (CEO)

7 DecemberYear 6 Graduation Ceremony11 DecemberSecondary School End of Year Assembly12 DecemberKindergarten - Year 2 End of Year Assembly13 DecemberYear 3 - Year 6 End of Year Assembly15 DecemberLast day of Term 4, 2017

Question Unity Grammar is a safe place to learn My child belongs at Unity Grammar Students present themselves with pride I enjoy reading the newsletter The College provides an inviting atmosphere to family members The College is achieving its vision I am satisfied with the Quran and Islamic Studies program Staff actively and effectively reinforce moral, ethical, and civic values Teachers are caring and supportive Schoolwork is appropriate for my child’s age I am satisfied with the quality of education Students have opportunities for sport and arts The curriculum is innovative and meets student needs Student support services are accessible and helpful Students are nurtured and challenged Students are encouraged to participate in community activities Bullying is dealt with in an effective manner

Strongly agree or agree % 96% 93% 92% 90% 88% 88% 87% 85% 85% 79% 78% 77% 72% 66% 66% 65% 65%

Junior SchoolNewsletterFortnightly

Week 7 - 8 Term 4 2017

Message From Junior SchoolAssalamu Alaikum,In 2017, the focus has been around aligning and fine tuning our practices in the area Numeracy. Part of the focus was ensuring our students are engaged in the learning and, so they have taken part in various curriculum based events such as World of Maths and

Maths Cup. It has been a year jam packed with hard work and wonderful and exciting developments across the Junior School. None of this would have been possible without the on-going dedication and commitment of our teachers.

Ms Aysheh AliNumeracy Instructional Leader

Assalamu Alaikum,

Students across Kindergarten to Year 6 are busy practising for End of Year Assembly performances.

As we will be saying goodbye to our Year 6 students, Year 5 will be stepping up to lead the Junior School with captains’ election for

2018 in the coming weeks. Details about the process will be sent home.

With all the exciting events in the next few weeks, 2017 will undoubtedly finish on a high.

Ms Shana KhanGrade Coordinator

JUNIOR SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTUnity Grammar at Sounds of Light Charity ConcertThe Unity Grammar Choir represented the College at the Sounds of Light Charity Concert on Saturday 25th November at Sydney Olympic Park. The students, led by their choir master Ms Reza, had the opening performance and sang beautifully. The students had the chance to meet some of the big name performers and were recognised by the event organisers. The College also recognised them for thier tremendous efforts in the mornign assembly and presented them with certificates of appreciation.

Year 2 students have been busy in preparation for the End of Year Assembly by decorating signs.

Year 2 have been enjoying swimming lessons with their classmates as part of the Swim Scheme.

Year 3 have been artistic in creating self portraits utilising their sketching skills and making paper mache.

Students in Kindergarten are participating in the Swim Scheme this week. These are some of our KR students enjoying their time at the pool.

Junior SchoolNewsletterFortnightly

Week 7 - 8 Term 4 2017

Year 5 students have been busy in Geography as they critically analysed and examined contemporary local land use, geographical characteristics, aboriginal presence, and the role of government.

Year 4 students recently designed their own neighbourhoods in Science. They have also visited the pool as part of the Swim Scheme!

Junior SchoolNewsletterFortnightly

Year 6 have also been busy learning new swimming skills as part of the Swim Scheme.

Week 7 - 8 Term 4 2017

Secondary School

Message From Middle School

NewsletterFortnightly

Assalamu Alaikum,I am very excited to commence the role of Girls Wellbeing Coordinator in 2018. I am thankful for the opportunity to mentor and lead an astounding cohort, and to work hand in hand with the Executive team to make dreams a reality for our students. As a founding staff member, 10 years strong, I aspire to represent and relentlessly serve the female students, to deliver on a vision that encompasses positive change for the future ahead.

The cornerstone of my post will be to ensure the overall wellbeing of girls is met, on College grounds and beyond the College gates. Academic and extracurricular programs will be implemented as part of the College fabric in upholding high standards and offering the best opportunities for our girls to express, progress and accomplish. Promoting behaviours through a new Behaviour and Reward System is just one of the grand initiatives ahead. Looking forward to 2018!

Ms Nahida SultanEnglish Coordinator

MIDDLE SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTIndonesian Students Visited Unity GrammarUnity Grammar has welcomed 33 students from Indonesia’s SMAN 71 Jakarta High School into our College for two days as part of their schooling program to promote English dialogue and understanding Australian values. Students enjoyed activities, classroom visits, presentations and sporting. Students from both backgrounds enjoyed sharing stories, similarities and explored differences in lifestyles to better understand one another. Our students demonstrated their leadership skills by mentoring and hosting their visitors and have established great friendships along the way.

Week 7 - 8 Term 4 2017

Secondary SchoolNewsletterFortnightly

High achieving Year 10 students were invited to participate in a Shakespeare workshop conducted at the State Library. These students had the opportunity to tour the library and visit the Shakespeare room.

Our students have been busy with the Yearly Examinations in Years 7 - 9 which concluded today.

Year 8 Visual Arts students have been exploring the notion of Cubism and Portraiture with bright colours, bold shape and strong line work over this Term. They have produced outstanding examples of art reflecting this unique period in art history.

Week 7 - 8 Term 4 2017

Secondary SchoolNewsletterFortnightly

As part of the ongoing team building initiatives the Year 10 boys attended the Paniq Room in Sydney. The students were broken into 3 teams. Each team had to work together to proceed through a series of missions.

Year 9 have displayed a wonderful understanding of the use of tools and materials needed to create refined tonal work on their etchings inspired by their visit to the Sydney Wildlife Aquarium.

Our Girls’ End of Year Welfare excursion was a hit with our Year 10 students who enjoyed one another’s company throughout the day and strengthened their sisterhood in The Chinese Garden of Friendship at Darling Harbour.

Week 7 - 8 Term 4 2017

Message From Senior School

Secondary SchoolNewsletterFortnightly

Week 7 - 8 Term 4 2017

Unity Grammar Secondary School students participated in the 2017 Tough Mudder run. Our team received $8000 in sponsorship from our very generous wider Sydney community through Penny Appeal.

Senior students participated in the White Ribbon Day March along with other schools, police, state and federal parliamentarians, community leaders and the general public. Our school captain was also selected to speak on the podium and denounce domestic violence.

Assalamu Alaikum,The last fortnight has certainly been a very eventful time for the Senior School at Unity Grammar. Students have been finalising their units of work for this Term in preparation for end of Term assessments. We wish them all the very best and I look forward to their results.I can also report with tremendous excitement that 12 students from our HSC cohort of 2017 have received early entry offers from leading universities well before the release of the HSC results. This is a wonderful validation of our quality teaching & learning and extracurricular

programs. Our spirit of volunteering and community service was extended to the Sounds of Light Concert where a number of students acted as marshals and ushers. The healthy balance of educational and extracurricular programs offered by Unity Grammar makes our College the perfect place to develop caring, balanced, well rounded citizens and leaders of the future.

Mr Osman KaroliaHead of Senior School