Al-Taqwa College

Al-Taqwa College aims to produce good reflective self-directed learners who have problem-solving skills and critical thinking abilities. It aims to be a place where the individuality of each person is recognised, and where that recognition is reflected in the College’s curriculum diversity and flexibility, diverse teaching strategies and student centered processes. The College aims to create a school environment that instills in students love and obedience to Allah (swt) in accordance with the sayings and deeds of the Prophet Muhammad (saw) and enables them to benefit from the teachings of the Holy Al-Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Mohammad (May peace be upon Him).Our Value Al-Taqwa College supports and promotes the principles and practices of the Australian democracy including a commitment to:

• Elected government
• The rule of the law
• Equal rights for all before the law
• Freedom of religion
• Freedom of speech and association
• The values of openness and tolerance

The Prophet Mohammad said ‘He who does not care about the youngest and does not respect the oldest, does not belong to the Muslim community’. It is this sense of caring and respect that underpins our school values. In doing so it adheres to the provision of:

• Quality learning – providing a high quality and inclusive education
• Honesty – being true to ones-self and true to others
• Respect – showing care and concern for other people and property
• Trust – instilling confidence that each person doing their part – trust in our teachers, trust in our programs
• Tolerance – understanding and celebrating diversity and individual differences
• Caring – encouraging the development of empathy

Vision of Al-Taqwa College will provide education opportunities to students in a caring, safe and healthy learning environment, which promotes quality education, and Islamic values and beliefs. Students are nurtured to be lifelong learners and encouraged to be proud Australian Muslim citizens of tomorrow.

At Al-Taqwa College, we aim to inspire the students to learn the Arabic language, Religion and Quran through a diverse and exciting curriculum. We are work hard to develop a systematic curriculum which is dynamic, balanced and simple to ensure that the students enjoy a practical, fun and challenging learning experience that prepare them to be proud Australian Muslims. The curriculum aims to:

•  Motivate the students to develop a love for their religion and the language of the Quran
•  Encourage students to become independent learners who have a responsibility to present their religion and be proud of it.
•  Enable students to use their acquired skills and knowledge to observe, think and stimulate their learning.
•  Learn, apply and practice the Islamic values and follows the path of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)

The Primary School at Al-Taqwa College caters for students from the Foundation level to Year Six. There are eight classes each in Foundation, Grade 1 and Grades 2, seven classes each in Grades 3 and 4 and six classes each in Grades 5 and 6.

At Al-Taqwa College, curriculum is designed to provide the students with a concrete foundation in literacy and numeracy. Our integrated study units include the Humanities (history, geography and economics), Science, Technology and Health. Library, LOTE (Arabic), IT, Religion, Quran and Visual Arts (Year 4-6) are taught by specialist teachers. Our Primary level sports program includes a swimming program for Years 1 and 2, GymSkool for Years Foundation – 4, lower and upper Primary Sports Day programs and a curriculum that focuses on skill development in all areas.
The Primary School provides a comprehensive curriculum that offers students a wide range of opportunities to develop their skills. As children develop at different rates, various teaching strategies and learning activities are implemented to cater for the individual needs and learning styles of students.

Learning activities are designed to make the learning experience interactive and enjoyable, through special days and weeks (e.g. Harmony Day, Clean Up Day, Tree Planting Day, Islamic Week, Arabic Week, Book Week, Science Week, and Literacy and Numeracy Week), and through a variety of excursions and incursions throughout the year.

Assessment is an integral and ongoing element of the learning process at Al-Taqwa College. It provides students with essential feedback and it informs and guides teachers in planning for learning activities. The depth of assessment practices in the Primary School enables teachers to build up a broad picture of how students are progressing, as well as their individual strengths and weaknesses. Assessment results support teachers in developing differentiated learning programs, and the setting of individual student goals.

At the beginning of the year, all students are assessed in the areas of reading fluency and comprehension, spelling and numeracy skills. Assessment results are recorded and tracked over the years. Areas of strength and weakness are identified and learning programs are developed accordingly. Other standardised and school-based assessments are carried out at varying times during the school year.

Primary School assessment practices include Formal and informal observations in the form of anecdotal notes, pre-tests, post-tests, etc. Regular and ongoing analysis of reading development through PM Benchmark Kits. Teacher-assessed tasks against identified AusVELS standards, usually in the form of written tasks and oral presentations (Integrated Studies). Skill development in Numeracy and Literacy assessed against identified AusVELS standards. Weekly spelling tests and topic pre-tests. Standardised testing (PAT – R, Comprehension and Vocabulary, PAT Mathematics) to support and guide our internal assessment practices. Written reports are provided to parents at the end of each semester covering all the key learning areas. Throughout the year, Parent-Teacher Interviews also play a crucial role in the feedback cycle. These meetings occur twice a year.

A diverse curriculum program is offered to students from the Preparatory Year (Foundation) right through to VCE level, with a range of core and elective subjects. The atmosphere adopted and developed is one in which learning is valued, excellence is encouraged and effort is recognised and praised.
In Years 7-9 a traditional core curriculum is compulsory and includes English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, LOTE (Arabic), IT, Islamic Studies, Quran, Physical Education, Personal Development, Art, Food Technology, Electronics and Horticulture.

In Year 10, students are exposed to more demanding learning in preparation for the VCE years. All students have the opportunity to study a VCE Unit 1 and 2 subject. The purpose of this is to introduce them to the demands and structure of VCE and allow, those who are able, to pursue a Unit 3 and 4 subject in Year 11.

In Years 11 and 12 our students study for VCE. Students can study a wide range of subjects and are assisted in the subject selection process by the College’s Career Counsellor, offering individual guidance and support. Since the commencement of 2014 the College has provided VCAL as an alternate pathway