The Australian International Academy of Education declares and affirms that school programs and teaching practices embrace the following important principles: The promotion of peace, harmony and understanding through intercultural interactions. All Australians have equal rights before the law. We reject any form(s) of discrimination based on race, religion or sex. The rule of law and the respect of the rights of others. The values of fairness, openness, sharing and giving a hand, looking after neighbours, tolerance, understanding and acceptance. People are free to choose and practice their religions. But we reject those who preach violence and hatred in the name of any religion. The right of individuals to enjoy the freedom of speech, expression and association. But we reject verbal and written abuses and transgressions against others under the cover of freedom of speech and expression. The Australian system of democratically elected governments and councils is the best that serves the interest of all Australians.

Assalamu Alaykum Wr. Wb.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

School life at AIA CSSC is not only about educating our students inside the classroom, but also about sharing with the wider community, their happiness as well as their sorrows. Our hearts go out to the family of Ayah Elboden, a year 8 student at our sister campus in Coburg, who lost her long battle with illness. We ask Allah (swt) to ease her parent’s pain and grant her al Firdaous Insha’Allah.

Term 3 is shaping to be a brilliant term so far for our students at AIA CSSC. It began with the Hajj rituals and simulations which took place in the first week of Term 3. This was followed by the World’s Great Shave, where students had the opportunity to shave teachers’ hair to raise awareness about Leukemia and send a powerful message of hope to families currently facing blood cancer. Teachers and students raised money to donate to the Leukemia foundation. Like many communities around Australia and the world, the AIA community has been affected by this illness and we believe that it is our duty to do our part in raising awareness and raising funds for this vital cause. Pictures can be viewed on our Facebook page by clicking on the following link: https://www.aia.vic.edu.au/cssc

We are currently in week 5. Our students have been busy learning on site, despite the continuing challenges they have been facing due to the pandemic. Many students are still being affected, and have been following the correct procedure by staying home when sick. Teachers also continue to be affected. We have had a number of teachers not feeling well and required to isolate. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our teachers, students as well as parents a speedy recovery during these times. I also thank all parents who are doing the right thing when their children are sick, in keeping them at home to look after them and reduce the spread within the school community.

Our aim is to ensure our school continues to run efficiently and teachers have been working together to fill in the gaps when needed in order for our students to continue receiving the quality education that they deserve. The staff at AIA-CSSC continue to promote excellence which is reflected in their professionalism, their planning and their teaching practices. They will continue to support and nurture our students during these tough times as best as possible.

Parents’ information session for VCE & IB students

In 2021 our CSSC received the International Baccalaureate (IB) accreditation to run the Diploma Programme for Year 11 & 12 students. We are very excited that our first group of IB students began their journey this year. They will complete their IB Diploma studies in 2023 and receive their IB diploma certificates. At CSSC we pride ourselves in being able to provide for our senior students and be able to offer them both the VCE & IB Diploma programs. Both programs are recognised by all universities and we will endeavour to ensure we provide all our senior students the support required for the program they select to pursue. The school does not favour one program over the other. Students will find experienced teachers helping them and guiding them to achieve their ultimate success regardless of the program they study. In order for students to select the program which best suits their own skills and interests, we organised an information session for Year 10 parents and students on Wednesday 17 August 2022. Our teachers provided lots of information to help with choices ahead of going in to year 11 and 12 in 2023. We wish all our students success in their education and we will continue providing them with choices that suit their individual needs.

CSSC Facebook page

We now have our own CSSC Facebook page where we can celebrate and share with parents the wonderful activities taking place on our Senior Campus. Parents are able to access our Facebook page from our school website https://www.aia.vic.edu.au/cssc or by clicking on the following link:

https://www.facebook.com/aiacssc/

We encourage all parents to view our page and share it with their friends so that we can all share in the success and enjoyment of our students.

Uniform

In recent weeks, we have been experiencing cold weather in the morning. We have seen some of our students come to school wearing their puffer jackets which is not part of our uniform. We ask all parents to discourage their children from doing so, instead, encourage them to wear appropriate under garment clothing to combat the extreme weather. We recommend that students wear thermal clothing under their white shirts, as well as their school jumper, blazer, school gloves, scarves etc.

A reminder to all members of the CSSC community that correct school uniform is expected at all times including the school blazer which is compulsory and needs to be worn to and from school. Our uniform policy can be found in the student diary and on our new website:

https://www.aia.vic.edu.au/parents/uniform-shop.

Wearing the school uniform reflects our students’ pride in themselves and in their school. I ask all parents and guardians to make themselves familiar with the policy and support us in ensuring that our students are wearing the uniform correctly.

Rapid antigen tests

I am grateful to parents, students and staff for continuing with the Rapid Antigen Tests surveillance monitoring and for abiding by the quarantine regulations when testing positive for the virus. At times throughout the term, these absences have had an impact on staffing and I am grateful to the staff of CSSC for supporting colleagues in whichever way they can, as well as supporting students who have been required to remain at home.

2022 Staff responsibilities and contacts as listed:

Campus staff can be contacted via email: cssc@aia.vic.edu.au or phone 8372 5446.

Important calendar reminders for Term 3, 2022

Ali Harba

Head of Campus

Dear Parents and Students,

Below are a few reminders for Term 3.

Compass

Please check Compass regularly as we rely on Compass to communicate with our students and parents. Lesson plans, homework, assessments and information about the subject can be found on Compass. Chronicle entries written by teachers give you an indication on how you are performing at school.

In regards to detention, parents will be notified through Compass. After school detention takes place on Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. – 4:20 p.m.

Parent Teacher Conference

Parent Teacher conference will commence on the last day of Term 3. We highly encourage parents to meet with each teacher to discuss about their child’s progress. We are eager to work with parents to ensure the development of each student here at AIA.

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is defined as an “aggressive intentional act carried out by group or individual, using electronic forms of contact” (Smith et al. 2008). We are connected 24/7 through our devices, be it smartphones or laptops. Even though there are great benefits to social networking sites, negative engagement with these sites can result it cyberbullying.

Some forms of Cyberbullying include;

• Sending mean texts or direct message to someone or in chat groups.

• Pranking someone's cell phone.

• Hacking into someone's gaming or social networking profile.

• Being rude or mean to someone in an online space.

• Spreading secrets or rumours about people online.

• Pretending to be someone else to spread hurtful messages online.

Studies have shown that cyberbullying negatively impact teenagers. If a child is a victim of cyberbullying, we highly encourage parents to ensure that he or she gets the required support. Cyberbullying is not tolerated here at AIACSC. Any forms of cyberbullying conducted during school hours will be investigated and students will receive the necessary consequences. Cooperation from parents is very much appreciated.

Thank you.

Ms. Tanisha Raj

Year 9 City Experience

Year 9 City Experience will be taking place next term. At the start of the term, Year 9 students were asked to consider transport arrangements to and from the city office. Parents will be briefed with further information and expectations later in the term.

Social media

Social media is an important part of society today. Our students engage in the use of social media via different platforms offering chat rooms, online gaming and photo sharing. As a school, our message is to use these platforms appropriately. We can encourage the correct use of these platforms by using devices in communal areas, monitoring screen time, regularly checking in with our children to see who and how they are using their devices.

Vaping

Vaping has become one of the leading health concerns in schools. A vape can be concealed in many forms and created to look like regular school items like writing materials or USB sticks. By law, smoking and vaping are banned within grounds of all Victorian schools. The ban seeks to ensure that children and young people can attend school without being exposed to harmful second-hand smoke and vapour. Banning smoking and vaping in areas used by children and young people also discourages them from using tobacco or e-cigarette products. Please discuss these issues with your child as we have zero tolerance towards the use and possession of vapes at school.

Michael Riskas

Inspired by the Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC) two French teachers decided to start a similar online competition in France. They called it the ‘Kangaroo’ to pay tribute to their Australian friends. The competition was a big hit and has since been adopted around the world. It is now known as Kangourou sans Frontières: (Kangaroo without borders). It has grown to become one of the largest international mathematics competitions in the world, with more than 6 million participants annually.

Early this year selected students from years 6-10 had the opportunity to participate in the Kangourou sans Frontières (KSF) Math competition. We are pleased to announce that 6 of our students received a credit. Well done to the following students:

Rameen Talha (Year 6A)

Nael Butt (Year 6B)

Adam Ryan (7A)

Kian Syahputra (Year 7B)

Mohammad Alam (Year 7C)

Faatimah Ahmad (Year 8A)

On 3 August selected students from Year 6- 10 sat the Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC). The AMC is an engaging 30-problem competition that demonstrates the importance and relevance of mathematics in students’ everyday lives.

Ms Gadir Chebib

Last week, the Year 6 students were busy with an outdoors activity used to refine their skills in measuring lockers, mesh, and the size of the locker building. This activity was so engaging that the students continued working inside the classroom to calculate the perimeter and area.

This activity highlighted to the students how Mathematics can be used regulalry. Students were excited to check if they all got the same measurements and a general class discussion ended the successful double lesson.

The next topic will be understanding and measuring the volume of containers to familiarise students on how to calculate the capacity of different objects.

Mr Giuseppe (Joe) Failla

Science has been very engaging during Term 3, with the Year 6 students exploring the survival of organisms in particular environments. They conducted an experiment about discovering the most suitable fertiliser for the growth of broad bean plants by using organic fertiliser and inorganic fertiliser, along with an experimental group that had no fertiliser added to it to observe growth and survivability.

Students really enjoyed the process of planting the broad bean plants and were also able to design a suitable and accurate method for the first time. They collaborated with their classmates productively and exchanged ideas between one another.

The growth of the plants will be observed for the next 4 weeks where students will measure the height of each plant once a week. After sufficient time and growth, students will evaluate the results and will be able to determine the most suitable fertiliser for plant growth.

Moreover, Year 7 students are exploring the scientific classification of organisms during Term 3. They were assigned a task to create Dichotomous and Tabular keys using candy to experience the process scientists undergo when it comes to classifying organisms. They were very excited about the use of candy while learning and demonstrated an enhanced understanding with a hands-on method of learning.

Ms Mariam Kamarelddin

Great scientific experience in biological experimental design!

Our year 10 and 11 Biology students demonstrated a great competitive level of the key science skills while designing and performing their experiments as a part of Unit 1 Outcome 3.

Throughout this task, students were given the opportunity to develop, use and demonstrate their skills in a variety of chosen context that related to the Area of Study 1. They develop aims and questions, formulate hypotheses and make predictions, plan and conduct investigations, comply with safety and ethical guidelines, generate, collate and record data, analyse and evaluate data and investigation methods, construct evidence-based arguments and draw conclusions, and finally analyse, evaluate and finally, communicate their scientific ideas through developing their own scientific posters.

Students have also learned the fact that “In the spirit of science, there really is no such thing as a 'failed experiment.' Any test that yields valid data is a valid test” -Adam Savage

Great job Bio students, keep it up!

Hanan Ahmed

In English, Year 8 students are exploring the human condition through the reading and analysis of Lord of the Flies, and what happens when the constraints of rules and society are removed. They participated in the Survival Simulation Activity where students grouped up in tribes to survive on a deserted island. They were tasked with nominating a leader for their tribe, establishing rules and consequences by which to survive by and formulating an escape plan. They also engaged their decision making skills by responding to a number of possible scenarios that emulated the environment of a deserted island. By the end of the simulation, students gained a better understanding of human nature and reflected on their own natures.

“My voice was heard in my tribe because my leader would listen to what I had to say. I helped with deciding on the decisions.” (8B)

“I certainly am not a person who likes to be in charge.” (8B)

“In my tribe, my voice was sometimes heard but I was frustrated when we weren’t able to discuss our ideas.” (8B)

“I wanted to become the leader because everything was messed up.” (8B)

“I was a useful asset to my tribe because I was able to decide on an escape plan.” (8B)

“I would prefer to work by myself because, when in a tribe, not everybody agrees on particular stuff.” (8B

“We were able to relate to the experiences that the boys had in Lord of the Flies through this activity.” (8A)

“We realised the significant impact and consequences that a bad decision could have on the rest of our team.” (8A)

“I definitely like to be the leader more than I like to have someone tell me what to do.” (8A)

Yildiz Samci

To attain all the aspects of knowledge is an innate nature of mankind. Human studies extend from literature, maths and living creatures to non-living machines, computers and computer coding. Coding is a part of software that makes machines, computers, websites, and apps function the way we want them to perform. Coding can be very engaging. Our digital design students code in EdScratch, Python, and write HTML scripts for their websites, analyse data through Excel spreadsheets. Each line of codes, excel formula, HTML script causes something to happen in the console. Watching their ideas take shape step-by-step is an enormous pleasure, and the feeling after discovering a bug and fixing it is hard to replicate. Students attain programming and problem-solving skills in the Design and Technology lessons that can lay a solid foundation for lifetime pursuit of knowledge and career.

Sayeeda Chowdhury

I would like to start by emphasising the strong start to Term three that we have made in the Individuals and Societies Faculty. The Individuals and Societies curriculum encourages students to challenge themselves, so that they become creative, critical and reflective thinkers and learners that make connections between the topics they study and the real world that they live in. Thus, we endeavour to provide opportunities for our students to develop the necessary knowledge, attitudes and skills that will foster growth within them, so that they become productive members of their local, national and global communities. A way of doing this is by making learning meaningful. To promote meaningful learning, as a faculty, we will focus on the following topics and related statements of inquiry during Term three;

Mr. Nathan Jamieson

Ms. Tanisha Raj

Mr. Orhan Ozdamar

Hajj Simulation and Eid Commemoration Activities

On Friday July 22nd on what was a glorious winter’s day AIA CSSC held a day filled with activities to commemorate the Islamic occasions of Hajj and Eid Ul Adha. The day involved all students undertaking simulation of the main Hajj rituals. Led by the school Imam, Mr. Mohamad Al Jibaly, the students simulated the actions of:

• Intention and Talbiyah

• Tawaf around Kaaba model

• Drinking Zam water

• Sa’ee

• Mina Tents

• Arafat and final sermon

• Muzdalifah to collect stones

• Throwing of Stones (Jamrat)

The experience was invaluable in educating students about the significance of this pillar of Islam. Through actual practice the students were able to understand the key components of this obligatory requirement of our faith and gain an insight into the sacrifice that Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was prepared to make.

The experience was invaluable in educating students about the significance of this pillar of Islam. Through actual practice the students were able to understand the key components of this obligatory requirement of our faith and gain an insight into the sacrifice that Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was prepared to make.

The Hajj Simulation Activity was followed by an opportunity for students to enjoy some Eid festivities with carnival games, food trucks and an ice cream van on hand. The vibe was full of joy. The day culminated in the school community doing their part for the Leukemia Foundation and partaking in the World’s Greatest Shave. A select group of students and staff kindly nominated themselves to have their hair shaved for a most worthwhile cause.

Thank you to all those who helped to make it a fun and enjoyable day for all.

Hannan Joud