Alhamdulillah, this term has seen the completion of the Investing in Our Schools Program at Al-Hidayah Islamic School. The Investing in Our Schools Program was a $1.2 billion initiative of the previous government. The Australian Government provided $65,700 and the School contributed $8,500 for three projects which included; the Establishment of a Library, Refurbishment of Toilets and Provision of Playground Equipment.

Establishment of Library

To separate one of the classes into a small library and learning area, custom built room dividers were manufactured. Portable, double sided shelving was purchased for the books. “Accelerated Reader®” software and 550+ associated books were purchased to start off the school’s library collection. Accelerated Reader works through a couple of simple procedures. Firstly, the student selects a book within their reading range and then takes a computer-based quiz on the book they have read. After completing the quiz, the student receives immediate feedback about their success. Using this feedback in the form of a report, teachers can provide further positive feedback to each student, based on their quiz results. Teachers can also take this opportunity to encourage the student to select their next book to read, using the student's own enthusiasm to maintain momentum in the reading program.

Refurbishment of Toilets

Partitions were constructed in the boys and girls' toilet to create two new, separate male and female toilets for public use. A toilet and hand basin was installed in each of the newly created public toilet spaces. An extra staff toilet and hand basin was installed in the boys' toilet. All of the old toilets in the school were replaced with new dual flush systems. The non operational drinking taps next to the Islamic Studies facility were converted into an ablution trough for wudthu.