The Curriculum provides teachers with a framework that encourages in-depth thinking and offers opportunity for students to make connections about themselves, as Australian Muslims, with the local, national and international community. The aim is to create a broad and inclusive curriculum that is Islamic, engaging, relevant, challenging and significant to the learners. It is an inquiry based learning approach that focuses on developing students’ knowledge, skills and values. The program requires teachers to integrate, plan, assess and reflect on their teaching and learning and support students’ continuous learning in ways that are engaging, relevant, challenging and significant.
The Curriculum recognises that children learn best when:
- teachers are learners of their own teaching and are sensitive facilitators of the process of empowering students and taking responsibility in their learning.
- students are listened to and be seen as competent learners
- there are multiple opportunities and alternatives developed for group and individual learning strategies
- students’ capacity to think about their thinking is enhanced using various ways of thinking skills which is essential for them to become successful lifelong learners.
- teachers identify what they want students to learn, how best students learn and how to identify what has been learned
- students have an inquiring mind, are open-minded, exposed to different points of view and encouraged to develop intercultural understanding and respect
- students’ existing knowledge serves as a ‘platform’ for informed teaching practices
- students have opportunities to develop their knowledge, skills and values through active discussion, critical reflection, play and inquiry based learning
- the learning environment promotes positive relationships and partnerships
- students are engaged in learning experiences of increasing complexity that lead to deep understandings and application
- teachers recognise the importance of helping students develop skills, attitudes and understanding for ethical decision-making and social responsibility, global citizenship and personal resilience, and for life-long learning.
The Curriculum:
- Recognises that literacy and numeracy are basic and essential skills for learning.
- Is structured to incorporate the eight nationally recognised Key Learning Areas (KLA’s) through the Australian Curriculum Standards. In addition the study of a ninth KLA, Islamic Studies, is infused and integrated into the curriculum.
- Provides a range of learning experiences that centre on the individual student and his/her needs and abilities.
- Is flexible and structured in such a way as to provide for the individual learning needs of students.
- Actively models and incorporates appropriate technology within its delivery.
- Is based on the concept that all students should study an essential common curriculum that will engage students in learning across the major fields of human study, knowledge and skills.
- Promotes an appreciation of cultural diversity.
- Creates opportunities for students to benefit others by facilitating humanitarian projects