Rationale
for Learning Arabic 
Arabic
is the language of more than twenty Arab countries in West
Asia and North Africa, and the mother tongue of over 230
million people.
Arabic
is an official language of the United Nations and other
international organizations. It is a living medium of communication
and learning in the modern Arab World. Arabic is the language
of the Qur’an, the Sacred Scripture of over one thousand
million Muslims in the world today. Arabic has greatly influenced
several languages in Asia, Africa and Europe, e.g. English,
French, German, Indonesian, Malay, Persian, Spanish, Swahili
and Turkish.
Arabic
is the language of a world literature. It has made rich
contributions over the centuries, in various fields of knowledge.
It is a language of a remarkable civilisation that has contributed
to the European Renaissance, especially in philosophy, medicine,
mathematics and other sciences.
All students
of Al Amanah College will be introduced to this wealth of
culture and tradition, and will therefore be encouraged
to comprehend the diversity of the world.
The Arabic-speaking
community is one of Australia's largest non-English speaking
communities with an acknowledged and significant contribution
to contemporary Australia. The study of Arabic enables learners
to gain access to Arabic's rich cultural, historical, artistic,
scientific and literary contributions to society. It strengthens
commercial and business links with Arabs and other parts
of the world and provides vocational opportunities both
within Australia and overseas. The study of the Arabic language
and culture offers insights into one of the oldest civilisations
of the Middle-East world, and also allows for maintenance
of family links and origins.
The widespread
community of Arabic speakers generates a natural demand
for the maintenance of the Arabic language and provides
access to the Arabic language and culture for students of
other language backgrounds. Students will develop linguistic
ability and gain sociocultural understanding through the
study of the Arabic language.
The ability
to communicate using the Arabic language also promotes understanding,
harmony and cooperation between English-speaking and Arabic-speaking
communities in Australia. The study of Arabic provides a
valuable opportunity for children to learn a second language,
which in turn contributes to their language awareness and
enhancement of general language skills.
For background
speakers, learning Arabic consolidates, reinforces and further
develops language skills needed to maintain links with,
explore the experiences of, and meet the needs of the older
generations of the Arabic-speaking community.
The Australian
Language and Literacy Policy designates Arabic as a priority
language with great relevance to the fabric of multicultural
Australia as we know it today. In addition it is the second
spoken language after English in NSW.
The Arabic
Program is designed for students beginning the formal study
of Arabic at school; however, it also provides the opportunity
for those who already have some knowledge of the Arabic
language to develop and extend their Arabic skills and to
learn more about their own or another culture.
Teaching
Qur’an and Islamic Studies
Al Amanah
College was established to implement the teachings of Islam
as per the guidance of the Qur’an.
The belief and practice of Al Amanah College is that of
Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama^ah. This is the name given to the
true successors of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him);
those who adhere to his teachings and way of life.
The most important objective of Al Amanah College is to
spread moderation by teaching the Islamic Obligatory Knowledge
with logical proof and scientific evidence.
The Islamic
Obligatory Knowledge includes knowledge of the essentials
of the belief, matters of dealings and transactions, the
sins of the body parts and obligations such as praying,
fasting, performing Hajj and paying the Zakat.
Our aim is to teach the students of Islam, advice the misguided
and to remind the forgetful while enlightening Muslims and
non-Muslims alike
The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam, said:
"The best of the deeds is the belief in Allah and His
Messenger" (al-Bukhariyy).
In accordance with this directive, Al Amanah College emphasizes
teaching Tawhid, the Islamic knowledge by which one would
know what is and what is not proper to attribute to Allah
and His Messenger.
Al Amanah College is a voice of moderation, striving to
rid the Muslim community of the vile innovations and prevailing
deviations—the proponents of which call for terrorism
and violence.
Al Amanah College set its objectives with the realization
that victory over evil can only be achieved by spreading
religious education and propagating goodness among people—knowing
that society can only be reformed through piety and fear
of Allah (the Creator).
Al Amanah College urges Muslims to help each other and share
responsibilities, such as encouraging the wealthy to console
and relieve the poor—whether Muslims or non-Muslims.
English
The aim
of the English department at Al Amanah College is to develop
proficient and imaginative use of the English language in
its students. Language shapes the method of communication
amongst and within communities. Confident, critical and
imaginative users of the English language can shape, direct
and enrich their lives and grow into active participants
in the global community of English speakers.
The study
of English builds on the K-6 curriculum and prepares students
for stage 6 English. Students learn English both through
explicit teaching of the features and structures of language
and through their immersion in a diverse range of language
experiences. In Years 7 to 10, students become imaginative
and confident users of technology, understanding its impact
on society.
English
is both challenging and enjoyable. It provides opportunities
for students to experiment with ideas and expression, to
work with each other and to become active, independent learners.
Mathematics
The Mathematics
Department at Al Amanah College aims to involve each student
actively in acquiring skills of analysis and logical reasoning,
along with proficiency in computation. The Department strives
to maintain an atmosphere in which students experience the
freedom and confidence to question and gain confidence as
they master Mathematical skills.
Science
The study
of Science helps to develop students’:
•
scientific knowledge and understanding about phenomena within
and beyond their
experience
• appreciation of science as a human activity and
their application of understanding and
skills to their everyday life
• positive values about and attitudes towards themselves,
others, lifelong learning, science
and the environment.
Furthermore,
in their study of science, students will investigate phenomena
over a wide range of scales, from the subatomic to the cosmological,
from events that take place almost instantaneously to processes
over millions of years, from contemporary phenomena, and
it extrapolates to future events.
Design
and Technology
Design
and Technology at Al Amanah College aims primarily to develop
students skills in design beginning with basic design techniques
in the primary levels and the information at the most modern
technology available in todays rapidly changing society.
Our Motto is success through knowledge and this is our major
aim, to increase our students' knowledge to provide solid
backgrounds for their careers.
Geography
Geography
develops students’ knowledge, understanding, skills,
values and
attitudes which are essential to an appreciation of geographical
phenomena and to prepare students for informed and active
citizenship in a changing world.
Geography
enables students to identify and analyze the physical, social,
economic, political, legal and technological factors that
influence where things are and why they are there. Its ecological
dimension enables students to identify and analyze how humans
interact with environments.
Furthermore,
the study of Geography prepares students for adult life
by developing in them an informed perspective on local,
regional, national and global issues. In so doing, it forms
a basis for active participation in community life and a
commitment to ecological sustainability, a just society,
intercultural understanding,informed and active citizenship
and lifelong learning.
History
The History
program at Al-Amanah Secondary College forms part of the
continuum of learning from Kindergarten in the Human society
and its Environment (HSIE) key learning areas. Throughout
the program students are introduced to the study of History
as a discrete discipline. It is designed to build upon knowledge,
skills and attitudes developed through the HSIE K-6 Syllabus.
It is intended that students will develop an appreciation
of the study of History and a commitment to informed citizenship
and lifelong learning. The program which relate to interpretation,
analysis and empathy; research; and communication- build
on the skills of acquiring information, organizing and using
information, and civic participation developed through the
HSIE K-6 Syllabus.
History is the process of inquiry into questions of human
affairs in their time and place. It compares the past to
the present and the present to the past. It allows students
to gain historical knowledge and skills. Through an investigation
of History, students learn about the differences in human
experience, allowing them to compare their lives with those
of people of other times, places and circumstance, and in
turn to learn and know themselves.
‘Studying
History is important to the development of informed and
active citizenship. Through theinsights and understanding
gained from a study of History, students are challenged
to consider the responsibility they contribute to make a
civil society. History provides a frame of reference that
students use to think critically and to develop informed
opinions about contemporary national and international issues.
This program
emphasizes skills of interpretation, analysis and empathy;
research and communication, which are important to acquire
knowledge and understanding. As a result learning will be
deeper, more retrievable and grounded in actual historical
contexts.
PDHPE
The
aim of the PDHPE yrs 7-10 course is
to develop students capacity to enhance personal health
and wellbeing, enjoy an active lifestyle, maximise movement
potential and advocate lifelong health and physical activity.
PD|HE|PE
contibutes significally to spiritual development of students.
The syllabus reflects the multidimensional nature of health
and physical activity in the context of a diverse and changing
society.
Computing
studies
This
Computing Studies program has been developed in keeping
with the principles outlined in Computers in Education:
K–12 Statement of Principles and the computer studies
syllabus. It is designed to assist students to learn about
computers and computing so that they gain a greater understanding
of the effects that computer and information technologies
will have on them and society. By completing this course
they will be better equipped for continuing education, for
employment, for leisure and for participation in an increasingly
technological world.
The true essence of the subject is the study of how people,
operating in an environment and using computer systems,
which include applications formed from hardware and software,
proceed to solve problems to relevance to them.
Problem-solving, involves developing the student’s
ability to analyse problems, to identify how similar problems
have been solved in the past, to identify possible solutions,
to determine the appropriateness of the role of the computer
in the solution and to see such solutions in the context
of a broader environment which consists of people, hardware
and software.
The aim of the course is to develop in students the abilities
and confidence necessary to become competent users of computer
technology; to acquire the confidence to accept challenges
of change which computer technology may produce; and to
be able to accept a responsible role in the control of the
change.
In order
to achieve this it is considered important those students:
• Develop an understanding of the fundamentals of
computing;
• Apply these understandings
in the design of solutions to appropriate problems of relevance
to them;
• Use a computer in the implementation of these solutions;
• Appreciate the consequences of implementing solutions
using computers;
• Relate classroom experiences with computers to a
wider societal context;
• Develop an understanding of
the effects of the use of computers in society.
Visual
Arts
Visual
art students will have opportunities to develop their perceptual,conceptual
and evaluative abilities in making images and objects and
understanding more of the nature and the meanings of works
in contemporary society.
Music
There is
a strong focus on the practical aspect of music at Al Amanah
College. As of 2005 students will be spending one period
per week learning to play the keyboard and various percussion
instruments. At this time choirs will also be formed as
an extra curricula activity.
During the other period of music students
will learn about various cultural, historical events and
occurrences. Students also will gain knowledge of compositional
and theoretical aspects of music.
Through this program we hope to instill
a life-long understanding of music as we feel that this
is important for a while rounded education.
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