ICU READ July - ISIK College

The GoldenGenerationicu readwww.isikcollege.vic.edu.auJuly 2009Upfield Campus ISIK COLLEGE UPFIELD CAMPUS MONTHLY NEWSLETTERContentsPages 1 & 4ISIK College Inaugural SoccerChampionshipPage 2Principal's MessagePage 32009 Premier's ReadingCompetition, University ofMelbourne Essay Competitionand Parent-Teacher InterviewsPages 5 - 8ISIK CollegeSchool Performance DataPage 9Entrance Exam and Fit 2 DriveCampaignPage 10Kanga Cup Soccer TournamentPage 11PFA Snow TripISIK College Alumni Inaugural Soccer ChampionshipPage 12Library NewsUpcoming EventsTuesday 4 AugustICAS English testThursday 6 AugustWestpac Maths competitionThursday 13 AugustParents SeminarWednesday 19 AugustICAS Maths testFriday 21 AugustRamadan (fasting) commencesFriday 28 AugustPFA Parents’ Iftar DinnerOur first ever soccer tournament showcased graduates from the very old tothe very charismatic young graduates. The younger generation were simplytoo classy for the old, out-of-fuel 'older generation' of graduates. It was theA-team of the 2008 graduates (pictured above) which took out the first placeand was rewarded with the grand prize of $300.00. Trailing it in secondplace was the high-spirited, yet at times, highly emotional 2007 graduates’team. It was awarded with the total prize money of $200.00, giving teammembers much to celebrate and elevating further their emotions which ranthrough their veins both on and off the pitch.(Continued on Page 4)

Dear Parents and Students,Principal's MessageIt is hard to believe that we have already completed the first half of the 2009 school year. I amsure our Year 7s and other new students have settled in well and are now ready to build ontheir potential in semester 2. A vast majority of students were pleased with their semester 1reports, but others, however, may need to review their study habits in order to achieve betterresults this semester; particularly our Year 10s as they will need to choose their subject andcourse preferences for next year (i.e. VCE/VCAL/VCE at another school/TAFE/Trade optionsat the end of the year etc.). During the last school holidays, and over the last week or two, ourschool administration has been holding interviews with parents of students who areexperiencing difficulties. This is so that we can better manage these students' immediatefutures.“A vast majority ofstudents were pleasedwith their semester 1reports”“Term 3 is an excellenttime for students toidentify their weaknessesand to work emphaticallyto overcome these”“I once again find myselfdeeply thanking God forhaving inspired me tobecome a teacher”“Emre Akgoz is one ofthose rare students able toachieve a perfect score ina VCE subject”“Anil Zirek awarded firstplace in the University ofMelbourne's Kwong LeeDow Young ScholarProgram”Although VCE midyear exams kept our Year 12 students busy and too preoccupied toconcern themselves with other subjects, they did try 'tuning up' their studies during a camp atCreswick in the term break. Some of them attended a family pastoral care camp at Lorne andstudied further. Just a crucial reminder that Term 3 is an excellent time for students to identifytheir weaknesses and to work emphatically to overcome these by sitting the many trial examsthat are coming up. Moreover, I would urge our Year 12 students to seek assistance from ourschool counsellor or from their mentor teachers if they are struggling or feeling stressed abouttheir studies.Perhaps the most important activity this month was the inaugural alumni soccer tournament.Some very competitive games were held between graduates of the past few years. The finalmatch was fought between the 2007 and 2008 graduates, and as you may expect, theyounger team (2008) were the victors. It was great to catch up with our graduates; especiallythose from years 2002 and 2003. Yes, they are still around; a little less fit and slower(compared with our younger graduates!) but still joyous and very pleased to have been giventhe chance to reunite. At such moments, I once again find myself deeply thanking God forhaving inspired me to become a teacher and for putting me in the right environment at theright time. I am sure you will agree too, that although teaching is one of the most demandingprofessions, it is also one of the most rewarding. For teachers, nothing seems more cherishedthan the chance of receiving a friendly visit from, or the chance of having a short catch-upchat with, our very own graduates.One of our current Year 12 students, Emre Akgoz, is one of those rare students able toachieve a perfect score in a VCE subject. You may recall that he did this just last year in thesubject LOTE -Turkish. On the 21st of July, Emre was awarded the Victorian Premier's Awardby the Hon. Mr. John Brumby himself at a reception held at the Melbourne ConventionCentre. Our school administration invited the architect of this success, his teacher Mr. ErcanSakarya, to be a part of this historic ISIK College moment. He flew down from Sydneyespecially for the occasion and before he headed back, our 2006 graduates prepared asurprise reunion BBQ in his honour.Also, our Year 8s have once again proven their soccer talents by being named runners-up inthe XVIIIth Kanga International Soccer Tournament which was held in Canberra during July.This success came off the back of their earlier success in June when they came second in theVictorian Futsal Tournament. Well done boys and also to their coach, Mr. Mehmet Yilmaz.During the holidays I was also pleased to receive the great news about our Year 11 student,Anil Zirek. He was awarded first place in the University of Melbourne's Kwong Lee Dow YoungScholar Program - a writing competition in which hundreds of students participated. Anil, onceagain, has made his parents and all of us proud. Well done, Anil and keep delighting us withyour success stories throughout the rest of your ISIK College years and at university, too.On a final note, I strongly recommend that parents read our 2008 School Performance Datawhich is included in this issue. Your recent feedback via the parents' survey was also verymuch appreciated.Have a very successful semester 2, everyone.ICU Read 2

2009 PREMIER'S READINGCHALLENGEIt has been great catching up each weekwith students participating in this year'sPremier's Reading Challenge andhaving the opportunity to discuss thevarious books they have been reading.I remind boys that the last day on whichthey will be able to have their finishedbooks 'verified' is Thursday 27 August2009. Please come to the ESB room atrecess on Tuesdays and Thursdays andbring along the books you have finishedreading so that I can 'verify' them.UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNEESSAY COMPETITIONAs part of the Kwong Lee Dow YoungScholar Program and the University ofMelbourne's inaugural “Festival ofIdeas”, the University invited 1400 youngscholars from across Victoria to enter anessay writing competition based on thetheme: 'The present is past. The futurehas arrived. Climate Change / CulturalChange.' Not only was this a chance toexpress my concern for the future of theenvironment, but the writer of thewinning essay would receive a $100 giftvoucher and have the winning essaypublished in the University ofMelbourne's 'Voice' supplement in TheAge.After weeks of thorough research, andwith the dedicated help of our Year 11English teacher, Ms Eileen Keating andformer president of the Isik CollegePARENT – TEACHER INTERVIEWSRemember, you cannot successfullycomplete the Premier's ReadingChallenge until you have had yourfinished books verified by me.Also, after the Challenge, stay tuned fordetails about an Avid Readers'Challenge which will be open to all newand current members of the school'sAvid Readers' Club.Keep up the great work,Mr. VergaParents and Friends Association, MsOzlem Susler, I managed to write afitting essay for the competition. Theessay having been submitted, the longwait to hear the results began. A weeklater I was contacted by the head of theKwong Lee Dow Young ScholarsProgram to find that I had, in fact, beendeclared the winner of the competitionfrom the hundreds of students who hadentered. It was most certainly quite adelight for my family, friends andteachers. Keep a look out for my essayin the Melbourne University's 'Voice'supplement which will be published inThe Age on the second Monday ofAugust.Anil Y. ZirekYear 11A“the last day on which[students] will be able tohave their finished books'verified' is Thursday 27August 2009"“stay tuned for detailsabout an Avid Readers'Challenge”“the writer of the winningessay would receive a$100 gift voucher andhave the winning essaypublished in the Universityof Melbourne's 'Voice'”“I was contacted by thehead of the Kwong LeeDow Young ScholarsProgram to find that I had,in fact, been declared thewinner”“It was most certainly quitea delight for my family,friends and teachers”The parent –teacher interviews were held during the second week of term. Thank youto those of you who were able to attend. If you were unable to be present on theallocated evenings, please call our office to arrange an appointment to meet with yourson's teachers at a more convenient time. Remember that maintaining continualcommunication between you and your son's teachers is an essential part of securingyour son's success.ICU Read 3

ISIK COLLEGE SCHOOL PERFORMANCE DATA - 2008As part of the agreement made between schools and the Commonwealth Governmentto secure federal funding, schools in all sectors are now required to publish a range ofperformance data. All schools have to present specified information once a year,relating to the previous school year. The information applies, therefore, to 2008 unlessotherwise stated.Student Attendance:Our students' average attendance rate for2008 was 95.25%Retention Years 9 to 12:In 2008, 74% of the students who wereenrolled in Year 9 in 2005 completed their VCEat ISIK College. This figure does not take intoaccount new students to the school after 2005who completed Year 12 last year.Literacy and Numeracy Benchmarks:Percentage of Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 studentsmeeting or exceeding national benchmarkstandards in 2008 NAPLAN Tests:Reading Writing MathematicsYear 3 93.5% 100.0% 93.9%Year 5 92.5% 100.0% 95.3%Year 7 96.9% 95.6% 99.4%Year 9 96.5% 95.0% 96.7%Staff attendance:Our teachers' average attendance rate for2008 was 95%Staff retention:Teaching staff remaining at the school from2007 to 2008 was 84%Professional learning:All teachers took part in professional learningactivities during 2008. Activities includedschool-based meetings, conferences as wellas attendance at external conferences andworkshops in different areas.Average school expenditure per teacher onPD: $103.66Note: This sum only covers course fees anddoes not include the costs of providingreplacement teachers for staff on PD, which isvery substantial (over $200 per teacher perday).Teacher Qualification:All teachers at ISIK Colleges are registeredwith the Victorian Institute of Teaching.Bachelor Degree: 99%Graduate Diploma: 44%Masters Degree: 21%Student satisfaction:Students identified the following asthe top perceived strengths of theschool:uMy teachers give me extra helpwhen I need it.uTeachers clearly explain whatstudents are learninguMy class activities are interestingand help me learn.uI feel safe at this schooluI am involved in making decisionsabout my educationuMy school reports are accurateParent Satisfaction:Parents identified the following as thetop perceived strengths of the school:uThis school provides a safe andsecure environmentuI am comfortable aboutapproaching my child's teachersuTeachers at this school really wantto help my child to build moralvalues through Pastoral Care.uI think my child receives highquality teaching at this schooluI receive helpful information aboutmy child's progress andachievementsTeacher Satisfaction:Teachers identified the following asthe top perceived strengths of theschool:uI am comfortable aboutapproaching administrationregarding any issue.uStudents at this school are focusedon their studies.uThis school provides a safe andsecure working environment.uThe school is always looking forways to improve the services itprovides.uSchool encourages teachers toattend professional development.“Teachers clearly explainwhat students arelearning”“My class activities areinteresting and help melearn”“I am comfortable aboutapproaching my child’steachers”“I think my child receiveshigh quality teaching atthis school”“Students at this schoolare focused on theirstudies”“The school is alwayslooking for ways toimprove the services itprovides”ICU Read 5

YEAR 12 OUTCOMES AND DESTINATIONS:Our class of 2008 produced a fine set of VCE/VCAL results.ICU Read 6ICU Read 6

ISIK COLLEGE (All Campuses)Financial Information Summary 2008ICU Read 7ICU Read 7

“ISIK College is one of theprime schools in Victoria interms of university enrolments”“to provide individual careand support in all areas ofchild and adolescentdevelopment”“Extensive financialcommitments have beenmade to develop the ICTinfrastructure”“an innovative way toenhance teaching andlearning”“involvement in nationaland international wrestlingcompetitions”“Our Pastoral CareProgram also involvesinterstate camps andactivities”“travel program promotesunderstanding andhumanity”ICU Read 8VALUE ADDEDUniversity OffersUniversity Offers have increased from86% to 93% from 2005 to 2008. ISIKCollege continues to be the number oneschool in terms of university offers in theNorth West region. ISIK College is one ofthe prime schools in Victoria in terms ofuniversity enrolments according to theOn Track Results Survey that waspublished in the Age and Herald SunNewspapers in June, 2008.VCALThe Victorian Certificate of AppliedLearning (VCAL) was introduced in 2006to provide an alternative pathway tostudents not opting to enroll in universitycourses; it is a hands-on option forstudents in Years 11 and 12. VCALstudents have been studying a TAFEcourse of their choice one day a week inaddition to completing studies in literacy,numeracy, and personal skillsdevelopment.Pastoral CareOur Pastoral Care Program is concernedprimarily with the emotional, academicand moral well-being of the students andis an integral part of the school culture.Each class is assigned a Pastoral CareTeacher and Mentor who workscollaboratively and in unison with thecollege's staff, parents and students toprovide individual care and support in allareas of child and adolescentdevelopment.Use of ICTIn 2008, our school has stronglyemphasised the use of cutting edgetechnology to enhance teaching andlearning. Extensive financialcommitments have been made todevelop the ICT infrastructure at ourschool including the development ofsoftware, hardware, technical support,ICT labs and the introduction of theSMART/active whiteboards. We installedseveral SMART Boards in some of oursenior secondary classrooms. Teachersactively used the interactive whiteboardtechnology as an innovative way toenhance teaching and learning andfacilitate assessment.Extra and Co-curricular ActivitiesAn extensive array of extra and cocurricularactivities was organisedacross the various campuses. Theyincluded: Arabic, Animation, Astronomy,Choir, Debating, Drama, Folk Dancing,Food Technology, Forensic Science,Horticulture, Instrumental Music, MathsExtension, Ottoman History, TableTennis and Textiles.SportsSporting activities have been animportant part of our curricular andextra-curricular program. Our primarystudents actively participated ininterschool sports. Our secondarystudents competed in the FUTSALcompetitions and continue theirinvolvement in national and internationalwrestling competitions.DebatingSome of our campuses have debatingclubs. In these clubs, students fromyears 7-12 improvised their speakingand argumentative skills.School CampsWe have a compulsory campingprogram for our grade 3,4,5 and 6primary students. Our year 7 and 9students are also involved in acompulsory camping program. OurPastoral Care Program also involvesinterstate camps and activities forselected students in years 7-12.World ToursWorld Tours continue to be a highlightfor year 12 students who complete theirstudies at Isik College. This travelprogram promotes understanding andhumanity and is a chance for studentsto acknowledge the world around them.The itinerary includes a stopover inseveral countries and major cities.Student Representative CouncilOur SRC comprises entirely of studentrepresentatives from each class fromyears 7-12. The SRC at each campusaims to not only represent the studentcohort but also to organise engagingactivities for students and varioushumanitarian and fundraising appealsthroughout the year.

ISIK COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMOn Sunday, July 19th 2009 at 9.30am(while many were still in bed enjoying aSunday morning rest) Isik CollegeUpfield Campus held its annual EntranceExam for students wishing to enrol atIsik College in 2010. The students andtheir parents were greeted by ourreceptionist Mrs Seher hanim. Theywere then escorted to our ConferenceHall by our Deputy Principal Mr. KadirEmniyet and our LOTE-Turkish teacherMr. Menderes Golcuk and then shown totheir designated seats by our Englishteacher Mr Adrian Verga. After havingsettled in, the students and their parentswere given a formal and warm welcomeby the Principal Mr. Deniz Erdogan whocongratulated them for having takentheir first step toward being members ofthe Isik College family. In all, there were55 applicants (32 applying for Year 7 and23 for Years 8-12) from 15 differentprimary schools and 12 secondaryschools - a widespread variety ofapplicants applying to IsikFIT 2 DRIVE CAMPAIGNYear 11 VCE/VCAL students recentlyparticipated in a community educationprogram called the Fit 2 Drive campaign.The aim of educating the community isto prevent and reduce the number offatalities and casualties on our roads.Local police, CFA, and Vic Roadsrepresentatives discussed the variousissues they were expert in.We participated in small group activitiesgeared toward making us think abouthow we would react in real life to variousdriving scenarios. It was an informativepresentation which allowed forCollege. Applicants will be notified oftheir results within two weeks.It was interesting and inspiring to seeone Grade 6 student who just made iton time for the start of the exam afterhaving been rushed to the school by hismother. He had just returned fromplaying in his team's soccer match whichhad finished at 9.30am(!) and had noteven had the time to remove his boots.He certainly deserves 10 out of 10 forhis commitment – both to his soccer cluband to his education.students to ask questions directly to thevarious authorities.On behalf of Isik College, we would liketo pass on our thanks for the Fit 2 Drivecampaign and to Mr Ahmad Helou andMr Louie Traikovski for organising thisevent.For more information, please contact theRoad Safety Education Coordinator on(03) 9665 4464 or emailcommed@mfb.vic.gov.auFetih Goren, Year 11“students and their parentswere given a formal andwarm welcome by thePrincipal Mr. DenizErdogan”“congratulated them forhaving taken their firststep toward beingmembers of the IsikCollege family”“The aim of educating thecommunity is to preventand reduce the number offatalities and casualties onour roads”“we would like to pass onour thanks for the Fit 2Drive campaign and to MrAhmad Helou and MrLouie Traikovski fororganising this event”ICU Read 9

“It was the second largestKanga Cup on record with223 teams from Australia,New Zealand and ChineseTaipei”“The boys showedbravery, determination andplayed with maximumeffort”“They won their first twogames against SouthWest Queensland andGungahlin Strikers”KANGA CUP SOCCERTOURNAMENTThe Light United Junior Soccer Club'sunder 14s team competed in the 2009Kanga Cup Tournament held in Canberrarecently. It was the second largest KangaCup on record with 223 teams fromAustralia, New Zealand and ChineseTaipei. The contest included 584 gamesover the course of a week and included 25finals.Our team achieved second place in thiscompetition. The boys showed bravery,determination and played with maximumeffort. Overall they played 7 gameswinning 5, drawing 1 and losing 1 (thefinal).They won their first two games againstSouth West Queensland and GungahlinStrikers and for the next two days theteam remained undefeated in first place –an exciting position to be in. They werealso the only Victorian team in their agegroup to have made it to the final rounds.The final contest was between our teamand Adelaide City; a well-organised teamwhich has a lot of supporters.Unfortunately, they were a better team onthe day, but the Kanga Cup officials didrate us highly as did the Canberra Timesnewspaper. Hopefully, we will competeagain next year and with better luck we'llbring home the Cup.I would like to take this opportunity tothank the coach, Mr. Mehmet Yilmaz forhis encouragement and expertise (he wasprobably the loudest coach in thecompetition). Also, thank you to theplayers, who never gave up and foughtcommendably to make it a memorableexperience. Special thanks go to Mr.Erdal Demir who took time off work tosupport and assist us during the week.Burak Durnaoglu of 8B was awardedplayer of the tournament.The Under 14s Soccer TeamBurak Durnaoglu, Recep Demir, BaranKaragoz, Cihan Kuru, Yasin Koroglu,Salih Sefil, Cemal Kaymakci, Ibrahim Can,Ozan Tasci, Furkan Yilmaz, RidvanAtlihan, Ali Koc, Ubeyde Cicek, IlkerDayakli, Mustafa Yesiller, Adem Sozer,Ebubekir Demir.Mr Ferhat GURKAN“ the Kanga Cup officialsdid rate us highly as didthe Canberra Times”“take this opportunity tothank the coach, Mr.Mehmet Yilmaz for hisencouragement andexpertise”ICU Read 10

PFA SNOW TRIPDuring the semester holidays, the PFAorganised a family day trip to the snow.Again, this was another “first time ever”event organised by our PFA team. Itstirred up great interest because it was anevent in which the whole family couldparticipate and enjoy: a whole day in thesnow at Lake Mountain on Sunday 12thJuly without having to worry about comingto school the following day.All tickets had sold well in advance andseveral families sadly missed out. Our buswas scheduled to depart at 6.00am whilemany people arrived early to enjoy aspecially prepared breakfast of simits,sandwiches, tea and coffee.Once we headed off, we tried entertainingourselves by having a karaoke sing-along,but this was a bad idea so we watched aDVD instead. At the base of the mountain,we stopped at a hire store and equippedourselves for the harsh elements ahead.As we made our way up, we becameexcited as we got our first glimpse ofsnow.At the end of a day full of activities, weenjoyed a hot lunch at our leisure at theHeights Bar and Bistro courtesy of thePFA.Congratulations to our prize winners.Items in the prize pool were: a HarryPotter quilt set, a chess/games set, aguess handbag, a fishing rod and reel setand a $50 shopping voucher.Before we headed back down themountain, we fired up the barbie andenjoyed barbecued sucuk between slicesof bread and soft drinks and sweets, againcourtesy of the PFA.It was a fun-filled day of games and everyone was battered and worn by the end.Some watched a movie on the way home,but most just fell asleep from exhaustion.We arrived back at school just before8.00pm.A special thanks to the PFA for organisingsuch a joyous event and to all those whohelped at the barbecue.All through the day, many were heard toask: “What will the next event be? Whereare we going next time?”Ms Sukriye TarakciPFA Event CoordintaorToboggan RaceWinners:Girls' race: Sibel Tarakciand Meryem ArisoyBoys' race: Muhammed ErLadies' race: FadimeOzturkMen's race: SerkanAkbabaMixed race: Ismail Akinci“ it was an event in whichthe whole family couldparticipate and enjoy”“many people arrived earlyto enjoy a speciallyprepared breakfast”“It was a fun-filled day ofgames and every one wasbattered and worn by theend”“special thanks to the PFAfor organising such ajoyous event and to allthose who helped at thebarbecue”ICU Read 11

LIBRARY NEWSReading CompetitionA reading competition was held by theLibrary during Term 2 at Isik College,Upfield Campus. In order to enter thecompetition, students had to readnovels from the Library and submit brief“reading blurbs” or summaries, includinga plot synopsis and recommendationsfor other students. All books weredisplayed in the Library during Term 2and many new titles were available forstudents to choose from. In order to win,students had to read and submit themost number of entries. First prize wastwo movie tickets to a movie of theirchoice and a book voucher; secondprize was a book voucher and somechocolate to enjoy while reading, andthird prize was a book voucher. Mr. Ilhandonated the first prize of two $25 movietickets and third prize book voucher andMs. Mitchell donated $40.00 for thebook vouchersuFirst Prize - Issa Kassab 10BuSecond Prize - Abdulhai Abdu 10BuThird Prize - Semih Ozdemir 7BCongratulations to all students whoentered the reading competition andparticularly to the winners. We wouldalso like to thank Ms. Mitchell forhelping to organize the competition andfor her generous donations.Fundraising Event for the LibraryDuring Term 2 the Parents and FriendsAssociation of Isik College UpfieldCampus organised a fundraising eventfor the Library to purchase new books,in particular fiction novels, for thegreater enjoyment of our students. ThePFA raised $1000 and the cheque washanded to Mr. Ilhan at the end of Term2. Over the holidays a wide variety ofnew fiction books were purchased forthe College Library and students havealready begun to borrow these books!The Library would like to thank theParents and Friends Association fortheir generous donation to theLibrary.The Library would appreciate donationsfrom individuals or organisationsinterested in promoting the enjoyment ofreading.Library Staff“students had to readnovels from the Library andsubmit brief “readingblurbs” or summaries”“Mr. Ilhan donated the firstprize of two $25 movietickets and third prize bookvoucher and Ms. Mitchelldonated $40.00 for thebook vouchers”“The PFA raised $1000 [forthe purchase of newbooks]”“ISIK College Upfield CampusAddress: King Street UpfieldVIC 3047Tel: (03) 9359 2411Fax: (03) 9357 2478P.O. Box 739 Dallas VIC 3047Upfield@isikcollege.vic.edu.au