Minaret College is focused on promoting Islamic values, creating a strong sense of community, upholding Australian values and maintaining the academic, spiritual and social well being of our students. Minaret College’s strength lies in the diversity of its community, with students from at least 37 different nationalities. A significant proportion of our students are recent migrants. The college is actively working on various initiatives to provide assistance and nurture the school community. Students participate in interfaith activities with local schools to promote harmony in the community as well as in debating and sports. The College’s mission is “to provide an excellent integration of Islamic and secular education for students, the college endeavors to develop the students talents and capacities to full potential and is to be relevant to the social, cultural and economic needs of the Muslim community and the nation as a whole”. Challenges - Minaret College being a community focused school endeavours to accommodate the needs of the community it serves. In this respect there is a demand to assist not only newly arrived students from refugee camps with limited functional English but also the families of these students. To meet this ongoing need, we run special English language and numeracy classes before these students can join mainstream classes. The College encourages its staff to participate in professional development programs. To meet staff needs, the College conducts in house professional developments on curriculum days to meet common needs. Specific staff needs are enhanced by participating in external professional developments. Context - Minaret College was established in 1992, with 20 students, in premises at Leonard Avenue, Noble Park. In 1995, the school was relocated to the current premises in Birch Street, Springvale. The College is divided both administratively and geographically into three schools: Primary School Prep – Year 6, Middle School Year 6 to 9 and Senior School Year 10 to 12...