Islamic Schools Association of Australia (ISAA) hosted their second ISAA Executive Leadership Retreat in Sydney from Friday 8 to Saturday 9 March 2024 at Unity Grammar campus in Austral.
Attended by members from 17 Islamic schools from across Australia, the two day event served as a vibrant platform for strategic planning, networking and collaboration, to shape the future of Islamic education in Australia.
ISAA President Mr Abdullah Khan expressed his delight at the highly productive outcomes of the retreat, emphasizing the invaluable contributions of the delegates. “These two days have not only fostered collaboration and networking but have set in motion initiatives that will have a lasting impact on Islamic education,” Mr Khan remarked.
One of the highlights of the event was the announcement of an upcoming Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ISAA and the Australian Islamic Medical Association (AIMA). This collaboration aims to introduce mentorship programs for year 10 and 11 students, guiding them towards careers in medicine.
Mr Khan described this initiative as, “A reflection of ISAA’s commitment to nurturing the next generation towards impactful professions.”
Mr Khan made the announcement for nominations to form state-based ISAA sub-committees and ISAA umbrella groups as an opportunity to proactively contribute towards the advancement of Islamic education at state and national levels.
Mr Sam Halbouni, Principal of Unity Grammar and Mr Dario Hawat, Head of Community Experience, presented this initiative, highlighting its potential to strengthen collective efforts and enhance educational quality.
Mr Fazeel Arain, Principal of Al Siraat College, Mr Osman Karolia, Principal of Arkana College, and Mr Nabeil Allam, an external consultant facilitated the planning session outlining ISAA’s vision for the future, focusing on innovative initiatives to elevate the quality of education in Islamic schools.
The active involvement of members in shaping this strategy was underscored as pivotal for navigating the path forward.
The event also welcomed Mr Mark Spenser, Director, Policy of Christian Schools Australia, as a special guest. His informative session on legislative landscapes provided valuable insights into prospective changes that may impact faith-based schools, enriching the discussions.
Mr Mark Spenser, Director, Policy of Christian Schools Australia.
The ISAA Executive Leaders Retreat 2024 exemplified a commitment to collaboration, innovation, and excellence in Islamic education. As Mr Khan aptly summarized, “We look forward to your continued engagement and support as we work together to elevate our schools and empower our students.”
The Annual ISAA Executive Leadership Retreat is a platform for fostering greater dialogue and progress within the Islamic education sector in Australia. ISAA’s impact is also reflected in their rapidly increasing number of members each year.
Every year the Annual ISAA Executive Leadership Retreat is hosted at a different Islamic school in Australia. Principals and executive leadership teams from all Islamic schools in Australia are invited to participate.
For more information about ISAA and its initiatives, visit www.isaa.edu.au
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