Entering the E/Virtual World
We are on a continuous basis keeping you abreast of the developments at SIM and hence I am here not going to elaborate on the activities and performance, but it is sufficient to say that we are en course along the direction as set out at the beginning of the year. For that, I am extending appreciation to all involved and pray that The Almighty grants you Tawfeeq for all your efforts in His cause.
However, as people have logged off to go on a well-deserved summer break, I would like to brief you on two noteworthy developments.
One positive piece of news to be shared is that we have now been provided with additional space resource, in form of the porta-cabins that have been brought into the centre. These will be at our disposal as we return in October and this will indeed assist us in our class allocation and enable a more comfortable teaching and learning environment. With the current number of porta-cabins, we will have an extra 5 classrooms at our disposal. We extend our appreciation to the EC for facilitating this.
Secondly, I would like to spend a few lines on the new IT Platform, about to transform certain operations within SIM. This platform, SIMOSS – SIM's Collaboration and Virtual E-learning environment, will open up doors to take SIM to the next level. Following its introduction and inception, SIMOSS will aim to become part and parcel of the students'/parents'/teachers' life on an ongoing basis. This system per se is probably going to be a ground breaking one in the Khoja Madaris world. At the outset of 2008, this was one of our top priorities for this year and Alhamdulillah we have reached a stage where it is currently being piloted. The system is going to make internal procedures more effective and efficient, and enhance the external facilities, services and communication. Amongst others, it will allow us to provide Virtual / e-Learning, complementing the current teaching, and in addition enable us to bring in other and additional elements. The aim is to launch some elements of the system in the very near future and then gradually increase both the usage as well as the uptake. We are in a very fortunate position to have a system of this nature in place. A lot of time, effort, and money has been invested in setting this up. However, the success of it will to a large extent depend on how we all – admin/teachers/students/parents - buy in to the system and use it to its optimum.
On that note, I wish you all have a superb summer break. Also, please do remember each other during the holy nights and days of Rajab, Sha'ban, and Ramadhan.
S&D
Shafique Govani
Principal, SIM
BBQ/Sports Day
The annual BBQ/Sports Day concluded the first half of an exciting year so far. Alhamdulillah, an estimated 600-650 people (students, teachers, and parents) attended the day, we were blessed with sunshine, the activities ran clockwork, and the BBQ was delicious. What more could one ask for? Thank you all for your support as always.
Class 1-4 enjoyed themselves at the Parents Paradise, whilst class 5-11 girls and ladies teachers explored Top Golf in Watford. class 5-11 boys and the gents teachers spent the morning at the Stanmore Rugby Field, where Stanmore Jafferys coordinated the football activities. The traditional students vs teachers football game was decided on penalties for the third time in three years, and once again the teachers managed to come out as the winning side.
M'egg A Difference – SIM students raise £3,000 for ZCSS
In answer to the plight of children in Indian slums, the Shia Ithna Asheri Madressa launched the 'M-egg a Difference' drive in June, 2008.
In order to instil the importance of charity and giving in the hearts and minds of the youth, SIM Cares challenged Madressa students to fill Cadbury's Mini Eggs tubes with £1 coins (after they had eaten the chocolates!!).
The funds raised would enable the Zaynabiya Child Sponsorship Scheme (ZCSS) to support a school in India providing free education for children from deprived families.
Donning their creative caps, the children came up with innovative and inspiring ways to raise money. Some offered to recite various surahs for the thawab of marhumeen (for a fee, of course!), while others got involved in sponsored bike rides, cake sales, car washes and penalty shoot-outs.
At the end of four fun-filled weeks, over £3,000 was collected - a fantastic achievement!
Many thanks to all parents for their encouragement and support, helping us to really 'M-egg a Difference!' to other young Muslims crying out for help, thousands of miles away.
Dates for your Diary
Sunday 5th October Madressa Resumes after the Summer Holidays & Mahe Ramadhan