Invitation

Time has flown by and we are already in July 2009. The first half of the year is over and soon we will be looking to receive the next decade. The last few months have been extremely busy at Madressa with various activities undertaken in addition to the normal academic studies. Full details are provided in the rest of the articles. In summary they are:

• May - Behavioural training where two external psychologists shared best practices for managing children and young adults with behavioural issues.
• May – Madressa annual outing to Chessington World of Adventures - we had nearly 450 people on seven coaches and a number of cars.
• June – Parents Day – with over 2,000 appointments it gave us the opportunity to share feedback with parents.
• June – Learning Support team organised a Fun Day geared specifically for those with learning needs. The purpose behind this was to bring all those in need together, share experiences, increase awareness and more importantly for the children to have fun and play with each other.
• July – Annual Sports Day and BBQ. This is a traditional curtain closure in the SIM calendar. The children were located in three different places, Gambado (Watford) for years 1-4, Jarman Park (Hemel Hempstead) for girls in classes 5+ and Aldenham School (Elstree) for boys in classes 5+. Some 300 students plus parents, teachers, volunteers and guests arrived back in the centre for salaat and the traditional mouth watering BBQ.

None of the above would have been possible without the endless efforts of the teachers and volunteers, not forgetting the parents and Hujjat EC who continue to support our organisation.

Whilst we will be away from the Madressa keep an eye out for an Invitation too good to turn down and possibly an opportunity of a life time. Who knows whether we will ever get it again?

.....Yes you guessed it, the Invitation to join Allah in the holy month of Ramadhan. Every year the month of Ramadhan comes and goes. Every year we fast, yet without proper appreciation of the potentials of character building that the fasts hold for us. We find ourselves as spiritually backwards after the fasts are over as when the month began. In fact our lack of knowledge of the real objectives of fasting often tends to produce an adverse effect in us. The fast tends to make many of us irritable and quick tempered while the fast was in fact meant to mellow us into exhibiting the finer traits of human character as illustrated by our Imams.

We should welcome fasts as a practical means of reforming ourselves rather than merely consider them as an inevitable religious burden, eagerly waiting to free ourselves from it at the end of the month to resume our ways of old again. The benefits are endless during this month but the one that I would like to leave you with is the opportunity to seek forgiveness. The Holy Prophet advised the believers: O people......your back is breaking under the heavy load of your sins, so prostrate yourself before Him (in Ramadhan) for long intervals, and make it lighter. Allah's blessings and mercy are so abundant in this month that anybody who truly repents in it becomes free of sins at the end of the month as when (s)he was born.

Please remember each other in this month and let us achieve the craving for the nearness to Allah.

I would like to wish you all a great summer break and a rewarding Ramadhan and look forward to welcoming you all back on 27 September 2009 when Madressa reopens.

Principal of SIM

SIM Activity Day - Chessington

One of the highlights in the Madressa Calendar is the annual activity day, taking place on the Bank Holiday in May. The idea behind this day is not only for the kids to have fun, but also to strengthen the bond and friendship. Also it is an opportunity for them to practice and exemplify good akhlaq outside the classroom.

This year, the destination was Chessington on a gorgeous Spring day with temperatures in the high twenties and uninterrupted sunshine. We had nearly 450 people – students, parents, and teachers – on 7 coaches and some 10 cars.

We witnessed the children having fun in abundance, intermingling with others, sharing their food, cooperating with their group leaders and more importantly showing impeccable discipline and respect.

Extracts from the comments/write ups from students sent in ......

"I would like to thank you for arranging a great time like this. Let me say that before directed to our Coaches I was a bit worried about my 8 year old son who for the first time was going with others but not myself and his sister. However, I was reassured by one of my brothers that he will be looked after and will be fine. Later I found out that he was in Shams Karam Ali's group and he enjoyed himself more than before. Moreover I forgot to give him some change to buy something for lunch, but I am grateful to say that his group leader paid for that, which I should not forget to pay that back.

Leading a group of 5 people including my daughter, I enjoyed every minute of my time, whether it was rides, lunch, or Namaz time. I found everyone to be very considerate and generous towards each other. I was amazed in the way kids shared their food and snacks with each other and I hope everyone has experienced the same way as we did in a group. I think it is good to keep up this way be it to Chessington or elsewhere. This is also a lesson although maybe in its social context."

"I arrived at the mosque, ready to leave and the atmosphere was intense (as was the heat). We went by coach and during the nerve-wrecking journey, told jokes and laughed. It was my first time at Chessington and I knew 0 about any of the rides.

We arrived and started with a very good ride: Dragon's Fury. I was a bit nervous but as I got used to the rides as we went around the park, I went on every ride (except Rameses Revenge - I wanted to but was too small for that).

We ate lunch and prayed jamaat namaaz with no worries. We finished the rest of the park, ending with the Chessington all-time favourite: Vampire.................................

It was a really great day and we should all thank the madressa staff, parents, volunteers, siblings and friends to be with us on such an enjoyable day. All praise is for Allah who gave us the opportunity and weather to enjoy this wonderful day with al our friends and family."

"The day started with great weather and we were all excited to get to the park. It was a huge number of people for Chessington. Lot of rides and lots of fun everywhere... I was with a group of friends and a teacher accompanying us and she was great. We sat on almost all the rides and a few times in many rides.... We ate and prayed and fun all the way. Going to Chessington was great. Seeing all my friends having a laugh on the rides and the sunny weather just made it better. My group was really nice. We all got along and had lots of fun. Thanks for arranging it! I am looking forward to it again next year!!"

"More Queuing..." "Time for Salaat"

"Back to Ramses' Revenge"

Parents Day 2009

Parents Day 2009 was held on Sunday 7th June 2009. It is normally scheduled at this time of the year to allow the parents to obtain feedback at an early stage in order to assist the Madressa to make any positive amendments to assist the child's progress for the rest of this year.

2,000 + appointments were scheduled and took place from 9.30am – 1.30pm.

In addition to the meetings, examples of some of our students' creative abilities were on display and there was a dedicated desk in place for SIMOSS, informing and updating parents on the IT Platform.

Learning Support – Behaviour Management Training Sessions and Fun Day

The Learning Support Department has been busy in the last few month's co-ordinating events for Madressa staff as well as the students receiving Learning Support, and their families. In May, we organised Behaviour Management Training sessions, facilitated by two Psychologists who have experience of working with children and young adults with challenging behaviour. The topics covered included 'Why students are non-compliant', 'Positive reinforcement' and 'Setting Limits'. Some of the strategies suggested by the facilitators support initiatives we have already started eg, developing Communication Passports. Alhamdulillah, 31 people attended including teachers, classroom assistants and Learning Support assistants. We received a lot of positive feedback with most participants commenting that they will adopt a new approach to interpreting and managing their students' behaviour. Our next step is to arrange training specifically for those Madressa staff working with teenagers who display challenging behaviours.

The learning support department held a fun day for all learning support children, their parents, siblings and volunteers. The event was held on Sunday 21st June 2009 from 2pm till 4pm in the Hujjat Islamic Centre, Stanmore. The day consisted of many fun events and games such as; pass the parcel, cake decorating, mehndi and making bracelets. The event finally finished with Lunch which was brought by all the volunteers and was thoroughly enjoyed.

By all the feedback we received, we confidently conclude that the event was extremely successful with a total of 40 attendees all of whom left with a smile at the end of the day. Photos have been taken to demonstrate the excitement, fun and enjoyment by the learning support children, their families and the volunteers that support them.

If you are interested in finding out more about the Learning Support Department, whether you have a child with additional needs or are able to volunteer some time for Learning Support, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We are waiting to hear from you!

Preparation for stepping into adulthood - Buloogh Discussion Session

SIM Fiqh Ladies department held a Session for all girls and their mothers who are getting onto the age of buloogh to discuss buloogh related issues.

Whilst the topic is part of the students' syllabus, the objective of this session is to inform the mothers of certain aspects and elements of the subject as it will play a major role in helping their daughters go through this stage and stand into adulthood with a firm Islamic base.

There was a discussion about the rituals we do and to understand why we do them. The majority of us know how to perform the wajibaats, the main thing we are lacking is doing the wajibaats on time and with the spirit Allah (s.w.t) wants to do them with.

Inshallah in this we hope to achieve understanding of adulthood throughout all the girls of this age, and we pray to the Almighty that He is worshipped with a sincere intention and devotion.

With positive feedback, Inshallah another follow-up session will be arranged after Mahe Ramadhan/Summer holidays. We thank all the students, mothers and teachers whose contribution has gone into this.

Sports Day

Once again, we were blessed with excellent weather conditions for our annual Sports Day, on Sunday 12th July. Whilst the delicious BBQ was being prepared and other arrangements for the food serving were made at the Hujjat Centre, the SIM community was engaged in various activities across Hertfordshire.

The boys (class 5+) had this year changed the traditional venue of the Rugby field in Stanmore and headed towards the new destination at Aldenham School. Here they participated in activities ranging from badminton to basket ball, and from tennis to football. The day was concluded with the traditional teachers vs. students football game, and the 2-1 teachers' victory marked the fourth consecutive year without a defeat for the teachers.

The girls (class 5+) headed towards Leisure World at Jarman Park in Hemel Hempstead. Two activities were on the agenda for the day, namely Bowling and Ice Skating. Whilst some of the girls were busy with the strikes and score cards in the bowling hall, majority of the girls put on the skates and ventured on to the ice rink.

Gambado at Watford was taken over by active and cheerful class 1-4 boys and girls, enjoying the various activities at their disposal. The play centre offered adventures like the giant play frame, dodgems and full scale climbing wall, delighting and challenging the young explorers.

Some 300 students plus parents, teachers, volunteers, and guests arrived back at the Hujjat centre for Salaat and the traditional BBQ, which as usual was of a very high standard.

SIM would like to extend appreciation to all volunteers and parents who enabled and facilitated this successful day.

Muslim Mums – focus on sibling relationships

In issue 7 of Muslim Mums magazine we explore how through Islamic and secular teachings we can nurture strong bonds of love and respect between our children that may last forever

In this issue you will find:

Sibling Love and Loathing
Growing Feet
Small Things
Opting for Islamic Schooling
Helping Children Understand Current Affairs
Being the Eldest
Arba'een in Iraq: A mother's Perspective
Kids Corner

Download your e-copy from www.madressa.net

2009 Dates for your diary:

Sunday 19th July 2009 - Summer break starts
Sunday 27th September 2009 – Madressa resumes after Ramadhan / Eid-ul-Fitr