Al-Madinah School

Newsletter 21-11-2023

Dear Parents/Caregivers

Assalaamu Alaikum WRWB

MESSAGE FROM NZQA

Whānau  and Students

Tēnā koutou katoa

During the NCEA exams on Friday morning, 10 November, NZQA’s digital assessment platform reached capacity after 18,000 students logged in, and access to the platform was closed. This did not affect the students who were already in the system.

Extensive testing by NZQA’s technology vendor gave NZQA confidence that this level of activity could be supported.

However, the system began to slow after more than 18,000 students had logged in, and a decision was made to stop further logins to Level 1 English to guarantee the experience of these students.

For those who had not already logged in, Exam Centre Managers directed students to the paper version of the exam.

NZQA is determining the scale of the disruption to students and their examinations. If you have concerns about your student’s experience, please feel free to get in touch with NZQA or the school (Nazmeen Zaim)

NZQA sincerely apologises for the disruption this caused for some students.

The Level 1 English exam is the largest digital exam of the 2023 exam round, and the number of students able to log in this morning exceeds the number of students expected to attend at any other time in the exam period. This means no further issues around the platform’s capacity are expected.

NZQA will continue to work with its technology vendor as they scale up the capacity of the system. “

Derived Grade process following digital exams on Friday 10 November

Students whose exams were significantly disrupted by the performance of the digital exam platform on Friday 10 November can access the derived grade process. Students will get the best grade available – either the formal examination or our school’s practice exam grade. Al-Madinah School will apply to NZQA on behalf of students who were significantly disadvantaged. To discuss whether you are included, please contact the Principal’s Nominee, Ust Nazmeen Zaim.

Muslim Diversity STUDY Questionnaire

The New Zealand Attributes and Values is doing research on Muslim Diversity Study.  The aim of this study is to understand how and why the health, wellbeing, personality, attitudes, and values of New Zealanders may be changing over time. Following people over time is important because we currently know very little about how people’s’ opinion, values, and levels of satisfaction with their lives may change gradually over time or change rapidly in response to current events in society.  As the survey is designed for the New Zealand’s population, please click the link below to answer the questions.

https://auckland.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_czHh8ueItvj3hmS

UNIFORM/STATIONERY PURCHASE

Parents/caregivers can purchase the uniform, from 4th to 08 December 2023 or when the school opens for 2024 a week before the school opens for students (24 – 30 January 2024).

Please note that there will be no selling of uniform or stationery on the first day of school in the morning.

GRADUATION GOWN

Year 13 students need to pay $15.00 to hire the graduation gown.  Students need to return the gown after the graduation ceremony.

LEAVERS 2023

Parents are requested to inform the school office if their child/children are leaving AMS this year and will not be returning for the 2024 academic year.

IMPORTANT DATES

06/12/2023:   Primary Award Assembly

  • Years 1 – 3 from 10am – 12noon.
  • Years 4 – 6 from 2pm – 4pm.

07/12/2023:   Secondary Award Assembly from 10am – 12noon.

13/12/2023:   School finishes for 2023 at 2.30pm

IED TRUST PROJECT

Jazaakallahu khairan to those who have already donated towards the IED Trust projects.

IED TRUST’S Ellerslie Islamic Centre Project “purchase of a church” for an Islamic Centre must be paid by 30 Nov 2023. Please contribute generously as you have contributed in the past.  Deposit funds into 01-0249-0050273-09.  For receipt, provide your name and mobile phone number. For queries, please contact Ustadh Asin Ali on 021675994.

Wassalaam,

Principal

Asin Ali