Religious affiliation(s) Islamic Grades K–12 Enrolment 2440 (2013) Founded 1989 Teaching staff 151 | Established 1989 Age 5 to 18 Phone +61 2 8732 7800 Number of students 2,440 | |
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School type Independent co-educational Address 405 Waterloo Rd, Greenacre NSW 2190, Australia Motto "Knowledge is Light, Work is Worship" Similar Alnoori Muslim School, Sefton High School, Strathfield Girls High School, Homebush Boys High School, Burwood Girls' High School | ||
Malek Fahd Islamic School (MFIS), is an independent, Islamic, combined primary and secondary school, in Greenacre, New South Wales with smaller campuses in Hoxton Park and Beaumont Hills. It is the largest Islamic school in Australia, catering for 3 students from Kindergarten to Year 12 across three campuses.
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Malek fahd islamic school exposed
History
Malek Fahd Islamic School was opened in October 1989 with one campus in Greenacre. The purchase of the land for the school was secured through a $12 million gift from King Fahd of Saudi Arabia. The school started with 87 students from kindergarten to year 3 but has grown to over 2000 students in 2013. In April 2011 the school established two campuses in Hoxton Park and Beaumont Hills both catering for students in early primary school.
In June 2013 the School Board, chaired by Tom Alegounarias, appointed the school's first Christian headmaster, Dr Ray Barrett.
Campuses
The school's main campus in Greenacre includes 700 students in the primary school (Kindergarten to Year 6) and 900 students in the secondary school (Years 7 to 12).
The Hoxton Park campus opened in April 2011 for 8 students in Kindergarten and Years 1 and 2 as well as 1 staff. In 2013 the campus has 0 students enrolled from Kindergarten to Year 4. The campus has a modern two story building which caters for students from Hoxton Park, Liverpool, Lurnea, Hinchinbrook and Prestons.
The school also operates a campus in Beaumont Hills, opened in April 2011, for children in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2. The campus initially started with 31 students but has increased in size with over 200 students in 2012 from Kindergarten to Year 6. In 2014 the school expanded to include Year 7. The campus draws students from Beaumont Hills, Kellyville, Castle Hill, The Ponds, Blacktown, Seven Hills, Rooty Hill and Mt Druitt.
Curriculum
Malek Fahd Islamic School teaches according to the NSW Board of Studies mandated syllabuses. However all students are required to study the Religious Education syllabus throughout their schooling. The school also teaches Arabic throughout schooling. Arabic is also offered as a subject for students completing the Higher School Certificate in Year 11 and 12.
The school also offers a number of sporting and extra curricular activities including with other schools and local organisations.
Controversies
In 2008 Malek Fahd Islamic School was criticised for not allowing under performing students to sit the Higher School Certificate (HSC), resulting in unfairly high HSC results reported for the school. The school denied distorting exam results.
In 2010 the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) received $5.2 million from the school which is approximately one third of the money received from the federal and state governments. In 2012 the NSW government demanded the repayment of $9 million passed from school to the AFIC.
In November 2013 the school faced closure due to problems associated with its attendance-approvals, its HSC curriculum, educational quality, safe environment and its buildings. In December 2013 the school won a reprieve, with the NSW Board of Studies agreeing to a further year of registration.
In November 2015 the school sought an injunction in the NSW Supreme Court to remove the governance of the AFIC.
In February 2016 the federal government said it will revoke its $20 million funding to the school. It was reported that the "feud" between the school board and the AFIC had escalated to the point where security was required at the school for "fear it could escalate into violence". Subsequently a phantom loan, mystery payments and undeclared conflicts of interest were identified by a federal government investigation. In March 2016 the school cut its ties to the AFIC. In January 2017, the School lost its appeal made towards their government funding, which was cut in late 2016.