Blog

05 Jun
0

2013 Teacher Development Program

The Australian Universal Federation, AUF has conducted its annual “Teaching Improvement Program” to assist its member organisations with future employment alternatives. The program was held between 29 June and 3 July, 2013 at Amity College Prestons Campus.

The program was designed for potential teachers who were planning to start the profession in the near future. Experienced teachers provided vital information for future teachers to make a fresh and informed start to the profession. The program also aimed to provide a chance for the affiliated school administrators to get to know the potential teachers.

There were 24 teacher candidates; 13 females and 11 males who participated in the intensive 5-day program. Amity College’s state of the art facilities were used for the program. The daily program started at 9:00 am. There were six 60-minute sessions.

Sessions included; feedback from experienced teachers, new technologies in the classrooms, the responsibilities of an ideal teacher, teaching techniques, effective discipline methods, dos and don’ts for new teachers, faculty workshops, sample lesson by each candidate.

Faculties and Head Teachers

Humanities > Muhammed Aksu (Damla College)
Mathematics > Cem Giray (Amity College)
Science, Physics > Halid Serdar Takimoglu (AUF)
Primary > Mujgan Berber (Amity College)
Biology > Hatice Aydogan (Amity College)
Chemistry > Atilla Sinik (Amity College)

Details

Accommodation, food and venues were provided by Galaxy Foundation
24 potential teachers participated (13 females, 11 males.
Participants came from 3 states; 20 from VIC, 3 from NSW and 1 from QLD
33 hours of instructions and discussions
3 main sessions; Presentations, Faculty workshops and Lesson Observations
3 faculties, 13 presenters
92% mean attendance
73.1% mean lesson observation mark
93% mean satisfaction rate about the presentations
29 of the 41 participants from the last year has been employed in AUF schools (71%)

Testimonials

“I liked the motivational aspect of the seminars – it was highlighted that with hard work we can be a good teacher.”
“The practical aspect was helpful, such as how to approach parents or certain issues in the classroom.”
“Teaching stories presenters shared regarding their personal experience” (response to “What you found beneficial?”)
“Preparing sample lesson for observation and teachers providing feedback” (response to “What you found beneficial?”)
“Very well organised, timing of sessions were good.”
“All in all -> very effective.”

Click here for the 5-day-program

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07 May
0

Dr Huseyin Yagmur's Visit

Tuesday, 30 April 2013

AUF invited Dr Huseyin Yagmur; theologist, writer and television program maker to attend a series of programs in Melbourne and Sydney.

The videos of some of his TV programs can be found here.

He arrived to Melbourne on 17 April 2013. He visited various community leaders, interfaith organisations as well as sharing his wisdom with the general public.

He was the guest speaker at the Blessed Birth Conference organised by Selimiye Foundation on 19 April Friday at Ishtar Reception. The very informative program about the life of the last prophet attracted more than 400 people.

He arrived to Sydney on 20 April to participate in Galaxy (formerly Feza) Foundation’s annual retreat camp in Murramarang Beachfront Nature Resort as the key note speaker. He shared his wisdom with more than 200 participants of the camp on the next 5 days.

Dr Huseyin Yagmur departed from Australia on 26 April, after giving Friday sermon in Auburn Gallipoli Mosque.

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04 Apr
0

2013 Language & Culture Festival

Turkish Language Olympiads have been organised by International Turkish Education Association since 2003. In 2012 students from more than 130 countries have competed in different areas like poetry, singing, acting etc. Member schools have participated in these Olympiads in the past and achieved great results representing Australia. It is a great opportunity for the school community to encourage teaching languages other than English. AUF tries to assist in organising the various stages in Australia and monitor the Australian team selections.

Students who are going to represent Australia at the 11th Turkish Language Olympiads, among the representatives of over 140 countries, have been selected at the Language and Culture Festival on Saturday the 30th of March at City Recital Hall in Sydney.

The Language and Culture Festival, organised by Bayram Turkish Cultural Association, was the battleground for fierce competitions to secure a place at the Olympiads which will be held between 1 and 16 June 2013 in Turkey.

Students from across Australia displayed great performances and made the job of the judges, lead by Deputy CEO of the Australian Universal Federation Mahmut Celal Arikan, extremely hard. At the end, the following students secured the first place in their categories:

Song contest: Ijabo Mohammed (Turkish as a Foreign Language) and Zehra Uzay (Turkish Background)
Poetry Contest: Lena Yacine (Turkish as a Foreign Language) and Fatma Lelik (Turkish Background)
Speaking Contest: Samira Quarshi
Special Talent: Enes Ahmadi

Turkish Consul General Ms Gulseren Celik, CEO of Australian Universal Federation Mr Mehmet Yavuzlar, community leaders, local and national media, visitors from overseas was among more than 1000 quests. Senator The Hon Kate Lundy the Minister For Multicultural Affairs sent a warm message which was read by Ridvan Manav the president of the Bayram Association.

AUF congratulates all students and wishes the finalists all the best in their quest in Turkey.

Click here for Bayram Turkish Cultural Association

After the Australia Finals, Deputy CEO, Mahmut Celal Arikan had numerous sessions with the team to prepare them for the finals. The group represented Australia between 1 and 16 June in Turkey. The Australia Information Centre came third in the Culture Exhibition category. Enes Ahmadi received a third place in Speaking and mention in Special Talent. Fatma Lelik also received a third in Essay Writing.

Click here for more Turkish Language Olympiads news

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26 Mar
0

Wisdom College: Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow

The Australian Universal Federation is proud to announce the opening of the Wisdom College in Brisbane, Queensland.

Wisdom College will be developing in the footsteps of its sister schools; Sirius College in VIC and Amity College in NSW.The school oers small class sizes, interactive boards for each class, cultural activities, second language classes, pastoral care programs as well as individualised academic monitoring and extra tuition.

It currently caters from prep/kinder to Grade 7.

Enrolments are open! Contact the school for more information!

97 Formby Street (Corner of Algester Rd & Formby St)
Calamvale QLD 4116
07 3711 9821

www.wisdomcollege.qld.edu.au

Unvrsl Nws Flyr Mar 2013 opt1

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07 Mar
0

Interview with CEO

Yavuzlar, CEO of the The Australian Universal Federation, AUF, says: “AUF is mostly made up of Australian’s who hold a Turkish background and have successfully transitioned into the Australian multicultural society. These people aim to pass on their cultural heritage in to the environment made up of our various communities.

The Australian Universal Federation of Education and Culture, AUF, was formed quite recently. Could you please explain the aim and purpose for the establishment of the Federation?

AUF was legally established in 20 August 2012. The AUF is structurally made of several institutions located in the major cities of the five states. The common attribute of these institutions is that they give priority to the advancement of education and cultural values. Galaxy (formerly Feza) Foundation which is located in Sydney has 5 schools, Selimiye Foundation located in Melbourne has 6 schools, McYESS Foundation located in Adelaide has 2 schools, Baris Foundation located in Perth and the Queensland Foundation located in Brisbane has a school each that is running under their control. However along with their efforts to promote education, these Foundations have also been trying to promote the Turkish Culture through the holding of festivals, seminars, conferences and other events. In addition, they have services which provide financial and moral assistance to those in need of it.

Even in previous years these Foundations have collaborated together to design new projects. The increasing need for these projects have made those within the institutions such as school principals, teachers of the same faculty, accounts department and public relations officers to join together, exchange ideas and create new organizational systems so that these projects can be made effective. We can also add the preparation of educational material and the testing and evaluation of these new systems to the list. On one side these member institutions are involved in the exchange of knowledge and experiences, while on the other side we are planning projects that will increase the success of our schools. Projects which aim for member schools to surpass the Australian education standards, showing guidance in fiscal matters, and matters of professional development are all part of the future agenda of the AUF.

Recently schools have started the new year. As the Federation’s CEO, what message do you have for the teachers who are working under the umbrella of the federation and for all teachers in general?

Teaching is the world’s most blessed profession. It is through our teachers that the new generations’ develop their character and academic skills. Generally, students start intense studying in years 11 and 12.
In my opinion this is not right. Educators should not stand as idle spectators to this issue. Enjoying learning, and having a solid foundation should begin in the first years of the school life. Without applying pressure, teachers should aim to get students to like their subjects and to follow a steady study schedule.

Teachers have two important duties. Firstly; with their subject and material preparation and class management skills, they should be performing their jobs as if they were an actor in a theatre show. Secondly; through a student-centred teaching approach they should try to motivate the students so that they could be active both in the classroom and at home. They should try to bring them in to the community as ‘self-motivated’ individuals.

What type of activities will be running through the cultural arm of the Federation?

As seen from its name, the federation’s areas of interest are mainly comprised of educational and cultural advancement. In Australia, multiculturalism is a government policy. Our federation is made up of those who have successfully lived through their period of transitioning in to Australia albeit their Turkish backgrounds. It is these same people who will be pouring out their religious, national and cultural inspirations in to the colourful communities of Australia. Along with this, they will be part of the mosaic which consists of more than 100 nationalities. To best display our rich culture, we plan to organise seminars, panels, conferences and festivals. Similar events have been organised over the years by our member foundations. In light of supporting cultural displays, our member foundations have been attending to and supporting the events organised by Turkish Cultural Centres. Over tens of thousands of people have attended the festivals which were organised in Sydney and Melbourne last year. The festival grounds were teeming with people from all sorts of backgrounds. They visited the stalls, listened to music, and observed the artistry of ‘Ebru’; they showed great interest in the historical works and of course had a taste from the Turkish cuisine.

The federation’s member foundations and their related entities have recently undertaken a name change. What is the underlying purpose of these amendments?

We want to contribute to Australia’s multi-culturalism. We are very sincere in this regard. In our everyday lives we are in direct contact with people from different backgrounds. However there is no doubt that the most influential and lasting interactions is in the educational institutions. By giving our foundations and schools English names, we thought that non-Turkish parents would be more comfortable with the idea of sending their children to our schools. We are resolute with our educational and mentoring principles. To date these values have made us successful and so we shall continue following this path. We are certain that the Australian youth will be satisfied with our existing educational system and its quality. We want our services to encompass not only the Turkish and the Muslim populace but also the whole of the Australian community.

mvy cem tayfun

The schools under the member foundations of the federation have obtained great success in the university entrance exams. What advice would you give to those students who are about to embark on their university lives?

I am assuming you are referring to our latest graduates. First and foremost, I would like to congratulate them on their excellent achievement which was made possible by a busy period of preparation and hard work. This year, our schools have again shown great success in placing their students into the top universities. The community gives great importance to all trades and professions. However the values obtained from University education cannot be undervalued. University education is somewhat different. In high school you are in a more constricted and controlled environment. When you attend university you will feel, for a short period of time, like a fish taken out from the sea. The actions of those who are lost, reckless and irresponsible should not be an example to follow. They will understand what I am saying when they receive their first University results. Maybe they will understand the reality of university life and its expectations, but we cannot know whether it will be intelligence and reason that triumph or whether it will be pleasure and entertainment that overpowers. I will advise them to hold on tightly to their moral and spiritual attainments. Our students are like pure white pages that represent their each and individual community. We expect them to add knowledge and wisdom to these pages during and after their University lives. I wish success to all our students in their educational and professional endeavours.

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