iLEAD course is a practical leadership course that is being currently implemented at Iqra Grammar College. It covers all aspects of leadership in Islamic schools. It is designed to avoid drowning in too much theory unlike some tertiary courses dealing with leadership. It deals with real life issues and prepares Muslim educational leaders for what they will be actually doing in their schools.

When and how will the course be delivered?

We are still accepting expressions of interest from teachers around Australia. If you would like to apply please send an email to the director with your resume and your preferred mode of study (internal or external). Internal study will be available to Sydney residents only.

Course duration
76 hours

Cost:
Teachers will be charged reasonable fees to cover the running costs. Fees will be detailed prior to final enrollment.

Outlines of “iLEAD COURSE” for preparing Muslim educational leaders:

Vision and intentions

- What is an Islamic School?
- Why are we here?
- Who are our students (sometimes we have a certain vision and expect everyone to share it with us without clearly explaining that vision)
- Schools for Muslims or Islamic schools?
- How can we justify ourselves to others? (School image and the Community)
- Working on shared human values

Qualities of successful Islamic schools

- Secular versus religious
- Integration and incorporation
- Do we have to islamise everything?
- Providing the alternative
- Making education enjoyable
- Curriculum planning
- Catering for all areas of growth

Making the change

- Leading and managing change

Qualities of successful Muslim leaders

- Relationship with Allah (spiritual preparation)
- People’s skills
- Creativity
- Meeting the expectations while educating (students, parents, community)
- Growing while you work
- Vision for Islam and Muslims
- The ability to unite and work on the shared background

Parental expectations

- What do parents expect from Islamic Schools?
- Educating the parents
- Sharing the vision

Relating to the non-muslim community

- keeping in touch with other faiths
- Our children as callers to Islam with their manners and daily dealings
- Using PDH to establish healthy life habits and practices

Dealing with your staff
-Criteria for staff selection
- Mentoring system and transition period for new graduates and overseas teachers
- Motivating the staff
- Sharing the vision
- Teams between forming and performing

Financial issues

- Fundraising
- Using resources efficiently
- Grants

Theories of leadership

- What is out there?
- Organisational planning and psychology

What do we expect our students to be? (our agenda)

- Is education about academic success?
- Holistic approach (covering all the aspects of student’s life)
- What are the qualities we expect our students to have?
- staying on the right track

Environment and spatial issues

Parental involvement

- They are my children
- Parental sports activities
- New parents welcome committee
- Parental complaints versus feedback and concerns
- Parents have passion and energy as well (how to utilise them)
- Making an effective P&C

Islamic education and Australian values of education

- Is there any contradiction?
- Working for the benefit of a multicultural Australia

Paperwork you must have
- Policies
- Records
- Action plans
- BOS requirements

Miscellaneous

- Personal Presentation
- Things leaders must do all the time
- Office organisation
- How to make lemonade if life gives you lemons (managing challenging situations)