Headquarters:

Green Valley, NSW, 2168

Year founded:

2002

Number of employees:

115

Phone:

(02) 87839188

Email:

principal@minarah.nsw.edu.au

Website:

minarah.nsw.edu.au

LinkedIn:

au.linkedin.com/company/minarahcollege

“With less focus on textbooks, students now engage more in experiential and inquiry-based learning and have ample opportunities to work in collegial groups using various thinking routines”

Jay Halai, Minarah College

MINARAH COLLEGE

Jay Halai

Principal

Davindar Singh

Deputy Principal, Secondary Operations

Saireen Hussain

Deputy Principal, Secondary Teaching and Learning

Leadership

Jay Halai is an innovative principal focusing on engaging with students and educators to meet strategic objectives and drive students’ progress. He is committed to providing and empowering a top-performing college to cultivate student rapport and promote successful education delivery. He has a background in educational leadership, curriculum development, and teaching and learning from various schools in Australia and the UK. His qualifications include a Master’s in ICT Education, BSc in Pharmaceutical Science, and PGCE in Secondary Education. He is currently undertaking an Executive MBA at UNSW. As Minarah College’s educational leader, Jay Halai has strategically built a strong team dedicated to delivering on the school’s strategic plan ‘Shaping Futures Together’ to maximise students’ competence, skills and capacity so that all students can ultimately achieve well educationally and personally. He ensures that every aspect of school life is aligned towards that goal.

Principal

Jay Halai

Davindar Singh, an educator for 22 years, serves as the deputy principal and mathematics teacher at Minarah College. He previously served as the head of department for Mathematics, Welfare and Discipline. Davindar is a highly qualified educational leader who is committed to continuous improvement and innovative teaching. He models high-level organisational and administration skills that are aimed at improving community engagement and outcomes of all students at Minarah College. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Education and Mathematics from The University of the South Pacific and has partially completed a second degree in Accounting/Financial Management and Information Systems.

Deputy Principal, Secondary Operations

Davindar Singh

Saireen Hussain holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, major in History, Politics and Philosophy and English Text and Writing. She also has a Master’s in Secondary Teaching and has been teaching at Minarah College for the last 13 years. She started as an English and History teacher in 2009 and a few years later, became the head of the HSIE department. Currently, she is the deputy principal of teaching and learning in the secondary school.

Deputy Principal, Secondary Teaching and Learning

Saireen Hussain

“With less focus on textbooks, students now engage more in experiential and inquiry-based learning and have ample opportunities to work in collegial groups using various thinking routines”

Jay Halai, Minarah College

“We will ensure students address meaningful real-world problems and use specific protocols [so that] all voices are heard. Project-based learning will be emphasised to develop key skills such as research, critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration”

Jay Halai, Minarah College

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Jay Halai, Minarah College

“With less focus on textbooks, students now engage more in experiential and inquiry-based learning and have ample opportunities to work in collegial groups using various thinking routines”

Jay Halai, Minarah College

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Samina Ali

Deputy Principal, Primary

Samina Ali holds a Master’s of Educational Leadership and Bachelor of Education from local universities. She has 30 years of teaching experience, with 10 years as deputy principal and overall 19 years of service at the College. She is a 2010 finalist for the ASG Inspirational Teaching Award from the NeiTA Foundation. Samina has an aptitude with primary operations, facilitating professional expectations and responsibilities and collaborating with staff for upward communication mechanisms. As deputy principal, she holds expertise as a lead professional and has a demonstrated history of collaboration with top-tier educational leadership teams. She facilitates a nurturing learning environment and educational pursuits of the College.

Deputy Principal, Primary

Samina Ali

Steve Uscinski

Deputy Headmaster, Teaching and Learning

Steve Uscinski leads the team of the studies directorate. In his more than 20 years at BGS, he has served as a teacher of English, coach of rugby and cricket, director of the senior dramatic production, boarding housemaster, school administrator and curriculum innovator and leader.

Deputy Headmaster, Teaching and Learning

Steve Uscinski

“The high focus on traditional ways of delivery of lessons through textbooks and lecture-based teaching was to be enhanced by interactive and collaborative learning, resulting in development of students’ creative and critical thinking and communication using a range of resources, including ICT.” Additionally, the school’s introduction of one-to-one devices enabled contemporary learning through the use of e-textbooks, e-resources and programs, that students are more receptive of, and are developing the skills that they would in future be using in their workforce. “As the key external exams are delivered online, the devices will further facilitate the process,” Halai explains. “The introduction of a character wheel was seen as a strategy to develop students’ global competencies and [to make them] active contributors to society, [while developing] their exemplary character and emotional intelligence.” Halai says this approach provided a more structured sequence in comparison to the previous one-off charity-based activities. In tandem with this overhaul, Halai has motivated all staff at the College to seek deeper investment in promoting positive outcomes for students. He says the most outstanding outcome from this is the benefit to the students, which is evident through Minarah’s Lesson Observations and Learning Walks.

Jay Halai, Minarah College

Greg Thorne

Deputy Headmaster, Co-curricular

Jacqui Zervos

Executive Director, Educational Innovation

Rebecca Campbell

Head of Middle School

Inma Beaumont

Executive Director Advancement and Community Relations

Greg Thorne joined BGS in January 2019. He is an experienced educational leader with a broad range of proficiencies. He has expertise in student wellbeing roles, curriculum leadership and school administration. Greg was part of the senior leadership team at Nudgee College for eight years, most recently as the director of activities for sport and culture. He has also been chairperson of multiple GPS Association sub-committees.

Deputy Headmaster, Co-curricular

Greg Thorne

Jacqui Zervos joined the School in 1995 as a teacher of geography and history, having completed her initial teacher qualification at The University of Queensland in 1987 and then spending seven years teaching with Education Queensland. She is well known as a passionate and exemplary teacher of geography and took on the position of head of year in 2001. During the following five years as head of year, Jacqui completed her Master of Education at UQ with a major study into boys’ education. She was appointed head of middle school in 2006. In 2018, she was seconded to her current position and in 2020 was confirmed as executive director, educational innovation on a permanent basis from 2021.

Executive Director, Educational Innovation

Jacqui Zervos

Rebecca Campbell joined BGS in mid-2013 as the School’s first head of Years 5 and 6. She has spent the past 15 years working in GPS boys’ schools. A dedicated educator, she is committed to creating a positive learning culture that supports the holistic development of each student. Rebecca is a graduate of the University of Newcastle, where she completed a master’s degree specialising in educating boys. In recent years, she has attained a Professional Certificate in Instructional Leadership through the University of Melbourne. Rebecca fulfilled the head of middle school role in Term 1 2017 and from 2018 to 2020. She was appointed to the position of head of middle school in 2021.

Head of Middle School

Rebecca Campbell

Inma Beaumont joined BGS at the beginning of 2020. She is an experienced advancement professional, having implemented fundraising and engagement operations for three different units over six years at The University of Queensland. Inma led the fundraising campaign to renovate the Forgan Smith Building, home to the TC Beirne School of Law at UQ. She subsequently spent three years as director of advancement at the UQ Faculty of Health, where she conceived and delivered a major gifts program. Her fundraising experience follows a 15-year career in finance, including as CFO of Citibank Australia. She is a non-executive director of UN Women Australia, Speech Pathology Australia and Women’s College at UQ.

Executive Director Advancement and Community Relations

Inma Beaumont

Diana Godfrey joined Fidelity in 1995, and is currently the senior vice-president, human resources and corporate affairs. She has 27 years of industry experience and has driven innovation and transformative changes to employee benefits, talent development, charitable and diversity and inclusion programs, which have strengthened Fidelity Canada’s position as a top caring employer. She championed the implementation of Fidelity Canada’s value proposition, committed to improving the employee experience to meet their individual needs and the community at large. Fidelity Canada has been recognized with multiple employer awards and designations, which celebrate its work culture and atmosphere, corporate philanthropic initiatives, and health and benefits, to name just a few.

Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Corporate Affairs

Diana Godfrey (she/her/hers)

Cameron Murray is the senior vice president, client services and CIO for Fidelity Investments Canada ULC. In this capacity, he oversees both technology and operations for the organization in Canada. He joined Fidelity in December 1999 as Vice President, Systems Operations. He currently serves as a member of the board of directors for FundSERV, where he has been an executive committee and board member since 2002. He is also on the board of directors for Fidelity Investments Canada ULC.

Senior Vice President, Client Services and Chief Information Officer

Cameron Murray

Sarah M Stewart has more than 15 years of strategic leasing and customer care experience in residential property management. She is responsible for overseeing all aspects of Centurion’s national leasing platforms, residential lead generation, and overall customer experience excellence through operation of the company’s internal customer service department.

Associate Vice President, Leasing and Call Centre Operations

Sarah M Stewart

Associate Vice President, Leasing and Call Centre Operations

Karen Bannister, CM

Vice President, Marketing

Dave Longbottom

Chief Technology Officer

Alex Ventura

Head of Marketing

Damian Palovick

Senior Vice President of Underwriting AXA XL – Delegated Authority Programs, North America

Dr. Mary Lavoie

Head of Risk Management and Senior Vice President AXA XL – Delegated Authority Programs, North America

Mark Bernacki

Chief Underwriting Officer

Ryan Armijo

Chief Operating Officer, Underwriting Division

Bob Petrilli

President, Underwriting Division

“The focus now is on differentiation and development of Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS). There is documented planning on differentiation to ensure the students who are struggling are being catered for and those who are above average are being challenged to do better,” he says. “Furthermore, staff are now engaging in making data-driven decisions to make programs and learning sequences. Lessons are no longer based on ‘one hat – fits all’, each lesson now has differentiated tasks.” Halai says the syllabus outcome is now achieved through differentiated tasks that are aligned to the student capabilities and learning needs. “Lessons are delivered through interactive flat panels; hence, teachers have the opportunity to cater for visual, auditory and kinaesthetic learners,” he states. “With less focus on textbooks, students now engage more in experiential and inquiry-based learning and have ample opportunities to work in collegial groups using various thinking routines.” Halai elaborates that staff development is highly focused on enhancement of ICT skills through regular professional learning with Microsoft Teams. “The success stories on Deep Learning from classrooms were shared by the staff as part of professional development, and these presentations were well received by the teachers, and seen as a learning opportunity, and peer appreciation.” As for what’s next for Minarah College, Halai emphasises the process is in place for changing the learning environment with collaborative learning places for all students. “The shift is from students just learning the knowledge to authentic application of this knowledge to the wider world. The focus at Minarah College is for teachers to equip students with the tools to navigate their learning process and improve their expertise in developing efficacy,” he explains. “We will ensure students address meaningful real-world problems and use specific protocols [so that] all voices are heard. Project-based learning will be emphasised to develop key skills such as research, critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration.” Halai affirms that Minarah will also be using appropriate data analysis and interpretation of data to make informed decisions that positively affect student outcomes. “The proactive stance will enable students to be committed to advocating essential values, reflect and develop critical thinking and communication skills to develop their characters and become valuable and active members of the global community.”

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Alexis Hill

Chief Information Officer

Alexis Hill joined BGS in April 2022 as the School’s first chief information officer to lead the Digital Transformation Program, which aims to use technology and data to enhance student outcomes. As a senior executive with over 14 years of experience in commercial and government industries, she has substantial experience in digital transformation leadership. Alexis has held CIO and director roles that focused on driving technological and organisational change in complex environments. She holds a Bachelor of Business degree and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Chief Information Officer

Alexis Hill

Minarah College – an independent K-12 Islamic co-educational school located 7km from Liverpool – is at the forefront of transformational change in educational practices and pedagogies that will impact the lives of its students in Western Sydney, both now and in the future. Over the past 12 months, the school has undergone a massive overhaul in programming to fully align with the model of Deep Learning and futuristic learning. “The learning cycle and pedagogies were reviewed and the crucial need for a holistic approach to engage students of varying needs, and not only the academic oriented, was evident,” principal Jay Halai says.

https://minarah.nsw.edu.au/