April 2019

Inside this issue...

THIS NEWSLETTER IS PRODUCED BY BIRCHFIELD INDEPENDENT GIRLS SCHOOL, BIRMINGHAM, B6 6JU (TEL: 0121 327 7707)

The

B.I.G.S. Bulletin

HEAD GIRL

KINGSWOOD

AMMAR IBN YASIR R.A

DISGUISED

IT WAS NARRATED FROM ANAS (R.A): “THE PROPHET (S.A.W) PROHIBITED THAT A MAN SHOULD DRINK WHILE STANDING.” (QATADAH SAID) SO IT WAS SAID: “AND EATING?” HE

(ANAS R.A) SAID: “THAT IS WORSE.” [TIRMIDHI] THOSE WHO STAND TO EAT OR DRINK ALWAYS LOOK LIKE THEY ARE IN A RUSH. SITTING DOWN TO MINDFULLY EAT SLOWS A PERSON IN THEIR EATING HABITS, REDUCING THE AMOUNT THEY ARE LIKELY TO SWALLOW AND THE UNHEALTHY SPEED AT WHICH THEY DO SO. AS MENTIONED ABOVE, EATING CONSCIOUSLY PREVENTS A PERSON FROM BECOMING FATIGUED DUE TO THEIR STOMACH SIZE. IMPORTANTLY, EATING TOGETHER AS A

FAMILY, WHICH REQUIRES YOU TO SIT, IS A CRUCIAL WAY TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS. THE SAME CAN BE SAID AT WORK – TAKE THE TIME TO BUILD FRIENDSHIPS WITH COLLEAGUES – IT IS NOT ALL ABOUT THE BANK BALANCE!

السالم عليكم و رمحة اهلل و بركاتهIt is the time of year when we say farewell to our Year 11 students who will be going on study leave soon and will sit for their GCSE exams shortly. They have been working extremely hard and I pray that they have ease in their revision, are well prepared for their GCSEs and perform well.

We all know we have to work together as a school and as parents/guardians to support our daughters through their learning journey. Thank you to all for supporting your daughters to achieve the very best they can this term and in the future.

Our pupils really enjoyed the recent residential trip at Kingswood in which they took part in several activities. They developed team skills and resilience, especially on the zip wire activity. The staff members related that the pupils were very responsible and ensured they got up for their Fajr salāh themselves too. Māshā Allāh!

I would like to encourage you to attend the fundraiser that has been organised by our parents and well-wishers, Friends of BIGS, who do such great work fundraising and having fun as a group of parents and friends of the school. I would also like to thank parents for their contributions to the fundraiser. May Allāh SWT reward you all well. Āmeen!

I pray that the blessed month of Ramadhān brings with it countless blessings for you and your family and may we take the opportunity to develop our closeness to Allāh SWT and may He accept our fasting and good deeds. Āmeen.

Jazākumullāh Khayran for your support. R Mogra (Head teacher)

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Muslim Dua Now

(on Play Store by Quran Reading)

(on iTunes by Cyber Designz)

Available on Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.quranreading.muslimduaseries&hl=en Available on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/muslim-dua-now-islamic-dua-azkar/id809578403?mt=8

Authentic duʿās for all occasions, presented in text and audio format to help you learn them correctly. The translation of each duʿā is also provided.

APRIL

13-28 SPRING BREAK

14 BIGS FUN DAY

29 3RD TERM BEGINS -SCHOOL RE-OPENS

MAY

6 RAMADAN STARTS

13-19 MENTAL AWARENESS WEEK

25 TERM BREAK

JUNE

3 SCHOOL RE-OPENS FOR PUPILS

5-6 EIDUL FITR HOLIDAY

26 ENGLISH GRAMMAR DAY

JULY

10 GRADUATION & AWARDS CEREMONY

15 SPORTS DAY

18 STUDENTS’ FINAL DAY OF SCHOOL

Dates for your Diary

Google Play iTunes

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Ammar ibn Yasir (R.A) was one of the first people

to embrace Islam. He and his parents suffered

terribly at the hands of the elite tribe of Makkah

known as the Quraysh. Ammar (R.A)’s mother was

Sumayyah (R.A) and she is known as the first

martyr in Islam. She was a staunch and

enthusiastic member of the new Muslim

community. All the suffering she was subjected to

did nothing to lessen her faith. Sumayyah (R.A)

was martyred in the following way: she was tied in between two camels which were made to run - this tore

her body in two separate parts. After this, the enemy tortured and killed Ammar (R.A)’s father, Yasir (R.A).

Ammar (R.A) was a broken man. He was overwhelmed with grief and fear. He was forced to say what the

enemy wanted to hear; to speak against his faith. They released Ammar (R.A), and he went to the Prophet

Muhammad (S.A.W) narrating this event with great pain. The Prophet (S.A.W) asked him, “When you were

making this statement, what was going on in your heart?” He replied, “As for my heart, it was at peace and

firmly set on my Faith.” The Prophet (S.A.W) comforted him that he was not to face any punishment for that.

The following verses are said to be revealed about those Sahabah, including Ammar (R.A), who were

arrested by the enemy and were told to return to Kufr:

ان ... يإ مئن م بالإ إبه مطإ انه إل منإ أكإره وقل منإم بعإد إيإ منإ كفر بالله‘Whoever disbelieves in Allah after his belief... except for one who is forced [to renounce his religion] while

his heart is secure in faith...” (Qur’an 16:106)

This means that if a person has been forced to utter a word of Kufr under the threat that he would be killed

if he did not do that - and he feels that the threat will be carried out - then this is the state of duress. In this

situation, if he was to utter some words of disbelief verbally - but with a heart firm on faith, then there is no

sin on him.

- Submitted by Saliha [Year 8]

ء من الإوإف والإوإع ونقإص من إلونكمإ بشيإ نب ولإن ۞ بي ر الصه إفس والثمرت ط وبش ن مإوال والإ الإ

'AND WE WILL SURELY TEST YOU WITH SOMETHING OF FEAR AND HUNGER AND A LOSS OF WEALTH AND LIVES AND

FRUITS, BUT GIVE GOOD TIDINGS TO THE PATIENT.' (QUR’AN 2:155)

NEVER LOSING HOPE IS A QUALITY MOST PEOPLE TRY TO UNDERSTAND, YET SEEM TO FAIL TO. GENERALLY AMONGST THE YOUNGER GENERATIONS TO RESOLVE SELF-DEPRECIATION IS BY REVOLVING THEMSELVES AROUND DRUGS, CRIME, SOCIAL MEDIA, ETC.

SOCIAL MEDIA - THIS SIMPLE, PORTABLE SOURCE OF ENTERTAINMENT - IS THE CAUSE OF LOSS IN FAITH, LONELINESS, AND A PRIME FACTOR IN BUILDING UP SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL ILLNESSES.

DON’T BECOME DISTRAUGHT WHEN FACING MINOR DIFFICULTIES. EVERY TRIAL YOU FACE MAY DETERMINE THE LEVEL IN PARADISE YOU WILL BE PROMISED IN THE AFTERLIFE. REMEMBER THE ONE WHO INFLICTED IS THE ONE WHO CAN SURELY DELIVER YOU WITH ETERNAL UTOPIA.

A MESSAGE TO ALL IS TO REMEMBER THE CHARACTERISTICS OF OUR BELOVED PROPHET [S.A.W]. CARRYING A TRAIT OF SABR - PATIENCE - LEADS TO MORE IN THE AFTERLIFE THAN IN THIS LIFE. ALTHOUGH HAVING HOPE SEEMS TO CAUSE AN UNNOTICEABLE CHANGE, IT DOES LEAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT MENTALLY, PHYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY.

INHALE ALHAMDULILLAH WHILE EXHALING SUBHANALLAH. THIS LIFE IS UNPREDICTABLE AND ONLY ALLAH CAN FULFIL OUR NEEDS.

- SUBMITTED BY ANIKA [YEAR 11]

Fun Fact

The inventor of the Frisbee, Walter Frederick Morrison, was cremated and made into a Frisbee after he died.

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13/12/18 - Breakfast Club A breakfast club was held for our students to show them the importance of the morning meal - especially for our Year 11 students who are currently doing their mock exams.

24/01/19 - Recycling Project Our students took part in a very enjoyable recycling project, where they explored the different materials that can be recycled and those that can not. They made many different objects including: wind chimes, robots, items of clothing and monuments across the globe.

Apple pie, apple crumble and bread made by Year 7

06/02/19 - Mental Health Awareness Day You can't tell just by looking at someone what they are dealing with inside. Our Year 11 students prepared an interesting workshop giving us an insight and bringing us awareness of mental health. They organised the workshop as part of their citizenship studies. FUNDRAISING AT BIGS

WE HAVE RAISED A TOTAL OF £110.10 FROM OUR MONTHLY STATIONERY AND JEWELLERY STALLS ORGANISED BY OUR

FRIENDS OF BIGS GROUP. WE ALSO RAISED A TOTAL OF £312 FOR HUMAN APPEAL’S WINTER APPEAL VIA A NON-UNIFORM DAY AND A DIXY’S MEAL ORGANISED BY OUR YEAR 10 STUDENTS.

15/01/19 - Careers Talk Mr Bryan Elliott from Cadbury Sixth Form College came to deliver a talk on career choices for our Year 11 students. It was greatly appreciated. Thank you!

FOOD MADE BY STUDENTS OF BIGS Our students have been cooking and baking a lot this term. These are some of the delicious things they have made. Excellent effort!

Chocolate cake, brownies, cupcakes and keema (minced meat) made by Year 8

Lasagne and quiche made by Year 9

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TUESDAYS’ READING FEST The more you read the more you know. The more you learn the further you'll go. A BIG read during form time for our pupils.

10/02/19 - Janazah Workshop Alhamdulillah, around 70 people attended the BIGS Janazah workshop which was open to the public. We received positive feedback as there was a good atmosphere and it was informative. We would like to thank our staff and students for organizing the event and helping out, and we would also like to thank Masjid-e-Nimra for their resources.

15/02/19 - Safeside Our Year 7 students’ visit to Safeside, which is run by West Midlands Fire Service, proved to be very enjoyable. They were guided through the different parts of the town and faced with different safety scenarios. They went from the streets to the alleyways to transport, and were even shown the aftermath of

a burnt bedroom.

27/02/19 - Visit from Al Ameen We were visited by Al Ameen Primary School Year 6 students. They were guided around the school and experienced a taste of life in secondary school through Maths, English and Science lessons. They enjoyed the day immensely. Fun activities were carried out and each guest received a goodie bag containing stationery, sweets , balloons, etc.

07/03/19 - World Book Day Students and teachers alike celebrated World Book Day by dressing up as characters from their favourite books, such as Alice in Wonderland and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to name a few. Our Year 9 and 10 students also performed role-plays for the rest of the school. The costumes worn were very creative. Well done to everyone who participated!

I had fun dressing up and want others to be more creative. Some girls had really fun characters, like The Joker. I’m sure everybody had fun and it was enjoyable. I liked Morrigan Crow from Nevermoor in the role-play because nobody expected a character quite like that. You could see the work she put into the costume. ~ Sumayyah [Year 8]

World Book Day allowed students and teachers to share what books they enjoyed the most. ~ Habeebah [Year 11]

07/03/19 - Motte and Bailey Castles Our Year 8 students’ history project on Norman Castles It was a brilliant project. I had something to work on in the holidays. ~ Saliha I feel very proud of what I have made. Creating a Norman castle helped me understand what forces they had in place to attack and defend. ~ Tanzeela

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WELL DONE TO HOUSE OF

MARWA FOR ACHIEVING THE MOST POINTS

LAST TERM! THEY WERE TREATED

TO TENPIN BOWLING AND

LUNCH AT STAR CITY.

Kingswood Residential Trip

14/03/19 - The Big Bang Fair at NEC Our Year 10 students visited the Science fair and enjoyed it immensely. At the Big Bang Fair, we were able to listen to talks given by different members of STEM. This gave students an opportunity to have any questions answered. We were able to ask about how to get into certain careers in engineering and Science. I liked that we could do hands on activities such as driving a virtual reality aeroplane. We also watched different experiments happen on stage and got to look inside an ambulance. ~ Maymuna

27/03/19 - BIGS Qur’an Competition Reciting and listening to the Holy Qur’an is said to cleanse the mind and soul. Our students have shown great courage in the Qur’an competition; they recited many different surahs in such beautiful voices. Masha Allah! I entered the Qur’an competition because I love to read Qur’an, and the translation has a deep meaning which should be respected. One way of respecting the Qur’an is by showing people they can also recite it beautifully. ~ Sarah [Year 10]

29/03/19 Over the weekend our Year 8, Year 10 and Year 11 pupils focused on self confidence, team work and resilience at Kingswood. Well done! The trip was good because different year groups came together and we all worked with each other. We helped and encouraged each other in many activities including: zip wire, Jacob’s ladder, obstacle courses and much more. If someone was scared to do a certain activity, everyone else helped them and supported them so they could do it. We should do many trips like this. ~ Sinan [Year 8] My favourite activity was rock climbing because it used all my body strength. However I did not like orienteering because we kept getting lost and were confused about the points. We had a variety of food for lunch which we enjoyed and it filled us up for the many difficult activities we took part in. We also learnt how to build trust and teamwork within our groups. ~ Saliha [Year 8]

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Head Girl What changes did you make to the school as Head Girl?

I definitely wanted to accomplish more than just introducing ‘Yazoos’ at the tuck shop! I had the joy of planning events and making presentations with fellow school council members and teachers, who so kindly helped out. We all made a good team for sure. Wednesday meetings will definitely be missed!

What did you achieve in your experience at BIGS?

I had the chance to meet great friends and teachers, and along the way make many memories I don’t think I’d forget. Over the years that I have been attending this school, I’ve realised that I would have missed out on Islamic knowledge which isn’t of course taught at other schools nearby. I could say that I’ve really been inspired by some.

What is your favourite memory at BIGS?

I remember the iftaar that took place last summer, which had so much barakah in it and everyone was in

such a good mood. People from all o v e r t h e community came to open their fast, and what could be better than opening it all together? Also, having most of my year group there was classed as a miracle! The food made was delicious and definitely very filling. Alhamdulillah, everyone was also helping with preparations. I also remember having a little game of dodgeball within the aftermath of cleaning up with myself and some other students against the teachers - including Mrs Mogra!

What do you plan on doing after graduation?

I think I most look forward to relaxing and going back to the joy of reading books on hot summer days without any stress. I’d also get to spend more time with my loved ones and live out the days of summer with joy, Insha Allah. I am also excited and look forward to sixth from, studying the courses of

my choice.

Do you have advice for the next Head Girl?

Yes. I think it is important to balance your studying by getting organised and planning ahead, which is something that I have definitely improved on this year. It honestly helps so much - since you are going to be in your exam year and also taking on this role. Don’t ever feel the need to stress yourself out... and stay positive!

Do you have a final message for the staff and students at BIGS?

Yes, of course I do. I started at BIGS three years ago not knowing anyone, from a small town to a busy city - it was a big change for me. I could say I was a bit of a troublemaker at first but I think being surrounded with good influences definitely had a part to play. Thank you to Ms Danti for putting up with me over the years!

Having positivity is a good way to go, but also brings out the good within others. Anything is possible to achieve, Insha Allah!

~ Habeebah [Year 11]

WALL OF EXCELLENCE

Star Students of the Month

December

KS3 - Mannal [Year 9]

KS4 - Fizzah [Year 11]

January

KS3 - Fatima [Year 8]

KS4 - Hawa [Year 10]

February

KS3 - Haleema [Year 8]

KS4 - Farhiya [Year 11]

Best Class Attendance

December - Year 11 - 97.3% January - Year 11 - 96.5% February - Year 8 - 99.3%

House Cup Quiz Points for Term 1

1st - Marwa - 1614 points 2nd - Safa - 1597 points 3rd - Mina - 1439 points

4th - Arafah - 1366 points

Student with most points in Term 1

Year 7 - Sabreen - 83 points Year 8 - Sinan - 163 points Year 9 - Malika - 83 points

Year 10 - Saarah - 108 points Year 11 - Zainab - 34 points

Data Collection Sheets and Data Protection Forms

Recently, data protection forms were given out to the students. If you haven't handed them in to the office already, please do so. Please enquire with the School Office if you are unsure or require a copy of the forms.

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Answers to last issue’s Time Out

Say What You See: up in smoke, cross hairs,

backpack| Riddle Me This: ‘e’, there’s no

smoke from a locomotive train (only steam

trains), a coffin| Brain Drainer: act now

Muhammad ibn Sa’d narrates: I advised a person

who had the habit of attending functions without

invitations, ‘How can you consume haram food?’

‘But I only consume halal food,’ he maintained.

‘How is that?’ I asked.

‘When I enter a home, I go to the female

quarters. The people of the house then

shout out, “No, no, this way!” Their

statement, “This way”, represents an

invite. So therefore, I consume only halal!’

Guess the Answers to these Islamic Riddles:

To me they did turn, When he was no more. The closest of friends, And first of the four.

A terminal word, Said once more than twice. I am easily given, But solitude’s my price.

My ebony beauty Brings lovers great bliss. Even pious men wrestle To give me a kiss.

S T U N T E D

B E D R O O M

N O U G H T S

T E A C H E R

H O R M O N E

T O P S I D E

P A R S L E Y

B O R E D O M

DISGUISED The words in the first grid are all in disguise: they are

anagrams of other words. Once you have solved the

anagrams, write them in the second grid (in the same

order) to reveal a word in the central column that

gives a message. One has been done for you.

Email your Time Out answers to newsletter@bigs.bham.sch.uk

The first person to email us

the correct solutions wins a

small prize! ANY SUGGESTIONS, COMMENTS

AND FEEDBACK WELCOME!

WRITE TO US VIA EMAIL OR SIMPLY

SCRIBBLE YOUR THOUGHTS ONTO

A PIECE OF PAPER AND HAND IT IN

TO OUR TEAM!