What does your department do in a nutshell?
In a nutshell, this department identifies and nurtures highly capable and talented students by providing them with an enriched and challenging learning curriculum. It aims to foster their academic excellence, problem-solving skills, critical thinking abilities, and independence, preparing them to be successful Muslim role models and lifelong learners.
What are your goals and mission?
The goals and mission of the SEEP department are to:
Nurture successful Muslim role models who achieve personal and academic excellence.
Develop independent life-long learners who possess problem-solving skills and critical thinking abilities to thrive in the 21st century.
Create an Enrichment Learning Curriculum that engages, challenges, and inspires students while equipping them with the values, insights, and skills necessary to lead their own learning.
Recognise the individuality of students through curriculum diversity, diverse teaching strategies, and student-centred processes.
What is the benefit for the students?
The benefit for the students in the SEEP program includes:
Competitive situations: Providing opportunities to engage and excel in stimulating environments.
Deeper learning: Building a richer, more diverse, and effectively organized knowledge base by removing the ceiling on what is learned.
Development of higher-level cognitive skills: Promoting creativity, critical thinking, and effective knowledge management through strategies like Bloom’s Taxonomy.
Working with like-minded peers: Encouraging group interaction and collaboration with students of similar abilities.
Potential for scholarships: Existing SEEP students may be eligible for Al-Taqwa College scholarships based on their performance in the ICAS tests.
Recognition and awards: Opportunities to be acknowledged for academic excellence, achievement, improvement, and leadership skills.
What is unique or special about what your department?
What appears unique or special about the SEEP department is its comprehensive approach to identifying and supporting talented students within the context of Al-Taqwa College’s values. This includes:
A multi-stage identification process: Utilizing a combination of objective measures (standardized tests, exams) and internal assessments for screening and filtering students.
Consideration of social-emotional readiness: Ensuring that students are not only academically capable but also mature and emotionally prepared for the program.
A focus on curriculum enrichment: Modifying content, processes, and products to provide a more challenging and engaging learning experience beyond the regular curriculum.
Integration of Islamic values: Aiming to nurture “successful Muslim role models,” suggesting an integration of faith-based principles within the program’s goals.
Ongoing monitoring and evaluation: Regularly reviewing student performance and the program’s effectiveness to ensure it meets the needs of the students.
Formal agreements: Requiring parents and students to enter into an agreement with the College upon acceptance, outlining expectations and commitment.