MFIS Beaumont Hills Learners Step Up To Serve Sydney’s Homeless

 

Malek Fahd Islamic School – Beaumont Hills Campus, Feed the Homeless: Leave a Legacy In collaboration with Brothers in Need and The Culinary School.

From the mosque to the kitchen, to the streets of Martin Place

Our Year 12 learners from Malek Fahd Islamic School’s Beaumont Hills Campus took part in an unforgettable day of service, learning, and compassion.

At MFIS, service learning is not an add-on to education—it’s embedded in how learners are shaped. At our Beaumont Hills Campus, we’ve committed to instilling lifelong values through practical, meaningful service. One standout example of this is the Leave a Legacy program, an initiative that recently brought together learners of all ages, families, and community organisations in a united act of compassion: feeding the homeless.

This project, run in partnership with Brothers in Need and The Culinary School in Punchbowl, exemplified the essence of giving and social responsibility. It was a powerful day filled with learning, service, and reflection—an experience that will remain with our learners well beyond their school years.

The Day Begins at Punchbowl Mosque

The day began with a visit to Punchbowl Mosque, one of Sydney’s most striking places of worship. Known for its award-winning design, the mosque has received global recognition, winning two prestigious international architecture awards for its contemporary, Australian expression of Islamic design.

Executive Principal Dr Zachariah Matthews GAICD personally led the tour, giving Year 12 learners a unique opportunity to understand the significance of this spiritual space. Dr. Matthews explained the philosophy behind the mosque’s minimalist architecture, the symbolism woven into its domes and prayer spaces, and the story behind its construction—driven by faith, vision, and community effort.

Mr. Mohammed Shameem (Deputy Head of Campus), joined the tour and helped direct learners throughout the day.

Sheikh Yousef Hassan (Campus Chaplain), was also present to guide the spiritual aspects of the program and offer reflections that linked the service experience to core Islamic teachings.

From Spiritual Reflection to Action

Following the tour, learners travelled to The Culinary School in Punchbowl. This is where the service component of the day truly came to life. In collaboration with Chef Mina and volunteers from Brothers in Need, our Year 12 boys and girls rolled up their sleeves and stepped into a commercial-grade kitchen.

The learners helped cook a full dinner menu, which included:

• Garlic Lemon + Herb Chicken

• Steak with Veggies and Mashed Potatoes

• Carrot Cupcakes for dessert

Learners were split into focused cooking stations—meat cook, dessert, veggie prep, and packing. The hands-on experience went beyond cooking; learners had to clean their stations and maintain hygiene standards throughout the process, just like in a professional setting. It was an opportunity to practise teamwork, responsibility, and attention to detail.

The kitchen buzzed with energy and purpose. For many, it was their first time working in a professional environment with set roles and time constraints. Learners learned to communicate effectively, support one another, and take pride in the meals they prepared.

Younger Learners Join the Cause

What made the Leave a Legacy program especially powerful was how it engaged the entire Beaumont Hills Campus.

The journey began with our Kindergarten learners, who helped pack small hygiene kits that would be distributed alongside the food. These kits included essential items like hand sanitiser, tissues, and wet wipes—simple yet deeply appreciated items by those sleeping rough in the city.

This early involvement helped young learners understand the importance of community service from the start of their school life. It also showed that no one is too young to make a difference. It’s part of the school’s broader goal to build a culture of kindness and awareness across all year levels.

Distributing Meals in the Heart of the City

With food and care packs prepared, the group boarded a shuttle bus and made their way to Martin Place in Sydney’s CBD. Here, in the shadow of the city’s high rises and bustling streets, the learners came face-to-face with the reality of homelessness.

Alongside Brothers in Need volunteers, learners walked the streets, handing out meals and speaking with people in need. These were moments of human connection—conversations filled with gratitude, stories, and perspective.

Many learners reflected on how the experience opened their eyes to the hardship others face, especially in a city like Sydney where the contrast between wealth and poverty is stark.

One Year 12 learner shared: “I’ve walked through the city many times, but I’ve never stopped to really see what some people are going through. Today changed that.”

What Service Learning Looks Like at MFIS

Service learning at MFIS Beaumont Hills is not just about giving back. It’s about connecting classroom knowledge with real-world experiences that shape character. It’s built around Islamic values of compassion, justice, and responsibility.

Through initiatives like Leave a Legacy, learners develop:

• Leadership: Taking initiative and guiding others through service

• Teamwork: Collaborating across age groups and with external partners

• Empathy: Understanding the lived experience of people in different circumstances

• Gratitude: Appreciating the blessings in their own lives

• Purpose: Seeing their role as active contributors to society

These experiences are linked back to learning outcomes in Islamic Studies, PDHPE, and Social Science units. Reflection activities are built into the program to allow learners to share insights, journal their experiences, and propose future initiatives.

A Lasting Impact

The collaboration between MFIS, Brothers in Need, and The Culinary School proved to be a model for what education through service can achieve. It showed learners how faith and action come together, and how our Islamic values are not abstract ideals—they are meant to be lived.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “He is not a believer whose stomach is filled while his neighbour goes hungry.” — Sunan al-Kubra, Al-Bayhaqi

عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ لَيْسَ الْمُؤْمِنُ الَّذِي يَشْبَعُ وَجَارُهُ جَائِعٌ إِلَى جَنْبِهِ
السنن الكبرى للبيهقي

This teaching echoed throughout the day—from the mosque to the kitchen to the streets of Martin Place. Each learner left with more than just a memory—they left with a strengthened sense of duty and belonging.

Thank You

We extend a heartfelt thank you to all Year 12 learners from Beaumont Hills Campus who participated with dedication and sincerity. Your compassion and teamwork made a lasting impact.

We also sincerely thank the educators and staff who supported the event from start to finish—your presence, guidance, and care helped make the experience both safe and meaningful. (Sheikh Yousef, Mr Shameem, Mr Shaikh, Mrs Abdelaziz, Ms Sheena Khan, Ms Nida, Miss Maleka)

Looking Ahead

Leave a Legacy is just one chapter in the service learning journey at Beaumont Hills. With each new term, learners are encouraged to find new ways to contribute—whether through environmental programs, local outreach, or global causes.

The hope is that these experiences plant the seeds for a lifetime of service. That even after they graduate, learners will carry these values into their careers, families, and communities.

Because legacies aren’t just what you leave behind—they’re what you live every day.