Deenway Montessori School

Budding Bakers Take the Lead

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 07:10:23 -0700

Lower Elementary students proudly hosted their very first Bake Sale — and what a sweet success it was! Ustadha Sumayyah narrates the learning taking place behind the initiative.

Held on a beautiful afternoon during the blessed month of Ramadan, the event brought together students, staff, and families to celebrate learning, community, and of course — delicious treats! The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement, and the air was filled with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked goodies.

But this wasn't just any bake sale. It was the combination of wonderful hands-on learning experience that combined practical life skills with academic concepts. Prior to the bake sale our young learners were hard at work in the school kitchen, carefully measuring, mixing, and baking a variety of sweet and savoury treats. From cakes, cinnamon roll pastries and their best seller chocolate brownies. There was something for everyone — especially perfect for sharing at Iftar.

Learning Through Real-Life Math

One of the most exciting aspects of this project was how deeply involved the students were in the money-handling side of the event. In preparation for the big day, students spent time in class learning how to:

Students celebrated World Book Day on Thursday 6th March.
The Junior School engaged in a range of activities for World Book Day. Pupils shared books with each other, older pupils read to younger pupils, some made bookmarks, others engaged in craft activities inspired by books, and many pupils also took on baking a cake ('Matilda' Cake) and making fruit salads (The Hungry Caterpillar) as inspired activities from beloved children’s books.
Each class also had a special session with our visiting children’s author - a school parent who has published a children’s book encouraging children’s excitement and commitment to Hifdh (see link below). In addition to reading her book with all the classes, she engaged in various activities with each class: making ‘crowns’ with younger children to represent the paradisal crowns promised to the those who memorise the Noble Qur’an and their parents, and with older children, engaging with the lessons in the short surahs they have already memorised.
With senior pupils, our visiting author spoke about getting into the field of writing and publishing children's books: the process of writing, editing, illustrating and publishing. She shared a range of insights into the field, particualrly into the editing process, and leaving students with much food for thought for working in the field. We are very grateful to her for generously volunteering her time and experience throughout the day, making the day extra special at school. You can follow through a link to her book at the end of this page.
In addition to reading stories to younger pupils, Senior School pupils also presented Elementary pupils with an engaging lesson on the epic tale 'Beowulf' - the first written text...Read More

Worlds of Knowledge

Sun, 01 Jun 2025 08:12:01 -0700

The Senior School visited Oxford at the start of this month, touring a number of colleges of the University, speaking to a university student as well as the History of Science Museum. Ustadha Sadia describes the visit.

This month's visit to Oxford was a wonderful opportunity for our students to be inspired by great traditions of knowledge and the pursuit of learning; to think about the way worlds of knowledge interact, transmit and borrow from each other; to consider upon the mastery of ‘sciences’ that the human being has achieved, and can continue to aspire to. Through the day, our group of students reflected on knowledge seeking of the past and the present in continuum.

Our exploration of the University of Oxford began with a cursory tour of a few of the university’s colleges, accompanied by our in-house commentary on the beginnings of the modern university. We discussed medieval cultural and intellectual transmissions from Al-Andalus and Sicily which fertilised the intellectual development of 12th Century Wester Europe, laying the groundwork for the modern university. From Spain to Central Asia, Muslim cities had become the world's leading centres of learning where, through the medium of classical Arabic and the Islamic Sacred Tradition, the intellectual heritage of ancient civilisations was preserved, critically assessed, developed and improved upon. Often referred to as the Golden Age of Science, it produced an extraordinarily rich legacy of scientific progress and advancement that ultimatley led Christian scholars from what we now call Western Europe to places like Toledo in Al-Andalus, seeking out the knowledge of what they called the 'Arabick Sciences'. In the end they brought back not only texts, but also exposure to structured educational models and systems which had been...Read More

The Joy of Eid

Sun, 01 Jun 2025 07:44:18 -0700

Following the school break for the last few days of Ramadan, students and teachers marked the Eid al-Fitr with a celebratory day at school. Ustadha Sadia describes the day, its intention, ethos and activities.

Marking the celebration of Eid al-Fitr with our pupils at school this year became a wonderful opportunity to support our children in learning through experience rather than instruction. Though this is the aim and approach we adopt for all aspects of school life, this year's celebration afforded a more concentrated opportunity to experience 'living' together and celebrating together in the way of Ihsan - excellence and beautiful practice - with:

remembering and showing thankfulness to the Creator
cultivating beauty as a reminder of ihsan
being mindful towards food
being conscious of the best etiquettes
practising service to others and contributing to the community

The celebratory day at school thus involved children wearing their best clothes to school, making dhikr (remebrance) together, singing poems of praise and love for the Beloved Messenger sallaAllahu alayhi wa sallim, preparing food for our community of children and teachers, serving each other, sharing food together, playing together and of course praying together (the latter two being a usual daily school practice).

Cultivating Beautiful Environments

Lower Elementary and their teacher Ustadha Sumayyah created a wonderful set-up for the group's shared meal, decorating tables and making individual place settings...Read More

An Incredible Milestone

Fri, 09 May 2025 08:11:32 -0700

The Children's House completed their learning of the full prayer early this year. Ustadha Hina reflects on their learning journey.
One of our key projects for this academic year was to ensure that every child in the Children’s House would confidently know how to perform the daily prayers - Salah - by the end of their CH journey. We are overjoyed to share that not only have our children met this goal, but they achieved it much earlier than we anticipated! Alhamdulillah! This impressive achievement is a reflection of their dedication, consistency, and love for their deen and was truly a cause for celebration.

From the very beginning of the year, we focussed on integrating salah into the children’s daily lives, not as a topic to be studied and completed, but as a lived experience. We gently and consistently introduced the recitations and supplications of salah during group sessions. The children practiced the words of salah together every day, so that they would become deeply etched in their minds and hearts. The physical actions of Salah were taught through practical demonstrations, including hands-on creative activities and songs, alongside lessons on the importance and virtues of salah.

Our goal was to instil a true love of salah within our children, so that it would not be seen merely as an obligation, but something they would truly cherish and look forward to. Salah is their own personal meeting with Allah, their special time to connect, reflect, and feel close to their Creator. As one child beautifully expressed, Read More

Harmony: Us and the Natural World

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:19:26 -0800

Ustadha Sadia, and students reflect on the past summer's visit to Willowbrook Farm.

Hasan (Charles) Le Gai Eaton, may God have mercy on his soul, wrote:

At the end of the past school year, Upper Elementary and Senior School Pupils had the opportunity to explore one striking example of what it could mean to practice truly sustainable living and exercise mindful responsibility towards the natural world as Muslims. We enjoyed a day visit to Willowbrook Farm, Oxfordshire. This was an opportunity to consider harmony, distancing and closeness to the natural environment; to ask questions about ethical responisiblity; to explore what 'halal' and 'tayyib' might truly mean; to witness a more conscious, mindful, intentional way of going about daily lives. This was not a commercial farm, but a family’s home, established upon years of struggle and sacrifice.

Located in Oxfordshire, north of Oxford City, Willowbrook is a family-run organic farm committed to producing healthy, wholesome food, protecting wildlife and increasing bio-diversity and sustainable energy. It is possibly the first 'Halal Tayyib' farm in the UK, begun in...Read More

The Spring Tea

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 08:43:53 -0700

One of the highlights of the school calendar is the annual Spring Tea hosted by the Lower Elementary for the past decade. Ustadha Sumayyah describes what the practice entails.

The Lower Elementary hosts their annual Spring Tea typically in May. This is a practice which brings together two areas of learning in the Montessori curriculum: Grace and Courtesy and Practical Life. It is an opportunity for children to practice practical life skills, manners and socialisation as they invite their special guests - parents, grandparents, or other relatives - and serve them in a tea party at school. They prepare, host, serve, chat, and then tidy up. The preparation energises the Lower Elementary classroom with an atmosphere of fruitful collaboration, excitement and joy ma sha Allah.

Spring Tea is a joyous time for parents, loved ones and students alike, as well as a period involving much hard work. The students create invitations, menu cards, shop for their own ingredients and of course, make all the delicious food from scratch.

They also learn the art of mastering tablescapes, making individual flower bouquets the etiquettes of serving and hosting guests, and hone their wider skills of events planning and organisation - which entails meticulous attention to detail and logistics.

Beyond the preparation and execution, the children shoulder full responsibility even in the rather unpleasant and anti-climactic post-event cleanup process. This demonstrates the wilful enthusiasm with which the children...Read More

Seasons and Cycles

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 08:39:04 -0700

Ustadha Nazreen reflects on the study of Spring in the Children's House.

The season of spring is characterised by a renewal of life, marking the awakening of the natural world from its winter slumber. This period is associated with the emergence of vibrant colours and scents, creating a rich tapestry of sensory experiences. The visual descriptions of spring are a feast for the eyes, representing a jubilant celebration of nature’s artistry. The season beckons us to open our eyes wide and behold the intricate, awe-inspiring beauty that unfurls with every passing day. Furthermore, it provides affirmation and prompts deep contemplation about the power and beauty of Allah's creation.

The changing landscape of spring represents a magnificent phenomenon within the natural world, serving as a compelling testament to the Earth's enduring cyclical process of renewal. It serves as a poignant reminder that each season presents a unique opportunity for transformation and growth.

The Montessori approach to education is grounded in an appreciation for the natural world and a commitment to environmental stewardship. The Montessori philosophy is informed by an inherent order, harmony, and beauty in nature.

“There must be provision for the child to have contact with nature; to understand and appreciate the order, the harmony and the beauty in nature” (Maria Montessori). Thus, the natural environment provides a multitude...Read More

Children Discover Local History

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 09:53:41 -0700

Ustadha Sumayyah and Ustadha Summia describe a junior school visit to a local community institution.

Last Term, Lower Elementary and Children's House visited The Museum of English Rural Life (The MERL), where they had the opportunity to explore Reading’s local history. Inspired by the story of Huntley & Palmer’s biscuit factory, students participated in a multisensory workshop where they were encouraged to consider how life in the local town was greatly impacted by the presence of one of the world’s largest biscuit factories.

They explored the museum to discover the ingredients and instruments needed to make biscuits, before designing their very own clay biscuits to take back to school. Once their biscuits were complete, the group ventured outdoors to enjoy the natural surroundings. The fresh air energised them as laughter and excitement filled the air while they played games and watched the chickens roam in their cages.

Students had the opportunity of exploring the museum as they tried to find the ingredients and equipment needed to make biscuits. They were given checklists and worked as a team to identify the items on the list. Students were fascinated by the old equipment used by factory workers.

Students also had the chance to...Read More

Exploring the Cosmos

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 09:52:47 -0700

Ustadha Hina shares a detailed summary of the exciting exploration journey which Children's House undertook this past term.

Thematic learning stands as a cornerstone of our Language Arts curriculum in the Children’s House. As we regularly explore new topics in our classroom, it sparks curiosity and leads to a higher level of engagement and motivation in our students learning. While selecting and planning for the theme, we are mindful of the unique interests and capabilities of each child.

In our recent thematic adventures, we explored the topic of Outer Space — a topic which is always popular with young children, and we were sure that it will captivate the imagination of our little students. As we planned for the theme, activities were designed to be engaging as well as integrative. We tried to link the thematic exploration to our various subjects including Maths, Science and Culture, Creative Arts, Sacred Sciences and Practical Life, offering a holistic approach to learning. Additionally, we refreshed our reading corner with a range of space-themed books to further immerse our students in the topic.

We began our space exploration journey by learning about the Story of the Creation. The story starts with nothing else but ALLAH alone, the supreme creator, who has the ability to create everything from nothing. As it is the power of Allah subhanahu wa’taala, when He wishes for something to happen, He simply says, “Kun!” Fayakun...and it happens! (Be and it is). We learnt that by just...Read More