Peace be upon you and so may the Mercy of Allaah and His Blessings
All praises to the Almighty, Lord of the Worlds and the Master of our fortunes. Salutations to our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the seal of the Prophets and the guide for all humanity
The theme of this issue is “Mental Health and Wellbeing”, seeing that we have just observed Ramadhaan and partaken in lots of charitable acts – it seems like a beautiful and timely combination Ramadhaan itself is a month divinely designed to purify, uplift, regulate, and restore the mind, heart, body, and soul.With that in mind, this Qur’aanic reminder seems particularly fitting: this Qur’aanic teaching seems befitting:
“Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort.”
Al-Qur’aan (Surah Ar-Ra’d 13:28)
At a time when young people across the world face rising pressures - from academic expectations to political unrest and social challenges - this verse reminds us that true tranquillity comes not from the absence of hardship, but from anchoring the heart to the One who grants peace. Mental wellbeing is not a separate strand of our lives; it is woven into every act of worship, every moment of gratitude, and every bond we nurture with others Ramadhaan offers a divine model for wellbeing: fasting teaches discipline, self regulation, and empathy; prayer brings stillness and clarity; moments of reflection encourage self awareness; and charitable acts soften the heart while giving us a sense of purpose and fulfilment
This term, our school has embraced these values wholeheartedly Through assemblies, workshops, and pastoral initiatives, students have been guided toward healthier routines, mindful practices, and supportive friendships Our Mental Health Week encouraged open conversations around stress, resilience, kindness, identity, and emotional balance - reminding our learners that vulnerability is a strength and that seeking help reflects wisdom, not weakness Ramadhaan at Eden is always a treasured time, but this year brought moments of remarkable spirituality and unity Students experienced the beauty of Qiyaam ul Layl in preparation for Ramadhaan, daily Ramadhaan reflections, and a renewed love for the Qur’aan through recitation and memorisation efforts that truly inspired us all Their generosity radiated throughout the school community as they raised over £6,000 for charitable causes supporting children, refugees, and families affected by conflict and poverty Students also prepared Eid gifts, and care packages for vulnerable neighbours - living examples of the Prophetic teaching:“The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.” (Tirmidhi)
Alongside their spiritual and emotional growth, our students continued to excel academically and creatively Whether representing the school in competitions, engaging in enrichment opportunities, or supporting their peers, they showed resilience, compassion, and ambition - qualities that Ramadhaan nurtures and that we pray remain with them long after the month concludes
As we now approach the Easter break, I pray that the upcoming holiday allows each of you to rest, reset, and reconnect with the people who bring comfort and joy to your lives May this period be one of renewal, reflection, and peace, and may the habits we strengthened during Ramadhaan - patience, gratitude, balance, and generosity, continue to illuminate our paths in the months ahead
you deal with those feelings and whether you ask for help when you need it.
When your mental health is good, it’s easier to focus on school, stay motivated, and just get things done But when you’re stressed or overwhelmed, even simple things can feel really hard It can also affect your friendships and relationships for example, the way you talk to people or how close you feel to them. If you’re not feeling great mentally, you might get annoyed more easily, misunderstand people, or just want to be alone But remember, isolation is not always the answer as it can lead to even more anxiety!
MentalHealth
What is mental health and why is it important?
Everyone struggles sometimes You might feel anxious, or really low and unmotivated, or just stressed out by school, expectations, or trying to fit in. But it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re a bad person, it means you’re human It’s what makes you special! Sometimes you don’t say when you’re not okay, you brush it off and act like you’re fine when really, you’re not and there can be signs for this. Like big mood changes, pulling away from friends, not enjoying things you used to like, struggling to sleep or focus, feeling super tired, or just feeling really down or worried all the time. It’s important to reach out for help whenever you’re struggling with something It doesn’t make you weak!
Small things actually help a lot. Talking to someone you trust can make things feel less heavy as you’re able to find a solution to your problems and can relate to one another Getting enough sleep really matters, even if it’s tempting to stay up late. Moving around or doing some kind of exercise can boost your mood and help you feel energised and ready for the day! Taking breaks from your phone or social media can also help clear your head as it stops you from comparing your lifestyle to other people’s It’s important to remember that no one has a perfect life and everyone struggles Don’t ever be discouraged when you don’t handle it as well as others do! Always do things you enjoy, like listening to music, playing sports, drawing, or reading, gives your brain a break
Stay positive because you will get there in the end!
Aqdas Mirza
World WorldBook day Book day
World Book Day is an annual event, promoting creativity and imagination, celebrating your favourite book characters, through costumes, and dressing up as your favourite star! At Eden, world book day is an opportunity, to honour talented authors, and celebrate book characters World Book Day gives students the chance to explore the creative side of stories, and to develop a deeply rooted passion for reading Eden promotes a sense of imagination and togetherness, as we all come together to celebrate heroes and villains across all stories During WBD, the atmosphere is electric, as everyone walks into school in amazing and intriguing costumes, celebrating our love of reading From the characters of Macbeth, to iconic children’s books like The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Harry Potter, it was incredible to see such creativity across all year groups, and even staff members!
Here are some of our World Book Day highlights:
Aroush Akif
Canada has their annual ‘Bell Let’s Talk day’, which was held on the 21st of January 2026, which raises awareness on the vulnerability of mental health as well as funding Canadian mental health initiatives, investing $10 million in community care
Remember- you do not have to deal with your problems alone!
A survey in the UK measured that 64% of people surveyed aged 16-25 report to have experienced, or are currently experiencing, mental health difficulties, as of September 2025.
In the UK, charities such as Young Minds encourage the movement for change by creating a space for struggling individuals to express their concerns and worries, bringing people together to fight against their crises through specialists in mental health support
Reach out to family, friends or trusted adults if you are struggling. We understand the struggles you may be going through, and we are ready to help you get through them.
Schools in Algeria integrate a variety of sports and engaging activities into their curriculum, to promote a culture where students are not overwhelmed by the flow of academic progress, but allowed to follow other pursuits which increase the overall morale for students.
In Poland, a new course called ‘Problem Management plus’ is dedicated to addressing systemised challenges in mental health care, empowering Poland’s ability to support mental health and build a more compassionate future
In India, The Happiness Curriculum is a systemic step towards innovating young minds to feeling emotionally and psychologically content in school dynamics, where children are introduced to time of reflection, self- awareness and mindfulness to allow for students to bring awareness to their thoughts and feelings
In Hong Kong, The Mind HK Mental Health Conference 2025 is a three-day event which focuses on helping people deal with mental health, grief, bereavement and life transitions, dedicated to reducing the mental health stigma embedded within everyday life
The Global Mental Health Summit in Cape Town, South Africa, focuses on how the perspectives and treatment of mental health have changed, and what other efforts need to be pursued in order to create more changes that benefit everyone, through the usage of bringing together experts, policy makers, and advocates to discuss mental health strategies.
Ramadhaan: A holy month
Ramadhaan is a sacred and reflective time for Muslims, centred on fasting, prayer and spiritual growth. From dawn to sunset, Muslims abstain from food and drink but the true purpose of Ramadhaan goes beyond this It is a time to strengthen one’s character, develop self-discipline and grow closer to Allah through acts of worship and kindness
One of the key lessons of Ramadhaan is the importance of charity Allah reminds us in the Qur’an: “The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:261) This verse highlights how even small acts of giving can be multiplied and rewarded greatly
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also emphasised generosity, especially during Ramadhaan It is reported in a hadith: “The Messenger of Allah was the most generous of people, and he was even more generous during the month of Ramadhaan” (Sahih al-Bukhari) This reminds us that Ramadhaan is the perfect time to increase our acts of giving and caring for others
In our school community, Ramadhaan encourages us to reflect on those less fortunate and to take action Whether through fundraising, donating food, or supporting local charities, students can play an important role in making a difference These acts help build empathy and a sense of responsibility towards others
Ramadhaan teaches us that charity is not only about wealth but also about kindness, time and good character By embracing these values, we can strengthen our community and continue the spirit of generosity throughout the year
Mr Jasat
The Big Iftar at Eden
th
On Friday 6 March, Eden hosted our annual Iftar event, inviting students to gather as a school community. This event reminded us to appreciate and be thankful for the blessing we have been given and we remembered all those who are less fortunate than us in our duas After performing a congregational prayer, students and staff came together to eat delicious food to break our fasts The evening was a calming and amazing experience to have fun with friends and taught us to always remember Allah especially in the month of Ramadhaan This month teaches us that no matter our faith, ethnicity or background, everybody should come together to appreciate another Ramadhaan and to celebrate it as a family
Eden held their annual Qur’an competition this March Its purpose was to encourage students to recite the Qur’an and there was an opportunity to be rewarded with many amazing prizes There were several testing rounds to cut down the 48 entries to 6 finalists in each category: recitation and memorisation There was an audience of Year 7 and 8s who were given the opportunity to listen to all the beautiful recitation and were fortunate as just by listening to the Qur’an intently you receive many good deeds
This year's winner from the recitation category was Maryam Malik in year 8, who had previously come second to Haleema Balesaria – her voice was consistently clear and had an amazing tune The winner of the memorisation category was Nusayba Aden, who was also a former champion, but her beautiful voice and impressive memorisation still amazed the judges Aisha Hanif
This year, our year 9-11 cohorts were fortunate enough to take part in our annual Night of Light evening! Students were able to reflect on their character in a religious setting, but the main purpose was to prepare for Ramadan, the blessed month in which the Quran was revealed The evening began with students offering Isha prayers, led by Mr Jasat, which was an opportunity for spiritual reflection and focus Isha prayers offer a chance for students to become Islamically disciplined, and it especially helps to bring a sense of closure and peace at the end of the day Shortly after, we were lucky enough that our school provided us with a vast selection of sweet treats for dessert! There was a plethora of options, from brownies, ice cream to Oreo milkshakes, and for snacks there were samosas, chicken strips, and more!
Soon after finishing our delectable deserts, we were introduced to the “5 before 5” speech by Moulana Yusuf. This speech was truly inspiring and provided an insight into how we should change our character, as it can truly change the way we are as a person After that, students continued this spiritual journey by reciting the Holy Qu’ran Each student oversaw reciting 1 Juz each, and alhamdulillah, we were able to finish the Qu’ran twice as a school! Later on, students were escorted to the Sports Hall, where we all took part in a range of different activities, such as bowling, trampolining, table tennis, badminton and more! The atmosphere was a great one, and it was amazing to all the different talents our school had to offer Then, Miss Dadabhoy gave us an insight into the Sunnahs of sleeping, which was truly inspiring and informative Finally, some students retired to bed, however most students stayed awake snacking, playing games, or even reading!
After a well-deserved rest, students woke up nice and early to offer Tahajjud prayers, which are prayed before Fajr This allowed students to set pure intentions and goals for the day, and it was a peaceful morning, which allowed students to actively take part in Ibaadah After Tahajjud, Moulana Yahya led us in Fajr prayer, and helped students start off the day with a clear mind Following that, we were taken to the canteen for a delicious breakfast Our school truly went out of their way to provide us with a tasty, but nutritious meal After praying our Ishraq prayers, we joined the Star Academies’ meeting for spiritual reflection, and it was an enlightening way to end the night.
After finally packing our belongings, we were surprised to have received goody bags, with a special copy of Mr Jasats book “365 tips”, sweets and more, as a way of thanking all the students who came! It was such an enlightening experience, and it was absolutely worth every minute!
Aroush Akif
Ibtisam Haji
Young Health Champions
Young Health Champions (YHC) is a UK-based programme available to students between 14-24 years old, which aims to encourage and empower young people to take a stand for mental health The course is also especially interesting, as it is equivalent to a GCSE! A handful of Eden students, particularly passionate about mental health awareness, were chosen to take part in this course The course began with an introduction from our tutor Kim Mitchell who introduced the purpose of the project and how it would work We went through informative PowerPoints, took part in icebreakers, played some games and activities, and actively took part in class discussions Following this we were fortunate enough to receive talks and speeches on different aspects of health and wellbeing, and after this, each school would have to come up with a campaign that would reach out to specific age groups to help them identify and tackle mental health issues Some students chose to make their presentations based on exam stress, friendships or physical health, to name a few Each project was delivered across all year groups and was designed to specifically outline an area that students felt needed more focus and awareness on.
It was an informative experience that encouraged students of all ages to speak up about mental health, and it was an important reminder that if you ever struggle with mental health, you can resolve it through websites like Kooth, or even just speaking to a trusted adult can help For those who struggle with mental health, I would definitely recommend taking part in the YHC programme, as the insights it provides are truly life-changing and intriguing, if you ever want to take up a career in it!
Ibtisam Haji
Aroush Akif
Ms Holway is an English teacher at Eden who joined the school in 2024 as a trainee before working her way into a permanent job She is known for managing the Edonian magazine and puts in a lot of effort to perfect it. Her career path is interesting because, before teaching, she worked as a journalist for several magazines and publications
She was talented in English from a young age; when she was younger, she wrote full storybooks as a hobby, with her mum illustrating them. She won several competitions similar to those run by Young Writers, and her work was published in an anthology when she was in primary school Although she always loved reading and writing, her secondary school teachers didn’t always encourage her skill for the subject. It wasn’t until college, where she studied English Literature alongside Film Studies and Photography, that she discovered how much she enjoyed analysing texts and writing Her interest in journalism also began there, as Film Studies inspired her to write reviews and commentary on movies and celebrities
After college, she studied Film Studies at university while taking English Literature modules, combining both of her passions. This deepened her desire to become a journalist. She was considering pursuing being a novelist, but it was a very hard industry to thrive in, so she decided to become a journalist Her first step into the industry was an internship with an arts and culture magazine, where she transcribed celebrity interviews.
MMS S HHOLWAY OLWAY
m reviews was on the movie she is proud of because it any’s trust to write more. The p p d, but when a paid role as a Social Media Editor was offered to her, she took it. After over a year there, she secured a paid internship with New York Magazine, writing articles and book reviews, and sometimes interviewing authors.
She later left this role to complete a Master’s degree in Film Studies, and continuing freelance work for New York Magazine while nannying for two years. Before finishing her degree, she responded to a call for pitches from Woman & Home magazine. They tested her by making her write three articles; they enjoyed her writing, so offered her a full-time position immediately after her Master’s, which was perfect timing She also received free products to test for reviews, including a £500 coffee machine.
Journalism can be a rewarding career for those with an aptitude for it, but it is competitive, especially with the rise of AI-written articles. People who want to get into journalism should write daily, build up a portfolio, and send their writing to publications Strong English skills are essential and studying writing-based subjects at A level and/or for a degree is recommended It is encouraged to do a NCTJ accreditation, a 12–18month course that prepares trainees for professional journalism. You will also have to undertake internships, sometimes unpaid, to get more experience writing for magazines or newspapers
Eventually, Ms Holway realised she wanted a career that made a real difference in society After enjoying babysitting, she decided to become the supportive teacher she never had. She hopes her passion for English will inspire students to pursue it further. Looking ahead, she aims to stay in education and continue encouraging young people to follow their ambitions
Aisha Hanif
PiDay2026
Every year on the 14th of March, people celebrate one of the most unique and intriguing numbers: π Pi is an infinite number used to describe the ratios of a circle's circumference to diameter and has had a huge impact on the way that maths works today. The earliest recordings of Pi date back to the time of the Babylonians and Egyptians, which was around 1900–1600 BCE: however, Greek mathematician Archimedes is often credited to the founding of Pi, as he developed the first accurate method to calculate it Many contributions were made towards Pi, like the Kerela school in India, and the world-renowned mathematician Al-Khwarizmi in Iraq, which heavily influenced many
Year 8s stepped into the world of engineering with a design challenge: building their own robotic hands. Using just cardboard, string, and tape, they explored how tendons, joints, and levers work together to create movement. This project blended creativity with problem solving, giving pupils the chance to test, and tweak their designs. By the end of the project, they had working models that mimicked the movement of a real human hand.
Year 9s took part in a series of experiments including a flame test investigation. This practical introduced pupils to metal ions and the colourful flames they produce when heated. From vibrant greens to deep blues, each colour helped to create a visually stunning experiment that enabled pupils to understand atomic structure, electrons and the science behind fireworks.
Afifah Ashraff
countries across all continents to use Pi in mathematics This year, Eden chose to celebrate Pi Day, by hosting a Pi competition, where students had to memorise and recite as many digits as possible of Pi! A massive congratulations to our winner Aroush Akif, who memorised 155 digits! It just goes to show how, even though Pi can be viewed as just a number, it plays a massive role in shaping STEM-related jobs, such as architecture, engineering and physics and the world around us today! Habiba Shahzad
3 place: Sarah Haque 9S - 106 digits rd
2 place: Mina Ravat 8A - 131 digits nd
On Saturday 8th March it was International Women’s Day, this year’s theme was “Give to Gain”. The main massage implies that giving women equal access to education and opportunity is not a favour but an investment that benefits everyone It is not an option to treat girls with respect; it is a duty to help nurture girls so they can grow into successful women.
This theme relates to our current moment because it pushes awareness of women’s rights into real action The “Give to Gain” strategy leads to lasting progress, emphasising that when women thrive, the whole community prospers. While we have shifted from a period where boys were preferred to a time where girls are prioritised; some imbalances remain in some Asian communities. There are misunderstandings in these communities where a successful daughter is expected to follow every tradition, marry early, and let go of her ambitions but a successful son is given more freedom to focus on his education and career. This often results in girls not receiving the necessary support or education to reach their full potential and build a good career Overall, women can thrive once they are treated equally and their education is prioritised This year’s theme summarises that it is not a preference to give women chances instead there are many benefits that can be earned from giving women education and knowledge By giving women, the room to lead, we gain a more prosperous and equitable society for everyone
The ‘giving’ aspect of the theme is supporting young girls by giving them education and funding so they can advance professionally Instead of telling girls to lower their voices and act more ‘ladylike’ they should be able to speak out because freedom of speech applies to them as well There also needs to be a change where companies should fight against the hiring biases of a man over a women and salaries should be the same as being a different gender should not be a barrier in becoming a successful person. This would give girls confidence and self-esteem which allows them to have belief in themself to follow their ambitions.
Society must understand that it is not a favour to support women because overcoming the patriarchy will benefit everyone, no matter their gender, which links to the ‘gaining’ aspects in this year’s theme One benefit is better gender equality as there will be fewer pay differences and more female representation When women are given the opportunity, they move into leadership roles, start businesses which strengthen their national economies. Countries such as Iceland, Norway and the UK rank highly for gender equality and have high income economies, while countries with less gender equality like Afghanistan, Sudan and Pakistan have smaller economies as they face barriers that limit women’s rights and education, this shows there is a positive correlation between a balanced society and a thriving economy
Apprenticeships Apprenticeships
For Apprenticeships Week, Eden classes got to learn a little more about an alternative option to the traditional university route: apprenticeships Apprenticeships are a really good idea for students who want to get qualifications For Apprenticeships Week at Eden, students were able to learn more about the different routes into the world of work and whether an apprenticeship could be right for them
An apprenticeship is when you work for a company while also learning the skills for a job Instead of sitting in a classroom all the time, you get real experience doing the actual work. You also get paid while you learn, which is something most students would probably like!
One of the best things about apprenticeships is that you can start learning useful skills straight away For example, you could become an electrician, engineer, hairdresser, chef, or even work in digital marketing. These are real careers that people need, and apprenticeships help you learn them properly from professionals.
Another good thing is that apprenticeships can help you avoid student debt If you go to university, it can cost a lot of money. But with an apprenticeship, the company usually pays for your training, and you earn money at the same time
Of course, apprenticeships are not for everyone. Some jobs still require university degrees, like being a doctor or a lawyer But for people who prefer practical learning instead of lots of exams and essays, an apprenticeship might be the perfect choice
Apprenticeships are a great option that more students should think about. They help you gain experience, earn money, and learn important skills for the future School should teach us about all the different paths we can take, and apprenticeships are definitely one of them. At Eden, students are given the opportunity to learn about apprenticeships and how they can benefit them in the future. Apprenticeships give students an insight into work life and gives them a better understanding of what it’s like to be an adult!
Aqdas Mirza
Divergent
If you’re looking for a book that explores ideas of complex identity and decisions, Divergent is perfect for you Divergent is set in a dystopian future where people are forced to classify their personalities into five factions based on virtues: Dauntless (bravery), Erudite (intelligence), Abnegation (selflessness), Candor (honesty), and Amity (kindness). At the age of 16, on Choosing Day, every citizen faces a crucial decision of what factions they would like to stay in for the rest of their lives The lives of the main protagonists, Beatrice Prior and Tobias Eaton, eventually intertwine as they both leave their family behind in order to search for the category they fit in until they realise that they fit into multiple categories and are deemed to be a threat in this society Overall, this book grips the reader by creating a strong bond between the readers and the characters If you enjoy exciting fiction that keeps you gripped by the action, and enjoy dystopian stories like the Hunger Games, this book is for you!
Aisha Hanif
In the fictional town of Smallville, located in Kansas, we delve into the chronicles of the teenage and young adult years of Clark Kent (played by Tom Welling) before he becomes the notable hero Superman We explore his personal struggle to embrace his powers more comfortably, whilst also keeping them hidden from immediate danger, where this sense of discovery allows him to uncover more of his abilities as well as his innate desire to actively save others without thinking twice The show is derived on Clark coping with his extraterrestrial powers, exploring his origins, and navigating his relationships with Lana Lang, Chloe Sullivan, and the infamous Lex Luthor, which allows him to grasp at new levels of development as he progresses throughout the show. The show balances romance, as well as blending sci-fi elements as we advance through Clark’s moments of vulnerability, secrets, and how he pushes his efforts towards living a normal, human life We later observe that despite difficulty and times of struggle, with the help of Clark’s family and friends, Clark is able to overcome the forces trying to consume him and instead utilise it into fuelling his need for good and justice whilst overcoming obstacles and unequivocal conflict coming his way
I would say that his ability to keep his moral integrity in line is inspirational, as this show really conceptualises how with power comes struggle, yet it does not always need to be used for greater evil I would recommend this show for 15+ audiences as characters are faced with combat, action, and hostility, which is suitable for people who are already interested in the DC universe
