About Us

Leaders’ Welcome

From Chris Riemann (Principal) and Racha H. Makki (Deputy Principal)

Welcome to Playford College

We are a young and fast growing coeducational school in Elizabeth. Families are attracted to our College by our education about, and celebration of, the Islamic faith and our strong teaching and learning program focussing on the Australian Curriculum. Students appreciate the kind-hearted and dedicated staff who nurture the emotional, physical, academic, social and spiritual needs of each child.

As a new school in 2017, Playford College was blessed to commence with 78 students on an existing school site. By Census Day in 2018 we had 241 students and by Census Day in 2019 we had 307 students from Foundation to Year 9. The growth continued as we progressed to over 520 students from Foundation to Year 12 by 2022.

Playford College introduced a Middle School for Year 6 to Year 9 students in 2019 involving specialist teachers, individual school provided laptops and a creative elective offering. By 2021 a Senior School comprised of Year 10 and Year 11 was effectively providing a high standard of teaching and learning with an impressive teaching team and our Middle School of Years 7-9 is likewise progressing effectively.

We are a good school getting better every day as we celebrate the Playford Way of ‘Look after yourself’, ‘Look after others’ and ‘Look after this place’.

We would be delighted to meet you should you be interested in visiting Playford College as you consider schooling options for your family.

Our Story

History of Playford College

Located in Elizabeth, South Australia, Playford College is a young Islamic Independent co-educational school that has a focus on Muslim Australians of the Jaafari School of Thoughts but is open to all. Playford College opened in February 2017 with 78 students from 26 different schools and has grown to over 520 students by 2022.

Before Playford College, there were only two schools catering for the Jaafari School of Thoughts, both in Sydney. Islamic education is so important to families from this school of thoughts and many were relocating from South Australia to Sydney to access them. Muslim families have a diverse cultural background, and by coming together, they gained a greater sense of community. With support and direction from one of those Sydney schools and dedicated planning by local leaders, the result was the procurement of an old vacant government school site in the northern part of Adelaide and Playford College was born. Muslims are taught to love their country and our first Sheikh was quick to point out that their country is now Australia, and that they should love their new home. So, the school was named in honour of its local council area – the City of Playford.

So many volunteer hours and skills from the community were offered to weed, plant, build, refurbish, paint and make the school ready for students and the current staff and families are grateful for that commitment and vision. As the student population grew rapidly other learning spaces had to be created in haste but they were always ready just in time. As with every new school, finances were tight but the College continued to grow and prosper. The identity of the new College was a sense of a family with an emphasis on “Respect for God, for self, for others and for property”. Students felt safe and they felt like they belonged.

In choosing the motto of ‘Wisdom through Faith and Knowledge’ and the new uniform, the College’s identity became more focussed. The inaugural Directors of the Board led by Dr Abdul-razak Musa, the wisdom of religious leader Sheikh Idress Ul Hassan and the enthusiasm of foundation Principal, Rainer Mayer, transformed an idea into a reality.

With registration approved to Year 12, the College created a successful Middle School in 2019 under the leadership of the current Principal, Chris Riemann and Deputy Principal Racha Makki, and Year 12 students commenced in 2022. Playford College has a comprehensive Master Plan for extra learning spaces to cater for the increasing year levels and enrolment growth.

Playford College is a good story and the whole community has an optimistic belief that the College will continue to prosper as a double stream Foundation to Year 12 College InshaAllah.

Key Documents