dili international school newsletter - timor leste

DIS Newsletter, Term 2, Week 4 , 28 April 2010 -

Principal: Alison [email protected]

Ph: 742 8402Manager: Carmel [email protected]

website: www.distimor.comDili International School28 April 2010

Term 2, Week 4Issue Seven, 2010

Welcome new students

ewssllleleletttttttttterer, TTTeTermrm 222, WWe kek 44 , 28 April 2010 - Page 1

A warm welcome to DIS to new students (clockwise from top left) Australian Ginger Niner, Mehdiyava Farin from Azerbaijan, and Georgian brother and sister Tata Sanikidze and Ratti Burduli. In the next Newsletter we will introduce more newcomers.


Late fees penalties to be appliedA recent meeting of the School Advisory Committee decided on a penalty for late fees. A $30 per week penalty may be imposed on fees which remained unpaid at the end of Week Two, Friday 16 April.Further, Term One arrears and Term Two fees which have not been brought up to date by the end of Week Four will result in the enrolment being cancelled.We regret the need to take this action but late fee payments create great diffi culties for managing activities as well as longer term planning, and impacts on the education provided to all children. Please contact Tony about this matter on [email protected].

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Please note, DIS has two public holidays in May. - Monday 3rd May (next Monday) - Thursday 20th May

- FROM MS LUCY -Frisbees for sale!Tournament-grade Frisbees for sale - $15. High quality discs weighing 175g and were brought back from the Bali Nusantara Cup (Ultimate Frisbee competition). Call Ms Lucy (745 1708)DIS Sports UniformCan be bought for $10 from Donia in offi ce. They will need to be worn to compete in Basketball this term.

Lucy Clapham, Health & Physical Education teacher

IB Asia-Pacifi c ConferenceDuring the last week of Term Two I had the pleasure of attending the International Baccalaureate (IB) Asia-Pacifi c Annual Regional Conference in Singapore on behalf of DIS ... writes Kirsty Hilson, MYP coordinator. The conference, with over 800 delegates from all over the region, enabled me to meet offi cials from the IB Regional Offi ce, as well as counterparts from other schools. At DIS we have purchased and read much material from the IB relating to the process of becoming accredited to teach the MYP, but talking to people in person about various issues was invaluable. Over the four days of the conference there were many ‘breakout’ sessions about specifi c aspects of the three IB programs.In addition, the conference featured several excellent keynote speakers. Ruth van Reken talked about the concept of Third Culture Kids, and of uncovering and appreciating diversity in our schools. Wade Davis, a National Geographic explorer-in-residence, and very inspiring speaker, talked about what it means to be human, and the many different ways of being human that exist around the globe. The fi nal speaker at the conference was Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea, and founder of the Central Asia Institute. He spoke about his experiences building schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan. I came away from the IB Asia -acifi c Regional Conference inspired and energised to continue working towards gaining IB accreditation for Dili International School.


From the PrincipalAcademic ReportsAcademic reports go home twice a year for all students from Junior Preschool to Middle Secondary, at the end of Term Two and Term Four. If your child is going to be absent from school during the upcoming weeks, please make sure you inform their class teacher.School TimesPlease ensure that your child is at school on time every day. Playgroup/Junior Preschool/Preschool: 9am-12pmPrimary Classes: 8:45am-3:15pmSecondary Classes: 8:30am-3:00pmStaying Sun SafeDIS encourages all students to be safe in the sun. Please ensure that your child

brings a clearly labelled hat to school each day, as all students must wear a hat at all times when in the sun. In addition to this, we recommend that students apply sunscreen each morning before school, and wear long sleeved, loose clothing.Thanks for your support in these matters.If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me via email or message, or call me after 1 pm weekdays.Alison Bailey, Principal(742 8402 / [email protected])

Visiting TeachersMs Sonia and Ms Alison recently had the privilege of attending the fi rst annual award ceremony for TaLiHa (Tau Liman Hamutuk- Put Hands Together). TaLiHa is a group of ten kindergartens from different areas of Timor. DIS has hosted early childhood teachers from local schools all over Timor over the last 9 months. These teachers spent time observing classes, and with academic staff, as part of their professional development. DIS was formally thanked for having the teachers at our school. At this ceremony, all of the teachers were presented with certifi cates for the various professional development activities and trainings they had participated in. For more information, see TaLiHa‛s website; http://taliha.org.

Above: One of the teachers

from Belun Santa Rafaela in

Bazartete, Liquica, pretending to drive

a bus with her class, an activity

that she learnt during a training session with DIS

staff.


Upper Primary students refl ected on what they learnt in Health and Physical Education in Term One.

Here‛s what they said.In HPE I learnt after eating wash your hands and don‛t drink soft drink. Silvia (below)

In Health and Fitness I learnt a new game that is similar to Frisbee.

I learnt more about the healthy eating pyramid. I think it is really important. Sheridan

In HPE we learnt about the healthy eating pyramid. Rainer

In PE I learnt to play cricket. DylanIn HPE I learnt how to throw and catch a ball. I learnt how to bat and bowl. AditiaIN HPE I learnt to play a new game. Rhea (above)In HPE I learnt about healthy ways to eat. NazleeIn HPE I learnt how to play 5 point player and we learnt how to hold a back support position. Ebere.The two things I learnt in PE was that you should spread out and mark up. AmberIn HPE I learnt how to use teamwork and try harder. Tiffani. . . with Ms Lucy.

U P i t d t fl t d h t th l t i H lth d

Health and Physical Education


In Literacy this term, JPY has been working on developing their Speaking and Listening skills. The Speaking andListening program involves show and tell as well as a weekly discussion of everyday scenes such as at the libraryor at the supermarket.

As part of the Show and Tell, students plan their discussion at home as part of their homework and then usetheir plan to present their theme to the class. This week we are discussing Our Favourite Insect as part of theMinibeasts unit of work in science.

Every Monday, JPY receives a picture that involves activities in everyday life. They are then given new vocabulary words.This week’s list included accidently, embarrassed, accompany and shatter. In pairs, students need to construct andremember sentences based on the picture. They then compete with other groups to see who was able to construct andremember the highest number of sentences.

My Favorite Insect by SebastianIntroduction: This is my scorpion.What is it called? Stinger ScorpionWhere can you find it? In the desert.Have you seen one? No.How does it move? It moves on its legs.Why is it your favourite insect? Because it is poisonous anddangerous

Lifecycle of a Butterfly by NicoleThe egg is a tiny, round, oval or cylindrical object, usually withfine ribs and other microscopic structures.The caterpillar (or lava) is the long, worm like stage of abutterfly or moth.The chrysalis (or pupa) is the transformation stage within whichthe caterpillar tissues are broken down and the adult insect’sstructures are formed.The adult (or imago) is the colorful butterfly or moth usuallyseen.

Zana and Fitun working looking at this week’s picture Mica, Ebube and Freddy constructing sentences together

More pics next page .....

JUNIOR PRIMARY LITERACY REPORT


INDONESIAN LANGUAGE REPORTThe students in the secondary Indonesian language class are progressing very well. Throughout terms one and two the majority of the class has been learning language and culture related to the family and school. We focus on all aspects of language learning – reading, writing, speaking and listening – through a variety of activities including stories, games, songs as well as pair and team activities. Our native speaker, Jessica, is reading novels in Indonesian language and then writing reports about her reading experience.During the last three days of Term 3 and the fi rst four days of the September school holidays a week long trip to Bali is being planned so students can experience ‘immersion’ in Indonesian language and culture. Visits to Kerambitan Palace to watch and try Balinese dance as well as to hear and to play in a gamelan orchestra, a walk through intricate irrigated rice fi elds with a Balinese guide, bartering in local markets and a stay in a traditional village and engaging with local families are just some of the activities planned. It won’t be all hard work though, as the students will have a fi nal day to enjoy some fun activities before they return to Dili. Linda Glasson, Bahasa Indonesia Teacher.

DIS Middle Years Program Language PolicyAs part of our preparations for introducing the MYP (Middle Years Programme) of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Curriculum, DIS has been developing a Language Policy.

It is currently in draft form, and anyone who would like to join the team preparing this policy, or just look at and comment on the draft document, please contact Kirsty Hilson on 745 7049 or by email at [email protected]

Sebastian and Oom sharing their sentences with the class This week’s winners were Liam and Hugo

... From page fi ve


During a recent trip home to Japan, Mizuo Nagayama gave a presentation about her life in Timor-Leste. Mizuo addressed Grade 8 students at Toride First Junior High School in Toride City, Ibaraki Prefecture. Before Dili, Mizuo had attended Toride, so many of the students are her old friends.Mizuo’s presentation included the geography, history, economy and culture of Timor, then moved onto Dili’s landscape and her school life at DIS. She also circulated coins (Timor Leste original) and banknotes (US dollar).

Mizuo’s friends responded by saying “the school camp of DIS was fascinating” ... “We never heard about TImor-Leste before but now know a lot after Mizuo’s presentation” ... “it was great to become friends from various countries at a international school”.

Mizuo says “I was half surprised and half happy when my former teacher asked me to have a presentation. I wrote about geography, history, economy and culture of Timor. Then about DIS, the classes and activities. I also got the idea to bring a map, money and photos of Timor.

“It was kind of funny that all the teachers were polite to me. Usually, I had been scared of teachers when I had been in Japan before coming to Timor Leste. Because all of them are thinking that students must respect teachers. If I don’t say ‘Hello’ to any teacher, they will be angry. But this time, they were kind and asking about Timor.

“When I stood in front of all the students, I felt very nervous. Luckily, I used a microphone so my voice would never been so small.

“The students enjoyed my presentation. And it was a good opportunity for them and also for me, to hear and present about Timor’s stories.

“I got letters for thank from all of the students. It was hard to read 140 letters at once but it all said they understood Timor a bit. And some of them want to know more so I think I need to write a letter for them.”

Thanks Mizuo for sharing this great learning experience and being a wonderful Ambassador to Japan for DIS.

DIS’s Ambassador to Japan


Secondary Arts – Dance

In Arts this term the Secondary classes aredoing Dance.

They have been putting together a warm updance which combines student and teacher generated movements, with the aimof warming up muscles andpreparing the body for dancewithout injury.

Students are also learningsome dances from othercultures, including ‘Tinikling’from the Philippines. Dancersneed to show agility inperforming this dance in orderto avoid having their ankles hitby the bamboo poles that arebeaten together rhythmicallyby their peers.

We hope to present this dancefor assembly later in the term.In addition students will befinding out more about dancesfrom around the worldthrough an IT assignmentwhich they began this week.

.... with Ms Kirsty, Arts Teacher.


DIS Calendar 2010The school year calendar is a hybrid that caters for Australian and Northern Hemisphere families as well as those from Timor Leste.

There are four x ten week terms. Students have a fi ve week holiday at Christmas and fi ve weeks in the middle of the year, as well as a one week holiday in March also in September.

DIS has fi ve Pupil Free Days each year, set aside for the fi rst day back at the end of each holiday period. DIS closes for national public holidays as outlined in below. DIS provides 189 contact days for students and 194 contact days for staff.


PLAYGROUP Coordinator: Tess Burrows, Leaders: Yen Serrano,

Glaucia Miqueletti , Assistants: Ms Tina, Ms Fatima

JUNIOR PRESCHOOL Teacher: Tess Burrows [email protected]: 7751547 Assistants: Ms A-Rey, Ms Rosa

PRESCHOOL Principal/Teacher: Alison Bailey alisonlesleybailey@gmail.

com 7428402 Assts: Ms Sonia, Ms Dete, Mr Cipriano

JUNIOR PRIMARY Y (TRANSITION)Teacher: Yulia Prikhodko Ph: 7397815 [email protected] Assts: Ms Evie, Ms Jess, Ms Ruksana

JUNIOR PRIMARY S (GRADE 1) Teacher: Samantha Brumpton Ph: 743 7141

[email protected] Assistants: Ms Zelia, Ms Ruksana

JUNIOR PRIMARY Y (GRADE 2) Teacher: Yvonne Abey [email protected] 763 3544 Assistants: Ms Jess, Ms Ruksana

GRADE 3 AND 4 Teacher: Robert (Gus) Zieran [email protected]

Ph: 7767529 Assistants: Ms Liz, Ms Rosa

GRADE 5 AND 6 Teacher: Jen Lobb Ph: 744 6670 [email protected] Assistants: Ms Liz, Ms Rosa

JUNIOR SECONDARY HOMEROOM TEACHER Teacher: Chris Hyde Ph: 741 5922

[email protected]

Secondary Coordinator, Middle Secondary Homeroom Teacher.Teacher: Kirsty Hilson Ph: 7457049 [email protected]

SECONDARY DISTANCE EDUCATIONCoordinator: Linda Glasson Ph: 763 3453

[email protected] Assistants: Ms A-Rey

Specialist Health and Physical Education Teacher, Extra Curricular Program CoordinatorTeacher: Lucy Clapham Ph: 7451708 [email protected] Assistant: Mr Adam

Our Teachers

dili international school newsletter - timor leste

Documents