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Head of School: Curtis Beaverford
cbeaverford@distimor.org
Manager: Carmel Bates
managerdis@gmail.com
Co-Manager/Finance/Tony Haritos
anthonyharitos@gmail.com
Dili International School website:
www.distimor.org
“Embracing Diversity”
Newsletter Term 4 - Week 3 - October 2014
“Dili International School is accredited to deliver the Victorian Certificate of Education in conjunction with Haileybury College, an International
Baccalaureate Middle Years and Primary Years Programme.
From the Head of School
Essential reading
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Staffing updates
Curtis Beaverford will be moving on to pursue other endeavours at the end of the 2014
school year and Olivia Soares the current Deputy Head will be taking over as Head of School.
We are planning some changes to the administrative structure for the 2015 school year.
Congratulations Olivia on your appointment.
Winner of a VCE Leadership Award
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DIS Family Handbook 2014
DIS Academic Calendar
2014
DIS Events Calendar - Live
Written permission for
alternate pickups
Please note if your child is going to
be going home with another student
or not taking the bus as per normal
we would appreciate it if you would
provide them with a written note in
their Student Diaries or KIT book.
Unless we have written permission
we will not release your child to
someone else or let them miss the
bus.
2015 Calendar
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Daniel De Putra Jesus has been awarded the Victorian Certificate of Education Leadership
Award by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. Daniel’s application was
supported by a number of community members who attested to the contributions he has
made to the local community as well as here at the school. Daniel will be travelling to
Melbourne in November to receive his award at an official ceremony where he will receive a
trophy, certificate and a prize. Congratulations Daniel! He made the front page of the
VCAA Bulletin.
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First day back January 22
Term 1 break - March 30 April 3
First day of Term 2- April 8
Term 2 break - June 15 July 17
First day of Term 3 - July 22
Term 3 break - September
28 - October 2
First day of Term 4 October 7
Last
day
of
school
December 11
DIS Cafe
Preschool
Student
Conferences
Led
Preschool classes held their student led
conferences on Wednesday October 23. We
had 100 per cent of the students and families
participate. Students took their parents on a
tour of their portfolios, spoke about their
strengths and areas for development and then
took their parents around the classroom. Ms
Esther and Ms Lena were on hand to answer
questions. We would really appreciate your
taking the time to provide some feedback. You
can do so via this feedback form.
The regular menu is available the
school’s web-site (www.distimor.org)
. Orders can be given to Meg or Nina
each day outside the assembly room.
Orders can also be made weekly,
monthly, or by the term to Meg at
infocafedis@gmail.com
or phone
Meg on 77747524.
Congratulations
to the class of
2014!
The 15th of October, was a
major milestone for Dili
International School, as our
first
grade
12
cohort
graduated with the Victorian
Certificate of Education. The
night was the culmination of
two years of study for all of
these students, and as such
was a night to remember.
A number of students made
speeches and were given their
school
based completion
certificate. The entire cohort
achieved their VCE but still
have
examinations
to
complete to attain their
ATAR.
It was a lovely evening, and a
great time was had by all who
were involved.
“On and on you will hike
and I know you'll hike far
and face up to your problems
whatever they are.
You'll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You'll get mixed up
with many strange birds as you
go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life's
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous
and deft.
And never mix up your right foot
with your left.”
Dr Seuss “Oh the places you’ll
go”.
From the Library
Library World
Have a look to see how we are
progressing with the new library
system.
Progress to date on the cataloguing.
We are getting very close to completing the cataloging of our library collection. If you visit
our online OPAC you will be able to see what we have in both physical and digital form. To
access the OPAC visit this link: http://opac.libraryworld.com/opac/home.php . Depending on
your browser you maybe be asked to enter the library name which is Dili International School
Library. There is no password required to enter the OPAC.
Digital reads through Axis 360
We have a subscription to Axis 360 which is how we are distributing the digital books we have
in our collection. You can search either from our OPAC or within Axis 360 itself. All you need
is your child’s library card number and access to a device. If you would like to know more
please contact Patrick McGuire (pmcguire@distimor.org) and arrange a time to get set up
with the system. Or just stop in at the library in the morning and either Patrick or Carlos can
get you started.
You can have a look around our new
OPAC through this link. You may
have to enter the library’s name - Dili
International School Library - there is
no password.
Axis 360
We have a growing collection of
ebooks which you can download on
to various devices. You’ll need your
child’s library card number to
register for the system. Please
contact
Patrick
McGuire
pmaquire@distimor.org and he will
be able to help you register.
Some digital tiles you might be
interested in . Click to see their
details. Register on the system to
borrow them.
LibraryWorld mobile apps!
Library world has mobile apps available from Apple's App Store and Android Market for free.
Dili International School Library is the name of the library. There is no password required.
Apps
● LibraryWorld Search for iPhone
● LibraryWorld Search for Android
● LibraryWorld Search for iPad
The PYP transdisciplinary
themes
Primary Years Programme (PYP) news
Clean Up The World
Last Friday the year 5’s ran an activity for Clean Up the World Day. The students
decided they needed to clean the school of mosquitos. Through an inquiry process
students learnt the threats of mosquito-born diseases and decided their focus
would be on Dengue Fever. With the help of the year 6 students, the year 5’s created
a presentation about Dengue Fever tailored appropriately for each year level. After
explaining the threats of Dengue Fever to each primary class, students
demonstrated how to trap mosquitoes using carbon dioxide. They taught each class
to find where mosquitoes breed and the most appropriate place to put a trap. The
students thoroughly enjoyed and excelled in their task of cleaning up the school and
instructing the primary classes on the threat of Dengue Fever.
Year 1/2 V - Procedure Writing
Year 1/2 Vicky have been learning about procedure writing. Recently, instead of a
weekend recount, we wrote a recipe for a good weekend. We would like to share a
few with you.
Recipe for a great weekend
By Ezra
Recipe for a great weekend
By Molly
You need:
● Car
● Swimming pool
● Family
● Money
What to do:
1. Drive to swimming pool.
2. Go for a swimming.
3. Drive to nautilus.
4. Eat fish and chips.
You need:
● Bag with bathers and a book.
● Car
● Burger King
● Cinema
What to do:
1. Put all the stuff that you need in
the bag.
2. Drive to Emma’s house.
3. Get change into bathers.
4. Walk to the pool.
5. Come back to Emma’s house.
6. Get change into clothes.
7. Go to the movies.
8. Come out to the movies.
9. Go to Burger King.
10. Order food.
Recipe for a great weekend
By Oliver
You need:
● TV
● Scooby doo disc
● Friends
● Chairs
● House
● DVD Player
What to do:
1. Put the DVD into the DVD
Player.
2. Set out the chairs.
3. Bring your friends.
4. Turn the TV on.
5. Watch the movie.
.
Recipe for a great weekend
By Yunsol
What you need:
● Car
● Restaurant
● Beach
● Family
What to do:
1. Drive to a restaurant next to the
beach.
2. Order food.
3. Go to the beach and find some
pretty glass.
4. Eat your food.
5. Go to the sand.
6. Play with the sand.
7. Go home.
The PYP has six transdisciplinary
themes which are common to all
grade levels. They are the means by
which we organize our delivery of
the curriculum and form the
organizational structure of our
programme of inquiry.
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How the world works
Where we are in place and
time
Sharing the planet
How we express ourselves
Who we are
How
we
organize
ourselves
The PYP key concepts
There are eight key concepts which
run through teaching and learning in
the PYP. Each of the concepts is
presented in the form of a key
question
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form - What is it like?
function - How does it
work?
causation - Why is it like it
is?
change
- How is it
changing?
connection - How is it
connected to other things?
perspective - What are the
points of view?
responsibility - What is our
responsibility?
reflection - How do we
know?
Our programme of inquiry
You can view the 2014 POI via the
link off of our public website.
[The PYP Programme Model
Exploring Push & Pull Forces
In Class 1/2 Colleen we have been investigating push/pull forces in our unit of inquiry: How the world works. We have been testing why
things sink and float, how they move and how forces interact to make things move faster or slower.
After making predictions, we
tested what sinks and what
floats. We started to form
questions about why and make
observations about shape,
weight and surface area.
We had to try and make
something from plasticine that
would float. Plasticine balls
sank, but the boats floated. We
tried to figure out why.
We tested whether things felt
heavier or lighter in water, and
why. The students made
thoughtful observations about
the push of water and pull of
gravity.
After making boats from
plasticine, some students
tested how many rocks their
boats could take before they
sank.
Community and service in the Middle School
Years 7, 8, and 9 students have been working on their
second set of community service projects. They have
investigated, researched and are completing the action
component of their project. The students are now in their
final stage of writing their reflections where they are
required to critique their action and reflect on how their
project has extended their knowledge and understanding
of service learning. Students must complete a detailed
process journal which is an integral part of their
assessment. They are assessed on a group presentation
which will be due in week 6.
Students lining up to have their
vision tested.
Yuyustu, T-Nui and Kevin have
organized a vision screening
campaign.
Behind the scenes - Class and
individual photos
This year Brenda Knowles, Robyn Moores and Ray
Bricknell volunteered to organize the taking of class and
individual photographs for the yearbook and for sale. It’s a
big job getting everyone to look their best. Thanks for all
the hard work.
Funds raised through the sale of photos will go to
improving our library’s collection.
Middle Years Programme (MYP) news
MYP Unit Map
One of the requirements of an IB World School is that we communicate our curriculum. We
have recently updated our MYP Unit Map for 2014. In the document you can see details on all
the units which have been delivered so far this year and the ones which we are delivering in
Term 4. The document gives you the title of the unit, the statement of inquiry, the key and
related concepts which will be the focus of the unit plan. We have also included the email
address of the teacher who authored and delivered the unit if you would like future
information. You can view the map via this link : MYP Unit Map
Middle and High School Inter School Sports Competition
This term has seen the first inter-school sports competition begin. The secondary students
have been preparing and training hard and now the volleyball competition has begun. The first
week we played against the teams from the Filipino school, MIS. All of the players from both
schools had a great time and many parents were there, cheering from courtside. It was a
great opportunity for the students from both schools to socialise and engage in friendly
competition. Congratulations to the teams from MIS who won both matches. We are looking
forward to more inter-school activities in the future.
Our updated MYP Unit Map
Each term DIS publishes an updated
version of our MYP Unit Map. MYP
Units, like Units of Inquiry in the PYP,
are the means by which we deliver
the Australian Curriculum. Please
visit our unit map to better
understand what we are teaching this
term.
The Grade 6 - 12 Assessment
Calendar
In an attempt to organize assessment
at DIS teachers post upcoming
assessments to our assessment
calendar. We have made this public
for students and parents. Please
check it regularly to see what’s
coming up.
MYP key concepts
There are sixteen key concepts
which are developed through the
MYP. Each subject has three or four
of these concepts assigned as a
focus.
aesthetics
change
connections
creativity
form
culture
identity
logic
systems
global
interactions
perspective
relationships
communication
communities
development
time, place and
space
MYP global contexts
Grade 6 - 11 Assessment Calendar
We have updated our Grade 6 - 11 assessment calendar on it you’ll find the due dates for the
major assessments this term. Its a useful resource to check if your child suggests they have
no homework.
The global contexts in MYP are a
starting point for teaching and
learning. They ensure that students
see the curriculum they are
experiencing as relevant and
connected.
✬ Identities and relationships
✬ Orientation in place and time
✬ Personal and cultural expression
✬ Globalization and sustainability
✬ Fairness and development
✬ Scientific and technological
innovation
The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)
news
The VCE at Dili International School
Dili International School is accredited by the Victorian Curriculum
and Assessment Authority to offer the Victorian Certificate of
Education. The VCE is an internationally recognized high school
leaving certificate which provides students with a tertiary
admissions score recognized across Australia and internationally.
The VCE at DIS is run in conjunction with our partner school,
Haileybury in Melbourne, Victoria. Through our connection with
Haileybury, DIS teachers have access to resources and knowledge of
their experienced VCE teachers to help with planning and the
standardization of assessment. Haileybury provides DIS with one
mentor per subject taught, and our teachers are in close contact with them throughout the
year.
VCE Exams
The Grade 12’s will be writing their final VCE examinations over coming weeks. They have
been revising for a while and we are confident that our first graduating cohort will make us
proud. The examinations run from October 29th through to November 19th. They are
scheduled in Melbourne time so there are a couple of early starts for students.
Wednesday 29th October 7:15 am - English
Friday 31st October 12:15 pm - Further Mathematics
Monday 3rd November 7:15 am - Further Mathematics
Monday 3rd November 10:00 am - Business Management
Wednesday 5th November 7:15 am - Mathematical Methods
Thursday 6th November 12:45 pm - Mathematical Methods
Wednesday 12th November 7:15 am - Physics
Monday 17th November 12:45 pm - Media Studies
Wednesday 19th November 9:30 am - Indonesian
VCE Assessment Calendar
We share information about the
types and timings of major
assessments on our assessment
calendar.
VCE - Study designs
These are the VCE syllabi for the
VCE courses we are teaching this
year.
● English - VCE Study Design
● English as an additional
language
- VCE Study
Design
● General Mathematics VCE Study Design
● Physics- VCE Study Design
● Media- VCE Study Design
● Business ManagementVCE Study Design
● Indonesian
Second
Language - VCE Study
Design
● History Units 1 & 2 - VCE
Study Design
More information on the
VCE
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Listing on the VCAA
International page
http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.a
u/international/Pages/pro
viders/timor-leste.aspx
Environmental studies excursion
On the 22nd of October, we, the year 11 students, went on a fieldtrip to a river in Ermera as a part of our environmental science class. Dr.
David Green, an environmental consultant accompanied us as an expert. The purpose of our trip was to gather data to meet the for an
assignment on the topic “Monitoring the Environment”. We collected samples from different spots of the river to monitor changes in
biodiversity due to human impact. After collecting samples, we brought them to school to count the macroinvertebrates present, which
gave us our final results.
Some of us went to the site before hand to do some pre-sampling for the class’s initial sampling data. The initial results were then
recorded in the laboratory at school. The results recorded on the 22nd were compared to these results. Overall, the trip was a success
and was a good outside of classroom experience for us students.
Year 11 Students
Physical Education and Visual Arts in the Primary School
Transition Visual Arts
The students are working on their current unit of inquiry. They will use a wide variety of materials to create different art works. They
have so far learned how to weave and will then move on to making a set of musical shakers. . During weeks 5 and 6, students will
create a mobile of objects made from a different of materials. Students will be encouraged to look for interesting items from home to
attach, but more information will be provided about this in KIT books.
Grade 1-2 Health and Physical Education and Visual Arts
The students are participating in a 'Personal Safety’ unit in which they are learning about water safety. They are undertaking an
investigation and then creating their own story book about unsafe environments and how to manage themselves. The children are
learning valuable skills as well as really enjoying themselves.
Grade 3-4 HPE and Visual Arts
During the Grade 3-4 unit explorers the students developed their orienteering skills. During visual arts created a portrait of their
chosen explorer which is now on display in their classrooms.
Grade 5-6 Health and Physical Education and Visual Arts
Both grades are undertaking an Inquiry into personal safety. They are investigating the need for safety in the playground and on the
sports field. Students will be using their understanding to host a games tournament for grades 3-6 during weeks 6-10.
In visual art, students are using theme and designing and presenting a shadow puppet show on road safety. This will be presented to
the grade 1-4 students later on in the term.
General Information
School Advisory Committee
Dili International School management is guided by a School
Advisory Committee (SAC).
Meetings - held at least once per term - provide a forum
where parents can bring matters of interest to the attention of
the school’s governing body. Major management decisions
may be discussed with the SAC for input and guidance prior to
implementation. Current SAC membership:
Carmel Bates
Tony Haritos
Curtis Beaverford
Olivia Soares
Kerry Brogan
Milissa Day
Liz Garrett
Iris Trapman
Fred Brooker
Sonia Moniz da Silva Vitor
Deb Katzman
Vasco Lobato Leitao
Sonia Lobato Leitao
Anita Delaney
Curricular objectives for each grade level,
transition - Grade 10
As an IB World School we are required to communicate our
written curriculum with the school community. The following
links will take you to the Australian Curriculum learning
objectives for each grade level. On these pages, you’ll have
access to what we are teaching. The pages also have
examples of assessed student work to give you an indication
of the expectations at each grade level.
Transition
Grade 4
Grade 8
Grade 1
Grade 5
Grade 9
Grade 2
Grade 6
Grade 10
Grade 3
Grade 7
We organize our delivery of the Australian Curriculum
through the International Baccalaureate Primary and Middle
Years Programmes.
You will also want to take a look at our Programme of Inquiry
and MYP Unit Map. VCE students can access the VCE study
designs for the curses we teach off of our website.
Curricular Resources
The following links will take you to documents which make up
DISs curricular backbone.
● The Australian Curriculum
● The Victorian Certificate of Education
● The early years learning framework for Australia
● VCE English Study Design
● VCE English as an additional language Study Design
● VCE General Mathematics Study Design
● VCE Study Media Design
● VCE Business Management Study Design
● VCE Indonesian Study Design
● VCE History Study Design
● MYP Unit Map
● PYP Programme of inquiry
Our Teaching Staff
Head of school,
ELC / MYP and PYP Coordinator
MYP Technology Teacher
Curtis Beaverford (Canada)
Bachelor of Education, Alberta Teaching
Certificate K-12, Graduate Diploma of
Educational Technology, Masters in
Education.
email: cbeaverford@distimor.org
Deputy Head of School & Language
Coordinator
V.C.E Media Studies / MYP Language B
English
Olivia Soares (Australia)
Bachelor of Communications (Psychology)
Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Secondary)
email: osoares@distimor.org
Transition Teacher
Victoria Twyford (Australia)
Bachelor of Education (Primary) Post
Graduate Degree in Early Childhood
Bachelor of Special Education
email: vtwyford@distimor.org
VCE Coordinator / Secondary Teacher
Math, Science / VCE Physics
Patrick Johnston (Australia)
Bachelor of Science , Honours in
Mathematics, Bachelor of Education
email: pjohnson@distimor.org
Playgroup Coordinator
Glaucia Piazza (Brazil)
Certificate in Early Childhood
email: gpiazza@distimor.org
Lower Campus Office Manager / Library
Coordinator
Adena Key (UK)
B.A.
email: akey@distimor.org
Preschool Teacher
Elena Seong (USA)
Bachelor of Education
email: eseong@distimor.org
Grade 6
David Tassell (Australia)
B.Ed.
email: dtassell@distimor.org
Preschool / Music Specialist
Esther
Owen
Fernandez
(Philippines)
B.A Communication Arts
Diploma of Special Education
email: egarana@distimor.org
Garana
VCE Environmental Studies / Secondary
Science
Ravinder Kaur (India)
Bachelor of Education, Master of Science
(Applied Chemistry)
email: rkaur@distimor.org
Transition Teacher
Fiona Harris (Australia)
B.Ed. (Primary)
email: fharris@distimor.org
Secondary Indonesian
Rika Fynn (Indonesia)
Teaching Diploma
email: rfynn@distimor.org
Secondary Art
Vanessa Smith-Graham (New Zealand)
B.Ed.
email: vsmithgraham@distimor.org
Secondary Drama
Deb Jarvis (Australia)
B.Ed.
email: djarvis@distimor.org
Grade 1 / 2
Vicky Everingham (Australia)
of Teaching (Primary and Secondary)
email: veveringham@distimor.org
VCE History / Portuguese, English as an
additional language
Elisabeth Cardoso (Portugal)
Licenciatiera em Linguas e Literaturas
Modernas
email: ecardoso@distimor.org
Grade 3 / 4
Cliff De Rouw
Masters of Instructional Design / Bachelor
of Education
email: cderouw@distimor.org
P.E. / Portugues as a Second Language
Ines Villas (Portugal)
Bachelor's degree in Animation Sports,
Recreation and Leisure; Certified Sport
Teacher,
Coach,
Summer
camp
coordinator and Fitness Instructor
email: ivillas@distimor.org
Grade 5
Patrick Hoare (Australia)
Bachelor of Health Science,
email: phoare@distimor.org
MYP Language B (English) and Humanities /
VCE Business Management
Robert Wicks (Canada)
B.Ed.
(Intermediate/Secondary),
B.A.
(History & English)
email: rwicks@distimor.org
Grade 3/4
Christopher Shaw (Australia)
B.Ed.
email: cshaw@distimor.org
Primary PE and Art
Elizabeth Boag (Australia)
B.Ed.
email: eboag@distimor.org
Grade 1/2
Colleen French-McGuire (Australia)
BEd to BA/MTeach (Primary)
email: cfrench@distimor.org
Grade 1/2
Allan Gale (Australia)
B.Ed.
email: agale@distimor.org
Playgroup Leader
B.A.
Ella Medley-Whitfield (UK)
email: ewhitfield@distimor.org
MYP & VCE English
Jacqueline Cussen (Australia)
B.Ed.
email: jcussen@distimor.org
Jaren Paul Vecino (Philippines)
B.Ed. Math
email: jvencio@distimor.org
Primary Portuguese / Tetun / EAL
Carla Ferreira
Licenciatiera em Linguas e Literaturas
Modernas
email: cferreira@distimor.org
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