Dili International School
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Dili International School is an
international International is an adjective (also used as a noun) meaning "between nations". International may also refer to: Music Albums * ''International'' (Kevin Michael album), 2011 * ''International'' (New Order album), 2002 * ''International'' (The T ...
English-language school situated in
Dili Dili (Portuguese language, Portuguese and Tetum language, Tetum: ''Díli'') is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Timor-Leste. It lies on the northern coast of the island of Timor, in a small area of flat land hemmed in by mountai ...
, the capital of
East Timor Timor-Leste, also known as East Timor, officially the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, is a country in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the coastal exclave of Oecusse in the island's northwest, and ...
. Dili International School is accredited with the
International Baccalaureate Organisation The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), more commonly known as the International Baccalaureate (IB), is a nonprofit foundation headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and founded in 1968. It offers four educational programmes: the IB ...
, the
Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) is a statutory authority of the Victoria State Government The Victoria State Government, also referred to as the Victorian Government, is the executive government of the Australia ...
, and the Timor-Leste Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports.DIS
History
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Overview

Dili International School was conceived in 2002 by a group of parents who were either visiting or living in East Timor, and home schooling their children. There was agreement that a school was necessary to accommodate the tiny international community and East Timorese families requiring English language education. A resident Australian family, Tony Haritos and Carmel Bates, took up the organisational and funding challenge and in February 2003 Dili International School commenced operations as a multi-age primary school. Later that year in May, a Preschool class was created. A Playgroup was formed in June 2004, providing a much needed early childhood facility. Two years later in January 2006, the school expanded to include a Distance Education Support Program for students in secondary grades and a specialist Secondary English as a Foreign Language class. Enrolments continued to increase until the
2006 East Timorese crisis The 2006 Timor-Leste crisis began as a conflict between elements of the Timor-Leste Defence Force (F-FDTL) over discrimination within the military and expanded to a coup attempt and general violence throughout the country, centred in the capit ...
, which saw a decline in numbers as families left East Timor either voluntarily or at the urging of their employers and governments. The existing DIS stakeholders - owners, staff and families have to overcome great hardships to keep the school open through these very difficult times. In 2012, Dili International School was authorised as an International Baccalaureate World School. DIS is the only school in East Timor authorised to offer an IB programme. In April 2013, DIS was accredited by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority to offer the
Victorian Certificate of Education The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) is the credential available to secondary school students who successfully complete year 10, 11 and 12 in the Australian state of Victoria (state), Victoria as well as in some international schools i ...
in partnership with Haileybury in
Melbourne Melbourne ( , ; Boonwurrung language, Boonwurrung/ or ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city of the States and territories of Australia, Australian state of Victori ...
. This has given the school a globally recognised high school leaving certificate. In October 2022, Dili International School signed a Memorandum of understanding with
Charles Darwin University Charles Darwin University (CDU) is an Australian public university with two campuses in Darwin and six satellite campuses in metropolitan and regional areas of the Northern Territory. It was established in 2003 after the merger of Northern Ter ...
that promotes educational exchange between the two organisations as well as establishes a
scholarship A scholarship is a form of Student financial aid, financial aid awarded to students for further education. Generally, scholarships are awarded based on a set of criteria such as academic merit, Multiculturalism, diversity and inclusion, athleti ...
programme for Timorese graduates of Dili International School to study at
Charles Darwin University Charles Darwin University (CDU) is an Australian public university with two campuses in Darwin and six satellite campuses in metropolitan and regional areas of the Northern Territory. It was established in 2003 after the merger of Northern Ter ...
. In 2023, Dili International School founder and director, Carmel Bates, was awarded the
Order of Timor-Leste The Order of Timor-Leste () is the highest Order (honour), honour currently awarded by Timor-Leste. Established in 2009, the order was created after the original honours granted by Timor-Leste. It is of a more general and broader nature than the ...
by President Jose Ramos Horta, for her service and contribution towards education development in
Timor-Leste Timor-Leste, also known as East Timor, officially the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, is a country in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the coastal exclave of Oecusse in the island's northwest, and ...
.


References


External links


DIS
- Dili International School

- Dili International School IB World School Page

- Haileybury College Melbourne {{coord missing, Timor-Leste 2002 establishments in Timor-Leste Australian international schools in Timor-Leste Educational institutions established in 2002 Schools in Dili Secondary schools in Timor-Leste