Geelong-Viqueque Friendship Schools
"Developing social responsibility and connectedness with Timor Leste"
Starting in 2019, Geelong Viqueque Friendship Schools (GVFS) has partnered with Mary MacKillop Today (MMT) in an innovative teacher training in Viqueque. 40 Viqueque teachers will take part and GVFS has committed to covering the expenses for seven teachers at a total cost of $A14,000. The focus is on assisting the professional development of current primary... Continue Reading →
Timorese parents value education. The students, both boys and girls, are very keen to attend primary and secondary school. The government has invested in the regions schools by building and equipping many primary and secondary schools. They have also employed teachers for these schools. However, a high proportion of the teachers have minimum or no... Continue Reading →
During 2017-2018, Geelong Viqueque Friendship Schools Inc supported Mary MacKillop International’s one-year training program. This funding allowed 5 teachers from Viqueque to participate. It allowed 150 children to receive quality education in the classroom and to assist in creating a positive future for themselves and their community. This teacher training program is particularly vital in... Continue Reading →
With the pressure of VCE, social media and the big question of “what’s next” looming over them, 18 students in year 11 at Sacred Heart College have turned to their neighbours for some perspective. Leaving behind their family, Facebook and even their phones, the young women embarked on an 11-day program in Timor... Continue Reading →
GVFS moves into its 11th year with much energy. We would love to see you at our Annual General Meeting Thursday 19 September Christ the King Primary School, 79 Wilsons Rd, Newcomb 6:45 for a 7:00pm start Special guests will be senior students who will provide accounts of their visits.. Please consider being on the... Continue Reading →
Two separate ceremonies were held this year, one in Dili and the other in Viquque. In the Capital, presentations were made at the Esplanda Hotel. The seven students are studying at university in such studies as education, information technology and medicine. Mariano DaSilva, GVFS Project Manager had travelled the nine-hour bus trip from Viqueque to... Continue Reading →
A Timor Reflection The two weeks I spent in Timor over the school holidays were the best two weeks of my life. I met new people, discovered a new language and developed an appreciation for a new culture. Our journey started on Friday the 22nd of June, where we got on a bus to travel... Continue Reading →
We have received news that one wing of the Cabira Years 1-9 School has been gutted by fire. In recent years, this school has been conducting classes in the morning and afternoon to accommodate additional numbers after taking on secondary classes. The school is still currently operating but how it is providing classes for all... Continue Reading →
It was a meeting of old and new friends at the GVFS 10 year celebration dinner held recently at The Davidson Restaurant. The connection between Geelong and East Timor has resulted in many partnerships and ongoing friendships, and we are incredibly proud of the work being taken up by the schools of Geelong. Education is... Continue Reading →
