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 →
Investing in East Timor’s youth is an investment in the Future
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 →
Attend the Trivia Night and Support Timor Leste
Back by popular demand the 2016 Timor Leste Trivia Night is being held on Saturday March 5, 2016 in the St Joseph's College Gymnasium. In 2013 it sold out and in 2016 we are hoping for a similar attendance. There are 30 tables of 10 so why not organise a table from amongst your friends or... Continue Reading →
Platypus Goes to Viqueque
President Peter used the DVD The Platypus: The World's Most Amazing Animal when he gave 10 lessons to Year 9 English classes in 01 Viqueque and Cabira-oan schools. The students enjoyed the experience. Using a soft toy of the platypus helped, especially how the baby egg ( a tiny piece of white chalk) is cuddled.... Continue Reading →
Kardinia International College Visit
The day after your final IB and VCE exam.... OK you’ve got 24 hours to relax and take it easy before getting on a plane to Darwin, sleep a few hours at the airport, then getting on another plane and exit into the tropical heat of Dili. This is how a dozen of Kardinia International... Continue Reading →
2014 President’s Report to the AGM
The full transcript of the 2014 President's Report can be found below in the Newsletter Section. Here is a highlights package! The Butler Donation We have had another good year both in Viqueque and Geelong. The highlight has been the commencement of the allocation of funds from the Butler Donation, a most generous gift from... Continue Reading →
2nd Compact Teacher Training Program
Mariano Da Silva, the Geelong Viqueque Friendship Schools Project Officer, has sent back a report on the second Compact Teacher Training program. The program ran for five days in May and involved four days at four Viqueque schools; Craras, Loihonu, Mamaluc and Uamori schools. The Monday program as opened by the Director of Education and... Continue Reading →
Successful Five Week Teacher Training Program
Mariano Da Silva, The Geelong Viqueque Friendship Schools Project Officer, has recently sent back his report on the successful 5 week "Compact Teacher Training Program" which we ran in conjunction with The Learning Resource Development Centre from Dili. The first three weeks of the program involved professional development and the fourth and fifth week allowed... Continue Reading →
Teacher Training Program at Loi-Huno
Peter Cannon recently received a cheque for $7,447 from the students at The Geelong College. Led by the Middle School SRC team they raised funds to support the schools in Viqueque, particularly their primary partner school Loi-Huno. The funds will be used for a teacher training program conducted at the school by qualified Timorese teachers... Continue Reading →
New Teacher Training Courses Underway
Mariano, our project officer in Viqueque, has begun regular Skype meetings with Committee member Tricia Blane. He has most recently reported that The Compact Training program is underway and that 15 certificates have already been presented. A 5 day Yr 5-6 program will also start on May 5th with 19 teachers from Loi-Huno, Mamulac and... Continue Reading →