The Dili International School Secondary Distance Education Support Program commenced in 2006.

The program is a compromised solution to enable secondary grade students to live in Timor Leste with their families and be able to continue their studies. We do not provide the teaching expertise, resources or experiences that children usually receive at a regular Secondary School.

This method of learning is not necessarily suited to all students and your child’s suitability for the program will be discussed between the student, parents, Secondary Program Coordinator and School management.

A firm commitment is required by students to apply them selves to the independent learning that the distance program requires. The student will be monitored and if it is found that your child is not managing in this learning situation you will be advised and a more suitable schooling alternative will be recommended.

Students will also participate in the additional grade appropriate programs provided by Dili International School in such areas as: Physical Education and Health, Study Skills and Time Management sessions, Careers Guidance, Work Experience, Sporting Events, Assemblies, Peer Tutoring and the DIS Community Service Program.

In order to progress, if performance is satisfactory students, at each grade level will be issued with a certificate of pass from their Distance School. DIS will also issue a certificate of grading for the supplemental activities students undertake with us. Both certificates contribute to the students academic record and unsatisfactory results from either School report may result in the student not being re-enrolled with DIS.

Who can enroll in this program:

The program is open to students from years 8 and above if enrolled in an Australian Program and Year 9 if enrolled with the University of Nebraska.

Students whose first language is not English may apply. However the print nature of the program will make this a difficult undertaking for some students. The Distance Learning Provider and DIS will evaluate the student’s ability to succeed in this program and discuss appropriate support and programs with parents. If an EFL student is enrolled into the program additional support may be required and this will incur further costs.

Distance Course Providers currently being used by DIS Students are:

• University of Nebraska Extended Education and Outreach Independent Study High School – Commencing year 9 (Available to all students)
• Australian Schools of Distance Education – commencing year 8
  (Only Available to Australian citizens) Students must enroll in the program from their previous Australian state of residency)
• New Zealand Correspondence School (all primary and secondary grades)

The curriculums from these Distance Education providers are internationally accredited and recognized.

All essential resources are provided in the resource packs dispatched by the schools. Students can also access other services provided by schools of Distance Education, such as library, counselors, and subject advice services. Resources are available and classes are conducted to varying degrees via internet.

Management of the DIS Program:

Dili International School Management and Classroom staff will oversee the overall management of the student.

Distance Programs are designed to be studied at home, usually under the management of parents. In the Dili International School Secondary Distance Support Program, the teacher and tutor, for the most part, replace the role of the parent and on site program management and tutorial assistance is provided for each student.

Parents are required to act in Partnership with DIS. They are required to provide a supportive role and ensure students cooperate with the requirements of the Distance course provider as well as DIS staff, policies and procedures. As is the case with all Secondary grade students, a reasonable component of course work is required to be performed at home and parental support with encouraging compliance with this is essential.

Students are also required to participate in the additional grade appropriate programs provided by DIS in such areas as;- Physical Education and Health, Study Skills and time management sessions, Careers guidance, sporting events, assemblies and peer tutoring and the DIS community and service programs.

What the Program offers:

Dili International School Management and the Secondary Distance Program Class teachers and tutors will manage the academic, social and sporting program through:

• Establishing and maintaining a friendly comfortable study environment conducive to learning.
• Assisting with the academic aspects of enrolment with regards to subject choices.
• In conjunction with the student and family assist in the establishment of a well functioning system for the procurement and return of resources.
• Developing and managing the time-table and study schedule and supervising students cooperation, ensuring that course work is submitted on time.
• Assisting with the provision and preparation of necessary school based resources and materials ie computer, internet, Audio Visual needs.
• Facilitating the establishment of good communication systems between the Student and the Distance Education Provider.
• Supplementing the Distance Programs and providing a more holistic program through provision of additional information and activities such as, time management skills, study skills, sports and recreation, careers guidance and out of School Learning experiences such as excursions and camps.
• Engaging students in ‘work experience’.
• Students in are supervised a normal classroom environment for usual school hours of 0845 and 1515.
• Enabling students to be part of a peer group in order to facilitate important ‘normal’ socializing opportunities.
• Scouring and coordinating additional subject tutors when the need is identified
• All students are provided with access to-
• Computers with broadband wireless internet and Skype
• Library resources
• Audio visual equipment
• Canteen
• Sporting equipment

Fees

Students in the Distance Programs are required to pay fees directly to the Distance Education Provider as well as the DIS Fees.

• DIS Fees are the same as for Primary Grades.
• The Australian enrolment fee is approximately USD $150.00 per year.
• The University of Nebraska fee is approximately USD $5,000.00 per year.
• The New Zealand Correspondence School is approximately USD $4,000 per year.
• Costs incurred through transportation of resources to Timor Leste are the responsibility of individual families.