DILI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL - Environmental Education Workshop

Dili International School hosted an environmental education workshop over two days to improve all the students understanding of the issues facing the planet on a global and individual scale.

Combining activities with the watching of relevant media for the age groups students were able to understand a little better where they can fit into the 'bigger' picture and what they can do in their own spaces.

The 11th Hour, "Is it really Rubbish?' and "The Legend of Taiji were shown as well as Bali in Motion and Let's Recycle two documentary films made in Bali showing a much more local view to help the different ages groups understand. This was followed by different activities for each group resulting in an overall understanding that can grow through the school and their continued commitment to the preservation and improvement of their environment.
The level of response was high and many of the much younger children had already gained a great understanding of the effects of pollution on the planet. These children are the future of our world and to watch them engage with the activities and exhibit understanding was inspiring and encouraging...Thank you Dili International School

Upper School and Distance Ed group

The older students at the school are studying through distance education and others form a part of an EFL group studying to improve their English. As older students they have to face the personal challenges of finding out where they fit in and battle the cynicism and pressure to NOT care that pervades teenage peer groups world wide.
The Upper School EFL group were given the responsibility of creating a proposal for the School Council that would include a tree planting plan, a rationale for tree planting and the arrangement of a tree planting day.

Through brainstorming discussion they looked at the many benefits of trees and how tree planting addresses not just an environmental need but how it is the ideal activity for a model global citizen.
By planting trees the damage of the past can be repaired, the present can be improved, and the future provided for.
Through other brainstorming a poem was created that will form part of the Environmental Charter of the school.

Middle School

The Middle School students were already considering the impact of junk food on their bodies and it was straightforward to make the next step to the considering the environment. After watching The 11th Hour the students shared their thoughts about their own environment as a microcosm of the larger environment. They were willing to be the group that would take responsibility for ensuring the Dili International School carried out a program of environmental responsibility.

During their second session the class looked at making a catchy slogan, they discussed the effective 'marketing' of green values and were left with the task of making up posters, poems and banners that would support the message that their school yard was 'their' planet.
They met all the challenges with enthusiasm and took charge of arranging receptacles that could be used to separate waste and and organising recycled paper and craft days to coincide with festivals that need greeting cards and gifts.
The Middle School took a very practical and solution oriented approach that in part was inspired by the watching of the film and the resulting need, having seen, to DO something.

Environmental Education through the ages

The younger primary students began their day by singing a song they learned last year. Having broken the ice they settled into watching "Is it Really Rubbish?" a documentary made by Grade Five students about what rubbish is and how it can be used.
Following that they watched an animated cartoon made by Grade Six Students about the adventures of a dolphin who helps re-educate people about pollution.
This was followed by some energetic rubbish sorting games that were met with enthusiasm and total invovlement.
It is important to know what rubbish is before you can start working out what to do with it. For this age group the simple definition of rubbish can be so much more useful when you really get to understand it.

Dili International School

The Dili International School is located in Dili, East Timor. The students come from all over the world and are in all age groups from Pre-School to High School.
They are part of the growing community that is building up around Dili, the central city of Timor L'Este, the newest nation in South East Asia.

The school is centrally located in a secure environment and has clean and renovated buildings as well as plenty of equipment and most importantly enthusiastic teachers.

Last year Dili International School hosted a Clean Up the World Event with a community program of local clean up and activities. This year to celebrate their emerging relationship with Bali International School they invited two teachers from Bali to participate in some Environmental Education and Sport activities.