Academic Curriculum

Curriculum Overview

Dili International school is an authorised International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme and Primary Years Programme world school and accredited, through our partnership with Haileybury School, to deliver the Victorian Certificate of Education. 

At Dili International School The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia, The Australian Curriculum and The Victorian Certificate of Education are the key curriculum documents used when planning and monitoring teaching and learning. These scope and sequence documents provide a coherent, articulated educational experience for students. In addition they provide our school community with a wealth of curriculum resources to draw upon when designing engaging educational activities tailored to meet our local context.  In the primary school teachers use the IB Primary Years Programme as a pedagogical framework to deliver the curriculum. In the middle school the IB MYP is used as the pedagogical framework to deliver the curriculum. 

As an IB World School intercultural awareness and communication are at the core of teaching and learning.  We strive to incorporate and celebrate the culture of Timor-Leste and the cultures of the many other nationalities that form our international school community.  

What we teach

Early Childhood

Playgroup and Preschool

The preschool and playgroup classes at DIS use the The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) for Australia to inform their learning and teaching outcomes. DIS early child programs have a specific emphasis on play-based learning strategies which aim to promote each child sense of belonging, becoming and being.

Early Years Learning Framework Outcomes

Transition - Grade 6

Primary Years Programme

Transition through to grade 6 at DIS is a International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) school. Our learning and teaching practices are governed by the requirements of the PYP, which requires inquiry based learning to be the core teaching approach used in our classrooms. The learning content for our students is provided by the Australian Curriculum for core subjects such as mathematics, English, and science, but where possible this is adapted to the Timor-Leste context to ensure relevance to our school community.

For detailed descriptions of the Australian Curriculum please click on the links below.

Australian Curriculum Foundation to year 10

Grade 7 - 10

Secondary School (7-10)

Grade 7 to grade 10 at DIS implements the Australian Curriculum in accordance with the requirements of the Australian Curriculum, Assessment, and Reporting Authority (ACARA). This programme has an emphasis on developing students to be strong independent thinkers with an international outlook whilst consolidating content knowledge and skills. The content and outcomes provided by the Australian curriculum are adapted to the local context of the DIS students. 

The links below will take you to the Australian Curriculums level descriptions, content descriptions and achievement standard.

Australian Curriculum Foundation to year 10

Grade 11 - 12

Senior School - Victorian Certificate of Education (11-12)

Grade 11 and Grade 12 are accredited to undertake the VCE exam, which enables students to receive an ATAR score recognised by Australian universities. The course is implemented through a partnership Haileybury College in Victoria. The links listed provide detailed information of the content of each subject area.