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Background
Australia
East Timor
Friendship School
Project
“Building Generations of
International Friendship”
The Friendship School Project is focused on building partnerships between schools, students, teachers and their communities in Timor Leste and Australia. Australian schools increase their awareness of the situation faced by their counterparts in Timor Leste through action-based learning. Where appropriate student committees are formed to promote and manage the in-school activities. Teachers are encouraged to focus on Timor Leste as an example of a developing democracy where appropriate in the school curriculum.
Friendship School Program
The program is
based on the principle
of “shared
learning. FSP is
working with schools
across Australia
to raise the awareness
of students, teachers
and their communities
about the current
situation facing
schools in Timor-Leste.
The FSP team has
linked 60 schools
in Australia with
schools in Timor-Leste.
They swap photo
albums, letters,
drawings and banners
to get to know each
other and value
what they have to
share as friends.
Timorese students
and their teachers
are encouraged to
consider and be
proud of their own
learning and their
contribution to
the learning of
their Australian
counterparts. Australian
Friendship Schools
are currently undertaking
fundraising projects
to provide literacy
kits and to support
the Friendship school
project teacher
development workshops.
In Timor-Leste
Given the poor attendance levels at most Timorese schools due to inadequate school infrastructure and materials, it is hoped that this project will boost the motivation of both students and teachers in Timor Leste. This promotes an awareness that a school community in Australia is taking an active interest in the well-being of the students and their ability to gain the education they require to contribute to Timor-Leste’s future as a nation. As a result it is hoped that this project will contribute modestly to raising standards of education in schools by raising interest and involvement.
The
Project Team
In East Timor we
have:
Marcelina
– National Coordinator Timor-Leste
- School Liaison
Officer
In Australia we
have:
Rachel Clark the
Project Coordinator
is supported by
the Friendship School
Steering Committee:
Terry Bracks, Richard
Brown, Kerry Lewis,
Andy Hamilton, Emma
Morrissey, Kurt
Mullane, Meredith
Peace, Rae Perry,
Rosalie Sword, Jan
Trezise, and a group
of volunteers who
assist as needed. |
