As you stand on our property and look out at our beautiful view, you might not know the connection it has to a man by the name of Nicolas Barre. That is partly because he lived over 400 years ago in France. So how does this man from centuries ago, and a different continent, play into the story of Dalat International School?

Nicolas Barre is a Minim friar and Catholic priest who lived from 1621 – 1686 and is the founder of the Sisters of the Infant Jesus, a Roman Catholic institute dedicated to the education and training of underprivileged children.

Two hundred years later, in 1852, after a very difficult journey, three Sisters arrived in Penang and set up a convent that contained an orphanage and a school. Over the next 150+ years the Sisters of the Infant Jesus have helped pioneer education in Malaysia, establishing schools in most states and in many cities around the country. Today you will find schools, learning centers, orphanages, homes for differently abled, and other ministries of the Sisters all across Malaysia.

So what does this have to do with our school? Well, the beautiful property here in Tanjung Bungah, the one that our school has been located on since 1971, is owned by the Sisters of the Infant Jesus Convent in KL. Earlier this week, I had a chance to go down and visit with them for the first time since Covid hit. It was wonderful to see them again, and I am always so impressed by these wonderful ladies and the work that they are doing.

The relationship between our school and the Sisters is as strong as ever. We currently have an agreement with them that gives us use of the land until 2043 with discussions already taking place to extend that. Additionally, I believe it is such a blessing for us as a school to know that the rent we pay goes directly into helping the Convent run their ministries and programs. How wonderful is it to know that the property that blesses us in so many ways also supports the Sisters and their important work in Malaysia!

Have a great weekend,

Recently, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced the list of finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Benjamin Hollon, a current Dalat senior, achieved a finalist nomination!  

With this nomination he has an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $30 million that will be offered this spring.

For context, Benjamin was only 1 of 16,000 finalists from the approximately 1.5 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools. Finalists submitted a detailed scholarship application that includes their academic record, leadership and employment history, participation in school and community, personal essay, and teacher recommendations. They then took the SAT this past fall to complete the final criteria for possible selection.

Way to go, Benjamin!

Your donation will go directly to Christian schools and communities affected by the war. Here are a few urgent examples of what your gift will do:

1. Assisting with expenses of evacuating school staff and students

2. Supporting Christian schools that are housing refugees

3. Helping Christian schools continue operations during and after the war

Junior for Hire opens today! This is your opportunity to hire a junior for three hours of work or to purchase a handmade item by one of the juniors. Click on this link to see all of the items being offered this year.

View Junior bios and talents here

Elementary and middle school grade reports for Quarter 3 will be available today, March 18, on the PowerSchool Parent Portal. 

Each week, Dalat seniors (Grade 12) write journalistic articles about current events or individuals within the Dalat community and publish them on The Senior Scribble.

This week’s articles are from Alexa Chandra (“Quarantine Season Reflections”) and Jason Kim (“Senior Transition Retreat”).

Last Chance to Order Jumpa Lagi/Selamat Tinggal T-Shirts
줌빠라기/ 슬라맛 띵갈 티셔츠 주문 마지막 기회
订购再见/还会回来T恤的最后机会

The deadline to order Jumpa Lagi or Selamat Tinggal T-shirts has been extended to Wednesday, March 23. Last chance to order!

Jumpa Lagi/Selamat Tinggal T-shirt Order Form