Dear Parents, Guardians and Students,
In this week's newsletter, please find our latest updates and important information, including:
Preschool - Discovering the Art of Sushi at Kappo
Primary - Tiny explorers tame numbers and dinosaurs!
Middle School - Podcasts: New Episodes!
Secondary - Bridging future: Alumni stories that light the way
Upcoming Event - Parents Meetings - Subject Fairs
Upcoming Event - Open Day for New Families
Upcoming Event - Biomarket Special Edition
Reminder: Re-Enrolment Information
Field Trips
Bi-weekly Menu/ Country Days in Our Kitchen
January Seasonal Star: Broccoli
Fostering a Culture of Love, Care, and Respect
Dear Students and Parents,
As we navigate the joys and challenges of school life together, I feel compelled to share a heartfelt concern. Our school is not just a place of learning—it is a community, a space where we strive to nurture the values of love, care, and respect for one another. Yet, I’ve observed moments where this shared culture has been strained, and I want to address it with honesty and hope for a positive way forward.
In a school full of life and adventure, things happen. Kids play, take risks, and sometimes fall or get hurt. They climb trees, bounce on trampolines, and explore the world around them. Children test boundaries, act out, and occasionally say hurtful things to each other. At times, staff may make mistakes or fall short of a parent’s expectations. These moments are part of life in a vibrant, growing community. What matters most is not that these things happen—they are inevitable—but how we respond to them.
PRESCHOOL: Discovering the Art of Sushi at Kappo
At our school, we believe in the power of partnership between teachers, students, and parents. We actively involve parents in activities, allowing them to contribute to their children’s education. A perfect example of this was the recent sushi-making experience at Kappo in Cascais, organized by Zara, Leo’s mom.
This hands-on adventure not only deepened students' appreciation for Japanese culture but also highlighted the importance of cultural exchange. We aim to nurture open-mindedness and creativity by embracing diverse cultures, enriching our students’ global perspectives.
PRIMARY: Tiny explorers tame numbers and dinosaurs!
Today, the 1st A students proved that organizing collectible cards featuring dinosaurs and other cool themes can be a real mathematical adventure. The challenge? Sort cards from 0 to 50. But they didn’t stop there—so excited, they kept going all the way to 100!
While sharpening their math skills, the students also nailed bilingual communication, switching between Portuguese and English to work in pairs. Teamwork, focus, and plenty of smiles made this activity a roaring success.
The takeaway? In 1st A, learning is always dino-mite! 🦖l!
MIDDLE SCHOOL Podcasts: New Episodes!
Our 7th and 8th graders have created amazing podcasts, and we’re excited for you to hear the new episodes!
Legends of Football (Recorded in Portuguese)
Fran, Zé, and Vicente explore the world of football legends, from modern stars to those from previous generations.
Studying for the Future (Recorded in Portuguese)
Flora and Serena share valuable study tips and techniques to help you improve your habits, plus interviews with other students for extra insights.
🎧 Tune in and enjoy the creativity of our young podcasters!
SECONDARY - Bridging future: Alumni stories that light the way
The Alumni Get Together at International Active Learning School showcased the power of sharing experiences across generations. Alumni returned to inspire current students with stories of growth, resilience, and success, offering a glimpse into the possibilities ahead.
These intimate gatherings foster genuine connections, where wisdom and advice flow freely, bridging experience and ambition. By sharing their journeys, alumni not only strengthened community bonds but also empowered the next generation to dream bigger and aim higher.
Parents, Teachers and Students Organization Meeting
PTSO MEETING
This week, we held the PTSO meeting where the results of the parent and staff surveys were presented. The discussion focused on identifying key insights and aligning on the improvements needed for each section. Thank you to all who contributed their input!
TODAY | PARENTS MEETING - SUBJECT FAIR FOR PRE-SCHOOL (4:30 - 6:00 PM)
JAN 27 | PARENTS MEETING - SUBJECT FAIR FOR PRIMARY (4:30 - 6:00 PM)
JAN 28 | OPEN DAY FOR NEW FAMILIES (9:00 TO 10:30 AM)
JAN 28 | PARENTS MEETING - SUBJECT FAIR FOR SECONDARY (4:30 - 6:00 PM)
JAN 31 | BIOMARKET - CHARITY EDITION (4:15 TO 6:00 PM)
SAVE THE DATE - APRIL 3-4 | REGENERATION FESTIVAL
upcoming EVENT
PARENTS MEETINGS - SUBJECT FAIRS
We are excited to announce the Parents Meetings & Subject Fairs, an informative event designed to strengthen the connection between families and our educational journey.
This event provides a valuable opportunity for parents to:
Meet subject Teachers
Learn about the Curriculum
Support Your Child’s Success - Discover ways to support your child’s studies and academic growth effectively.
upcoming EVENT
OPEN DAY FOR NEW FAMILIES
Join us for our Open Day on January 28, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM! This is a great opportunity for prospective families to explore our school community and programs.
What’s included:
Meet our Principal and Head of Academics to learn about our vision and curriculum.
Personalized Tours of Preschool, Primary, Middle School, or Secondary to see how we inspire and challenge students.
Registration is required, so please share this with any families who may be interested and encourage them to secure their spot early! The event will be in English.
BIOMARKET | CHARITY EDITION
This special edition will feature partner organizations that will receive donations, sell products, and promote solidarity and volunteer initiatives.
The participating organizations for this charity edition are: Associação São Francisco de Assis, Cozinha com Alma, Refood, Helpo, Semear, DejáLu, Café Joyeux and Centro Comunitário de Carcavelos.
Specific donations:
• Cozinha com Alma: White sugar, semi-skimmed milk
• Refood: Olive oil, canned chickpeas, beans, peas, and tuna
• Associação São Francisco: Dog/cat pâtés, pet pads
• Semear: Pre-order charity baskets here: https://forms.office.com/e/z7QVBCDGYK
Join us and make a difference! 🧡
RE-ENROLMENT INFORMATION
It's time to renew your child's re-enrolment at Aprendizes for the 2025/26 school year!
To secure their place, please complete the process by February 15th, 2025. Use this link and ensure all fees are settled and school policies are agreed upon.
After this date, places will be open to families on the waiting list.
Contact us if you wish to enrol a sibling and take advantage of our family discount.
FIELD TRIPS CALENDAR
02/FEB TO 06/FEB - 8th grade and up - Ski Trip - Serra Nevada
07/FEB – Grade 5 - Ciência Viva de Constância and Convento de Cristo - 08h00 to 17h15
07/FEB – Grade 6 - Hippo Trip and Mosteiro dos Jerónimos - 08h45 to 16h45
07/FEB – Grade 7 - Museu da Eletricidade and Hippo Trip - 09h30 to 16h40
07/FEB – Grade 8 - Museu Gulbenkian and Quake Lisbon - 08h30 to 16h55
07/FEB – Grade 9 - Tapada de Mafra - Hiking, wildlife watching, beekeeping - 09h00 to 17h30
07/FEB – Grade 10 - Tapada de Mafra - Hiking, wildlife watching, beekeeping - 09h00 to 17h30
07/FEB – Grade 11 and 12 - Grutas de Mira Daire and Mosteiro Alcobaça - 08h15 to 17h30
12/FEB – Grade 3, 4, 5 e 6 - Lasa Tournament - 09h00 to 16h00
13/FEB – Grade 7, 8, 9 e 10 - Lasa Tournament - 09h00 to 16h00
11/FEB TO 14/FEB - MUN – PORTO
19/FEB - PRESCHOOL - Teatro Tivolli - 09h30 to 14h00
19/FEB – Grade 10 e 11 - Sharing School 14h00 to 16h00
21/FEB – Grade 2 - Museu Gulbenkian - 08h30 to 14h00
Our Next Country Days:
TODAY- JAPAN in our Kitchen
January 30 - TURKEY in our Kitchen
JANUARY SEASONAL STAR: Broccoli
Broccoli is January's seasonal star! Being in season, broccoli is at its freshest, tastiest and most nutritious this month.
Choosing seasonal produce like broccoli is also more sustainable, as it reduces the environmental impact of food transportation.
Rich in fiber, vitamins C and K, antioxidants, and minerals, broccoli offers numerous benefits, including boosting the immune system, improving digestion, and supporting bone health.
Adding it to your meals is a delicious and healthy choice!
