Dear parents, guardians, and students,

In this week's newsletter, please find our latest updates and important information, including:

A Message from the Principal
Upcoming Events
- Coffee Morning with Parents
- 3-Way Conferences
- Bio Market | São Martinho Edition
- Book Club is Back: Reading Momo
- Open Day for New Families
Practical Information
- No Extracurricular Activities on 11 November
- Car Park and Kiss & Go Zone Rules
Best Practices
- Baking Day with the Dreamers
- Exploring the Human Body
- A Journey into Prehistory
- Portuguese Maths Olympiad
- Performing Arts Showcase: an Afternoon of Talent
Act Together
- Vilarejo Social: Books that Open Doors
- Screens: It’s Complicated, so we talked about it
- Waste Less, Together
- National Pyjama Day
- News from the Kitchen

Dear Aprendizes families,

When I moved to Portugal, I was genuinely surprised to discover that meetings about students’ progress often took place without the students themselves. Sometimes, they were not involved in the conversation at all. Too often, these meetings seemed to be one-way communication, with teachers sharing judgements about what students did well and where they needed to improve.

I remember wondering: How can we have meetings about students’ learning without the students being part of them?

Learning is a relational process, and it requires ownership. We adults can plan, organise and support, but ultimately, it is our students who must do the learning. It all must start with them.

That means listening to where they are, what matters to them and what they want to work on - whether it is their maths grades, friendships, sleep, sports or contributing to our school community.

Research shows that when students reflect on their learning, set meaningful goals and participate in decisions, they develop greater ownership, engagement and confidence. This is why student voice is not an extra; it is an essential part of learning.

Next Wednesday, November 11, during our three-way conferences, students will set goals in our three key areas:

Well-being: What helps me feel healthy, happy and connected?
Academic achievement: What would I like to improve or understand better?
Engagement: How can I contribute more to my class and school community?

Together, students, parents and teachers will also reflect on how everyone can support these goals. In April, we will meet again to discuss what worked, what was challenging and what progress has been made.

This is how we bring our Aprendizes principles to life: sometimes we do things for our students, more often with them, and ideally by them. And we strive to speak with each other, not about each other.

We count on you to support your children by listening with curiosity, encouraging their reflections and helping them take small steps towards their goals. Your conference booking has already been made, and we look forward to seeing you next Wednesday.

Sunny regards,

Rikke

Pre-School

Primary

Middle

Secondary

Whole Community

COFFEE MORNING WITH PARENTS

On Friday 6 November, from 08:45 to 10:00, we will host another Parents’ Coffee Morning with our Principal and Head of Pre-School and Primary in the school refectory. Parents from all sections are very welcome to join us.

It’s a chance to strengthen the dialogue between families and the school, share ideas and stay up to date with upcoming activities and events. We look forward to seeing you there!

3-WAY CONFERENCES

HAVE YOU BOOKED YOUR SLOT? Book here

On Wednesday 11 November, students, parents and Head Teachers will come together for the 3-Way Conferences: 15-minute meetings in which students lead the conversation about their learning, celebrating their strengths and setting goals for the rest of the year. There are no regular lessons on this day.

Book your appointment: the booking system is open until 9 November at 18:00. Conferences for different sections take place at the same time, so please plan ahead if you have more than one child at our school. Through the same system, you can also book a brief check-in with the Heads of Section, specialist teachers (Primary) or the Future Pathways Counsellor (Secondary).

Childcare: if your child cannot stay at home outside their conference time, please fill in this form by 9 November at 18:00. Childcare will only be provided for those who sign up.

On the day, please check in at reception and arrive 10 minutes before your time slot, as parking can be difficult and the schedule cannot be changed.

BIO MARKET | SÃO MARTINHO EDITION

Friday, 13 November | 16:00–18:00 | The Tent

Autumn arrives at the Bio Market! For its second edition of 2026/27, the market celebrates São Martinho, with chestnuts and pumpkins setting the seasonal mood. Families, students and staff will be running stalls side by side with local producers, and our students will once again be in charge of their own stalls, from choosing what to sell to setting their prices. Come and discover organic and local produce, handmade and second-hand finds, food prepared by our students and live music, all in good company.

Meet Vilarejo Social

This edition, a representative from Vilarejo Social, the book club project in Portuguese prisons that our school now supports, will be at the market to present the project. Stop by to ask questions, find out how to volunteer or simply learn more about this initiative. You can also bring along your book donations!

For stallholders

If your stall has been confirmed, please remember to pay the participation fee (€4 per vendor, or €2 for students) at the school office by Tuesday, 10 November. Stalls cannot be held without prior payment.

For visitors

You don’t need a stall to join in. Come along, wander through the tent, taste, chat and take something home.

Questions

Write to biomarket@aprendizes.pt

BOOK CLUB IS BACK: READING MOMO

The Aprendizes Book Club 2026/27 continues on 17 November, from 18:30 to 20:00, in the Library. This time we’re reading Momo, by Michael Ende, in a conversation facilitated by Cristina Rodriguez and Ana Luísa Carneiro. A story about time, listening and what really matters, and the perfect excuse to slow down and talk about books together.

More information here: https://www.aprendizes.pt/clube-de-leitura-dos-aprendizes-2627

OPEN DAY FOR NEW FAMILIES

We are delighted to invite prospective families to our Open Day on November 24, from 9:00 to 10:30 AM.

Families will meet our Principal and our students, join a personalised tour of Preschool, Primary, Middle, or Secondary, and explore our vision and curriculum. Registration is required. Please encourage interested families to register early.

NO EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES ON 11 NOVEMBER

Due to the 3-Way Conferences, and in line with the annual calendar, there will be no extracurricular activities on Wednesday 11 November. Thank you for your understanding!

CAR PARK AND KISS & GO ZONE RULES

Below are the rules for using the Car Park and the Kiss & Go zone for student drop-off and pick-up.

The rules set out, for each school stage, where students should be dropped off and collected, as well as the general rules for the Kiss & Go zone.

We kindly ask you to read the information and help ensure it is followed, by clarifying things for families whenever you are asked or whenever a situation arises day to day.

Drop-off

Students may be dropped off in the Kiss & Go zone or in the main car park, depending on their school section:

Pre-School, Primary and grade 5 and 6: parents may use the Kiss & Go area or park in the main car park before accompanying their children through the school’s main entrance.
Middle (grade 7 and 8) and Secondary: students must be dropped off in the main car park and enter through the side gate.

PICK-UP

Students are collected from different points, depending on their school stage:

Pre-School: students are collected at the Pre-School gate. Parents of these students must use the main car park or the public parking areas outside the school; the Kiss & Go zone cannot be used.
Primary and Middle (grade 5 and 6): students are collected at the school’s main entrance. Parents of these students may use the Kiss & Go area.
Middle (grade 7 and 8) and Secondary: students leave through the side gate and are collected in the main car park.

Kiss and Go Zone – General Rules

In the Kiss & Go zone, both at drop-off and collection:

Do not park.
Do not get out of the car.
Follow the flow to the traffic to the end of the queue.

If parents need to walk their child into the school, go to the school office or deal with any other matter, they should use the main car park (central lane) or the public parking areas outside the school.

Safety

Please do not park on the pavements: it puts pedestrians at risk, blocks access and increases the risk of accidents.

Thank you all for helping us keep arrivals and departures organised and safe. If you have any questions, we are happy to help.

Thank you for your cooperation.

BAKING DAY WITH THE DREAMERS

It all started with an idea from the children themselves: the Dreamers suggested baking bread! At our school, children’s ideas are the starting point for many learning experiences, and this one was no exception.

We invited our chef, Joana Xardoné, who happily took on the challenge of teaching us. Everyone got stuck in, with each child helping to prepare the recipe, measuring the ingredients, mixing, kneading and shaping their own bread. Along the way there were plenty of questions, discoveries and, of course, flour everywhere!

Lunchtime brought the best part: tasting the bread we had made ourselves. And because good things are meant to be shared, the rest went home so that families could enjoy it too.

EXPLORING THE HUMAN BODY

Grade 4 students are exploring the different systems of the human body through projects in which they research, create and present what they have learnt. And they are not doing it alone: throughout the project, parents join their children in the classroom to research and learn side by side.

The materials they are creating, such as posters and slide presentations, will be showcased at the end. It is a project that brings school and families together and shows how, at our school, we learn by doing.

A JOURNEY INTO PREHISTORY

On 21 October, the Humanities Department welcomed John Iglar from Prehistoric Portugal for a Prehistory workshop with all Grade 5 students. As well as exploring Prehistory in general, students learnt more about Portugal’s own prehistoric past.

The workshop was hands-on and interactive: students examined real prehistoric stone tools, built timelines and put some common myths about our ancestors to the test.

PORTUGUESE MATHS OLYMPIAD

On 4 November, our students from Grades 5 to 12 took part in the first round of the 45th Portuguese Mathematical Olympiad, organised by the Portuguese Mathematical Society.

The competition is divided into four categories: Pre-Olympiad (Grade 5), Junior (Grades 6 and 7), Category A (Grades 8 and 9) and Category B (Grades 10 to 12). In every category, the test goes beyond everyday classroom exercises, challenging students’ logical reasoning, creativity and problem-solving skills.

Students in the Junior, A and B categories who qualify will move on to the second round in January, with the chance to reach the National Final in Guimarães, from 18 to 21 March 2027. For Grade 5 students, this was the single round of the Pre-Olympiad.

Well done to all participants for their enthusiasm and dedication!

PERFORMING ARTS SHOWCASE: AN AFTERNOON OF TALENT

On Thursday 22 October, the library was filled with music and drama for the Performing Arts Showcase, featuring performances by students from Grades 7 to 12.

Throughout the afternoon, the audience enjoyed solo, duo and group performances with a wonderfully varied repertoire, from songs by Marisa Monte, Edith Piaf, The Beatles, Nirvana and Amy Winehouse to drama pieces, including an extract from Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.

A special thank you to Alexia Laryea and Chloe Jenden for their work with the students in preparing the show.

Congratulations to all the students who took to the stage!

VILAREJO SOCIAL: BOOKS THAT OPEN DOORS

Our school is now a partner of Vilarejo Social, a project that brings book clubs to Portuguese prisons.

Since February 2026, around 35 women at the Santa Cruz do Bispo Women’s Prison, in Matosinhos, have met every month to read, talk and reflect together, supported by a group of volunteers.

The project sees literature as a right for everyone and a tool for personal growth. At each meeting, participants receive a copy of the book they will discuss at the next session, so every book makes a difference.

Our school is supporting this cause by collecting new or good-condition copies of the following books:

Annie John by Jamaica Kincaid
Uma Vida à Sua Frente (The Life Before Us) by Romain Gary
O Caderno Proibido (Forbidden Notebook) by Alba de Céspedes

Vilarejo Social also welcomes volunteers. To find out more about the project or how to get involved, visit their Instagram or email vilarejoleitura@gmail.com.

Thank you to everyone who joins this initiative!

SCREENS: IT’S COMPLICATED, SO WE TALKED ABOUT IT

On 3 and 4 November, we hosted the Workshop Screens: It’s Complicated, run by the Digital Well-being and Safety Committee. Created by parents, for parents, the session combined honest facts, practical ideas for everyday life and an open conversation about screen use at home, free from judgement and with plenty of room to share questions and experiences.

We were delighted to see so many parents and staff members there. Thank you to everyone who took part and helped make this conversation so rewarding. After all, changing habits is easier when we do it together!

WASTE LESS, TOGETHER

Aprendizes took part in COMBINE, a European project exploring how to reduce food waste in schools, workplaces and homes. Coordinated in Portugal by Professors Iva Pires and Sónia Nobre from NOVA University of Lisbon, it worked with our school community and families for over a year, testing simple, practical actions. Household food waste fell by 33%. Read the full interview on Greensavers to discover what we learned.

NATIONAL PYJAMA DAY

Once again, we’re celebrating National Pyjama Day on 20 November!

Students and staff are invited to come to school in their pyjamas, and we’re also backing the Casa dos Pijamas solidarity campaign. Students are invited to take their very first solidarity action, collecting small donations from their families. The funds will go to Mundos de Vida, a family foster care network. Sweet dreams, and see you in your pyjamas!

NEWS FROM THE KITCHEN

INTERNATIONAL DAYS IN THE KITCHEN:
27 NOV | United States of America

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