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
- Parents’ Coffee Morning
- Senior Shine Car Wash
- Czechia Schools Erasmus + Visit
- Magusto / St. Martin feast
- 3-Way Conferences (Students, Teachers and Parents)
- Online University information Sessions
- STEM Week
- Open Day
Practical Information
- Drop-off and pick-up
Best Practices
Act Together
- Sustainability Projects
- Our Kitchen News

Empowering Student Voice – Our First 3-Way Conference

Dear Aprendizes Community,

I’m thrilled to share that next week, on November 12, we will host our first Student-Parent-Teacher 3-Way Conferences for all our Primary, Middle, and Secondary students. This marks an important step in our journey toward giving voice and agency to our students—placing them at the center of their own learning.

This conference is not just a meeting—it's a moment for reflection, ownership, and growth. As parents, I invite you to consider:

How do you support your child’s learning journey at home?
How do you ask open-ended questions that encourage reflection and action?
How do you help them build routines that include reading, playing board games, completing homework, and getting enough sleep?
How do you guide them to resolve conflicts and address difficult matters independently?

Our goal is to move from doing things for students, to doing things with them—and ultimately, empowering them to do things by themselves. Please take time to prepare for the conference with this in mind. It’s not a two-way conversation between parent and teacher—it’s a space for the student to lead.

Speaking of student agency, I was delighted to see students joining our Traffic Committee this week and volunteering across the school—feeding pets, collecting eggs, and taking on responsibilities that build community and character.

I’m also incredibly proud of our 12th graders’ business project, Senior Shine Car Wash. Their website is live, and bookings are open—don’t miss the chance to support this fantastic example of project-based learning in action!

Looking ahead, we’re excited for our upcoming STEM Week in two weeks. Students and teachers are already planning engaging activities and presentations. In a world where science, technology, engineering, and math are key to solving global challenges like climate change, we want our students to be ready to make a difference.

While the global political climate may cast shadows over the upcoming COP negotiations in Belém, Brazil, let’s keep our hope alive—and continue preparing our students to be changemakers.

Together, We Educate for Change.

07 NOV | All Parents | Parents’ Coffee | 08:45–09:30

PARENTS’ COFFEE MORNING

Join us tomorrow for our Parents’ Coffee Morning from 8:45 to 9:30 AM!
This is a wonderful opportunity for open conversation and sharing between the school and all parents.

Let’s get together in a relaxed atmosphere to exchange ideas, discuss students’ progress, and stay connected about upcoming events. We look forward to seeing you there!

SENIOR SHINE: GRADUATES’ CAR WASH COMES TO THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT

Tomorrow, our graduates will run a car washing service in the school parking lot between 10:40 and 12:20.

Each car washed helps raise funds for the graduation trip. Slots can be scheduled on the website — book your slot now and support the adventure: Book here.

WELCOMING OUR ERASMUS+ GUESTS FROM CZECH SCHOOLS

We’re excited to welcome our Erasmus+ visitors (teachers and students) from Czech schools from November 10–14. They’ll be spending a few days exploring our school, observing lessons, and exchanging ideas with our staff.

This visit is part of our ongoing Erasmus+ partnership, which encourages collaboration and learning across Europe. Later this year, our team and students will also have the chance to visit schools in Sweden, Denmark, and the Czech Republic. Stay tuned for more!

MAGUSTO: ST. MARTIN’S SUMMER AND THE FLAVOUR OF TRADITION

Magusto is celebrated on November 11th and is tied to a well-known Portuguese saying: “On St. Martin’s Day, go to the cellar and taste the wine.” On this day, people open the wine barrels and taste the new wine while enjoying roasted chestnuts.

The tradition dates back to the 4th century, when Martin, a Gaulish knight, met a beggar on a stormy day. Having no money, he cut his cloak in half and shared it. At that moment, the sun began to shine — the miracle of St. Martin’s Summer.

Celebrating our Portuguese roots, the Preschool will mark the morning with roasted chestnuts and a bonfire.

3WAY CONFERENCE (STUDENTS, TEACHER AND PARENTS)

3-Way Conferences bring together, in person students, parents, and Head Teachers for a 15-minute reflection on learning progress and goals.

Book your 12 November in person meeting with the Head Teacher exclusively through these links: Primary and Middle and Secondary. Please note that conferences for the various sections of the school take place simultaneously, so please plan accordingly if you have more than one child at the school. This platform closes on 7 November at 6 p.m.

If there is no other alternative, the school will be prepared to receive students. Please fill in this form so we can plan supervision accordingly. Childcare will only be provided for those who sign up.

All materials will be provided, just bring curiosity and encouragement!

UNIVERSITY SESSIONS – REMINDER

Join our online University Information Sessions for secondary students and parents. EU applications session on 13 November at 6pm and Portuguese applications session on 27 November at 6pm.

Don’t miss this opportunity to understand the full process and clarify your questions.

STEM WEEK IS COMING!

From November 17th to 21st, our school will celebrate STEM Week — a week dedicated to curiosity, discovery, and innovation!

Throughout these days, the Media and ICT, Maths, and Science departments will join forces to create an exciting programme of activities designed to inspire our students. Among other initiatives, the week will feature student-led moments, a talk by a scientist in the field of embryology, escape rooms, and much more!

STEM Week aims to celebrate creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration, showing how these subjects connect to our everyday lives and to the world around us.

Stay tuned — more details about the full programme will be shared soon!

OPEN DAY FOR NEW FAMILIES

We are delighted to invite new families to our Open Day on November 20th, 2025, from 9:00 to 10:30 AM.

Come and meet our Head of School and Academic Director, visit the section of your choice (Preschool, Primary, Middle School or Secondary), and discover our educational vision in action.

Registration is required. Please encourage interested families to sign up early to secure their spot.

DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP

Families may drop off and pick up students either in front of the school or in the main car park, depending on the section:

Preschool and Primary students may use the Kiss and Go or the parking lot area and must enter through the main school entrance.
Middle and Secondary students should be dropped off in the main parking area and enter through the side gate.

In the "Kiss and Go" zone:

Do not park
Do not get out of the car
Follow the car flow until the end of the line

If you need to walk your child to class or go to the office, use the car park or designated public parking nearby.

Do not park on sidewalks, as this endangers pedestrians, blocks access for others and also upsets the neighbours.

We thank you for helping us keep the arrival and departure process smooth and safe for everyone.

SWEET DISCOVERIES!

The Discoverers’ Class rolled up their sleeves to make yummy pumpkin jam! With teamwork, curiosity, and laughter, these young chefs overcame their fears and explored the joy of cooking together.

It was a truly hands-on, tasty learning experience — maybe the start of a few future chefs in the making!

FAMILIES & THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET

Grade 6 students explored the Mediterranean Diet by cooking with their families! As part of Natural Sciences, they created healthy meals using fresh, local ingredients. This week, they proudly shared videos and reflections in class — celebrating learning, creativity, and the strong connection between school and home.

A true taste of education in action!

MUN STUDENTS DEBATE GLOBAL CHALLENGES AT PARK MUN

On October 17th and 18th our Model United Nations students participated in their first conference of the year at Park International School. At Park MUN, students debated a range of global issues from the global demographic crisis, to militarization of the arctic circle, to how to best manage the global transition towards green energy.

Our students are off to a great start and looking forward to improving their debate and public speaking skills in further conferences throughout the year.

SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS 25/26

At Aprendizes, we believe that meaningful change begins with small gestures and with each person’s care for our living world, our shared home.
Over the past few years, students, staff, and families have joined efforts to grow and strengthen our regenerative and circular practices: from sustainable production and consumption to waste prevention, mobility, and the integration of the SDGs into the curriculum. We know the journey is long, but we have already started. Below, you’ll find an infographic illustrating the projects that keep growing with us.
In the months ahead, we’ll shine a light on each one and share the stories of those who give them life and keep them moving forward.

TOGETHER FOR GUINÉ-BISSAU: MEDICINE COLLECTION DRIVE

From October 17th to November 17th, ABLA is running a Solidarity Medicine Collection to support children and families from the five schools in Guinea-Bissau we have worked with for years. Parents can donate Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, ointments for minor wounds, saline solution, bandages, gauze, adhesive tape, 70% alcohol, and disposable gloves. All donations will be delivered by an ABLA team and volunteers at the end of November.

NEWS FROM THE CANTEEN

Get to know our menu

INTERNATIONAL DAYS IN THE KITCHEN

November 13 – France
November 20 – Brazil
November 27 – Thanksgiving