Dear parents, guardians, and students,

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

Stay tuned and join us in this celebration of ideas and action!

A Message from the Principal
Upcoming Events
- Try out
- iTeach Science Exhibition
- Art, Design & Technology Exhibition
- Preschool celebration
- Aprendizes Has Talent
- Save the Date: End-of-Year Arraial
Best Practices
Act Together
- Menu
- Star of June: Sardines

Dear Aprendizes Community,

Happy Pride Month! This is a time to celebrate love, identity, and the fight for equal rights for all—regardless of race, sexuality, or gender. At Aprendizes, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to human rights, inclusion, and dignity for every individual. As educators, we know our role is critical in shaping students who respect differences and stand up for equity and justice.

This mission is more important than ever. Across the world—including in countries like the United States—we are witnessing troubling pressure on institutions and companies to scale back their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) commitments. Simultaneously, our young people are immersed in online environments where harmful content has become normalized. Hours are spent on social media and in gaming communities—like Fortnite and Grand Theft Auto—where misogyny, racism, homophobia, and even extreme depictions of violence and abuse are often treated as “just part of the game.” These are not neutral spaces. They shape perspectives, normalize harmful behaviors, and desensitize young people to the very values we work so hard to teach.

As the powerful Mirabilis presentation reminded us, our efforts in the classroom—our work to build empathy, critical thinking, and respect—must be supported by vigilance and awareness at home and in society at large. If the rest of a student’s time is spent in online environments where violence against women, racist slurs, or hardcore pornographic content involving abuse are standard, our impact is greatly diminished. It takes a village to raise a child, and that village must include not just educators, but parents, caregivers, and the broader community. We urge all of you to stay engaged in your children’s real and digital lives, ask questions, stay curious, and be present.

And now, a moment to celebrate something beautiful: our school volleyball tournament concluded today with great success! Several Aprendizes teams came out on top, but what made me proudest was seeing our students cheer for one another—and for teams from other schools. That is empathy. That is sportsmanship. That is the Aprendizes spirit in action.

Let us continue nurturing a generation that leads with heart, inclusion, and strength. Happy Pride Month to all of you.

Warmly,

Rikke

Principal, Aprendizes

16 JUN | Grade 1 | Planetarium visiting school | All Day

16 JUN to 27 JUN | Try out | internships and volunteer | 10 and 11 grades

17 JUN | Grade 3 | Planetarium visiting school | All morning

17 JUN to 18 JUN | IGCSE, AS & A LEVEL Art & Design & Design Technology Exhibition | Entrance

18 JUN | Closing Reception of the IGCSE, AS & A LEVEL Art & Design & Design Technology Exhibition | 4.15 PM

18 JUN | Grades 5–8 (some students) | Mixed Table Tennis Tournament (Redbridge) | Time TBC

20 JUN | Grade 4 | Graduation Ceremony | Time TBC

25 JUN | Preschool Final Presentation | 9.30 AM

25 JUN | Selected students | Bliss Day (Music School) | 4.30 PM to 6.30 PM

26 JUN | Grade 9 Tech students | Petitcrows Boat Construction | 10.30 AM to 1.00 PM

26 JUN | Grade PSOC – Descobridores | Coastal Observation and Its Species with Biologist Daphna Mavor | 9:00 AM–2:00 PM

30 JUN | No classes | Day off

TRY OUT

Now in its 3rd edition, Try Out is a programme for Year 10 and 11 students, combining 4 days of volunteering with 4 days of internships in a professional setting, taking place in June. These experiences allow students to connect with organisations, explore new environments, develop skills, and discover vocational interests.

We are proud to partner with 7 non-profit organisations from the Cascais community and 23 companies across various sectors, including architecture, theatre, banking, and hospitality. We thank all our partners for their generosity in providing our students with such a memorable learning opportunity.

iTEACH 2025

We are excited to host the 5th edition of iTEACH, our annual end-of-year science exhibition. This student-led event brings together learners from Grades 5 to 9, who will showcase science projects they have been researching and developing over the past weeks.

Each student or team has chosen a syllabus-relevant topic, built a product or exhibit around it, and will now take on the role of teacher — sharing their knowledge with primary students (Grades 3 and 4), staff, and parents. The focus is on learning through teaching, encouraging deeper understanding, creativity, and communication skills.

The exhibition will take place in Village 2 (Tuesday 17th June, 14:30-16:00), using classroom spaces for each grade. Projects range from experiments and interactive games to models and creative displays, with an emphasis on hands-on engagement.

iTEACH is a highlight of our science program, celebrating curiosity, collaboration, and student initiative.

IGCSE, AS & A LEVEL ART & DESIGN & DESIGN TECHNOLOGY EXHIBITION

The Aprendizes Arts and Performance Department proudly presents an exhibition of student work from Grades 9-12 in Cambridge AS/A Level and IGCSE Art & Design and Design Technology.

Join us in celebrating the amazing creativity of our talented Aprendizes artists and designers!

The exhibition for the general Aprendizes community runs all day on Tuesday, June 17th in the library —the perfect opportunity for new and continuing Art/DT students to see what's ahead!

RSVP invitations will be sent to exhibiting students and their families for a closing reception on Wednesday, June 18th from 16:00 to 18:00.

PRESCHOOL CELEBRATION

On the 25th, 9.30 AM, the amphitheater will host the year-end music performances and the diploma ceremony for preschool graduates.

This special event is reserved for the parents of preschoolers, celebrating this important milestone with emotion and joy.

APRENDIZES HAS TALENT!

We invite everyone to the talent show on Friday, 27th June from 2PM. Students will compete for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes.

Come and enjoy an exciting afternoon of music, dance, and creativity. Don’t miss the chance to see our talented students shine on stage!

SAVE THE DATE: 27 DE JUNHO

Our End of Year Arraial will be a true celebration of our community. Students, families, and teachers — all together like one big Aprendizes family — coming together to close the year with joy, grilled sardines, “Bifanas”, and live music.
An end of the day full of connection, laughter, and lasting memories that truly deserves everyone’s presence.

PRESCHOOL

INSPIRED BY VAN GOGH!

After Maria and Valentina shared their visit to a Van Gogh exhibition, our class turned curiosity into creativity with a special atelier! We explored Van Gogh’s life and art through projection painting, wall art, light and shaving foam sensory play, modeling, and recreating his iconic works.

It was a vibrant, hands-on morning full of discovery, imagination, and inspiration. A perfect blend of learning and artistic expression!

PRIMARY

ANGLES ALL AROUND!

Last week in Grade 3B, students became geometry explorers—measuring and classifying angles directly on their classroom desks! Using set squares and protractors, they identified right, acute, and obtuse angles in their surroundings.

A dynamic lesson that made math both visible and exciting!

Middle

A TASTE OF HISTORY IN GRADE 5!

Our 5th grade HGP students explored Portugal’s spice trade with India, discovering how cloves, pepper, and cinnamon shaped global history.

Through hands-on activities and lively discussions, they connected the past to their plates. Learning about trade routes, culture, and influence never tasted so good — a flavorful way to bring history to life!

SECONDARY

GRADUATION NIGHT

A golden afternoon turned into a starry night at Quinta da Tareca as we celebrated our 12th graders. Laughter, tears, and heartfelt memories filled the air. Teachers Mercedes and Rita shone with a touching and hilarious presentation.

A magical evening of goodbyes, gratitude, and hope. Congratulations, graduates — the world is yours.