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
- Africa week
- The impact of screens on young minds
- Talk | Becoming Black
- PTSO Meeting
- Bio Market
Practical Information
- Grade 9 Mocks
Best Practices
Act Together
- Menu
- Star of may: nectarines

Dear Parents, Students, and Friends of the School,

Next week, we will celebrate Africa Week—a cherished tradition in our school where we dive into the vibrant cultures, histories, and stories of the African continent. For me, this week is also personal as it is a place I have visited a lot. I wrote my Master’s thesis on Zanzibar, a place where Bantu, Indian, Persian, and European influences meet in a rich cultural tapestry. Africa is a continent of extraordinary beauty and diversity, full of life, rhythm, and potential. Its people, landscapes, and traditions have left a lasting mark on the world—and on me.

Yet, alongside this beauty, Africa also holds many stories of struggle and suffering. I recently read a powerful book on the Lord’s Resistance Army in Northern Uganda, where tens of thousands of children were abducted and used as soldiers and slaves. These are deeply disturbing realities—and though difficult, they must not be ignored. Our responsibility as educators is to share age-appropriate, truthful stories about the world—stories that help our students grow in empathy, awareness, and a sense of justice.

Ethical education means teaching our children not only to succeed, but also to care. In a world where we now see more armed conflicts than at any time since World War II, our hearts must remain open and attentive. These days, mine are especially with the children of Gaza, Ukraine, and South Sudan and other warzones—young lives caught in the crossfire of conflict.

We live in a place of privilege and peace. But with that comes a moral obligation: to use our education, resources, and voices in support of those who are not as fortunate.

Africa Week is more than a celebration. It is an invitation—to see, to feel, and to act. I look forward to a week of meaningful learning, joyful discovery, and deep reflection together with our students.

Warm regards,

Rikke

Principal

19–23 MAY | Africa Week

20 MAY | Library | The impact of screens, games and social media on the brain – Talk by Mirabilis | 9:00 AM

28 MAY | Grades 3–8 (some students) | Jamor | Track and Field Tournament

29 MAY | Grade 2 | KidZania | 8:30 AM–3:30 PM

03 JUN | PTSO meeting | Library | 4:00 PM–5:00 PM

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AFRICA WEEK

From May 19 to 23, it’s Africa Week at Aprendizes! Join us for music, talks, a book fair, African lunches and more. A celebration of identity, culture and diversity. It all kicks off Monday with the unveiling of the African literature mural!

MAY 19 – 23

19th MONDAY
8:30 AM – School entrance – Inauguration of the mural on African literature

20th TUESDAY
10:30 – 11:30 AM – Amphitheatre – Music concert by Chalo Correia (Angola)
11:40 AM – Canteen – Cape Verdean lunch

21st WEDNESDAY
11:00 AM – 6:00 PM – School entrance – Book fair in partnership with Indie Not a Bookshop
11:30 AM – Library – Final activity for the Racial Literacy Action – “Becoming Black” – talk with Henda (Angola)
4:00 PM – Library – “Becoming Black” – talk with Henda (Angola) – For parents and 12th graders

22nd THURSDAY
8:40 – 10:20 AM – Library – Talk with the writer Gisela Casimiro (Portugal / Guinea-Bissau)
11:00 AM – School entrance – Book fair in partnership with Indie Not a Bookshop
11:40 AM – Canteen – South African lunch

THE IMPACT OF SCREENS ON YOUNG MINDS

Join us on May 20th at 9am in the Aprendizes Library for an informative talk by Mirabilis. Discover how screens, games, and social media affect children’s brains. Learn science-based insights to support healthier screen habits and informed decisions at home.

Talk in English, open to all Aprendizes parents. Registration here.

TALK | BECOMING BLACK

Join us on May 21 at 4:00 PM in the Library for Becoming Black, a talk by psychologist Henda Vieira-Lopes, closing our Racial Literacy Action project.

Open to all parents, families, 12th grade students and the community, the event explores structural racism and identity. Register here.

PTSO MEETING

The next PTSO (Parents, Teachers and Students Organization) meeting will take place on 03 JUN, from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM in the Library.

Parent Representatives will share a form with families so suggestions and ideas can be submitted in advance.

BIO MARKET

Join us at the Bio Market!
JUN 6th (Friday) 🕓 4:15 PM to 6:00 PM
📍 In the tent at Aprendizes

Don’t forget — this is the last Biomarket of the year, so we’re counting on everyone to join!

With our regular vendors, fresh produce from our garden, and the usual joy for a lovely afternoon well spent!

Grade 9 Mocks

From 26 May to 6 June, there will be no classes for Year 9 students. This period will be dedicated to the mock exams, which simulate the Cambridge exam season. Students may come to school to sit the exams or to study.
📩 The mock exam timetables have already been sent by email.
Questions? Please contact Inês Fragoso or David Booth.

PRE-SCHOOL

MATH + NATURE = BINGO! WHO KNEW?

The "Dreamers' Classroom" ditched the desks and took their learning to the forest for an exciting game of bingo!

The event showed that math isn’t just about formulas—it can be an adventure! Who knew a bingo card could be the key to loving numbers?

PRIMARY

1A STUDENTS ENJOY A FUN MATH ACTIVITY THROUGH TEAMWORK!

The 1A class had a blast with a hands-on math activity! Working in teams, each group used MAB (Math Abacus Blocks) to represent numbers, focusing on tens and ones.

The activity not only helped them grasp key concepts but also encouraged teamwork and collaboration, as they supported each other to figure out the best way to represent their numbers.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

GENDER EQUALITY TALK PROMOTES AWARENESS AT SCHOOL

Last Month, students and parents gathered at school from 4:15 to 5:00 for an online interview with Maíra Martins, a specialist in Gender Equality in education. The initiative, led by Lina, Sofia, and Mazie from class 6B, was part of their Global Perspectives project.

The speaker discussed key issues such as empowerment, inclusion, and equal opportunities.

SECUNDARY

MATH CLASS MOVES OUTDOORS

Last month, we decided to take advantage of the beautiful spring weather and held our math class under the tent.

It was a great way to combine academic focus with the benefits of spending time outdoors.

Star of May: Nectarines

Nectarines are sweet, juicy, and perfect for little ones! Rich in vitamin C, they help boost the immune system, while their fiber keeps the digestive system running smoothly.

They're easy to eat, super tasty, and great as a snack or dessert. A fun fruit that gives kids the energy to play and grow up healthy!