Dear parents, guardians, and students,
In this week's newsletter, please find our latest updates and important information, including:
Primary school parents’ meeting
Alumni get together
Transition meetings
Parents’ coffee morning
PTSO meeting
IGSCE Fair
Bio Market | Charity Edition
Parents’ meetings | Subject Fair
School phases out private student chats on Microsoft teams
Head lice checks
Christmas holidays
Lost and found items – collection deadline
New partnership | Swedish language classes at the Swedish School
Combine Project
Solidarity initiative by “Descobridores”
Dear Parents and Students,
Last week, our three 2nd grade classes created a powerful manifestation about the Rights of the Child - a physical manifestation in the school and a short film, led by their own voices and ideas. Standing there, listening to them speak so clearly about dignity, safety, and the right to be heard, I found myself deeply moved.
Moments like these remind me why it is so essential that Aprendizes is a school where children feel safe, where they can share their concerns, where they know they will be listened to and believed, and where they are free to be themselves. Education is not only about learning facts and skills - it is also about protection, trust, and creating spaces where children grow with confidence and courage.
At the same time, being a principal of a school with more than 600 students means carrying a difficult truth that never really leaves you - knowing that among our children, there are some who have been, or are currently going through, different forms of challenges, neglect and abuse. That reality sits heavy. Always. Seeing our students speak so openly about their rights filled me with pride, but also with a deep awareness that for some children, this is not yet their full reality.
What gives me strength is knowing that this responsibility is shared. Through our child protection committee, working closely with a professional psychologist, a child development specialist, and a family lawyer, together with our dedicated teachers and support staff, we work with care and persistence to support children and families. We know with deep conviction that a school that sees children, listens to them, and stands up for them is one of the strongest protective factors a child can have.
As we come to the end of the year, I would like to sincerely thank all our parents for the trust you place in us every day, and for your thoughtful input through the parent satisfaction survey. Although I have not yet analysed the data in detail, one area already stands out very clearly again this year - you experience Aprendizes as an exceptionally safe place for your children to learn. This is something we are deeply proud of, and it is also a responsibility we take very seriously.
The past weeks have also been filled with joy and celebration. From talent shows and shadow theatre to art exhibitions, drama performances, parent theatre, singing, and staff dances - it has been a true pleasure to witness the creativity, self-confidence, and passion of our students, supported by their teachers, support staff, and families.
I wish you all wonderful celebrations - whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or other traditions - and a well-deserved holiday. I look forward to welcoming you back on January 6th, 2026. Together, we will continue working to ensure that every single child feels safe, protected, and free to be themselves.
(; Rikke
19 DEC | End of 1st Term | 12:00
20 DEC to 05 JAN | Christmas Holidays
06 JAN | Start of 2nd Term
07 JAN | Meet the Alumni (Assembly Grade 11 and 12) | Library | 12:20–14:00
07 JAN | Parents’ Meeting – Grade 1 | Library | 08:45–09:45
08 JAN | Transition Meeting – Grade 6 to 7 | Library | 15:00–16:00
08 JAN | Transition Meeting – Grade 8 to 9 | Library | 16:00–17:00
09 JAN | Parents’ Coffee | Refectory | 08:45–09:30
12 JAN | Parents’ Meeting – Grade 2 | Library | 08:45–09:45
12 JAN to 21 JAN | MOCKS – Secondary – Grades 10, 11 & 12 | Village 2
13 JAN | PTSO (Parents, Teachers, Student Organization) Meeting | Library | 16:00–17:30
14 JAN | IGCSE Fair – 8th Grade | 10:30–12:30
15 JAN | Transition Meeting – Pre-school to Primary | Library | 16:00–17:00
15 JAN | Parents’ Meeting – Grade 3 | Library | 08:45–09:45
20 JAN | Parents’ Meeting – Grade 4 | Library | 08:45–09:45
30 JAN | Bio Market – Charity Edition | Tent | 16:15–18:00
02 FEB | Subject Fair Preschool | Library | 16:30–18:00
03 FEB | Subject Fair Primary | Library | 16:30–18:00
11 FEB | 3-Way Conferences (Students, Teachers and Parents) | Middle to Secondary
13 FEB | Carnival Party
14 FEB to 22 FEB | Half Term Break
03–05 MAR | Regeneration Festival
21 APR | 3-Way Conferences (Students, Teachers and Parents) | Primary
PRIMARY SCHOOL PARENTS’ MEETINGS
We would like to inform you that the Primary School parents’ meetings will take place on the dates listed. Please save these dates in your agendas.
These meetings are designed to provide an opportunity for parents to better understand the educational structure and methodology that guide our teaching approach.
During the meetings, we will present the curriculum, explain the learning objectives for each grade, and discuss how we support the development of academic, social, and emotional skills
Your attendance is very important.
ALUMNI GET TOGETHER
On 7 January 2026, at 12:20, Aprendizes International Active Learning School will host a Meet the Alumni event in the library for Grades 11 and 12.
Former students will reconnect with teachers, share post-secondary experiences, inspire final-year learners, collect Cambridge certificates and enjoy a relaxed lunch, celebrating shared memories and the idea that meaningful journeys often lead back home.
TRANSITION MEETINGS
Aprendizes will host a series of Transition Meetings to help students and parents navigate the move to the next school year and prepare for upcoming challenges.
Sessions include Grade 6 to 7 on 8 January at 3:00 PM, Grade 8 to 9 on 8 January at 4:00 PM, and Pre-School to Primary for 6-year-old students on 15 January at 4:00 PM. These meetings provide guidance, support, and a chance to discuss the transition process.
PARENTS’ COFFEE MORNING
On Friday, 9 January 2026, Aprendizes will host a Parents’ Coffee Morning from 8:45 to 9:30.
This informal gathering offers parents and staff a welcoming space for open conversation, idea sharing and discussion about students’ progress, while strengthening communication and staying connected about upcoming school activities and events.
PTSO MEETING
The next PTSO (Parents, Teachers and Students Organization) meeting will take place on Tuesday, 13 January 2026, from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM, in the Library.
YOUR CHOICES, YOUR PATH!
The IGCSE Fair offers 8th-grade students an opportunity to look beyond the core curriculum and explore the diverse elective courses available for Grade 9. From Business and Computer Science to History and the Arts, students can discover what each subject entails, speak directly with the teachers, and begin designing a personalized academic journey.
It is the first step for students to take ownership of their education and find the subjects that truly excite them. Parents are welcome.
BIO MARKET | CHARITY EDITION
On Friday, 30 January 2026, from 16:15 to 18:00, Aprendizes will host the Bio Market Charity Edition at The Tent. Visitors can explore a wide selection of organic and sustainable products while supporting local vendors.
This event offers a fun and eco-friendly afternoon, encouraging community engagement and promoting green initiatives. Registration is required for selling partners.
PARENTS’ MEETINGS | SUBJECT FAIRS
The Subjects Fair is an event aimed at parents and guardians, providing an opportunity to learn about and understand the different subjects. Through a rotational system, parents will experience each of the lessons that their children attend.
It is also an opportunity to clarify any questions regarding the educational programme.
Dates and times:
2 FEB – Preschool | Library | 16:30–18:00
3 FEB – Primary | Library | 16:30–18:00
SCHOOL PHASES OUT PRIVATE STUDENT CHATS ON MICROSOFT TEAMS
Starting in January, the school will gradually eliminate private chats between students and between students and teachers, Microsoft Teams. This decision follows pedagogical reflection, feedback from families, and scientific evidence showing that excessive notifications and parallel communication negatively affect focus, wellbeing, and learning.
To simplify and clarify communication, email will become the official channel. In parallel, students are receiving explicit guidance in English, Portuguese and ICT on how to write clear, appropriate and well-structured emails, supporting responsible and intentional digital communication.
Important note: in the case of preschool, the chat will remain active, as it is the means of communication between educators and parents.
ATTENTION PARENTS: HEAD LICE CHECKS
We kindly ask parents to check their children for head lice at home and, if needed, carry out regular treatment. We also suggest using the Christmas holidays as an opportunity to repeat the treatment, ensuring children return to school lice-free. Your vigilance helps keep all students healthy and prevents further spread.
HOLIDAYS
Just a reminder: on 19 December classes finish at 12 PM. The Christmas holidays run from 20 December to 5 January. Classes start again on January 6th, Tuesday.
Please mark your calendars: the second-term half-term break takes place from 14 to 22 February, with the last day of classes on 13 February and students returning to school on 23 February.
LOST AND FOUND ITEMS – COLLECTION DEADLINE
We kindly ask parents to check the Lost and Found area, which is currently full of items left behind by students. Any belongings not collected by 7 January will be donated to a local charity. Thank you for your cooperation in helping us keep this area organised and ensuring that lost items are returned to their owners.
PRESCHOOL
PRESCHOOL CELEBRATES THE SEASON ON LISBON’S CHRISTMAS TRAM
Preschool pupils enjoyed a festive December outing aboard Lisbon’s Christmas Tram, organised by CARRIS. Departing from Santo Amaro, the decorated tram offered a narrated Christmas story, window drawings and small gifts.
The initiative also supported Café Joyeux, promoting inclusion for people with disabilities, teaching children the joy of giving while exploring the city during a memorable seasonal educational experience together.
Primary
GRADE 2 MARCHES FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
On 10 December, Grade 2 students marked Human Rights Day with a school march focused on Children’s Rights. Carrying creative messages, pupils highlighted dignity, safety and equality.
Celebrations continued with presentations in the library, where students shared reflections, showing confidence and understanding as young advocates for fairness, respect and inclusion in their daily lives and communities.
Middle
MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS SHARPEN SKILLS IN EXPERT-LED DEBATE WORKSHOP
Last week, Aprendizes middle school students took part in an expert-led Debate Workshop facilitated by Coach Przemek, a Harvard graduate and experienced debate coach.
Through dynamic activities, including speed debating with immediate feedback, students strengthened argumentation, communication and critical thinking skills while gaining confidence in expressing and defending their ideas.
Secondary
LEARNING FROM MYPOLIS ABOUT COMMUNITY ACTION
Secondary students welcomed MyPolis specialist Marcela Farias for a session on social enterprises and civic engagement. Students explored democratic participation, funding models and community-led solutions.
An interactive Q&A inspired discussion on accountability, youth involvement and future project-based learning collaborations, encouraging students to actively contribute to positive social change within their own communities.
MAGICAL HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS BRING THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY TO LIFE
This festive season, the school came alive with joyful celebrations. Packed Christmas concerts filled the hall, while the Bio Market’s Christmas edition allowed families to shop from local and community vendors. Students amazed everyone with shadow theatre performances and original music they composed, alongside an art exhibition exploring lines and shapes. Shared lunches, staff dances, carols, and parent-led plays added to the magic.
We also embraced the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, offering a traditional dessert to honour the occasion, celebrating cultural diversity and bringing the whole school community closer together.
WHAT HAVE WE BEEN DOING IN OUR HOUSES?
Although still in its early stages, the House System has already brought students, teachers and staff together through fun and healthy competition. Points reflect empathy, reasoning, dexterity and creativity, rewarding participation in a variety of activities, from academic challenges like the Languages Quiz and Maths Olympics, to sports and creative events such as football, basketball and the Staff Dance.
House culture is growing stronger every week through House Day, when everyone wears their house colours, and House Tutor Time. The House branding can now be seen across the school—in the entrance, the dining hall, and at the entrance of each Village—making the system a visible part of daily life. Engagement is high, and the next exciting milestone will be the expansion to Primary in January, along with more House events across the school.
In the house rankings, Earth leads with 830 points, Fire and Air are tied at 615, and Water trails with 540.
NEW PARTNERSHIP – SWEDISH LANGUAGE CLASSES AT THE SWEDISH SCHOOL
Our network of partnerships has just grown with the Swedish School, offering our students the opportunity to learn the Swedish language.
📍 Location: Swedish School
📅 Days: Wednesdays and Thursdays
⏰ Time: 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
For registrations and further information, please contact the Swedish School directly by phone: +351 21 457 0646. We would also like to remind you that all activities within our partnership network are available on our website. These activities are designed for our students; however, registrations, payments, and information are always managed directly by the partner institutions.
COMBINE PROJECT
Between 6 and 9 January, as part of the international COMBINE Project, a new weighing of food waste will take place in the school canteen. This will involve students from Primary, Middle, and Secondary, with the presence and coordination of researchers Iva Pires and Sónia Nobre (FCSH – NOVA University of Lisbon).The aim is to assess the impact of the measures implemented over the past few months, with the goal of reducing food waste by at least 10%. Some of the measures implemented include:
Awareness posters created by students (Science and Arts)
Awareness messages and actions
Food waste weighing carried out by the Kitchen team in November, and the announcement of a collective prize in the event of a reduction (ice cream)
Workshops and awareness sessions on this topic during Middle and Secondary Assemblies
Indication of appropriate portion sizes on the canteen serving lines
SOLIDARITY INITIATIVE BY DESCOBRIDORES
After learning about children’s rights, the Descobridores created a donation box to support children with special needs aged 3 to 8. Placed at the pre-school entrance, it collected essential items such as clothes, shoes, hats and books.
The donated items were delivered yesterday to Porta Amiga de Cascais by the children themselves, who travelled by public transport, with the school only supporting the transport of materials.
