Dear parents, guardians, and students,

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

Gratitude and Looking Ahead

Dear Parents,

It was truly wonderful to see so many of you at last week’s parents’ meeting. These moments are incredibly important to us as they allow us to connect with you, our partners in shaping the future of our students. Together, we can create the best environment for their growth and success.

During the meeting, I asked a question: What kind of change would you like to see in the world? This is a question I hope to revisit with you throughout the school year, because we believe that as a school, we have a unique opportunity to help our students become drivers of positive change. As the Secretary-General of the United Nations emphasized at the UN General Assembly in New York earlier today, young people are leading the way in areas like climate action, digital innovation, and human rights. However, they are often left out of the conversations that shape their futures. It is up to us to ensure they are heard and empowered.

This year, we will continue our work on building a strong student council - and we will write more about this in our next newsletter. We are also excited to introduce our first-ever Student-Teacher-Parent Conferences, where students from grades 1–12 will set personal goals for their academic achievement, well-being, and engagement. These conferences will be held on November 12th, a day when there will be no regular classes and where attendance will only mandatory for the meeting. We kindly ask that you save this date and join us, along with your child, for this important event.

More details on how to sign up will follow, but for now, we encourage you to begin discussing the future with your child. Help them start dreaming about the person they want to become and what they want to experience in life, because, as Antoine de Saint-Exupéry wisely said, “If you want to build a ship, you should not tell people how to put together the pieces of wood. You should make them long for the endless sea.”

Thank you for your continued support. Together, we can make a lasting impact on our students and the world they will help shape.

Rikke

26 SEP | All students | Languages Day | All day

02 OCT | University Information Sessions | Secondary | 4:00 PM | Library

03 OCT | All Parents | Parents’ Coffee | 08:45–09:30 AM

07 OCT to 09 OCT | Erasmus+ Swedish Principals Visit

07 OCT | Parents | PTSO (Parents, Teachers, Student Organization) Meeting | 04:00–05:30 PM

07 OCT | All Parents | Mirabilis Conference | The impact of screens on health and education: screens in school | 08:30 AM – 10:30 AM | English session | Library

08 OCT | UK University Fair | Secondary | 4:30 – 6:00 PM

09 OCT | All Parents | Mirabilis Conference | The impact of screens on health and education: screens in school | 04:30 PM – 06:30 PM | Portuguese session | Library

16 OCT | Open Day for new families | 9:00 to 10:30 AM

16 OCT | Online session Information about admissions Universities in USA | 6:00 PM

17 OCT | Bio Market Halloween Edition | Tent | 4:15 PM to 6:00 PM

20 OCT to 22 OCT | Book fair | School Reception

22 OCT | Halloween Lunch | Secondary

23 OCT | Online session Information about admissions Universities in UK | 6:00 PM

24 OCT | Halloween Party | Preschool, Primary and Middle

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

13 NOV | Online session Information about admissions Universities in EU | 6:00 PM

20 NOV | Online session Information about admissions Universities in PT | 6:00 PM

12 NOV | Three Way Conferences (Students, teachers and Parents) | Primary to Secondary

11 FEB | Three Way Conferences (Students, teachers and Parents) | Middle to Secondary

03 MAR to 05 MAR | Regeneration Festival

21 APR | Three Way Conferences (Students, teachers and Parents) | Primary

PARENTS COFFEE MORNING

Join us for Parents’ Coffee Morning on October 3rd, 2025, 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 meet in a relaxed atmosphere, exchange ideas, and strengthen the home–school connection while discussing children’s progress and future events.

UNIVERSITY INFORMATION SESSIONS

We invite Secondary students and parents to join our University Information Sessions. On October 2nd at 4:00 PM in the library, there will be an in-person session.

In addition, online application sessions — aimed at Class of 2025–26 graduates — will take place: October 16 at 6:00 PM (USA), October 23  at 6:00 PM (UK), November 13 at 6:00 PM (EU), and November 20 at 6:00 PM (PT).

EXCITING ERASMUS+ VISIT AND UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES

From October 7–9, we are delighted to host 19 Primary School Principals and School Administrators from Sweden as part of Erasmus+. They will explore our school, observe our teaching, and share feedback.

This visit strengthens collaboration and idea exchange. Later this year, our teachers, leaders, and students will visit schools in Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and the Czech Republic. More updates coming soon!

MIRABILIS CONFERENCE

Following our commitment as a No Phone School, our school invites all parents to a special training session organized by the NGO Mirabilis on “The Impact of Screens on Health and Education: Screens at School”. The English session will take place on October 7, 8:30–10:30 a.m., and the Portuguese session on October 9, 4:30–6:30 p.m., in the library.

This conference will provide valuable insights into the effects of screens on children’s mental health and cognitive development. Registration needed. This event is free.

PTSO MEETING

The next PTSO (Parents, Teachers and Students Organization) meeting will take place on October 7th, 2025, at 4:00 PM in the Library.

Parent Representatives will share a form with families beforehand, so suggestions and ideas can be submitted in advance. This is a great opportunity to collaborate and strengthen our school community.

UK UNIVERSITY FAIR AT APRENDIZES

On 8 October, Aprendizes will host the UK University Fair, organized by IEC. The event will feature representatives from British universities and offers an excellent opportunity to explore study options in the UK.

The fair will also be open to parents, from 16:35 to 18:00, with prior registration required.

OPEN DAY FOR NEW FAMILIES

We are delighted to invite prospective families to our Open Day on October 16, from 9:00 to 10:30 AM.

Families will meet our Principal and Head of Pedagogics, join a personalized tour of Preschool, Primary, Middle, or Secondary, and discover our vision and curriculum.

Registration is required.

Please encourage interested families to register early.

SAVE THE DATE | BIO MKT 2025/2026!

Bio Mkt returns this academic year, bimonthly, for the moments we’ve missed!
Editions:

17/10 – Halloween Edition

12/12 – Christmas Edition

30/1 – Charity Edition

4/3 – Regeneration Edition

29/5 – Final Edition
Always from 4:15 PM to 6:00 PM. Want to become a vendor? Check our criteria and register two weeks before each event by requesting the form via our email: biomkt@aprendizes.pt

SAVE THE DATE | THREE WAY CONFERENCES

Our Three Way Conferences unite students, teachers, and parents to reflect and set goals. Participation is mandatory: students must come with their parents only at their scheduled slot.

On these dates, no lessons take place for each section, and students can stay at home, outside the time slot assigned to them. If this is not possible, we can look after children at school throughout the day.

12 Nov (Primary to Secondary) | 11 Feb (Middle to Secondary) | 21 Apr (Primary)

PETS GUIDE

We believe that children and pets grow together—developing empathy, respect, and responsibility—so we created a simple guide, displayed throughout the school, to ensure happy, safe, and harmonious interactions.

LOST & FOUND DONATIONS | Check before the first week of October

We would like to inform everyone that all Lost & Found items will be donated during the first week of October.

If you have any lost belongings, please make sure to check the designated area before this date.

For more information, please contact us.

YEARBOOK 2024/2025 | Reminder

We would like to remind parents that the 2024/2025 Yearbook can be to purchase at the school office or at reception. Alternatively, it can be ordered via the available form.

Preschool

SUNFLOWER BEGINNINGS

At the very first assembly in the Discoverers’ classroom, LIV suggested planting a sunflower as the group’s symbol. Full of curiosity and excitement, the children explored the garden, observed every detail, and drew the moment.

With Mara’s help, seeds were planted in a large pot. The sunflower now begins its journey, growing strong and tall, symbolizing unity, friendship, and the joy of learning every day.

Primary

MATHVENTURES ON THE PLAYGROUND

The 4A students turned recess into a magical math lab! With leaves, sticks, and little treasures they found outside, they built multiplication sets—like 2x3 with two groups of three leaves.

This playful adventure turned numbers into something real and touchable, making learning easier and way more fun. Besides boosting their math skills, the children also trained creativity, observation, and teamwork. Who knew that the playground could hide so many little math secrets waiting to be discovered?

Middle

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES SPEECHES

This week in 7th grade Global Perspectives, students were tasked with creating a short persuasive speech and presenting it in front of their classmates in the amphitheater.

Students were given agency to make the speech about whatever topic they chose, so long as they used persuasive techniques and followed basic rhetorical structure.

Secondary

TEAM JEREMIAH OR TEAM CONRAD?

Teenagers worldwide are hooked on The Summer I Turned Pretty, picking sides: Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah. In 10th Grade English, students debated passionately in class, defending their favorite character.

Three student judges selected the best speaker. This fun activity combined pop culture with persuasive speaking, critical thinking, and teamwork skills.

All school

VOTE-TASTIC!

Last week, our school held its student council elections. Campaigns were super creative, with students sharing exciting ideas to improve school life. The voting process ran smoothly, and now the elected representatives are ready to speak up for their classmates in meetings throughout the year.

Democracy in action—with a fun twist!

Arts

MAGICAL KALEIDOSCOPE WORKSHOP

In the 2nd-year STEM arts workshop, imagination shone bright! Using paper rolls, aluminum foil, and colorful beads, the children built their own kaleidoscopes.

This hands-on activity sparked creativity, fine motor skills, and problem-solving abilities, showing how science and art can shine together. With every twist of the kaleidoscope, a magical pattern appeared—reflecting not only the light but also the curiosity and joy of our little inventors.

APRENDIZES IN THE EUROPEAN COMBINE PROJECT

Aprendizes is the only school in Portugal participating in COMBINE, a European Union–funded project that helps consumers reduce food waste through practical actions in daily life. In Portugal, it is coordinated by NOVA University Lisbon, led by researchers Prof. Iva Pires and Prof. Sónia Nobre (CICS.NOVA), and brings together partners from five countries.

In March, we carried out a canteen food waste diagnosis, and in July, 10 Aprendizes families monitored their household food waste and implemented improvements with COMBINE’s support. We will begin implementing the reduction measures this October.

Get to know our menu

Star of September: Tomato

The tomato is our star of the month on the school menu. Rich in vitamins A, C, and K, it is an excellent ally for healthy growth, strengthens the immune system, and supports healthy skin and eyes. It also contains antioxidants that protect the cells and provide energy for daily activities.

In addition, it is a very versatile ingredient, perfect for salads, soups, sauces, or as a side dish, bringing flavour, colour, and nutrition to any meal. Be sure to try it and enjoy all the benefits tomatoes have to offer!

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