Dear parents, guardians, and students,
In this week's newsletter, please find our latest updates and important information, including:
Next parents’ meetings
Duke of Edinburgh adventurous journeys
Family picnic and try out day
Parents’ coffee morning
University information sessions
PTSO meeting
Open day for new families
Save the date | Bio Market 2025/2026!
Save the date | Students, Teachers and Parents Three Way Conferences
Parents' meetings | Agenda
Kiss and Go rules
No external animals allowed on school premises
Front Office Guidelines
Head lice prevention
Menu
Star of September: Tomato
Dear Parents,
What a fantastic start to the school year it has been! It is wonderful to see our students back — from our youngest learners just beginning their journey with us, to our 12th graders who will graduate at the end of this year. I am deeply proud of them all, and grateful to you, their parents, for trusting us with this important responsibility. I also want to thank our teachers and staff, who have gone above and beyond to give every student a warm and confident beginning to the year.
Our upcoming Parents’ Meetings, held in the afternoons, are key moments in our calendar, and I very much hope to see you at the first one next week. These gatherings are your opportunity to hear more about this year’s pedagogical focus, meet your child’s teachers, connect with their Head Teacher, and strengthen the bonds within our parent community. They are also a chance to learn more about your child’s daily routines and to reflect together on how school and families can work hand in hand to give our children the best possible foundation. And, as always, you can look forward to delicious snacks prepared by our own Aprendizes kitchen team!
At the meeting, I will also invite each of you to reflect on an important question: What kind of change do you want to see in the world? This reflection goes to the heart of our school’s vision — Together we Educate for Change. Our role is not only to support academic learning, but to nurture kind, empathetic, and engaged young people who can imagine and work toward a more peaceful and hopeful future.
I look forward to welcoming you as we continue building a community that nurtures both our children’s learning and their humanity.
Warm regards,
Rikke
Principal
16 SEP | Parents’ Meeting | Pre-School | Amphitheatre | 4.30 PM
17 SEP | Parents’ Meeting | Primary | Amphitheatre | 4.30 PM
18 SEP |Parents’ Meeting | Middle School and Secondary| Amphitheatre | 4.30 PM
18 SEP to 19 SEP | Duke of Edinburgh | The Silver Practice Journey
20 SEP | All Families | Picnic / Extra-Curricular Try Out Day | 10:00 AM - 02:00 PM
26 SEP | All students | Languages Day | All day
27 SEP to 28 SEP | Duke of Edinburgh | Bronze Final Adventurous Journey
02 OCT | University Information Sessions | Secondary | 4:00 PM | Library
03 OCT | All Parents | Parents’ Coffee | 08:45–09:45 AM
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
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 | 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
23 OCT | Online session Information about admissions Universities in UK | 6:00 PM
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
21 APR | Three Way Conferences (Students, teachers and Parents) | Primary
PARENTS' MEETINGS | AGENDA
We are delighted to invite you to our Parents’ Meetings next week. The program will be the same for all sections.
16:30 – 16:45 | Welcome from the Principal & Introduction of the Coordination, Section, and Transversal Teams (Amphitheatre)
16:45 – 17:30 | Classroom Session: Head Teacher Presentation, Getting to Know Each Other & Election of Parent Class Representative (Classrooms)
17:30 – 18:00 | Informal Snack, Parent Chat & Opportunity to Meet Subject Teachers (Location: near your Section)
Election and Roles and Responsibility of Parent Class Representative
During the classroom session, each class will elect a Parent Class Representative and a Deputy (to step in if the Representative is unable to fulfill their duties). The names of the Parent Class Representative and the Deputy should be communicated to Veronica Barbieri after the meeting https://forms.office.com/e/tPbFWdbrBx. Once Veronica receives the list, she will provide guidance on how to set up the class WhatsApp groups and share the group link with the Head Teacher, who can then distribute it to new families joining the school.
Roles and Responsibilities of the Parent Class Representative:
Welcome & Connect: Set up a class WhatsApp group (if not already) and make new families feel included.
Build Community: Promote class, section, and school activities such as celebrations and picnics.
Encourage Positive Communication: Support constructive dialogue between students, parents, and teachers, and help find solutions to issues.
Participate in School Life:
Join the Parents Organisation (PO) and its WhatsApp group.
Establish or join relevant Committees to contribute to school initiatives and projects.
Take part in the Parents-Teachers-Students Organisation (PTSO), meeting three times a year to provide feedback from the class and support school development.
Section Coordination: One representative from each section coordinates class reps and meets once per term with the Principal to discuss school-wide matters.
Welcome & Connect: Set up a class WhatsApp group (if not already) and make new families feel included.
Build Community: Promote class, section, and school activities such as celebrations and picnics.
Encourage Positive Communication: Support constructive dialogue between students, parents, and teachers, and help find solutions to issues.
Participate in School Life:
Join the Parents Organisation (PO) and its WhatsApp group.
Take part in the Parents-Teachers-Students Organisation (PTSO), which meets three times a year: Oct 7, Jan 13, and June 2, from 16:00–17:30. Class Reps collect input and feedback from parents to share during these meetings and help shape school decisions.
Establish or join relevant Committees to contribute to school initiatives and projects.
Section Coordination: One representative from each section coordinates class reps and meets once per term with the Principal to discuss school-wide matters.
DUKE OF EDINBURGH ADVENTUROUS JOURNEYS
Students will take part in the Duke of Edinburgh expeditions this month. The Silver Practice Journey runs from 18th to 19th September, following the route from the school to Pedra Amarela, giving participants vital training.
Later, from 27th to 28th September, the Bronze Final Adventurous Journey will test resilience, teamwork, and navigation, celebrating achievements in outdoor learning.
FAMILY PICNIC AND TRY OUT DAY
On September 20th, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, we will be hosting our Family Picnic and Try Out Day.
Each family can bring something to eat, drink, and a blanket. Our community will also have a sale of pizzas, kombucha, and ice cream.
Students can try out extracurricular activities throughout the day: Yoga for Parents from 10:30–11:00 AM, Karate from 11:00–11:30 AM, Parkour from 11:30 AM–12:00 PM, Climbing from 12:00–12:30 PM, Hip Hop from 12:45–1:15 PM, and Hip Hop for Adults from 1:15–1:45 PM. From 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, there will also be Fun Maker Space, Robotics, Music, Tennis, and Soccer.
Please note that an email with information and the registration form for this school year’s extracurricular activities was sent on September 10th (Wednesday).
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).
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.
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.
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
12/12 – Christmas
30/1 – Charity
4/3 – Regeneration
29/5 – Final.
From 4–6 PM. Want to join as a seller? Register two weeks before each event via our mailing form: 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. If this is not possible, we can look after children at school throughout the day.
12 Nov (Primary–Secondary) | 11 Feb (Middle–Secondary) | 21 Apr (Primary)
KISS AND GO RULES
Preschool & Primary: use Kiss and Go or car park, enter via main entrance.
Middle & Secondary: car park only, side gate entry.
Kiss and Go rules:
No parking
Stay inside the car
Follow traffic flow
If you need to walk your child or go to the office, use the car park. nce again, we kindly ask that you do not park improperly.
NO EXTERNAL ANIMALS ALLOWED ON SCHOOL PREMISES
Please note that animals are not permitted on school grounds. Our dogs and cats roam freely, and we must prevent any unforeseen confrontations. We kindly ask for your cooperation to ensure everyone’s safety and well-being.
RECEPTION GUIDELINES
The reception operates from 8:15 AM to 5:15 PM and is responsible for several key functions.
Personal belongings or equipment brought from outside by students or parents are not to be left at the reception.
Valuable items found on school premises must be handed in to the reception.
HEAD LICE PREVENTION
We ask all parents to remain vigilant and regularly check their children’s hair with a fine comb. We also recommend applying appropriate home treatments, using an electric comb, or visiting a specialized clinic if necessary. More information can be found here. Thank you for your cooperation.
PRIMARY TEACHERS TRAINING IN SINGAPORE METHOD
Our Primary teachers are currently undertaking specialized training in Singapore Method, a highly regarded approach to teaching mathematics that emphasizes problem-solving, conceptual understanding, and mastery.
This professional development will enrich classroom practices, providing students with stronger foundations in reasoning and critical thinking. By investing in teacher training, the school reinforces its commitment to high-quality learning experiences in mathematics from the earliest years.
WE CELEBRATE WITH OUR STUDENTS THEIR UNIVERSITY ACCEPTANCES WORLDWIDE
We are proud to celebrate our students’ remarkable achievements in securing places at prestigious universities. In Portugal: Universidade de Lisboa, ISCTE-IUL, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Universidade Europeia, and Escola Superior de Hotelaria e Turismo do Estoril. In the Netherlands: Utrecht University and Erasmus University Rotterdam. In Ireland: Trinity College Dublin, Munster Technological University, University College Cork, and Technological University Dublin. In the UK: University of the Creative Arts. In Spain: IE University and Universidad Europea. In the Czech Republic: Charles University and Czech University of Life Sciences Prague. In the USA: San Diego State University. In Brazil: CEUB.
DONATING SCHOOL MATERIAL TO CHILDREN IN NEED
All items donated will go to Associação de Solidariedade Social do Alto da Cova da Moura. Please place it in the box outside the front door of the school. Together we can make a difference in these children’s lives! Things you can donate:
Backpacks
Pencil cases
Notebooks
Scientific calculators
Pencils
Coloring Pencils
Pens
Erasers
Sharpeners
Rulers
Thank you to Lara (9B) for this initiative.
Our Next Country Days:
SEP 19 – USA in our kitchen
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!
