Dear parents, guardians, and students,
In this week's newsletter, please find our latest updates and important information, including:
Coffee Morning with Parents
Book Launch: Navegando o Luto Infantil
Family Picnic and Try Out Day
University Information Sessions
Join Us at the Languages Bio Market
PTSO Meeting (Parents, Teachers and Students Organization)
Family Handbook Reminder
Health Form Reminder
School Material
Parents Portal
School Calendar
Dress Code Reminder
No External Animals Allowed on School Premises
News from the Kitchen
Welcome Back
There are moments when the world feels a little less colourful.
This week, we said goodbye to two extraordinary women who spent their lives making the world more beautiful in very different ways: Dolly Parton and Yayoi Kusama.
One gave us songs that carried stories of love, heartbreak, resilience and hope. The other turned dots, mirrors, pumpkins and infinity into worlds that invited us to see things differently. Both challenged expectations. Both refused to fit neatly into the boxes the world had made for them. And both, in their own ways, reminded us that creativity can be a force for change.
Kusama continued to paint until her final days, speaking of forever love and eternal soul, and expressing a wish that art might bring hope and strength for the future. Dolly brought joy, generosity and hope to generations through her music, her stories and the countless lives touched by her work.
Two very different artists. Two powerful women. Two reminders that we do not have to accept the world exactly as we find it.
We can add a little beauty.
A little courage.
A little magic.
And perhaps this is a good thought to carry with us as we begin a new school year.
This week, our Aprendizes team has been coming together — welcoming and onboarding our new teachers, reconnecting with one another, preparing classrooms, planning learning and getting ready to open our doors and welcome you all next week.
A new year is waiting for us.
A year of questions, discoveries and possibilities.
A year in which we hope our students will not only learn about the world, but feel brave enough to question it. To challenge assumptions. To create rather than simply consume. To build bridges rather than walls. To find beauty where others might not see it.
And above all, a year in which we hope to make space for hope, beauty and magic.
Because education is not only about preparing young people for the world as it is.
It is about giving them the courage, curiosity and imagination to help shape the world as it could be.
So, as we begin again, perhaps the question is:
What will we create together this year?
We cannot wait to find out.
Welcome back to Aprendizes.
Let’s make some magic.
Pre-School
1 SEP | New Pre-School Students and Parents | 09:00–11:00 | Classroom & Amphitheatre
2 SEP | Start of Classes for Current Students
7 SEP | Start of Classes for New Students
10 SEP | Pre-School Parents’ Meeting | 16:30–17:30 | Classroom
Primary
1 SEP | New Primary Students and Parents | 09:00–11:00 | Library & Classroom
2 SEP | Start of Classes for All Students
8 SEP | Year 4 Parents’ Meeting | 16:00–18:00 | Library & Classroom
10 SEP | Year 3 Parents’ Meeting | 16:00–18:00 | Library & Classroom
15 SEP | Year 2 Parents’ Meeting | 16:00–18:00 | Library & Classroom
17 SEP | Year 1 Parents’ Meeting | 16:00–18:00 | Library & Classroom
23 SEP | Primary Student Council | TBC
Middle
1 SEP | New Middle Students and ALL Parents (new and current) | Meeting (Years 5–8) | 11:00–13:00 | Village 1
2 SEP | Start of Classes for All Students
3 SEP | School Textbook Collection | Year 8 09:30–10:20 Year 7 10:40–11:30 Year 6 11:30–12:20 Year 5 12:20–13:10 and 14:10–15:00 | Library
9 SEP | Assembly | Student Council Applications | 14:10–15:00 | Village 1
16 SEP | Assembly | Student Council Campaigning | 14:10–15:00 | Village 1
25–26 SEP | Duke of Edinburgh Hike – Bronze & Silver | TBC
30 SEP | Student Council Election | 14:10–15:00 | Village 1
Secondary
1 SEP | New Secondary Students and ALL Parents (new and current) | Meeting (Years 9–12) | 14:00–16:00 | Village 2
2 SEP | Start of Classes for All Students
9 SEP | Assembly | Student Council Applications | 12:20–13:10 | Village 2
16 SEP | Student Council (starts in the classroom and ends in the Amphitheatre) | 12:20–13:10 | Village 2
21 SEP | University Information Session for Secondary Students and Parents | 16:00–17:00 | Library
25–26 SEP | Duke of Edinburgh Hike – Bronze & Silver | TBC
28 SEP | Cambridge Retake Exams Begin
30 SEP | Student Council Election | 12:20–13:10 | Amphitheatre
Whole Community
11 SEP | Breakfast with Parents | 08:45–09:45 | Cafeteria
15 SEP | Book Launch – Navegando o Luto Infantil by Júlia Jalbut | 18:00–19:00 | Library
19 SEP | Whole Community Picnic & Extracurricular Activities Try-Out Day | 10:00–14:00
25 SEP | Languages BioMarket Day | 16:15–18:00 | Tent
29 SEP | PTSO Meeting (Parents, Teachers and Students Organization) | 16:00–17:00 | Library
Community
COFFEE MORNING WITH PARENTS
On Friday, 11st September 2026, our school will host another Breakfast with Parents, from 8:45 to 9:45.
This moment promotes dialogue between families and the school, encouraging the sharing of ideas and the follow-up of upcoming school activities and events.
Community
BOOK LAUNCH: NAVEGANDO O LUTO INFANTIL
On September 15th, from 18:00 to 19:00, in the Library, we will welcome author Júlia Jalbut for the launch of Navegando o luto infantil. This special session for families and educators will explore, with sensitivity and evidence-based guidance, how adults can support children and teenagers through loss and help them navigate grief with greater confidence, understanding and care.
FAMILY PICNIC AND TRY OUT DAY
On 19 September, from 10:00 to 14:00, we will be holding our Family Picnic and Try Out Day.
Each family is welcome to bring something to eat and drink, as well as a picnic blanket. Food and drinks will also be available to purchase. We will also take this opportunity to present our food policy and invite parents to sample some of the dishes from our menu.
Secondary
UNIVERSITY INFORMATION SESSIONS
We invite Secondary students and parents to join our University Information Sessions. On September 21st at 16:00 in the library, there will be an in-person session.
Community
JOIN US AT THE LANGUAGES BIO MARKET
We invite the entire school community to the Languages Edition of the Bio Market, on September 25th, from 16:15 to 18:00.
Let’s celebrate another special afternoon together!
Community
PTSO MEETING
The next PTSO (Parents, Teachers and Students Organization) meeting will take place on September 29th, 2026, at 16:00 in the Library. This meeting is only for the members already elected for this academic year. This is a great opportunity to collaborate and strengthen our school community.
FAMILY HANDBOOK REMINDER
All important information for families is available in the Family Handbook. Please consult it for guidance on school routines, policies, and procedures. For any questions, contact the relevant staff member:
Admissions: admissions@aprendizes.pt
School Secretary: secretaria@aprendizes.pt
Extracurricular Activities: activities@aprendizes.pt
Food & Meals: joanaxardone@aprendizes.pt
BILLING INFORMATION
For new parents, please note that you will receive the invoice for the first monthly payment by tomorrow from mail@ediint.yetspace.com. Payment should be made by 5 September. Please make sure to check your inbox, as well as your spam folder.
Please note that the Einvoice email address from which the invoice is sent is a no-reply address and should therefore not be used for replies.
SCHOOL MATERIAL
Please ensure your child starts school with all the required materials. Detailed school supply lists are available here. Being prepared helps students fully engage in lessons and activities from day one. Check the lists carefully and make sure everything is ready before the first day.
PARENTS PORTAL
New Parents will be sent an email with instructions on how to log onto the Parent Portal, current families accesses have not been changed.
SCHOOL CALENDAR
The school calendar for the year is now available. Please check it to stay informed about term dates, holidays, and important events. Planning ahead ensures smooth routines and helps families and staff prepare effectively for all school activities.
DRESS CODE REMINDER
We remind all students and families to follow the school dress code policies. Guidelines ensure a safe, respectful, and professional learning environment. Full details of acceptable attire are available here. Please review the policies before the first day to ensure compliance.
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.
RESULTS TO BE PROUD OF
We are incredibly proud of our students’ results in the June 2026 Cambridge International examinations:
98.4% A-Level pass rate
100% AICE Diploma success — with 100% achieving Merit
More than 70% of our IGCSE students achieved at least one A or A*
85% of all IGCSE grades were A*–C
Behind every result is a story.
A student who worked hard.
A teacher who supported them.
A family who believed in them.
These results are an achievement worth celebrating — but they are also only the beginning.
For some of our students, the next two years will be about continuing to learn, question and discover who they want to become. For others, a new chapter is already beginning beyond Aprendizes.
And we cannot wait to see what they do with it.
Our young people are stepping into a world that needs their ideas, their curiosity and their courage. A world that needs people who can connect ideas and people, question what already exists and imagine something better.
Perhaps they will create technology that brings communities together, find new ways to fight climate change, protect our oceans and endangered species, tackle inequality or corruption, prevent loneliness — or help build a world where wars become less likely.
We don’t know yet what problems they will choose to solve.
And that is exactly what makes what comes next so exciting.
Keep asking questions. Keep imagining. Go change the world
NEWS FROM THE KITCHEN
INTERNATIONAL DAYS IN THE KITCHEN:
10 SEP | Spain
24 SEP | Brazil
15 OCT | Mexico
