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
- Summer School
- PTSO Meeting
- Spring Swap
- Bio Market
- 12th Grade Graduation
- Art, Design & Technology Exhibition
- Aprendizes Has Talent
- Save the Date: End-of-Year Arraial
Practical Information
- Addiction to mobile phones
Best Practices
Act Together
- Menu
- Star of June: Sardines

Celebrating Lifelong Learning

As the school year draws to a close, we proudly celebrate our 12th grade students, who have completed their exams and are preparing to the graduate Party on June 7th. This milestone marks not an end, but a beginning—a new adventure filled with opportunities to explore, grow, and learn. Whether they step into work, volunteer experiences, or further studies, we hope they carry with them a deep love of learning and a spirit of curiosity.

Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." This quote captures the essence of what we hope to instill in every student—a passion for lifelong learning.

We are also thrilled to share that our school is now an Erasmus+ school. With this newly received grant, we will continue to invest in our staff’s professional development. Rooted in our Nordic approach to education, we will build strong partnerships across the Nordic countries—inviting experts to work with us and offering exchange opportunities for both students and staff.

This builds beautifully on our successful Action Research Program, which concluded last month. Under the theme Student Agency, our teachers researched their own practices and shared their insights through engaging workshops. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. It reaffirmed how fortunate we are to have such a reflective, dedicated team—and how much we learn from each other every day.

Learning, of course, happens in many forms. With school camps, summer schools, work and volunteer opportunities, music concerts, and volleyball tournaments on the horizon, our students will continue to grow in confidence, capability, and connection.

And behind it all is the incredible capacity of the brain.

Neuroplasticity reminds us that our brains can rewire and grow through experience and learning.
Activities like learning a new skill like learning a new language, playing an instrument, staying active, reading, or practicing mindfulness help strengthen neural connections and boost well-being.

But with that power comes responsibility. We must also take good care of our brains. The recent talk by Mirabilis on The Impact of Screens on Children’s Brains highlighted some very concerning facts—especially the effects of excessive gaming and social media use on young people’s brain development and social skills. This is a conversation we will continue as a school community, ensuring that we support our students’ cognitive and emotional health in an increasingly digital world.

To our graduates and our entire school family: keep learning, stay curious, and take care of your brilliant minds.

Warm wishes,

Rikke

Principal

WE ARE AN ERASMUS+ SCHOOL

The Aprendizes have had their Erasmus+ project approved. In the next academic years, some students, teachers, and staff members will have the opportunity to visit schools in other European countries to learn from best practices, get inspired, and develop joint projects.

Erasmus+ is a European Commission programme that promotes European identity and exchange. We continue to welcome teachers and students from various international backgrounds, with a special emphasis on those from Nordic countries.

04 JUN | Grade 1 | Lisbon Zoo | 8:45 AM–3:00 PM

05 JUN | Grade 4 | Communications Museum & Parliament House | 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

06 JUN | Bio Market | Tent | 4:15 PM–6:00 PM

07 JUN | Grade 12 | Graduation Ceremony | 6:00 PM–11:00 PM

11 JUN | Grades 3–6 (some students) | Aprendizes Volleyball | Time TBC

12 JUN | Grade 9 DT | Petticrows | 9:00 AM–2:00 PM

16 JUN | Grade 1 | Planetarium visiting school | Time TBC

17 JUN to 18 JUN | IGCSE, AS & A LEVEL Art & Design & Design Technology Exhibition | Entrance

18 JUN | Closing Reception of the IGCSE, AS & A LEVEL Art & Design & Design Technology Exhibition | 4.15 PM

18 JUN | Grades 5–8 (some students) | Mixed Table Tennis Tournament (Redbridge) | Time TBC

20 JUN | Grade 4 | Graduation Ceremony | Time TBC

25 JUN | Selected students | Bliss Day (Music School) | 4.30 PM to 6.30 PM

26 JUN | Grade PSOC – Descobridores | Coastal Observation and Its Species with Biologist Daphna Mavor | 9:00 AM–2:00 PM

30 JUN | No classes | Day off

SUMMER SCHOOL 2025

Registration is now open for Summer School 2025! From July 1 to 18, with fun and educational activities for students from Preschool to grade 7+. Participation is free, but registration is mandatory by June 2. 🏖️ Form: https://forms.office.com/e/sZWmkqM969

We look forward to an unforgettable summer together!

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.

We share a form with families so suggestions and ideas can be submitted in advance.

SPRING SWAP

On June 6th at 4:30 PM, the Spring Swap event will take place, organized by the students of the sustainable fashion workshop at Aprendizes school. Anyone who brings used clothing items to Bárbara at the reception will receive a token to exchange for other products at the Biomarket. #Sustainability #Reuse

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!

SOARING HIGH, OUR GRADUATES!

On June 7th, from 6 PM to 11 PM, we’ll celebrate our 12th graders’ graduation. A night of pride, memories, and new beginnings.

We proudly highlight that these students have been accepted into the most prestigious universities in the world, and we will follow their journey with the greatest pride.

They’ve grown with us — now they soar. Congratulations, graduates — the world is yours!

IGCSE, AS & A LEVEL ART & DESIGN & DESIGN TECHNOLOGY EXHIBITION

The Aprendizes Arts and Performance Department proudly presents an exhibition of student work from Grades 9-12 in Cambridge AS/A Level and IGCSE Art & Design and Design Technology.

Join us in celebrating the amazing creativity of our talented Aprendizes artists and designers!

The exhibition for the general Aprendizes community runs all day on Tuesday, June 17th in the library —the perfect opportunity for new and continuing Art/DT students to see what's ahead!

RSVP invitations will be sent to exhibiting students and their families for a closing reception on Wednesday, June 18th from 16:00 to 18:00.

APRENDIZES HAS TALENT!

We invite everyone to the talent show on Friday, 27th June from 2PM. Students will compete for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes.

Come and enjoy an exciting afternoon of music, dance, and creativity. Don’t miss the chance to see our talented students shine on stage!

SAVE THE DATE: 27 DE JUNHO

Our End of Year Arraial will be a true celebration of our community. Students, families, and teachers — all together like one big Aprendizes family — coming together to close the year with joy, grilled sardines, “Bifanas”, and live music.
An end of the day full of connection, laughter, and lasting memories that truly deserves everyone’s presence.

DID YOU KNOW THAT MANY CHILDREN ALREADY SHOW CLINICAL SIGNS OF ADDICTION TO MOBILE PHONES?

They sacrifice sleep, lie about their usage, avoid friends, and even lose interest in real life. This was one of the most alarming findings shared at the conference THE IMPACT OF SCREENS ON YOUNG MINDS. Didn’t attend? Here are some key insights that are definitely worth reading.

AFRICA WEEK: RHYTHM, COLOUR, AND HEART

Last week, we celebrated Africa with soul and rhythm. Each day, the school woke to the sounds of Salif Keita and Baaba Maal, while the walls dressed themselves in Samakakas and capulanas — a true embrace of colour and culture. The amphitheatre came alive with a concert where everyone sang and danced. Henda opened eyes with his powerful story. Gisela was pure magic. And the lunches? A feast of flavours and shared moments. These were days we truly lived – and won’t forget.

PRE SCHOOL

MUDDY MORNING

The Descobridores Class ditched tidy play for mud and toys! Laughter, puddles, and messy joy took over. Getting dirty is great: it sparks creativity, builds immunity, and leaves behind the best kind of memories — the wonderfully muddy, giggly kind!

PRIMARY

DISCOVERING MEASUREMENTS IN 2C

In 2C, the children took part in a workshop to learn about quantities using different materials. They understood which quantity they were measuring and applied units like liter (L), kilogram (kg), and meter (m).

They measured water jugs, rice packets, and boards, distinguishing each symbol and putting their knowledge into practice with great curiosity.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

OUTDOOR POEMS INSPIRED BY NATURE

In Portuguese class, 5th graders explored creative writing through Herbário by Jorge Sousa Braga. Inspired by plants and nature, they wrote original poems outdoors.

The open-air setting boosted creativity and focus, connecting literature with the natural world and helping students find joy in meaningful self-expression.

SECONDARY

TOGETHER FOR THE FOREST, TOGETHER FOR THE FUTURE

Year 9 students participated in a forest recovery activity at Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, focusing on controlling invasive species to protect local ecosystems. This hands-on effort highlights their commitment to the environment and community, contributing to the school’s recognition as one of the most volunteer-active in the municipality.

Get to know our menu

Star of June: Sardines

Sardines are packed with essential nutrients for children, including protein, calcium, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids.

These support healthy growth, brain development, and strong bones. Sardines are also affordable and sustainable.

We will be serving sardines at our upcoming festival!