Dear Team,
In this week's newsletter, please find our latest updates and important information, including:
Open day for new families
Primary art exhibition
Christmas events
Bio Market Christmas Edition
General Strike
Secret Santa Information
Staff Christmas Lunch
Goods Collection
Christmas Campaign: Solidarity Box
Christmas Raffle
Christmas Gifts and Hampers Collection
Our Kitchen News
About this space
This space is for colleagues, by colleagues — it’s not from the management, it’s from the team, for the team. It’s about valuing what we are together, recognizing the effort, care, and presence. If you’d like to thank a colleague, this is the place. It will be published in the next newsletter.
Shout out
Dear Inês Fragoso, thank you for all your care, affection, support, and dedication to all of us! How lucky we are to have you around every day! You really are a STAR!!! (From Tati Macha)
A big shout out to the entire First Languages Department for all your dedication and hard work across Primary, Middle, and Secondary! (from Kate Tingley)
Special thanks to Ana Rita Marques, Daniela Noivo, Chloe Janden and all the teachers involved for making STEM Week inspiring, engaging, and fun! (From TfD)
A huge shout out to Inês Fragoso and the support team for the amazing initiative - wall of Elfs - spreading creativity and joy around the school! (From TfD)
Shout out to Diogo Santos, the support team, and the kitchen staff for making our field trips safe, smooth, and memorable! (From TfD)
Huge Thanks to Stephen Hakim for the wonderful Global Perspectives Museum, this week. (Da TfD)
RECRUITMENT
We are looking for a Primary Arts teacher to join our team as soon as possible.
Gently reminder: Staff members who joined our team before the 2025/26 academic year must obtain a new criminal record certificate and submit it to Cristina Rodriguez by January 5th.
04–06 DEC | MUN St. Julians | Nova SBE | Model United Nations
05 DEC | Descobridores | Carris Museum | Christmas Tram Ride | 09:00–11:30
09 DEC | Transition Meeting – Grade 4 to 5 | 16:00–17:00
09 DEC | Open Day | Library | 09:00–10:30
12 DEC | Christmas Concert | Primary | Refectory | 11:00–12:30
12 DEC | Christmas Concert | Middle & Secondary | Refectory | 14:00–16:00
12 DEC | BioMarket Christmas Edition | 16:15–18:00
15 DEC | Drama and Music Presentations | Primary | See the timetable below
17 DEC | Christmas Party (staff dance and choir) | Middle & Secondary | Refectory | 14:10–15:00
18 DEC | Christmas Celebration Brunch + Parents’ Play + Song | Preschool & Primary | Refectory | 09:15–11:45
19 DEC | End of 1st Term | 12:00
20 DEC to 05 JAN | Christmas Holidays
05 JAN | Staff Inset Day (all day – in person)
06 JAN | Start of 2nd Term
07 JAN | Meet the Alumni (Assembly Grade 11 and 12) | Library | 12:20–14:00
07 JAN | Parent 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
08 JAN | Action Research Programme – Online (whole group)
09 JAN | Parents Coffee | Refectory | 08:45–09:30
12 JAN | Parent 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 | Parent Meeting – Grade 3 | Library | 08:45–09:45
20 JAN to 23 JAN | Preparatory Visit Erasmus | Iceland
20 JAN | Parent Meeting – Grade 4 | Library | 08:45–09:45
21 JAN | House Meeting | Library | 17:00–18:00
23 JAN | Staff Christmas Party | 19:00–23:00
25 JAN to 31 JAN | Mobility to Czechia – Erasmus – Grade 8
30 JAN | BioMarket – Charity Edition | Tent | 16:15–18:00
11 FEB | 3-Way Conferences (Students, Teachers and Parents) | Middle to Secondary
03–05 MAR | Regeneration Festival
21 APR | 3-Way Conferences (Students, Teachers and Parents) | Primary
OPEN DAY FOR NEW FAMILIES
We are delighted to invite prospective families to our Open Day on December 09, from 9:00 to 10:30 AM.
Families will meet our Principal and Head of Pedagogics, join a personalised tour of Preschool, Primary, Middle, or Secondary, and explore our vision and curriculum.
Registration is required. Please encourage interested families to register early.
Here’s what we have planned in our festive calendar — join us to celebrate music, creativity, and community spirit across all school levels!
PRESCHOOL
18 DEC – Christmas Brunch + Parents’ Play + Staff Dance + Christmas Music
09:15–11:45
– Children bring something to share
– Students write a short play for parents to perform
– All children join together to sing a Christmas song
PRIMARY
12 DEC – Christmas Concert
Refectory, 11:00–12:30
15 DEC to 19 DEC – Primary Art Exhibition from classes 1b, 2b, 3b and 4b - Entrance
15 DEC – Arts, Music and Drama Showcase – Library
11:00–11:45 – Grade 1 (1A + 1C)
11:45–12:30 – Grade 2 (2A + 2C)
14:00–14:45 – Grade 3 (3A + 3C)
14:45–15:30 – Grade 4 (4A + 4C)
18 DEC – Christmas Brunch + Parents’ Play + Staff Dance + Christmas Music
Preschool & Primary: 09:15–11:45
– Children bring something to share
– Students write a short play for parents to perform
– All children join together to sing a Christmas song
MIDDLE
12 DEC – Christmas Concert
Refectory, 14:00–15:50
17 DEC – Middle & Secondary Christmas Party
– Shared lunch (students bring something to share)
– Staff dance + choir | 14:10–15:00
SECONDARY
12 DEC – Christmas Concert
Refectory, 14:00–15:50
17 DEC – Middle & Secondary Christmas Party
– Shared lunch (students bring something to share)
FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY
12 DEC – BioMarket – Christmas Edition
16:15–18:00
For All
BIO MARKET CHRISTMAS EDITION
Join us for the Bio Market – Christmas Edition on Friday, 12th December, from 4:15 PM to 6:00 PM, at The Tent!
Discover a fantastic selection of organic and sustainable products while supporting our local vendors. This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a festive afternoon, explore eco-friendly goods, and continue contributing to our community’s green initiatives.
Please note that the Biomarket is weather-dependent. If it rains on the scheduled day, the market will be cancelled. Thank you for your understanding.
preschool & primary
PYJAMAS FOR A CAUSE: TOGETHER FOR CHILDREN’S RIGHTS
On November 20th, our school celebrated the National Day of the Pyjama and UNICEF’s World Children’s Rights Day, highlighting the importance of children’s rights. As such, pre-school and primary students participated in a fundraising project, crafting small house-shaped piggybanks and collecting pennies throughout the week.
The funds raised will support children without families in Portugal. This initiative allowed students to contribute meaningfully, demonstrating that even small efforts can make a tangible difference in improving the lives of vulnerable children.
MIDDLE
SMART WASTE MANAGEMENT: LEARNING TO CARE FOR THE PLANET
Our middle school students deepened their understanding of sustainability in an engaging waste management workshop led by Frederico Soares. Through infographics, hands-on activities, and real-world examples, they learned how small actions—reducing, reusing, and recycling—impact the environment.
The session encouraged curiosity and critical thinking, showing the evolution of recycling and empowering students to make greener choices at school and home. This initiative highlighted the importance of environmental responsibility in everyday life.
SECONDARY
SOLVING MYSTERIES WITH CHEMISTRY
Our Grade 11 Chemistry students conducted a titration experiment to determine the amount of iron in an unknown compound. Using a solution of iron ions and bright purple manganate, they added the liquid drop by drop until a faint pink indicated the reaction was complete.
By measuring the exact amount needed, students calculated the compound’s composition. This hands-on activity taught them an essential analytical skill used in chemistry for testing water, medicines, and product safety.
COMBINE: FOOD WASTE REDUCTION WORKSHOP
On 27 November, the school hosted a food waste reduction workshop as part of the European COMBINE project. The session was led by the project researchers, Professors Iva Pires and Sónia Nobre, with contributions from our Chef Joana Xardoné and our nutritionist Sara Félix.
Through practical demonstrations and simple leftover-based recipes, families explored strategies to make better use of food and reduce waste in their daily routines. The session reflected the spirit of our community, marked by sharing, engagement and learning. Our sincere thanks to all who joined us.
NO PHONE SCHOOL
Dear colleagues, a reminder that we are a no phone school. Therefore, we kindly ask that you do not answer or check your phones in the presence of children or parents. Whenever necessary, please do so in a private area. Thank you for your cooperation.
GENERAL STRIKE
On December 11, a general strike may affect transport. We encourage everyone to support each other, including carpooling where possible. Exceptionally, children may join their parents at work if no other options are available. Let’s work together to make the day manageable for all.
SECRET SANTA INFORMATION
There’s no fixed amount for the Secret Santa gift, the important thing is to show that we remembered, by giving one (or many). Please drop off your present by December 19 at the latest. You may choose to reveal your identity or keep it secret—your choice!
STAFF CHRISTMAS LUNCH
Reminder: Our Christmas staff lunch will take place on 19 December. It will be a shared lunch, so feel free to bring a dish to share with your colleagues!
You can bring something individually, or organise contributions with your team.
Suggested contributions:
Pre-school: Desserts
Primary & Secondary: Savoury dishes
Middle School: Drinks
Support Staff: Savoury dishes and desserts
COLLECTION OF GOODS
The Pre-school class “Descobridores”, while exploring and learning about children’s rights, came up with a very special and caring idea: to create a collection box to support children in need aged 3 to 8.
This box, located at the entrance of the preschool, can hold various essential items such as clothing, socks, shoes, hats, and books. Every contribution, no matter how small it may seem, makes a big difference in a child’s life.
The Discoverers’ initiative reminds us that we can all help ensure children grow up with dignity, comfort, and access to what they need. Together, we can make the world a warmer and more welcoming place for them.
The collected items will be donated to an institution in Cascais.
CHRISTMAS SHOEBOX APPEAL: CARE TO SHARE
Aprendizes School is joining the annual holiday campaign Care to Share, running from 2 to 17 December. Families are invited to prepare a shoebox or gift bag filled with new toys, art materials or small surprises for a child.
By choosing an age and gender, each donation becomes a personal gesture of kindness. Contributions can be left at the school entrance.
We’re excited to share that our Christmas Charity Raffle – “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” is now live!
By purchasing a raffle ticket, you’ll be supporting the São Francisco de Assis Foundation, while also getting entries for daily prizes from the Advent Calendar and for the final grand prize, which will be drawn at the Christmas BioMarket on December 12th.
🎟 1 ticket = 2€
🎟🎟🎟 3 tickets = 5€
👉 You can buy your tickets from any 9th-grade student or directly from teachers João Ferreira and Rahma Amjad.
Your participation helps make a meaningful difference — and you might win something great along the way! Let’s support this wonderful cause together.
CHRISTMAS GIFTS AND FOOD COLLECTION
The school is participating in the “Christmas Stars” initiative and the “Friends at Hand” project, both organized by the Parish of Cascais, supporting children and families in need. We invite the community to donate gifts, clothes, toys, school supplies, or food items. Donations can be dropped off at school until December 10.
