Dear Team,

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

Special Shout-out
Update on Staff, Recruitment and reminders
Upcoming Events

Humanities week
Student-Led Conferences
Carnival celebrations
Parents’ workshop: Behaviour, emotions & education
Parents’ workshop: Roots & Wings: belonging beyond borders
Parents’ coffee morning
Wait Until Later movement launch

Section Stories
Practical Information
- Internal Calendar
- Free Clubs available
Act Together
- Donation drive
- News from the kitchen

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

We would like to express our sincere thanks to Verônica Barbieri and Diogo Santos for organizing such a wonderful staff party. Your commitment and care made it a truly enjoyable occasion. (from TfD)

A special thank you goes to Tatiana Colla and Kate Tingley for leading an outstanding Erasmus trip to Czechia with the 8th graders. Your dedication ensured a rich and memorable experience. (from TfD)

Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone who provided cover during the week commencing 25th January. Your flexibility and support were greatly valued. (from TfD)

We are deeply grateful to Maria Gomes, Joana Geraldo, Rodrigo Cardoso and João Ferreira for the exceptional way you managed challenging circumstances on the ski trip. Your professionalism and positive attitude had a significant impact. (from TfD)

We would like to acknowledge the excellent work of Vanessa Fevereiro and Maria Fernandes in marketing and communication. Your efforts resulted in impressive reach across multiple platforms. (from TfD)

Thank you to the Secondary Exam teachers for marking mock exams in record time. Particular appreciation goes to Victoria Rivadeneyra for guiding the process so effectively and for developing the new mock exam policy. (from TfD)

RECRUITMENT

At Aprendizes, we believe that every member of our team is the best person to identify and recommend future colleagues.

We always have open positions available on both our LinkedIn page and the “Work With Us” section of our website, so please feel free to share them with anyone you believe might be a great fit.

HUMANITIES WEEK

Humanities Week will take place from 9 to 13 February. This event highlights subjects such as history, sociology, psychology, helping students understand societies, cultures and global challenges.

It encourages critical thinking, creativity and reflection, supporting students in developing knowledge and skills that help them better understand the world around them.

STUDENT-LED CONFERENCES

Middle and Secondary Student-Led Conferences will take place in person at school, to parents and teacher, on Wednesday, 11 February 2026.

These 15-minute meetings give students the opportunity to lead the conversation, share their learning journey since the 3-Way Conferences, and reflect on their next steps in Academic learning, Engagement, and Personal Development.Please arrive 15 minutes early for check-in.

Booking details and all key information will be shared by email.

CARNIVAL CELEBRATIONS

Carnival celebrations will take place this year on Friday the 13th. The day will begin with a Pre-School and Primary Parade at school, from 9:30 to 10:30. Parents are warmly invited to join us and celebrate this joyful moment together.

In the afternoon, Middle School students will enjoy their Carnival celebration in the canteen, from 14:20 to 15:50. This part of the celebration is for students only.

Further details and practical information will be sent by email.

BEHAVIOUR, EMOTIONS & EDUCATION
by Melanie Von Muhlen

February 24th from 16:15–17:30, this is a second opportunity for parents to learn more about children’s behaviour and development.

This free workshop explores how behaviour is shaped by the body, nervous system, and early experiences, helping parents understand emotions, behavioural patterns, and how their responses influence children.

It will also share practical ways to set boundaries and support strong emotions. The workshop will be led in English.

ROOTS & WINGS: BELONGING BEYOND BORDERS

Roots & Wings: Belonging Beyond Borders is a workshop on supporting children’s sense of belonging in an international community, led by Luísa Heitor, our School Psychologist | Aprendizes.

The session will explore why belonging is essential for emotional well-being, how it evolves from early years to adolescence, and practical ways parents can foster connection, resilience and emotional safety at home and in school life. The workshop will be held in English. March 3, 8:45 at the Library.

PARENTS’ COFFEE MORNING

On Friday, 6 March 2026, Aprendizes will host a Parents’ Coffee Morning from 8:45 to 9:30.

This informal session gives parents and staff the opportunity to connect, exchange ideas and talk about students’ development, while keeping up to date with school life and upcoming activities.

WAIT UNTIL LATER MOVEMENT LAUNCH

Join us for a practical, hopeful session led by Dr Silja Litvin from www.healthydigitalchildhoodalliance.com who will be introducing the Wait Until Later movement and how schools and parent communities are successfully delaying smartphone access.

We will explore setting healthy boundaries, using technology intentionally, and protecting children’s innate talents from the attention economy and persuasive design. Learn what is working elsewhere, and how our parent community can easily implement this together, supporting one another along the way. March 12, 2026 16:30 to 18:00 at the Library.

PRESCHOOL

RAIN CAN’T STOP THE FUN!

Our preschoolers put on their boots and coats and ran outside to splash, jump, and explore the puddles across the playground.

Watching them, it’s clear that playtime doesn’t need to stop just because the weather isn’t sunny. Each puddle became an adventure, each splash a moment of discovery. Some explored through the puddles in the sand, while others carefully tested how far they could jump without losing balance.

PRIMARY

EXPLORING SPACES, SOLVING PROBLEMS

Class 4A has been busy carrying out measurements and calculations to determine the lengths, widths, and consequently the areas and perimeters of the school’s classrooms and corridors!

Recent storms had affected our classroom, and we were called upon to help replace some materials such as windows, carpets, and we even considered changing the flooring!

It was a dynamic and fun activity that sparked the students’ curiosity, and everyone eagerly got involved, putting their hands to work.

MIDDLE

TURNING TALES INTO MELODIES

Our 5th-grade students recently took part in an exciting project on traditional tales. Working in groups, they read and summarized a story, discovering its key themes and messages.

But the creativity didn’t stop there! Inspired by the tale, the students wrote the lyrics of a song based on the story. Using a music creation platform, they then added melodies, bringing their stories to life in a completely new way.

SECONDARY

CHARITY RAFFLE RAISED €1,542 FOR LOCAL FOUNDATION

Grade 9 Business students at Aprendizes organized a Christmas Charity Raffle, successfully raising 1,542 euros for the São Francisco de Assis Foundation.

Through planning, promotion, and teamwork, students applied entrepreneurial skills while supporting animal welfare. To conclude the project, the group visited the foundation to personally deliver the funds and learn about its work caring for animals in need.

WINTER ADVENTURES IN SIERRA NEVADA

A group of students from grades 8 to 12 had a great winter trip to Sierra Nevada.

Although the weather conditions were not the most favourable, this group proved to be strong and resilient, even when things did not happen as expected. Nevertheless, they created very positive and meaningful experiences.

Their spirit and perseverance never wavered as they explored the city, visited a local arcade, enjoyed movie nights, and made the most of snow play, sledding, and skiing and snowboarding under supervision.

ERASMUS+ IN CZECHIA

Our Grade 8 students recently embarked on an unforgettable Erasmus+ journey to Czechia, marking the second step in a two-part project that began last term when Aprendizes welcomed students from our partner school, Scioskola, in Hradec Králové, Czechia.

Together, both groups are co-creating a school policy proposal for the use of Artificial Intelligence—an ambitious project that encourages critical thinking, responsibility, and international collaboration.

INTERNAL CALENDAR

Reminder: Please check the internal calendar for all important dates until the end of the year.

FREE SCHOOL CLUBS

Discover, learn and get involved!

We offer a variety of free clubs that support learning and students’ interests, including academic and creative activities. Clubs take place outside lesson time and students may choose those they wish to join.
You can check the schedules here.

DONATION DRIVE

Last week, the Leiria region was severely affected by extreme weather caused by Storm Kristin, which led to widespread damage to homes, infrastructure and essential services. Many families continue to face significant losses and urgent needs, and several solidarity initiatives have been launched to support those affected.

Our school is organising a donation drive to support these families in need.This initiative is being led by students from 5A and 6A as part of their Global Perspectives class. The school community is invited to donate essential goods until the morning of 6 February.

All donations will be delivered to Caritas of Leiria, which will distribute them to families who need support. Every contribution makes a difference.

NEWS FROM THE KITCHEN

GET TO KNOW OUR MENU

INTERNATIONAL DAYS IN THE KITCHEN

Day 10 - México
Day 26 - Ukrania