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
Holiday and Christmas allowances
Upcoming Events
- Primary school parents’ meeting
- Transition meetings
- Parents’ coffee morning
- PTSO meeting
- IGSCE Fair
- House meeting
- Save the date – New Years black and white party
- Behaviour, emotions & education workshop

Bio Market | Charity Edition
Parents’ meetings | Subject Fair
Middle and Secondary Parents’ Meetings

Section Stories
Practical Information
- Parent Satisfaction Survey
- School phases out private student chats on Microsoft teams
- Yearbook photos new dates in January
- Re-enrolment starts mid-January
- No phone school
Act Together
- 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

Thank you to the amazing team of teachers (Patricia Almeida, Joana Geraldo, Alexa Laryea and Maria Gomes) who took a group of Middle School students to visit 'O Nosso Lar' in the last week of term. They delivered biscuits and greetings cards, as well as providing beautiful musical entertainment, bringing some Christmas cheer to the elderly residents. A big thanks too to Silvana Silva for delivering the piano and to Diogo Santos, Joana Xardoné and Bárbara Portugal for their kind and efficient support (as always)! (From Liz Nash)

A huge thank you to the maintenance team and the administration who worked over the Christmas break to improve our facilities and make sure we received our salaries.

We also want to thank everyone who led the inset day workshops — your commitment and enthusiasm made such a positive impact.

And a big thanks to the kitchen team and our students for another food waste assessment this week, carried out in collaboration with the researchers from Combine.

RECRUITMENT

We are delighted to warmly welcome the new members joining our team this year.

Bijay Howladar, joining the Kitchen Team

Shyam Pant, , joining the Kitchen Team, and

Maria Carvalho, as the Primary Arts Teacher who will teach 3rd, 4th and 8th graders

Each of you brings unique skills, fresh perspectives and valuable experience that will enrich our community and strengthen the work we do together. We are very pleased to have you on board and look forward to seeing your ideas, energy and commitment contribute to a positive and successful year ahead. Welcome to the team!

STAFF SATISFACTION SURVEY

We want to be the best place to work, and for that to happen we need your feedback.
Please take a few minutes to complete the staff satisfaction survey — it only takes 5–7 minutes.
It would be great if you can submit your response by 12 January 2026.

STAFF SATISFACTION SURVEY

LETTER OF INTENTION – NEXT SCHOOL YEAR

Would you mind taking 2 minutes to complete this form to let us know your intentions for the next school year? Your responses will help us plan staffing and support.

It would be great if you can submit your response by 13 January 2026.

EVALUATION OF WORKSHOPS (INSET DAY JANUARY 5TH)

Please take 2 minutes to complete this form. This form counts as our documentation that you participated in the workshops.

It would be great if you can submit your response by 13 January 2026.

PAYMENT OF HOLIDAY AND CHRISTMAS ALLOWANCES

We would like to inform all employees that, as is the case every year, Aprendizes have the option to choose how the holiday and Christmas allowances are paid:

Payment in instalments: subsidies will be paid in 12 equal parts throughout the year;
Single payment: subsidies will be paid in full at once, with the holiday bonus on 15 July 2026 and the Christmas bonus on 15 December 2026.

Please inform the Human Resources/Finance Department of your choice by 20 January, through this form.

INCOME STATEMENT

All staff should note that the income statement is expected to arrive today.
If you do not receive it, please contact Cristina Rodriguez.

The income statement is used to report the income earned in a given year to the Tax Authority, specifically for IRS purposes, allowing the calculation of tax owed or any refund due. It is also used as proof of income for loan applications, social support, or other legal situations.

PRIMARY SCHOOL PARENTS’ MEETINGS

We would like to inform you that the Primary School parents’ meetings will take place on the dates listed below. Please save these dates in your diaries.

These meetings are designed to provide an opportunity for parents to better understand the educational structure and methodology that guide our teaching approach.

Your attendance is very important.

TRANSITION PARENTS’ MEETINGS

Aprendizes will host a series of Transition Meetings to help students and parents navigate the move to the next school year and prepare for upcoming challenges.

Sessions will take place on the dates listed. These meetings provide guidance, support, and a chance to discuss the transition process.

PARENTS’ COFFEE MORNING

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

This informal gathering offers parents and staff a welcoming space for open conversation, idea sharing and discussion about students’ progress, while strengthening communication and staying connected about upcoming school activities and events.

PTSO (Parents, Teachers and Students Organization) MEETING

The next PTSO (Parents, Teachers and Students Organization) meeting will take place on Tuesday, 13 January 2026, from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM, in the Library.

YOUR CHOICES, YOUR PATH!

The IGCSE Fair offers 8th-grade students an opportunity to look beyond the core curriculum and explore the diverse elective courses available for Grade 9. From Business and Computer Science to History and the Arts, students can discover what each subject entails, speak directly with the teachers, and begin designing a personalized academic journey.

It is the first step for students to take ownership of their education and find the subjects that truly excite them. Parents are welcome.

HOUSE MEETING

Date: 21 January
Time: 17:00 – 18:00
Location: Library

Between 17:00 and 18:00, all staff will meet to share relevant information. If you would like to suggest a topic or raise a question, please do so via the form.

SAVE THE DATE – NEW YEARS PARTY

Black or White. Like Michael Jackson, not your wardrobe crisis.
Think red carpet meets Christmas chaos. No greys. No excuses. Just style.

📅 January 23rd
🕖 7:00 PM – 1:00 AM

Bring the look. Bring the mood. We’ll bring the party.

BEHAVIOUR, EMOTIONS & EDUCATION
by Melanie Von Muhlen

In today’s world, parents face endless advice and expectations yet often feel uncertain. This workshop explores the roots of children’s behaviour, which begin in the body, nervous system, and early experiences.

Participants will learn how emotions and patterns develop, how parental responses shape children, and strategies for setting boundaries, supporting strong emotions, and understanding behaviour’s underlying messages.

The focus is not on fixing children, but on understanding and fostering their inner world. This Workshop will be held in English and it is free.

JOIN US FOR BIO MARKET | CHARITY EDITION

On Friday, 30 January 2026, from 16:15 to 18:00, Aprendizes will host the Bio Market Charity Edition at The Tent. Visitors can explore a wide selection of organic and sustainable products while supporting local vendors.

This event offers a fun and eco-friendly afternoon, encouraging community engagement and promoting green initiatives. Registration is required for selling partners.

PARENTS’ MEETINGS | SUBJECT FAIRS

The Subjects Fair is an event aimed at parents and guardians, providing an opportunity to learn about and understand the different subjects. Through a rotational system, parents will experience each of the subjects their children attend, such as Drama, Music, PE, or Arts.

It is also an opportunity to clarify any questions regarding the educational programme.

MIDDLE & SECONDARY PARENT-TEACHER MEETINGS

On 4 February, our Middle and Secondary Parents Meetings will take place online between 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm and will be held exclusively with subject teachers.

Each meeting will last 7 minutes and offers parents the opportunity to have a direct conversation with teachers about students’ learning progress and their academic journey. Further details regarding the meeting logistics and the booking system will be shared shortly.

preschool

A DAY AT THE AIR MUSEUM

Our Exploradores class enjoyed an inspiring field trip to the Museu do Ar in Lisbon, tying perfectly into their year-long airport-themed project. The children had the opportunity to see historic airplanes, learn about aviation history, and explore the mechanics of flight in a hands-on, interactive environment.

PRIMARY

WHERE LEARNING TAKES ROOT

Primary students visit the garden regularly, planting seeds, caring for plants, and harvesting fresh produce.

These routines teach responsibility, healthy habits, and teamwork while sparking curiosity and creativity. By connecting with nature daily, children develop life-long skills and a love for sustainable practices, making learning hands-on, joyful, and meaningful.

MIDDLE

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES MUSEUM EXHIBIT

This term, 8th grade Global Perspectives students researched global issues of their choice, analysing causes, consequences, and different perspectives before drawing informed conclusions. On Wednesday, 3rd December, they shared their findings with the school community through a museum-style exhibit. The project developed students’ critical thinking, research, and communication skills while encouraging deeper understanding of real-world global challenges.

SECONDARY

PRACTICAL EXAM SIMULATION IN BIOLOGY

Our Biology students completed a Cambridge-style practical exam simulation focused on diffusion. Using agar cubes and hydrochloric acid, they practised precise measurements, dilution calculations, time management, and data analysis. Unexpected results encouraged critical thinking, evaluation of errors, and comparison with a teacher-run control. These realistic sessions build confidence, independence, and familiarity with exam routines, while highlighting the essential role of ensuring a well-organised laboratory environment.

PARENT SATISFACTION SURVEY

Thank you to all families who completed the Parent Satisfaction Survey. We received 201 responses, reflecting the strong partnership between families and the school.

We are already working closely with the PTSO (Parents, Teachers and Students Organisation) to review the feedback and address the key points raised. This collaboration reflects our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and our belief that working directly with parents is a defining characteristic of our school.

We are pleased with the results of this survey, seeing that parents continue to view us as a very safe school (4.3), where their children feel happy (4.42) and would recommend our school (4.16).

The detailed results will be shared by your Head of Section.

PRIMARY UPDATES FOR THE UPCOMING TERM

Afternoon Clubs: Music on Monday and Friday; Drama on Monday and Thursday; Arts on Monday; English (for 3rd and 4th graders only) on Monday and Tuesday.
Primary Parents’ Coffee Mornings: 13th March and 22nd May.
1st Graders’ Forest Visits: First graders will visit the forest every other week.

SCHOOL PHASES OUT PRIVATE STUDENT CHATS ON MICROSOFT TEAMS

Since the beginning of January, the school has begun to gradually eliminate private chats between students and between students and teachers, on Microsoft Teams.

To simplify and clarify communication, email will become the official channel.

Important note: in the case of preschool, the chat will remain active, as it is the means of communication between educators and parents.

We encourage everyone of the staff to use Teams only for urgent matters and to use email for official and operational communication.

YEARBOOK PHOTOS NEW DATES IN JANUARY

We kindly ask all Head Teachers who have not yet scheduled their class individual photo session to please do so during January, on the following dates: January 13th, 15th, 21st and 28th.

Please fill in your preferred time slot using the schedule available at the link. Thank you for your cooperation.

NO PHONE SCHOOL

This is a reminder that we are a no phone school. As such, mobile phones should not be used at any time during the school day in shared spaces, in the presence of students or parents, including during breaks and intervals.

Please refrain from answering calls, checking messages, or scrolling on your phones. Whenever necessary, phone use should take place in a private area, such as the staff room.

In addition to these awareness activities, we will add more signage throughout the school.

Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us model the behaviours we expect from our students.

NEWS FROM THE KITCHEN

GET TO KNOW OUR MENU

INTERNATIONAL DAYS IN THE KITCHEN

January 22– Poland
January 29 – Ireland