Dear Team,

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

• Special Shout-out

• Update on Staff & Recruitment

• IRS Tables and Meal allowance

• Upcoming Events

  • House Meeting | Mirabilis Conferences | Happy Hour

  • Parents’ coffee morning

  • University information sessions

  • Mirabilis Conference

  • PTSO meeting

  • UK University Fair

  • Open day for new families

  • Save the date | Bio Market 2025/2026!

  • Save the date | Three Way Conferences (Student, Teachers and Parents)

• Section Stories

• Act Together

  • Combine Project

  • Menu

  • Star of September: Tomato

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

Congratulations, Arlindo Souza, on successfully completing your PhD in History at the University of Lisbon! May this achievement open even more inspiring paths in your academic and personal journey.

Tatiana Colla – for delivering an outstanding training for the Middle School Teachers and for creating an engaging, dedicated space for her lessons that truly showcases how the learning environment can boost student success.

Everyone who planned and joined the Extra-Curricular Day & Family Picnic – thank you for your energy, teamwork, and for making it such a memorable community event.

The Coordinators & Head Teachers – for organizing thoughtful and impactful parent meetings, and a big thank you to the Kitchen Staff for preparing the amazing snacks that made the gatherings even more special.

A big shout out to Francisco Vigo, for all the patient, support, encouragement and knowledge, shared with me! For sure we are a good team! — Laura Cercas

RECRUITMENT

At Aprendizes, we believe that each of you is the best person to identify and select your future colleagues. That’s why we are implementing an active recommendation system. If you recommend a future colleague (and they confirm that you were the one who informed them about the opening), you will receive a €250 referral bonus!

Update on Action Research Groups – Get Inspired!

So far, we have 21 people signed up and, as it stands, 8 research groups have started to take shape. However, we expect a few more colleagues to join in the coming days.

If you're still considering whether to participate or are unsure about what to focus on, take a look at what your colleagues are already working on—there are some exciting ideas taking shape that might spark your own!

If you have any questions or would like to join, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your Head of Section or to Rikke directly.

Here’s a preview of what’s brewing so far:

Kate Tingley, Diogo Santos, Liz Nash
Exploring student agency in connection with field trips, project-based learning (PBL), and volunteering.

Mariana Menino, Madalena Teixeira
Investigating how the problem-solving structures in Singapore Math—such as bar modelling, collaborative talk, and reflective journaling—can foster responsibility, persistence, and respectful engagement in the classroom.

Laura Morala Forte, Tiago Rodriguez, João Ferreira, Laura Cercas
Looking into ways to promote student agency through the implementation of the House System at Aprendizes.

Stephen Hakim
Exploring strategies to enhance student agency in IGCSE Global Perspectives, while still preparing students effectively for their exams.

Bárbara Doria, Joana Geraldo, Maria Gomes, Sara Prudêncio
Designing interdisciplinary PBL units focused on communication (visual, written, and oral), with a thematic lens on fake news and misinformation.

Victoria Rivadeneyra
Investigating student agency and engagement in non-academic contexts, such as student council and student-led clubs.

Ana Marta Costa, Margarida Nabais, Andreia Palhinhas, Joana Coelho, Catarina Pires
Exploring ways to build bridges to learning, focusing on how to ease the transition from Preschool to Primary.

Helen Bacchus
Still deciding on a topic. Current ideas include exploring formative assessment in the classroom—possibly through deeper use of tools like the Socrative AI app—or designing PBL units that integrate Socrative strategies in IGCSE and AS classes.

IRS TABLES

This month, transitional IRS withholding tables (Aug–Sep), under Law no. 55-A/2025, are still in effect, temporarily increasing net salaries. From October, the final tables will apply, and values return to normal. Detailed information has been shared by e-mail and is also available on Teams.

MEAL CARDS

As agreed for the 25/26 school year, the meal allowance will be paid through a meal card. The distribution of the cards will take place on Monday 29th between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM.

26 SEP | All students | Languages Day | All day

01 OCT | House Meeting | Mirabilis Conference | Happy Hour

02 OCT | University Information Sessions | Secondary | 4:00 PM | Library

03 OCT | Parents | Parents’ Coffee | 08:45–09:30 AM

07 OCT to 09 OCT | Erasmus+ Swedish Principals Visit

07 OCT | Parents | PTSO (Parents, Teachers, Student Organization) Meeting | 04:00–05:30 PM

07 OCT | All Parents | Mirabilis Conference | The impact of screens on health and education: screens in school | 08:30 AM – 10:30 AM | English session | Library

08 OCT | UK University Fair | Secondary | 4:30 – 6:00 PM

09 OCT | All Parents | Mirabilis Conference | The impact of screens on health and education: screens in school | 04:30 PM – 06:30 PM | Portuguese session | Library

16 OCT | Open Day for new families | 9:00 to 10:30 AM

16 OCT | Online session Information about admissions Universities in USA | 6:00 PM

17 OCT | Bio Market Halloween Edition | Tent | 4:15 PM to 6:00 PM

20 OCT to 22 OCT | Book fair | School Reception

22 OCT | Halloween Lunch | Secondary

23 OCT | Online session Information about admissions Universities in UK | 6:00 PM

24 OCT | Halloween Party | Preschool, Primary and Middle

07 NOV | All Parents | Parents’ Coffee | 08:45–09:45 AM

13 NOV | Online session Information about admissions Universities in EU | 6:00 PM

20 NOV | Online session Information about admissions Universities in PT | 6:00 PM

12 NOV | Three Way Conferences (Students, teachers and Parents) | Primary to Secondary

11 FEB | Three Way Conferences (Students, teachers and Parents) | Middle to Secondary

03 MAR to 05 MAR | Regeneration Festival

29 MAR to 04 APR | Erasmus+ Preschool and Primary Trip | Sweden

21 APR | Three Way Conferences (Students, teachers and Parents) | Primary

26 APR to 02 MAY | Erasmus+ Middle and Secondary Trip | Denmark

TEACHERS TRAINING & HOUSE MEETING

On Wednesday, October 1, our regular House Meeting will be replaced by a special training session led by the NGO Mirabilis on the theme:

“O impacto dos ecrãs na saúde e educação: ecrãs na escola”
🕓 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
📍 Training will be held in English

All teachers and staff are invited, and you are welcome to join whenever you can. This event will be followed by the usual Happy Hour.

If you are unable to attend this session, you are encouraged to participate in one of the Parents’ Sessions offered by Mirabilis:

• Oct 7 | 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | English session

• Oct 9 | 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | Portuguese session

Looking ahead, our follow-up training on Project Based Learning (PBL) will take place during the Teachers Training on November 26. Please keep your presentations – we’ll be asking everyone to share their PBL ideas and plans with colleagues.

PARENTS’ COFFEE MORNING

Join us for Parents’ Coffee Morning on October 3rd, 2025, from 8:45 to 9:30 AM! This is a wonderful opportunity for open conversation and sharing between the school and all parents.

Let’s meet in a relaxed atmosphere, exchange ideas, and strengthen the home–school connection while discussing children’s progress and future events.

UNIVERSITY INFORMATION SESSIONS

We invite Secondary students and parents to join our University Information Sessions. On October 2nd at 4:00 PM in the library, there will be an in-person session.

In addition, online application sessions — aimed at Class of 2025–26 graduates — will take place: October 16 at 6:00 PM (USA), October 23 at 6:00 PM (UK), November 13 at 6:00 PM (EU), and November 20 at 6:00 PM (PT).

Staff is also welcome.

EXCITING ERASMUS+ VISIT AND UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES

From October 7–9, we are delighted to host 19 Primary School Principals and School Administrators from Sweden as part of Erasmus+. They will explore our school, observe our teaching, and share feedback.

This visit strengthens collaboration and idea exchange. Later this year, our teachers, leaders, and students will visit schools in Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and the Czech Republic. More updates coming soon!

PTSO MEETING

The next PTSO (Parents, Teachers and Students Organization) meeting will take place on October 7th, 2025, at 4:00 PM in the Library.

Parent Representatives will share a form with families beforehand, so suggestions and ideas can be submitted in advance. This is a great opportunity to collaborate and strengthen our school community.

OPEN DAY FOR NEW FAMILIES

We are delighted to invite prospective families to our Open Day on October 16, from 9:00 to 10:30 AM.

Families will meet our Principal and Head of Pedagogics, join a personalized tour of Preschool, Primary, Middle, or Secondary, and discover our vision and curriculum.

Registration is required. Please encourage interested families to register early.

SAVE THE DATE | BIO MKT 2025/2026!

Bio Mkt returns this academic year, bimonthly, for the moments we’ve missed!
Editions:

17/10 – Halloween Edition

12/12 – Christmas Edition

30/1 – Charity Edition

4/3 – Regeneration Edition

29/5 – Final Edition
Always from 4:15 PM to 6:00 PM. Want to become a vendor? Check our criteria and register two weeks before each event by requesting the form via our email: biomkt@aprendizes.pt

Preschool

SUNFLOWER BEGINNINGS

At the very first assembly in the Discoverers’ classroom, LIV suggested planting a sunflower as the group’s symbol. Full of curiosity and excitement, the children explored the garden, observed every detail, and drew the moment.

With Mara’s help, seeds were planted in a large pot. The sunflower now begins its journey, growing strong and tall, symbolizing unity, friendship, and the joy of learning every day.

Primary

MATHVENTURES ON THE PLAYGROUND

The 4A students turned recess into a magical math lab! With leaves, sticks, and little treasures they found outside, they built multiplication sets—like 2x3 with two groups of three leaves.

This playful adventure turned numbers into something real and touchable, making learning easier and way more fun. Besides boosting their math skills, the children also trained creativity, observation, and teamwork. Who knew that the playground could hide so many little math secrets waiting to be discovered?

Middle

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES SPEECHES

This week in 7th grade Global Perspectives, students were tasked with creating a short persuasive speech and presenting it in front of their classmates in the amphitheater.

Students were given agency to make the speech about whatever topic they chose, so long as they used persuasive techniques and followed basic rhetorical structure.

Secondary

TEAM JEREMIAH OR TEAM CONRAD?

Teenagers worldwide are hooked on The Summer I Turned Pretty, picking sides: Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah. In 10th Grade English, students debated passionately in class, defending their favorite character.

Three student judges selected the best speaker. This fun activity combined pop culture with persuasive speaking, critical thinking, and teamwork skills.

All school

VOTE-TASTIC!

Last week, our school held its student council elections. Campaigns were super creative, with students sharing exciting ideas to improve school life. The voting process ran smoothly, and now the elected representatives are ready to speak up for their classmates in meetings throughout the year.

Democracy in action—with a fun twist!

Arts

MAGICAL KALEIDOSCOPE WORKSHOP

In the 2nd-year STEM arts workshop, imagination shone bright! Using paper rolls, aluminum foil, and colorful beads, the children built their own kaleidoscopes.

This hands-on activity sparked creativity, fine motor skills, and problem-solving abilities, showing how science and art can shine together. With every twist of the kaleidoscope, a magical pattern appeared—reflecting not only the light but also the curiosity and joy of our little inventors.

APRENDIZES IN THE EUROPEAN COMBINE PROJECT

Aprendizes is the only school in Portugal participating in COMBINE, a European Union–funded project that helps consumers reduce food waste through practical actions in daily life. In Portugal, it is coordinated by NOVA University Lisbon, led by researchers Prof. Iva Pires and Prof. Sónia Nobre (CICS.NOVA), and brings together partners from five countries.

In March, we carried out a canteen food waste diagnosis, and in July, 10 Aprendizes families monitored their household food waste and implemented improvements with COMBINE’s support. We will begin implementing the reduction measures this October.

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