Dear Team,

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

• Special Shout-out

• Update on Staff & Recruitment

• New IRS Tables

• Upcoming Events

  • First days of school

  • Induction day programme

  • Erasmus + Program

  • Aprendizes Action Research Programme

• Practical Information

  • Parking information

  • Id card

  • Staff handbook reminder

• Section Stories

• Act Together

  • 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

To Teresa Cruz, Cristina Rodriguez, and Susana Alves for ensuring the smooth running of the department.

We would also like to thank Bárbara Portugal, who was on call throughout almost the entire holiday period, handling front office contacts and messages — as well as taking care of our pets.

To Verónica Barbieri, Inês Fragoso, and Cláudia Meireles, who ensured the dissemination of exam results and closely supported university applications — a mission accomplished with excellence!

A huge thank you also to Ricardo Limão and his team, whose tireless work in the school and the garden is visible to all and a source of pride.

Thank you all for your commitment, dedication, and team spirit — you are the example of how joint effort makes a difference!

UPDATES
We are very proud of our team and we promote internal growth. Therefore, we are pleased to announce that:

• Eunice Maia has taken on the role of Academic Director.

• Diogo Santos will lead the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and will also teach Middle School Global Perspective and he will continue his previous role.

• Liz Nash will take on the leadership of Volunteering Programme.

• Dimitri Athanasopoulos will lead the House System.

• We are pleased to announce the House Leaders for 2025/2026: Laura Cercas — Fire, João Ferreira — Water, Tiago Prior Rodriguez — Earth, and Laura Morala — Air. In the official document, these names are highlighted in the colour corresponding to each House.

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

• Bárbara Pereira: Learning Support

• Jaime Atkinson: Learning Support

• Luísa Heitor: Psychologist for Learning Support

• Sonia Martins: Head of Learning Support

• Arlindo Souza: History Teacher

• Lucivanda de Freitas: GP Teacher

• Matthaios Prokos: Math Teacher

• Zeineb Mathlouthi: ICT Teacher

• Niki Botes: English Teacher

• Rodrigo Cardoso: PE Teacher

• Ana Marta Costa: Teacher for Primary

• Ana Martel: Assistant for Primary

• Andreia Ponte: Teacher for Primary

• Catarina Fonseca: Co-teacher for Primary

• Natássia Hott: Co-teacher for Primary

• Rita Cabral: Teacher for Primary

• Sofia Marques: Assistant for Primary

• Gerrit de Villiers: ICT Teacher

• Helen Bacchus: Humanities HoD

• Ilda Veiga: Math Teacher

• João Ferreira: Business Teacher

• Marlete Rebelo: English Teacher

• Nuno Oliveira: Science Teacher

• Rahma Amjad: Business Teacher

• Tamirys dos Santos: Art Teacher

RECRUITMENT
Sharing is attracting — by spreading the word about these opportunities, our team helps us bring in more talent like yours! Let’s grow our team together.

Portuguese Speech Therapist

Remember, these positions are open to everyone, so if you are interested, don’t hesitate to apply!

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!

NEW IRS TABLES

Following Law no. 55-A/2025, new IRS withholding tables apply. Transitional tables (Aug–Sep) will increase net salaries; final tables take effect in October. This benefit is temporary. Detailed information has been sent by e-mail and is also available on Teams.

02 SEP | New students | Induction Day | All day

03 SEP | All students (except new Preschool) | First Day of School | All day

08 SEP | New Preschool students | Preschool Start | All day

20 SEP | All Families | Picnic / Extra-Curricular Try Out Day | 10.00 AM to 02.00 PM

26 SEP | All students | Languages Day | All day

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

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

FIRST DAYS OF SCHOOL

School Start Dates:

• 2 September – Induction Day (new students)

• 3 September – First day (All students, except new Preschool)

• 8 September – Start for new Preschool students

Please follow the normal routine for a smooth transition, reassurance, and ensure you are fully prepared.

INDUCTION DAY PROGRAMME

9:30 - 10:30 - Meet the staff

Pre-school parents and children meet their Head Teachers in the Pre-school area.

Primary, Middle and Secondary parents meet with Rikke and Head of Section and Head teachers at the Library 

10:30 - 11:30 - Presentation for pre-school parents and their children in the Library - Rikke

10:30 - 11:30 -  Parents join the students and ambassadors and teachers (but HT) to a tour around school 

11:00 - 12:00 - snack + Support Desk: IT (Laura), Activities (Diogo), Parents' Association (Leonora)

ERASMUS+ PROGRAMME

As we start this new term, here’s something exciting to look forward to:

This school year, three teachers from each section will have the opportunity to take part in a job-shadowing experience abroad through the Erasmus+ programme. It’s a unique chance to spend five days in an inspiring school environment, observing, learning, and exploring new approaches to active learning and student agency.

Preschool and Primary: Sweden | 29 March – 4 April
Middle and Secondary: Denmark | 26 April – 2 May

Interested? Show your interest [here].

In addition, a group of Grade 8 students will visit a school in Czechia in January, and some Grade 9 students will travel to a school in Iceland in April. Two teachers will accompany each group. If you’d like to join, please contact Joana Cunha or Victoria Rivadeneyra.

Take this opportunity to embark on an inspiring professional adventure!

APRENDIZES ACTION RESEARCH PROGRAMME

Apply here until 17th of September

Focus Areas:

• Enhancing Student Agency

• Project-Based Learning (critical thinking, creativity, collaboration)

• Student-centred practices & positive behaviour

• Student-centred assessment strategies

• Learning support structures

• House System for belonging

• Leveraging AI for efficiency

Team Structure:

• Project teams up to 3 researchers

Face-to-Face Sessions:

• Fridays: one-on-one meetings e whole group workshops (16:00-18:30)

• Saturdays: Workshops, team work, light lunch (08:30-12:30)

Online Sessions:

• Whole-group briefings (45–60 mins)

• 1:1 check-ins with research groups

Programme Cycle:

• Sept–Dec: Reconnaissance (literature, questions, baseline data)

• Jan–Mar: Intervention e data collection

• Apr–Jun: Findings e presentations

• June: Rehearsals e workshops

Support:

• Google Site for guides e resources

• Check-ins available anytime with facilitators

PARKING INFORMATION

As explained this week, we remind everyone that staff may use the parking area on a rotating basis.

You can check the schedule here, and it is always posted in the staff room.

Please note: Staff can only park in the right and middle lanes, while the left lane is always reserved for parents.

During the first two weeks, parking is exclusive to parents.

ID CARD

We remind everyone that using the ID card is mandatory and must be used for check-in and check-out at school perimeters.

New staff will receive their cards by Monday, September 1. Those without a photo must urgently contact Communication (Vanessa Fevereiro).

If the card is forgotten during the year, manual entry/exit must be recorded with Bárbara Portugal.

STAFF HANDBOOK REMINDER

We remind all staff to read or re-read the Staff Handbook, where all the essential information to start the school year successfully is shared. It’s a great resource to get familiar with procedures, policies, and tips to make the year smooth and enjoyable.

Make sure you check it before the first day!

EXAM RESULTS

It is with immense joy and pride that we share the outstanding results achieved by our students in the IGCSE and A-Level examinations. These figures are not just statistics: they reflect the effort, dedication, and resilience of each student, the support of families, and the passion of our teachers.

At IGCSE level, 84.4% of exams achieved A–C*, and out of a total of 211 papers, over 25% were graded A/A*. In Modern Foreign Languages (French, Spanish, and German), the results were exceptional: of 17 entries, 16 were A*. In Sciences, we achieved 100% A–D and 92.6% A–C, while in Global Perspectives we also had 100% A–C, with almost half at A*/A. In First Languages (English and Portuguese), 89% achieved A–C*. One of our students distinguished herself by achieving 5 A*s and 3 As — a remarkable accomplishment that fills our entire community with pride.

At A-Level, we celebrate a 96.5% pass rate (A–E), with 23 A/As (27%) out of 85 papers taken. In Portuguese, all students achieved A or A*, demonstrating the excellence of our preparation. At AS Level, we recorded 88.2% A–E, marking a solid foundation for future success.

These achievements confirm that we are a school that nurtures brilliant minds and strong, principled hearts. The results show that we prepare students not only for exams but for life. Each success is a shared victory and a source of deep pride for our entire school community.

HOUSE SYSTEM IN SEPTEMBER

This September every student will join one of four epic houses — Ignis, Aqua, Terra, Ventus! From dodgeball battles to art challenges and science quests, houses earn points all year long.

It’s all about teamwork, spirit, and fun. Led by students, cheered on by staff — the House System brings everyone together in true Aprendizes style!

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