Our Team
We want our students to be good learners,
setting ourselves as their example.
Our role is fundamentally to act as partners of the students; as facilitators of key experiences. Emphasis is placed on positive interaction strategies: sharing control, focusing on their strengths.
Our team is carefully chosen for their talent, intelligence, ability to care, engage and share knowledge and, last but not least, their drive for continuous learning. Our entire team receives continuous training in behavioural, pedagogical and technical areas of interest for the continuous development and enhancement of their performance.
Every member of the Aprendizes team, across all sections, plays an important role as educators.
Teachers
Pedagogical Coordination
Therapies and Well Being
Support Staff
Kitchen and Maintenance
Team for Direction (TfD)
Board
Student Council
Student Involvement
We strongly value contributions and ideas and look forward to work together with parents and students on many different project.
Every class elects a student representative to join the student council. The student council has an active voice and participates in overall decisions relating to student life and the school in general.
Besides contributing to the development of the school policy, in areas that can have significant benefits for students, the student council also develops clubs, activities and other initiatives with its own budget to be able to implement their decisions.
Parents Organisation
Parents Involvement
We believe that a school should be made by a community that shares common values and purpose.
We highly value the input and ideas of parents and students, fostering collaboration on various initiatives and projects.
We view the school as a vibrant community within a broader societal context. Actively contributing to and engaging with the larger community is a cornerstone of our philosophy. Our approach emphasizes a horizontal and democratic structure, promoting open and meaningful dialogue with all members of our community to create a strong, inclusive, and cooperative environment.
PARENTS COFFEE MORNING
We host a monthly Coffee Morning for Parents from 8:45 to 9:30 AM, providing an open and informal opportunity for parents to meet with the leadership team.
These sessions are designed to address questions, share updates, and discuss any concerns or ideas, fostering transparent communication and a strong partnership between the school and families.
PARENTS, TEACHER AND STUDENTS ORGANISATION (PTSO)
The PTSO (Parents, Teachers, and Students Organisation) is established at the beginning of each academic year to foster collaboration and communication within our school community.
Every year, parent and student representatives are elected for each class. During the first parents’ meeting of the year, a parent representative and a deputy are chosen for each class. Similarly, student representatives are elected by their peers. These representatives act as the main points of contact for their respective classes, with the deputy taking over if the primary representative is unavailable.
The PTSO meets twice per term. During the first meeting, the Parent Organisation Committee (POC) is elected.
PARENTS ORGANISATION COMMITTEE (POC)
The POC serves as the leadership group for parent involvement in the school. Its role is to oversee and coordinate various parent-led initiatives, ensuring they align with the school’s goals and the community’s needs.
This structure enhances engagement and fosters effective communication between parents, teachers, and students, creating a dynamic and supportive school environment.
Animals
We believe that, and as various research has also shown, children benefit from being in close contact with animals.
Our dogs and cats are cherished members of the Aprendizes family.
As well as being beloved playmates, our animals play a crucial role in teaching the importance of respecting nature, nurturing empathy and instilling a sense of responsibility in our students.
Regular interaction with these furry companions also fosters emotional development and boosts self-esteem in children. Additionally, the presence of animals contributes to strengthening the children's immune systems, making them great partners in promoting overall well-being.
Alumni
"I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
Lucas Tito de Morais
Former student - class of 2023
Admitted to Nova School of Business and Economics with a 100% merit-based scholarship
honored with a Merit Award at the Cascais Municipality Education Gala
My journey with “Os Aprendizes” was a transformative experience that was crucial for my academic and personal growth. I joined the school in IGCSE 2, and from the start, “Os Aprendizes” provided me with a solid foundation of knowledge and discipline. Thanks to the stimulating environment and the dedication of the teachers, I managed to achieve top marks, excelling both in academic quality and exemplary behaviour.
During the A Level course, this foundation was essential for me to complete my journey with top marks, which allowed me to secure a coveted spot at Nova SBE, where I was admitted in 11th place in the Management course, out of 295 applicants!
At “Os Aprendizes”, I had the opportunity to be myself, to grow, and to express myself authentically. The welcoming and stimulating environment allowed me to develop not only my academic skills but also my confidence and vision for the future.
A crucial point in this journey was the constant support of Erwin Russell, the school’s owner. He always believed in my potential and was a source of inspiration and motivation. Erwin was not just a mentor but also a great friend, who encouraged me to keep going, even during the most challenging times. His support was fundamental in helping me achieve my goals and continue confidently on my path.
Another aspect that deeply impacted my experience at the school was the quality of the food. The meals at “Os Aprendizes” are simply wonderful, and while this may seem like a small detail, it reflects the care and attention the school gives to every aspect. Furthermore, all the staff, from the kitchen to administration, are people we can interact with as friends. They are always willing to help and provide a welcoming environment where we know we can count on them at any time.
These details show that a school of excellence goes far beyond academic education; it leaves memories that last a lifetime. “Os Aprendizes” is, without a doubt, a place where we learn to become better both inside and outside the classroom.
Receiving the Merit Award from the Cascais Chamber at the Cascais Education Gala 2023 and being awarded the “Nova SBE Excellence” scholarship for the Management course in 2023/2024, due to my top admission scores, were achievements that not only validate the impact of the education I received at “Os Aprendizes”, but also reinforce how much this school prepared me for success.
If I could offer advice to current students, I would say: take full advantage of the opportunities the school offers, always strive for excellence and, above all, stay disciplined and committed to your goals. The path to success is built with dedication, and “Os Aprendizes” is undoubtedly the perfect place to start this journey. We are privileged to be at a school like this, which, in addition to being excellent academically, is equally exceptional in the human aspect. In a world where this is becoming increasingly rare, the school offers us an environment where we can grow not only as students but as integral human beings, ready to face the future with confidence.
It was a pride to be part of the Aprendizes family!
Volunteer Parents
Our ultimate goal?
An active, engaged community, uniting parents and students.
If you are wondering how can you connect with us, we are looking for parents willing to act as volunteer parents, expanding our activities, improving clubs and organising different initiatives. Please send us your expression of interest, available days and hours!