Newsletter - Aspire International School Algarve

Year 6 Newsletter Mid September 2026

admin — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 11:37:39 +0000

Year 6 Newsletter Mid September 2026

This Week in Year 6

Our learners have been busy settling into the new term with a strong start across all subjects. Diagnostic tasks in English and Maths have helped us identify current strengths and areas for growth.

English: We revised grammar and writing skills while beginning our first shared reading text.
Maths: The focus has been on strengthening number knowledge and developing problem-solving strategies to prepare for more advanced work later this term.
Science: Learners were introduced to observation and enquiry skills.
Humanities: We began exploring our Term 1 theme, making connections between local and global contexts.

It’s been a positive and purposeful beginning to the year.

The Science of Reading

Reading is one of the most powerful tools for learning. Neuroscience shows that reading activates multiple parts of the brain, strengthening memory, language, and reasoning. Educational research highlights that learners who read daily:

Build larger vocabularies
Develop stronger comprehension
Perform better across all subjects

Beyond academics, psychologists note that reading also supports emotional growth, helping children practise empathy and perspective-taking.

Just 15–20 minutes of daily reading at home can expose learners to millions of words over the course of a year, giving them both academic and personal advantages.

Celebrations

Congratulations to Sam, who has been named our Star of the Week. His effort, positivity, and commitment to learning have been truly impressive. Well done, Sam!

Looking Ahead

Thank you, as always, for your continued support at home. By encouraging regular reading and positive routines, you’re helping your children lay the foundation for another exciting and successful week ahead in Year 6.

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Author: Michael Simonetti

Aspire International School – April & May Round-Up: Adventures, Achievements & Inspiring Experiences

admin — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 10:13:16 +0000

Aspire International School – April & May Round-Up: Adventures, Achievements & Inspiring Experiences

An Unforgettable Spring at Aspire

April and May at Aspire International School have been bursting with energy, learning, and joyful moments. From field trips and wildlife encounters to academic achievements and community projects, here’s a round-up of everything that’s been going on at AIS!

Camp Jovem: Learning Through Adventure

Our Year 5 to 7 students embarked on a three-day adventure at Campo Jovem. With activities like paintball, tree climbing, Himalayan bridges, and canoeing, students pushed boundaries, built confidence, and formed stronger bonds.

“It was my first time away from home—and it was amazing!” – Year 6 Student

Technology-free and surrounded by nature, the camp proved to be a truly transformative experience for many.

ReptiMundo Reptile Encounter

AIS recently welcomed ReptiMundo, a reptile protection group, for a fascinating live session with snakes, tarantulas, chameleons, and more. Students had the opportunity to learn about each animal and even hold them!

A hands-on experience that taught empathy, confidence, and environmental awareness—thank you to ReptiMundo and all our supportive parents!

25 de Abril: Celebrating Portugal’s Freedom Day

Our Primary students dove into the history of the Portuguese revolution, learning about life before democracy and the importance of civil rights. They crafted red carnations (the symbol of the revolution) and explored new vocabulary through music, art, and storytelling.

A powerful way to connect with Portugal’s cultural heritage.

Cross Country Day: Running with Spirit

Our whole school came together for a fantastic Cross Country event, filled with laughter, cheers, and sunshine. The Yellow House emerged victorious! Parents joined the fun, and brave students got to “pie the teachers” in good spirit.

Thank you to everyone who made it such a memorable day!

Beach Clean-Up in Vale do Lobo

AIS students joined forces with local schools and Infralobo for a massive beach clean-up, collecting over 270kg of waste. This event offered valuable lessons in environmental stewardship while enjoying the beauty of our coastlines.

Celebrating Student Achievements

Secondary students completed their IGCSE and A level exams—congratulations!
Year 6 students finished their transition program and are ready to begin Secondary.
Spring Hat Competition Winner Maxwell from Year 2A enjoyed a special trip to Jardim Vista for his creativity.

What’s Coming Up?

Lake Day (June 26): A school tradition to celebrate the end of term.
Children’s Day Walk (June 1): A fun walk around Almancil with our local community.
Graduation Ceremony (June 27): Join us for a full-school celebration!

Aspire in Action

From nurturing academic excellence to fostering global citizenship, every month at Aspire brings new growth, discoveries, and reasons to celebrate.

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Aspire Highlights – February/March 2025

admin — Sun, 06 Apr 2025 18:00:59 +0000

Aspire Highlights – February/March 2025

As we wrap up another exciting half-term at Aspire International School, we’re taking a moment to look back at some of the incredible experiences and events that have shaped the past few weeks.

From colourful hats and community fun to skiing in the Alps and celebrating the joy of books — it’s been a season to remember!

🌸 Spring Fair 2025 – A Celebration of Community

Our school grounds came alive with colour, creativity, and community spirit for the annual Spring Fair. From interactive student stalls and delicious international food to fantastic live performances by Isa Brito, DJ Varela, and Isabella Robinson, the day was bursting with energy.

^{Highlights included the much-loved Spring Hat Competition, a lively karaoke finale, and visits from residents of ASCA Almancil, continuing our beautiful intergenerational connection.}

🎿 Skiing in the Italian Alps

Students from Years 10 to 13 headed off to Prato Nevoso, Italy for a week on the slopes. Whether first-timers or seasoned skiers, everyone embraced the adventure — complete with karaoke nights, alpine views, and night skiing!

Exploring the World of Learning

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• Geography Boat Trip – Students explored coastal erosion and Algarve’s natural formations from Vilamoura to Benagil.

• International University Fair – Years 11–13 met global university reps at the Hilton Vilamoura, gathering inspiration and guidance for the future.

Year 6 Visit ASCA

Our Year 6 students shared smiles, songs, and stories with the elderly residents at Associação Social Cultural de Almancil, continuing a heartwarming project that strengthens empathy and connection across generations.

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World Book Day

A favourite Aspire tradition! Older students read aloud to younger peers, promoting a love of books and building bonds across year groups. As always, their storytelling was full of heart.

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Global Maths Challenge + House Points

Well done to all who participated in the Global Maths Challenge — with special recognition to Tony, Rocco, Jamie, and Herman for their award-winning results. Meanwhile, Red House is leading the house point race!

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What’s Coming Up?

• Easter Revision Sessions for exam groups

• Exciting trips including Loulé Salt Mine and Seville

• Ancient Civilisation Book Presentations in Primary

• And much more!

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Download the full newsletter here (PDF): [Click Here]

Don’t forget to check out the photos on Aspire Instagram Or Aspire Facebook

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Author – Chris Hill

Exciting Highlights from December & January

admin — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 12:37:00 +0000

As we step into 2025, Aspire International School (AIS) reflects on a successful start to the academic year. From outstanding student achievements to exciting extracurricular activities, our school community continues to thrive. Here’s a look at some of the latest updates, accomplishments, and upcoming events shaping our learning journey.

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A Warm Welcome to the New Year

Although January is already behind us, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to all our AIS families. Your ongoing support and collaboration are invaluable in fostering an environment where students can flourish. We look forward to a year filled with learning, growth, and success!

Your Feedback Matters: Parent & Student Surveys

At AIS, we continuously strive for improvement, and we value the input of both parents and students. Thank you to all the parents who took the time to complete the end-of-term survey—your insights can help us refine our approach and enhance the educational experience.

Students also had their say through a learner survey, ensuring that their voices were heard and their experiences considered. We believe that happy, motivated students achieve their full potential, and their feedback is essential in shaping a positive learning environment.

If you haven’t completed the parent survey yet, there’s still time! You can share your thoughts here: Survey Link.

Your Feedback Matters

Academic Excellence: Raising Standards in 2025

The secondary school has kicked off the year with a strong academic focus. The term started with A-level module exams, quickly followed by the release of GCSE and A-level results from the October and November sittings. We are incredibly proud of our student’s achievements, with several notable successes:

Mayra Boevska made an extraordinary leap in Economics, improving her grade from a 3 to a 9, showcasing perseverance and dedication.
Sofia Powers-Ruiz impressed everyone by sitting her English exam two years early, earning a grade of 7.
Julia Berglund accomplished a rare feat by achieving full marks in her English exam—an outstanding achievement!

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Additionally, Key Stage 3 students have been undergoing assessments in English, Maths, and Science, with reports for Years 7, 8, and 9 set to be released next week. Looking ahead, our focus now turns to Year 11 students, who are preparing for their final exams in May.

Year 11 students, who are preparing for their final exams in May with Ian Bailey

At Aspire International School, we are committed to their success through:

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✔️ Life Skills lessons that emphasise SMART goal setting and effective revision planning.

✔️ A staff-student mentoring program, offering individualised support.

✔️ Older students mentoring younger pupils, fostering academic growth and leadership.

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Our mission in 2025 is clear: to raise standards and ensure every student reaches their full potential.

‍AIS & Almancil School: A Sporting Partnership – Sports are an essential part of student development, and we’re thrilled to announce our new partnership with Almancil School. This collaboration will open doors for exciting inter-school sporting events, community engagement, and skill-building opportunities.

To kick things off, our students recently enjoyed an afternoon of badminton and indoor rock climbing at the Almancil Pavilion. We look forward to many more friendly matches and athletic experiences in the months ahead!

Community engagement, and skill-building opportunities

Exploring the Past: Primary School’s Ancient Civilisations Project at AIS, we go beyond the curriculum to create engaging, interactive projects that unite classes and bring learning to life. This term, our primary students are diving into history by exploring ancient civilisations, including:

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The Egyptians
The Stone Age
The Greeks
The Romans
The Vikings

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Each class will collaborate to create a book based on their research and discoveries. At the end of the term, students will receive a real printed copy of their book, celebrating their hard work and creativity. This cross-curricular project integrates Geography, History, Music, English, Portuguese, and Art, helping students connect their knowledge across subjects.

To celebrate their achievements, primary parents will be invited to an author-signing event, where students can showcase their published work. We can’t wait to see what they create!

‍A Special Guest in Year 3. Our Year 3 students were fortunate to welcome Dr Erich Fisher, a senior research scientist at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Archaeology and the Evolution of Human Behaviour. Specialising in African prehistoric archaeology and human evolution, Dr Fisher led an insightful discussion on the Stone Age, sparking curiosity and excitement among students.

Excitingly, Dr Fisher is launching a kid-friendly podcast exploring maritime adaptations in human history. Stay tuned for updates and check out the trailer here: Before Us Podcast. Innovative & Interactive Learning: “Wow” Lessons AIS, we recognise that every child learns differently. While some thrive with traditional methods, others benefit from hands-on, interactive lessons that make learning exciting and memorable.

Dr Erich Fisher, a senior research scientist at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Archaeology

Our teachers work hard to design engaging lessons that encourage teamwork, problem-solving, and real-world application of knowledge. These “wow” lessons help students stay motivated, curious, and eager to learn. We’re incredibly proud of our dedicated teachers for their creativity and effort in making education enjoyable for every student.

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‍Due to Popular Demand: Our Second Fair is Coming!

‍Following the overwhelming success of our first multicultural fair, we are excited to announce our second fair on March 21st! This event will feature new initiatives, fresh activities, and even more opportunities for fun and community engagement. Mark your calendars, and stay tuned for more details—we can’t wait to share what’s in store! Exciting Upcoming Events Secondary School:

University Fair – Learn about higher education opportunities.
Global Maths Challenge – A test of problem-solving and logic skills.
Inter-house Science Competition – A friendly academic challenge.

AIS Spring School Fair

Primary School:

Spelling Bee Competition – A test of vocabulary and spelling skills.
Visit to ASCA – Lar de Almancil – A meaningful community outreach experience.
Market Visits – Learning through real-world interactions.
Ski Trip to Italy – An adventure of learning and fun on the slopes!

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At Aspire International School, we encourage our students to be kind, work hard, and reach higher. We look forward to another term of incredible achievements, learning experiences, and exciting events. Stay connected with us for more updates, and thank you for being part of our vibrant AIS community!

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Author – Daniela André