The Portugal News • 16 Apr 2016 iTIME TO LEARN

TIME TO LEARNThere is a ‘Time to Learn’ in every person’s life. From theyoung, who love to learn, to the elderly who stay youngbecause they are willing to go on learning. The gatheringof more knowledge is a favourite topic for everyone.

Make exams stress freeAll parents want their chil-

dren to achieve their full poten-tial, and one key way of doingthat is through performing wellin exams.

This desire to pass with flyingcolours means that as testingtime approaches, it’s not onlystudents who are getting anx-ious. Parents are often equally

stressed about how well theirkids will perform, and desper-ately want to do everything intheir power to help them suc-ceed.

But most , simply don’t knowthe best way to do that - andthat’s where A-level teacherApril Miller hopes she can lenda hand.

Miller has written How ToHelp Your Teenager AchieveExam Success in a bid to guideparents through the examminefield, looking at not onlyrevision and motivation, butalso at how a wide variety ofother factors including food,exercise, thinking and emo-tions can affect exam success.

But while it’s crucial forparents to help their teenagersduring the exam period, Millerstresses that helping is differ-ent from pushing.

“Concerned parents shouldbe involved, but that’s notabout pushing teenagers tobecome top of the class. It’sabout releasing your teenag-er’s natural abilities, and free-ing them from societal influ-ences in order to achieve theirfull potential.

“Research shows thatparents are the biggest influ-ence on their teenagers’ aca-demic success and careerchoice. Being involved showsyou’re interested in your teen-ager. They may protest whenparents get involved, butunderneath they appreciate it.”

Miller suggests parentsshould let their child decidewhen to study but insist thatthey do; look at their diariesand books; encourage them toinvite friends for study andprovide snacks and drinks;and talk to their teachers.

She stresses that parentalinfluence on teenagers’ aca-demic success runs throughevery aspect of their lives, butsummarises the key points as:

:: Teenagers still need pa-rental help and guidance.

:: They need to developcritical thinking skills in order toassess their own abilities anddevelop good study behav-iours.

:: Helping teenagers have afocus raises achievement.

:: Encouraging a balanceddiet and exercise helps a teen-ager achieve their best.

:: Ensure technology islimited or used positively, toencourage stress reductionand good sleep habits.

:: Promote listening.:: Encourage your teenager

to produce their own revisionresources.

:: Use reinforcement toencourage your teenager to dowhat you want them to do.

On a practical level, studentslearn through processing,which involves changing theform of the information theyneed.

“When we process informa-tion, we remember it,” explainsMiller, who says processingincludes using mind maps,producing revision recordingsand revision cards.

The use of colour is alsohelpful, she says, and teenag-ers should have good re-sources such as coloured pensand cards, as well as dictionar-ies, and a quiet place to work.

What isn’t needed, how-ever, are expensive commer-cially-produced revision books,Miller insists. She says they’reoften generic and full of jargon,and may not include specificmaterial teenagers have beentaught.

“They also tend to result inteenagers simply reading,which is the least effective form

Learning for life

of revision.”She points out that critical

thinking is an important aspectof academic success, explain-ing that such thinking helpsteenagers revise their work asthey go along and ask ques-tions that lead to evaluation.She suggests a good strategyto help teenagers think criticallyis to ask them to think of afriend who’s doing well aca-demically and why this is.

“Teenagers often see thesuccess of others as being dueto innate ability and fail to ana-lyse the behaviours that gener-ate success,” she explains.

“If you can help your teen-ager with this process, they willbegin to think critically andbecome more likely to imple-ment some of the behavioursthat lead to success.”

But she says the most effec-tive tool for students is to beself-reflective - assessing whatdid and didn’t go well, and whatcan be done to improve futureperformance.

PA

Learning core values likerespect, honesty and com-passion, is just as importantas the Three Rs (reading,writing and arithmetic) , saysformer headteacher Dr NeilHawkes.

Dr Neil Hawkes hasstarted a “quiet revolution” -to see more schools embracecore morals and values, likekindness and honesty, andplace as much importanceon them as maths, Englishand science.

Most parents want theirchildren to grow up with astrong set of values, andbecome ‘decent’ adults, andHawkes believes that schoollife plays a crucial part in this.

Nurturing things like com-passion, respect, honesty,truthfulness and caring forothers, is just as important aslearning the Three Rs - and,according to Hawkes’sresearch in the UK and Aus-tralia, 87% of parents agree.

“Our values should under-pin everything in our lives.Children need to be taughtabout values in the sameway they are taught bounda-ries,” he says.

“The balance in society istipping, The materialistic sidehas gathered pace and we areincreasingly influenced by a‘me’ culture.

“All of this decline has hap-pened in our lifetimes, and it’sup to us now to tackle theproblem and reverse the trend.”

It was while working as aheadteacher in a primaryschool in Oxfordshire thatHawkes began to recognisehow these elements werelacking, and he started devel-oping his Values-based Educa-tion philosophy, during theNineties.

“My mission now is to expandthe concept to more and moreschools. The prize is that it willhelp us and our children toenjoy happier and more fulfillinglives,” he says.

“Values-based education’snot a quick fix, it’s a culturechange which has a hugelypositive impact on those whopractice it,” he adds.

In order for it to work, it’s notjust a question of teachingabout values, in the traditionalsense - Hawkes explains thatuniversal positive values (likecompassion, respect, honesty,

truth, trust, perseverance andcare for others in lessons)should be taught and demon-strated in practice by teach-ers, as a thread runningthrough every aspect ofschool life.

“You can’t teach aboutvalues from a board,” ex-plains Hawkes, “they have tobe seen in practice.

“Our behaviour is shapedby what we see. If childrenare surrounded by bad exam-ples, what chance do theyhave to formulate good prac-tice?”

And it’s not just aboutschools, he adds - parentsneed to accept their role indeveloping values too, andit’s a philosophy that could beembraced by communitiesand workplaces as well.

While most, if not all,schools will already covercharacter and morals to someextent, the difference forHawkes is that he believes itshould underpin everything.

“We want our children tobe good learners and lovelypeople at the same time,” hesays, adding that embracingthe concept can have widerbenefits too, like increasedattentiveness and moreharmonious classrooms andplaygrounds.

Pupils also have a greatersense of belonging and fair-ness.

“If you create a schoolatmosphere that has goodrelationships, you’re morelikely to have better aca-demic outcomes,” he says.

“I agree we need highacademic standards, butacademic diligence is im-proved, and that leads tobetter standards, when youhave a values-based atmos-phere.

“Start looking for the posi-tive and using positive psy-chology, and you’ll findstandards are raised quitenaturally.”

PA

ii The Portugal News • 16 Apr 2016TIME TO LEARN

Healing Circle andSacred Sites Retreats

The central hub of HealingCircle Retreats is located in themystical mountains ofMonchique and is called BicaBoa B&B. From there you havemany options to create yourown inner journey, whether thisbe as an individual or in a groupfor a short visit or a longer stay.The Medicine Wheel Retreatsoffer several tailor-made heal-ing options, which will take youon a journey with differentpractitioners in the area of theAlgarve to discover your ownunique healing methods. Wetherefore give you the opportu-nity to create your own healingpackage with the treatmentsthat suit you best. We believein connecting the dots so thatyou can get a clearer under-standing of your own holisticpicture.

Hop on board our SacredSites Retreats where we takeyou to some of Portugal’s mostfascinating ancient sites. Weoffer you an all-inclusive tour ofneolithic locations from menhirsto dolmens, through caves anddinosaur footprints, naturalparks and sacred Roman andKnights Templar monuments allacross Portugal. In our nine-seater bus we take you acrossthe different locations and offerseveral destination packageswith high quality places to stayand enjoy.

True Nature Retreats bringswalks, talks and meditation to away of life more in balance withourselves and our planet. Weinvite you to open up your heartto nature, animals and innersilence in the Monchique re-gion of the Algarve where ouraim is to restore our deep-rooted calling for a true senseof love, connection and a realsense of purpose.

In addition we also offer aPermaculture Design course tobring you in direct contact with

a natural way of life in connec-tion with nature and design.This retreat gives you thechance to experiment with yourown innate wisdom whilstlearning other key methods ofworking with your surroundingsat your own pace and level ofunderstanding.

Find out more informationthrough our website:www.healingcircleretreats.comand follow us on facebook tokeep up to date with newevents.

Loading the future...OIS - Oeiras International School, an English medium school, offers theOIS - Oeiras International School, an English medium school, offers theOIS - Oeiras International School, an English medium school, offers theOIS - Oeiras International School, an English medium school, offers theOIS - Oeiras International School, an English medium school, offers theInternational Baccalaureate (IB) programmes (ages 10-18) for Years 6 toInternational Baccalaureate (IB) programmes (ages 10-18) for Years 6 toInternational Baccalaureate (IB) programmes (ages 10-18) for Years 6 toInternational Baccalaureate (IB) programmes (ages 10-18) for Years 6 toInternational Baccalaureate (IB) programmes (ages 10-18) for Years 6 to11( IB-MYP/Middle Years Programme ) and Years 12 and 13 (IB-DP/Di-11( IB-MYP/Middle Years Programme ) and Years 12 and 13 (IB-DP/Di-11( IB-MYP/Middle Years Programme ) and Years 12 and 13 (IB-DP/Di-11( IB-MYP/Middle Years Programme ) and Years 12 and 13 (IB-DP/Di-11( IB-MYP/Middle Years Programme ) and Years 12 and 13 (IB-DP/Di-ploma and IB-CP/Careers Programme), where students with a range ofploma and IB-CP/Careers Programme), where students with a range ofploma and IB-CP/Careers Programme), where students with a range ofploma and IB-CP/Careers Programme), where students with a range ofploma and IB-CP/Careers Programme), where students with a range ofabilities find success.abilities find success.abilities find success.abilities find success.abilities find success.

This non-for-profit schoolwas founded in 2010 by agroup of parents and teachersdeeply committed to academicexcellence and intellectualrigour.

OIS promotes quality educa-tion and values in a changingworld, encouraging students tobecome responsible for theirown learning. The school mottoisSapere Aude (Dare to Learn).OIS has an innovative andcreative character, provides an

environment of openness andmutual respect, and developsthe individual talents of eachand every student. The factthat OIS is located at the beau-tiful Quinta de Nossa Senhorada Conceição in Barcarena(Oeiras), 10 minutes from cen-tral Lisbon, allows for this philo-sophical statement to actuallybecome true.

Extracurricular and co-curricular activities focus oncreativity. Community service

central to all IB programmes isbased on the Duke of Edin-burgh Award/Prémio InfanteD.Henrique, restoring theQuinta and supporting the localcommunities around theschool. A huge variety of sportsactivities are also provided.Merit scholarships are availableon a yearly basis. For moreinformation, please consult theschool web site atwww.oeirasinternationalschool.com.

The Portugal News • 16 Apr 2016 iiiTIME TO LEARN

Bilingual education at VVIS primary schoolSince establishing the

school in 2002, Louise de Beerhas had a passion to ensurethat VVIS students becomefully bilingual in their host coun-try. She decided to researchthe benefits and disadvan-tages of bilingual educationand after she completed herMasters Degree at OxfordBrookes University in BilingualEducation, her passion cameto fruition. Studies showedthat by introducing a child to asecond language during theirformation years, their cognitivedevelopment (a key aspect inacademic achievement) ishigher than those of monolin-

gual children. By introducing asecond language in teaching inthe initial stages, young learn-ers are able to grasp the funda-mentals of an additional lan-guage more easily and rapidly.Having been convinced ofthese facts, Mrs de Beer de-cided to introduce a BilingualEducation Programme at VVISPrimary School in 2008.

In order to achieve this goal,children at VVIS are taught inboth languages within a struc-tured curriculum framework.Subject areas in PortugueseareEstudo do Meio, Cozinha eComida, EVT, Música, Teatro,Cultura e Tradições &

Educação Física. The EnglishNational Curriculum is still fol-lowed to include subject areassuch as English Literacy, Nu-meracy, Science and Humani-ties.

With the Bilingual PrimaryProject at VVIS now well-estab-lished, it is evident that VVISstudents are able to understandboth languages after one year,and are able to communicate inboth languages after two years.By the end of their primary edu-cation, students are fully bilin-gual.

Being bilingual can giveyoung people a huge boost,preparing them for a futurewhere they’ll work, study andlive in an increasingly multilin-gual and multicultural Europe.

Benefits ofBilingualEducation

· Children in bilingual educationconsistently show improvedinterest and motivation in learningin two languages

· Parents are enthused at theidea of their children being able tocommunicate in both English andPortuguese (sometimes on theirbehalf!)

· Teachers are experiencing agrowing sense of satisfaction atpupils’ growth

· Learning in two languages notonly contributes to the progress ofthe children in their first language,but improves children’s cognitivedevelopment.

SECONDARYEDUCATION &ADVANCEDLEVELS AT VVIS

Secondary students at VVISfollow the Cambridge Interna-tional and/or Edexcel Examina-tions to prepare them for the

IGCSE and AICE qualificationsbefore entering university.

Subjects taught at IGCSEand Advanced Levels are:English First Language, Lit-erature in English, Portu-guese, French, Mathematics,Physics, Chemistry, Biology,Geography, History, Informa-tion Communication Technol-ogy, Business Studies and Art

& Design.In addition to the above

subjects, Travel & Tourismand Sociology are available atAdvanced Levels, subject todemand.

For further information, goto the school’s website atwww.vvis.org or contactadmissions@vvis.org or tel-ephone 282-697205.

iv The Portugal News • 16 Apr 2016TIME TO LEARN

New Leadership Team RevitalizesNobel International School Algarve

Welcome to St.

Dominic’s International

School in Lisbon

St Dominic’s has long playedan important part in education inPortugal, being one of the firstschools, globally, to introduce aprogramme from the Interna-tional Baccalaureate Organisa-tion (IBO). It remains the onlythree programme IB school inthe country, offering the PrimaryYears Programme (PYP), theMiddle Years Programme (MYP)

and the Diploma Programme(DP) to close to six hundredstudents from around the world.While we recognise the impor-tance of academic achieve-ment, we believe that educationis more than academic resultsand so, as an inclusive school,we identify, encourage andnurture students in whateverfield their interests and talents

may lie. Hence we have astrong emphasis on the arts,capitalising on the varied artistictraditions of our internationalcommunity, on sport and oncommunity service.Also, our school is committed tomake the SDIS experienceavailable to all with the SummerSchool Programme during themonth of July.

After nearly 45 years ofoperation, Nobel InternationalSchool Algarve has found anew sense of purpose andexcitement under a new leader-ship team. The faculty, staff,students and parents are cel-ebrating renewed enthusiasmand engagement as the schoolprepares to welcome its newhead in May.

The largest private educa-tion institution in southernPortugal, the school was family-owned until its purchase byNobel Education Network in2012. Last year, the Nobelboard empowered a new lead-ership team to reinvent theschool, building upon pastsuccesses and preparing forthe future as part of the Nobelnetwork, which includes inter-national schools in Oman,Turkey, Austria, and Vietnam.

“Discovery,” the WorldTopic that guides the aca-demic programme and cultureat Nobel Algarve, helped in-spire key changes in theschool’s management andlearning environment. Theschool was rebranded asNobel International SchoolAlgarve, and changes weremade to strengthen its financialcondition. Play areas andsports facilities were improved,an organic garden wasplanted, and space set asidefor teachers to collaborate oninstruction. In 2014, an Englishlanguage summer school wasintroduced.

Faculty and parents re-sponded quickly to thechanges. Teachers, most ofwhom stayed on through thetransition, have been moti-

vated to find new ways toengage their students.

“So many things improvedthat it changed the view of ourparents, as well” , says Fran-cisco Claro, Head of the Na-tional Section. “We began toget from them the most impor-tant thing, which is trust. Theytrust their children to us, so theyhave to trust that we are doinga good job.”

Nobel Algarve actuallyoperates two schools on thebeautiful southern coast, in-cluding the only boardingschool in Portugal. The board-ing programme provides stu-dents with a degree of freedomthat builds a sense of personalresponsibility and self-confi-dence. Boarders stay in amodern residence facility withseparate wings for boys andgirls, comfortable en- suitedouble rooms, and access torecreation and IT facilities, aswimming pool, and the beach.

The main campus in Lagoa isdivided into national and inter-national sections for students3-18, while the Espiche cam-pus hosts a second interna-tional primary school for stu-dents aged 3-10. One of therecent innovations includesbringing students from thenational and internationalsections together more often tolearn and interact.

“One year ago, we were twodifferent schools,” says MariaTomé, Head of the Interna-tional School. “Now we do asmuch as possible together. Forexample, our Christmas playfeatured students from bothsections performing together.This had never happened

before, and it is more in line withthe Nobel model.”

The theme of Discovery hasbeen incorporated into everyaspect of the school. Studentsare encouraged to discovertheir academic subjects, par-ents are invited to participateand engage whilst contestsand extra-curricular activitiesoffer additional avenues fordiscovery. Off campus, stu-dents can discover the won-ders of the Algarve, includingpristine beaches, coastalhikes, nearby castles andvillages.

“Five hundred years ago, aPortuguese guy with a woodenboat discovered Brazil,” saysMr. Claro. “We embrace thathistory and tradition. We wantto be a global school in the spiritof the early discoverers. Wewant our pupils to study here,and then to go out into theworld and discover the world.”

About Nobel EducationalNetwork:

The Nobel Education Net-work operates internationalschools across Europe, theMiddle East and Asia that worktogether to empower studentsto make positive contributionsto our world. Nobel wasfounded in 2010 with the goalof changing a bland educationsystem by establishing interna-tional schools committed tonurturing global citizenship andindividual talent. Through ouracademic framework, we workto make a meaningful impacton the world by contributingtowards a future with greaterfreedom, opportunity and well-being for all.

The Portugal News • 16 Apr 2016 vTIME TO LEARN

vi The Portugal News • 16 Apr 2016TIME TO LEARN

Come horse riding!We teach fortomorrow

Colégio S. Gonçalo is a bilingual private schoolColégio S. Gonçalo is a bilingual private schoolColégio S. Gonçalo is a bilingual private schoolColégio S. Gonçalo is a bilingual private schoolColégio S. Gonçalo is a bilingual private schoolthat welcomes babies from 4-months-old up tothat welcomes babies from 4-months-old up tothat welcomes babies from 4-months-old up tothat welcomes babies from 4-months-old up tothat welcomes babies from 4-months-old up tochildren aged 10.children aged 10.children aged 10.children aged 10.children aged 10.

A school awarded twice bythe Portuguese Ministry ofEducation as the best school inthe Algarve. Colégio S.Gonçalo has activities such asGym, Music, Meditation, Cook-ing, Pedagogical Gardening,Ballet, Karate, Hip-hop, Yoga,Zumba and Swimming.

With a multicultural environ-

ment gathering more than 13nationalities this year, it pro-vides a bilingual education inPre-school and an introductionto a second language in thenursery. At a Primary level itfollows the Portuguese Na-tional Curriculum with Cam-bridge English Language Ex-aminations.

In a building of more than3000 square meters in a stun-ning setting built from scratch, itis furnished with the most mod-ern and sophisticated techno-logical tools and teachingmaterials, with 2 gyms, a cin-ema and 3 playgrounds. Everydetail was thought through,from quality to safety and fromphysical comfort to visual de-sign and decor, all of which areindispensable to a successfuleducational institution.

The annual activity plan hasstudy visits and all sorts of activi-ties with children, parents, familyand the entire community. Itdevelops an annual satisfactionsurvey, having in 2015 – 98,2%of positive aspects.

Open all year and from 8amto 7pm, it provides transport toand from Lagos. In 2015 it wasthe best school in Lagos in the‘National Primary Ranking’Portuguese exam and secondin the Mathematics exam.

Colégio S. Gonçalo bringstogether a qualified and moti-vated English-speaking team,English spoken, who dedicatetheir passion in teaching chil-dren to be well balanced, help-ing them to form their personal-ity and promote the best devel-opment of their skills, for a moresuccessful and better future.

Centro Hipico QPA, based inBensafrim, near Lagos, holds aweekly Kids Pony Club. EverySaturday morning, groups ofchildren start their weekend bygetting the ponies ready forlessons, participating in les-sons (all different levels),hacks and the general care ofponies. Once every fewmonths we will hold a friendlycompetition where the childrencan show off their newly-learned skills. Once a year weparticipate in the horse eventcalled Fetaal – where all kidsget a chance to compete andput on a display. We haveponies and horses of differentsizes, but whether big or small,each pony has his/her ownfan club; some even have theirown Facebook page!

Horse riding has beenproven to be very beneficial tochildren (and adults!) for manyreasons. It is one of the fewsports that don’t finish at theend of a lesson: the horse stillneeds to be untacked andgroomed before it is put away.It needs feeding and freshwater. This alone teacheschildren a sense of responsibil-ity, understanding and dedica-tion. Horse riding has severalphysical benefits too. It is asport that will aid in musclestrengthening, balance andcoordination. The workout isnot limited to the actual ridingeither, as the activities sur-rounding the riding are physi-cally demanding too.

Many children also experi-ence mental benefits. It isgreat for their social skills asmost riding lessons and activi-ties are carried out in groupswith other children their agewho share their love of ponies.The companionship theyexperience from looking afterthe ponies has actual thera-peutic benefits and will notonly teach your child a senseof discipline, but will also boosttheir self esteem as it is quitean accomplishment to be ableto look after and ride an animalmore than twice your size.

QPA also runs three, weeklysessions for Riding for theDisabled. In cooperation withthe RDA Barlavento charity,these sessions are for thestudents and patients at NECIand Santa Amaro. The physi-cal and mental benefits thatthe people experience fromthe horse’s natural move-ments, or a simple touch areastonishing.

If you would like more infor-mation about our Kids PonyClub, or lessons and hacks foradults, please email:qpahorseriding@gmail.com

The Portugal News • 16 Apr 2016 viiTIME TO LEARN

Preparing today’schildren for their(unknown) futures

Guiding and inspiring students in anatmosphere of willing co-operation

Located in a large, con-verted farmhouse on sevenacres of idyllic protected land,Aljezur International School is aunique secondary schoolwhere lessons are taught insmall groups with great atten-tion given to individual aca-demic needs.

Younger students learnthrough a programme of inte-grated study and term topics,while a wide range of Cam-bridge IGCSE, AS and A levelsubjects are offered to studentsas they progress through theyears.

Advanced level students aregiven real opportunities to beinnovative and cultivate theirskills. This term a student of

Travel and Tourism organiseda two-day, star-gazing field tripto Noudar for 26 pupils andstaff and, as part of their GlobalPerspectives studies, twostudents organised a debateon Oil Exploration in the Al-garve. They created a publicsurvey and presented expertsfrom the field who took part inthe debate, and spoke on thesubject to the whole school.

Several exciting venturesare taking shape this year,reflecting the school’s interestin environmental issues and itsaffiliation with the Unesco NetSchools Project. The creationof a “food forest” has givenstudents from all year groupspractical experience in plan-

ning, designing and plantingwhat is now a thriving fruit andvegetable garden. This hasrecently included hands-onexperience in installing anirrigation system. Youngerstudents have carried out asurvey of the river that runsthrough the school grounds,and have constructed survivalshelters on the riverbank aspart of their ‘Mission to Mars’project.

Drama plays an importantrole in the school year, culmi-nating in an annual outdoortheatre performance. Theevent celebrates links betweenthe school and the local com-munity, and all pupils, parentsand friends of the school par-ticipate both on-stage andbehind the scenes. The themefor the play this year will be“Space”, and it will take placeon Friday 1 ,July.

As Aljezur Internationalschool is an open CambridgeExamination centre, it wel-comes external students whowish to sit exams in both thesummer and autumn sessions.

A private coach service isoffered to students for travelbetween the school and Alvor,Lagos and Bensafrim.

Further information about theschool and the curriculumoffered can be found onwww.aljezur-international.orgor by contacting info@aljezur-international.org.

The way our parents workedand socialized is not the same asours. It is impossible to predictwhat the world will be like whenour children are adults. Howcan we educate a child for

success when we do not knowexactly what knowledge or skillswill be needed or what careerswill emerge? For the CarlucciAmerican International School ofLisbon (CAISL), the answer is to

cultivate in its students the desireto learn and the ability and self-confidence to do so in the corecurricular areas of academics,athletics and arts, developingthe “whole child”.

The Carlucci American International School of Lisbon (CAISL), founded in 1956, is a non-profit,non-denominational, coeducational day school that offers the best of American educationalprograms, philosophy, and methodologies to approximately 650 students from Early Childhood(age three) through grade 12 (approximately age 18). Making the most of our host country Portu-gal and with an international community, CAISL provides a blending of American, International,and Portuguese education which makes it unique.

All students at CAISL areencouraged to “do their best”as one of CAISL’s core values.Teachers provide focusedattention and an individualizedresponse to each child’s edu-cational needs. Students learnthrough inquiry and exploration,problem-solving and creativitywith the guidance of theirteachers and the resources oftechnology. Each student isactively involved in learning,seeking knowledge and devel-oping critical thinking skills.Students learn to meet chal-lenges and overcome difficul-ties with a belief in their ownability to do so—essential to life-long learning.

Along with confidence andperseverance, CAISL studentsdevelop leadership and team-work skills through programssuch as Model United Nations.The High School (IberianMUN) version brings togetherover 300 students from aroundthe world. This program, andits Junior version (dedicated tothe Middle School), are organ-ized entirely by CAISL studentswho exercise leadership andmanagerial roles while engag-ing in public debate on worldissues. They learn about the

structure and function of theUnited Nations, conduct re-search, investigate interna-tional issues, take on diplo-matic and leadership roles, anddebate, deliberate and designsolutions to the world’s prob-lems with their student peers.

For students to learn in to-day’s digital age, they must alsohave the right tools for learning.CAISL incorporates technologyand the teaching of technologi-cal skills into its program. Asexamples, young studentsdevelop computational skillsincluding basic programming by

learning with floor robots; eachstudent from grades 3 through12 has a computer for his/herown use; beginning in Grade 6the student may also take thecomputer home. Having suchtools readily available en-hances the learning opportuni-ties for each student.

Preparing children for thefuture means giving them theskills and attitudes, the enthusi-asm and the perseverance tomeet the challenges of life withthe confidence to succeed.That is the essence of what istaught at CAISL.

A CAISL student may graduate with two internationally-recognized Diplomas.All CAISL High School students (Grades 9 through 12) take a course of study leading to the

American High School Diploma. With this Diploma, CAISL graduates enter university in Portu-gal, the United States, the United Kingdom and universities around the world.

Most CAISL students, in their last two years of High School, also study for the InternationalBaccalaureate (IB) Diploma.

To learn more: 219 239 800; admissions@caislisbon.org; www.caislisbon.org.

viii The Portugal News • 16 Apr 2016TIME TO LEARN