A busy but also very stimulating start of the year

Our school has had a very busy but reinvigorating start to the year. We have been deeply enthusiastic about having our schools almost back to normal and bursting with different activities.

All our departments and activities are already back in full swing; still, we are also very aware that although Portuguese covid-19 rates are low and the vaccination process has been extraordinary, we can still be at risk of closing classes and returning to remote learning if even one member of our community tests positive. Consequently, following Portuguese authorities guidelines, we have decided to test all our teaching and non-teaching staff as a precautionary measure this week. Following this stage, our students will also be tested, so I would like to remind families to support our efforts and to fill in this form (also shared on our Friday 18^th Week Ahead Newsletter) so that we can rapidly conduct any testing, contact tracing and provide any information required by health authorities to keep our community safe.

Still, on the topic of efficient communications, I would like to share that our Week Ahead Newsletter now includes a few of the usual section reminders, usually sent by email to Parents and Guardians mailboxes. So, please don’t forget to check the Week Ahead every Friday for the latest reminders and sections updates.

Finally, in this week’s Lighthouse, I would like to highlight the Student Futures Team and their KS5 (Y11 to Y13) programme. Our school is implementing innovative changes in our students’ programme that we feel will more effectively support our students’ university and career paths. Also featured are the ISTA Festival digital performances, which are always a highlight (even if remotely this year) of our Creative Arts programme.

Paul Slocombe
Interim Head of School