A GLOBALISING EDUCATIONAL CULTURE
Papião provides its students with a variety of innovative and globalising educational experiences, implementing differentiated and unique projects that involve the school and the local community, encouraging and valuing the active participation of families.
Integrated English and CLIL approach
Papião is recognised as a reference school in the teaching and learning of the English language. We have implemented a distinctive integrated English project and introduced the CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) approach. Our team consists of specialized teachers and teaching assistants who accompany students in various school contexts and on outings.
In our model, which enables and enhances social interaction, communicative sensitivity, and creative thinking, language learning occurs informally – through immersion, with students regularly exposed to the language during their daily routines – and formally – in English classes, which are held daily from the age of 3.
In the Nursery, English learning happens through immersion, as the language is naturally used in communication, activities, and the transmission of pedagogical content. In collaboration with the classroom team, a teacher interacts with the group exclusively in English during the development of activities – English Time (phonological awareness, listening, attention, and oral skills).
In Preschool, English Time is included daily in the curriculum activities. The exploration of content and developed materials (course book, literacy, art, music, and story-based lessons) is the responsibility of a teacher who autonomously accompanies the groups.
As part of the Integrated English Project, language learning is further facilitated by the continuous support of a teaching assistant – during classroom activities, recess, lunchtime, field trips, etc.
In the 1st CBE, students have daily English classes taught by specialized and experienced teachers, covering specific programmatic content (course book, vocabulary, grammar, phonics, culture, literacy, science, arts, and crafts), using diversified resources such as Cambridge manuals, interactive materials, among others. Students have access to a library (reading folder) organized by the English team with the aim of promoting English reading in collaboration with parents.
Building on the pedagogical project of preschool, where there is daily exposure to integrated English, the CLIL approach (Content and Language Integrated Learning) is introduced in the following areas: Art (plastic expression), ICT, STEAM, and in Thematic Interdisciplinary Projects in Environmental Studies. In this approach, English language learning is facilitated because it is used as a tool for acquiring new content and skills, as a resource for learning, and not just as a subject.
Weekly support classes are also included, as well as supervision during recess and holidays by teachers or teaching assistants. The Funny Playground is dynamic during lunchtime recess.
Since Nursery, our students have had opportunities for English learning, promoted through intentional and diversified exposure to the language, in formal and informal contexts, inside and outside the classroom, with a specialized team working closely and collaboratively with the rest of the pedagogical team.
To be Healthy – Health and well-being
Project To Be developed and launched the To Be Healthy project, aiming for its schools to be a reference in promoting health and well-being in educational communities.
Healthy and Sustainable School Meals
With regards to School Meals, To Be Healthy aims to adopt healthier and more sustainable eating habits and practices. It is implemented in partnership with nutritionist Mariana Bessa, from Nutrir – Food and Nutrition Consultancy, and includes:
- Varied, balanced and complete menus, with natural ingredients and essential nutrients and a daily ovolactovegetarian option;
- Training human resources at schools (kitchen staff, for training and improving menu preparation methods, and teachers, who will continue the food education project with students);
- Food Educational Activities with students;
- Workshops with the families;
- Food Waste monitoring and reduction.
To Be Healthy menus focus on offering fresh fruits and vegetables, reducing meat consumption and reducing the use of refined sugars and salt.
Let’s Go – Sports and Physical Activity
Colégio Papião values sports as a source of health, discipline, team spirit and healthy competition. We encourage the practice of regular physical activity, offering numerous curricular and extracurricular activities, as well as projects linked to health education, healthy lifestyle habits and well-being.
We believe that regular sports practice helps the cognitive development of our students; it also contributes to reducing anxiety levels, increasing the ability to concentrate, improving self-esteem (by valuing effort and commitment), promoting discipline, self-control and respect, and reinforcing cooperation and team spirit.
Colégio Papião provides systematic and regular practice of judo; Integrated into the Preschool curriculum (3, 4 and 5 years old), lessons take place on a weekly basis, under the guidance of a specialised teacher.
We recognise the importance of physical activity for healthy and harmonious development, including it in the school life of our students, not only through the practice of sports, but also by organising regular outings in the local community, providing experiences in public spaces (parks, gardens, leisure centers, etc.) and encouraging contact with nature, thus facilitating observation and exploration, discovery, autonomy and proactivity.
Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy
In Citizenship and Development, primary students benefit from an Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy Programme, carried out in partnership with Portugal Junior Achievement (JAP).
The students undertake important learning – what is a community, how local businesses work within the community, what is the role of the government, what services exist for the well-being of citizens, what jobs exist, how people earn and spend money – and develop fundamental work skills – entrepreneurship, leadership, decision making, resistance to failure, teamwork, presentation techniques and oral communication.
Our students are prepared for the challenges they will face in the future. We intend to train future young autonomous, responsible, informed and proactive citizens; citizens aware of their role in building a sustainable and productive society.
To Be Parent
Project To Be encourages, in its schools, a family and affective environment, with the participation of parents as central elements of educational processes, valuing openness and cooperation within the school community.
In compliance with the To Be values, there will be organised information sessions open to families or thematic sessions on parental education.
Papião´s parents are encouraged to participate as speakers in lectures and webinars related to topics in their professional area of interest.
Beach School Approach
Colégio Papião is located in an area with easy and safe access to the beach. Our students benefit throughout the school year from a range of Beach School activities, an educational approach that defends holistic, student-led learning in coastal environments.
Beach School activities promote autonomy and encourage students to carry out various experiments and learning:
- Encourage the adoption of an active and healthy lifestyle;
- Contribute for the physical and emotional well-being of the children;
- Promote creativity and contact with Nature;
- Develop attitudes of respect for the environment and the protection of the Ocean;
- Promote meaningful and interdisciplinary learning of curricular content.
Some examples of Beach School Activities:
- Beach cleaning as part of the “Escola Azul” commitment;
- Physical education on the beach;
- Surf lessons;
- School breaks Programme with activities on the beach;
- Exploring biodiversity on the beach (fauna and flora);
- Art on the beach.
Colégio Papião is a “Escola Azul”. Through transversal, innovative and creative learning, it promotes the development of critical spirit and initiative in students and encourages them to convert their knowledge into effective changes in attitude in their relationship with the Ocean.
“Escola Azul” is an educational programme of the Ministry of the Sea whose mission is to promote Ocean Literacy in the school community and create more responsible and participatory generations, who contribute to the sustainability of the Ocean.
Papião has been preparing its 3rd and 4th year students for the Cambridge Young Learners Exams since 2010, allowing them to obtain the Cambridge International Certification. Since 2015, Papião has been a Cambridge Educational Partner and Cambridge Preparation Center for English Qualifications.
We believe that learning English is an essential skill to adapt to a globalised world. We invest in early exposure to the English language – in nursery, preschool and primary.
Our students gradually benefit from learning the English language in an integrated approach: in an immersive and informal context – naturally present in their daily routines – and in formal academic moments – classes. Formal teaching of English is carried out using Cambridge University´s curriculum, resources and certification.
As a Cambridge Educational Partner, we profit from numerous benefits that cover the entire educational community and guarantee a context of excellence in the teaching and learning of the English language.
Throughout their academic life, our students are prepared for Cambridge exams, namely for Young Learners English Tests (YLE). YLE are designed for children aged 6 to 12. They are subdivided into three exams that certify different levels of English (Pre A1 Starters, A1 Movers and A2 Flyers) in listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Students are able to take the exams in Papião’s premises.
Papião invests in the digital education of its students, promoting pedagogical and responsible use of digital technologies to improve teaching, learning and assessment. We promote an educational culture with a digital aspect: education of technology (to access knowledge), educational integration of technologies (mobilised with pedagogical intentions) and development of digital skills (knowledge, skills and attitudes related to information and communication technologies).
We have integrated ICT (Technology, Information and Communication) and STEAM (Science Technology Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) classes into Primary´s curriculum. In ICT, students acquire knowledge about the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and Microsoft Teams, and are alerted to the rules and procedures of a safe and critical use of the internet. In STEAM, they develop interdisciplinary projects that approach concepts of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, in an integrated way, with challenges that leads them to work with teachers in the construction of knowledge. These projects develop the so-called 21st Century skills, improving the cognitive, interpersonal and intrapersonal areas, and placing the students at the center of their learning trajectory. The methodology of this project work also promotes communication skills, resilience, empathy and teamwork.
We want to be a school where students, teachers and families work together, teach and learn in a digital environment, seeking to encourage digital literacy, improving equipment, increasing digital educational resources and content, therefore preparing students for an increasingly digital future.
SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT WORKSHOPS
With the guidance of teacher, biologist and environmental educator Rute Candeias, primary students develop activities in science and environment, including classes, projects and school visits, always privileging practical methodologies and interaction with natural elements.
At the workshops, we aim to encourage our students to participate in the habits of citizenship, in the search for solutions that allow for an improvement in the quality of life at school and in the community. We want to create more conscientious citizens who actively contribute to the Man vs Nature Balance.
Papião aims to be a place for sustainable education, adopting good practices in respect for environmental values and the preservation of the environment.
Our students participate in projects with effective social impact, which respect their motivation and interests, and involve them in a meaningful and memorable way in dynamic and experiential learning.
We believe that the school is an active agent of change in the community, we educate students to exercise lifelong citizenship and involve families in actions that have an effective impact.
Every two school years, Project To Be finds a common theme that results in a large project that involves all To Be educational communities.
BE BLUE PROJECT
The BE BLUE Project – For a Bluer Ocean and an always Green Planet mobilised the educational communities of To Be Schools for the cause of protecting the Ocean (see the Be Blue Documentary).
Numerous scientific-pedagogical, field and artistic activities were developed in schools and public places in the community, in partnership with personalities and entities linked to the sea.
Be Blue involved the active participation of students, educational communities and local communities across all To Be Schools.
BE KIND PROJECT
The BE KIND Project – A Bridge Between Generations sensitised the educational communities of To Be schools about the importance of intergenerationality in building a more supportive and inclusive society.
Its main purpose was to mobilise students, educational and local communities to develop initiatives that promote getting together and sharing between generations.
To Be Schools united with various entities from local communities to organise intergenerational dynamics. The grandmothers and grandfathers of the To Be families were a constant presence in schools, sharing memories, knowledge and experiences (watch the film Vila Be Kind Be Happy).
Skills Promotion Programs
In Pre-school, the teaching team, together with the psychology team, implements a program to promote phonological awareness development. A good level of phonological awareness development has practical implications in preventing academic failure, specifically by minimizing or eliminating potential difficulties in learning reading and writing in the 1st cycle of basic education. This program – implemented in a playful and dynamic manner – aims to provide our students with additional tools in the area of language knowledge, facilitating their future academic path.
In the 1st cycle of basic education, our psychology team implements the socio-emotional skills promotion program “Slow and Steady Wins the Race”. This program, developed in the school context, aims to improve socio-emotional skills and academic performance, as well as prevent or reduce behavioral and emotional problems in children in the 1st and 2nd cycles of basic education. Through diverse techniques and strategies, five modules are worked on: Self-awareness, Social awareness, Self-control, Interpersonal relationships, and Responsible decision-making in social situations. It is a flagship program of the Gulbenkian Academies of Knowledge and is supported by the conceptual theoretical framework of Social Emotional Learning (SEL).
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