Our Voice through Art
Our Secondary Art Exhibition debuted in the third week of June, successfully showcasing our students' creativity, dedication, and distinct viewpoints. Check out our top picks below. In tandem with the display, Art teacher Sónia Moreira emphasizes the critical part creativity plays in daily student development:
Bringing concepts to life through varied artistic techniques demands one non-negotiable quality: audacity
To all my 7th to 10th-grade art students—and any creative drop-ins who join us for guidance—I want you to know something: every single day, you outdo yourselves, often without even realising it. Presenting their pieces at the year-end art show allows students to step back, reflect deeply, and finally see the true impact of the art they’ve brought to life. Our school provides a supportive, community-driven environment where students discover their artistic voices in the art studios. Here, they are guided through the entire creative process: researching, sketching, planning, and executing their final masterpieces.
It is that time of year when their art takes center stage for the whole school and community. The exhibition becomes a space for shared joy and connection: classmates and friends uplift one another, while families gather to discuss, observe, and deeply reflect on the art. In the end, it is beautiful to see the lessons shared over the weeks, months, and the whole school year finally blossom into true understanding. This is something deeply precious that we should celebrate.
Summary of our last events
LAST TWO WEEKS RECAP
VISIT TO QUINTA PEDAGÓGICA
On June 19th, the UBB 7th grade went on a trip to the Quinta Pedagógica. The students had an amazing time, despite the blazing heat. This urban park serves as an educational bridge to traditional agriculture, allowing visitors to experience rural life and explore sustainable farming practices. The grounds house a variety of regional Portuguese species, including the Mirandese donkey, Mertolenga cattle, Algarvian goat, Merino sheep, Alcobaça spotted pig, and indigenous chicken breed.
5TH GRADE GRADUATION CEREMONY
There were a few emotional moments during the 5th Grade Ceremony as we celebrated the end of an important chapter in our students’ lives. As they gear up for middle school next year, they can't wait to embrace the fresh challenges and opportunities on the horizon. Martin’s speech was the talk of the ceremony; he brilliantly mapped out the journey ahead using an array of shoes as metaphors.
WATER DAY
Embracing the rising temperatures, we recently hosted our annual Water Day for Early Years, Primary, and Secondary students. The campus was filled with excitement as students engaged in water balloon games, squirt gun battles, and refreshing hose activities. Staff joined in on the fun and ended up just as soaked as the students—if not more!
ALÉM DO MAR
The Portuguese Department organised Além do Mar in our auditorium, a beautiful celebration of the Portuguese language through poetry, culture, and the arts. Students from Grades 9 and 10 engaged the listeners through touching poetic readings and exceptional artistic showcases.
KINDERGARTEN GRADUATION
The kindergarten graduation was delightfully charming! Our youngest learners touched everyone's hearts, as they walked across the stage to accept their diplomas and exchanged touching expressions of love and appreciation with their parents. Despite being on maternity leave, our Early Years Coordinator, Alison, sent a heartfelt video from home wishing our students love, joy, and success in their next adventure.
AUTHOR VISIT
Last week we were privileged to welcome the author of “Today the World Starts Another World Cup”, who is also a parent in our school. Students heard directly about the book's inspiration, exploring life lessons on perseverance, resilience, and growth through the lens of football. It reminds us that missing a goal isn't the end of the road; it's a vital stepping stone for growth and future success.
DISCO PARTY
Fourth and fifth graders brought unmatched energy to the Building A third-floor disco! Dressed to impress in oversized shades, shimmering skirts, and bold costumes, the students owned the dance floor—even "Elvis Presley" made a special guest appearance!
Keeping the energy up was Teacher John, United Lisbon's resident DJ, who controlled the music.
BATTLE OF THE BOOKS
Although this event took place on May 21st, we couldn't let the achievement go unmentioned. Earlier this term, two Grade 6 classes visited the International Sharing School for 'The Battle of the Books'. This thrilling reading competition challenged students to master a specific book list, collaborate with teammates, and prove their literary expertise in a trivia-style showdown. Congratulations to the 21 amazing school groups from all over Portugal! You all did a fantastic job, and we are especially proud to celebrate The Soldiers for tying for an impressive 9th place.
BEACH TRIP
After learning how to navigate Lisbon’s metro lines and maps, students practiced their new public transit skills by taking the train to enjoy an exciting day at Caxias Beach. The students made the most of their beach day with swimming andurying friends in the sand, while others kept things low-key by napping by the water.
GRADE 8 GRADUATION
Last Thursday we sent our Grade 8 grads off in style! The ceremony featured a gorgeous performance by the 8th graders led by Teacher Andreia, and a touching closing student-made tribute video. Afterwards, the celebration moved to the sports hall for snacks, endless photos, and well-wishes for the high school journey ahead.
First Annual United Lisbon Stop Motion Movie Festival
We are excited to share the Audience Choice Award results, honoring the hard work of all 19 of our 6th-grade competitors:
First Place: Among Us — 22% of the votes
Second Place: Deadly Stew — 16% of the votes
Third Place: Empathy & Kindness — 12% of the votes
Teachers' Perspectives
By Andreia Azevedo
Why Rehearsal makes Perfect!
Preparing for the biannual Music Academy showcases—aligned with our international curriculum—is vital for students' musical and personal growth. More than just playing or singing, these performances are a training ground for life, equipping students with valuable skills far beyond their musical abilities.
It is best to start getting ready at least a month before a performance. Practicing regularly builds up your skills and confidence so you can step on stage feeling ready instead of nervous. That’s why having your own instrument and a great place to practice is so important. Without regular access, it’s easy to lose your motivation and slow down your progress.
Equally vital is the backing of family and friends, whose support before, during, and after the show offers performers essential emotional security. A simple and effective strategy is to practice performing at home, in front of a comfortable and familiar audience. Performing for loved ones during gatherings builds stage confidence and lowers anxiety over time.
Effective preparation extends to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Prioritizing quality sleep and a balanced diet in the days leading up to an event directly enhances concentration, stamina, and emotional control, supporting both stage success and general wellness.
At the end of the day, preparing for a Music Academy performance builds more than just technique; it builds character, instilling discipline, resilience, and self-expression. These are lifelong skills that extend well beyond the classroom and the stage, making each performance a meaningful step in a student’s personal growth.
“Music education opens doors that help children pass from school into the world around them, a world of work, culture, intellectual activity, and human involvement.” Gerald Ford.
Upcoming Events
29 June – 24 July – Summer Camp
Week 1 Monday, June 29 – Friday, July 3, 2026
Week 2 Monday, July 6 – Friday, July 10, 2026
Week 3 Monday, July 13 – Friday, July 17, 2026
Week 4 Monday, July 20 – Friday, July 24, 2026
Did You Know...?
Our DP1 student, Gabriel, took part in a student voice panel at an IB University Day with IB University and government officials. He articulated his views brilliantly, highlighting how the IB DP is preparing him for university success.
Last month, our incredible Under-9 team dominated the youth world cup session! Proudly flying the flag for Portugal, they battled fiercely and emerged as the squad with the most wins.
Our marketing team has recently completed a comprehensive rollout of our newly designed website. This launch is accompanied by a modernized brand identity, refined logo, and the introduction of full Portuguese language support.
During the IB DP Introduction Week students attended a series of foundational classes to investigate their academic subjects and the core elements of the IB Diploma Programme: the Extended Essay (EE), Theory of Knowledge (TOK), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS). They also had the opportunity to speak with current DP1 students, asking what were the most valuable takeaways and key successes from their first year in the IB DP.
We wish you a wonderful summer. We will be back after the summer break with more exciting developments.
