Educating young students in how to gather and analyze information is essential. Understanding the importance of sources and accuracy is increasingly necessary in a world of constant information flow, misinformation, and AI-generated content. Part of our role is to teach students how to filter information and think critically.
The ULIS Times Newspaper Project encourages critical thinking by requiring students to engage carefully with sources, distinguish between opinion and fact, and consider how information is presented to an audience. Developing these skills is increasingly important, as students are constantly exposed to large amounts of information online.
Learning how news is produced helps students become more responsible consumers of media, while also strengthening their ability to communicate ideas clearly and accurately through academic and journalistic writing.
In recent months, debates in countries such as Australia and Spain, on the topic of regulating young people’s access to social media, have highlighted these challenges. Some high-profile media cases have also shown how quickly information can spread before it is fully verified, reinforcing the need for critical reading skills.
At ULIS, we support this learning through initiatives such as The ULIS Times, where students learn to differentiate reliable information from misleading content and build the confidence to communicate, debate, and express their ideas clearly. In this project, they take responsibility for researching topics, verifying information, writing articles, and shaping the final layout, gaining a practical understanding of how journalism works, while developing skills such as autonomy, accountability and cooperation.
TRIP TO PORTO, A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE
Our Porto trip was a mix of all 10th-grade Humanities, History, Market studies, and Geography students. The goal of the trip was for us to destress but also learn about Porto and Portugal's history, and local industry, focused on Port wine and the global expansion of trade throughout the world. During our stay, we visited monumental landmarks such as the Bolsa Palace and Clérigos Tower.
Additionally, we visited Alameda Shop & Spot, where we took part in a scavenger hunt to locate non-local retail companies, an example of language expansion, forms of recycling, and measures of accessibility. We then visited the local aquarium, where we were able to observe different species of marine animals and learn about their origins.
Our next stop was Cálem, where we participated in a tour to learn how Port wine is produced and branded. In short, while being very educational, our Porto trip also allowed us to explore the city and share memorable moments and experiences as a grade.
"The Porto trip is one of my favourite trips of the year. Not only is it packed with awesome educational activities that kids really enjoy, I love the fact that we give students the freedom to explore the city on their own."
-Steven Bolland, Teacher
"I love how balanced the trip was, it was truly an enjoyable and relaxing learning experience. Getting to know more about the country I live in made me realize how much depth there really is in its history. The hostel was very welcoming and so were all the other places."
-Clara Pinto,10th grade Student
"It was an amazing experience to hang out with my friends and classmates outside of normal school classes. I really enjoyed learning about Porto and exploring the city"
-Miya Goldich, 10th Grade student
"In my opinion, the Porto trip was really well organized, and enjoyable for everyone. The mix of guided activities and free time let us learn while still exploring the city on our own. It made the whole experience fun, memorable, and enjoyable for everyone."
-Tanisha Maugi, 10th Grade Student
"In my opinion this trip was very well organized by our teachers even though the weather was unpredictable and not in our favour this trip balanced out guided tours and us students having freedom to explore the city ourselves very well which was definitely something everyone enjoyed overall this trip was Fun."
Afonso Brites, 10th Grade student
IB REVISION PROGRAMME
Our IB Revision Camp is designed to give students focused, effective preparation in the run-up to their exams
Taking place from 6–10 April, the programme offers small, supportive classes led by experienced teachers, helping students strengthen their understanding, practice exam skills, and work through the topics that matter most. With a wide choice of subjects available, students can tailor their sessions to suit their individual goals.
Each day combines structured academic study with time to recharge, so students stay productive without feeling overwhelmed. Alongside focused lessons and personalised feedback, there are regular breaks and activities designed to improve concentration and wellbeing, helping students maintain energy and motivation throughout the day.
Structured IB revision is essential, as it helps students consolidate their knowledge, identify gaps in understanding, and reinforce their confidence across a range of disciplines.
Places are limited, so sign up now to secure your spot!
Our team was sketched by Grade 9 students in Art class, and they did an amazing job. Take a look at the results!
Summary of our monthly events
MONTHLY RECAP SO FAR
IB EXTENDED ESSAYS
During the session, students explored the purpose and requirements of the EE, reviewed subject areas, and reflected on their interests. They were then asked to develop two possible proposals, including research questions, to submit for initial feedback and supervisor allocation.
PRIMARY LED CONFERENCE
This week, our primary students had the opportunity to showcase their work to their parents. By sharing their learning journeys, they developed their communication skills while building accountability and self-awareness.
VALENTINES WEEK
To celebrate love, we organized a heartwarming staff photo contest, and today we are hosting a Valentine’s Disco Party for our Grade 9–12 students. As part of the celebration, students also sold sweets that could be given as gifts to friends, with all donations going toward charity.
HIGH SCHOOL CONCERT
Last Wednesday, we hosted a high school concert in the auditorium, where students had the opportunity to present their musical talent and dedication. The concert was directed by the wonderful teacher Andreia Azevedo, whose dedication and guidance helped make the event a great success.
CANCER AWARENESS FUNDRAISER
We organised a cancer awareness fundraiser in which students received tokens in exchange for donations of €3–€5. Thanks to the generosity of the ULIS community, the funds raised were donated to IPO Lisboa, a leading cancer care centre in Portugal, to support their work in treatment and research.
IB OPTIONS PRESENTATION
The IB Options Session was both engaging and insightful, providing parents and students with the opportunity to learn more about why we are introducing the International Baccalaureate at our school and how it will be delivered through high-quality teaching, innovative learning, and a globally minded curriculum.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES RESTARTED
We started our second-semester extracurricular activities, and the children were excited to return. Among this term’s activities, we would especially like to highlight Acrobatic Gymnastics and Filmmaking, and we encourage students to join, places are still available.
GRADE 2 STUDIED ANCIENT EGYPT
Grade 2 students studied Ancient Egypt, learning about its history, culture, and important symbols. As part of their project, they created their own scarab beetles and pharaoh masks, exploring the art and traditions of this fascinating civilisation.
STUDENT GENERAL ASSEMBLY
We hosted a Student General Assembly, during which students had the opportunity to share feedback about the school and present their proposals. This was an important opportunity to hear their perspectives and encourage open dialogue.
TEACHER APPRECIATION
We celebrated Teacher Appreciation Day, a special occasion dedicated to recognizing the dedication and care of our staff. ULIS Parents prepared a wonderful variety of delicious foods and dishes from different countries to express their gratitude. It was greatly received and very much appreciated.
Visionary Voices
STORIES OF SUCCESS
IB STUDENT ADRIANO EARNS A PLACE AT OXFORD
After hearing that one of our students had been accepted to the University of Oxford to study Psychology, we decided to stop by the IB lounge to interview Adriano; a very humble and thoughtful student, about his experience in the IB Diploma Programme.
I’d love to ask you about your CAS project. Could you tell me what you’re currently working on?
For anyone who may not know, CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) is a core component of the IB Diploma Programme that encourages personal growth, creativity, and experiential learning.
Adriano, for my CAS project, I created a well-being programme. As you may already be aware, I’ll be studying psychology at university, so this project focuses on improving students’ well-being and encouraging them to talk to one another more openly.
I think, in general, the opportunity to work with other people on campus projects is important as it motivates students to collaborate, engage and make an effort to try new experiences. We have a strong student community and a great team, which really helps.
What have you learned from the IB programme?
Adriano, I think the IB has definitely prepared me to manage my workload much better. Before the IB, I was organized, but a bit more sporadic in how I worked. Developing greater consistency has helped me become a better student and a more efficient person overall.
I believe these skills will be valuable at university, supporting me not only in managing my academic work but also in pursuing interests beyond my studies. The programme significantly develops planning skills and independence.
What is a typical day in the IB like for you?
Adriano, one thing I like is that the schedule isn’t too repetitive. It keeps you on your toes, and there’s always something new to prepare for, which makes it interesting.
Overall, the days are well structured, keeping the workload manageable while ensuring that learning continues throughout the day.
A similar perspective was shared by Serafima, who is in the same year as Adriano and also spoke about the importance of research skills and exploring different subjects.
What advice would you give to middle school students, and how would you describe the learning experience in the programme?
Serafima, for middle school students, one important piece of advice would be to develop strong research and planning skills. One of the biggest changes is learning how to manage a larger number of projects and subjects, so being able to organise your work and keep track of research is very helpful.
The school is also very supportive in what we do. We are provided with good research resources and encouraged to explore different areas within each subject. For example, in history we might study topics such as prehistory and use a range of sources, including news articles and academic tools like Google Scholar, to deepen our understanding.
Learning at ULIS is not only academic. There are many creative and practical projects, from music activities like rap battles to themed days such as dressing up as the 1960s. There are also opportunities to take part in activities outside the classroom and broaden our perspectives, which makes learning more varied and enjoyable.
COMING SOON
Parent Workshop
Preventing Burnout
26 February at 8:30
EAL WRITERS (K12)
Connect with fellow EAL and SEN Educators
27 February 13:30
UPG Quiz Night (Parents & Staff)
27 February at 19:00
We encourage our current families to share this opportunity with friends, colleagues, or anyone who may be interested in joining the United Lisbon community. Spaces are limited, and we already have a strong number of attendees registered.
The Open Morning on 13th March will run from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and will be a whole-school event, welcoming families across all grades . Meet and greet sign in with admissions, presentation from the Head of School in the Library followed by a tour of the school with our admissions team and phase leaders. During the tour families or attendees will be able to drop into lessons with our open-door policy. At the end of the tour we will return to the library for refreshments and Q & A.
Over the past few weeks, our Grade 6 and Grade 7 students have been engaging in thoughtful discussions during assembly about The Social Dilemma documentary. They watched the film in segments, pausing regularly to explore key ideas about technology, social media, and the impact of screen time on daily life.
As part of this learning, students completed a personal reflection and set their own screen-time goals. They have been asked to bring their worksheet home to share with you. When it arrives, we encourage you to take a few minutes to look it over together and talk about the goals they have chosen, as well as ways you can support them in achieving these!
WEEK WITHOUT WALLS: STEP OUTSIDE
This year’s Week Without Walls will take place from Monday 18 May to Friday 22 May 2026 for students in Grades 6–10. Consent forms are now available on SchoolsBuddy, and parents are kindly requested to complete them by Friday 27 February 2026.
We look forward to an exciting and memorable week packed with adventure, personal growth, and new experiences, as students step beyond the classroom and embrace fresh challenges with confidence and enthusiasm.
Week Without Walls is an exciting and adventurous activity week designed to immerse students in the great outdoors while developing valuable life skills. Throughout the week, students embrace challenges, overcome obstacles, and engage in meaningful learning beyond the classroom.
This experience inspires students to step outside their comfort zones, build resilience, and strengthen essential skills such as teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving. Our residential experience, held at MyCamp and Campo Aventura, offers a wide range of activities, including climbing, high ropes, canoeing, the giant swing, archery, zip wire, and many more.
Keep an eye out for the next Newsletter 27th February
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