Many successful artists have spoken openly about how traditional school environments sometimes stifled their potential. At United, we recognise these stories in our own classrooms, where students often discover confidence, belonging, and a sense of purpose when given space to express themselves. We believe in creating an environment where students feel supported, valued, and able to shine, each in their own way.
Our performing arts programme is central to this vision. Through music, drama, dance, and theatre, students build creativity, confidence, collaboration, and communication skills. Staged performances and recitals encourage self-expression and foster a lifelong appreciation for the arts, highlighted this year by the inauguration of our new auditorium.
On Friday, 13th February, just before the Carnival break, Grade 6 students brought Aesop’s Fables to life as part of the United Beyond Boundaries Drama programme. Working with a humorous script featuring stories such as The Lion and the Mouse and The Crow and the Pitcher, students spent a month preparing for the show, organized in three teams: performance, production, and design.
On the day of the show, students presented their work to parents and Grade 5 students, delivering an engaging and highly entertaining show. The successful outcome stemmed from the collective dedication of every team member, from the performers on stage to the students behind the scenes, who ensured smooth transitions between scenes, high-quality, controlled lighting setups and uninterrupted flowing audio.
The production team managed sound, lighting, and marketing, while the design team created backdrops, props, costumes, and set pieces. The performance team developed acting skills through practical workshops, with some students also stepping in to director roles.
We are incredibly proud of all the students for their enthusiasm, teamwork, and commitment in creating such a memorable masterpiece. Here are some photos from the performance.
“Theatre is a place where we can all come together and imagine better.”
— Viola Davis, American actress and producer
“The arts teach us how to communicate, how to feel, and how to understand each other.”
— Meryl Streep, American actress and Oscar winner
“Theatre makes you think, and it makes you listen.”
— Ian McKellen, British actor and Academy Award nominee
“Storytelling is how we learn who we are.”
— Neil Gaiman, British author
PARENTS PADEL GATHERING
Come along on Sunday 15th March, from 13:00 to 15:00 at Nave Padel Club (Rua do Açúcar 19, Lisbon 1950-006).
After such a fun first event, full of good energy and a few hidden padel talents, we’re really looking forward to getting together again. It’s a lovely opportunity to play, meet other parents and continue building connections within our ULIS community in a relaxed and social atmosphere.
The fee is €20 per player, payable on the day, and includes a fun, friendly afternoon both on and off the court.
United Lisbon International School has been recognised as one of the Most Popular International Schools in Lisbon for 2025 by International Schools Database, standing out among 36 schools across the city.
This recognition reflects the strength of our inclusive community, our innovative approach to learning, and the trust families place in our IB-focused education.
A heartfelt thank you to our students, parents, and staff for making ULIS such a special place to learn, grow, and thrive together.
Summary of our last events
LAST FEW WEEKS RECAP
VALENTINE’S DISCO
The Valentine’s Disco was a special event for Grade 9 to Grade 12 students, bringing everyone together for an enjoyable evening of music and dancing. Beyond the celebration, the event also provided valuable experience in planning, coordination, and teamwork, allowing students to develop practical skills in organising and managing an event.
Thank you to all the staff, student council members, and students who contributed to making the event a success - Meilina, organiser.
CARNIVAL DRESS UP
We celebrated Carnival at school with a fun dress-up day. The kids dressed up as different characters, including Frozen characters, Spiderman, Wednesday Addams, Catwoman, and Gladiator, as well as many other creative costumes. Carnival is a popular celebration in Portugal, and one of the most famous is the Carnival of Torres Vedras, known for its lively parades, creative costumes, and long-standing traditions.
CHEMISTRY LAB
During a recent lab class, IB1 Chemistry students used back titration to determine the percentage of calcium carbonate in eggshells. The activity gave students practical experience with analytical techniques and helped reinforce key concepts in quantitative chemistry. The titration was considered complete when a very faint pink colour appeared, indicating that the endpoint had been reached.
INTERNATIONAL WEEK
The first grades of primary participated in activities focused on countries and cultures around the world. Students painted a world globe with watercolors and identified their countries, and they also designed explorer passports featuring the flags of their home countries. This experience supported the development of global awareness, cultural understanding, and students’ sense of identity.
SCHOOL BREAK
During the school break, students and teachers were away for a week, and they were greatly missed. However, the school remained active, welcoming future students and families, carrying out improvements to the building, reviewing security systems, and organising upcoming activities
PARENT BOOK CLUB
This month’s parent book club explored the work of Julio Cortázar, with parents reading Hopscotch. They also had the chance to walk down to the river afterwards, which made the whole experience feel even more special. The next book will be Boy Swallows Universe.
PREVENTING BURNOUT
As part of our parent workshop programme, this time Carolina, our school psychologist, and Sharmin, Head of SEN, organised a Mental Health workshop for parents focused on Parental Burnout and Self-Care. The session provided practical tools to support parental wellbeing.
ART CLUB
Our younger students painted daffodils to celebrate the warmer weather, as we finally enjoyed the sunshine we had missed over the past few months. Daffodils are often associated with new beginnings, positivity, and warmer days.
UNITED LISBON SPORTING CP ACADEMY
At the United Lisbon Sporting CP Academy, our mission goes beyond the pitch. We are committed to creating a nurturing environment where students not only develop their football skills but also grow as individuals, guided by the core Sporting CP values of Effort, Dedication, Devotion, and Glory.
Within our “Pride,” each team is named after a current Sporting CP player, reinforcing a connection to their role models and to the club’s identity. This season, our football programme includes five teams: U6 Gonçalo Inácio, U7 Daniel Bragança, U9 Pedro Gonçalves, U11 Francisco Trincão, and U13 Morten Hjulmand. We are also expanding further our Goalkeeper Programme, opening up GK João Virgínia for Grades 2–5 and GK Rui Silva for Grades 6–12, which will provide specialised training and development for aspiring goalkeepers.
Our strong alliance with the school enables us to welcome CAS Student Coaches on an annual basis. Once again, on this occasion, we are proud to host IB students completing their CAS projects with us. These students are trained in the Sporting CP methodology and work under the direct supervision of our Technical Coordinator, enabling us to provide more focused support for individual needs, while strengthening the connection between the academy and the wider school community.
While we operate under a non-compete agreement, we believe that match experience is an essential part of development. Our U11 and U13 teams currently participate in a Sporting Academies League, competing every other week, while our U9 team is actively seeking opportunities to play against other Sporting Academies. This collaboration has also created valuable opportunities for the school, including friendly matches between the Varsity team and Sporting Academies in preparation for the upcoming CHESS and LASA Football tournaments.
Each student who participates in the academy receives the official Sporting CP Academy kit upon registration, including the striped white shirt, black shorts, and long socks. Families with a Sporting CP membership benefit from discounted monthly fees; those who are not yet members can register at Sporting in a Minute. Sporting CP merchandise is also available at the school, and the catalogue can be requested via email at [email protected].
Parent Workshop
From Labels to Liberation: Empowering Neurodiverse Children Through Understanding and Advocacy
12 March 8:30
Music Fest
Teacher training alongside workshops for students and parents.
14 March 9:00
Mathematics Week
Encouraging problem-solving, teamwork, and a love for mathematics.
9 March to 13 March
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.
Exploring What It’s Like to Be a Middle Schooler
We recently dropped by Building B to speak with three astute high school students about their experiences at school, asked them about the subjects they enjoy the most, and what makes studying here a one-of-a-kind educational experience. From left to right: Daria, Mark, and Ian.
Education Beyond the Classroom
Daria Orlova, who has been at the school for three years, shared that one of the topics she has enjoyed most this year is entrepreneurship. Through this subject, she has been able to investigate and research potential business avenues and opportunities, examine innovative marketing techniques and improve her dialogue and communication skills in English, which she believes are valuable assets that will help her in the future. She also explained that language support played an important role in helping her grow more confident in her learning journey.
For Daria, studying in a multicultural environment enriches the educational experience. She believes that learning alongside students from different nationalities allows everyone to gain not only academic knowledge but also a deeper understanding of different cultures. School festivals and other initiatives, such as Chinese New Year celebrations, help bring students together and solidify relationships. For her, belonging means feeling supported, heard, and respected within the school community.
Discovering Interests Through Practice
Mark Ponomarev has also been part of the school community for three years. One of the things he enjoys most is the school environment itself, especially the facilities such as the theatre and basketball court. While geography is his favourite subject, he also enjoys physical education and science because they allow him to challenge himself in different ways.
Science lessons are a highlight for Mark, because of their practical nature. He enjoys taking part in experiments that help students understand how things work in real life, from observing scientific processes to exploring questions like “why smoke rises”. These hands-on experiences make learning more engaging and memorable.
Creative Minds at ULIS
Ian Erikson, who joined the school in Grade 4, spoke about how much he enjoys art classes. Currently, students are working on trio artwork projects, where they create pieces inspired by one another. Ian chose guitar as his theme, combining his passion for music with visual creativity.
Although he studies music outside school with his private tutor, Ian has also enjoyed music lessons at school, particularly a recent ukulele class. Looking back on his time here, he feels the school has grown significantly, particularly in terms of facilities. The sports facilities, including the large football field, are among his favourite spaces on campus.
Talking with these students in Building B offered a meaningful glimpse into the everyday experiences that define life at the school. Whether through entrepreneurship, science experiments, or artistic expression, each student described an environment that encourages curiosity, personal growth, and collaboration. Most importantly, their stories reflect a strong sense of belonging, a community where students feel supported as they learn, explore, and grow together.
Announcements
Congratulations to Yuanjia Zhu (Grade 10) on being selected for the National Final of the 44th Portuguese Mathematical Olympiad, which will take place in Covilhã from 26–29 March. We are proud of his achievement and wish him the very best of luck as he represents our school!
Please welcome Talita R. da Silva, our Portuguese Ab Initio cover teacher for Secondary!
This Thursday, we are hosting a Coffee with the Executive Director, giving families an opportunity to share their thoughts and provide feedback about the school.
Our students are invited to join the competition on 19 March, from 14:30 to 17:00. This global challenge is a great chance for them to stretch their mathematical thinking and enjoy friendly competition.
Keep an eye out for the next newsletter on March 15.
