The new Eupheus International School in Loulé welcomed its first students to the academic year on Monday, September 16.
Eupheus began its inaugural year with its student-inspired Induction Week created by the Head of School, Ms Penelope Best, in collaboration with her teacher team. The week provided a range of opportunities for all the students to develop their “free-thinking skills, experience diverse learning strategies and explore each area of the curriculum in a unique way”.
Highlights of the opening week included an introduction to physical fitness led by Physical Education teacher, Mr Pedro Coelho. He will assess the capabilities of each student in order to plan a specific one-to-one physical training programme.
Head of Preparatory, Ms Samantha Black, led a mathematical challenge for the whole school, which saw students collaborating together to develop their problem-solving skills.
The Eupheus “commitment to the environment and eco-friendly approach to the curriculum” was present in the Forest School element of the induction programme. It was led by Head of Pre-Preparatory, Mrs Lynda Gomez, who is the Forest School leader. The students were challenged to create bivouacs for protection from the sun.
Students worked with natural resources foraged from within the school grounds.
The programme also included an interactive student-led Portuguese session, an exploration of music and a morning of science with activities focused around aviation inspired by the Eupheus Owl emblem.
A creative arts day culminated in an owl sculpture symbolising the “Eupheus family”.
The week concluded in a school excursion to Quinta do Lago lake where the diverse fauna and flora and its ecological importance were explored by the students under the guidance of a marine biologist.
An afternoon of sailing activities at the Sailing Academy included kayaking, the use of electric boats, pedalos and one-to-one sailing tuition.
Head of School, Ms. Penelope Best, said: “We are all lifelong learners and that is the absolute key to life at Eupheus. We have experienced an unbelievable first week together. The joy of learning and the fun of childhood exploration are shared within the Eupheus family. Every child is encouraged to try everything and to do his or her best.
“I look forward to observing all of our students flourish. The total support of the parents has been incredible from the very first minute that we opened.”
For more information, call 289 154 800 or visit www.eupheus.pt
