A Year 10 student at Nobel International School Algarve has achieved the highest mark in the world for her IGCSE Portuguese as a Second Language.
Leonor Castro Santos, 15, received the prestigious award from Cambridge Assessment International Education to acknowledge her outstanding performance in the Summer 2018 Cambridge examination series. The Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards programme celebrates the success of learners taking Cambridge examinations in over 40 countries around the world.
Leonor was born in Lisbon and lived in Sintra until she was 12 years old. The family then moved to the Algarve and opted for an international school. Leonor explains. “My parents wanted me to learn English so that I could become fluent. We travel a lot during the holidays and it’s my dream to study abroad and I enjoy languages and the arts.”
Leonor’s mother, Joana, said: “We are very happy with Leonor’s experience at the school, for all of the opportunities and for the quality of education. Leonor is only 15 but already has her sights set on studying art or design in North America, and she is already researching possible universities and colleges. She is highly motivated. We are delighted that she achieved this award – although speaking Portuguese as her native tongue helped her, she prepared very diligently for the assessment and, with the guidance of her teacher, invested a lot of effort into doing her very best.”
Head of International Maria Tomé said that the award recognises the talent, dedication and commitment of both Leonor and her teacher Ana Lúcia Correia da Silva. She said: “It is extremely rewarding to see this achievement being recognised. Leonor is a very hardworking student and is a role model to others at the school.”
Caption: Leonor Castro Santos, centre, with teacher Ana Lúcia Silva (left) and Head of International Maria Tomé
