Celebrating 2025/26: A Year That Shaped Nobel Algarve Lagoa

Some years are memorable. Others redefine what is possible.

For our school community, 2025/26 has been a year of growth, ambition and unforgettable moments - a year where ideas became reality, friendships flourished, opportunities expanded and our One School vision truly came to life. Every success, every celebration and every milestone has been built on one simple belief: that we are stronger when we learn, grow and celebrate together.

One School. One Community. One Future.

This year, our commitment to becoming one united school took a giant leap forward.

We reshaped our timetables, not simply to improve organisation, but to create something much more valuable: connection. Students from across our Portuguese and International pathways now share more moments throughout the day, while colleagues have more opportunities to collaborate, exchange ideas and build an even stronger sense of community.  We were also delighted to introduce co-presented assemblies, bringing students and staff together to celebrate achievements, share learning and reinforce our One School ethos through a truly collaborative approach.

That same spirit of togetherness could be found in our growing programme of shared experiences. School trips, unified GE events, family celebrations and community activities brought students of all ages together, reminding us that learning doesn't stop at the classroom door. We also strengthened our partnerships beyond the school gates through regular Town Hall meetings with the local council, working collaboratively to enhance opportunities for our students and contribute positively to the wider community.

Listening to our families has remained at the heart of everything we do. Our informal Coffee Mornings and parent strategy groups have provided valuable opportunities to share ideas, celebrate successes and shape the future of our school together.

Falling in Love with Reading... Together

Perhaps no initiative captured the heart of the year quite like Together a Ler.

What began as a reading project quickly became something much bigger. Younger students gathered to share stories in both Portuguese and English, discovering that books have a remarkable way of bringing people together. Every page turned built confidence. Every story shared strengthened language skills. It was another beautiful example of bilingual education at its very best.

Building on this, from September, we are thrilled to expand our bilingual offering into Pre-School 5, combining the strengths of both the Portuguese and International curricula. Young learners will enjoy the very best of both worlds: developing confidence in two languages, experiencing two rich educational traditions and building the cultural awareness, curiosity and adaptability that will support them throughout their lives. It is an exciting milestone for staff and students alike.

From the Algarve to the World

As part of the Globeducate family, our students stepped confidently onto the international stage throughout the year. They performed alongside talented young musicians from across the world. They debated global issues through Model United Nations, developing the confidence to become tomorrow's leaders. They competed at the Globeducate Olympics, where we proudly celebrated members of the winning team. These were moments that built confidence, created lifelong friendships and reminded our students that they are part of something much bigger: a global family of learners preparing to shape the future.

Small Actions. Big Impact.

Looking after our planet continues to be one of our greatest responsibilities, and our students have embraced that challenge with passion. As a proud Blue School and Eco School, sustainability isn't an isolated topic. It is woven into everyday learning.

Our young scientists explored the world through Pequenos Cientistas, while older students investigated real-world challenges during our immersive CSI-themed science event. Environmental projects, science fairs and sustainability initiatives encouraged curiosity, creativity and problem-solving, while student artwork transformed our corridors into powerful reminders of why protecting our oceans, wildlife and environment matters.

Our students aren't simply learning about the future. They're helping to protect it.

Every Learner. Every Pathway.

One of the year's most exciting achievements was receiving Pearson Edexcel accreditation to deliver BTEC qualifications. Beginning next year, students will be able to study BTEC Sport, Business and Management, opening new doors for learners who thrive through practical, career-focused education. These programmes sit proudly alongside our existing academic pathways, giving every student more opportunities to discover where their talents lie and how they learn best.

As part of our commitment to preparing students for life beyond school, we are also delighted to introduce an annual University Fair, bringing together higher education institutions from Portugal and around the world. This exciting event will provide students and families with invaluable opportunities to explore future pathways, speak directly with university representatives and make informed decisions about the next stage of their educational journey.

Supporting families has also been central to this journey. Parents on the KS3 International pathway can now purchase school books directly through us, making the transition into a new academic year simpler, smoother and more accessible.

Behind the scenes, we have also invested significantly in strengthening the systems that support teaching and learning. The implementation of iSAMS from September 2026 will further enhance communication, reporting and school management, while we are delighted to be a step closer to achieving COBIS Compliance Accreditation, reflecting our continued commitment to excellence and international best practice.

 

Excellence That Speaks for Itself

Academically, our students thrived this year, receiving Pearson Edexcel Outstanding Learner Awards for achieving the highest IGCSE History and Geography results in Portugal. Next year will also welcome the largest Sixth Form cohort in our school's history, another exciting sign of the confidence families place in the education we provide.

I am also delighted to announce that plans for our new Sixth Form Centre have now been approved. Over the summer months, this exciting transformation will begin, creating a dedicated study centre designed to provide an inspiring environment where our oldest students can learn, collaborate and prepare for the next stage of their educational journey.

A Campus Growing With Our Community

This has been a transformational year for our campus, with significant investment across both learning environments and sporting facilities.

Students are already benefiting from three brand-new playgrounds, incorporating shaded areas for comfortable outdoor play, alongside new covered walkways linking the car park to key buildings, providing protection during both inclement weather and the Algarve sunshine. Safety improvements, including anti-slip surfacing on stairways, have also enhanced the campus for everyone.

We have also developed additional parking and drop-off solutions to improve the daily experience for families.

Our investment in sport has been equally ambitious, with three new astroturf pitches, new volleyball and basketball courts and the opening of our impressive sports hall, proudly unveiled during the inaugural Torneio Inter-Escolas do Algarve. Welcoming schools from across the region, the event celebrated sporting excellence, friendship and healthy competition, strengthening Nobel Algarve Lagoa's links with the local community.

Learning facilities have also been transformed with the addition of new science laboratories, fully equipped music rooms and facilities, and a dedicated examinations hall, ensuring our students continue to benefit from outstanding learning environments that match their aspirations.

Proud to Wear Our Colours

Whether competing locally, nationally or internationally, our students continued to demonstrate resilience, determination and incredible school spirit. Outstanding performances at the St. Julian's and CAISL tournaments were matched by representation at regional and national competitions in tennis, cross country and the MEGAS athletics championships. Every medal, every finish line and every personal best reflected something far greater than sporting success, and we're immensely proud of every student who represented our school.

Listening. Learning. Growing Together.

As a school, we believe the strongest communities are built on partnership. Throughout the year, we have continued to listen carefully to the voices of our families through Coffee Mornings, parent strategy groups and regular opportunities for open dialogue. Your feedback has directly influenced many of the improvements across our campus, our curriculum and our wider school experience.

We have also continued to enhance our catering provision, working closely with our lunch providers to improve both the quality and variety of meals available each day, ensuring students enjoy nutritious, balanced food that supports their wellbeing and learning.

The Best Is Yet to Come

When we look back on 2025/26, we'll remember the achievements. We'll remember the awards. We'll remember the results. But above all, we'll remember the people. The children who found confidence they never knew they had. The teachers who inspired them to dream bigger. The families who supported every step of the journey.

Together, we have built something truly special: a school where two curricula become one community, where local roots meet global opportunities, and where every learner is encouraged to discover their own path, their own voice and their own future.

2025/26 has shown us what is possible when a community comes together with ambition, courage and heart. As we look ahead to September 2026, with exciting new facilities, innovative learning opportunities and a growing community, one thing is certain:

The best is yet to come.

Thank you to everyone in the Nobel Algarve British International School Lagoa community. We can't wait to welcome you back for another exceptional year.