All Posts By

Carlos Gomes de Sá

William Shakespeare Revisited -English Language World Day

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UNESCO has established the 23rd April as English Language Day. The 23rd of April is not only the birth, but also the farewell of one of the greatest legends of English literature, William Shakespeare. His timeless works have come to life not only on the pages of books, but also on theatre stages and cinema screens. Who hasn’t been moved by the tragedies of “Romeo and Juliet” or “Macbeth”, pondered the dilemmas of “Hamlet” or been enchanted by sonnets such as “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”.

The English Teachers and students of Aver-o-Mar School Group marked this day and celebrated not only the English language, but also the rich culture and history that come with it.

Some 9th and 8th graders dressed up for the occasion performed a brief cultural moment, reading poems and excerpts, giving the whole school community a chance to dive into the world of Shakespeare. These students also surprised the 3rd and 4th grade classes from  Refojos and Fieiro schools. Armed with courage and poetry, they travelled to the primary schools and declaimed some poems, bringing a touch of literary magic to the classrooms.

This visit not only added a special touch to the celebration of the English language, but also promoted integration between the different levels of education, inspiring the youngest with the beauty of the renowned British author’s words.

In addition, following British tradition, the emblematic “Five o’clock tea” was served in the teachers’ lounge, providing a relaxed atmosphere in which to appreciate English culture and share moments of conviviality between teachers.

Quoting the words of Shakespeare himself, “I would not wish for any companion in the world but you”, the English teachers would like to thank all those who joined in this celebration of the English language and culture.

 

 

Grand Final of the Writing Olympics

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As part of the “Escola da Minha Vida” Project, Aver-o-Mar School took part in the Grand Final of the Writing Olympics, at the Diana Bar Library in Póvoa de Varzim, with 159 students from the county’s elementary and secondary schools.

The session began with a greeting from the Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Education, Dr Luís Diamantino, who praised the interest and commitment shown over the years by the students and teachers.

The visiting writer, Tiago Salazar, was introduced by Dr Luís Diamantino. Tiago Salazar, a writer and journalist, shared with the audience his experience of literary tuk tuk journeys in Lisbon and set the tone for the task that the students would undertake.Starting with his first book “Sentimental Journeys” (2007), in which he describes one of the longest journeys he has ever made, to one of the most inhospitable areas in the world, Siberia, something really strange happened to him in the middle of the journey: he missed his train! However, he was helped by a taxi driver who, with communication difficulties, took him to the Mongolian border. The students were challenged to create a piece of prose or poetry for the competition.

After this stage, the works will be judged by a jury made up of a teacher representing each school and a guest from the municipality. The students from Aver-o-Mar Primary School have won prizes over the years. This year they have worked to ensure that they can be selected among the best in each class and category.

https://view.genial.ly/65d2192839239a00146826cf/video-presentation-olimpiadas-da-escrita

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3KaVVKvEnk

Scientific article “Alan Turing’s History and Legacy for Computer Science”

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Today’s edition of the International Journal of Scientific Research and Public Management features a scientific article entitled “Alan Turing’s History and Legacy for Computer Science”, co-authored by António Santos, a computer technician at this school for two years.

 

Abstract

“Throughout history we have come across some personalities who think ahead of their time and, in many cases, are misunderstood or even wronged. However, they all have one thing in common: they are geniuses who find impressive solutions to complex problems. The aim of this article is to carry out a historical review of one of the important personalities who has written his name in history and has great relevance to the development of modern computing: Alan Mathison Turing, or as he is known: Alan Turing. Considered the father of theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence, he made his great contribution to humanity by developing, in 1936, through an academic article, an automatic machine (“a-machine”, which was later called Turing) that could read and write different numbers and symbols. This article covers his birth, his academic career, his mentality and vision of machines and technological equipment, his partnerships and some interesting facts about his life.

Thus, it can be understood that, even at that time, it was already possible to see the signs of the first computer logics and realise that machines have dynamics beyond human comprehension, as they can also learn from humans and other machines and, best of all, transmit this knowledge with quality. Thus realising the legacy and historical milestone that this British mathematician, computer scientist, philosopher and biologist left for the modern and contemporary world in which we live today.”

DIGITAL SCHOOL – DEVICE REPAIRS AND DELIVERIES

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The Digital School is a programme of the Portuguese Education Ministry that aims to do much more than provide computers and the internet. As the project’s website states, “We want all pupils, teachers and schools to be able to collaborate, teach and learn in a digital environment.”

The programme is based on key initiatives, namely: 1. Making equipment and internet connections available to pupils, teachers and schools; 2. Training and empowering teachers to go digital; 3. Providing digital collaboration platforms and access to digital teaching resources for pupils and teachers; 4. Establishing an action plan for digital development in each school.

As there are some known limitations on the delivery of devices, given the rules applicable to each type/phase and ASE bracket, there are huge constraints in terms of repairs, in addition to the expiry of warranties on many machines, as well as the blocking of access via the hotspots made available to students. On 16 February, a national meeting was held with DGEstE, but the issues associated with maintenance/end of warranty and access to the internet network still remain unanswered.

Nevertheless, the school is already moving forward with streamlining some basic procedures in line with the possibilities of the Digital School rules, in order to reduce the number of computers awaiting intervention, having acquired various materials and adjusted internal procedures for dealing with situations. In addition to the creation of a platform for registering and processing occurrences, with the history of the equipment and automatic communications with the students’ teachers, during the Carnival break, an update on the state of the equipment was promoted, with the registration of anomalies that do not limit its use (e.g. hard keys, audio output not working); dozens of missing screws were also applied, chargers replaced, backpacks repaired… which made it possible to deliver around 30 more pieces of equipment to the students. We would like to highlight the collaboration of IT technician António Cunha, as well as the technical and operational assistants, in a process that, given the volume of data/equipment involved, is not easy to manage, and during the Christmas break, an adjustment was made to the support storerooms.

This process will end by the end of February, with new assignments, reinforcement the requests for intervention with devices under warranty or waiting at school for decisions.Those situations resulting from misuse/irreparable damage will also be charged to the EE, under the legal terms of the loan, with the aim of reducing the number of outstanding repairs by 15 March, which was over 80 at the beginning of February.

Alongside all this, there has been constant concern about the fixed items of equipment in classrooms/services, the maintenance of which is carried out by the ICT teachers working at the main school, using the system for reporting problems, via the tickets on the school’s website. The headteachers have worked together to keep a record of abnormal situations with the students’ equipment, since regular use of digital equipment is promoted, as this is the only way to gradually familiarise students with and prepare them for the Final and Benchmarking Tests.

In addition, in the 1st cycle, the conditions for internet access will be reinforced, with the City Council approving the suggested intervention by the School Group, and the purchase of new equipment to replug the Wifi signal in all the classrooms has already been awarded, and it is expected that by the end of the 2nd term all the classrooms will have efficient internet network coverage. This work will be carried out by the school’s IT technician, António Cunha, so that all classrooms will have a network capable of allowing consistent use of IT equipment, considering that, since last year, all classrooms have multimedia projectors, one of the axes of the Digital School.

Of course, we don’t have perfect settings and there are always aspects that can be improved, so we would like to thank all the students/Guardians,Parents, Teachers and staff for their collaboration, in the certainty that the use of digital devices requires extra care, not only in terms of transporting/keeping the equipment, but also in its regular use.

Aldeia Elementary School now has a pedagogical greenhouse

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It was with great pleasure and gratitude that the students at the Aldeia Elementary School received a new piece of equipment: a pedagogical greenhouse.

The placement of a greenhouse, for educational purposes, on the school grounds of Aldeia Elementary School, was validated with the Municipality of Póvoa de Varzim, being an upgrade, we would say a natural one, of the existing garden at the school and taking into account the surrounding environment. It’s another of the sustainable practices that the School Group will be showcasing in Lisbon on 3rd February and in Porto on 3rd March (see more information at SCHOOL GROUP PRESENTS INCLUSION AND SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES IN LISBON AND PORTO – Agrupamento de Escolas Aver o Mar (aeaveromar. pt).

The structure was offered to the school by the parents and was assembled by one of them. As of this week, this new equipment will be available for pedagogical use, complementing the traditional classroom.

Maintenance will be carried out by students, parents, teachers and staff, reinforcing the existing educational equipment in various schools (flowerbeds and gardens), along with the community greenhouse at the Aver-o-Mar School, encouraging ecological and sustainable growing practices, along with the “Sustainable Greenhouse” project, in which 5th grade students propose to create an intelligent greenhouse growing system, with a neutral carbon footprint and water consumption of less than 10% of the total used for irrigation, controlling temperatures, water pH, air humidity, soil pH, gas concentration (NOx+ and CO2), natural and/or artificial lighting using renewable energy sources, in order to optimise the growth of the cultivated species, without using any non-renewable energy sources and maintaining efficiency. The system will transmit data using LoRaWan technology so that the user can visualise the state of the crop and resources in use.

The use of very low-power, long-range transmission makes it possible to reduce “pollution of the radio spectrum” and, not least, the aim is to develop a project that is simple to implement so that it can be replicated in the community by people without high levels of training. The project is also linked to the meteorological station installed at the school’s headquarters.

Innovative school group projects selected to receive SYNOPSYS Electronics Kits – Apps for Good – Agrupamento de Escolas Aver o Mar (aeaveromar.pt)

On the school’s Teams, on the students’, teachers’ and staff’s channels, you can watch a video of the students thanking their parents for this new equipment.

Thanks to everyone who helped!

Purchase of tools to promote remote working

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As part of the funding operations underway for CALL NOTICE No. 05/C19-i07.05/2022 – Acquisition of work resources to promote teleworking, Agrupamento de Escolas de Aver-o-Mar has established an agreement with a worker from its administrative services to carry out his professional activity under a subordinate teleworking regime (alternating periods of remote work and face-to-face work), under the terms of articles 165 to 171 of the Labour Code, applicable by reference to article 68(1) of the General Public Employment Law. In accordance with articles 165 to 171 of the Labour Code, applicable by reference to article 68(1) of the General Law on Public Employment, the employee will carry out his/her duties under the authority and direction of the latter and without prejudice to the technical autonomy inherent to the respective activity. In accordance with Notice no. 05/C19-i07.05/2022, equipment (a laptop computer) was acquired through funding from the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) for the employee to carry out his work remotely.

Almost finished Snoezelen parlour

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The Aver-o-Mar School Group is setting up a sensory stimulation room in the main school, which is associated with the concept of the Snoezelen Parlour, a project supported by its own funds and resulting from Erasmus projects, also counting on the partnership of community companies, in this case Quantal SA, as well as funds from the Pingo Doce “Happy Neighbourhood” project.

The Snoezelen atmosphere stands out from other multisensory environments because it is organised to offer sensory experiences that generate pleasure and well-being, in a relational climate based on freedom of choice, respect for the rhythm of the child/young person/elderly person and their safety.

This room is a safe space, with positive therapeutic and pedagogical effects on various pathologies in order to promote:

  • Motor skills: fine and large motor skills, range of movement, postural control;
  • Cognitive skills: attention/concentration, language, communication, memory;
  • Psychosocial skills: social skills, motivation, self-esteem.

The room is currently set up with the following facilities:

Ultraviolet (UV) projectors for visual stimuli: this is an invaluable means of having a safe light that has a wide range, in order to stimulate visual and cognitive abilities, through fluorescent and shiny materials that attract attention;

Optical Fibres: provide this stimulation with less energy power. A person with epilepsy entering the room cannot be subjected to strong visual stimuli, such as those involving movement or rotation;

Water bubble column: this is one of the most attractive pieces of sensory equipment and is essential in any sensory space. It is perfect for stimulating the user as it cycles through various colours, such as red, green, blue and much more! The constantly changing lights produce a very calming effect and can help work on colour recognition. To be interactive, get the button controller, with which you can choose the colour you want to see on the column, and work on communication, interaction, cognition and learning. The water column attracts attention and interest through the constantly changing colours and moving bubbles, ideal for visual stimulation, developing cause and effect skills, colour sequencing and matching, and touch through vibration;

Sensory swing: cradles for comfort and relaxation, provides gentle movement to help relax. Excellent for stimulation and sensory integration;

UV puff: relaxation;

Liquid projector: provides visual stimulation, attention and visuomotor coordination:

Tactile kit: works on fine motor skills and posture;

LED gloves: cognitive and visual stimulation.

The creation of this space is an added value, both as a response for all students with specific needs and for the older community. In this way, as well as complementing the full development of the students, alongside the measures already in place, the school aims to contribute to improving the quality of life, well-being and inclusion of the entire community.

The room is in the final stages of installation and is expected to open soon.

Susete Araújo

Some recordings of the project’s execution.

DROPI OUR FAVOURITE  Wallaby

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DROPI returned to Fieiro Elementary School and shared many adventures with the 2nd grade class for two and a half months. There were 10 weekly meetings full of emotion and sharing. The students’ evaluation was very positive and full of empowerment. They learnt that friendships are important, that love changes and that loyalty is a unique value that cuts across contexts.

On 30th January 2024, the diplomas were handed out, marking yet another milestone in the life of our blue wallaby.

DROPI has missed Fieiro Elementary School, but now he’s been given another mission! He’ll be at Navais Elementary School for the second graders, teaching emotions!

The DROPI socio-emotional programme was created by the Unificar Association and has been in the school since 2018. Its general aim is to promote socio-emotional competences, improve interpersonal relationships and learn to look at oneself and others.

Thank you DROPI!

Thank you Teacher Catarina Ferreira ( 2nd grade class FES)!

Andreia Teixeira

Social worker and DROPI multiplier agent

Celebrating the 500th Anniversary of the birth of Luís Vaz de Camões

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With the start of another new calendar year, the month of January brings us a new cycle of events that mark the genius of some of the most illustrious figures in Portuguese literature.

We are referring, of course, to the 500th anniversary of the birth of the greatest Portuguese poet of all time… Luís Vaz de Camões.

As part of the 5th centenary of the birth of the man who became famous as the “Prince of the poets of his time… He lived poorly and thus died miserably”, the Aver-o-Mar School Group was keen to honour and celebrate this milestone.

On the 17th of this month, in the auditorium of the main school of the Aver-o-Mar School Group, students from the 9th grade classes were honoured with a celebration of the 5th centenary of the birth of Camões.

The activity, called “Celebrating Camões”, was recreated with the magic and charm of two guests: Professor António Sousa – a reciter – and musician Carlos Carneiro, who transported everyone to the Renaissance.

Through the staging recreated by the lead teachers and with the collaboration of some of the school’s students, it was possible to travel back to the time of Camões, watching the exquisite recitation of some of his poems, passionately accompanied by a guitar virtuoso who, cuddled up to his guitar, let his fingers run carelessly over the strings as if it were a caress.

It was with our students’ faces beaming with joy, emotion and satisfaction that we left this note as yet another glorious way of praising and celebrating the man who left the most brilliant legacy in Portuguese literature: “For such a long love, such a short life”.

AWARD OF THE FIRST PRIZE FOR SCHOOL PROJECTS 23

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On the 24th January, the Aver-o-Mar School Group was awarded the 1st Cooperation and Solidarity Prize for the “Ala-Arriba” project, in the iconic Voz do Operário venue in Lisbon.

Carlos Gomes de Sá, along with Andreia Teixeira, the social worker from the Aver-o-Mar School Group, proudly wearing our handmade Poveira jumper, explained the Ala-Arriba project to dozens of guests, including the Secretary of State for Social Security, Gabriel Bastos, and Eduardo Graça the chairman of the CASES organisation.

The brief description of the project,  ended with the audience cheering in one voice: “Ala-arriba”!

In addition to the €5,000 prize, the school was also awarded the “Todos Contam Prize – National Financial Training Plan”. The meeting took the opportunity to strengthen a network of partnerships with higher education institutions and the social sector, which will soon be unveiled.

The school group will be back in the capital on 3rd February (Culturgest) and in Porto (Super Bock Arena) on 2nd March to present “Projects for Inclusion and Sustainability” as part of the 12th Meeting of Early Childhood Educators and Primary School Teachers, organised by Areal Editores, with the motto ” Together for a sustainable future”.

Photos from the event and the awarded diplomas.

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