VVIS International School Algarve, Portugal

VVIS International School Algarve offers a wide and balanced curriculum based on the English National Curriculum for Key Stages 3 and 4 and leading to internationally recognised qualifications   the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and the International Certificate of Education (ICE)   administered by the Cambridge University International Exams.
 
Pupils in Years 6 and 7 follow a common curriculum of English, Maths, General Science, French, Portuguese, Geography, History, I.C.T., Art, Drama and Physical Education. As from September 2006 Chemistry will be offered.
In Year 9 individual Sciences are introduced (presently Physics and Biology) and Business Studies is also added to the time table. Pupils are offered the option of English Literature as an IGCSE course as from Year 10.
 
In Years 10 and 11 a limited but expanding option system is put into operation allowing pupils to  play to their strengths  while ensuring that they continue with priority subjects. Eventually all students will study 12 subjects throughout these two years leading to IGCSE s in 8 or 9 of these. As from September 2006, Chemistry and Food and Nutrition Technology will be introduced.
 
Increasingly throughout the school I.C.T. is assuming the role of a means to learn and exercise other subjects as well as an independent discipline in its own right.
 
As from September 2006, VVIS International School Algarve will be introducing AS and A level teaching. The school intends to monitor the future developments of AS and A levels and will eventually opt for the International Baccalaureate Programme. 
 
Due to the growing demand from the local community, the VVIS International School Algarve are in the process of establishing a Bilingual Primary School. This idea was received with enthusiasm by the Department of Education, as the teaching in two languages (Portuguese and English) will be a new educational phenomenon in the Algarve. Expatriates who are keen for their children to fully integrate into the community by learning more about the language, culture and tradition of the Portuguese, will be pleased to know that their children will receive instruction in both languages. On the other hand, the school will also cater for Portuguese parents who would like their children to become more fluent in English in order to further their education in an international context. 
 
The Bilingual Section is to function under the Cambridge Primary Curriculum, whilst offering some subjects in Portuguese. The curriculum framework document makes provision for key subjects to be taught in English, with non-disciplinary subjects such as Music, Physical Education, Project Work, Art and Design, Study Methods and Religion and Moral Education being taught in Portuguese. 
 
A Tutor Teacher, fully conversant in both languages, will be responsible for each class, supported by specialist teachers who will provide teaching in various subjects. It is the aim that, by the end of year one, most children will be able to understand and follow instructions in all their subjects. By the end of year two, most pupils should be able to speak, read and write in both languages. 
 
It is the school s aims to present a programme that will fulfil the needs of English, Portuguese and other speakers, without distracting from their own cultures and heritage. This framework includes courses that are stimulating for both students and teachers in a bilingual environment. The knowledge and skills developed during the primary years should ensure a smooth transition from primary to secondary schooling, and in particular for those students wishing to progress to the International General Cambridge Secondary Education qualification. It is anticipated that all pupils who have been following the Bilingual Programme since primary years will have the necessary confidence and skills to participate in the international programme. 
 
The local authorities have approved the plans for the building of additional class rooms and two ablution blocks at the school s site in Burgau. Applications are invited for parents wishing to register their children for the 2007/08 academic year. For further information, contact the school 
 
 
STAFF
 
More than 50% of teaching staff hold two undergraduate qualifications or a Masters qualification.  
 
FACILITIES
 
The school has a purpose built sports centre suitable for football, tennis, badmington and basketball.  There is also an on-site swimming pool.  Large investments have been made for the development of a chemistry lab and an advanced Information Technology lab.  Most classrooms have computers for educational software and demonstrations.  
 
SCHOOL YEAR AND SCHOOL DAY
 
Can any day in a vibrant educational community be described as  routine ? However, learning is best undertaken within an orderly framework. This is ours.
 
The school day starts at 9:00 each morning and finishes, officially, at 15:45 though after school, co curricular and extra curricula activities often mean that the school is still a hive of activity well after this time. 
 
The curriculum is delivered within a timetable structure of 35 fifty minute periods per week. This, combined with our small class policy, gives ample time and opportunity for real understanding of the course material to occur, not just superficial knowledge. 
 
There are two breaks during the teaching day, one rather longer than the other allowing pupils to eat lunch (picnic) in the school canteen or in the shaded area outside. 
 
Homework is timetabled and set in all subjects and is estimated to occupy between 50 minutes (7th Yr) and an hour and a half (10th and 11th Yr.). 
 
A number of recreational facilities are available to students during breaks both in clement and inclement weather ranging from chess and board games to table tennis and the school s all weather football, basket ball and volleyball area. 
 
SCHOOL TERMS 2006-07
 
AUTUMN TERM 2006 
Monday 4th September First day for teachers and staff 
Tuesday 5th September First day of school 
Thursday 5th October National Holiday (Implantação da República) 
Monday 30th to 3rd November Half Term Holiday 
Wednesday 1st November National Holiday (All Saints Day) 
Friday 1st December  National Holiday (Restauração da Independência) 
Friday 8th December National Holiday (Imaculada Conceição) 
Friday 15th December End of Term (12 noon) 
 
  
SPRING TERM 2006 
Wednesday 3rd January Start of Spring Term 
Monday 19th to 23rd February Half Term Holiday 
Friday 30th March  End of Term (15:45) Easter Holiday 
 
  
SUMMER TERM 
Monday 16th April Start of Summer Term 
Wednesday 25th April  National Holiday (Dia da Liberdade) 
Tuesday 1st May National Holiday (Dia do Trabalhador) 
Friday 25th to 28th May Half-Term Holiday 
Thursday 7th June  National Holiday (Corpos Christi) 
Wednesday 13th June  National Holiday (Santo António) 
Friday 29th June Last Day of School (12 noon) 
 
EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
 
It is the mission of the VVIS International School Algarve to provide the community with a balanced, quality education of an international character predominantly through the medium of English based upon sound values and high expectations in all fields. 
 
It is our aim to prepare young people in the Western Algarve to take their full place in society. This will involve their developing academic, social, physical and interpersonal skills as well as a sense of personal responsibility for themselves and those with whom they interact, the ability to discern right from wrong, true from false, valuable from worthless, beneficial from malign, selflessness from selfishness, the transcendental from the mundane, the essential from the dispensable and excellence from mediocrity and the strength of character to act upon these value judgements. 
It is our aim to celebrate the joy of learning leading our community (pupils, parents, staff, friends) into life long learning, contributing positively to the common wealth and the society, stretching from the family unit to the world, of which we form a part.
 
It is among our aims to help students acquire a reasoned set of moral values and an awareness and tolerance of the values of other cultures.
 
It is among our aims to create a happy and stimulating learning environment for all members of the school community. 
 
It is among our aims to encourage all students in their endeavours to realise their fullest potential   academically, socially, practically and physically. It is among our aims to develop aesthetic awareness and creative ability.