International School?

B2D · Post by **B2D** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 2:32 pm

It is profit driven to a very high degree.

well it's a business isn't it?- it always was. when I was there i think money always came first and education second.
(yes I know it was a lifetime ago but I'm allowed to rant here among friends) at least if i had gone to a pt school i'd be able to speak the language better.

Bruce Wallis · Post by **Bruce Wallis** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 3:47 pm

Like wot yer sister does yer mean?

Oh God!!....I'll get bollocked by B1D now!

Misty · Post by **Misty** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 4:05 pm

I feared this might turn into a slanging match, so I didn't really want to post my true feelings about the school.
However I would say that I sent my son there for 1 year and then took him out again. I then sent my 2 children to Vilamoura Int which I was happy with, but it was too far to travel and then as we decided to stay here long term we put them both into the state schools, which we are completely happy with. They will be bilingual and will have a good education and children like Jaylay's frequently do well and have the opportunity to attend a good university like anyone else.
The will also integrate with the Portuguese.

pato · Post by **pato** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 4:45 pm

Misty wrote:I feared this might turn into a slanging match, so I didn't really want to post my true feelings about the school.
However I would say that I sent my son there for 1 year and then took him out again. I then sent my 2 children to Vilamoura Int which I was happy with, but it was too far to travel and then as we decided to stay here long term we put them both into the state schools, which we are completely happy with. They will be bilingual and will have a good education and children like Jaylay's frequently do well and have the opportunity to attend a good university like anyone else.
The will also integrate with the Portuguese.

Well done Misty, don't worry about the colonialism attitude of others on the site, you've done the right thing, by George!!

laserblazer · Post by **laserblazer** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 5:20 pm

Well done Misty, don't worry about the colonialism attitude of others on the site, you've done the right thing, by George!!

I really don't think colonialism comes into it. Most parents do what they think is right for their kids and many would be apprehensive about sending them to a state school where their linguistic skills would be challenged.

Bruce Wallis · Post by **Bruce Wallis** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 5:30 pm

Pato....after the responses you have received today, may I introduce you to a well tried political maxim....."When you get in a hole.....stop digging"

Globetrotter · Post by **Globetrotter** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:44 pm

Misty,
At what age did your children move into the PT system?

bifas 1st darling! · Post by **bifas 1st darling!** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:18 pm

I'm not getting involved in this one but would just like to know which side are Globtrotters and any other posters children in? International or Portuguese?

pato · Post by **pato** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 1:34 am

Bruce Wallis wrote:Pato....after the responses you have received today, may I introduce you to a well tried political maxim....."When you get in a hole.....stop digging"

You have to dig deep to find anything of value, Coal, Gold, Tin, Diamonds. Better than scratching the surface for sure,

I'm happy that the response has been very rewarding and informative, OK! the odd AH replied, but generally rewarding, and I think, useful to those considering sending their siblings there.

Misty · Post by **Misty** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:56 am

My children went to Portuguse state school from a very early age, which of course made it a much easier decision. Had they been a lot older I probably would not have done the same, I would most likely have kept them at the Vilamoura school. I am, like most parents, trying to do the best for them. Their age was a big consideration in our move here.

I can see that the international schools are useful for children who have already started the UK education and just need to complete it and its also useful for people who aren't staying in the country long.
But this thread was about one school in particular.........

pato · Post by **pato** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 11:35 am

Misty wrote:
But this thread was about one school in particular.........

Yeah! but it got the posters interested and talking and that's the whole idea surely, I don't know any other schools anyway.

LoobyLou · Post by **LoobyLou** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 3:14 pm

Do your children now go to the Carvoeiro school Misty? I am seriously considering moving my children from the International school to the primary school in Carvoerio as I feel that if we are going to live here they need to be able to speak the language and mix more with the local children. Did your children speak any portuguese before they went? How did they get on?

Globetrotter · Post by **Globetrotter** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:11 pm

Misty wrote:.
But this thread was about one school in particular.........

And it is very fair to write an opinion or a review about any school. If more people had expressed their opinions, maybe people could make more informed decisions. I searched and searched, I visited the school and didn´t find what I needed.

I have no qualms about sharing my opinion as long as the question was asked in good faith.

Misty · Post by **Misty** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:19 pm

I just meant that I was getting off topic really........

LoubyLou - Yes, mine are at the Carvoeiro schools (primary and preschool). Had no problems at all. They spoke little Portuguese when they started and have had no problems picking it up.
PM me if you want any more info etc.

iane · Post by **iane** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 9:13 pm

After a long (self imposed) exile I am finally drawn to add my own view on the Intl School - if anyone is tempted to place their child(ren) in this school then I would suggest that they visit, hear the sales pitch, view the (dismal) facilities, think long and hard and then go somewhere (anywhere) else - if I had my time again I think I would rather have spent the money on anything other than that place.