Co-Curricular Activities (CCA)

On the last period of Wednesdays (MYP) and Thursdays (PYP), students take a break from lessons to try something completely different. This is the time for our Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs). We provide students with a wide choice of activities to choose from, which they can change each term.  Please take a look at the list below for a brief description of our all our CCAs.

*PYP Years 1-2 (Thursdays – 1445-1530)*  

Art Explorers: Join this creative and exciting class where students will discover different forms of art and culture from around the world. Through painting, drawing, clay modelling, dance, and hands-on projects, children will explore how people express themselves in different countries and traditions. Each session encourages imagination, creativity, and curiosity while helping students develop new artistic skills and an appreciation for the rich diversity of our world. 

Gym Buddies: Gym Buddies is a fun and active class designed especially for our Years 1 and 2 students. Through exciting games, challenges, and introductory gymnastics activities, children will develop their balance, coordination, strength, and confidence in a safe and supportive environment. Students will learn basic gymnastics skills such as jumping, rolling, balancing, and travelling in creative ways, while enjoying teamwork, movement, and plenty of fun with their friends. 

STEAM Buddies Junior: Come and enjoy a playful introduction to the world of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. Children work together as “buddies” to build, create, experiment, and explore through fun, hands-on projects. From simple engineering challenges and creative design activities to coding concepts and scientific discoveries, every session encourages teamwork, curiosity, and imagination while helping children understand how STEAM shapes the world around them. 

*PYP Years 3-4 (Thursdays – 1445-1530)* 

Art Club: Let’s unleash our creativity! Students will explore a variety of artistic techniques and materials, including drawing, painting and collage while creating unique projects and exploring their own imagination. Along the way, they’ll build confidence, develop artistic skills, play games, and express their ideas in a supportive and creative environment. 

General Motor Skills: In this active and interactive CCA, we will be mixing physical development and fun exploration. Through a wide range of engaging activities, games, and exercises, we’ll focus on enhancing fundamental motor skills like balance, coordination, agility, and strength. 

Little Carpenters: Students can get busy with balsa wood, learning fun new skills as we make cool crafts. Projects can include decorations, 3D animals. planes, bird houses and more. We look forward to seeing what our young wood workers will create under the guidance of our new ASA partner Little Carpenters. 

Mini Builders:  Discover the world of architecture and construction through exciting LEGO building challenges! Students will design and build houses, bridges, towers, landmarks, while exploring the principles of planning, stability, and creative design. Working individually and as part of a team, they’ll develop problem-solving, spatial awareness, and engineering skills as they bring their architectural ideas to life. 

STEAM Buddies Intermediate: Step up your STEAM adventure with exciting challenges that encourage creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork. Through hands-on investigations, engineering design challenges, coding activities, experiments, and creative projects, children will develop their skills while exploring how science and technology influence everyday life. STEAM Buddies Intermediate inspires students to think critically, collaborate effectively, and bring their ideas to life. 

*PYP Years 5-6 (Thursdays – 1445-1530)* 

Board Games: The wide range of games available provide a great way to learn and develop critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and strategic planning skills, while having a great time with friends and making new ones. 

Ceramics: Get ready to get your hands dirty and enjoy turning clay into your own work of art. Under the guidance of our experienced teacher we’ll be moulding, shaping and transforming as we learn many different techniques along the way. 

Multi Sports: What better way to end a Thursday than by getting active with our friends. We’ll try lots of different sports and games as we work on developing teamwork, coordination, and fitness. 

Mini Entrepreneurs Club: Brainstorm. Collaborate. Play. The Mini Entrepreneurs Club brings a “learn by doing” edge to CCA time fun. It’s a space   where students dive into games, role-play and creative activities that explore real entrepreneurship concepts , tackle simulated real-world challenges , and build essential future skills, all while earning as many ‘Minis as they can! 

Skateboarding: Take a trip to our super skateboard park for some tricks, flips, fun and more. Our expert coaches are here to help you enhance your skills, no matter what your level. All equipment can be provided until students bring their own. 

STEAM Buddies Advanced: Take on bigger challenges and become an innovator of the future! In this advanced STEAM class, students explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics through engaging, project-based learning. Working in teams, they will design solutions, build prototypes, develop coding skills, investigate real-world problems, and test their ideas through creativity and experimentation. STEAM Buddies Advanced encourages leadership, resilience, and inventive thinking while empowering students to make a positive impact on the world around them. 

Yearbook Club: Your chance to help tell our school’s unique PYP story. This activity provides a chance to develop skills in photography, graphic design, writing, and project management. Team members will collaborate to design layouts, write compelling stories, and document memorable moments from events and everyday school life. 

*MYP (Wednesdays – 1445-1540)* 

Art Club: Join fellow art enthusiasts and friends and let your creativity flourish as we explore various art forms and techniques with the help of our DP Art Students.  

Board Games: The wide range of games available provide a great way to learn and develop critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and strategic planning skills, while having a great time with friends and making new ones. 

Ceramics: It’s time to get creative with clay! Discover the joy of working with various textures and techniques, under the guidance of our skilled instructor, as you turn a piece of clay into your own work of art. 

Multi-Sports (INDOOR & OUTDOOR options available): Students will work in groups and rotate through a range of sports. For the indoors option it can include Basketball, Volleyball and Foot-Volley. For the outdoors option it could include Futsal, Football, Cricket, Tag Rugby, Track & Field, Rounders, Handball, and Frisbee. Whichever you choose, it’s a great, active way to spend the last period on Wednesdays. 

Upcycling – Frayed to Fabulous: What better way to help save the planet than breathing new life into waste fabrics to create cool things. From making bags to beanies or pencil cases to plushies, you’re only limited by your imagination. In this fun activity, led by Ms Candy, OIS’ very own upcycling guru, we will primarily upcycle textile waste, either by extending their lives or turning them into items with new purposes. Creativity is key and possibilities are endless!  Whether you want to try your hand at sewing or develop new upcycled items, all sewing skill levels are welcomed.  Let’s learn together and make a global impact on reducing waste. This activity can also count towards your Service as Action too! 

School Production: It’s showtime! Join the cast and crew as the Production Team put together yet another amazing performance that will leave you with smiles, laughter, and unforgettable memories! Sign up on the separate section of the form. There’s no need for the extra choices.  

Skateboarding: Join us on our awesome skateboard park for an hour of tricks, flips, fun and more. No matter what your level, our expert coaches are here to help you enhance your skills. All equipment can be provided until students bring their own. 

Woodcraft: Explore the world of wood. Learn new skills as you make cool crafts.    Projects could include decorations (festive and year-round), 3D animals. planes, bird houses and more. We look forward to seeing what our young wood workers will create under the guidance of our new CCA partner Little Carpenters. 

Yearbook Club: Here’s your chance to help tell our school’s unique MYP story. This activity provides a chance to develop skills in photography, graphic design, writing, and project management. Team members will collaborate to design layouts, write compelling stories, and document memorable moments from events and everyday school life. 

For more information or help with CCAs, please contact Mr Adrian on adrian.illingworth@ois.pt.