Wishing you a season filled with warm moments and cherished memories.Best wishes for a wonderful Holiday and a very Happy New Year 2025

The anticipated special night of this term was finally here this last Saturday! Our annual Winter Ball! The girls were certainly very excited for this celebration. The event was a great success and the girls seemed to have a really fun time with their friends both at dinner and on the dance floor! A wonderful way to end this semester before going home for Winter Break indeed!

A heartfelt and resounding thank you goes out to our incredible Kitchen Staff: Mr. Antonio, Mrs. Andrea, and Mr. Olivier. Their exceptional skills, dedication, and hard work have made every Sunday’s brunch an unforgettable culinary experience. Mr. Antonio’s mastery of the kitchen has continuously amazed us. Mr. Olivier’s behind-the-scenes efforts have been nothing short of extraordinary and, Mrs. Andrea’s unwavering dedication and attention to detail have played a vital role in the success of our Sunday brunches. Enjoy the videos and photos

” For two weeks in December, the city of Geneva goes Escalade mad. As Roy Probert found, the people dress up in period costume and pay homage to a humble soup pot that saved the free world. Or something.

Geneva may be renowned as the world capital of peace and humanitarian work. But during the Escalade period, the citizens of the city show a surprising fondness for guns, swords and canons.

All Swiss people, it seems, have a secret love of dressing up in period costume, polishing muskets and playing fifes and drums. The Genevans are no different. But when they do it, they are remembering a decisive event which arguably made the city what it is today.

The actual day of the Escalade is December 12. It is Geneva’s 4th of July and Bastille Day, though in keeping with Geneva’s puritan past, it’s celebrated with rather more sobriety. It marks the night when the small Protestant city state defeated the Catholic forces of the Duke of Savoy and, it’s claimed, cemented its place as a bastion of freedom and tolerance.

“If it had not been for the Escalade, we would probably be French now. And that’s worth celebrating,” says Jean-Michel, who, like his father and grandfather before him, is a member of the 1602 Society, which organises the annual Escalade procession through Geneva’s Old Town.

But what, the visitor will be forgiven for asking, is the significance of the chocolate cauldrons that seem to be in every shop window in the city from the middle of November till the middle of December?

These are “marmites”, and they symbolise the soup pot which played a crucial role in defeating the French hordes.

The story goes something like this: On the night of December 11, the Duke of Savoy launched a surprise attack on the city. As they scaled the city walls with ladders (escalade means to scale) his men were spotted by a woman now affectionately known as Mère Royaume, who poured a pot of boiling vegetable soup over their heads and raised the alarm.

In reality, it was not Catherine Cheynel (Mère Royaume’s real name) who raised the alarm. But she was one of thousands of ordinary Geneva citizens who helped fight off the Savoyards, and her inventive weapon became the symbol of the Escalade.

Today the marmite is made of chocolate and filled with marzipan vegetables. Tradition dictates that the youngest and oldest people smash the chocolate pot and recite the phrase: “Thus perish the enemies of the republic”. In French, of course.

The really serious escalade festivities take place on the weekend closest to December 12. Members of the 1602 Society, dressed in those authentic Reformation period costumes, stage an understated, but fascinating procession through the old town.

At intervals along the way, they stop and a proclamation is read out (the same proclamation that was made after the Duke had been put to flight), muskets and canons are fired and the Geneva anthem Cé qu’è lainô (He who is on High) is sung.

Very few people seem to know what the 68 verses of Cé qu’è lainô mean, as they were written in an ancient Geneva patois. But that does not stop young and old belting it out with gusto. And nowadays they just stick to four verses, which helps.

In short, it’s not particularly complementary about the Savoyards. One verse goes something like this: “On the darkest night they came, and it wasn’t to have a drink. It was to loot our homes and kill us for no good reason.” Thank heavens the Genevans won.

“They have quite a story to tell,” says Keith Kentopp, an American who has lived in Geneva for some 30 years and one of the few foreigners in the 1602 Society.

There are around 2,600 members of the company of whom some 700 are allowed to wear costumes.

“There is nothing Disneyesque or commercialised about this. We know who the main characters of the Escalade were and we all have a role to play,” Kentopp says.

“It’s fun to dress up, but in a time of shifting values, the Escalade represents a kind of continuity. It’s about patriotism, tradition, and basic ideals like freedom.”

It’s also important to place the Escalade in its historical context. It happened at a time of massive religious upheavals in Europe, just before the outbreak of the Thirty Years War.

“It was only a small episode in history. Today we would call it a commando raid,” says Christian Colquhon, a former secretary general of the 1602 Society. “But the following year a peace treaty was signed which brought peace to this region.”

The defeat of the Catholic forces from France and northern Italy also confirmed Geneva’s position as a haven for dissidents and persecuted minorities.

“Many specialists agree,” says Colquhon, “if the Duke of Savoy had taken the city that night, it would not be the city that we know today – city of peace, a city of the world and the headquarters of the United Nations.”

Every year, the boarding houses compete in the year long House Competition, and this weekend was the much-awaited Gingerbread House Competition! ✨🍪

As you can see, we have some very talented decorators here in Louis Degallier, who managed to produce the most wonderful festive house. Everyone helped in creating this fantastic masterpiece! ✨🏠

But the most challenging part? Getting it to school in one piece! And yesterday just happened to be the windiest day of the year! Well done, Ella, for protecting our beautiful house from the severe weather ♥️

Good luck girls! Results will be announced very soon! 🎖️

This weekend was one of our last weekends before the winter break, therefore, we decided to enjoy a cosy evening in together ❤️🥰

Complete with snacks, blankets, gingerbread decorating, festive films and the girls favourite take away – Sushi! 🍪🍣🍥🍱

And most importantly.. another opportunity to celebrate Heloisa’s birthday together as a house 🎉🎈🎂

❤️❤️❤️

Today is Heloisa’s special day where she celebrates turning 16! 🎈🎉

Her wonderful friends surprised her this weekend with a small gathering at our boarding House. They ordered traditional Brazilian food and made the most delicious chocolate cake! 🎂

We hope you have the most wonderful time celebrating, Heloisa ❤️

Savoring the flavors of the world—during our monthly house dinner, tonight we journey to Greece!

This evening, we had another successful Monthly Assembly led by Mr. Usher, our Boarding Director, where various important topics were addressed.

We were reminded that this coming week, we will celebrate the “Excellence” aspect of our RISE values, recognizing and appreciating students who go above and beyond, both in and outside the classroom.

Additionally, as part of our Pastoral Program, the Well-being Pillar 2 has been launched, focusing on safeguarding against bullying and promoting diversity.

HO HO HO! The Christmas Spirit is Here!

The festive cheer was alive and well at the Christmas market in Montreux this Sunday! Despite the freezing weather, Sally thoroughly enjoyed exploring the array of toys, Christmas souvenirs, delicious candies, and beautiful decorations.

She even had the magical experience of seeing Santa Claus soaring through the sky!

It was such a joy to share this delightful experience with her!

This weekend, Heloisa and her friends enjoyed plenty of rides and shows at this amazing resort.

Sunday

This great event is essential for the entire Geneva social network, supporting people in need. Volunteers engage with individuals at the supermarket, encouraging them to donate food and other hygiene products. A big thank you to all the students involved , specially Lucy from Villa Louis Degallier.

During our tutorial session with the Grade 10 students, we focused on the theme of Online Safety as part of the Well-being Program.

Together, we explored three key takeaways: 1- Have you heard of sextortion? We discussed what sextortion is, how it occurs, and the importance of safeguarding oneself online. 2- Do you know what it means to be blackmailed? The students were guided to understand the concept of blackmail and how it relates to online interactions. 3-What would you do if someone threatened you online? Practical strategies and resources were shared to help students navigate situations involving online threats

We also watched an insightful video to highlight the importance of these issues and to reinforce the key messages of the discussion.

This discussion aimed to empower students with knowledge and tools to protect themselves in the digital world while fostering a safe and open environment for addressing concerns.

This evening, we had the pleasure of hosting a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with our students. It was a heartwarming celebration filled with delicious food, laughter, and a sense of community.

We are grateful for the opportunity to share this special moment together, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

Tonight we had “The Awards Ceremony”, where some of our girls received a medal for being involved in Activities, Boarding Life, and Academically reaching excellent grades. 

Congratulations to our girls for the awards they received at the boarding ceremony tonight 

Academics Award: Valentina 

Boarding Life Award : Lucy

Activities Award : Ella

This evening, Ava & Jasmine started the week right by cooking some healthy homemade meals 🥗

Using fresh vegetables, peeled prawns, and some flavoursome spices, Ava whipped up a delicious pasta dish from scratch. I think she almost reached her 5 a day just with this one meal! 🍄

Meanwhile Jasmine, inspired by her trip to a Danish Christmas market in Coppet this weekend, made Danish meatballs from scratch. She was also able to enjoy it with her favourite Danish citrus drink, Faxe Kondi, which she bought at the market ✨

Well done girls for excelling your culinary skills this evening, we’re impressed! ❤️

In Louis Degallier, our girls are becoming obsessed with making Cinnamon Rolls – an obsession we are VERY happy with 🤗❤️

The process is very technical, requires exact measurements, and demands a lot of patience indeed! It’s definitely one of the more challenging bakes, and we are impressed that they willingly took it on 👏

Using different recipes and techniques, Jasmine & Ella took on the Cinnamon Roll challenge separately and both made some very tasty sweet treats for the whole house to enjoy 😍

Ella had the help of two other CDL boarders, however, as you can see, the flour mixing didn’t exactly go to plan😅

Thank you girls for providing us with lovingly homemade treats, we really appreciate your generosity and talents  ❤️

This weekend was filled with creativity, adventure, and a whole lot of laughter. Students had the chance to try new activities, challenge themselves, and enjoy some delicious homemade treats together 💕

On Saturday morning, Heloisa & Valentina took on the challenge of making homemade chicken nuggets from scratch. Using flour, eggs, breadcrumbs and the most important ingredient of all – teamwork, the nuggets turned out beautifully. Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, delicious! 🍗

They also made ‘Potatoes Mont d’Or’ – a lovely side dish to accompany the chicken nuggets 🥔

And the kitchen creativity didn’t stop there. Not only did Jasmine make the perfect steaks for her housemates on Saturday evening, but today, she made her signature cinnamon buns, filling the house with the delicious smell of freshly baked goods. The buns were soft, sticky, and of course, absolutely irresistible 🍩

Thank you Jasmine for completely spoiling us with your culinary treats this weekend 🥰♥️

Lucy, Ava & Ella joined the advanced climbing activity this weekend, pushing themselves to the limits. They absolutely love doing physical activities together, cheering each other on and enjoying each other’s company whilst being active. Spot Ella in the picture below, reaching the top of the wall 🧗‍♀️

And, like always, our students worked hard on their academic work with their independent studying, it’s great to see them create a healthy balance between school work, social activities and down time. Well done girls 👏

A successful monthly assembly was conducted by Mr. Usher, our boarding director, where various topics were discussed.

For us, climbing” means” Ella. She is an enthusiastic member of the Climbing Club and spends every weekend enjoying her favorite hobby

​This challenge aims to promote sports participation and encourage a healthy lifestyle. Each day will feature a suggested activity to support these goals. Congrats Ella for your longest plank : 11minutes 13 seconds. Well Done !!

Our girls have put their creativity and carving skills to the test today, producing a true pumpkin masterpiece.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM LOUIS DEGALLIER HOUSE!

Over the October break, several of our boarders opted for the exciting school trip to Tanzania where they embarked on the most incredible adventure! Valentina was one of these students and experienced some truly wonderful moments, some of which are captured below ❤️🌏

This trip had the perfect mix of volunteer work, camping, site seeing and animal spotting 🗺️🏕️

During the first week, the students worked hard by assisting with an important building project that, once finished, will greatly benefit the local community. As you can see from the photos, Valentina’s contribution to this project was certainly impactful 🙌

She was able to learn new skills, and more importantly, gain an appreciation for work under challenging conditions 👏

Well done, Valentina – you did us proud 💕

Working alongside the community, the students were able to learn about the daily lives, cultures, traditions and challenges experienced by the locals. They connected with the young children through dancing, singing and playing games – an unforgettable experience for all the parties involved! ❤️

Of course, no trip to Africa would be complete without a Safari! The students were lucky enough to witness some of the world’s most beautiful animals, including Zebras, giraffes, elephants, buffalo and even lions! 🦒🦓🦁🐂

And finally, during the last week, the group travelled to Zanzibar to enjoy some well-earned rest & relaxation on the stunning beaches! 🛥️⚓🏝️

As you can see, this trip was not just a holiday, it was an opportunity to give back, learn, and grow. The students returned back to Switzerland with a deeper appreciation for different cultures, and of course unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime 💕🌍

Our Boarding Team is wishing you all a well-deserved and relaxing Autumn Holiday ! ! Whether you’re spending time with family, traveling, or just taking a well-deserved break, we hope you recharge and come back refreshed.

As a reminder, don’t forget to download the CDL app if you haven’t already. It’s the best way to stay up to date on all school notices and important updates.

News App | Collège du Léman (nordangliaeducation.com)

Have a wonderful break, and we look forward to seeing you soon!

This week, during our Monthly Boarding Assembly, we successfully launched the first pillar of our Wellbeing Program: Online Safety. As part of our ongoing commitment to the holistic well-being of our community, the Online Safety pillar aims to empower students with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the digital landscape responsibly and safely. We believe that equipping students with these skills will help foster a secure and supportive environment both online and offline.

This weekend, our girls got their chef hats on and spent most of their free time preparing some delicious home baked goods. I am pleased to say that we have some very talented bakers here in Louis Degallier 🍰🍪

Heloisa & Valentina baked some amazing chocolate chip cookies. Crunchy on the outside, and soft on the inside, they really nailed the texture! 🍪❤

Next up, Lucy, Jasmine & Ava baked some wonderful chocolate brownies, gooey in the middle, with cracked sea salt on top to break up the sweetness, delicious! 🍫💕

Then we have Sally who made a triple layered chocolate mousse. This was a very complex recipe with several techniques, using dark, milk & white chocolate. Well done, Sally! 👏✨

& Finally, Ella baked some gorgeous brownies, served with the biggest blueberries we have ever seen! These brownies were dairy free and delicious 🍫🎂

Thank you girls for creating a lovely weekend, filled with smiles, singing & sweet treats 💕🥰

Happppppy Birthday Lucy! 🎈💕🌹

May your day be filled with laughter, love & lots of DELICIOUS cake ✨🎈🍰

Snack time for our girls after a busy day.

As part of her CAS program, Lucy assists the younger girls every Sunday with completing and reviewing their schoolwork. The CAS Program aims to balance students’ academic work with real-world experiences, encouraging them to become well-rounded individuals with a commitment to lifelong learning, personal development, and global citizenship. It helps develop leadership skills, social responsibility, teamwork, and self-reflection.

Today, the 0-5 km race took place at Collège du Léman, with the goal of encouraging students to adopt healthy habits through running. Everyone was free to participate, covering the distance that best suited their abilities. It was inspiring to see the students’ enthusiasm as they pushed themselves beyond their original limits .It was also a wonderful way to spend a sunny Sunday morning outdoors, in good company, filled with laughter.

For Ella, climbing is everything. Her favorite weekend hobby is attending the Climbing Club. It’s the highlight of her week, allowing her to enjoy herself and relax after an intense academic schedule.

This Sunday Sally enjoyed our Boarding Chess Club .Playing chess offers a wide range of benefits, both mental and social. Some advantages of playing this classic table game are: enhances memory,promotes creativity, teaches patience and discipline, boosts Concentration and Focus and finaly promotes social skills.

Sunday Brunch is a time for everyone to get together after a busy week and enjoy a morning full of wonderful colour, tastes and smells!

As with every Friday, our girls and their friends spend time together preparing specialties from their countries of origin. Tonight, we enjoyed American cookies,  Swiss cheese, Italian ham, Japanese sushi, Colonnade Spa Wafers from the Czech Republic, and, of course, Brazilian brigadeiro.

Happy Birthday, Taissiia ! Wishing you an awesome birthday!

The progress on their Reach Hours is ongoing, and we will continue to monitor their achievements. Well done, girls!

This weekend, our students got up to a variety of different things 🙌✨

Lucy and her friends made pizza from scratch! They rolled out the dough, added the homemade tomato sauce, and selected their toppings 🍕

The pizza’s were delicious, and the experience was met with plenty of laughter – as you can see, rolling out a circular base is a lot harder than it looks! 😂

Meanwhile, 70 of our boarders made their way to Europa Park, a popular theme park located in Rust, Germany 🎢☀

Heloisa took the opportunity to enjoy an adrenaline fuelled weekend filled with rollercoasters and adventures. They were met with wonderful sunshine, and were able to fully unwind from their academic studies 🎪✨

However, if you have to study at the weekend, why not study with a friend in the garden? 📚✏

Finally, we welcomed back those who went on exeat with open arms. It’s crazy how much our students miss each other after spending a weekend apart. We feel very lucky to witness these wonderful friendships blossom in the boarding house ❤

Once again this year, Collège du Léman celebrated with a “Welcome Back BBQ” for all students, their families, and teachers. The event was filled with delicious food, engaging activities, and captivating live performances from our school’s talented students, all set in a warm and family-friendly atmosphere.

Ella, an enthusiastic participant in the climbing activity!!

A lazy Sunday morning is always complete with a spot of Brunch!

This Friday, after a week full of classes and extracurricular activities, the girls invite their friends over for a delicious dinner and a game of cards. It’s their way of settling in and fostering a sense of belonging within the boarding community.

This Thursday marked our inaugural “Dinner at Home” event here at Villa Louis Dégallier, and it was a hit. This monthly gathering is all about fostering a sense of family within our boarding house. Our taste buds were in for a treat with lasagne, summer salad, and  tiramisu as dessert . Each dish was a delight, leaving everyone satisfied and content. Laughter and conversation filled the room bonded over shared experiences each student. These moments of connection are what make Villa Dégallier special : a heart-warming atmosphere.

This afternoon, we had our first meeting with our boarders’ teachers to discuss their first weeks settling into their new academic year at Collège du Léman.

On Friday, we took our boarding students to the beautiful alpine village, Verbier and had an incredible time! ❤

During the weekend, the students were able to choose various outdoor and adventurous activities including, rock climbing, trottinetting, ropes park, hiking and mountain biking 🛴🚴‍♀️🧗‍♀️

All of these activities provided the girls with wonderful, yet challenging new experiences, helping them develop plenty of personal skills ✨

Alongside this, the girls were able to enjoy their free time exploring the popular village of Verbier 💕

On the final day, we took part in some team games where the students competed against each other in order to win the overall competition 🏆

I am pleased to say that we have some very competitive, strong girls in our house who did us proud and won the competition! 🥇

Overall, it was a wonderful weekend, full of so much fun and positive energy all round 🥰

The Jeûne Genevois is a public holiday specific to Geneva. It falls on the Thursday after the first Sunday in September. On this special day, the people of Geneva traditionally eat prune tart.

The practice of fasting could be observed in the. Swiss cantons as far back as the 15th century. The Diet, an assembly of the representatives of the cantons in place until 1848, organised penance and thanksgiving days. Each canton could decide what form these fasts would take.

The origin of the Jeûne Genevois dates back to the first fast recorded in Geneva, at the beginning of October 1567 following the repression of Protestants from Lyon. From 1640, fasting was seen as a moral and religious act and became an annual practice at the initiative of reformed cantons. It was seen as an act of humility and solidarity with the poorest members of society.

Our “ Louis Dégallier 56 ” Boarding House is ready to celebrate a holiday! And since we don’t have to go to school tomorrow, we are all looking forward to the trip to Lausanne which is going to be organized thanks to our great Boarding Activity Managers! !! You will be able to see the beautiful pictures of these trips tomorrow.

A wonderful opportunity for the students to explore new experiences within the school environment in the Swiss Alps .

Brigadeiro is a homemade chocolate truffle typical of Brazil. Cocoa, condensed milk and chocolate chips.

This weekend part of our Brazilian community has gathered for dinner and prepared a delicious brigadeiro typical of their country. Thank you girls! It was delicious !

The CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) portfolio is a requirement for passing the IB Diploma Programme. The portfolio needs to be kept up to date and completed by the end of the year.

This academic year, Lucy has made a good start by enriching her experiences and projects, including spending one afternoon with middle school students.

She must now begin compiling her CAS portfolio, which should include developed reflections on all major activities and learning outcomes, illustrative materials, supervisor references, and a final reflective essay. 

At CDL, we are deeply passionate about community service, and we strive to instil this value in all our students. The school’s REACH program encourages students to engage in Health and Activity, Responsible Citizenship, and Creativity. Each student is required to complete thirty hours of community service per year during their time at the school.

In the Boarding House, we provide various activities and opportunities for students to participate in events and projects to fulfil their community service requirements.

We want to thank Sally for taking charge of collecting and sorting the trash today

At Collège du Léman, our Sunday morning tradition is to enjoy a delicious brunch! As can be seen , our famous Sunday brunch has endless options for all of our girls’ preferences. We are very thankful to our kitchen staff for ensuring that our Sundays always begin like this!

This weekend, we kicked off the school term with a whole range of wonderful and exciting activities 💕

From climbing, to wake boarding, and everything in the between, these wonderful activities were thoroughly enjoyed by our girls 🧗‍♀️ 🏄‍♀️

Lucy & Ava joined the wake boarding activity, and clearly had a real talent for it! 🌊

We are so lucky to be located so close to Lake Geneva, and when the sun is shining with 30 degrees heat, its the perfect place to enjoy some downtime 🌞

We are already excited to see what next weekend will bring 💫

Dinner on Wednesdays is special because we eat food from other countries, and last night, we enjoyed the delicious flavors of Switzerland.

International Dinners at Collège du Léman celebrate diversity and serve as a reminder of the shared experiences and flavors from around the world. It’s also a time for our students to bond over their love of food! What culinary adventure will we embark on next week? Stay tuned for more!

Last night, we had our first Boarding Assembly, which was a lovely occasion. Many new and familiar faces were dressed quite formally for the event. The assembly was led by our Boarding Director, Mr. Usher. The topics covered included tips for the upcoming year, the Wellbeing Programme, Student Voice, trips, activities, and more. We want to extend a special thanks to Valentina, who opened the assembly by playing a wonderful piece, Chopin’s Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2, on the piano.

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We are thrilled to welcome you to the start of the new academic year at Villa Dégallier 56 !

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by Mrs. Floss at the airport, who is eagerly looking forward to welcoming you in person. Meanwhile, at Villa Dégallier 56, Mrs. Bea is warmly welcoming our girls and their families with some delicious Swiss chocolates and a variety of Swiss cheeses. We are thrilled to have all of you as part of our big CDL Family 

From now on, Villa Dégallier 56will be your Swiss boarding school home, and we are here to support you every step of the way.

Welcome to your new home and family ! !

Today, Marcela was lucky enough to go Tandem Paragliding here in Switzerland ✨

Thankfully she had good weather, the clouds literally cleared the second they were in flight mode, meaning she had beautiful views over Lake Geneva and it’s surroundings 🌎

Marcela said it was an amazing experience, something she will never forget! ⭐

It’s been one week and we are still reminiscing about the endless celebrations from last weekend.

Below are some photos and videos of our graduates at prom and the official graduation ceremony 👩‍🎓🎉

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

We are beyond proud of their achievements, both academic and personal. Not only have they have worked incredibly hard to reach this point, but they leave CDL with memories & friendships to last a lifetime 💕

We can’t wait to see what they will get up to during this next chapter of their lives and whatever they choose to do, we have no doubt they will fully embrace this part of their journey ✨

Best of luck to our wonderful leavers,

The World Is Your Oyster 🌎⭐

Yesterday marked a significant milestone as the graduation ceremony for the class of 2023/24 took place. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the graduates for their hard work, dedication, and achievements. This momentous occasion is a testament to their perseverance and commitment to excellence.

As they embark on new journeys and pursue their dreams, we wish them all the very best in their future endeavors. May their paths be filled with success, happiness, and fulfillment. Congratulations once again to the class of 2023/24, and here’s to a bright and prosperous future!

Seven ways to reset and relax between finals

This weekend, 4 of our Louis Degallier students joined the school trip to Venice and had an incredible time in the beautiful sunshine! 💕

The students enjoyed visiting the fabulous Doge Palacio, where they were able to discover its history through a guided tour. After, they had some free time to explore the famous city of canals 🌎

And of course, you can’t visit Venice without enjoying a Gondola ride through the beautiful turquoise canals ✨

On the last day, the students went to Murano Island to discover the history of glassmaking. They were mesmerised by the skill and talent of the craftsmen, a truly memorable experience 👏

Italian food was enjoyed by all, including pizza, pasta and every flavour of gelato. Below is a picture of Marcela’s seafood spaghetti which she said was incredible! 🍝

They returned this evening with big smiles on their faces, they truly loved this magical place and made some wonderful memories 🥰

Tonight, during our Boarding Assembly has been launched the final Pillar of our Well-being Program: “Making Safe and Responsible Choices¨

Today, we kicked off an exciting fitness challenge in Boarding to support students navigating the stress of upcoming exams and staying active. With a unique challenge awaiting them each day, our aim is to provide both physical activity and stress relief.

This weekend, 4 of our Louis Degallier students joined the school trip to Berlin and had a fantastic time! 💕

During this trip, they enjoyed an active guided tour, visiting some of the famous historical monuments – some of which you will see pictured below 🗺🚶‍♀️✨

In addition to the tour, they also did the Berliner Odyssey VR adventure which took them through the history in a more visual way, giving them an idea of how Berlin was during the last 9 centuries 🕌

As expected, they got to enjoy traditional German food during the weekend, including an urban Alpine experience at the famous Lindenbräu restaurant 🥨

And of course, they were able to enjoy their free time to visit the shops and local markets 📸

All in all, they had a great time on this cultural city break and managed to dodge the rain here in Versoix! 🌞

Since 1970, April 22nd has been designated as Earth Day, a time to recognize and celebrate our remarkable planet and highlight the immense potential in conservation and sustainability. Our school would like to share this video about Earth Day and the impact of plastic on our planet. Please remember to prioritize sustainability and take care of our planet. The future will appreciate it. 🙂

Feeling hungry?

No worries! CDL brunch is here to wake you up and give you the energy you need for the day ahead.

Enjoy it to the fullest!

Today we welcome back our returning students to the boarding houses and we are excited to hear all about their adventures from the break! ✨🌏

And as you can see, Spring has definitely sprung here and our garden is blossoming beautifully 🌸 May this glorious weather continue 🌞

This weekend, our students spent quality time with their friends, enjoying each other’s company over beautifully cooked meals.

Kseniia & Daria cooked a traditional Russian lunch with salad, chicken, and potatoes, and homemade pancakes to finish 🥞

Ayaka cooked a hot pot using fresh and healthy ingredients, and it smelt absolutely delicious! It went down very well with her friends 🍜

Regina decided to try something new and went horseback riding! As it was her first session, the instructor helped her bond with the horse through exercises that required trust. This included horse riding facing backwards, on her knees, and on the side. Regina loved it and is already looking forward to her next lesson! 🐴

Marcela went to the slopes and thoroughly enjoyed herself. The day started out cloudy, but then it started snowing, and soon enough the sun broke through in time for the students to enjoy the last day of the season! ⛷🌞

Meanwhile, Defne & Sakura helped raise awareness around plastic waste by participating in a school project supporting ‘Mother Earth’ 🌏 There will be a video on our CDL social media soon, so feel free to check it out!

And finally, to finish the weekend off on a sweet note, Sakura baked a delicious Strawberry Tart. This was probably the most challenging bake yet, as she had to produce a crème pâtissière, but Sakura being Sakura, challenged herself and proved she could do it! Well done 👏

All in all, it was jam packed weekend, full of fun and plenty of variety 💖💕

Please take a moment to appreciate the incredible artistic talents showcased by our Grade 12 students.  From captivating paintings to intricate sculptures, these art pieces embody the dedication and passion these students have poured into their craft. We invite you to immerse yourself in their creativity and celebrate their artistic achievements. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the boundless talent of our graduating art class!

Tonight during our Boarding Assembly Mr Salva launched: Pillar 4 of our Wellbeing Program – Online Safety

After a busy week of mock exams, our girls had a lovely, relaxing time this weekend, and enjoyed different activities and celebrations.

On Friday, it was International Women’s Day and Taisiia got treated to some gorgeous roses from her loved ones 🌹

Sakura & Defne took their DJ Mixing skills to the next level – a great duo who are definitely ready to take to the stage! 💿🎤

Marcela, our Louis Degallier Globetrotter headed to France to see the wonderful sights of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower and the iconic Musée de Louvre. She also got to see the famous Mona Lisa, and enjoy all the Parisian delicacies! 🥐

The girls who stayed in the boarding house got to enjoy their usual weekend activities, as well as our very own Saturday night movie club, complete with popcorn, laughter and relaxation.

We also had plenty of fashion shows ahead of the official Graduation photos this week, and we have no doubt that our girls will look great in whichever outfit they opt for! 💖

Happy birthday! I hope this is the beginning of your greatest, most wonderful year ever;

You will never be as young again as you are today, so have fun young lady 🙂

We wish you all the best.

LDG

Whilst some of our students travelled back to see friends and family during the break, others joined the school trips available, including the Winter Camp to Crans Montana, and a very special trip to Finland ⛷🌲🏔

Here are some wonderful photos from the students in Louis Degallier 56 & 60 who joined the school trips. I think it’s clear to see that both experiences were full of fun, exploration, and memorable moments 💖✨

Here is Marcela at the famous Arctic Circle in Finland! ❄

The trip to Finland also included Huskey rides, magical visits to reindeer parks, snow-shoe touring and a wonderful trip to the Ranua Arctic Wildlife Park, an organisation that specialises in protection programs for endangered Arctic animals, as well as offering care and support for wounded or orphaned wild animals. It was here that the students got to see Finland’s only Polar Bear, a highlight of the trip! 🐺

Some of the group were lucky enough to witness the famous Northern Lights pictured in the early hours of the morning – a truly magical experience indeed 💚💙

Meanwhile, some of our boarding students took to the slopes in Crans Montana and were met with excellent snow conditions, perfect for their winter sport pursuits 🎿⛷

As you can see, the students were spoilt with some beautiful views up in the Swiss Alps 🏔

As we bid adieu to our Boarding French lessons for a brief respite, Let’s embrace the joys of February break with delight. May your days be filled with laughter, adventure, and fun.

Whether you’re exploring new places or simply taking it to calm at home, may this break bring you the happiness that you’ve come to know. So seize the moment, cherish each memory you make, and return refreshed and rejuvenated for our next period.

Bonnes vacances et profitez-en bien!

Poème :

Les mois de l’année

Janvier pour dire à l’année ” bonjour”.

Février pour dire à la neige ” il faut fondre”.

Mars pour dire à l’oiseau migrateur ” reviens”.

Avril pour dire à la fleur ” ouvre-toi “.

Mai pour dire ” ouvriers nos amis”.

Juin pour dire à la mer ” emporte-nous très loin “.

Juillet pour dire au soleil ” c’est ta saison “.

Août pour dire ” l’homme est heureux d’être homme “.

Septembre pour dire au blé ” change-toi en or “.

Octobre pour dire ” camarades, la liberté “.

Novembre pour dire aux arbres ” déshabillez-vous “.

Décembre pour dire à l’année ” adieu et bonne chance “.

Et douze mois de plus par an,

Mon fils,

Pour te dire que je t’aime.

Alain Bosquet

In Louis Degallier’s house this is our definition; “Among friends in school, internationalism means valuing diversity, respecting different cultures, and embracing diversity, regardless of nationality. It’s about learning from each other, sharing experiences, and working together to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels accepted and supported. ” 🙂

This Sunday we decided to go aaaall the way to create our OWN Pizza.

FIRST WE MADE OUR DOUGH

THEN WE ROLLED IT OUT

NEXT WE PLACED OUR TOPPINGS

THEN WE PUT THEM IN THE OVEN

AND FINALLY THEY WERE READY

HMMMMMMM… DELICIOUS!!!!!

Sakura & Regina produced a real crowd-pleaser this weekend with their delicious blueberry cheesecake 🧁

They made a big cheesecake for the house, and then, kindly delivered some mini cheesecakes to the boys in Louis Degallier 60 ⭐

Here is a video showcasing the skill and effort that went into making this, what can only be described as, lilac coloured MASTERPIECE! 💜💜💜

As always, plenty of fun and laughter was had during the process! 💖

Thank you girls for treating us this weekend! 🙏💕

This evening Sakura and Regina called by to cook with the boys and watch a movie. An evening full of laughs, learning and sharing cooking styles and fun.

Sakura prepares a sauce for the pasta while Leonardo prepares the meat.

Dionisio, Leonardo, Sakura, Diego Didier and Regina are ready to enjoy their meal before the movie starts.

The only January blues we are experiencing are the crystal blue skies in the incredible Swiss Alps 💙❄✨

This weekend was our second weekend spent in the mountains and once again, we were spoilt with the most glorious weather 🌞

Our older students had the opportunity to visit Crans Montana, a popular ski resort in the Swiss Alps. Everyone who went on the slopes spoke of the great snow conditions and amazing ski runs ⛷🎿

The mountain weekends are always a great way to get to know other people within the CDL boarding community, and our students always return with lots of special memories made with their fellow boarders💕

Below are a few photos from both Louis Degallier 56 & 60 from the last two mountain weekends ✨

Just wanted to share the incredible weekend we had in the mountains. The weather was perfect, and the slopes were amazing for skiing and snowboarding.

We braved the windy but sunny weather to visit Glacier 3000. The panoramic views from the top were breathtaking, and the experience was absolutely amazing.

We spent an incredible day exploring Gstaad. The village is straight out of a postcard, with charming streets and a cozy ambiance. We wandered through the town, visited local attractions, and soaked in the luxury vibes.

The thrill of going down the slopes with the stunning mountain views in the background was absolutely unforgettable. The slopes were perfect, and the racing competition added an extra level of excitement.

The weekend in the mountains was absolutely incredible overall.

This weekend was the first boarding weekend of 2024, and what a lovely weekend it was 💕

This week, some of the girls had mock exams, whilst others had deadlines for their university & college applications, so a relaxing and calm weekend was definitely needed 🙏

With new friendships forming, some freshly baked treats, day trips to Geneva and the joy of music, it was definitely a relaxing and wholesome weekend 💖

Daria baked some dark chocolate & sea salt cookies for the house, and Sangeetha baked some oozy chocolate brownies, both were delicious and gone within the hour! 🍪

Sangeetha enjoyed being back with the piano and guitar, and we enjoyed listening to her talents 🎸⭐

All in all, it was a great first weekend to welcome the students back, and welcome our new housemate, Marcela, to Louis Degallier 56 ⭐❤

Tonight we launched Pillar 3 of our Wellbeing program Building Positive Friendships and Relationships

Building Positive Friendships is a crucial pillar of overall wellbeing. Positive friendships provide a support system, foster a sense of belonging, and contribute to a fulfilling life. To identify characteristics of positive friendships, one should look for qualities such as trust, mutual respect, open communication, and shared values. Genuine friends uplift and inspire, offering empathy in times of need and celebrating successes. Recognizing the importance of these traits can help individuals cultivate and sustain meaningful connections, ultimately enhancing their overall wellbeing. The takeaway point for this week is Identifying characteristics of positive friendships which are built on a foundation of trust, respect, and shared values, fostering a supportive environment.

Each year, the citizens of Geneva take part in the tradition of smashing a chocolate marmite (cauldron). This annual tradition is a tribute to a historical event that took place in 1602 whereby the people of Geneva summoned their courage and defended their city against an attack from the Savoyards.

Decorated with the city’s colours — red and yellow, the cauldron also features its coat of arms.

It is tradition for the youngest and the oldest member of the household to smash the marmite together, which for Louis Degallier 56 is Taisiia & Sakura! 🤝🎁✨

The History behind the tradition… ⭐

The attack of the Savoyards on Geneva took place during the evening of December 11, 1602. That night, when the soldiers arrived and the church bells sounded the alarm, the citizens of Geneva took it upon themselves to stop the invasion. Legend has it that Mère Royaume, a woman who was cooking a pot of soup, threw her cauldron and its scalding contents out the window to prevent the enemy from advancing. Although a rather violent act, it symbolises the spirit of the Genevois during this battle. Regular citizens taking the initiative to protect their city! And, succeeding! To honour the occasion, chocolatiers in Geneva began creating cauldrons that are made of chocolate and filled with sweet little marzipan versions of Mère Royaume’s vegetables. The cauldron tradition apparently did not become established until the 1880s.

It’s wonderful for our students to learn about the rich culture of Geneva. And of course, they get to enjoy the chocolate after 🍫

An enchanting Winter Ball where laughter echoed, dance floors sparkled, and students had an absolute blast! ✨❄️ A night filled with good fun, lots of laughs, and unforgettable moments.🌟

The boys before leaving the House ready for a night of fun!

Tonight we celebrated ¨Escalade¨ a traditional Geneva festival that celebrates the victory of the Geneva Republic against the Savoy’s Army in 1602. Each year we buy a chocolate marmite full of candies to celebrate this tradition where the youngest and oldest in the House smash the marmite to get the sweets inside. 

Hamza and Didier are about to smash the Marmite.

The girls look fabulous 🙂

At the table with their friends…

This weekend, the girls in Louis Degallier created a Gingerbread House masterpiece that will compete in the final House Competition of the year ⭐

Polina, Daria & Sangeetha worked together on this project, each bringing their own unique style and flare to the decoration, watch the video below to see the process ⭐

Half way through the task, a friendly dog appeared in our garden! We managed to get hold of the owners who picked him up, but we were very grateful to look after him for a short while 🐶

Well done girls for your efforts, the house looks amazing and we are very proud of your decorating skills! 🤩

Today we visited the famous Montreux Christmas Market and had a wonderful time looking at all the traditional festive gifts and tasting traditional Swiss food 🍭🍫

As you can see, we were extremely lucky with the bright blue skies, however, the temperature was a chilly 3 degrees so the girls found an indoor cabin to enjoy some hot drinks and warm homemade soup ready to start shopping again 🥣🧀

Surrounded by beautiful snowy mountains, right on the shore of Lake Geneva, Montreux is a wonderful town to visit, especially on a day like today 🌞❄

We even got a wave from Santa Claus who was making his way up and down the Christmas market 🎅⭐

All in all, it was a lovely day filled with lots of festive spirit 🎄🎀⭐

Besides our normal activities we also prepared our Gingerbread House for the upcoming Competition:

It all starts small…

… grows bigger…

… gets in shape… …gets some color……even more color… …and here it is: our Gingerbread House!!! Wish us luck for the Competition and stay tuned for the result!!

Polina, Daria & Defne spent the evening creating some chocolatey marshmallows ready for the charity bake sale tomorrow! 💖

After melting the chocolate, they added some sprinkles & sweets, and then put them into Christmassy bags, ready to sell ⭐

The school Charity Club aims to raise funds for charities in Switzerland and this year, they are supporting a local charity based in Geneva called ‘MADS’ (Make A Difference in Society). Run by students, the school Charity Club puts together a bake sale once a month to raise money for this wonderful cause. They also organise other charity events throughout the year in order to raise as much money as possible for MADS ❤

Thank you girls for making a difference to ‘MADS’, your charitable work is much appreciated 🙏

💛💚💙💜🧡

This week for our wellbeing program the focus shifted to the theme of disability. It was an opportunity for the students to reflect on the concept of disability itself and to consider the potential barriers a housemate with a disability might encounter in the different houses.

The students had the opportunity to share their responses to the question; What would you improve about the boarding house for a housemate with a disability?

In the enchanting winter ambience, talent took centre stage at our inaugural winter concert. Students showcased their remarkable skills, creating a magical evening filled with melodies and applause. It was a testament to the vibrant community spirit that defines our boarding experience.

Diego from the House embraced the opportunity and sang amazingly!!

Today we had the Baking competition where Diego prepared a Tarta de Santiago and Dionisio put the finishing touches to it.

Samedi du Partage is a great event that happens throughout  Geneva, supporting people in need. Volunteers engage with customers at the supermarket, encouraging them to donate food and other hygiene products. Each year we have students who volunteer and get involved in this great initiative.  Thank you to all the students involved today.

This weekend, the girls made the decision to treat themselves to a rejuvenating spa day, seeking a peaceful escape from the stress of exams. As we stepped into the spa’s tranquil atmosphere, we were greeted by a sense of calm that instantly put us at ease.

It turned out to be a wonderful day filled with relaxation, laughter, and a much-needed break from the demands of their studies.

After a successful but tiring week at school, we had a relaxed weekend in the house making our very own homemade Pizza!

…The boys rolled out the dough…

…Selected their toppings…

…And enjoyed their freshly baked Pizzas!

So we know it’s not exactly the festive season just yet, BUT, we just couldn’t resist baking some festive cookies ⭐

Regina & Daria used their baking magic & produced some beautifully creative biscuits 💖

They experimented with the food colour and decorated the biscuits in all the colours of the rainbow 💜💙💚💛🧡

Delicious, festive & colourful, thank you girls! We will definitely enjoy them 💖⭐✨

This week for our Wellbeing Pilar our boys were given the opportunity to ask any anonymous questions regarding sexual orientation or gender identity. The topic of sexual orientation and gender identity can be a delicate one… Doubts, fear, embarrassment and prejudice can surely hinder one’s willingness to openly talk about his views and needs.

Happy Birthday to an incredible student!

Your constant commitment to everything you do is truly inspiring. 🙂

Your dedication to your studies, your kindness, and your support for others make you a shining example of excellence and kindness. May your day be as special as you are, filled with joy, laughter, and all the wonderful things you deserve. Here’s to another year of achieving great things and being the amazing person you are.

Enjoy your day to the fullest!

Over the weekend Leonardo and Hamza participated in a school trip to Europa Park which is a theme park in Germany with other students from the boarding community. They had a great weekend.

Leonardo shared a few words from his experience of the trip;

“I wanted to share the incredible moments from our recent trip to Europa Park. The thrill of the roller coasters, the enchanting atmosphere, and the diverse cultural experiences made it an unforgettable adventure.
Also, the attention and support that the staff gave us.
Looking back it was more than a normal trip. I hope we can have moments like that again”

Group photo at the theme park

Hamza stopped for a quick photo.

Leonardo and friends outside the entrance.

EuropaPark is by far the biggest theme park in Germany and this weekend some of the students were there to enjoy it. Despite the weather, they enjoyed every moment, exploring as many attractions as they could. They had so much fun, and here are some pictures.

This evening in our House Meeting we launched Pillar 2 of the Wellbeing Programme: Protecting against Bullying and Respecting Diversity. Diego James, our Advocate from the House, presented the challenge related to Race and Ethnicity. Our boys have to find the similarities they have with their roommates and record a video or an audio.

This weekend, we had our usual activities including climbing…

…we also had some time to practice on our new Piano…

…and we had our exclusive Louis Degallier House activity:

Go- Karting!

…where we were racing hard…

… but had even more fun pushing our driving skills…

…and to top it all off, we enjoyed a nice walk with a beautiful view, and a visit to a restaurant of our choice in the pretty city of Lausanne. 

What a nice way to end our weekend ✨

Today I made “White chocolate & Raspberry Blondies” for the house ❤

First, I melted down the white chocolate and butter. Then I whisked eggs and brown sugar until it was light and fluffy. Next, I combined those together and mixed it until smooth ⭐

After that, I added flour, baking powder, and chunks of white chocolate, and stirred it until my arm started to hurt!

Then I poured the mixture into the greased tin, covered  it with raspberry jam, and topped with raspberries 🍓

Lastly I put the mixture into the oven, waited 40 minutes and cool it down for 30 minutes in the fridge 🙌

This was the first time I baked blondies, but it was easy to bake and delicious to eat, and the girls loved it 🥰

Written by Sakura ❤

On the weekends, we have the option to do different kinds of activities 🏸

This Saturday Defne and I chose to do climbing at the local climbing centre 🧗‍♀️

There are different levels of climbing you can pick represented by different colours. Define and I chose to do yellow, red, and orange and we managed to reach the top.

We thought it was easy so we challenged ourselves to do the blue ones next, but it was too difficult and unfortunately we couldn’t get to the top!

Overall it was a fun activity to do (especially as it was bad weather outside), and we had really good quality time just the two of us 🥰

Written by Sakura ❤

4th place, well-done girls!

We wish you all the best in your day!

Last night, Sakura & Defne designed, crafted, and carved their very own pumpkin masterpiece 🎃✨

This ‘frighteningly’ good pumpkin will compete against the other hand-carved pumpkins in the annual Collège du Léman pumpkin competition in the hope of earning points in the House Competition 🏆

Fingers crossed for the competition, but 10/10 for effort and enthusiasm, well done girls! 🥰🎃❤

We hope you had a ‘gourd-geous’ October break and are now ‘pumped-kin’ to dive into the second half of the semester. Get ready for a term filled with excitement, from the ‘spook-tacular’ Pumpkin Carving House Competition to dancing your way into the festive season at the Christmas Dance.

Happy 18th Birthday to the incredible girl! We are so lucky to have you as a part of CDL. You have proven to be an exceptional prefect, a true leader, and an inspiration to us all. You’re an amazing prefect, super creative, and you never back down from a challenge. You rock! Here’s to a wonderful day ahead and a bright future filled with success and happiness! Happy B-day Regina🎉🎂🌟

We are thrilled to announce that our student, Polina, has earned a place in the National Honor Society.

We couldn’t be prouder of her outstanding achievement.

Exercise/Run because stress doesn’t stand a chance when you’re too busy outrunning it!

Today we had an o-5km run which gave students from the community to challenge themselves and have fun. It was a great way to put a close to our Wellbeing Pillar 1: Nurturing Healthy Bodies and Minds.

This evening the boys took their taste buds on a Thai-rrific Journey!

This evening, we had our monthly Boarding Assembly led by Mr. Usher. A great opportunity for everyone to get together, students to perform for the rest of the Boarding community and share news from the month along with any announcements and any accomplishments.

Today, Daria made a Dinosaur shaped marble cake for the whole house, and it’s safe to say, it was a ROARING success ⭐✨

Without exaggeration, the whole cake was devoured in the space of 5 minutes! A sign of a very good cake indeed 🍰

Here’s a short video showcasing the whole process:

Well done Daria for making this delicious homemade cake, we are very proud of your achievement ⭐

And of course, thank you to Regina who helped with the clear up… making sure there was zero food waste 🍫

Thank you girls, we are already looking forward to the next one 💕🥰

This weekend in Louis Degallier!

There were plenty of activities to choose from this weekend, from our regular clubs… …as well as new activities…

… and rewards afterwards…

& finally, some of our students signed up for the trip to Disneyland Paris where they had a fantastic time!

All in all, it was a great weekend with lots of variety for our students

Sunday’s best meal, we all love to go and have a late breakfast, or early lunch with friends, savoring what the kitchen has prepared for us.

Sangeetha Patil 🙂

Bonne nuit!

This weekend, we took the entire Collège du Léman Boarding community to the Swiss mountains and had a fantastic time!

Our students went to the popular town, Verbier, where they were spoilt with blue skies & endless sunshine 🌞

There were a range of activities available including; mountain biking, zip lining, ropes course, hiking, rock climbing, mountain scooters and plenty of traditional sports, which meant there was something for everyone 🏀🏓🏸

It was great to see our students discover and enjoy new activities 🛴🚴‍♂️

Sangeetha bravely opted for the zipline! Starting at 3,330m, with a vertical drop of 383 m and a total length of 1.4 km, the Mont 4 Zipline the highest in the world and the longest in the Alps.

Well done, Sangeetha! We are very proud of you! 🎉

On Sunday morning, everyone participated in the Mountain Mini Olympics 🥇🥈🥉

In groups of 10, the students had to work together as a team to try and win the overall competition 🏆

And of course, the best ‘Fancy Dress Photo’ station was a clear favourite from our students! We very much enjoyed their style and creativity 👗🎩👒👑

All in all, the students made lovely wonderful memories and new friendships over the course of the weekend. A weekend we won’t forget! 🧡💛💚💙💜

CHAMONIX

Our recent overnight trip to Chamonix, France was an unforgettable adventure that left us all with a deep sense of appreciation for nature and camaraderie. The highlight of our trip was undoubtedly the exhilarating canyoning experience, where we challenged ourselves and conquered the elements as a team. Chamonix provided us with the perfect backdrop to reconnect with the natural world, surrounded by the stunning beauty of the French Alps.

During our downtime at the hotel, we made the most of our free time, creating lasting memories as we bonded over games of pool, shared delicious snacks, and engaged in meaningful conversations. It was a fantastic opportunity to strengthen the bonds of friendship within our school community.

Our exploration of the region through hiking allowed us to immerse ourselves in the breathtaking landscapes and appreciate the serenity of the mountains. The sense of accomplishment and unity that we felt after each hike was truly rewarding.

Overall, our trip to Chamonix was a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and socialization. It not only allowed us to step out of our comfort zones but also encouraged us to embrace the beauty of nature. This unforgettable experience has left us with a deep sense of gratitude and excitement for future adventures, reinforcing the unique and enriching experiences that the CDL life has to offer.

Defne Inal

Today, the whole boarding community came together to take part in the first house competition of the year! And what a competition it was! ✨⭐🙌

Following tradition, we started the House Competition with our annual Sports Day! 🏀

Spread across the Concha gardens, there were 6 different games to participate in, all of which required a different set of skills 🏸

The challenges included: three legged race, badminton rallies, basketball shoot out, musical chairs, ping pong spoon race and finally, the most competitive of them all, TUG OF WAR!

Our students worked together as a team and fought brilliantly in the games. The results will be revealed later on in the week, but whatever the results may be, we are extremely proud of our Louis Degallier representatives who demonstrated excellent teamwork and amazing support towards one another 💛

Well done everyone! ⭐

Showcasing our first International dinner of the year, and what a dinner it was! ⭐

As always, we kick start the year with a traditional Swiss meal so that we can introduce all the different cultures from our growing community to the type of food enjoyed here in Switzerland 🧀

Everyone got to enjoy a selection of Switzerland’s finest, including:

• Mini fondue bowls, served in fresh crusty bread rolls
• Assortment of cheeses from the local regions
• A platter of locally sourced cured meats
• Mini Swiss burgers with Gruyère cheese
• And plenty more Swiss delicacies

For dessert, we got to enjoy macaroons decorated with the Swiss flag, served with a selection of homemade Swiss desserts. But the real showstopper was the chocolate fountain! After all, the Swiss are know for their chocolate! 🍫

The dining hall was filled with Swiss related decorations, even the napkins has Swiss flags on them! All in all, it was a lovely way to welcome new and returning students back to Switzerland 🎉✨🎇

Welcome to the new school year of 2023 – 2024! ✨⭐

The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming and we can’t wait to welcome you back to Collège du Léman! 🌸

Here at CDL, we have just opened two new outside villas to support the growing boarding community, one of which is located next door but one to Louis Degallier 56, therefore we have new neighbours! Ronan and Philip (pictured below) will be running Louis Degallier 60, a beautiful villa which will house 7 senior boys. And given that we are neighbours, we will both be using this blog to update you on all of the wonderful boarding experiences enjoyed by the students within our two houses!

So, without further ado, we welcome all our new students & families, our transitioning students & families, and of course our returning students & families to our little Louis Degallier community ❤

We wish you all a successful start to the year ✨

Dear Girls of Louis Degallier Boarding House,

As the academic year comes to a close, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the incredible memories we’ve shared together in the year 2022-2023. It has been an honor and a privilege to be your houseparent and witness your growth, resilience, and camaraderie.

Throughout the year, I have witnessed your unwavering support for one another, whether it was during challenging academic times or personal triumphs. Your ability to create a warm and inclusive environment within the boarding house has made it truly feel like a home away from home for each and every one of you.

I’ve seen you embark on countless adventures, from late-night study sessions to impromptu dance parties in the common room. The laughter, the late-night talks, and the shared meals have created a tapestry of memories that will remain etched in our hearts forever.

You have shown me your determination, passion, and resilience in pursuing your dreams and goals. From excelling in your academics to participating in extracurricular activities, your dedication has been inspiring. I am confident that each one of you has a bright future ahead, and I am excited to see where your journey takes you.

Thank you for being the amazing young women that you are. Your kindness, empathy, and friendship have made my role as a houseparent immensely rewarding. I feel grateful to have been a part of your lives and to have witnessed your personal growth throughout the year.

As you move forward, remember that the memories you have created here will forever be cherished. The friendships forged and the lessons learned will guide you in the years to come. Stay true to yourselves, embrace new challenges, and continue to support one another in the remarkable way you always have.

Once again, thank you for an incredible year filled with laughter, joy, and shared experiences. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors and hope that the bonds you have formed in Louis Degallier Boarding House remain strong and everlasting.

With love and gratitude,

Lies Broux

Louis Degallier Boarding House Houseparents

Today was our end of year party and what a day it was ⭐

To celebrate, the school organised a garden celebration with inflatables, bubble football, water slides, bungee swings and rock climbing 🧗‍♀️🎪🎉

And of course no garden party would be complete without Candy Floss & ice cream!

Here is a video of our brave Regina experiencing the bungee ropes! 🗼

We were served some delicious Mexican food from a local food company – burritos & nachos 🌮

The girls had a great day spending quality time with their other schoolmates 😂💛

And to top it all off, the sun was shining throughout the day 🌞

Parisa and Kate have successfully graduated from CDL!
The air was filled with excitement as friends and family gathered to witness the beautiful ceremony.
Their hard work and dedication paid off, and we couldn’t be prouder of their accomplishments.
As they embark on their new journey, we wish Parisa and Kate all the luck in their future endeavors.
May their dreams soar high and their paths be filled with success and happiness.
Congratulations, Kate and Parisa, we are incredibly proud of you both!!!

Get ready to pop the champagne and break out the confetti cannons because it’s time to celebrate a remarkable milestone in your daughter’s life! 🎉

This Saturday at 10 am, join us as we witness our incredible graduates don their caps and gowns, ready to take on the world. It’s a moment filled with joy, pride, and a hint of bittersweet nostalgia. 🎓💖

We understand that not everyone can be physically present at the ceremony, but fear not! We have your back! 🌐✨ We’ve arranged a magical streaming link just for you, so you can cheer, shed happy tears, and beam with pride from the comfort of your home. Simply grab your popcorn, tune in, and let the virtual applause fill the airwaves. 🎥👏:

Stream Graduation Link

Remember, it’s not just a graduation ceremony; it’s a celebration of endless late-night study sessions, countless homework assignments, and the unwavering support you provided every step of the way. 📚🤗

So, mark your calendars, charge your devices, and get ready to witness your amazing daughter shine! 🌟✨ We can’t wait to share this extraordinary moment with all of you, both in person and through the virtual world.

Congratulations to the class of 2023! Let the celebrations begin! 🎉🎓

Hey there! It’s time for a delightful recap of the past week’s adventures. Let’s dive right in!

🌎 Regina: The Cultural Ambassador 🌎
Regina truly shone this week as she represented Mexico during the International Day at school. With a vibrant sombrero on her head and a traditional Mexican dress, she brought the spirit of her heritage to life. From sharing fascinating facts about Mexico’s rich culture to presenting mouthwatering delicacies, Regina showcased the beauty and diversity of her country. Ole!

🎡 Lunapark Shenanigans 🎡
Bia, Regina, Parisa, and Lisa, embarked on a thrilling expedition to the Lunapark! Their laughter echoed through the air as they hopped on exhilarating rides and tasted delicious carnival treats. It was a day filled with joy, friendship, and unforgettable memories. Roller coasters and cotton candy galore! 💐Polina’s Floral Frenzy 💐
Over the weekend, Polina indulged in her love for flowers,  and carefully selected a stunning bouquet of vibrant blooms. 
🎹 Lisa’s Magical Piano Melodies 🎹
Our talented friend Lisa showcased her musical prowess this week by tickling the ivories on her beloved piano. The air was filled with sweet melodies as she effortlessly brought life to each note, leaving us captivated by her talent. Bravo, Lisa! Encore, please!

Stay tuned for more captivating tales from our colorful lives!

Beatriz and Regina embraced the long weekend by jetting off to the enchanting city of Vienna. With their boarding passes in hand, they embarked on a memorable adventure. From strolling through the historic streets to indulging in mouthwatering pastries at traditional Viennese cafes, every moment was filled with awe and delight. They immersed themselves in the rich cultural heritage, visiting magnificent palaces, museums, and experiencing the vibrant music scene that Vienna is renowned for. As the weekend drew to a close, Beatriz and Regina will cherish the lifelong memories they have created, knowing that their Vienna escapade would forever hold a special place in their hearts.

We are very lucky to have some talented chefs here in the house, and even luckier that they offered to plan & cook a beautiful al fresco meal for our lovely little boarding family! 🥰🌸

Bia (Head Chef), along with Regina & Parisa cooked a 3 course meal for the whole house and it went down VERY well 💕

Making the most of our lovely garden and the warm summer nights, the girls took a break from revision to enjoy this beautifully prepared meal.

Here is a short video showcasing the special evening 🌸🥰

To start, the girls prepared fresh burrata & cherry tomato salads, accompanied with tasty garlic, pesto & tomato bruschetta, topped with parmesan & olive oil 🍅🧀

Next, Bia prepared her signature pasta dish made with chicken, garlic, mushrooms, onions, truffle butter, tomatoes & a touch of her own magic. Creamy, delicious & indulging – definitely a winning dish on Masterchef ⭐

Finally, we were spoilt to some delicious almond & dark chocolate brownies – although these didn’t last long at all… 😂🍫

In a few weeks time, our G12’s will be graduating from CDL, so evenings like this are even more special ⭐

A BIG thank you to Bia for leading this beautiful event, and thank you to Parisa & Regina for assisting – especially when it came to cutting the onions  🧅😂💕

We had a great weekend showcasing the talent from the girls in Louis Degallier ✨

On Saturday night, Parisa performed a beautiful version of Amy Winehouse’s ‘Back to Black’.

Accompanied by some teachers from Collège du Léman, this wonderful version was very well received by the audience. This was a ticketed event where all the money was donated to a local charity.

We are all very proud of Parisa’s talents and her commitment to the school’s charitable events 🥰

Next, we have Sakura who went to play golf on Sunday with some fellow boarders. As you can see, she showed she had good technique with her golf swing. A lovely way to spend a Sunday morning 💛

Just close to Chamonix, we travelled to a lovely outdoor race track where Beatriz got to go Go Karting! We had a mix of sunshine and showers, but despite the rain, the students absolutely loved it.

Beatriz had 2 x 10 minute sessions on the track and finished in the top 3 for her race. Well done Bea! ⭐⭐⭐

We had an amazing time organizing and doing a quiz night in our boarding house!
For once the girls could keep their phones during the meeting and use them to compete against each other. 📱
It was a fun-filled evening where we discovered interesting facts about the girls.
We found out that one of our residents is the biggest cheese lover. 🧀
And let me tell you, we also uncovered the secret of who showers the longest, revealing the reigning champion of prolonged shower sessions. 🚿
The quiz night brought us closer together, allowing us to laugh, learn, and appreciate the unique quirks and interests of each one. It was an unforgettable experience that fostered a strong sense of community in our boarding house. 🤗🤗

This past weekend was a mix of fun and productivity for our girls.
Sakura, the talented baker of the group, decided to treat everyone to some delicious cotton candy. It was a sweet and fluffy treat that brought smiles to everyone’s faces.

Parisa, on the other hand, spent her weekend cuddling with the neighbor’s dog. It was a relaxing and comforting experience, and she enjoyed every moment of it.

We also decided to make some vegan healthy banana bread, which turned out to be a success. It was a guilt-free snack that satisfied their cravings without compromising their health.

Later during the weekend, we took a trip down memory lane. We reflected on our most beautiful and fun moments in boarding school, reliving our memories and laughing at our silly mistakes. It was a heartwarming experience that brought us closer together.

Amidst all the fun, the girls didn’t forget about their upcoming exams. They spent some time studying and preparing for the challenges ahead. It was a reminder that productivity and fun can go hand in hand.

Overall, it was a weekend filled with sweet treats, cuddles, healthy snacks, productivity, and cherished memories.

On this lazy Sunday afternoon we painted candles with some of our girls. It was a fun and engaging way to spend some quality time together after the Easter break. We are sure those candles will brighten up any room!☁️ 🍋🌸

And so another term is over and we attack the Spring break with a lovely sense of accomplishment. So many things to celebrate, moments spent together, academic and personal successes… and obviously some struggles which are only part of life.

For now it’s time to enjoy the break, recharge batteries, see the family and friends. In two weeks we will embrace the final stretch of the year: end of Marking Period, exams, lake activities, trips and for our grade 12s, Graduation.

A lot to look forward to!

The boardinghouses will open again from Saturday 22/04 and classes will start on Monday 24/04!
Let’s do this final sprint together!

But first: Sit back, Relax, and Enjoy your holidays!

Floss & Lies

The weather this weekend has definitely followed the theme of ‘April Showers’, but not to worry – we will make the most of staying inside by creating some delicious snacks at home 🏡 🥰

This weekend, our Louis Degallier chefs made an array of treats, including savoury pancakes, authentic Greek cookies and one GIGANTIC twix cookie to share 🍪✨

Here’s a quick video showing Daria making this delicious cookie mixture – she makes it look so easy!

Fresh out of the oven, melted chocolate and caramel – YUM 😍

We half baked the cookie dough, then added the rest of the twix on top as demonstrated by Daria.

Here you can see a photo of the savoury pancakes with melted cheese inside. Makes a change from our favourite Nutella & strawberry pancakes 😂

Traditional Greek cookies, flavoured with orange 🍪

Bia preparing the dough for the cookies. I can confirm, they were very tasty! ✨

This week, we have lots of things to celebrate in Louis Degallier ✨✨✨

First of all, a big happpppy birthday to Lisa! 🎈🎈🎈

And what better way to celebrate than with a delicious chocolate cake 🎂 We hope you had a wonderful day Lisa 🥰

Second of all, Parisa entered the school Talent Show with her friend, Garth and together, they came 3rd place!

Parisa has a beautiful singing voice and we are lucky enough to hear her practicing in the house all the time. We managed to film her winning performance so you can enjoy her voice too! 😍

We are SO proud of you Parisa, well done! 🎤🥉

Not only during the Easter Egg Hunt the girls were surprised with chocolates – They also enjoyed Belgian waffles with different toppings this night in our Leman dining hall 🧇
I was very glad and excited to share these delicious treats from my home country with them 🤩 🤩

It was very much needed to shake off all these sugars and calories – so nothing better than a Karaoke / dance Session 🎙️ 🎤

This night we did a little Easter Egg hunt.
We hid chocolates all over the house for the girls to find 🍫
They sure did their best to not leave any eggs behind  😂

Follow them on their hunt: 

The Treasure 😍 

This year two of our girls will be graduating – Parisa and Kate.
On Monday they got to make pictures in our beautiful Concha garden.
Surrounded by their friends they stroke a pose in front of the camera 📸

Here is already a preview of the results and a behind the scenes!
For the other pictures, you will have to wait until their Graduation day in June 🎓👩‍🎓

This weekend we did not have the weather on our side. 🌨️
We planned to do an Easter egg hunt🐰but this one we postponed for a later time in the week.
Nonetheless, we made the best out of it and the girls spend some good times with their friends.

Watching a movie, playing poker, eating McDonalds – what do you need more? 🍔🍔

Polina and Sakura took the initiative to make some delicious chocolate treats for today’s meeting.
(hot) Chocolate milk, topped with whipped cream, and home-baked brownies – NJUUUUUMIEEEE !!! Afterwards we wrapped up our 4th wellbeing pillar: Online safety –
We discussed the question: “Why would I not want to live a day without my phone?
Here are some of the answers that came up
– It is a way to stay in touch with my friends and family on the other side of the world
– It helps me to disconnect to watch some funny video’s
– It is my alarm to wake-up
– My schedule and planner are in here
– I have apps that gives me daily reminders of important things that I cannot forget

Of course, the girls realize there are alternatives, and they all agreed that one day they could do without a phone, but at this point it is just very convenient as a phone is an everything in one device/tool 📱

And what about you, could you live a day without a phone? 

WHAT A SHOW!
The talentshow might be truly one of the highlights in our boarding year.
Each house gets the chance to perform and shine on the stage for all the other boarders, management and the directors!

Our girls were just AMAZING!

They did a combination between Parisa signing and a dance with Flashlights.
As you can see, they got the whole audience to sing along and they literally and figurally lit up the room! 🌟
Well done!!!

This afternoon, we baked some delicious Kinder Bueno cookies in the house, and believe me, they went down extremely well! 😍

As chocolate lovers, we found a recipe online that met our chocolate desires in every way possible! 🍫

The recipe uses a traditional cookie dough mixture as demonstrated by our lovely Sakura. 🥰

Once the dough is formed, we added the kinder chocolate and divided them into equal amounts. Somehow, a few bits of chocolate went missing during the process… 😅

Once baked, we added a Kinder Bueno square to each cookie and left them to cool down for half an hour… however, we thought it would be best to try one as soon as it came out of the oven, just to double check they tasted good… 🤭😏

We shared them amongst everyone in the house and I think it’s safe to say we all have a sweet tooth here in Louis Degallier. We just wish we could share them with you across the world! 🌎

Alongside our cookie making, Daria was baking some Russian sweet treats using her Grandmother’s recipe. Lots of creativity in the kitchen today!

This weekend our students fully enjoyed Rome’s vibes. They had a mix of nice walks, great Italian flavors and visiting the main attractions.
Overall, they had great fun!

Definitely an experience to repeat!

Today is International Women’s Day and what better way to celebrate than with beautiful flowers! 🌹🌸

We are so proud to have such strong, intelligent and ambitious girls in our house. It’s clear to see that they are all each other’s cheerleaders when it comes to supporting their personal achievements, whatever they may be 👯‍♀️

They are all inspiring young women, each with their own purpose and talents and we are so excited to see how they use their incredible powers in the future ⭐❣

The girls received gorgeous bouquets from their loved ones to celebrate this special day ❤

Thank you ladies for being you! 🥰

This afternoon, we took some of the girls Ice Skating in Geneva and had a great time!

The girls showed off their amazing skating skills and I am happy to say that no one fell over – I think we could even enter a CDL figure skating team for the next Winter Olympics ⭐⭐⭐

Smiles all round from the girls in Louis Degallier 🥰

The hardest part was putting the ice skates on – luckily Bea had some assistance from a friend!

During our boarding assembly Mr Gordon introduced the next pillar that we will be working on: Online safety or Online life.
Polina and Dasha will be our advocated for this and during the following weeks they will provide us with fun but interesting learning objectives around this topic.

We also had our housemeeting where we discussed what we will do as a performance for the upcoming Talentshow on 21/03
(Ps: Can you see how our decoration changes 🐰🐣 this months theme is: Easter!)

After the assembly we got pleased with a delicious Bulgarian dinner! 

We hope that everyone enjoyed a great holiday.
Three of our girls went to the Wintercamp were they enjoyed a full week of skiing and fun activities.

Lisa took some very nice pictures that we are happy to share with you:

We hope our other girls spend an equally Fun week!
We are looking forward to have them back in our boarding house❤️

Thank you for a great start to 2023! Enjoy this well deserved mid term break, whether that is in the snow or the sun, we hope you have fun! 🌻

The boarding house will open again on Saturday 25th February from 9am.

Have a great time and we’ll see you soon! 😘

Today is Valentine’s day or how we prefer to call it: Galentine’s day
A day to celebrate friendships with your friends. It’s Valentine’s Day with your ‘gals’.

We wrote some cute personal messages to each other, ate tasty strawberries with chocolate and watched a romantic movie.
A perfect way to pass this day 🥰

We love you girls! Each one of you is so unique and amazing ❤️

The Sun is out and so are our girls! This weekend we could enjoy our beautiful garden and work on that tan ☀️

We are craving and looking forward to warmer days so we can do a barbecue! 🍖♨️🔥

and enjoy all other things that Spring and Summer have to offer in Switzerland!

On Saturday, Parisa, Regina, Sakura and Beatriz went to the cooking class. They made delicious soft cookies. I am pretty sure the necessary dose of chocolate made them even better! 😀
They could not wait till they were back home to devour them.

Cooking class – Making soft cookies 🍪🍪

Dasha enjoying our gym facilities – She is a real goalsetter and goes every day! 💪

After a delicious Japanese dinner, our girls were ready to battle for the House competition QUIZ NIGHT 

They had to answer 20 questions about Switzerland 🧀
We ended with a score of 75% 

Well done!!

This evening, we enjoyed a lovely meal in our cosy Louis Degallier living room. Prepared by our wonderful chefs at Collège du Léman, we were spoilt with a delicious Thai meal including Sweet & Sour Beef Wok, Thai Noodles, Thai Salad and an exotic Mousse for dessert. Most of the girls went back for seconds, especially for the tasty beef dish! 🤩🍜

It’s always lovely eating in the comfort of our home, sitting around one table together where we can share stories from the week – an added bonus is that the girls can wear comfy slippers to dinner! ❣

Today during our weekly housemeeting, Kate and Kseniia were in charge to lead it.
Together with the other girls from the house, they decided what activities we would still like to do this year with all of us.

When we do our meetings, we always try to have a tasty snack.
Polina and I decided to make crêpes.
As you can see, the girls loved them (with the necessary dose of Nutella, ofcourse!🍫)

We can honestly say they were incrêpable 😋

Enjoy them with us!

It was a very quiet weekend on campus.

Some students chose to go to the mountains with boarding, while others enjoyed a relaxing weekend on campus or away with their families.

For our house, this was the perfect opportunity to get ready for Valentine’s day 🌹

We hung our decorations and made little envelopes so the girls can send friendship messages to each other 📩

Let’s spread some love, good vibes and positive energy!

When you ask our students the question: What makes boarding so great?
They will answer confidently and with a smile that goes from ear to ear 😄: The international community!

In our house only, we have already ! 8 ! different nationalities. 

Can you guess what country is each flag from? 👍

During our weekly housemeeting we introduced the next wellbeing pillar: Building Positive Friendships
We concentrated on the questions:

• How does the boarding house support and encourage international friendships, give examples
• What advice would you give future students coming into an international school environment
• Can you think of some examples of famous international friendships?
• Self-Reflection – Do you embrace the international community, or do you prefer the convenience of building friendships within your own culture and language?

By the end of the pillar we want to find an answer on the take-away point: What are the benefits of an international friendship? 👬

A first reflection provided us with the following answers.

– We learn about differences in culture and how other nationalities perceive things that are for one considered ‘normal’ but are not for others. This opens very interesting discussions and broadens our view. It occurs as well that we encounter funny situations because of this!
-Being able to travel all over the world and know people anywhere
-…

Afterwards, we discussed what we will be doing as a house project. We came up with some fun ideas that we will put into practice for next week! So keep an eye out on our blog 🤩

For those who want to see the video that we watched together:

Of course, there are no International friendships without international dinners. For this week we had a Chinese caterer! 

Our first normal weekend back in Boarding.
And it was one with a lot of laughter, fun and activities!

On Saturday Morning, Polina, Dasha, Kate, Kseniia, Beatriz and Sakura went for a cooking class.
They made a delicious Couscous with chicken meatballs 🐔

Afterwards most of the girls went to Geneva, only a few decided to stay in the house and to relax.
Beatriz took some time to do her laundry – Look how enthusiastically she is ironing!

On Sunday it is time for Brunch!
Afterwards, Beatriz went to bodyshaping and Lisa to the music club. 🎶

We finally could welcome Parisa back into the house! Now we are complete again 🤗

The girls had some friends over in the house and spend a lovely time together!

Today we enjoyed eating dinner together in our cosy boarding house.

Our wonderful chefs prepared a lovely meal for us including Chicken Biryani, naan bread, vegetable dahl and a lovely mango & coconut cheesecake to finish, delicious!

During our first Boarding Assembly in 2023 we launched The Third Pillar of our Well-being Program: Building Positive Friendships.

Being in an International boarding school gives the students many opportunities to form deep and strong connections with other students from all over the world.
This brings many challenges but mostly also a lot of benefits and great experiences!
The upcoming weeks we will dive deeper into this pillar and work on several projects.

Launch of the Pillar

Our girls are already making friends with students from other houses!

We hope everyone had an amazing holiday.
We wish you a great 2023 and all the best wishes!

This weekend we also welcomed a new student in our house: Beatriz!
The girls helped her settle in and we are excited to have her finally here with us.

Welcome Beatriz, and to an awesome year together in CDL!

Happy Holidays From Louis Degallier!

Thank you for a first wonderful semester ❄️
Enjoy this well-deserved break and we will see you again in January!

The boarding house will open on Saturday 07/01 from 9am.

Big hugs 🤗

This evening we attended together the WATU Winterconcert.
A musical and festive eve whereby the school choir perform various songs for Charity.

We got to listen to students playing the piano, watched them dance but the highlight of the evening for us was for sure…
Parisa! 
Her voice made everyone quiet and it is just breathtaking to hear and see her light up on the stage.

We are incredibly proud!!!! Enjoy the night with us again through some videos and pictures:

We want to start with saying that all of our girls should have deserved a medal.
Our first semester with them has been wonderful and we could see them bloom throughout the weeks.
Some strong bounds have been formed, a lot of laughter shared and amazing memories made!

This evening during the assembly we congratulated from every house students who were outstanding in living the RISE-values and integrating into the boarding life. As well the students who participate in many activities and get the most out of their experience.
We selected Polina and Regina as representatives for our house. Congratulations ladies!

No Monday blues in our house!
Regina, Sakura and Parisa decided to have a little party in their room and to sing along with a bunch of songs.
We love this enthusiastic and positive energy!

We let you judge about their voices though 😉

This weekend Daria, Polina and Kate built and decorated a beautiful gingerbread house.

The end result

After, most of the girls went out to Geneva or Versoix.

On Sunday they enjoyed a relaxing day in with some friends while watching a movie.

December is about to start ❄️
The Countdown to Christmas has begun 🎄
But in the House we already celebrated all together a cozy Secret Santa night 🤶

All of us snuggled up together

Each one of the girls bought a present for another girl in the house!
All the gifts were so thoughtful and we experienced a lot of joy, happiness and thankfulness!

Lara being very excited with her present

After the gift exchange, we watched the football while enjoying a dozen of different snacks 🥨🥨

The whole house is breathing Christmas vibes and we had an amazing night!

Groupselfie

Our cosy corner

Some more gift exchanges

Today on the Menu: Canadian Fries!

Entertainment, excitement and magic await you in Montreux at one of the prettiest Christmas markets in Europe.
And that is exactly where Polina, Daria, Kate, Regina and Parisa went this Sunday!

The girls strolled throughout the street and discovered the 170 different stalls and chalets.

Lisa went to Chess club to improve her skills and tactic.

Sakura enjoyed a relaxing mindfulness session of Sound and Soul.
Afterwards she went to help with the “giftbox wrapping”.
An initiative whereby we aim at collecting and sending gift boxes with utilities to poor families in eastern Europe.

Each one of them got to enjoy their weekend to the fullest!

Wednesdays are always in the sign of discovering a new culture.
Today we got to taste delicious Asian noodles.

During our weekly housemeeting we discussed the second take-away point from our well-being pillar and reflected about the question: We all say we value diversity… but are we really comfortable with difference?

Here is the link to the video that we watched:

After that it was time to enjoy a freshly baked cake and chitchat together.

And now it is time for a well-deserved goodnight rest!

This weekend Polina celebrated her birthday.
She had a nice day out with all her friends of CDL.
Back in the house we ate all together from an amazing fruit cake and Polina also finally got to open her presents that the other girls got for her.

Every Wednesday we have a housemeeting with the girls to discuss some important points.
This is also a moment we take to be all together and catch-up on everything that has been going on.
Some freshly baked brownies set the mood for having everyone’s attention and to be able to listen to each other <3

Wellbeing Pillar 2. Integration and diversity

Globally what we want to achieve with this point is that students understand that Diversity and Integration are present far beyond the school environment or our individual background and that it’s a top priority in the world today. Sometimes, this might be overlooked, and we believe it’s important they acknowledge that the work and reflection being done here is echoed in the World Leading Institutions.
Take away point 1 – Integration and diversity are part of the international agenda of the world’s most important institutions.

We also watched this interesting video about UN volunteers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKhMk6dstHw&t=4s

UN Volunteers, in all their diversity, represent the best of the UN In 2021, the UN system engaged more UN Volunteers than ever before – over 10,900 Volunteers served with 56 UN partners. They represented more than 100 profes… www.youtube.com

Every Wednesday the borders can discover a new country and culture by tasting the delicious food that a specialized chef makes.
Today on the Menu: Indian

The first weekend after the October break the girls enjoyed to have some relaxing time in the house.
Polina and Regina made some tik-toks together, others enjoyed a movie and they all went out to Geneva to get some fresh air and do the necessary shopping.

On Sunday, Parisa motivated the girls to take part in the activity ‘Sound of Soul’.
A workshop where they focus on the energy in their body.

This Monday, all the students have one more day to rest and prepare for school as there are the parent-teacher meetings.
Like that, their batteries will be recharged for another week full of responsibilities, fun and activities.