Happy Valentine’s Day
Today at dinner we had a very nice decoration to enjoy this lovely day.
On Valentine’s Day we think of those
Who make our lives worthwhile,
Those gracious, friendly people who
We think of with a smile.
I am fortunate to know you,
That’s why I want to say,
To a rare and special person:
Happy Valentine’s Day!
By Joanne Fuchs
Les Crosets Ski Day
February Boarding Assembly
Ski day in La Tzoumaz
Saturday Night Snack
Happy Chinese New Year!
Let’s talk about peer-pressure
During our house-meeting we addressed the subject of peer-pressure, which is a common phenomenon amongst youngsters. Negative impulses can come from friends, classmates and social media, and can effect our decision making and behaviour. Smoking, vaping, drinking, conformism are just a few of the worrisome results of peer-pressure.
It’s very important to learn about independent decision making, and peer resistance skills in order to avoid peer pressure. It’s also essential that the students have confidence and trust in their adult caregivers and therefore, if and when, they experience peer pressure, we encourage them talk about it and ask for help.
Happy birthday, Crystal!
Lovely white Saturday morning
Weekend activity
Well-being Pillar 3
Welcome to the House Zenia and Elisa! :)
Welcome to the house Elisa and Zenia!!
Welcome Back!
Happy birthday, Linda!
Happy Holidays from the New Portena Team
A lovely Wednesday evening :)
Winter dinner
In order to celebrate the end of the year before the vacation, we enjoyed a nice and bright winter dinner in school. The cafeteria was transformed for the occasion and it was absolutely stunning!! Everyone made an effort to be well dressed and prepared.
We all had a good moment while keeping our usual precautions, as we were sitting by house, what we’re doing for a while already.
ONE, TWO THREE – masks off!
Award Ceremony
Tonight we had the great honor to give medals to the winners of the award ceremony. We were rewarding the students for their participation in the boarding life, their participation in activities, and for their good academic results.
Unfortunately, we were missing some girls (Alison, Cherry, Yvonne) but we keep their medals and we will give them to them on their return.
Congratulations to Sabine and Bianka for the boarding life award and Ghida for her best academics achievement for GR11 / IB1!
And then we ate the “chocolate marmite” broken according to the Swiss tradition!
It represents a battle between French and Swiss people where the Swiss citizens defended themselves by throwing boiling soup onto the invaders.
Ghida helping with Partage Project
Gingerbread House
NP TIP #6
NP TIP #5
Light for Hope!
New Portena Team is wishing you all Merry Christmas & Happy New Year !
Exchanging gifts, drinking hot chocolate and enjoying the festive vibes :)
Preparation for our magical Christmas party…
Making gingerbread :)
Samdi Du Partage
The CDL Make A Difference Society (MADS) and the Parent Faculty Association (PFA) are teaming up to support the Partage food bank this year. Partage is a Geneva-based, hunger-fighting charity, which supports thousands of fortunate individuals and families each week with 3 main goals:
- Social: helping those in a precarious situation and fighting hunger
- Economic: providing professional rehabilitation for job seekers
- Ecological: reducing food waste while maintaining a small ecological footprint
During these difficult times, it was nice to see Elise jump at the opportunity to help others. This was her individual project for the Wellbeing Pillar 2, celebrating diversity and combating against bullying.
Well done, Elise!
‘It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas’ in New Portena!
Bake-off competition!
Wellbeing Pillar 2 – Promoting Diversity
Fun Saturday in New Portena!
NP TIP #4
NP TIP #3
Happy Birthday, Miss Cristina!
Gift Box Appeal
Some of our girls helped packing and carrying boxes for the gift box appeal as part of their individual project for this Wellbeing Pillar, which is celebrating diversity and combating against bullying.
This appeal is aimed at helping children learn about giving to others not as fortune as they are. The timing links well with the UN “Rights of the Child Day” on 20th November. A number of schools use the appeal to show that poverty is not so far away and help students to understand how others live. This is a non religious and purely humanitarian appeal. The Gift Boxes get sent to needy children in Eastern Europe children who have never had a gift, many living in unbelievable poverty. In the boxes are special treats, sweets and toys, provide toiletries and especially school needs, so helping them attend school with items not provided by the state.
Tennis on Saturday
Wellbeing Community Project
This wellbeing pillar is all about celebrating diversity and protecting against bullying. Therefore, New Portena joined 2 primary boys in their a cappella singing activity. The aim was to give the students a different experience, trying something new, whilst providing support to the youngest members of boarding.
The teacher prepared a tailor-made session aiming to have a constructive exchange between students of different ages. We hoped us joining the activity helped to boost the boys confidence as well as allowed our girls to experience diverse moment out of their usual weekly routine.
Monthly Assembly online
NP TIP # 2
NP TIP #1
A Quiet Sunday Morning
Happy Birthday, Elise!
NIGHT TIME – TREASURE HUNT
Today we had a hairdresser session
Happy birthday Mary :)
Happy Birthday, Mary!
Healthy snacks for the girls who stayed at home
As you know not all the girls were able to fly home for the break. However, we try to make our best to keep healthy, fit, positive and happy. And what is the best for our wellbeing? Home made healthy snacks 🙂
Today we have apple pancakes with chocolate 90%.
No sugar needed when they are really yummy.
Ghida’s project
Welcome to our new WELLBEING SPACE!
Cooking, backing and movie before Holidays
Movie Night – The Devil wears Prada
Movie night- The Great Gatsby
Last night, we watched ‘The Great Gatsby’ starring Leonardo DiCaprio. A film request made by Mary as she is studying the book in English classes. We love when we mix education and entertainment! Our movie snack were cut up pieces of apple, bananas and pears.
Note: we do not have to wear masks in the house as we are a ‘family’.
“Nick Carraway, a World War I veteran who moves to New York with the hope of making it big, finds himself attracted to Jay Gatsby and his flamboyant lifestyle.”
Reward system!
After school snack :)
Hip hop class
Happy birthday, Cherry!
Evening Fitness
Happy birthday, Sabine!
Bianka’s Birthday
Lake Léman annual clean up
Photography workshop
Movie Night
Our new fridge!
Monday is back
House Competition – Sport Day
Tennis is very popular for NP girls!
R I S E
Wellbeing Pillar 1
Weekend activities ^^
Rainy Saturday!
Happy birthday, Miss Kata!
First day of school
New Portena Team :)
We are back!
Christine we are so proud of you!
We are so proud of Crystal, she has been awarded with the Academic Scholarship.
Crystal was able to impress the selection panel thanks to her outstanding academic record, her excellent communication skills, her enthusiasm for learning and her commitment to help others.
This will represent both a recognition of her work so far and an incentive to continue on the path of excelence.
Well done Crystal!
Message from Inge & Francis Clivaz
When Inge and I arrived in Versoix, on a beautiful spring day in April 1960, we didn’t think, BUT REALLY NOT 60 years later, that we would find ourselves in this magnificent campus of nearly 2’000 students which has become one of the jewels of Swiss private education. The worldwide reputation of the Collège du Léman is such that it has inspired and served as a model for the creation of several campuses around the world: Brussels, Cheng Du in China, Dubai, Kigali in Rwanda and Manhattan in New York.
Sixty years ago we opened the doors of the CDL to receive our very first students: beautiful Hala, Zeena from Baghdad and the very shy Carine from Tel Aviv. These young girls were followed day after day by students from all over the world! Since the first day, we have lived together in perfect harmony.
Your origins, your social background, your diverse religions were a source of constant enrichment and gave rise to magnificent exchanges. Your well-being and academic performance were always at the centre of our concerns.
Your deans and professors came from all over the world. Think of Mr. Marchi (Italy), Mr. Nawar (Egypt), Mr. Salamin (Switzerland), Mr. Boschert (USA), Mr. Gale (England), not forgetting Chief Robert (Holland) who all contributed greatly to the cultural diversity of the campus.
During your years at the CDL, you have forged bonds of deep friendship for life.
You were like our children! You are forever part of this wonderful family at the CDL. We are always happy with your family, social and professional successes and are so proud to see you put into practice on a daily basis what we have taught you all these years: respect for others!
We would like to remind you again of the college’s motto which is: “Educate and teach in a spirit of openness and tolerance so that its students become citizens and leaders of a world respectful of differences”.
We send you our warmest messages and hope to have the pleasure of seeing many, if not all, of you again in June 2021 in Geneva to finally celebrate the 60th anniversary.
Versoix, May 2020,
Inge & Francis
Happy 60th Birthday CDL!
Did you know that Switzerland is the safest country for Covid-19?
Letter from Justin Usher, Director of Boarding
Online Graduation 6th June 2020
Beautiful sunset from the School
Collège du Léman will re-open for our High School Students
Happy late birthday KATIA and RIA!
Happy Birthday Polina!!
Happy Birthday Alison!!
Happy Birthday Ekaterina and Doria!!
Happy birthday, Marianne!
Collège du Léman
From Tuesday 17th March, our students and teachers will move to Remote Learning Online. Communication has been shared with all our parents and we welcome any questions. As part of the Nord Anglia Education family of schools our students will have access to online resources around the world. We want to take this time to wish our families all the best and we hope everyone stays safe during this challenging period.
À partir du mardi 17 mars 2020, nos élèves et nos enseignants passeront à l’apprentissage à distance en ligne. La communication a été partagée avec tous nos parents et nous sommes à votre disposition pour toutes questions. En tant que membre de la famille des écoles Nord Anglia, nos élèves auront accès à des ressources en ligne du monde entier. Nous voulons profiter de cette période pour souhaiter à nos familles tout le meilleur et nous espérons que chacun restera en sécurité pendant cette période compliquée.
Healthy smoothie as snack
Keep being honest!
Well-being section
8th of March
Our master chef!
Healthy lifestyle
VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT
Cookies for charity!
NEW PORTENA VOLLEYBALL TEAM
We are back ^^
Healthy snacks after school!
Happy birthday, Antonia!
We went ICE SKATING!
Busy weekend in the House!
Boarding Assembly
A snack after a long day at school!!
Alison’s art project!!
In New Portena We Love Winter Sports!!!
Our Crystal in THIMUN!!
The THIMUN (The Hague International Model United Nations) conference is a five-day simulation of the United Nations for secondary school students, which takes place at the end of January each year in the World Forum Convention Center in The Hague.Our Crystal along with other CDL students are participating this year.We are expecting them back to give us their insight and thoughts from this valuable experience.
She is somewhere in there:
From the closing ceremony:
House Assembly!Valuable communication every week!!
A very warm evening where we communicate important information to the girls!Main topic the coronavirus which has already affected lots of people in the world in many areas.We explained that The virus is still too new to entirely predict how it will evolve , however, basic hygiene is the best recommendation for all.Furthermore the risk in our territory is very very low.
Following Cristine with the valuable help of Linda gave a heartwarming presentation about the Chinese spring festival and its great importance to Chinese people.
You can find it here : Presentation
And Yes we had smores from Mrs Kata and Mrs Dace!!!!
Wellbeing session : What friendship means to You?
Welcome Polina and Alexandra!!!
This week we had the pleasure of welcoming two exceptional ladies in New Portena.Polina comes from Russia she joined grade 10.Alexandra comes from Spain and joined grade 11.Both very extrovert and friendly, managed to make an excellent first impression to the rest of the girls.They also have chosen a variety of afternoons activities from our extended extra curricular program. Kickboxing ,Yoga,Horse-riding,Chinese and many more will keep them proactively busy.
Getting ready for the Assembly!
WELL-BEING / GEOGRAPHY
Everyone ready for the snow!
First night in Crans – Montana
A very beneficial visit in New Portena!!
Climbing,Crossfit and Mountain adventure with Huskies!!
Sunday soup!!
Sunday today and it is time for our soup.We had a chat with the girls about the importance of eating seasonal vegetables and fruits.They retain more nutrients than their counterparts making them the better choice for your health. Other benefits of eating seasonally : Supports local farmers who choose to farm sustainably and preserves the environment.
We enjoyed a creamy leek soup and olive oil drizzled croutons !!
Tennis with Lolita!!
Homemade whole wheat bread by Eva D!!
There is one food that definitely unites most of the civilizations of the world: bread.Throughout recorded history it has been a prominent food in large parts of the world and is one of the oldest man-made foods, having been of significant importance to households and often the only food parents could provide to their children in times of despair.
The carbohydrates which are rich provide energy and nourishment just to face the day, they also contain proteins, salts and vitamins essential for the proper functioning of the body.
And what better than homemade whole wheat bread…New Portena bakes!!
Cooking Phat-Thai!!!!
Happy Birthday Crystal!!!
Welcome to New Portena Linda!!!
New Portena welcomes Ms Jody!!
House assembly : Building positive friendships
A very important topic was brought up during our house assembly which is also a part of our wellbeing programme this year.
The Role of Positive Friendships in Youth Development
Adolescence is a period of rapid change —physically, emotionally, and socially—and relationships with friends play an important role in the lives of adolescents as they become increasingly independent , develop their own identity, and grapple with self-esteem.Positive friendships provide youth with companionship, support, and a sense of belonging. They can encourage or reinforce healthy behaviors, and evidence suggests that positive friendships in adolescence can lay the groundwork for successful adult relationships, including romantic relationships.
And at the end each of us had to pick a heart-shaped card with an attribute written on it and hand it to the person we think possesses this quality..a lot of smiles and good vibes from this evening for all of us!!
Crystal participating in Youth Forum of Switzerland.
Our talented and motivated Crystal will participate in Youth Forum of Switzerland representing CDL along with 4 more day students,in Zug.
The vision: Connecting changemakers to address the challenges facing our planet.
The Youth Forum Switzerland is committed to:
- Exploring relevant issues in inclusive, respectful, and constructive ways.
- Connecting youth and the world’s leading changemakers to inspire innovative solutions to pressing global issues.
- Empowering youth to become purposeful changemakers.Carbon neutrality and being a zero waste organization.
The Youth Forum Switzerland will measure its impact through:
-
Assessing youth understanding and engagement with global issues.
-
Curating student initiatives launched through participation in the Youth Forum Switzerland
You are welcome to visit : https://www.youthforumswitzerland.ch/
January Boarding Assembly!!
This assembly was a little about history and a lot about people who make an impact and stand out for their actions and voice about equality,diversity,freedom of speech,justice and honor.We focused on the importance to see the good things that happen everyday and everywhere rather than surround ourselves and our loved ones with negativity.
Good vibes and positive attitude from Albion,Giorgio,Amir and Sofia.Albion and Giorgio demonstrating tenor abilities,Amir accompanied them on the piano and Sofia gave an inspiring speech about the importance of exercise our bodies and souls.
At the end we had the pleasure of welcoming our Ms Cristina on stage where she pointed out that good nutrition is an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle. Combined with physical activity, your eating habits can help you reach and maintain a healthy life. “let food be your medicine and medicine be your food”
WE ARE BACK !!
Happy Holidays from New Portena!!
NEW HOODIES!
Winter Ball preparations!!
A cosy dinner in our house!
Charity project!!
GIVING TO CHARITY MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD.😁GIVING TO CHARITY STRENGTHENS PERSONAL VALUES.👌👏GIVING IS MORE IMPACTFUL THAN EVER👍👍.GIVING TO CHARITY INTRODUCES OUR BOARDERS TO THE IMPORTANCE OF GENEROSITY🎈.
Alison and Cherry helped Mr Salva tonight gathering all the gifts our girls donated to a child shelter.A noble cause which we hope will put a lot of smiles to child faces😊😊
Excursion to Gruyères and Maison Cailler!!
Trip to Europa park and Freiburg!!!
Ghida, outstanding student!
Awards Ceremony
Our Wellbeing session: Diversity and inclusivity
As a school with almost over 100 nationalities present , diversity is our common language.It helps us recognize and respect “ways of being” that are not necessarily our own. So that as we interact with others we can build bridges to trust, respect, and understanding.It helps dispel negative stereotypes and personal biases about different groups. With that in mind we discussed a lot and at the end of our session the girls were encouraged to bring something from home,that they always keep with them no matter where they are,which shows their culture and to share it with their housemates.
Ekaterina showed us a presentation about her beloved Moscow.
Steph showed us handcrafted bags from Bali, and pointed the importance of spirituality of Balinese people
Doria and Camila talked with passion about Peking Opera.Louise shared secrets of French cuisine.Kokoro told us about Osechi and its importance to Japanese people.Yuqi prepared traditional tea from her city in 3 different tastes. Alison holding a Chinese artcraft who she keeps for good luck, finally decided to put it in New Portena for all of us!!!!💖💕❤🙌🙌
Eva and Manya gave a heartbreaking speech about the importance of their families in their lives.
Montreux Christmas Market
Charity Christmas Market
Thanksgiving night ^^
TRUST, CHARITY, SELFCONFIDENCE AND DIVERSITY
Cooking in our Boarding Houses!!
AQUATIS!
High school Drama Showcase!!
A wellbeing session: Stereotypes and their effect on young people.
From “girls are not good in maths” and “men are so insensitive” to “he is getting a bit senile with age” or “some people struggle at university”, there’s no shortage of common stereotypes about social groups. Chances are we have heard most of these examples at some point. In fact, stereotypes are a bit like air: invisible but always present.With the girls tonight we tried to clear the air bit , about this hugely important issue, merely by being aware of the damaging effects that stereotypes can have.
At the end of our session we played a game..a small piece of paper with the name of a country was placed in ones girls forehead, while the others should share stereotypes about people and culture of this country and the aim was for the girl with the paper in her forehead to guess ,according to these stereotypes, the country the rest of the girls were talking about.The girls acknowledge the inaccuracy of these stereotypes by simply not recognising them in their friends behavior, in the house and school.We may not be able to avoid stereotypes completely and immediately, but we can try to clear the air of them.
Full of fun weekend!!
After school egg-avocado salad sandwiches !!!!
Super Happy Birthday Ms Cristina!!!
Day at the museum
Open Day November
Enjoying the sunny weather :)
Visitors in New Portena!!
Masterchef competition…First in our HEARTS ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤💕💕💕💖💖💖💖
Masterchef Team!!!
Sunday’s Soup!!
Always Fresh fruits !!!
Let’s make Churros!!!!
Musaka and cultural diversity acknowledgment !!!
Quick refreshment for the week
Welcome Camila!!!
Wellbeing session :What is Bullying
What Is Bullying?
Bullying is a distinctive pattern of harming and humiliating others, specifically those who are in some way smaller, weaker, younger or in any way more vulnerable than the bully.
The girls opened up and gave their opinions over a questionnaire with the company of some hot tea and cookies …
more to come about this important issue.
FIRST PLACE in house competition!!
Wellbeing P2
Sunday’s soup
Pumpking carving
The 5 Days of Diwali!!!
Diwali, Deepawali or Dipavali is the Hindu festival of lights, which is celebrated every autumn in the northern hemisphere. One of the most popular festivals of Hinduism, Diwali or Deepavali symbolises the spiritual “victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance”.
Happy Diwali to ALL!!
We are back…and we Rock!
What can turmeric do you for you?
Today for our wellbeing session we got familiar with the many benefits of Turmeric or Curcuma root as it is also known.Girls devoured a delicious vegetable soup with this incredibly beneficial spice.
Turmeric among others,
- Detoxifies the Body,
- Lowers Cortisol Levels,
- Improves Your Complexion,
- Balances Blood Sugar,Improves Cardiovascular Health,
- Calms the Digestive System,
- Sharpens Memory,
- Lowers Blood Pressure ,
- Works as an Natural Headache Remedy,
- Calms Eczema,
- Fights Inflammation and
- Helps You Get a Better Sleep
Girls also learned how to prepare hot beverages to fight common flue that bursts this time of the year.
Paris Disneyland Trip!!!
Soup for the Soul!!
Huskies Are High-Energy and Easily Bored!!Just Like SUSANA
Huskies are loving, gentle, and playful, they do well in families with active children and adults. These dogs tend to be social and relaxed. They also don’t bark much, but do enjoy howling on occasion.
A Husky loves to be in a centre of attention.And today they were as Susana and the rest of our boarders enjoyed hiking with them, an amazing and rewarding experience.
Grand Finale for Lake Activities!!!
House Meeting with Oreo challenge
New Portena: House of Talents
Breathing for your Wellbeing
Breathing: it should be the most natural thing in the world. We do it without thinking, some 20,000 times a day. And from their very first gasp, babies respire as nature intended, ribs expanding, torso rising and falling.
Poor breathing techniques adopted over time are responsible for increasing stress and anxiety, lowering energy levels and even affecting cardiovascular health. The good news, is that we can reverse these effects simply by relearning how to breathe properly.
New Portena Ladies practiced 8 different techniques of breathing and elevated their energy levels.
You are welcome to try …click and breathe
House Competition Quiz
Let’s make cookies!!!
Need for Speed!!
Cooking is thriving in New Portena!!
New friends in the office
Wednesday Assembly
CdL talks
Last hours of September and we say goodbye with some warm green tea!!
First period study hall
Wakeboarding in Lac Léman!!!
Stretch Stretch Stretch..breath..Repeat!!
Stretching keeps the muscles flexible, strong, and healthy, and we need that flexibility to maintain a range of motion in the joints. Without it, the muscles shorten and become tight.
Our Sofia from VDL organised our first stretching session.At the end we relaxed having to think about 3 good things that happened the passed week,smile and be thankful.
Conquer Rivers!!!
Food can be art!!!
It is Happening ON SUNDAY!!
Let’s play ^^
Babies rolling in New Portena!!
Welcome Alty!!
Skin care and make up workshop with Ms Dace and Ms Kata!!
Happy Birthday Cherry!!!
Susana and french fries:Endless Love
Mentors and prefects sharing experience!!
Tonight during our house assembly we were delighted to have with us some of our mentors and prefects who enthusiastically shared their experience in CDL, spoked about the difficulties they faced when they first arrived and shared ideas and practices which boosted the confidence of our girls.They also reassured them that they will stand by them whatever they may need.We could not be more proud of them.
CDL Talks!!!
A new initiative launched yesterday ,where a network of today’s most influential figures across business, arts, politics and more will donate some of their valuable time , open up their thoughts and curious-fuelling experiences to our students and CDL community.
Yesterday we were privileged to welcome Mr Edward GIRARDET who gave an inspiring speech about his life and work.We were all urged and motivated to write as much we can,express ourselves and feelings,take nothing for granted, search,question and think.
Sleep well and Thrive!!
In our wellbeing session tonight we covered the vital issue of sleep and how the lack of it can severely affect our health.
The girls were motivated at the end to do an experiment to find out if they actually have enough sleep.
Along with nutrition and exercise, good sleep is one of the pillars of health.
You simply cannot achieve optimal health without taking care of your sleep.
New Portena Kitchen!!
Dixie is waiting for you!
Numerous studies have shown the importance of Dog Walking. Benefits include improved cardiovascular fitness, lower blood pressure, stronger muscles and bones (built up by walking regularly), and decreased stress. A regular walk is vitally important for your pet’s health too..We offer our boarders this unique experience ,to Have fun with Dixie.This afternoon Kate took her for her walk and hey both enjoyed it endlessly.
Wellbeing day ^^
Welcome Sofia ^^
Extreme sports girls
Discovering new genius
Team up NP/ VdL
COOKING SKILLS
First weekend activity
Craft night ^^
Selecting basketball team
House day in New Portena
Refreshment after school
Cooking for our Wellbeing
Give her your favourite photo and she will make art!!
We LOVE U Ms Joanne!!!
Saturday activities over a sunny weather
Sanny..Our new Master Chef!!!
The neighbors apples!!!
Making the most of our free time
How does social media affect your well-being?
Connections between online communication, social life and well-being.Was social media meant to help us work smarter?Or has it only given us additional work?These were only some of the topics that we discussed yesterday during our house assembly.Stephanie gave an impeccable speech,made all of us think deeper and made this evening memorable.Thank you Steph!!
social media…necessity or waste of time!!
During our house assembly tonight we talked a lot over how social media Influences our mental health and overall happiness.Then the girls had to discuss in groups and come up with ideas and propositions.And this is what Doria,Susana,Louise,Kokoro and Eva brought to the table on how to limit the time we spend on social media..and we couldn’t agree more Ladies!!!