Wellbeing Pilar I – Online Safety

Today, our 9th and 10th graders participated in a well-being session as part of our programme to conclude Pillar I: Online Safety. The session included a presentation covering various topics related to using new technologies. While it was clear that our students, as a generation raised in the digital age, possess a broad understanding of the online world, the session highlighted that there is still much to discover and learn.

… and most importantly, there are many aspects to be cautious about and protect themselves from.

Our three key takeaway points were:

  • Have you heard of sextortion?
  • Do you know what it means to be blackmailed?
  • What would you do if someone threatened you online?

This session served as a valuable reminder of the importance of navigating the digital world responsibly. We hope that by fostering these discussions, our students will feel more confident and better equipped to protect themselves online, promoting a safer and more informed approach to technology use.

 

Gratitude and Gatherings: The Week of Thanksgiving

This past weekend was lively and engaging for Olympus House, as the boys threw themselves into a variety of activities that showcased both their competitive spirit and their eagerness to connect with one another. The House Competition League continues to spark excitement, with pool and table football at the forefront. The players battled fiercely for the top positions, but beyond the competition, it was the camaraderie and shared moments of fun that stood out. These games have become a cornerstone of bonding in the house, bringing everyone closer together.

For those seeking a physical challenge, the boxing club at the local sports center in Versoix offered a great outlet. Students embraced the opportunity to hone their fitness and discipline, with regular participants showing growing confidence and skill. It’s been fantastic to see such enthusiasm for an activity that pushes both physical and mental boundaries.

Looking ahead, this week we have a Portuguese Dinner Night, an event that promises to transport us to the vibrant culture and cuisine of Portugal. These international dinners are a highlight of the house calendar, offering a chance to explore new tastes, learn about different cultures, and celebrate the diversity within our community.

Even more importantly, this week marks our Thanksgiving celebration. While Thanksgiving has its roots in American history, the spirit of the holiday resonates universally. It’s a time to pause and reflect on the things we often take for granted—our friendships, opportunities, and shared experiences. Gratitude reminds us of the interconnectedness of our lives and the value of expressing appreciation for what we have and who we share it with.

As the week unfolds, we look forward to these celebrations, knowing they bring us closer as a house and as individuals. Thanksgiving, in particular, encourages us to step back and recognize the small, everyday blessings that make Olympus House a true home away from home.

 

 

A Swiss Adventure: Olympus Discovers Lucerne

This past weekend, a group of students from Olympus—David, Kiarash, Christian, and Nicolas—visited the beautiful Swiss city of Lucerne.

It was a highly enriching experience. They enjoyed a guided tour of the city, learning more about its history, savoring the local cuisine, exploring the Transport Museum, and climbing the impressive Mount Pilatus, where they took in stunning views.

We look forward to exploring more of Switzerland’s beautiful, historic cities soon. But for now, our next adventure awaits at Disneyland Paris—stay tuned so you don’t miss a single detail!

   

Olympus is bustling with activity!

This long weekend kicked off with parent-teacher meetings on Friday, where we received a wealth of feedback on each student’s academic progress. Well done, everyone—keep up the great work!

It’s also been an excellent opportunity to embark on a Boarding trip to Lucerne, enjoy various activities, and spend quality time socializing and having fun.

 

 

 

Happy Halloween to everyone at Olympus House!

We’re thrilled to welcome the boys back to Olympus for the winter term! Their return coincides with the enchanting spooky season of Halloween, and our house is bursting with festive spirit, adorned with spooky decorations that set the perfect atmosphere for this time of year.
This week, we warmly welcomed three new members to the Olympus family. They are settling in beautifully, and we’re excited to see them thrive in our vibrant community. As part of our welcome festivities, we enjoyed an Indian-themed dinner on Wednesday, celebrating the rich and diverse cuisine of India. Did you know that India boasts 22 national languages and an astounding 19,500 spoken languages?
On Thursday, the Halloween spirit took over our dining hall as we indulged in a themed lunch and dinner, with students and staff donning creative costumes to join in the festivities. The excitement didn’t stop there! Olympus House is thrilled to open its doors to trick-or-treaters, creating a fun and festive atmosphere for all.
A highlight of the week was our pumpkin carving competition, where the lads went above and beyond to showcase their creativity. The designs were impressive, and we can’t wait to announce the winners!
As we look ahead, this weekend promises to be filled with adventure and fun. From haunted house outings to Halloween games, the boys are sure to create lasting memories together. Stay tuned for more updates from Olympus House as we celebrate the joys of the season and continue to foster friendships and community spirit!

Weekend Highlights at Olympus

As autumn sets in, the boys of Olympus House embraced another exciting weekend filled with activities, adventure, and new faces.

Saturday saw a mix of football, basketball, and tennis keeping many of the boys active, while the rock climbing crew—who are building quite the climbing culture—hit the walls both Saturday and Sunday. Others took the chance to relax with trips to Geneva and Versoix, enjoying the autumn air and Swiss charm, while a few returned from memorable trips abroad, including a stop in Milan.

Sunday brought its own excitement as a group of boys headed to the golf course for some fresh air and friendly competition. Meanwhile, the gym was buzzing with others focusing on their fitness, as the Olympus health culture continues to thrive.

The weekend concluded with our beloved Sunday brunch—a spread that truly lived up to its legendary status. From traditional English breakfast options like eggs, bacon, and salmon to fresh fruit mixes, cereals, donuts, and milkshakes, there was something for everyone. And for our international crowd, a fun fact: “brunch” is a blend word, combining breakfast and lunch into one!

Speaking of blend words, here’s a little fun fact to end the weekend on a light note. Blend words like brunch are created by merging parts of two words to form a new one. Some other examples include:

  1. Glimmer (Gleam + Shimmer)
  2. Camcorder (Camera + Recorder)
  3. Motel (Motor + Hotel)
  4. Sitcom (Situation + Comedy)
  5. Clash (Clap + Crash)
  6. Moped (Motor + Pedal)
  7. Smash (Smack + Mash)

Just like brunch, these blend words make everyday language more fun and creative—much like our weekends here at Olympus!

From Cookies to Golden Run

As autumn begins to settle in, the weather this past weekend gave us a nice break from the rain. On Friday evening, a group of Olympus boys took the initiative and showcased their culinary talents by baking chocolate butter cookies in the house kitchen – well done, chefs! The improved weather allowed for a variety of weekend activities, with climbing, golf, tennis and cooking being the most popular choices for our boys, plus traditional outings to Geneva and Versoix were also enjoyed by many.

One of the highlights of the weekend came on Sunday, thanks to Nicolas F.! Not only did he participate in the CDL 5K run, but he absolutely crushed it, completing the course around the school campus in an impressive 21 minutes and winning the gold medal! His incredible performance made everyone in Olympus proud.

Reflecting on his race, Nicolas shared: “At the start, I was a bit nervous, having been a while since I last ran a race. I tried to keep a steady pace from the beginning, battling with another boy at the front. We fought for first place, and I managed to pull ahead a few hundred meters before the finish line to win it. It feels great to be up there.”


Alors que l’automne s’installe, le week-end dernier nous a offert une pause bien méritée de la pluie. Vendredi soir, un groupe de garçons d’Olympus a pris l’initiative de montrer ses talents culinaires en préparant de délicieux cookies au chocolat et au beurre dans la cuisine de la maison – bien joué, les chefs !

Avec l’amélioration du temps, nos garçons ont profité d’un large choix d’activités comme l’escalade, le golf, le tennis et la cuisine. Sans oublier les sorties traditionnelles à Genève et Versoix, qui ont également été très appréciées.

Le moment fort du week-end est venu dimanche grâce à Nicolas F. ! Il a participé à la course de 5 km du CDL et a brillamment terminé le parcours en 21 minutes, remportant la médaille d’or. “J’étais un peu nerveux au départ”, a-t-il confié. “Mais j’ai gardé un bon rythme, luttant pour la première place, et j’ai pris l’avantage quelques centaines de mètres avant l’arrivée. C’est génial d’avoir gagné !”

Fun in the Sun Back Home!

Back at Olympus, the fun didn’t stop for the boys who stayed on campus. The sunny weather made it the perfect weekend for outdoor activities like climbing, tennis, and badminton. Our boys showed off their competitive spirit, teamwork, and skill, whether it was racing up the climbing wall or smashing serves on the tennis court. The camaraderie was strong, with everyone cheering each other on and making the most of the weekend at home.

To top it all off, the boys gathered on Sunday for a delicious brunch that featured everything from fresh pastries to hearty dishes. It was the perfect chance to relax, swap stories from the weekend, and enjoy a laid-back end to a busy few days. Whether at Europa Park or at Olympus, the weekend was packed with adventure, laughter, and memories that will last long after Monday morning!

 

 

Europa Park, Germany!

This weekend, our Olympus boys dived into an epic adventure at Europa Park, Germany’s biggest theme park! After a long bus journey (with a pit stop for KFC), we arrived in Rust, just a short walk from both Europa Park and the splash-filled Aqua Park.

Europa Park is no ordinary theme park—it’s like traveling the world in a day! The park has 15 themed areas, each representing a different European country. From the high-speed twists of Silver Star, one of the fastest coasters in Europe at 130 km/h, to the wet and wild water rides of the Scandinavian Fjord Rafting, there’s something for everyone. Some of the boys faced their first-ever roller coaster rides, but by the end of the day, they were pros!

We also stopped for a break at an Italian buffet that rivaled any real trip to Italy—pizza, pasta, and gelato galore! After the day of thrills, the boys had the option to cool off at Rulantica, Europa Park’s Aqua Park, featuring everything from massive slides to wave pools. Fun fact: Rulantica has over 25 water attractions, so there was no shortage of ways to chill out!

Sunday was another chance to enjoy a few more hours in the park before heading back to campus, returning at 7:30 p.m., full of stories and excitement from the weekend!