Barcelona Trip 2025 ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ

Some of our Villa du Lac girls set off on an unforgettable adventure to Barcelona!

The first full day was dedicated to exploring Antoni Gaudรญโ€™s masterpieces. The visit to La Pedrera (Casa Milร ) amazed everyone with its imaginative design and flowing forms. Afterwards, the girls enjoyed some free time for lunch, discovering the charm of local cafรฉs and shops. Later, the group visited the stunning Sagrada Familia, where they admired the colorful stained glass and the grandeur of Gaudรญโ€™s vision.

In the evening, they experienced the true rhythm of Spain during a Spanish Guitar and Flamenco Show at Raial Cercle Artistic de Barcelona. After the performance, a relaxed seaside dinner by the beach was the perfect way to end a vibrant day in Barcelona.

On the final morning, the group visited the legendary Camp Nou stadium, where football fans were especially thrilled to see the stands, locker rooms, and the museum. After some free time for lunch, it was time to head back to the airport for the return journey.

The trip concluded with smiles, laughter, and many beautiful memories. It was a wonderful blend of culture, fun, and friendship โ€” and weโ€™re sure the girls will remember it for years to come.

From the Villa du Lac Team,
Alison, Monica, Lana & Karolinaย 

๐ŸŒฟ First November Weekend at Villa du Lac

This weekend at Villa du Lac was all about creativity, relaxation, and good times. Our students enjoyed a variety of activities โ€“ from painting in the Art Club and learning new recipes in Cooking, to playing music together in the Music Club.

For those who prefer to stay active, Golf, Stretching, and Bodyshaping offered a great way to move and recharge. And of course, our Cinema nights brought everyone together for cozy evenings filled with laughter and good films.

Every weekend here is a chance to try something new, connect with others, and simply enjoy the moment. ๐ŸŒฟ

From the Villa du Lac Team,

Alison, Monica, Lana and Karolina ๐Ÿ™‚

 

๐ŸŒŸ Boarders of the Week: Tea & Marjorie

This week, weโ€™re excited to spotlight two incredible members of Villa du Lac; Tea and Marjorie – for their outstanding energy, spirit, and generosity.

Throughout the week, Tea and Marjorie have been radiating positivity and stepping up in ways that truly embody the heart of our house. Whether it was volunteering to capture the special moments at the National Honor Society (NHS) initiation ceremony as photographers, or transforming our space with festive Halloween decorations, their creativity and initiative have brought smiles to everyone around them.

But itโ€™s not just about the tasks theyโ€™ve taken on, itโ€™s the way they do it. With smiles, laughter, and a contagious enthusiasm, Tea and Marjorie have made the house feel more like home. Theyโ€™ve consistently volunteered their time, supported their peers, and brought an uplifting energy that reminds us all of the power of community.

Thank you, Tea and Marjorie, for being shining examples of what it means to lead with spirit and kindness. Weโ€™re lucky to have you in the house!

From the Villa du Lac Team,

Alison, Monica, Lana and Karolina ๐Ÿ™‚

๐ŸŽ‰ Happy 16th Birthday, Arina! ๐ŸŽ‚

Today weโ€™re celebrating a very special milestone – Arina turns 16! ๐ŸŒŸ

From everyone at VDL, we want to wish you a day full of laughter, joy, and unforgettable moments. Your creativity, kindness, and bright spirit bring so much positive energy to our community โ€” and we canโ€™t wait to see all the amazing things youโ€™ll accomplish in the years ahead.

Sixteen is a big chapter – a time to dream boldly, explore freely, and embrace everything that makes you you. ๐Ÿ’ซ

Happy Sweet 16, Arina! ๐Ÿ’
With love,
The VDL Team ๐Ÿ’–

 

Weekend at VDL

This weekend, the girls at VDL enjoyed a variety of activities, with something for everyone. Saturday included horse riding, basketball, art club, and cooking class, where some of the girls baked a delicious pumpkin pie with CDLโ€™s French chef (a perfect choice for the autumn season).

On Sunday, we had our traditional boarding brunch, and some joined in Pilates, bodyshaping, or stretching sessions; a great way to wind down and stay active.

It was a relaxed and well-rounded weekend, full of creativity, movement, and seasonal flavors.

Villa du Lac Team,

Alison, Monica, Lana and Karolina

๐ŸŽƒ VDL Pumpkin Carving Competition 2025! ๐ŸŽƒ

Autumn has officially arrived at VDL, and with it came one of our favourite seasonal traditions โ€” the Pumpkin Carving Competition! The creativity, teamwork, and Halloween spirit on display this year were truly inspiring.

The judges will have a tough job choosing the winners, as our pumpkin told its own story.

Stay tuned for photos of the winning pumpkins and highlights from the event โ€” and donโ€™t forget to start planning your ideas for next yearโ€™s competition. Who knows? The next pumpkin champion could be you! ๐ŸŽƒโœจ

 

Congratulations to Maria โ€“ New NHS Member!

Weโ€™re so proud to share that Maria has been officially inducted as a member of the National Honor Society (NHS) this evening!

After putting in a huge amount of time and effort into her application, Mariaโ€™s brilliant profile was reviewed and accepted – a well-deserved recognition of her hard work, dedication, and all-around excellence. The NHS is one of the most respected student organizations in the U.S. and internationally, recognizing students who demonstrate outstanding leadership, service, and character.

Tonightโ€™s Induction Ceremony marked a special milestone, and we couldnโ€™t be prouder of Maria for representing both CDL and Villa du Lac with such grace and determination. Weโ€™re excited to see where this opportunity takes her next!

Well done Maria!!

Villa du Lac Team,

Alison, Monica, Karolina and Lana

VDL Boarders of the Week!!

This week, weโ€™re proud to celebrate Giulia, Pamira, Adriana and Roby who chose to spend their October break participating in the schoolโ€™s trip to Tanzania; a decision that meant giving up time with their families to take part in something truly meaningful and unforgettable.

During the trip, the girls took part in community service, including building goat sheds for the local community. They represented CDL with maturity, kindness, and a strong sense of responsibility, showing care for one another and embracing the experience with a real growth mindset.

Villa du Lac is incredibly proud of their commitment, courage, and the way they stepped into a new environment with openness and heart. Well done to all four, youโ€™ve set a wonderful example for our boarding house in terms of taking on new opportunities and community service action ๐Ÿ’•

Villa du Lac Team,

Alison, Monica, Lana and Karolina

Dinner at Home in VDL!

Once a month, each boarding house hosts its own Dinner at Home; a chance for all of us to gather in a more relaxed, family-style setting and share a meal together.

This month in Villa du Lac, we enjoyed a comforting dinner of lasagna, fresh salad, and cream puffs for dessert. The atmosphere was cozy, with everyone sitting down together to enjoy good food and conversation. Itโ€™s a simple tradition, but one that always brings a lovely sense of community to the house.

Weโ€™re already looking forward to the next one!

Villa du Lac Team,

Alison, Monica, Karolina and Lana

Tanzania Expedition Highlights ๐Ÿฆ“ ๐Ÿ†

The past trip in Tanzania has been filled with adventure, learning, and meaningful encounters that deeply touched everyone involved.

The journey began with an unforgettable safari through Tarangire National Reserve, where students witnessed an incredible variety of wildlife in their natural environment โ€” zebras, elephants, lions, wildebeests, giraffes, warthogs, baboons, and many more. Camping in the heart of the reserve, surrounded by the sounds of the wild, created a truly magical atmosphere and memories that will last a lifetime.

After returning from the safari, the group visited a local coffee plantation that follows fair trade principles. Students learned about the entire process of coffee production, from harvesting to commercial distribution, and discovered the traditions of local tribes and communities. Later, they set up camp in Dolly Bush Park, prepared their own meals, and celebrated Marioโ€™s birthday with a joyful lunch at Shamba Kipara โ€” an occasion filled with laughter and connection.

Another meaningful part of the trip took place in nearby villages, where students had the opportunity to contribute to community development projects. Together, they delivered donations, built a smoke-free stove, installed solar panels, and even constructed a small shelter for a donated goat. The families welcomed them warmly, sharing their daily lives and expressing sincere gratitude for the help and companionship. One of the major projects of the expedition was the beginning of construction of a new girlsโ€™ dormitory at Ngongongare School. This initiative will provide safer and more comfortable conditions for students who currently travel long distances to attend school. The team worked with enthusiasm โ€” mixing cement, laying bricks, and raising the first walls, symbolizing both teamwork and hope for the future.

In the evenings, participants gathered to reflect on their experiences. Their reflections revealed how much this journey has shaped them โ€” as individuals and as a community. To celebrate the end of their stay on the mainland, everyone came together for a cheerful disco night under the Tanzanian sky โ€” a perfect ending to an inspiring week. The next chapter of the adventure leads to Zanzibar, where the group had time to relax and enjoy the islandโ€™s natural beauty after days of meaningful work and exploration.

This journey has been a powerful blend of discovery, cultural exchange, and collaboration โ€” an unforgettable experience that left everyone with a deeper sense of connection to the world and to one another. We are proud of our girls.

Your Villa du Lac Team

Alison, Monica, Lana, Karolina