Celebrating Children’s Day

Dear all,

Today, November 20th, we celebrate Children’s Day, a moment to recognise and advocate for the rights, well-being, and potential of every child. This day commemorates the adoption of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, reminding us of the vital role we play in nurturing and empowering the young people in our care.
For boarders, and especially the younger community of students at CDL, it’s a reminder that their school is not just a place of learning but a home where they are cared for and encouraged. It offers a chance to create cherished memories and foster a sense of belonging. Celebrating this day highlights the importance of making children feel valued, appreciated, and supported. Children’s Day inspires us to honour their potential and happiness.
We were able to mark the occasion, in collaboration with Villa Terray, in playing some Kahoot games in a joint house evening activity. Thank you to Ms. Rym, Mrs. Sophie and all the Terray girls for coming over – it was great fun! 😊
The Champs-des-Bois team 🏡

Weekend Fun!

Dear all,

And just like that, another weekend has whizzed by (far too quickly, some of the boys would say!)

They made the most of it, having had great fun at Balexert on Saturday, playing games in other houses, and partaking in some of their favourite weekend activities.

Now, it’s time to roll on to the new week

The Champs-des-Bois team 🏡

CDB & Terray Balexert Outing

Dear all,

Today, the lads from Champs-des-Bois and the girls from Terray got the chance to go the Balexert shopping centre; for a trip to the cinema, have a bite to eat and have fun shopping to their heart’s content!

We went to see The Wild Robot, a beautiful animation, made all the better as everyone selected their favorite snacks and settled into cosy seats for the movie. Then it was a spot of lunch before chilling out and exploring Balexert.

This outing was more than just entertainment—it was an opportunity for students to bond, grow their independence, and create memories.

The Champs-des-Bois team 🏡

The Visitors Who Make a Difference

Dear all,

Being in a community such as ours is a true privilege. We have so much to offer the boys in Champs-des-Bois, that their opportunities are limitless, and this goes beyond the classroom, activities or trips.

Sometimes it can be something as simple and impactful as lending a helping hand. One of the greatest things that the boys have is the chance to hang out with older students, their peers, from senior houses.

We in the house owe our thanks to four fantastic students who brighten our week with their visits, to meet with the lads in CDB. Due to no obligation other than that they want to spend time with them.

So, thank you – to Coco from Portena who comes on a Monday to help the boys with their homework, that they can struggle with. To Adame from Léman who comes on a Tuesday to engage with the boys in learning French. To Mila from Portena who pops by on Wednesdays to cook and bake tasty treats with them. To Aydan from Léman, who on Thursdays, brings chill vibes,   playing and hanging out with the boys.

They are a credit to our community, their houses, but most importantly, to themselves. It is inspiring to see such inter-community spirit well and alive at CDL.

The Champs des Bois Team

Evening Reading Wind Down Time 📖

Dear all,

Each evening, after a long day filled with the hundreds of things the boys do daily, they gather for our Evening Reading Wind Down Time. This new tradition helps the boys relax, away from screens – a calm  space where they can chill out with a book before bed. This routine is helping them unwind and building a natural love for reading.

Right now, it’s about creating a calm space to read together, but we’re excited to build on this. Eventually, we’ll introduce friendly challenges to make it even more exciting, but for now, our focus is on creating a peaceful time to read. It’s a simple yet powerful way to encourage the boys to engage with books and to enjoy reading as part of their evening routine.

The Champs-des-Bois Team 🏡

Hopping Mad for the Weekend! 🐰🎉

Dear all,

After a long week of school, there’s nothing like a weekend packed with fun and relaxation!

Kicking things off with laid-back mornings, activites to occupy the time and plenty of moments for pure relaxation!  From cooking, gardening, and climbing, to taking part in the Novemeber Fitness Challenge (kick started off by our very own Mr Sergio) and then capping off the weekend with a trip to Airloop, for some fun jumping around trampolines.

The boys were kept busy but made the most of it, and we can be assured that they will never let a moment fall idle with everything they get up to – not to even mention their usual antics!

The Champs-des-Bois Team 🏡

Hoop skills with Jin

Hangin’ loose with Mana

The Chess Master Paul-David at work!

Planting good vibes 🌱🌞

 

Who can do the longest plank, I wonder…

Always can rely on the Sunday Brunch to keep us well energised

Climbing to success with Nuttakit

The CDB boys and Terray girls ending the weekend at AirLoop

Nothing like a nice Sunday afternoon spent gardening with Ms. Rym.

A Spooktacular Halloween!

Dear all,

The CDB lads had an absolute blast over the past couple of days, making the most of this most haunting of seasons! We started by carving our pumpkin – The CDB Witch – with everyone pitching in to bring this ghastly creation to life. Then came the costumes! Everyone showed off their unique looks, from the spooky to the downright hilarious. Trick-or-treating was a fun adventure, and the boys’ candy bags were overflowing by the end of it. To wrap up the events, Mana, Kimi and Ethan gathered for a Halloween party, hosted by the Middle School (Thank you team!) sharing laughs, treats, and scares.

This Halloween was un-boo-lievable! 🎃👻

The Champs-des-Bois Team 🏡

Beware The CDB Witch!

Captain Chika and Officer Frog (Donny) reporting for duty!

Team at work!

Carving Pumpkins? 🙅‍♂️ Collecting pumpkin seeds to snack on? 😍

Happy October Break!

Dear all,

It has been a busy start of term, but the time has simply flown by! The boys in the house are looking forward to a well earned break, and we look forward to hearing the adventures and stories of what they got up to when they return!

It’s time to recharge the batteries, enjoy some time off and relax-to-the-max!

Please also find here a helpful link to the CDL News App, which is the best way to stay up to date with important updates and information: https://www.nordangliaeducation.com/college-du-leman/parent-essentials/cdl-news-app

We wish you all a safe, joyful and pleasant break.

All the best,

The Champs des Bois Team,

Ronan, Alex, Sergio & Andrés

The Chinese Moon Festival

Dear all,

Today we were able to celebrate The Chinese Moon Festival, or the Mid-Autumn Festival, with the boys in CDB. It is a time for family, unity, and gratitude.

Our very own Kimi did a wonderful job explaining to all of us the history of the event, that it celebrates not only the harvest but marks the full moon’s brightest glow. Families gather to enjoy mooncakes, symbolic treats, and gaze at the moon together. Lanterns light up the night, representing hope and prosperity. This festival is not just about traditions but also about appreciating loved ones and the world around us.

It was a time where we were able to enjoy each other’s company and appreciate the special bond that being in Champs des Bois has granted to all of us, wherever we come from.

The Champs des Bois Team 🏠

Concha Welcome Back BBQ!

Dear all,

Today, we were able to enjoy some of the last Autumn sunshine at the welcome back to schol BBQ hosted in Concha. We were able to welcome students, families, and teachers to celebrate the start of another new year!

The Champs des Bois Team 🏠