Mexico at home!

Dear all,

Today, we had the pleasure of sharing Mexican food at home. We enjoyed some tacos, guacamole and chocolate cake for dessert.

Mexican cuisine is recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. It is one of the few cuisines in the world to receive this honor, thanks to its deep-rooted traditions, unique flavours, and use of native ingredients like corn, chili, and beans.

Did you know that Mexico is the birthplace of chocolate? The ancient civilizations of Mexico, like the Aztecs and Mayans, were the first to make chocolate drinks from cacao beans. It was considered a gift from the gods and was even used as currency.

 

 

Mezze and Baklava! Lebanese Dinner 😊

Dear all,

Tonight, we had Lebanese dinner! The menu was the following: Mezze Lebanese, freshly baked Pita bread, and a warm cup of Spiced tea. For dessert, we indulged in sweet, flaky Baklava.

Did you know Lebanon is one of the oldest countries in the world, with a history dating back over 7,000 years? It’s also famous for its beautiful cedar trees and great culture.

The Champs des Bois team 🏡

Setting Boundaries & Taking Care of Ourselves

Dear all,

This afternoon, we had an important session with the kids about Boundaries and Self-Care. We talked about how sometimes, to take care of our mental health, we need to say no—whether it’s going somewhere just to keep a friend company or having a conversation when we’re feeling stressed and need some time alone.

We explained that feeling good is key to handling everything life throws at us, and setting limits helps us recharge and stay balanced.

After the -successful- discussion, the kids filled out a worksheet where they wrote down their daily activities, what makes them more or less happy, so we could see and analyse how it affected to the perspective of their days!

The Champs des Bois team 🏡

Saturday of Learning and Football! 📚⚽🏆

Dear all,

This past Saturday was a fantastic day at Champs des Bois. While Kimi and Mana joined Terray girls for a fun shopping trip in Geneva, the rest of us stayed on campus, making the most of the day with engaging educational activities in the morning.

But the highlight of the day was, without a doubt, the football match in the afternoon! The teams were set:

  • Team 1: Donny, Xingyu, and Mr. Sergio
  • Team 2: Nuttakit, Chika, Jin, and Paul David

Team 1 faced constant pressure from Team 2’s endless attacks, but they held their ground with solid defense and made the most of their chances to score. Even though the final score didn’t reflect how close the match was, Team 1 managed to secure a 3-1 victory, lifting the Champs des Bois Trophy. ⚽🏆

It was a great day of fun, sport and learning, And the best is yet to come—just wait until you hear what happened on Sunday! ❄️☃️

The Champs des Bois team 🏡

What Are You Thankful For? – A New Weekly Tradition!

Dear all,

Today, we introduced a new activity called “What Are You Thankful For?”, where we gathered everyone together and asked them to share one thing they felt grateful for this week—no matter how small.

To get things started, we gave a few examples: the sunny days we’ve had, playing football together, or simply feeling happier after the holidays. Some students took inspiration from these, but we also heard some really thoughtful responses. Many shared how much they’ve laughed recently (apparently, our House Parents have stepped up their “bad joke” game, and it’s paying off), how happy they feel with their friends, or how proud they are of their good test results.

Since the result was very positive, we’ve decided to make it a weekly tradition! Every week, each student will share one thing that made them happy—because sometimes, focusing on the small moments of joy can make them bigger.

The Champs des Bois team 🏡

China at Collège du Léman

Dear all,

Tonight, we got to enjoy some classic Chinese dishes at dinner. The menu included Shrimp fritters, Beef sautéed with onions, Chinese noodles, and Stir-fried vegetables with tofu. Everything was fresh and tasty!

Did you know China is home to the world’s longest wall and the busiest train system? It’s also where noodles have been eaten for over 4,000 years!

Our Chinese students were happy to see familiar flavors on their plates!

The Champs des Bois team 🏡

Maple Dream: Canadian Dinner

Dear all,

Tonight, we enjoyed a delicious Canadian-inspired dinner! The menu featured a hearty dish of potatoes with tender beef in a rich gravy, followed by fluffy pancakes topped with syrup and chocolate for dessert. It was a comforting meal that everyone loved.

Did you know Canada is the second-largest country in the world and produces most of the world’s maple syrup? It’s a country known for its warm hospitality and love for good food!

Our Canadian students were happy to see their culture on the table!

The Champs des Bois team 🏡

A Not-So-Secret Santa

Today, we celebrated Secret Santa in the boarding house, and it was wonderful. As it’s the last week of school, it’s the perfect time for fun events like this to get everyone in the holiday spirit.

We all exchanged the gifts, and most of us received exactly what we had hoped for —making a Wish List is always a great idea! Of course, the excitement made keeping the “Secret” part of Secret Santa a bit tricky—some couldn’t help but share who they were gifting ahead of time. But we forgive them because it just shows how much joy this event brought to everyone —we couldn’t help but share in Donny’s happiness as if it were our own.

It’s safe to say that today’s celebration made us feel like the holidays are just around the corner. It’s such a special way to end the term together as a Boarding Family. 🎁🎄

The Champs-des-Bois Team 🏠

 

Escalade Night: Heroes, History, Soup and Chocolate

Dear all,

Did you know that Geneva once faced a night full of bravery? In the Champs des Bois, we shared the following story with the our little kings, and they loved it!

Over 400 years ago, in December 1602, soldiers tried to invade Geneva, but the brave citizens fought back. Legend says a woman called Mère Royaume helped defend the city by throwing a pot of hot soup at the invaders, waking everyone to protect their home.

Every year, we celebrate this heroic night with costumes, parades, and the famous chocolate cauldron. This year, we got to smash one ourselves—and let’s be honest, breaking it to eat the chocolate was our favorite part!

The Escalade is a special way to remember Geneva’s courage and unity—made even sweeter with chocolate and Donny leading the attack to the cauldron! 🍫

The Champs des Bois team 🏡

Spicy and Sweet – Thai Night !

Dear all,

This evening the cooking team prepared Massaman Chicken, Beef Thai Basil, Shrimp with Vegetables in Oyster Sauce, and a delicious Coconut Rice Pudding roll for dessert.

Did you know Thailand is known as the “Land of Smiles” because of its warm and welcoming culture? It’s also home to over 40,000 temples and the famous floating markets!

Our Thai student, Nuttakit, was excited to talk about their traditions, and everyone listened to it carefully—it was aroi mak!

The Champs des Bois team 🏡