Helping young adolescents understand how beneficial reading can be for them is not an easy task. In Concha Boarding House we have a bi-weekly Reading Club that regularly starts with us dragging the children into the living room and persuading them to grab a book to read.

You can imagine the push back we get everytime we even mention the words Reading Club, tonight was no different. Especially as some of the boys went to the Valentine’s Dance this afternoon. We really didn’t expect them to be willing to take part in the club. It started off as usual with the expected push back but the boys settled down calmy and did some reading; success!

After these weeks there is definatley one thing I have really noticed about this Reading Club. As much as the children a reluctant to join and it’s a struggle to get them started, when we tell them times up they will always continue to read. It’s these moments you see that the children are invested in their books and won’t stop immediately when told but would rather get to the end of their sentence, paragraph, page or chapter. I’m sure with consistency and finding books the children really enjoy, we can light the spark for them to start reading more and pick up books in their free time just for fun.

Fanbo found the confiest spot

Zhengtai chuckling to himself.

As you might know, once a month we have dinner at home with the kids. What is particularly good about this monthly initiative is that they get to try food from one another’s countries. 🌎

Today it was Mexico’s turn and we had the opportunity to try some very nice tacos. They could choose what to stuff them with (beef, cheese, corn, vegetables, rice…). What is more, the dessert was very successful: a yummy chocolate tart was waiting for them! For those who are keen on sweet things, it was the best way to finish the meal. Mexican students could explain them what tacos consist in and other ways to have them. We chatted with them during the meal and after this meal, they got to enjoy some social time in the house and/or on campus. 🤩

Waiting to be served ⏳

Look at the camera, guys! 🤳🏻

Martin helped us serve the food. Thank you, Martin! 😄

Some of the Concha Boys enjoying the meal together 🍽️

Today, most of our Concha boys had the best Sunday plan: ski! 🎿

They woke up very early to head to La Tzoumaz, a ski station near Verbier. Once arrived, they prepared all their equipment to start skiing or snowboarding for some hours. Some of them were brave enough to try new activities, such as sledding, which they found particularly fun. Although last weekend they went to the same place, they are still amazed by the views they have while they practice one of their favourite sports, and the best thing is that they get to practice it together! 🤩

After a full day of skiing, they came back on campus, had dinner, tidied up their rooms and prepared everything for tomorrow. One thing they do not like that much is that they have to go back to school tomorrow, but next weekend is only in 5 days!

Fanbo and Juze or models for a fashion brand? 🙌🏻

Breathtaking views! 🏔️

Martin had such a good time! 💪🏻

After a week full of summatives, assignments to submit, study halls and readings to finish, the weekend finally arrived and the kids had tons of plans on their to-do lists.

From the early morning to dinner time, there was something to do inside or outside the house. Some decided to join activities before going to their long-awaited free time in Geneva, including cooking, boxing, climbing or basketball. Others preferred to stay in, study a bit and enjoy their free time afterwards. Both alternatives are totally valid! At night, we thought it could be a good idea to watch a film with the kids, so we made some popcorn and enjoyed a Batman-starred evening!

All in all, it was a fun day the kids took advantage of to rest and do those things they have not enough time to do on weekdays.

Go, go, Edo! 🧗‍♂️

Look at this duo! 🤩

A break after an exhausting climbing session…

Martin absolutely enjoys climbing lessons on Saturdays!

Don’t think it twice, Zhengtai, you got this!

Hopefully you are not scared, Fanbo 😬

Juze + horse riding = ❤️

Fanyang was over the moon!

Who’s gonna win? 🏀

This fight got tense!

Emir was very focused!

Jump, jump, jump ⬆️

Voici Gianni et Adrian en train de recréer Le Classique en eSports. Le Classique est la rivalité entre les clubs professionnels de football français du Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) et de l’Olympique de Marseille (OM). Les deux clubs sont les plus titrés du football français et les seules équipes françaises à avoir remporté des trophées européens majeurs. Il s’agit donc de la plus grande rivalité en France.

Première Match: (Gianni) PSG 4 – 1 OM (Adrian)

Deuxième Match: (Gianni) PSG 4 – 5 OM (Adrian)

Match de la vengence demain….Allez les gars!

Choisissez votre équipe

Nous sommes prêts

“They let you travel without moving your feet”

– Jhumpa Lahiri

Another evening of reading flies by as the boys continue on their little travels through their books.

We learnt lot of new words today, myself included! Patrick Rothfuss has quite an extensive vocabulary.

I learnt the words askant, which means to regard something with suspicion or disapproval, and effulgent, which is when something is particularly radiant or shines brightly.

Adrian inquired after the word homeroom, which the other boys were a bit perplexed about…but then Adrian explained that in the French section, it’s called Vie Scolaire.

It’s always quite entertaining finding different ways to explain words in the context of the house, and we definitely have some very… creative…examples.

Here are some of the other words:

Calmly, Receiving, Silence, Exclaimed, Indecisive, Fortunately, Genius, Wrapped.

In the evening we love getting the boys out the house to kick the ball around. Mr. Sam and the boys had a great time. Boys enjoying time together and making sure to show Mr. Sam who is boss.

The Squad

Eduardo, Martin, Sam, Emir and Quique joined the Climbing Club this weekend. Lots of time spent on new challenges and tougher boulder problems.

The boys are focusing a lot more on not concentrating all of their strength through upper body but using thier legs more. Prioritising footwork and body positioning is key to finding their centre of balance, once they start putting these techniques in place their climbing level will sky rocket.

Keep your feet up Edu!

Push with your legs Martin!

Just hanging out with Sam

Started from the bottom now we’re here – Emir

Swinging from the top

Fancy footwork

Celebrating Friday nights in. Sam found the weather too cold this evening so we decided to watch a comedy film together in the common room.

A sofa all to himself.

Calm down time and having a little read with the Grade 8s. It is nice to see them in their own worlds and how their vocabulary is flourishing each time we run through the tricky words.

Top words of the evening:

Resignedly: (adverb) in a way that expresses giving in to the insistence of another or to circumstances beyond one’s control.

Busted: (adjective) in trouble; caught doing something bad or wrong.

Hyper: (adjective) overexcited; overstimulated.

Fanbo, Javi & Firdavs – Caught in the plot.

Jiarui found a quiet spot to himself.