This weekend was full of variety and good energy in Villa Franconi! While some of our students enjoyed a school trip to Barcelona, exploring the city and soaking up the sunshine…

…others got involved in repairing and servicing bikes, getting them ready for rides to school and around the village. It was great to see their enthusiasm and practical skills in action!

The house turned into a mini Italian kitchen as everyone took part in making their own pizzas. From rolling the dough to choosing toppings, the students enjoyed a relaxed and delicious evening together. The smell of fresh pizza and laughter filled the house — a perfect way to wrap up the weekend!

It was a lively evening in Franconis! We celebrated Zitian and You-How for joining the National Honor Society, with Jeronimo capturing the moment through his great photos. Loris represented the school basketball team and helped secure a strong win, and we wrapped up the night with some creative pumpkin carving for the House competition. A fun and proud evening all around!

Tonight we enjoyed our first House Dinner since returning from the break and what better way to start than with delicious lasagna!

It was a great evening of good food, laughter, and catching up around the table. A perfect way to kick off the new term together in Franconis!

Everyone is back after a recharging and relaxing Autumn Break, and it’s fantastic to see the house full of smiles, laughter, and energy again!

Villa Franconi is buzzing with life as students settle back in, share holiday stories, and get ready for another exciting stretch of the term. The suitcases are (mostly) unpacked, the snacks are restocked, and the common room is alive once more.

We’ve got plenty to look forward to in the coming weeks — fun activities, weekend adventures, and of course, lots of Franconi spirit along the way!

Here’s to a great start to the second part of the term — we’re so happy to have everyone back! 🌟

After a busy and exciting first half of the term, it’s time for a well-deserved midterm break here at Franconis! The past weeks have been full of energy from Discovery Days and weekend adventures to house dinners, activities, and lots of laughter along the way.

The boys have worked hard to settle into routines, balance studies, and make the most of their time both in and out of the classroom. Now, it’s time to relax, recharge, and enjoy the holidays, whether that’s travelling home, exploring somewhere new, or simply taking it easy.

We’re proud of how well everyone has started the year and look forward to welcoming the boys back rested, recharged, and ready for another great half-term ahead.

Enjoy the break, everyone, you’ve earned it! 🌟

Each week, Jeronimo takes part in his DJ Mix activity, and it’s fantastic to see how much he enjoys it. What began as something new when he joined CDL has grown into a real passion, and his confidence behind the decks continues to shine.

It’s always a pleasure to stop by and listen, as his focus, creativity, and enjoyment really shine through. It’s wonderful to see him doing something he truly loves!

It’s been a great weekend in Franconis with the boys enjoying a nice mix of activities.

On Saturday morning, You-How and Edison went banana boating, which they really enjoyed. In the afternoon, some of the boys headed to Geneva, while others stayed back to revise for their exams. Later, Antonio went out for a run while Jeronimo and Emilano enjoyed pizza and a movie night.

Sunday was just as full. Jeronimo walked Mr Usher’s dog, Dixie, before joining the Lego Club. Loris had a basketball game where his team won comfortably. Antonio hit the gym, while Zitian, You-How and Edison went for a walk before winding down for a quiet evening.

A fun and balanced weekend.

This week at CDL, we are celebrating Respect Week as part of our RISE values. In Franconis, we took some time during our House Meeting to reflect on what respect really means to each of us.

Together, we created our own “Hands of Respect” poster, with every student adding a personal reflection — from treating people with kindness to being responsible for our words and actions. It was a great chance to share ideas, listen to one another, and see how respect shows up in our daily lives.

We then ended the evening on a sweet note by celebrating Zitian’s birthday together. A meaningful and joyful night in Franconis! 🎉🎂

This past weekend was packed with highlights for our students!

A group of students enjoyed an unforgettable experience at Europa-Park — from thrilling rollercoasters to magical themed areas, the park was buzzing with energy and excitement. Everyone came back with big smiles and plenty of stories to share.

Meanwhile the atmosphere in the boarding house turned cozy as some students prepared a Japanese hotpot dinner together. It was the perfect way to wind down after a day of adventures — sharing food, laughter, and time with friends around the table.

On Sunday, many of our students kept the momentum going with some time in the gym. Balancing relaxation with a bit of fitness was a great way to round off the weekend and get ready for the new week ahead.

A wonderful mix of adventure, culture, and wellness — just the way we like weekends here in the boarding house!

Yesterday, we gathered for our Monthly Assembly, focusing on the theme of Respect and Kindness, two values at the core of life in our community. It was a great reminder of how small actions can make a big difference in the way we live and learn together.

Today, I stopped by to see Jeronimo at his DJ Mix activity after school. Music has always been a passion for him, but it was only when he arrived at CDL last year that he first tried DJ’ing and it’s clear he’s found something he truly loves. 🎧

In the evening, the whole boarding community enjoyed an International Dinner, with Belgium taking the spotlight. From Moules and Frites to sweet Belgian waffles with whipped cream and berry compote, it was a feast to remember!

After social hour, the boys pulled on their trainers for our first Wednesday night run, a new Franconis tradition on the road to one of our big House goals: running the Geneva Escalade together this December. 💪

A mix of respect, discovery, culture, and challenge.