Spreading Kindness, One Cupcake at a Time 🎂✨

This weekend, Antonio dedicated his time and effort to a meaningful CAS project that combined creativity, compassion, and community service. As part of his ongoing initiative, he spent the afternoon baking delicious cupcakes—not just for fun, but with a special purpose in mind.

Once the cupcakes were ready, Antonio and his friend headed to Geneva to distribute them to homeless individuals, bringing a little warmth and sweetness to those in need. It was another heartwarming experience, and Antonio’s dedication to giving back truly reflects the spirit of service and empathy that we value in our boarding community.

We are incredibly proud of Antonio for using his skills and time to make a difference! 👏💙

#CASProject #CommunityService #BoardingLife #MakingADifference

Honours Recognition Assembly

A huge congratulations to all the boys from Franconis for being nominated at the Honours Recognition Assembly! Their hard work, dedication, and positive spirit continue to make our House proud.

Our Head of Boarding, Mr Usher, gave a special thank you to the students for being great role models within Collège du Léman—setting the standard with their commitment and character. Well done, boys! Keep up the fantastic work! 🎉👏

Launching Wellbeing Pillar 3: Building Positive Relationships

This evening, we were thrilled to launch Wellbeing Pillar 3: Building Positive Relationships —an essential part of fostering strong, supportive, and meaningful connections. To kick off this journey, our first topic focused on Building a Positive Relationship with Myself.

Before we can build positive friendships, we must first develop a healthy relationship with ourselves. Self-awareness and self-acceptance are the foundation for how we engage with others. Understanding our strengths, values, and emotions allows us to form relationships that are authentic and fulfilling.

Our relationships with others often reflect how we see and treat ourselves. By cultivating self-compassion, setting healthy boundaries, and embracing who we truly are, we create the space for positive, genuine friendships to flourish.

This was just the beginning of our journey through Pillar 3, and we look forward to exploring more ways to build and maintain meaningful friendships in the weeks ahead. Stay tuned!

Snow-Capped Adventures: G11 & G12 Ski Weekend in Crans Montana


This past weekend, the G11 and G12 students embarked on their much-anticipated ski weekend in Crans Montana. It was an action-packed trip that truly had something for everyone, ensuring the boys made the most of their time in the stunning alpine surroundings. It’s an event that many students look forward to all year, and this year did not disappoint!

The boys from our boarding house embraced the snowy landscape with enthusiasm, engaging in a variety of activities tailored to their interests. Saturday kicked off with a range of activities to suit all interests and energy levels. While some boys took to the slopes for skiing and snowboarding, others opted for a more relaxed start with a friendly game of badminton at the sports centre. In the afternoon, the boys enjoyed some well-deserved free time, soaking in the mountain air and taking in the breathtaking views of Crans Montana.

The adventure continued on Sunday, with another morning on the slopes for the skiing enthusiasts. Meanwhile, others embraced the thrill of sledging with the laughter echoing down the slope.

This annual ski weekend is always a highlight on the school calendar, offering students the chance to bond, unwind, and recharge in a beautiful setting. For many, it’s a highlight of their time here, and this year’s trip was no exception.

A Relaxed Start to the New Term: Cooking and Studying in the House

As we ease into the first weekend after the holidays, the atmosphere in the house has been calm and focused. After the excitement of the holiday season, everyone seems to have settled in, embracing a balanced mix of relaxation and preparation for the busy weeks ahead.

This weekend, students enjoyed some downtime and time to recharge. Many took the opportunity to dive into their studies, focusing on upcoming assignments and preparing for their exams. It’s been impressive to see the dedication and focus as everyone gets ready for a productive term ahead.

There was also plenty of time for creativity in the kitchen! Some of the students gathered to cook together, experimenting with new recipes and sharing a delicious meal. It was a fun and warm way to connect with friends while enjoying the simple joy of good food.

All in all, it’s been a lovely, relaxed start to the new term—full of studying, cooking, and great company. We’re looking forward to the weeks ahead and the many exciting things to come!

Stay tuned for more updates from the house, and wishing everyone a fantastic start to the term!

 

A Joyful Farewell to 2024: Wishing Everyone Happy Winter Holidays!

As the festive season approaches and the year comes to an end, our boarding house is brimming with holiday cheer! The past few weeks have been filled with exciting activities, heartwarming moments, and achievements we’re so proud to celebrate.

From the joy of decorating our Christmas tree together to the laughter shared during our Winterball, we’ve created memories that will stay with us for years to come. Our students have worked hard academically and participated in wonderful events like the Escalade run and various creative projects—showcasing their talents, kindness, and teamwork.

Now, it’s time for everyone to relax, recharge, and enjoy the winter break. Whether you’re heading home to spend time with loved ones, exploring new destinations, or staying close to CDL, we wish you all a holiday filled with warmth, happiness, and peace.

Thank you for being part of our Villa Franconis family this year—we can’t wait to welcome you back in 2025 for another fantastic chapter.

Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! 🎄✨

 

 

Breaking the Marmite: A Sweet Escalade Tradition

Today, our students embraced a cherished Geneva tradition by breaking the Marmite! As part of the Escalade celebrations, this iconic chocolate cauldron is filled with marzipan vegetables and symbolizes the city’s victory in 1602 against an attempted siege.

The story goes that a Genevan woman foiled an enemy attack by pouring hot soup on soldiers scaling the city walls—hence the Marmite, representing a soup pot, has become a central part of the festivities.

Our students gathered to participate in the ritual “breaking of the Marmite,” smashing the chocolate pot while reciting the famous phrase: “Ainsi pĂ©rirent les ennemis de la RĂ©publique!” (“Thus perished the enemies of the Republic!”). It was a fun and delicious way to connect with local history and culture.

A Weekend of Achievements at Villa Franconis đź’Ş

What an exciting weekend it has been for our Villa Franconis students!

On Sunday, our runners took part in the iconic Escalade Run in Geneva. Weeks of training and preparation paid off, and we couldn’t be prouder of their efforts. While we await the official results, we want to take a moment to applaud Zitian, Antonio, Kaishu, and Wenyan for their determination and incredible performances. Well done, runners—you’ve made us all proud!

Our weekend was also filled with creativity as we put the finishing touches on our gingerbread house for the annual competition. The students worked together to craft an impressive design, and we can’t wait to see how it fares. Take a look at our creation—it’s a masterpiece!

Finally, a special shoutout goes to Antonio and his friend Roxy, who spent Friday cooking in our house and distributing food to homeless people in Geneva. Their kindness and initiative are truly heartwarming and a reminder of the power of giving back. Bravo, Antonio!

It’s been a weekend to remember, full of achievements and acts of kindness. Stay tuned for more updates from Villa Franconis!

🎄 Our Little Christmas Tree 🎄

The Christmas spirit has officially arrived at our boarding house!
This evening, we came together to set up our very own little 🎄.
From carefully placing ornaments to making sure it looked just right, everyone pitched in to make it special.

 

The tree now sits proudly in the common area, bringing a cozy and festive atmosphere to our home.