What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire?

A Frost-bite

Tonight we had the pleasure of attending WATU’s winter concert. For those who do not know, WATU is a charity working in Tanzania, and as Swahili is spoken in that country, they used the Swahili word for people as the name of the association, WATU.

Samuel and Jason took part in it as G10 students. First they sang Geographical Fugue part one by Ernst Tock. It was unexpected as they were mixed in with the audience and out of nowhere without any introduction they started singing, very entertaining.

Then they did News of The World section, Samuel talked about the Dana of Valencia, while Jason talked about the 25th anniversary of the peoples’ republic of China’s resumption of sovereignty over Macau. Then they played Silent Night with guitars.

We are celebrating the 17th day of Advent in the Leman boarding house today, with this being the most excited day celebrated so far as the holidays are rapidly approaching! The boys and boarding staff alike remain excited in the lead-up to the festive season, and have been enjoying this tradition!

Happy Birthday Oscar!!! Wishing you a day filled with joy, laughter, and all the things that make you happiest! May this year bring you endless blessings, success, and unforgettable memories.

Here’s a fun winter fact:

Snow isn’t actually white! ❄️
Snow appears white because its tiny ice crystals reflect all the colours of sunlight equally, but in reality, snow is translucent. This scattering of light gives it its bright, white appearance.

Want another fun winter fact?

This weekend, to celebrate his 18th Birthday, Antoni travelled from Geneva to Tampa to race in a half-Ironman event. This grueling physical and mental test pushes athletes to their limits as they complete a a 1.2-mile (1.9 km) swim, a 56-mile (90 km) bike ride and a 13.1-mile (21.1 km) run. Athletes train for a considerable period of time in order to accomplish such a feat, and we are proud to report that Antoni’s final time was 07:06:28! This accomplishment represents considerable levels of discipline, fortitude and resilience, qualities that will serve him well in the future. He was encouraged from the sidelines by Ignacy, who also flew to Florida to support his brother. Bravo, Antoni!

Last night, the Léman boys attended the Annual Collège du Léman Winter Ball, dressing up in style to enjoy one of the landmark occasions of the boarding calendar at CDL. Delicious food was served and a great time was had by all! Our boys had fun posing for photos, throwing some shapes on the dance floor and catching up with dear friends from other boarding houses. It was a pleasure to see our boys enjoying themselves in such a beautiful environment with a delightful and special atmosphere!

Special thanks must go to Mr Brinkmeyer for organising this special event, as well as the other members of boarding management who assisted and facilitated in the planning procedures.

As part of the new Excellence Week initiative at Collège du Léman, we would like to give special recognition to Adam, Emad and Apollo for their efforts and achievements both within and outside the school framework.

As well as obtaining some excellent academic achievements, Adam and Apollo have both represented the Genève-Servette under-17 hockey team at matches and tournaments, demonstrating considerable sportsmanship and teamwork. They have both set excellent examples for the other boys in Léman – Congratulations, gents!

Special recognition must also go to Emad, who has demonstrated considerable entrepreneurial and innovative spirit through his attendance at a start-up conference, presenting his company and the app that they are producing – Bravo!

Yesterday, Michael and Liusen had the honour of representing Collège du Léman at a national fencing tournament held here in Geneva. The boys both did amazingly, and were able to represent our boarding house in their boarding achievements. Bravo, gents!

Yesterday I participated with Michael in the national fencing competition that was held in CDL. We met people at different ages, at different levels and from different clubs, for example Martigny and EPFL. For me it felt more like friends having fun together rather than a serious competition. I did quite well in the group stage and lost to Michael in the elimination stage. Although I was sad but at the same time I am very happy for Michael and I know that is also a motivation for me to learn and get better next time. I really enjoyed the tournament in general and I hope I can do better in them next year. – Liusen

The Léman House would like to wish Nikita a very Happy Birthday! We hope you enjoyed your day!

Following the Winter Ball yesterday, our boys were in high spirits as they opened their doors on the Advent calendars today! We hope to continue to develop this new tradition within the boarding house to continue to bring excitement (and chocolate) to the boys in the weeks leading up to the Winter Break.

As the Winter break draws closer, Adi, Seyed and Mykhail took a break from the excitement of the preparations for our Winter Ball today and opened their doors of the Advent calendars, enjoying their chocolates before the fun of this evening begins! The boys are all looking forward to the upcoming holidays, however continue to enjoy life within the boarding house!

In keeping with our Advent posts, today Cheickna, Asiimwe and Aijuka opened the calendar to mark the fact that we are now one day closer to Christmas!  As the Winter break is approaching, we are encouraging the boys to reflect on the progress that they have made this term and how they have evolved as individuals.

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my true love gave to me
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree!

In our house assembly this evening, we heard from Mohamed about the inspiring story of L’Éscalade, an occasion celebrated in Geneva every year!

Mohamed gave us some insights into the history of L’Éscalade, and why the day is so important to Swiss people. In 1602, Catholic troops from Savoy were at the walls of Protestant Geneva. In response, the Genevois people banded together, and defeated the Savoyards through courage, cunning and soup. Particularly celebrated is Catherine Cheynel, a lady credited with driving back the Catholic forces through her use of soup as a defensive weapon.

Mohamed shared the story of Cheynel, and the boys made some good memories through the breaking of a chocolate cauldron, a symbol of l’Éscalade. Great fun was had by all!

As the tradition said, the youngest and the oldest of the household break together the marmite symbolising unity.

Today, three of the Léman boys celebrated Day 11 of Advent, with Domiciano, Nikita and Oscar enjoying their chocolate in recognition of the fact that we are one day closer to Christmas!

The frosted breath of winter paints the skies,
As crystal snowflakes drift on gentle air.
Beneath the silver moon’s watchful eyes,
The earth lies still, in beauty cold and rare.

The trees, now shorn of summer’s verdant grace,
Stand stark against the night, a solemn guard.
Their icy limbs, in frozen lace,
Reveal the season’s hand, both soft and hard.

A quiet peace enwraps the sleeping land,
Its silence deeper than the ocean’s song.
Yet whispers stir where winds caress the sand,
A fleeting hymn where winter’s dreams belong.

Oh, fleeting frost, oh, transient jeweled glow,
In winter’s heart, we find our warmth to grow.

Happy Birthday Michael, many happy returns! We hope you had a lovely day and enjoyed the cheesecake!

Day 10 of Advent typically involves lighting the second or third candle of the Advent wreath (depending on your tradition) and reflecting on themes like joy, preparation, or peace as Christmas draws nearer. If you’re marking the day in a specific way, you might consider a devotional activity, acts of kindness, or creative ways to keep the Advent season meaningful.

Winter’s Embrace

The air is crisp, the sky is white,
A tranquil hush falls with the night.
The trees stand cloaked in icy lace,
Nature wrapped in winter’s embrace.

Snowflakes twirl, a fleeting dance,
A fleeting spell, a frostbound trance.
Each flake a whisper, soft and pure,
A fleeting beauty to endure.

The world seems still, yet life abounds,
In quiet ways, in subtle sounds.
The crunch of snow beneath our feet,
The warmth of hearth, a welcome treat.

Winter whispers, “Rest awhile,
Find peace within my icy smile.”
Though cold may linger, hearts grow bright,
In winter’s calm, we find the light.

The Escalade Race (Course de l’Escalade) is a cherished annual running event in Geneva, Switzerland, held each December to commemorate the city’s historic victory over the Duchy of Savoy in 1602. Winding through the scenic cobblestone streets and historic landmarks of Geneva’s Old Town, the race offers distances for all ages and abilities, from children’s sprints to elite competitive runs. Beyond the competition, the event features a festive atmosphere with music, food stalls, and historical reenactments, as well as a fun costume race where participants dress up to add to the celebration. The race also honors local traditions, such as the symbolic “Marmite,” where families break a chocolate cauldron filled with treats, paying homage to the city’s defender, Mère Royaume. Welcoming runners from Switzerland and beyond, the Escalade Race embodies community spirit, inclusivity, and cultural pride.

The students gathered with excitement and creativity to build a gingerbread house, turning the activity into a joyful and collaborative event. From carefully assembling the walls to decorating with colourful candies and icing, everyone contributed their unique touch. Laughter filled the room as they worked together, turning a simple project into a masterpiece of holiday cheer. The finished gingerbread house was not just a festive decoration but a symbol of teamwork and shared holiday spirit.

Run, run, as fast as you can,
Here comes the jolly Gingerbread Man!
With icing buttons and a cheeky grin,
He’s off on adventures, where to begin?

He dashed through the kitchen, past the old tin,
Dodging the baker with a laugh and a spin.
“Catch me, catch me, if you dare,”
But he’s too quick and light as air!

Through the fields and over the stream,
He’s part of every child’s sweet dream.
Made of spice, and sugar, and cheer,
He brings joy to this festive year.

So keep your eyes open and hold out your hand,
For a visit from the merry Gingerbread Man!

The weekend in boarding was filled with excitement and festive cheer, starting with a delightful visit to a bustling Christmas market, where students soaked in the holiday atmosphere. The fun continued with a variety of engaging activities that brought everyone together. Cooking sessions added a delicious twist to the weekend, as students prepared and shared tasty treats, fostering teamwork and laughter. The entire weekend was a perfect blend of joy, camaraderie, and festive spirit, creating cherished memories for all.

Winter’s Whisper
The world wrapped in a silver hush,
Snowflakes fall in a gentle rush.
Bare trees stretch to touch the sky,
Winter’s breath a frosty sigh.

Footsteps crunch on a sparkling ground,
A quiet calm, no other sound.
Stars like crystals, the moon aglow,
A timeless dance of ice and snow.

Can you figure out this riddle?

I’m a man made of snow,
With a carrot for a nose.
When the sun comes out,
Away I’ll go!
What am I?

What do you call an old Snowman ?

Water

Our students were put to the test by  Mr Gordon who has set a third boarding challenge. He’s challenging their minds to find the missing sentence. Are you up to the challenge?

Day 5 of Advent focuses on continuing the preparation for the coming of Christmas, both spiritually and in everyday life. Depending on how you observe Advent, here are a few ideas to mark this day meaningfully:

Acts of Kindness

• Do something thoughtful for someone in need—drop off a card, offer to help with errands, or donate to a charity.
• Write a message of encouragement or gratitude to someone who has been a blessing in your life.

Family or Personal Traditions

• Light the Advent wreath or a candle to symbolise hope. If you’ve been using a daily Advent calendar, open today’s door or complete the activity.
• Bake or prepare something special as part of the festive season, such as cookies or treats to share.

Creative Activity

• Write a reflection about the things you are looking forward to this Christmas.
• Engage in a craft or activity that brings joy, like decorating or making homemade ornaments.

What are you planning to do for Day 5?