Vale and Ayla have been home sick this week, and everyone was feeling a bit low, so last night we decided we needed something comforting. Cookies felt like the right answer. We made brown-butter chocolate chip cookies together and of course a gluten-free batch for Vale. The girls were laughing, taste-testing the dough, and just enjoying doing something simple and hands-on. They ate the cookies with milk as soon as they came out of the oven.

While we were all gathered, we used our house meeting time to check in on how things have been going since mid-term. This part of the year can be tough: it’s getting colder, people are getting sick, deadlines are creeping up, and everyone’s patience gets a little shorter. But even with all that going on, the basics of boarding still matter.

We talked about how each of us has been feeling, what’s been challenging, and what small things we can all do to make the next few weeks smoother. It was honest and supportive, the kind of conversation that reminds you we’re sharing the same space and trying our best together.

In the end, the cookies helped, the chat helped, and I think we all walked away feeling a little bit better.

Lots of Love,

Aida & Yewande

What a lovely weekend we just had. It was one of those ones filled with small moments that quietly remind you how special our community is. Gergana is still absolutely thriving in her hip-hop classes. Ayla and Valentina spent their morning on the tennis courts, while Emma took things at her own pace with a peaceful Pilates session. Rochelle tapped into her creative side and spent time making art, completely in her element.

But the moment that really stood out was when we all gathered to wrap gifts for the Gift Box Project, a beautiful initiative that brings a little Christmas joy to children in need across Eastern Europe. A special shout-out goes to Paria, who didn’t just participate, she helped t0 organise and promote the whole effort. From collecting donations to rallying volunteers, she poured so much care and determination into making the project happen. And a big thank you as well to Ayla, Emma, Gergana, Laura Jane, and Valentina for jumping in, wrapping gifts, chatting, laughing, and helping each parcel feel truly special.

Here’s to weekends that warm the heart as much as they keep us busy.

Lots of Love,

Aida & Yewande

Over the weekend, the girls took part in a range of enriching activities. Aurora, Ayla, and Valentina played tennis, Rochelle explored her creativity at art club, and Gergana continued her passion for hip hop, which she’s really enjoying.

On Sunday, Paria attended bodyshaping, while Emma and Maria took part in a relaxing pilates session which is a great way to recharge for the week ahead.

It’s wonderful to see everyone engaging in such a variety of activities and supporting one another along the way.

Lots of Love,

Aida & Yewande

Tonight felt like a warm reset after the October break. We all gathered for dinner in the house and enjoyed a classic comfort meal: lasagne. There’s something about sharing a table, passing dishes around, and catching up on stories that instantly brings everyone back into a shared rhythm.

We also had the pleasure of welcoming Rochelle to our house family. It’s always exciting to bring someone new into our community, and tonight was the perfect opportunity for everyone to get to know each other over good food and good company.

Lots of Love,

Aida & Yewande

The Boarding House is officially closed for the October Break, and you’ve all earned it! 🎉 The Boarding House will reopen on Saturday, 25th October at 09:00, we’ll be ready to welcome you back, rested and full of stories from the break.

Enjoy every minute, take care of yourselves, and see you soon! 💛

Lots of Love,

Aida & Yewande

Yesterday , Emma, Gergana, and I decided to take our house meeting to the next level, both in reflection and in dessert! We started by baking the viral Dubai brownies with a Knafeh pistachio layer, and honestly they turned out even better than we expected.

Once the brownies were cooling (and making the whole place smell amazing), we gathered the girls for a midterm review of their goals. Together, we looked at their progress so far, what’s been going well, what still needs work, and how to make small, practical changes to help them reach their full potential. It was great to see them reflect honestly and motivate each other. We wrapped up our meeting the best way possible: with warm brownies, laughter, and a renewed sense of focus. Sometimes, a little sweetness really helps fuel meaningful conversations.

Lots of Love,

Aida & Yewande

We had a fantastic weekend full of activities, and the students really made the most of their time. Valentina joined the cooking session and learned how to make spring rolls. They turned out absolutely delicious, and she was proud of her creation!

Aurora and Ayla headed to the tennis courts, where they not only enjoyed a good game but also got some helpful tips from the coach. Their confidence and skills are growing each week.

Paria and LJ signed up for bodyshaping which was definitely challenging but left them feeling strong and accomplished. It was tough, but they handled it with great spirit.

Meanwhile, Gergana tried hip hop dance for the first time. She wasn’t sure what to expect, but by the end of the class she was completely hooked and excited to go back.

It was wonderful to see everyone trying new things, pushing themselves, and having fun.

Lots of Love,

Aida & Yewande

LJ, Paria, and I decided to bake some brown butter banana muffins before our house meeting. Honestly, it was the perfect excuse to hang out in the kitchen, catch up, and laugh while trying not to eat the batter. By the time the meeting started, we had a plate of warm muffins to share and they didn’t last long!

Since it’s Respect Week, we focused our conversation on what respect looks like in different parts of the world. Paria told us that in Iran, if someone compliments something she owns, it’s polite to offer it to them. I loved that idea because it’s such a beautiful way of showing generosity. We also talked about France, Italy, and Bulgaria, where people use different pronouns when speaking to someone older or new as a sign of respect.

Then we brought it closer to home and thought about what respect looks like in our everyday life together. Things like knocking before going into someone’s room, asking before borrowing something, and simply listening to each other. Small gestures, but they make a big difference when you’re sharing a space.

At the end of the day, we all agreed: respect may look different depending on where you’re from, but it always comes down to kindness. And sharing muffins definitely helps too.

Lots of Love,

Aida & Yewande

Thursdays in our house are always busy, but this one felt especially rich.

In the afternoon, Vale headed over to Terray to lend a hand to the younger girls with their homework. It was wonderful to see her step into that supportive role, offering encouragement and guidance where it was needed most.

Meanwhile, Ayla, Aurora, and I rolled up our sleeves in the kitchen. Together, we baked a batch of decadent gluten-free brownies to share during our house meeting later that evening. The sweet smell drifting through the halls set the perfect tone of warmth and anticipation.

Emma and LJ, on the other hand, were preparing something even more impactful. They crafted a thoughtful and well-researched presentation on the dangers of drugs and smoking. When it came time to share, their work shone. The presentation wasn’t just informative, it was personal, powerful, and opened the door to genuine discussion.

What struck me most was how open the girls were during the meeting. They spoke honestly about their struggles and experiences, showing courage and trust in one another. The conversations that followed were real, meaningful, and left everyone feeling a little more connected and supported.

Lots of Love,

Aida & Yewande

First things first, a big Happy Birthday to Paria! 🥳 Her birthday was yesterday, but we celebrated together tonight with a delicious cake. It was a lovely way to wrap up the weekend.

The girls kept busy with lots of activities. Valentina put her chef’s hat on and joined the cooking activity, while Emma and Maria tried out bodyshaping. Gergana took on the climbing wall with great energy.

On top of that, Emma, Maria, and Valentina gave some of their time to community service this weekend. They baked treats and spent some time with the younger girls’ boarding house, and also helped clean up our community by picking up trash. We love seeing that kind of spirit!

To end the weekend, we had our very first house competition! There was cornhole, tug of war, the three-legged race and lots of laughs. Everyone put in so much effort and in the end we finished in second place, which is a great start to the year.

All in all, a weekend full of celebrations, teamwork, and community spirit.

Lots of Love,

Aida & Yewande