The new school year is off to a wonderful start! It has been lovely to see the mix of excitement, curiosity, and laughter that comes with a fresh beginning.

Monday marked the official first day of school. The girls settled into their new classes, began establishing routines, and shared the excitement and the nerves that come with the start of a new academic year.

On Tuesday, we came together for the first boarding assembly, a chance to set the tone for the year ahead. In the evening, we celebrated Swiss Night, enjoying a delicious dinner of traditional Swiss food. Sharing a meal together felt like the perfect way to celebrate our host country and start building community.

Wednesday brought some creativity to the kitchen as Paria, Aurora, and I prepared homemade ice cream sandwiches. We made the ice cream completely from scratch, which was a little messy but a great team effort and an enjoyable hands-on activity.

Today we had a goal setting meeting. Together, we set meaningful goals for the year, both as individuals and as a community. To finish, we finally got to enjoy the ice cream sandwiches, which tasted even better after all the effort that went into making them.

It’s only the beginning, but we’re already creating memories, traditions, and connections that will carry us through the year.

Lots of Love,

Aida & Yewande

Tonight we had our very first house meeting of the year, and it felt so good to have everyone back together again. The room was full of chatter, laughter, and that mix of excitement and nerves that always comes with the start of a new term.

We also got to welcome Maria, our new housemate. The best part of these first days is seeing how quickly the house comes alive again — from catching up on summer stories to planning what’s ahead. If tonight was anything to go by, it’s going to be a year full of fun, support, and lots of memories together.

Lots of Love,

Aida & Yewande

Today we had our Leavers Assembly to say goodbye to our graduating students. The event started with Marusya and a few other students singing together to kick things off and it was a great way to set the mood.

After that, each student received their yearbook, a folder full of memories from their time here, and a small gift bag.

Once the assembly wrapped up, we all headed over to the Leavers Cocktail, where students and staff relaxed, caught up, and took lots of pictures. It was a nice chance to hang out and celebrate everything the students have achieved.

We then had the Alumni Cocktail after which Mia and Aloisio came to visit the girls. It was great for current students to see them again and hear how things are going after leaving school.

All in all, it was a meaningful day full of good memories and some bittersweet moments. We’re proud of all our leavers and wish them the best for what’s next.

Lots of Love,

Aida & Yewande

Tonight was our last dinner in the house with just us, and honestly, it meant more than we expected.

We had burgers and chocolate donuts and leaned into an easy American-themed dinner. But it wasn’t really about the food. It was about slowing down and having that one last moment together before the year wraps up.

Most nights, we’re surrounded by noise — the cafeteria, the boarders, the usual rush. But tonight, the house was quiet. It was just us, sitting down, talking, laughing, being fully present with each other.

There was something really comforting about it. We’ve spent so much time in this house, living side by side, but tonight felt like a small celebration of that — of the everyday moments, the support, the shared space that somehow turned into home.

It was simple, but it was ours. And that made it feel pretty special.

Lots of Love,

Aida & Yewande

Vale turned 17 on Thursday and kicked off the celebrations with a special trip to Zurich with her parents. Today, she wrapped up the celebrations with a cozy dinner surrounded by her closest friends. It was a relaxed, joyful evening full of laughter, good food, and great company — exactly the way a birthday should be.

What a weekend! With International Week in full swing at CDL, the energy on campus was high, and the spirit of celebration, culture, and community was everywhere.

Friday kicked things off strong with the vibrant Brazilian stand run by Vale and her friends. They brought the flavor of Brazil to life with delicious brigadeiros and refreshing drinks that were a huge hit sweet, rich, and absolutely irresistible! Vale somehow also found time to organise, play and referee the Middle School vs. High School volleyball tournament, she was everywhere at once and pulled it off like a pro.

Back in the boarding house, Emma and Étoile helped me whip up a cheesecake, and wow… it was gone in minutes. Safe to say it was a hit. Definitely one to make again soon!

We also jumped into the May Fitness Challenge, which added a fun and slightly competitive twist to the weekend. Étoile absolutely smashed the mountain climbers with 129 in one minute which is super impressive. And then Vale and Marusya took on the patty cake challenge, managing 30 uninterrupted claps in a minute. Sounds easy, but it’s trickier than it looks!

And today, Sofiia got moving with a solid tennis session, a perfect way to wrap things up and get those steps in before the new week starts.

All in all, it was a weekend full of laughter, movement, teamwork, and (lots of) sugar. Can’t wait for the next one!

Lots of Love,

Aida & Yewande

Happy 18th birthday Emma!
It’s such a big moment, welcome to adulthood! Wishing you a year full of laughter, new adventures, and all the things that make you happy. We’re so proud of who you are and excited to see what’s next!

Lots of Love,

Aida & Yewande

Happy 18th, Marina — what an exciting milestone!
Wishing you joy, love, and adventure as you step into adulthood.
May this year bring you confidence, laughter, and unforgettable memories.
Here’s to the amazing journey ahead — you’ve got this! 🎉💫

Lots of Love,

Aida & Yewande

What a week it’s been, full of great food and important conversations.

We kicked things off on Tuesday with a cozy house dinner. Lasagne was on the menu, and we wrapped it up with a delicious tiramisu for dessert. There’s something about sitting around the table together, laughing and catching up, that makes the house feel even more like home.

Wednesday: Talking Empathy at Our House Meeting
On Wednesday, we continued working on our 5th Pillar: Making Safe and Responsible Choices. This week’s focus was all about empathy—specifically, the tricky but powerful idea of seeing the world through someone else’s eyes.

The Advocates team led us through a video that broke it down in a simple but meaningful way: what empathy really means, why it’s not always easy, and how it helps us grow stronger as a community. The goal was to help us not just talk about empathy, but really understand how to live it.

Tonight’s Boarding Assembly was something special. Sofiia and her friends took the stage to tell us about Maslenitsa, a beloved Russian tradition that celebrates the end of winter and the beginning of spring.

Also known as Pancake Week, Maslenitsa is full of joy—sleigh rides, singing, games, and of course, blini (thin pancakes that symbolize the sun). Sofiia and her group shared what this tradition means to them and brought a little bit of that festive spirit to all of us. It was beautiful to see culture shared with such pride and openness.

Lots of Love,

Aida & Yewande

What a weekend!

Vale started things off with some wakeboarding and even though she’s done it before, she had an absolute blast out there. Emma followed with a calming stretching session, and Marina powered through a bodyshaping class (go Marina!).

We also kicked off our May Fitness Challenge, and it’s already bringing out everyone’s energy and team spirit. Friday’s challenge was pull-ups. Vale gave it a try and nearly got one—so close! We love seeing that determination.

On Saturday, the goal was to do as many jumping jacks as possible. With some enthusiastic encouragement from Vale and Mo, Marcela pushed through and hit 65. Such a great moment!

And today, we switched it up with a creative twist: make a TikTok. Emma and Étoile jumped in and filmed a short, funny one that had us all laughing.

Can’t wait to see what next week brings!

Lots of Love,

Aida & Yewande