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
This week in the house we struck a great balance between enjoying the moment and preparing for the future. Emma, Valentina, and I rolled up our sleeves in the kitchen and made a Dubai chocolate cheesecake completely from scratch. It was rich, indulgent, and the perfect reward for a busy week.
Our house meeting was equally rich in substance. Valentina and Paria prepared and delivered an engaging presentation on budgeting. They explained why it’s important to track spending, how to set priorities, and even shared some of their own strategies. The discussion was lively, with lots of questions and real-life examples, and it really highlighted how relevant these skills are, especially for our Grade 12s as they begin to think about life beyond boarding.
Our vision this year is to shape our house meetings into more than just updates and announcements. We want them to be a space where the girls can learn valuable life skills, grow in confidence, and prepare for independence. Whether it’s through budgeting, learning to cook, or simply practicing how to support one another, every little step helps.
As we often say, our house is more than just a place to live, it’s a space to grow. And if growth happens alongside a slice of homemade cheesecake, then we know we’re doing something right.
The weekend was full of energy, laughter, and a little adventure for everyone in the house. Ayla and Aurora spent some time on the tennis courts working on their swings. Meanwhile, Maria, Emma, and Paria joined a bodyshaping session, keeping active and having fun together. Over on the water, Gergana embraced a thrilling adventure on the banana boat, bringing excitement and plenty of laughs. From courts to the gym to the waves, everyone found a way to make the weekend active, fun, and memorable.
Lots of Love,
Aida & Yewande
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