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
This weekend was full of energy and smiles at the girls’ boarding house, as everyone took part in a variety of fun activities. Instead of all doing the same thing, the girls got to choose between bodyshaping, Pilates, and tennis—making it a weekend tailored to everyone’s interests.
Some of the girls kicked off their Sunday with a dynamic bodyshaping class. With upbeat music and high energy, they powered through a mix of strength and cardio exercises that left them feeling strong and accomplished. The supportive atmosphere made it easy to stay motivated, and even though the workout was tough, everyone left with a big smile.
Meanwhile, another group opted for a relaxing but challenging Pilates session. They focused on breathing, posture, and controlled movements that worked their core and improved flexibility. The peaceful environment gave them a chance to slow down, stretch, and reconnect with their bodies—perfect after a busy week.
Out on the tennis courts, the third group enjoyed some friendly matches. The games were full of laughter, teamwork, and a few competitive moments. It was a great way to stay active while having fun with friends.
By the end of the weekend, the boarding house was buzzing with stories and sore muscles—in the best way! Each girl found her own way to stay healthy and have fun.
Lots of love,
Yewande & Aida
This past weekend, Vale and her friends had an unforgettable adventure at Europa Park. The excitement kicked off as soon as they arrived at the park, which is massive, with countless rides, attractions, and themed areas to explore.
The group dove straight into the thrill of the roller coasters. Vale found herself screaming and laughing at the same time on the Silver Star, the park’s tallest coaster.
The adrenaline rush was unlike anything she’d ever felt! As they wandered through the park, the themed areas—each representing a different European country—kept them engaged. From the romantic streets of France to the sun-soaked vibes of Greece, it felt like a whirlwind tour of Europe in a single day.
However, the real magic happened in the moments shared with friends. There were spontaneous dance-offs, bursts of laughter, and those priceless memories when they’d look at each other and agree, “This is the best trip ever!”
For Vale and her friends, Europa Park lived up to its reputation as one of the best theme parks in Europe.
Lots of love,
Yewande & Aida
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
There’s something magical about getting away from campus and heading into the mountains — especially when you’re surrounded by friends, fresh air, and a whole lot of adventure. This past weekend, our embarked on our annual Mountain Weekend, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
One of the highlights of the weekend was the high ropes course, where students had the chance to face their fears, step outside their comfort zones, and support each other through every step — and climb. Whether they were navigating swinging bridges high above the ground or zipping through the trees, students encouraged one another with cheers, laughter, and high-fives.
More than just an adrenaline rush, the rope course was a powerful reminder of the strength of teamwork and trust. Many students left the course not only feeling proud of their accomplishments, but also closer to classmates they hadn’t really connected with before.
One of the most exciting moments of the weekend was the Olympic Games, a spirited competition that brought out the best in every team — but it was the girls’ team that stole the show. When the final scores were announced and they were crowned champions, the cheers echoed through the mountains — a moment of pride and pure joy that wrapped up the weekend perfectly.
Mountain Weekend wasn’t just about physical activity — it was a chance to recharge, reconnect, and remind ourselves why community matters. Whether students returned with sore muscles, new friendships, or just a little more confidence, everyone came back with memories they’ll hold onto long after the semester picks up speed again.
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.
