This weekend in Portena was exactly what we needed – a perfect balance of rest and just the right amount of adventure to recharge for the week ahead.😍

We spent our days moving, laughing, and trying new things. From tennis rallies to surprisingly competitive badminton matches, the girls kept the energy high. We also made room for some calm with stretching sessions.

But the unexpected star of the activity list? Wood crafting (see the proof below).

And of course, the highlight that truly stole the show was our visit to the Montreux Christmas Market. 🎄Sparkling lights, festive music, delicious treats and the magical lakeside atmosphere made it feel like we stepped straight into a Christmas movie. The girls wandered the market and soaked up the holiday spirit.

We’re heading into the new week refreshed, recharged, and smiling.🫶

This Friday night the boarding house was bursting with creative chaos as the girls transformed their pink house hoodies into fashion masterpieces. Patterns were flying, decisions were dramatic and ironing suddenly became fun.✨

With snacks, plenty of giggles and lots of “Does this look good here?”, the night was full of energy and colour. The girls loved showing off their unique designs and we loved seeing their personalities shine.

A simple, cosy, super-fun Friday night together! 💗

What a fantastic weekend it’s been for our boarding girls! The campus was full of laughter and activities as some of the girls spent their days cooking delicious treats, playing tennis or even testing their driving skills with a round of exciting karting. It was lovely to see everyone enjoying themselves, relaxing, and simply having fun together after a busy week at school.

Meanwhile, a group of our more adventurous girls headed off for an unforgettable weekend in Barcelona. After a breakfast at the hotel, they started their day exploring La Pedrera (Casa Milà) – Gaudí’s incredible masterpiece that left everyone amazed by its creativity and beauty. Later, they visited the world-famous Sagrada Familia. The evening was full of rhythm and colour with a Spanish Guitar and Flamenco Show, followed by a cozy dinner by the beach – the perfect end to a beautiful day. On Sunday, they visited Camp Nou, Barcelona’s legendary football stadium.

By the time they returned to school, the girls were tired but smiling, full of stories and memories from a truly special weekend. Whether they stayed on campus or travelled to Spain, it was wonderful to see them all so happy, connected and enjoying every  moment.✨❤️

The girls had a lovely time celebrating together with cake and lots of laughter. 🌹💗Happy Birthday from the whole Portena, Mira!

After a busy first half of term, our girls set off on their well-earned autumn break – and what adventures they had!

A group of our intrepid travellers headed all the way to Tanzania, where they balanced hard work and exploration. From helping with the Ngongongare School construction project (bricklaying, anyone?) to visiting a coffee farm and staying at the Dolly Bush Camp, the girls experienced life far beyond the classroom. Of course, no trip to Tanzania would be complete without a safari, and the girls were lucky enough to spot some of the local wildlife – and no, we don’t mean House Parents! 🦒🦓

After all that hard work, they headed to Zanzibar for a few well-deserved days of sun, water and relaxation. Judging by the smiles in the photos, it seems they adjusted very quickly to island life! ☀️🌊

Meanwhile, Maia took a different route and swapped Tanzania’s plains for Southern Spain, where she spent her days hiking, surfing, cooking paella and soaking up every bit of warmth before winter settles into Switzerland. Rumour has it she’s now our in-house expert on both wave-catching and saffron stirring!

Here’s to a great second half of term – and to more adventures ahead!

The holidays are coming to an end, and we’re already counting down the minutes until our Portena girls return! The house has been a little too quiet without your laughter, energy and stories filling the halls.

We hope these past two weeks brought you rest, joy, and unforgettable experiences – whether you spent them exploring new places or simply relaxing at home with family and friends.

As we get ready for the second half of the term, we’re excited for everything that’s ahead – new goals, special moments and all the memories we’ll create together once you’re back.

Enjoy these last few moments of break, recharge and get ready to come home to Portena – we can’t wait to see you! 🫶🏼

Your Portena Team🩷

Today we celebrated Layla’s birthday a bit earlier🎊, as the holidays are just around the corner. It was a lovely moment togather together and wish her a happy birthday before everyone heads off.🎇

We had a lovely time celebrating Masha’s birthday in the boarding house with cake, laughter, and lots of smiles – a special day for a special girl! 🎉

We had a fantastic weekend in the boarding house, filled with laughter, teamwork, creativity, and plenty of opportunities for the girls to relax and recharge. Here’s a little look behind the scenes at what our girls have been up to over the past few days.❤️

Move over, Gordon Ramsay – there’s a new kitchen crew in town, and we’re bringing the heat (literally… maybe too much). What started as a simple cooking turned into a full-blown flipping adventure.

There was smoke (don’t worry, the house is fine), questionable pancake shapes (one may have been a dinosaur?🦖), and so much laughter we almost forgot to cook. We got it all on video so you can witness the culinary brilliance.

Michelin stars? Not yet.
Memories and mayhem? Absolutely.
🥄👩‍🍳 Watch at your own risk – you might get hungry or cry-laugh.