Today’s house meeting marked the introduction of a new pillar in our wellbeing program: Empathy and Respect. This important addition focuses on building interpersonal skills, resolving conflicts peacefully, and fostering an inclusive and respectful environment in our boarding house. To support this launch, Mr. Manu organized a video that helped us reflect on the importance of these values in our daily lives and interactions with others.

We ended the meeting with a lovely surprise—homemade apple pie, kindly prepared by Ms. Fana and Ms. Lauriane. It was a perfect way to close the gathering, bringing everyone together over a shared treat. As we move forward, we’re looking forward to putting this new pillar into practice and strengthening our community through empathy and respect. Please look at the pictures below.

Best,

Portena team!

The countdown is on for a very special event in our school community: the 24-Hour Run Challenge, taking place from Saturday, May 17th to Sunday, May 18th. For 24 hours straight, students and staff will take turns running or walking in 30-minute slots around the school — all to raise funds for Cancer Research.

What began as a simple fitness challenge has grown into a meaningful initiative to support a cause that affects millions of lives. This isn’t a race — there’s no pressure for speed or distance. It’s about staying in motion and standing together in solidarity, hour after hour, step by step.

We’re also calling on our wider community to support the effort by donating through our official fundraising page: https://gofund.me/323c2bc3. Share the link and QR code poster with family, friends, and on social media — every contribution brings us one step closer to supporting vital cancer research.

This is more than a physical challenge. It’s a chance to come together with purpose and make a real impact. Let’s run for hope, run for others, and run to make a difference.

Best,

Portena team!

The first weekend back after April break was full of positive energy. The girls jumped back into activities with enthusiasm, enjoying Cooking, Tennis, Pilates, Badminton and Stretching.

On Saturday, something exciting happened, our Grade 8 girls went on a short cycling practice to prepare for their upcoming challenge: biking all the way around Lake Geneva! The practice went really well, and the girls showed great teamwork and determination. We’re so proud of them and can’t wait to cheer them on when the big day comes!

Best,

Portena team ❤️

Today, we had our first house meeting after the April break, and it was a great opportunity to reconnect and catch up on what’s ahead. We started by going over some exciting updates and upcoming news for the house. Everyone was encouraged to stay engaged and involved, especially with some fresh activities and events planned for the coming weeks. One of the highlights was the announcement of a new fitness challenge that will be launched soon. It’s designed to boost both physical and mental health, and everyone is encouraged to participate and support each other through it.

We also had an important discussion about alcohol and drug use, focusing on how these substances can affect the brain. The conversation was open and honest, with a focus on education and awareness rather than judgment. We talked about how substance use, especially at a young age, can interfere with brain development, decision-making, and long-term mental health. It was a valuable reminder of the importance of making informed choices and supporting one another in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Best,

Portena team!

Dear families,

After two refreshing weeks of spring break, we’re excited to be back! The girls have returned full of energy, ready to make the most of these last two months before the summer holidays.

The break was a wonderful time to rest, recharge, and enjoy time with loved ones. Now, with renewed motivation, we’re looking forward to a term full of learning, growth, and fun.

Let’s work together to make this final stretch a great success! Thank you, as always, for your support, we can’t wait to see everything the girls will accomplish before summer arrives! ☀️

With love,

Portena team 🩵

As we head into the Easter holidays, we want to wish all our boarders and families a joyful and restful break. This is the perfect time to recharge, spend time with loved ones, and make the most of the last vacation before the end of the school year.

Enjoy every moment and don’t forget to come back full of energy and motivation for the final stretch! Just two months to go—let’s finish strong!

Happy holidays!

Best,

Portena team  💗

Today we celebrate Hannah’s 18th birthday, and we couldn’t be happier to share this moment with her and see the smile on her face. Having her at Portena is truly a privilege, and her presence in the house fills us with joy and affection!

We’re excited for what this new chapter of her life holds, and we have complete confidence that she will continue to shine just as she has until now. While it makes us sad to think about her leaving the school, we know she has a bright future ahead, and we’re sure she will make the most of all her potential.

We love you so much, Hannah. We hope you’ve enjoyed your day to the fullest, and that this is just the beginning of a year full of success and happiness! We will always be so proud of you 💖

With love,

Portena team 🥰

We had our last dinner at home before the holidays, and this time, we had kebab. It was such a hit! The girls loved it so much that some even went back for seconds. Honestly, it was the perfect way to wrap up the school year.

Now, we’re all looking forward to the vacation, but we are already excited for the next dinner when everyone gets back. Can’t wait to see what we’ll have next time!

Best,

Portena team ❤️

This weekend was filled with fun and productive outdoor activities, all thanks to the time change and the beautiful weather. With the clocks moving forward, we had more daylight hours to enjoy, and it was the perfect opportunity to take part in a variety of exciting events.

One of the highlights was the community service event where the girls worked together to clean up the lake. It was a rewarding experience to help keep our environment beautiful and make a positive impact on the community. In addition to the service project, we had an adventurous day at the Accrobranching, testing their courage on the zip lines! And of course, we also kept up with our usual weekend activities, like badminton, cooking, and Pilates.

Overall, the weekend was a great mix of helping out, having fun, and staying active, all made even better by the sunny weather and the extra daylight! Looking forward to making the most of the upcoming weekends too!

Best,

Portena Team 💗

Sometimes, when the weather isn’t great, all you really want to do is curl up under a blanket, watch a movie, and enjoy the company of good friends. That’s exactly what some of the guys from Concha and Léman did when they came over to Portena for a fun movie afternoon with Meri and Talia.

We absolutely love having visitors, especially when they’re as kind and fun as these guys! It’s moments like these that make the cloudy and cold days much brighter.

Best,

Portena team ❤️