We held another international dinner this week featuring Lebanese cuisine, which was a hit with everyone who attended. The dinner showcased a variety of flavorful dishes, including Kibbeh, Fattoush Salad, Hummus, Tabouli, Shawarma, and Baklava. Students and staff enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about Lebanese culture and culinary traditions while sampling a wide range of flavours and textures. The event was a wonderful way to bring the boarding community together to celebrate diversity and explore new cultures. Overall, the Lebanese dinner was a huge success, and we look forward to next year’s international dinner!

Albania is a small country situated in southeastern Europe, bordered by Greece, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Kosovo. The country has a rich history, with influences from the Greeks, Romans, and Ottomans. Albanian cuisine is a reflection of this diverse cultural heritage, blending Mediterranean and Balkan flavours with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Dishes like fërgesë, tavë kosi, and byrek are staples of Albanian cuisine, known for their hearty and flavorful nature. Albanian food is a must-try for anyone looking to explore new culinary traditions.

Balancing the amount of time spent online versus socially with friends is crucial for young people’s well-being. While the internet and social media have revolutionised communication and made it easier to connect with others, spending too much time online can lead to negative effects. On the other hand, spending time with friends in person can improve mental health, increase self-esteem, and provide opportunities for learning and growth. Finding a healthy balance between online and offline activities can help young people cultivate meaningful relationships, maintain good mental and physical health, and develop important life skills.

Tonight our Wellbeing Advocate Otabek introduced the Pillar to the House and held a survey to see what our online usage is currently like. We then discussed whether, on a typical day after school, we spend more time online than offline. Most of our phones have a Wellbeing feature which shows our phone usage and which apps we are most engaged with.

Do you have the right balance in your free time, of spending time Online vs Offline?

@thatboardingvibe Live in the real world, not always online #thatboardingvibe @Donato – Con mollica o senza #naples #mollicaosenza #livelifeoffline #napoli ♬ original sound – CDLivin’

Why is it important?

Teaching students about Online Safety is crucial in today’s digital age where children are exposed to the internet at an early age. Educating them about online privacy, cyberbullying, wellbeing balance, phishing scams, and other potential dangers can help protect them from harm. With the ever-increasing use of social media, online gaming, and other online platforms, it’s important to teach students how to be responsible digital citizens. By instilling these skills, students can learn to navigate the online world safely and confidently, and develop good habits that will benefit them throughout their lives.

This is the first generation where their online life and their real life are so intertwined and necessary for daily living.

What we will be covering?

The two main points we will discuss this Pillar are;

Online life vs Real life

It’s important for our students to strike a balance between their online life and their real life. While digital technologies offer many benefits, excessive screen time can have negative impacts on their physical and mental health, academic performance, and social skills. Encouraging children to engage in offline activities such as outdoor activities or reading, and face-to-face interactions with friends helps foster a healthy and well-rounded lifestyle. By teaching students to manage their time and use technology in moderation, we can help them to avoid the potential harms of excessive screen time and build a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Scams, Security and Identity theft

In today’s digital world, online scams are becoming increasingly common and sophisticated, and young people are particularly vulnerable to them. By teaching our students to be savvy online, they can learn to recognise and avoid scams, protecting themselves from financial loss and identity theft. This includes being cautious of unsolicited emails, suspicious links, and fake social media profiles. Additionally, students can learn to safeguard their personal information, use secure passwords, and stay up-to-date with the latest online security measures.

We enjoyed another opportunity to eat together in our Olympus Boarding House. It is a great way to bond and create a sense of community. Sharing dishes family-style encourages conversation and fosters a welcoming atmosphere. It’s an opportunity to try new foods and discover different cultural cuisines which this week was Thai. The social aspect of this communal dining makes it a highlight of the month.

Do you embrace the international community, or do you prefer the convenience of building friendships within your own culture and language?

In this weeks assembly we questioned the boys on whether they had friends from different countries. All the boys thankfully stated they had. This is an important part of being in a Boarding Community and making friends internationally.

“It is easy to make friends with people from the same place”

“Making friends with people from other countries has opened my eyes to different cultures”

“I came here to make friends internationally”

“My friends here, have become like my brothers- it doesn’t matter what country they are from”

“Its a waste of an opportunity to only stay with a group from your own country”

“It’s helped me improve my English”

Boarding schools are unique environments that offer students the opportunity to live, learn, and grow alongside their peers from all over the world. This diversity of backgrounds and cultures can be incredibly enriching for students, as it exposes them to new perspectives, ideas, and ways of life. However, in order for students to truly benefit from this diversity, it is important for them to actively seek out and form international friendships.

One of the most obvious benefits of international friendships is the opportunity to learn about different cultures. When students form friendships with peers from other countries, they have the opportunity to learn about their customs, traditions, and way of life. This can be especially valuable for students who may not have the opportunity to travel abroad or experience different cultures in their own communities.

Additionally, international friendships can help students develop important skills such as communication, empathy, and understanding. In order to form and maintain friendships with people from other cultures, students must learn to navigate linguistic and cultural differences. This can be challenging, but it can also be incredibly rewarding as it helps students develop the ability to communicate effectively with people from all over the world.

Furthermore, forming international friendships can also help students build a sense of global citizenship. When students form friendships with people from other cultures, they begin to see themselves as part of a larger global community. This can help them develop a sense of responsibility and empathy towards people from other cultures, which can be a powerful force for positive change in the world.

In conclusion, boarding school is a unique opportunity for students to live, learn and grow alongside their peers from all over the world. Making international friendships is a great way for students to benefit from this diversity and learn about different cultures, develop important skills and build a sense of global citizenship. Encourage students to actively seek out and form international friendships and make the most of this unique opportunity.