Nowruz is a time for renewal, rejuvenation, and new beginnings, and the traditional foods served during this time reflect this spirit. One of the most important dishes is “sabzi polo mahi,” which is a fragrant and flavorful dish made with basmati rice cooked with fresh herbs such as dill, cilantro, parsley, and fenugreek, and served with fried fish. This dish represents prosperity and abundance, as fish is considered a symbol of fertility and rice is a symbol of wealth.

Another popular dish is “kuku sabzi,” a savoury herb and vegetable frittata made with eggs, parsley, cilantro, dill, scallions, and other greens. This dish is often served as a snack or appetizer during Nowruz celebrations.

Other Nowruz dishes include “ash reshteh,” a hearty noodle soup made with beans, lentils, herbs, and spices, and “dolmeh barg,” stuffed grape leaves filled with a mixture of ground meat, rice, herbs, and spices.

Finally, no Nowruz celebration would be complete without sweets, and one of the most popular desserts is “shirini berenji,” a sweet and fragrant rice pudding made with milk, sugar, and rosewater, and topped with pistachios, almonds, or other nuts.

Overall, Nowruz food is a wonderful and delicious celebration of the arrival of spring and the hope for new beginnings.

Here are some photos from the International Dinner:

Talent shows can be a fun and exciting way for students to showcase their skills and talents and for the school community to come together and celebrate their accomplishments.

For Olympus students, the talent show has been an opportunity to display their diverse talents, such as singing, dancing, acting, or playing musical instruments. Students may have spent weeks or months preparing for their performances, practising their routines, and perfecting their skills.

During the talent show, students likely experienced a range of emotions, from nervousness and anticipation before going on stage to excitement and satisfaction after their performances. They may have also felt a sense of pride and accomplishment as they received applause and positive feedback from the audience.

Overall, the talent show can be a memorable and enjoyable experience for students and can help to build a sense of community and camaraderie among the school community.

Here are some photos of Olympus students in their performance:

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This weekend our Olympus Boarding House boys enjoyed a lot, as always, of activities and free time inside and outside the house. On Sunday, in fact, a large group of our lads participated in a massive Paintball competition, standing out for their precision and teamwork.

Here are some photos of the activities:

Aleksei (pictured right) and Navi attend their weekly climbing session with discipline. In the last weeks they have improved their grip and balance a lot.

Nikolai and Bohdan (pictured right, with his twin brother) are becoming really good tennis players, as they practice every weekend. The latter was no exception, of course.

To round off the weekend in the best possible way, twelve of our Olympus boys took part in an intense game of Paintball. Throughout Sunday morning they proved that they are capable of using strategy and teamwork in equal measure to get the best out of themselves as a group.

Online safety is an important aspect of overall well-being in today’s digital age, and as part of Pillar 4 of the Wellbeing programme, we focused on scams, security, and identity theft.

Scams, security, and identity theft can all have serious consequences for students, ranging from financial loss to damaging one’s reputation or identity. It’s important to be aware of the different types of online scams that exist, such as phishing scams, malware and social engineering. By learning how to identify these scams and take appropriate precautions, individuals can better protect themselves and their personal information online.

In our House Meetings this week the Wellbeing Advocates delivered a presentation on How to identify scams and how to protect themselves.

They also did a Kahoot Quiz to see how informed they are about online safety. The questions were;

Portuguese cuisine is known for its rich and diverse flavours, influenced by a variety of cultural and historical factors. Some popular Portuguese dishes include grilled seafood, salt cod dishes, stews, and pastries.

It was delicious and enjoyed by many. The combination of flavorful spices, fresh ingredients, and traditional cooking techniques can make Portuguese cuisine a real crowd-pleaser.

It is also worth noting that food can be an important part of cultural exchange and learning. By sampling different dishes from around the world, diners can gain a greater appreciation for the diverse food cultures that exist globally. The International Dinner may have provided a great opportunity for people to try new foods and learn more about the cultural traditions behind them.

Here, there are some pictures of the International Dinner:

Events like football matches can provide boarding students with a chance to bond with their peers and build a sense of community within their boarding house. Students from Olympus boarding house specifically, felt a sense of pride and camaraderie in representing their house on the field.

Overall, it’s wonderful that staff and students were able to come together and enjoy a fun and exciting football match.

Here is a picture at the end of the match:

Olympus students had a fun and active weekend engaging in a variety of different activities:

First, Murat, Tim, Ivan, and Gary played Badminton and Ayu played table tennis. Both indoor sports are popular, as they provide a great opportunity to stay active while also socializing with friends. Otabek, Aleksei, Navidreza and Ilya went climbing which challenges both physical and mental abilities and requires focus and strategy.

Secondly, Lael, Murat, Tim, and Richard played basketball and Artem played volleyball. They enjoyed this wonderful sporty time!

Temur went to Lavey’s les bains Spa. It is a great way to unwind and relax after a long week of studying and activities. The spa offers a range of services such as hot springs, saunas, and massages, which could help Temur relieves stress and relax his body and mind.

Finally, Nikolai and Adi played chess, a classic board game that requires critical thinking and strategy and can be enjoyed both individually and with friends.

Overall, it seems that Olympus students had a diverse and enjoyable weekend, engaging in a range of activities that catered to different interests and skill levels.

Here, there are some pictures from this amazing weekend:

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’

Turkish food is widely regarded as delicious and diverse. Turkish cuisine has a rich history and incorporates flavours and techniques from various regions, such as the Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Central Asia.

Some popular Turkish dishes include kebabs, meze (small plates of appetizers), baklava (a sweet pastry dessert), Turkish delight (a type of candy), and various types of stews and soups. Turkish cuisine also features a lot of fresh vegetables, herbs, and spices, which contribute to its unique and delicious flavours.

Overall, Turkish food is loved by many people around the world for its variety, flavour, and cultural significance.

Here, there are some pictures of the international dinner:

This weekend we have had an amazing series of activities carried out by our Olympus kids. From the usual tennis to an awesome trip to the beautiful city of Barcelona, our students have enjoyed the weekend as only they know how.

The weekend started with our annual ski competition, in which our representative, Artem, had an amazing performance. We were all very proud of him at Olympus Boarding House.

As every Saturday, Aleksei, Navi, Herman (left photo) and Maksim (right photo) climbed like cats and enjoyed the climbing club very much.

Bohdan (pictured right) attended, as usual, tennis lessons. On this occasion, he was accompanied by Nikolai (pictured left), who wanted to improve his serve.

And, last but not least, Aoto, Ryu and Läel (all in the down left photo with Martin) participated in the organized trip to the city of Barcelona, in Spain. There they could know the insides of one of the largest football stadiums in the world, the Camp Nou. They also visited the cathedral of Sagrada Familia and the Park Güell.