What better way to start our February assembly than with a beautiful performance of the Chinese zodiac myth by a large group of students, including Edison? Bravo! No doubt, all that effort prior to the premiere was reflected on stage.

A nice representation in which we learned a bit more about which animals are included in the horoscope and the reasons, always with a moral behind them.

Edison took a long time to appear, as his character the pig, the last animal to arrive at the call to form part of the zodiac, required it. But he gave a brilliant and critically applauded performance at CDL.

Most importantly, everyone present had a good time and enjoyed learning a little more about international culture.

Badminton is one of the most popular sports in our boarding community, and Olympus House is no exception. Almost every evening, many students gather in the Olympus indoor gym, engaging in fast-paced rallies and friendly competition. It’s more than just a sport—it’s a social activity where students interact in an active and enjoyable way. In our house, several keen badminton players stand out, with Zilong, Yuchen (both featured in the pictures below), and You-How leading the way.

Badminton is a fast-paced sport that combines speed, strategy, and precision. Originating from British India in the 19th century, it has since become one of the most popular sports in Asia, with China, Indonesia, South Korea, and Denmark producing some of the world’s top players. Beyond its competitive edge, badminton enhances agility, coordination, and decision-making, making it both a physically demanding and mentally engaging game.

Here are a few badminton terms to enhance your vocabulary:

• A shuttlecock (or birdie) is a cone-shaped projectile with a feathered or plastic skirt and a cork or rubber base, designed for high-drag flight in badminton.
• Let – A legitimate cessation of play to allow a rally to be replayed
• Clear – A high, deep shot sent to the back of the opponent’s court.
• Drop shot – A delicate shot that barely clears the net and lands softly.

We had another great weekend filled with an abundance of activities. Here is an interview with Bohdan.

Which activity did you choose this weekend?

Climbing.

Why climbing?

It helps me to train my forearms and control my body better

Do you always choose the same activity each weekend?

Yes

Why?

I tried tennis and cooking before, wouldn’t say I didn’t like it, just prefer climbing more.

What do you think of the Weekend Programme that is offered?

I like it. It helps to students not only make the progress in things they like, but even socialise more

Building Stronger Connections: Self-Awareness and Self-Care

This month, we focused on an essential wellbeing theme: healthy relationships begin within. Before building strong connections with others, students must first develop a positive relationship with themselves.

Through self-awareness, they understand their emotions, values, and boundaries. Through self-acceptance, they embrace who they are—flaws and all. These qualities create meaningful relationships.

Prioritising Self-Care and Boundaries

This week, we continued with the Empty Cup demonstration which illustrated the importance of replenishing ourselves to avoid burnout. We shared practical self-care tips and explored setting healthy boundaries through an interactive Kahoot, sparking discussions on saying no and respecting personal limits.

Positive relationships start with self-awareness and self-acceptance. By prioritising self-care and setting boundaries, students create space for fulfilling connections with themselves and others.

As every weekend our Olympians embark on different activities to give their best, discover new hobbies or just relax.

But how nice it is when connections are generated that go beyond that, for example Lorenzzo had a strong connection with his horse, enjoying horse riding during the Saturday morning, or in the kitchen, working as a team and making delicious dishes like Nicolas, or also a great connection, often forgotten, the connection with oneself as for example Bohdan reaches on the climbing wall challenging himself every weekend.

This past Sunday, House Olympus was proudly represented at an exhilarating ski day at La Tzoumaz Resort. Our boys hit the slopes with energy and enthusiasm, carving through the snow in a true display of skill and confidence. From sharp turns to high-speed descents, they embraced the challenge, proving that the Olympus spirit is just as strong on the mountains as it is in the classroom.

But the day wasn’t just about skiing—it was also about camaraderie. After an action-packed morning on the slopes, the team took full advantage of the beautiful resort, soaking in the crisp alpine air and making the most of a well-earned day of winter fun. Whether tackling new trails or simply enjoying the breathtaking views, it was an experience to remember.

A huge shoutout to our Olympus boys for their enthusiasm and for representing our house with pride. Here’s to more adventures, more challenges, and more unforgettable moments on and off the slopes!

Best,
The Olympus Team

In sports slang, a derby is a match in which two teams with a maximum rivalry face each other, usually due to a shared history, geographical proximity,y or who knows what other reasons we can find, for example here in CDL Boarding, this year the two teams that are playing best in the internal league are the Galacticos FC (with students from various houses playing together, highlighting the goalkeeper Sebastian and the playmaker Nicolas, from Olympus) and the Staff Team.

Everyone had been waiting for this match for many days and today it was finally played, the match had what spectators love but coaches hate: goals.

Galacticos started with a good approach, taking a 2-0 lead, with an attractive game and solid defense with a great Estaban at the back. But the potential of the staff team and good cohesion as a team equalized the game 6-6, taking the game to extra time, exciting until the last minute.

The staff team got the win with a golden goal, but we are certainly looking forward to the next game to see these two teams face each other.

Many thanks to referee and tournament organizer Spencer.

Olympus House is delighted to extend a warm welcome to our newest boarders! After two weeks of settling in, we’re thrilled to introduce four incredible students who have joined our community.

From Brazil, we welcome Gabriel, Mateus, and Lorenzzo. Their energy and enthusiasm have already made a positive impact, and we’re excited to see them thrive in their new home. Joining them is Victor from China, whose presence adds even more diversity and cultural richness to our boarding house.

Adjusting to a new environment is never easy, but these lads have embraced the challenge with open hearts and minds. We are confident that they will continue to build lasting friendships and create wonderful memories here at Olympus House.

Once again, a huge welcome to Gabriel, Mateus, Lorenzzo, and Victor—we are so happy to have you with us!

The Lunar New Year is here, and with it comes a chance to celebrate new beginnings, reflect on the past, and embrace hope for the year ahead. For our boarding school community, it’s a wonderful opportunity to come together, share traditions, and connect across cultures.

This year, as we welcome the Year of the Snake (2025), we are inspired by the snake’s symbolism of wisdom, adaptability, and resilience—qualities we encourage in our students every day. From decorating with red for good fortune to sharing festive meals, this celebration reminds us to honour diversity and look ahead with optimism.