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.

This past weekend, students from Collège du Léman embarked on an adventurous weekend trip to the stunning Crans-Montana ski resort. Staying at the charming Parc Hotel, the trip was filled with camaraderie, laughter, and plenty of outdoor fun. Here’s a look back at our unforgettable journey to the Swiss Alps.

Friday Evening: Settling In The weekend began with a delightful dinner at the hotel, where students had the chance to unwind and settle into their cozy accommodations. With a bit of free time afterward, it was the perfect way to ease into the weekend’s activities and set the tone for an exciting adventure ahead.

Saturday: Skiing the Majestic Slopes Bright and early on Saturday, we headed to the Crans-Montana ski resort, ready to conquer the slopes. With its altitude ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 meters, the resort offers 140 kilometers of south-facing pistes that cater to all skill levels. Students were divided into four groups to accommodate their skiing abilities—ranging from beginners (levels 1 and 2) to advanced skiers (levels 3 and 4). Whether tackling gentle slopes or racing down challenging runs, everyone had a chance to enjoy the crisp mountain air and the thrill of skiing.

At lunchtime, we gathered at a mountaintop restaurant to refuel. Not only was the meal delicious, but the panoramic views were absolutely breath-taking, stretching from the Plaine Morte Glacier to the Rhône Valley. From the Dufourspitze to Mont Blanc and even the Matterhorn, the vista showcased a dazzling array of Alpine peaks. Afterward, we skied back down to the resort, where we took some much-needed rest.

Saturday Night: Games and Prizes The fun continued in the evening with a lively board game night. Students played Connect 4, Jenga, and Rummikub, testing their wits and strategy against one another. To top it all off, we hosted an exhilarating bingo night, complete with exciting prizes. The laughter and cheers filled the room, creating lasting memories for everyone involved.

Sunday: Sledding and Farewell Runs On our final day, we ascended the mountain once more for a mix of activities. While some students chose to ski again, others embraced the thrill of sledding—launching each other down snowy hills with pure delight. It was a perfect way to wrap up our Alpine adventure.

As the weekend came to a close, we packed up our gear and boarded the bus back to campus. Exhausted yet exhilarated, most of us couldn’t resist taking a nap on the way home. The weekend was a resounding success, thanks to the incredible behaviour and enthusiasm of our students.

Fun Facts About Crans-Montana

• The Crans-Montana region enjoys an average of over 2,000 hours of sunshine annually, making it one of the sunniest spots in Switzerland.
• The Plaine Morte Glacier, located at an altitude of 3,000 meters, is a natural marvel and a must-visit for nature enthusiasts.
• Crans-Montana isn’t just about skiing—it’s also famous for its golf courses, hosting prestigious tournaments like the Omega European Masters.

Thank You! A special thank you goes out to the Camp Department for organizing this incredible trip. Your efforts ensured a seamless and enjoyable experience for all. And of course, thanks to our amazing students for their enthusiasm and good spirits throughout the weekend. Here’s to more adventures in the future!

At our monthly assembly, Ikuma took the stage with two other colleagues to present in front of the whole Boarding how the new year is celebrated in Japan, his part was very much listened to as it was about the typical dishes that accompany the celebrations, we have certainly learned that the choice of dishes apart from their taste are chosen for their meaning and tradition.

Leave in the comments what is the typical food of your country or community to celebrate the new year.

Well done Ikuma! And once again Happy New Year to you all!

International dinners are back! This week we have traveled to North Africa to savour the Moroccan culture from the warmth of its dishes.

We have discovered couscous which is mixed with some tasty meat and vegetables can be a great combination, and can always be accompanied with a mint tea which always invites you to have a good conversation with friends.

Welcome back to the boarding house, everyone! We hope you had a wonderful holiday season filled with joy, rest, and plenty of festive cheer.

As we kick off Semester 2, it’s time to refocus, set new goals, and embrace all the exciting opportunities ahead. From fun house challenges to personal growth milestones, this is your chance to make it a memorable start to 2025.

Let’s work together to support one another, build our house spirit, and create an amazing community where everyone thrives. Here’s to another fantastic semester—let’s make it count!

#WelcomeBack #Semester2 #BoardingLife #NewYearNewGoals

Last night, the Olympians came together for their final house meeting of the term before heading home for the Christmas and New Year holidays. The evening, thoughtfully organized by our senior house parent, Mr. Gordon, provided a perfect blend of fun, reflection, and camaraderie.

Using the interactive voting platform, Mentimeter, the boys participated in a lighthearted activity where they cast votes on playful questions like, “Who is most likely to become president?” The room was filled with laughter and good-natured debate as results were revealed. To keep spirits high, a spread of snacks—popcorn, biscuits, and crisps—was available for everyone to enjoy.

As the days grow darker and the pace of the academic calendar slows, the Olympians are ready for a well-deserved break. Reflecting on the year, it’s clear that 2023 has been packed with unforgettable moments and opportunities to grow as a community.

From the excitement of trips to Lucerne, Disneyland, and the Montreux Christmas Market, to cultural highlights like Geneva’s L’Escalade Festival and the Europark trip, the calendar has been nothing short of action-packed. On campus, the boys carved pumpkins for Halloween, explored their competitive side during the Boarding Awards, and joined in enriching activities like the ever-popular Climbing Club.

As we close this chapter and look forward to the festive season, we’re reminded of the importance of coming together, celebrating achievements, and cherishing the bonds formed throughout the year. Wishing all our Olympians and their families a joyful holiday season and a Happy New Year!

Here’s to a restorative break and an exciting 2024 ahead. 🎄✨

This past week, CDL proudly celebrated Excellence Week. Throughout the year, we embrace the different pillars of our school motto, R.I.S.E., which stands for Respect, Internationalism, Spirit, and Excellence.

While our Boarding Awards recently highlighted many achievements, last week was an opportunity to nominate students who consistently go above and beyond, embodying the commendable qualities of a boarder. Olympus Boarding House is fortunate to have many outstanding candidates who excel in diverse areas. Among them are students with exceptional academic achievements, boasting GPAs above 4.00, others demonstrating sporting excellence by representing national teams, and many who engage in exemplary charity work. These are just a few examples of the remarkable talents and contributions within our community.

For Excellence Week, we are thrilled to acknowledge Ikuma for his exceptional contributions and achievements.

Ikuma excels across multiple domains: personally, within the boarding community, in the local Geneva area, and even on an international level. As an IB1 student, Ikuma demonstrates academic excellence with exceptional grades, achieved through his dedicated and disciplined approach to his studies. Within the CDL community, he represents the voice of Olympus House as a member of the Dining Hall Committee, ensuring that students’ perspectives are heard and valued.

Ikuma’s impact extends beyond the school. Locally, he volunteers at a supplementary Japanese school in Geneva, assisting with marking and supporting classwork. His commitment is evident, having dedicated five Saturdays to this meaningful work. On an international level, Ikuma has shown entrepreneurial ingenuity through a food truck project in Seoul. This initiative introduced fusion onigiri featuring popular Korean ingredients like Bulgogi and Pork Kimchi, creatively bridging Japanese and Korean culinary traditions. The project was not only a testament to his innovation and cultural appreciation but also provided freshly made, delicious meals to the local community.

Ikuma’s dedication, creativity, and community spirit make him a shining example of excellence at CDL. We are proud to celebrate his achievements and look forward to seeing his continued impact within and beyond our school community.

This pillar is championed by Mr. Callum and Mr. Victor, who are guiding us on this meaningful journey.

Imagine a world where everyone was exactly the same—identical in appearance, wearing the same clothes, eating the same meals, and speaking the same language. It wouldn’t take long for things to feel monotonous, right? What makes life vibrant and exciting is our differences. Diversity is simply the recognition of these differences.

At CDL, we take pride in celebrating the rich diversity that defines our community. It’s essential to approach others with tolerance and understanding, especially when their “normal” may differ from our own. By fostering acceptance and showing kindness to one another, we actively create an environment where bullying has no place and everyone feels safe and supported.

Our first step is to open an honest conversation about the perceptions of bullying within our boarding community. Does it occur? And if so, what role can each of us play in supporting one another and building a united, inclusive environment?

Too often, it’s easy to use labels without considering the harm they can cause. Instead, let’s focus on uplifting and encouraging each other, creating a community where everyone feels valued and respected.

@thatboardingvibe CDL Boarding Winter Dance #thatboardingvibe #winterdance #christmasparty #schooldance #cdl @Collège du Léman ♬ Christmas Rock Party – Beat-Hoven