Last Sunday, Alejandra visited the enchanting Montreux Christmas Market, a true gem nestled along the shores of Lake Geneva. The market, with its charming wooden chalets adorned with twinkling lights, offered a festive atmosphere brimming with holiday spirit. Ale strolled through the bustling aisles, marveling at the handcrafted gifts, and savoring the aroma of spiced hot chocolate.

The highlight of the day was the stunning scenery surrounding the market. The shimmering lake mirrored the snow-capped Alps, creating a picturesque backdrop.

Manuela has set her sights on an ambitious goal: completing the Geneva Half Marathon in May. As part of her preparation, she runs and goes to the gym daily. In addition, she decided to take on a unique challenge by participating in the Escalade Race, a beloved tradition held in Geneva every December. This event, known for its lively atmosphere and winding city streets, was the perfect test of her endurance and determination.

Running through the historic old town with cheering crowds spurred her on, making the experience unforgettable. For Manuela, the Escalade Race wasn’t just a warm-up; it was a milestone. Each stride brought her closer to her half-marathon dream, proving that persistence and passion can transform any goal into reality.

This weekend was filled with fun and learning for Kseniia and Alejandra as they embraced their passions in unique ways. Kseniia spent her Saturday at our culinary club, diving into the art of cooking. Under the guidance of the chef, she learned to prepare a mouthwatering grilled chicken with mushrooms risotto. From mastering the perfect sear on the chicken to ensuring the risotto was creamy and flavorful, Kseniia discovered the joys of crafting a restaurant-worthy dish. Her excitement was palpable as she shared her newfound skills and her delicious creation with her friends.

Meanwhile, Alejandra headed to the tennis club for a lively session with her friends. The crisp morning air and the sound of tennis balls being volleyed created the perfect backdrop for an energetic workout. Ale worked on her serves, practiced her backhand, and enjoyed the camaraderie of friendly matches. Her love for the game shone through, and the friendly competition left everyone inspired.

While Kseniia explored flavors in the kitchen, Alejandra honed her skills on the court. Both girls embraced their weekend with enthusiasm, showcasing the diversity of activities available in our clubs and proving that weekends are for growth, fun, and memorable experiences.

Last Thursday we hosted our last Dinner in the House event before the Winter break. The girls enjoyed a delightfully Greek evening filled with pita bread, kebab meat, and Greek salad. Some of our girls had activities or meetings and we weren’t able to all sit together for dinner, but we can assure you everyone left the kitchen with a full stomach and some new stories to share.

Since her arrival in August, Alejandra likes to spend her Saturday mornings on the tennis court. Every weekend, she practices tirelessly, perfecting her serve and working on her agility. Tennis isn’t just a hobby for Alejandra; it’s a way to challenge herself, stay active, and unwind from the stress of school.

As the holiday season approaches, our house embraces the Christmas spirit with open hearts and creative minds. This year, the excitement was palpable as we gathered to transform our home into a festive wonderland. Strings of colorful lights twinkled in the kitchen, while ornaments and cheerful decorations injected warmth and joy in our entrance. We came together, scattering garlands across the handrail and sticking stickers on the windows, each contributing our unique flair to the decor.

Our boarding house, typically a place of study and rest, now buzzed with festive spirit and collaborative energy.

This year, our holiday decor has not only beautified our home but also strengthened our bond as a community. The tree stands proudly in the entrance of the house so anyone can see it as they come visit us, shining as a testament to our shared experiences, respect, and friendship.

Last night we celebrated the Boarding Award Ceremony where we celebrate our amazing boarders!

Manuela was recognized with the Boarding Life Award for her kindness and commitment to our community.

Alejandra’s busy weekends and afternoons with different activities earned her the Boarding Activity Awards.

The last award of the night went to Haruka who won a Boarding Academic Award for achieving outstanding results in the IB2 diploma.

On Tuesday we had a meeting with our 10th grader who participated in a well-being session as part of our wellbeing program to conclude Pillar I: Online Safety. With this session we wanted our student to understand three key points:

• Have you heard of sextortion?
• Do you know what it means to be blackmailed?
• What would you do if someone threatened you online?

As House Parents, it very important to give tools to our students to protect themselves online and to promote a better use of social medias. As teenagers, most of our student have had access to internet and it’s risk at a very young age and it is our role and responsibility to make sure they understand who to navigate the digital world with responsibility.

We also discussed the importance of sharing with an adult or with someone you trust.

Ada had a fantastic evening playing Les Loups-Garous de Thiercelieux with her friends. This strategic and thrilling party game, set in a mysterious village plagued by werewolves, brings out Ada’s competitive spirit and love for social deduction. The group has turned their game nights into a fun competition, tracking who racks up the most wins. Whether she’s a cunning werewolf or a clever villager, Ada enjoys every moment of plotting, guessing, and laughing with her friends. It’s not just about winning—it’s about the shared excitement and unforgettable memories created around the game table. Who will claim victory next?