What a performance it has been! A huge well done to all the performers for this outstanding production of Romeo and Juliet. The talent, emotion, and energy brought to the stage were truly unforgettable.I thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment from start to finish. The outdoor set added a unique and atmospheric touch, making the experience even more special. Bravo to everyone involved.
This week’s Boarder of the Week is Jade! She’s positive, kind, and she has just done a fabulous job on her recent math test. Congratulations, Jade! Keep up the great work.
Today, Victoire turned 14! We had an incredible time celebrating this lovely girl all together, with the house fully decorated by Ms. Rym and lots of treats on the table to share over the laughter, dancing, and music.
Happiest of birthdays to you, Victoire! We love you and wish you all the best for another fantstic year of life.
Tonight, our weekly international dinner was made even more special, as we enjoyed it outdoors in the beautiful Concha garden! We had Brazilian salad with avocado, corn, and tomato, and delicious Pão de queijo (a small cheese bread) for starters. For our main, we chose between chicken or pork Feijoada, a traditional Brazilian stew with black beans. Our dessert options were incredible, as we had both Brigadeiros (a fudgey truffle ball) and some creamy ice cream to help cool us down. What a treat!
For our final dinner at home this year, we were treated to an American feast of burgers, fries, and, of course, donuts for dessert! As it was our last dinner at home for the year, we took extra time to slow down, savor the moments, and reminisce about all the fun we’ve had, and progress we’ve made.
Dinners at home have not only been a chance to try more delicious international food, they’ve been an incredible opportunity to sit together as a house, in our own home, and share a meal and deep conversation.
Here’s to a wonderful year of memories, food, and fun together!
Here are a few snapshots capturing the final leg of our students’ incredible cycling trip and what a journey it has been!This experience has been truly memorable, offering our middle school students a powerful lesson in endurance, commitment, and what’s possible when you challenge yourself. The sense of achievement was palpable, and many of the students have already said they’d love to do it again next year!
We are so proud of every single participant who took part in this adventure. A huge thank you goes to our amazing Activities Coordinator, Mr. Mike, whose dedication and planning made this opportunity possible.
After such a rewarding few days, we’re sure everyone will sleep very well tonight!
This week’s boarder of the week is Melissa! We are so proud of her determination and eagerness to push herself in everything she does. Well done, Melissa! Keep up the great work.
We had a fantastic weekend with Maya, who joined us in boarding for the week! She embraced the experience wholeheartedly and participated in all the activities with great enthusiasm.
We made delicious cupcakes and a pear and cinnamon cake together. In the evening, the CDB boys joined us for a relaxed movie night, where we watched the classic film School of Rock, always a hit!
On Sunday morning, we were lucky to have much better weather. We started the day with a lovely brunch, then the girls joined me for the gardening club, followed by a few hours of fun at the Concha swimming pool. Meanwhile, Jade spent the day out enjoying time with her day student friend. Middle school girls continued their 2nd day cycling adventure!!
After weeks of planning and training for this exciting adventure, the day finally arrived! our students set off this morning on their cycling journey around Lake Léman!
Although the weather wasn’t ideal, their spirits were high as they embraced the challenge with enthusiasm. They’ve successfully completed the first leg of the trip, arriving in Lausanne, 30 km from CDL.
Tomorrow, they’ll continue with the next stage of their journey. Stay tuned for more updates as their adventure unfolds!
What an incredible semi-final match last night between CDB & Terray and Léman! The game was intense and closely contested from start to finish, with both teams giving it their all.
The juniors played exceptionally well, showcasing great teamwork, skill, and determination. In the end, the best team won with a final score of 5–4.
Congratulations to both teams for an unforgettable match!
A huge congratulations to our boarder of the week– Miyuki! We love her bright spirit and positive energy. Keep up the great work, Miyuki!
This long weekend, we had the chance to spend some quality time together in the sun – visiting Geneva, going to the pool, and enjoying outdoor activities. The girls also got to try wake boarding and continued practicing their cycling. On top of that, they had some fun sleepovers with their friends and took the opportunity to recharge their batteries before the end of the school year!
Please find below some pictures from the weekend. We extend our warmest wishes for the week and month ahead — hopefully filled with good weather and more outdoor fun like we had over the past few days.
Best wishes,
The Villa Terray Team 🩵
Today, we celebrated Jade’s birthday with some of her school friends, and the afternoon was filled with fun and laughter! The party was themed around classic party games, and the girls absolutely loved the entertainment, the competition was fierce!
We were thrilled to share this joyful moment and make the day truly special for Jade. She received many wonderful gifts, but the one that stood out the most was a gigantic Hello Kitty teddy bear!
We wish Jade all the very best for the year ahead and hope it’s filled with happiness, growth, and lots of success!
A massive congratulations to our two Boarders of the Week – Julia & Victoire! These two ladies have done a stellar job spreading positivity and motivation throughout the house. Keep up the great work!
This weekend was all about sunshine and staying active! With beautiful weather and a great mix of activities, our students enjoyed every moment!whether relaxing on campus, gardening, baking, Wakeboarding or joining cycling practice .
It was the perfect balance of fun and connection, giving everyone a chance to unwind, recharge, and enjoy time together.
The campus was buzzing with energy as students, parents, and staff came together to share food, music, and traditions from all around the world. Each stand had something delicious to try from savoury bites to sweet treats and everything was made with so much care.
The music and country-themed stands really set the vibe, and the entertainment area was a hit with everyone. It was great to see so many students proudly representing their cultures and dressed in traditional clothes, adding colour and authenticity to the celebration.
A heartfelt thank you to our amazing Parents’ Association, who once again organised an unforgettable event. Their dedication and effort continue to make this day a highlight of the school year.
Tonight, we delivered the final session of Pillar 4: Making Safe and Responsible Choices, which focused on Empathy & Respect, particularly in the context of conflict resolution.
We played an engaging role-playing scenario game, created just for this pillar, called “Whose Mess Is It?” In this game, the students learned how to solve common household arguments with empathy and respect for one another.
This session allowed our students to gain a deeper understanding of the important impact that empathy and respect can have when solving disputes. We look forward to applying what we learned to real-life scenarios. Well done, Terray and Champs des Bois, for your enthusiastic participation in this pillar!
This week’s boarder of the week is Melissa! We love the positive energy and vibrant spirit she brings to the house. Congratulations, Melissa!
What a glorious weekend it has been! Collège du Léman has been bathed in sunshine, and we’ve taken every opportunity possible to bask in the golden rays this weekend.
We enjoyed a variety of activities on Saturday and Sunday, including Cooking, Wakeboarding, participating in the 24 hour charity fun run, and, of course, Cycling, in preparation for the upcoming Léman Journey!
This weekend’s Cycling session was especially exciting as the girls embarked on a short excursion between the picturesque villages of Coppet and Nyon.
We are all looking forward to more time outside, and more opportunities to enjoy beautiful Lake Geneva.
Today we held the Assembly of the academic year, bringing all students together before the upcoming Year 12 graduations.
In this session, we learned about the exciting trips planned for next year – including destinations such as the south of Spain (for surfing), Tanzania, Costa Rica, Monaco, and more. We also heard about some exciting opportunities coming up sooner, like the 24-Hour Challenge, where Ms. Ana and Ms. Sophia, alongside other students from different houses and staff, will be participating to raise funds for thyroid cancer research.
You can support this important cause by visiting the following link:
👉 https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-support-thyroid-cancer-research
Please find below some pictures of the girls from today – both during the Assembly and while completing the reading session.
Best wishes,
JB Terray Team 🩵
A lovely Italian dinner at home with the girls! They truly enjoyed this special moment together, breaking away from the usual routine of having supper on campus.
It was a warm, convivial evening filled with laughter and good food 😊
Congratulations to Annabella and Julia for earning the Boarders of the Week title! We are so proud of these girls for their dedication to the boarding routine and for encouraging others to follow suit. Well done, ladies, and keep up the good work!
What a packed weekend it’s been!!! full of activities our students truly enjoy! From start to finish, there wasn’t a dull moment at Collège du Léman. We believe weekends are for creating memories, trying new experiences, and building friendships and this one was no exception!
Stay tuned for more updates as we head into another exciting week.
A huge thank you to Mr. Andres for organising such a wonderful get together for our junior boarders!
The idea of a barbecue perfectly set the tone for a summer themed evening, especially with the warm weather on our side. Everyone enjoyed a fantastic selection of meats and burgers, always a favourite !along with sweet treats, ice cream, and snacks.
The evening wrapped up with a much-loved game of Werewolf, bringing lots of laughter and excitement.
Evenings like this offer students a great opportunity to relax, socialise, and enjoy the outdoors together — creating lasting memories!
Today, we began the new pillar, “Making Safe and Responsible Choices,” with a video that introduced the section — explaining how the process was conducted, the challenges involved in selecting a meaningful topic for this new pillar, and the importance of choosing something that resonates with our students.
It’s Wednesday again, and we all know what that means: another delicious international dinner! Tonight’s theme was New Zealand, and we had a wonderful experience savoring tender lamb, roasted potatoes, puréed peas, and an assortment of delicious side dishes. Below you can see photos of us enjoying our feast, and learn a little bit more about the beautiful country of New Zealand!
A huge congratulations to Sora and Emily, who are our Boarders of the Week!
Well done to Emily for assisting Sora with settling in, and well done to Sora for a seamless transition to boarding life. They make a great pair of roommates!
This weekend was full of activities! The girls had the chance to go horse riding, prepare for next month’s lake loop cycling event, do some cooking, take part in Pilates, attend art club, and play tennis.
We’re also focusing on taking care of our bodies and minds this month with the May Fitness Challenge. We’ll keep you updated on our progress!
Best wishes for a great week ahead,
JB Terray team 🩵
May is going to be a month of physical activity for Terray! Training for the Léman Journey Program, an initiative to raise money for the organization World Bicycle Relief, has officially kicked off. This organization provides bicycles to individuals in developing countries, and our students have an amazing opportunity to contribute to these life-changing efforts.
Our girls tested out bicycles this week and got their bearings in preparation for this incredible 190km cycling journey around Lake Geneva that they will embark on from June 7th-9th.
A link to our fundraising page can be found here, where you can register to support this fantastic cause. Please share this link with family, friends, and on social media–every donation counts!
We have also started the May fitness Challenge, where our girls have the opportunity to complete a different physical feat each day of the month, in order to stay active and grounded.
Check out some photos of our girls preparing for the Léman Journey Program below, and take a look at the May Fitness Challenge as well. We are looking forward to staying active this spring!
Tonight we had the opportunity to sample some delicious flavors from Venezuela! The menu included chips and guacamole, a zesty onion salad, glazed sweet potatoes, and delicious pepitos, a type of Venezuelan sandwich, with grilled chicken and beef. Check out some photos of us enjoying our meals below!
The girls gathered this evening to share their most memorable moments from their Easter holidays. Our get together quickly turned into a huge giggle fest. It was so heartwarming to see them bonding and enjoying each other’s company.
We all agreed to make more time for sharing special moments like this throughout the rest of the year.
Keep checking our blog posts regularly!!! we can’t wait to share more of our adventures with you!
We are absolutely delighted to welcome Sora to our community! This marks the beginning of a wonderful journey in boarding life! making new friendships, learning a new language, and experiencing all that Swiss life has to offer. We are excited to support Sora in this new adventure and look forward to seeing her grow and thrive with us!
We would like to wish you all a lovely and restful Easter break with your families, friends, and loved ones!
The Terray Team 🩵
Our house dinner has now been moved to Tuesdays, and we were delighted to share this moment together this evening. The meal was inspired by Middle Eastern cuisine!”
Thank you, Grade 7, for this enchanting performance filled with beautiful songs and impressive instrumental pieces this evening!
We wish you a very happy birthday! May this year bring you exciting adventures, new friendships, and lots of amazing memories. Keep shining bright and being the wonderful person you are.
Have the best birthday ever!
A wonderful Spring Show featuring the incredible work of our extracurricular clubs! We were truly enchanted by the students’ performances. A special highlight of the evening was Jade’s singing Imagine from John Lennon song,her angelic voice was simply superb!
Another fantastic achievement for Julia! Today, she proudly represented CDL in a basketball match and returned home with a well-earned third-place victory. Alongside this success, she was also awarded the Creative Thinking Award for her outstanding project on the Paralympics. We are extremely proud of her accomplishments!
Tonight, we enjoyed a feast from India! The girls savored perfectly seasoned butter chicken atop white rice, creamy daal, flakey roti, and spiced Indian vegetables.
International Dinners are a wonderful mid-week treat that we always look forward to. After a busy start to the week, this delicious meal was just what we needed as a well-earned pick-me-up.
Below, you can read some facts about the beautiful country of India. Did you know that Bollywood produces more movies a year than Hollywood?
Tonight, Terray learned a lot about mindfulness during our Wellbeing Session for Pillar 4’s Healthy Bodies and Minds. In this session, we discussed what mindfulness is, and how to incorporate it into our daily lives. We learned about slowing down and being present in each moment and strategies to slow down our brains when it feels like our thoughts are going too fast or when they overwhelm us.
Our girls are stepping up to a challenge of taking 5 minutes a day to slow down, take a breath, and savor every moment in life, no matter how big or small. This session was especially enjoyable as we all took time to close our eyes, breathe, and ground ourselves in the present. Now, we invite you to join us and take a moment to relax your shoulders, close your eyes, and take some nice deep breaths in and out.
Spring is beginning to bloom on campus, with flowers blossoming and the weather warming up! This weekend, we also moved our clocks forward for daylight saving time – on Saturday night, the time changed from 2am to 3am.
The girls had a fantastic time engaging in various activities, including cooking, karate, horse riding, shopping in Geneva, and a park adventure, where they had fun playing in the woods!
Best wishes,
Villa Terray team 🩵
Tonight, we enjoyed a delicious mix of flavors from Greece! We had chicken kebabs and souvlaki in fluffy pita, with plenty of Tzatziki and fresh veggies piled on top. For dessert, we savored a special Greek yogurt with raisins. Everyone enjoyed tonight’s meal, with some girls taking some extra pita for the road!
International meals here at CDL are made even more enjoyable by the country fact sheets that decorate the cafeteria. Below, you can read some interesting facts about Greece! Did you know that the Greek language is one of the oldest written languages still in use today? It is over 3,400 years old!
A wonderful evening filled with entertainment and talent! Our girls made us proud. We will update you on the competition rankings soon. The night was packed with incredible performances, keeping the suspense alive until tomorrow!
Jade was all set to enjoy a few days away with her classmates in the charming, rustic ski region of Champéry. We wished our Grade 5 students an amazing time on the slopes, making memories and embracing the winter adventure! ⛷️❄️
This past weekend at Terray was nothing short of incredible! With the sun shining and spirits high, we had plenty of achievements to celebrate,from impressive horse presentations and stunning artwork to horse riding sessions, Talent Show rehearsals, cooking adventures, and even some gardening skills. Our boarders never cease to amaze us with their enthusiasm and dedication!
Each weekend, our students have the opportunity to engage in a variety of activities, helping them explore their potential and nurture their passions. Beyond the busy schedule, we also took time to unwind with a trip to town,stocking up on essentials and enjoying a well-deserved day out off campus.
As always, we are so proud of our students for their curiosity, creativity, and commitment. Stay tuned for more exciting updates from Terray!
Even in cold and rainy weather, we have great weekends at Terray!
This weekend was packed with our usual activities, including horse riding, hip-hop dance, cooking, and tennis. Friday, we took time to complete our weekly guided reading session together, allowing us to unwind and relax together. Saturday was our busiest day this weekend, with the girls attending their go-to activities. On Sunday, we did some crafts together and prepared for the upcoming talent show.
Overall it was a lovely weekend, and we are so excited for the weather to continue to improve so we can spend more time together outside!
We have officially started our fourth wellbeing pillar in Terray, Healthy Bodies and Minds!
For the first week of this pillar, we focused on nutrition, providing our students with a better understanding of calories and portion sizes, as well as how to make healthy food choices and the importance of staying hydrated.
Tonight’s video centered on portion sizes, water intake, and calorie needs for different age groups, teaching our students more about how to best care for their bodies. We look forward to exploring more of this very important pillar in the coming weeks, and learning more about how to nourish our bodies and minds!
Tonight, we had another lovely dinner at home. We are treated to a dinner at home one Thursday per month, and each dinner has a different country for its theme. We had Indonesian food tonight, featuring Nasi Goreng, chicken skewers with sauce, and delicious coconut cakes for dessert! Dinner at home for Terray means a chance to connect with one another as a family. We are so thankful for these opportunities and always look forward to eating together in the house. Check out some yummy photos below!
We absolutely love our weekend activities here at Terray! This past weekend was particularly special, as several of our girls took part in a heartfelt activity to celebrate Women’s Day. In this creative and meaningful project, they used paint and their hands as stencils to craft beautiful collages honoring the women in their lives. Alongside this, we also enjoyed our regular weekend activities like cooking, horseback riding, tennis, and much more!
We had a fantastic weekend filled with our favourite activities! The weather was exceptional, and the girls made the most of it with a fun water fight, baking a delicious chocolate cake, and spending the evening in Olympus playing games. Laughter, bonding, and great times
A massive well done to the CDL team who traveled to Budapest to compete against other schools! The games were intense, but through teamwork and determination, they secured an impressive 2nd place.
We are especially proud of our boarder, Julia, who played a key role in helping her team bring home both a medal and a trophy for the school. The trip was a fantastic experience filled with camaraderie, thrilling competition, and the magic of Budapest.
A huge thank you to all the coaches who made this incredible opportunity possible!
Tonight we enjoyed another fantastic international dinner, this time with the theme of Mexico! Our girls enjoyed soft corn tacos with shredded beef, tortilla chips with guacamole, and seasoned rice. For dessert, we were treated to cream puffs with chocolate and spices on top– the heat definitely surprised some of us! This meal was definitely a favorite among Terray with many of the girls going back for seconds. We are so thankful to be able to experience cuisine from around the world here at CDL!
This morning, two of our boarders were selected to represent CDL as they travel to Budapest to compete alongside students from other schools in basketball and football tournaments. This is an incredible opportunity for them to showcase their skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship on an international stage.
We are extremely proud of their achievement and wish them the best of luck in the competition. Go, CDL! 🏀⚽✨
Bon Voyage!
Twice a week, we come together as a house to play a game, allowing the girls to bond, create memorable moments, and enjoy their social time. Yesterday’s game had us all in fits of laughter as the girls took turns acting out different people in the house while the rest of us tried to guess who they were impersonating. It was a truly fun and lighthearted evening! Moments like these at Terray are always cherished and welcomed. 😊🎭✨
This weekend was full of wonderful reunions and smiles, with many stories to share. We are very happy to welcome the girls back and look forward to the signs of the upcoming spring – sunshine, flowers, and good energy!
Best wishes,
Villa Terray team 🩵
This weekend, we had a fantastic time with lovely weather, lots of laughter, and plenty of fun and celebration for Annabella’s and Alessia’s birthdays.
The girls had the chance to go horse riding, watch Inside Out 2, cook some delicious desserts, do hip-hop, play tennis, and go horse riding again.
Wishing you all a wonderful last week before the holidays!
Best wishes,
Villa Terray team 🩵
Happy Birthday, Alessia! 🎉🎂
Your smile brightens up our boarding house every day, and your kindness makes everyone feel at home. You’re always open-hearted and full of energy, whether you’re cheering us up or dominating the football field! May this year bring you as much joy as you bring to all of us. Keep shining, keep scoring, and have an amazing day! ⚽💖
Villa Terray team 🩵
Happy Birthday, Annabella! It is a pleasure to have you in the house. May all your wishes come true 🧸🎉
Villa Terray team 🩵
This evening, we had our last dinner at home before the break! It was Mexican food – delicious tacos. See some pictures below!
We had a fantastic assembly this evening, featuring a wonderful play by our students who acted out the story of the Chinese zodiac! How each animal was chosen and what they represent for each month of the year.
Following the play, two exciting announcements were made. First, we proudly celebrated Victoire, who secured second place in the ski race, earning an impressive 120 points for our boarding house. This achievement has placed us in third position so far! Secondly, for the November fitness challenge, Julia was recognized as the most dedicated participant and won a well-deserved day trip to the trampoline park.
Competitions like these bring great excitement, motivating students to earn points and prizes for the boarding house. We wrapped up the evening with a delicious Lebanese dinner—one of my favorite cuisines!
A massive thank you to our Director of Boarding for rewarding our boarders with a gift voucher to purchase one or two books of their choice. This initiative recognises students who have consistently shown a strong interest in daily reading and have diligently kept a record of their books.
In boarding, we strive to promote reading as a lifelong habit, and we will continue to encourage this practice with future rewards. More winners will be announced! but in the meantime, we congratulate Julia, Eve, and Jade for being the first recipients of this well-deserved recognition!
A few snapshots from Sunday’s ski day, where the students enjoyed a fantastic trip to the mountains! Their skiing skills are steadily improving.
Happy 13th Birthday Eve! Another year to learn, grow, and achieve great things. Keep being the amazing person you are!
Weekends are a time to unwind, explore, and enjoy the things we love. This weekend, the girls made the most of every moment cooking delicious dishes, venturing into Geneva, watching a movie, playing games, and even taking the time to clean up the kitchen together.
From fun activities to shared laughter, we embraced every experience on offer. Weekends like these remind us of the joy in simple moments and the bonds we create along the way.
We love our weekends! 💛✨
Today, Ms. Sophia kindly delivered the next pillar in the house. She focused on the next section of the current pillar, emphasizing boundaries and self-care. We discussed what boundaries are, played a game, explored self-care, and reflected on why boundaries are important for self-care. The girls also created their own daily self-care maps. Please have a look at the pictures and stay tuned for more updates!
Best wishes,
Villa Terray Team 🩵
Tonight we enjoyed another fabulous International Dinner, this time Colombian-themed! The menu included Pollo Asado, arepas with cheese, empanadas, Colombian corn, and for dessert, milk jam pancakes! For many of the girls, this was their first experience with Colombian food, and they absolutely loved it. Some of us went back for seconds (and thirds!). Check out some mouth-watering photos of our dinner below!
This weekend, the Terray girls enjoyed a perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and fun! On Saturday, some of the girls headed out for a beautiful day of horse riding, enjoying the fresh air and the peaceful surroundings, while others returned to the tennis courts, staying active. A few girls chose to rest and recharge in preparation for our first Ski Day on Sunday, and others took the opportunity to enjoy a little shopping spree in Geneva–check out Jade’s new ride below!
There were also cozy sleepovers, filled with laughter, stories, and bonding – a great way to unwind and spend time together. On Sunday, the excitement continued as everyone bundled up for a day of skiing! After an incredible Ski Weekend in January, the girls were fully prepared and excited for another day up in the mountains, and they had an amazing time. It was a weekend full of unforgettable memories, great times with friends, and a perfect balance of action and relaxation!
We’ve kicked off our third Wellbeing Pillar in Terray, focused on building positive relationships with ourselves and others. In this first week, we discussed how being kind to ourselves in our inner dialogue can improve both our wellbeing and relationships.
After a short video and lesson, the girls wrote their names inside a circle on paper, listing the roles they play and the positive traits they embody. They did a wonderful job recognizing what makes each of them unique and special. Then, each girl received a photo of another girl, wrote two compliments, and returned them.
These activities were a great way to reinforce the importance of self-love and recognition, as well as the power of positive reinforcement within a community. It was a wonderful reminder of how we can uplift ourselves and others in meaningful ways, setting a strong foundation for the next two weeks to come in our exploration of healthy, positive relationships.
Happy Lunar New Year!
After a very special Tuesday celebrating the Lunar New Year, we have continued the celebrations this Wednesday with another fantastic international dinner. The menu tonight featured delicious Chinese cuisine, including sweet and sour chicken, sauteed beef and onions, and shrimp tempura, all atop mountains of rice and noodles! We were so thankful to enjoy this special moment together celebrating a very special day. Terray wishes everyone a prosperous, happy, and healthy Lunar New Year!
This evening, we had a wonderful time celebrating the Lunar New Year! The girls enjoyed making beautiful lanterns, savouring delicious dumplings, and sharing heartfelt stories to mark this special occasion.
We would like to take this opportunity to send our warmest wishes to all our students and their families for a happy, prosperous, and joyful year ahead.
This weekend was filled with good times! The girls invited friends over, we enjoyed a cozy movie night, and they participated in several exciting activities Saturday & Sunday.
The mild weather on Saturday was perfect for an afternoon in Geneva. We strolled through the streets, visited shops, and paused to enjoy a warm coffee together! it was such a lovely outing!
On Sunday, some of the girls visited our local ice rink, where they had a great time gliding on the ice and sharing smiles.
Overall, it was a fantastic weekend—5/5! We absolutely love our weekends together. 💖
This evening at Terray, we enjoyed another fabulous dinner at home! We adore dinners at home because it is a chance to share a meal together in the comfort of our own home as a family. On the menu tonight were Croque Monsieurs, creamy coleslaw, and delicious roasted potatoes. Quite a few of us went back for seconds (and thirds)! Check out some photos of our delicious meal below.
What a weekend!
On Friday, we started our adventure by traveling to one of the most popular ski resorts: Crans Montana. There, the girls had the chance to enjoy the snow, breathtaking landscapes, sunny days, skiing, sledging… This was a memorable weekend indeed!
Best wishes,
Villa Terray team 💙
Happy Birthday, Julia! Your warmth and energy bring so much life to Terray! It’s been a pleasure to watch you grow and see all the wonderful things you do. We wish you an amazing day 🎉😊💚
Tonight, we had the first monthly boarding assembly of 2025! During this assembly, new students were welcomed to CDL, and those returning from Winter Break were welcomed back. We also heard a wonderful and inspiring poem by Rudyard Kipling, read by CDL’s prefects, and heard from students about the Japanese New Year and its traditions.
Afterward, we were treated to a Moroccan International Dinner, with cous cous, stewed vegetables and meat, and flatbreads. The dessert was a wonderful coconut orange cake, which made the meal one to remember! We are so happy to be back in the swing of things here at CDL, and we look forward to attending the upcoming Ski Weekend this weekend. Stay tuned for some snowy photos!
We are thrilled to welcome back our girls after a well-deserved winter break. The house is once again buzzing with life, filled with stories of their vacations and the joy of reuniting with their boarding friends. It’s heartwarming to see them settle back into their rooms, catching up and sharing laughs with one another.
As we kick off the second semester, there’s a renewed sense of energy and determination in the air. Together, we are ready to embrace new challenges, make the necessary adjustments, and stay focused on achieving our goals for 2025.
Let the journey begin—here’s to another incredible semester ahead!
As the year comes to a close, we want to wish you the very best for the holiday season and an amazing year ahead, filled with wonderful memories – whether in the boarding house, at school, or at home. May the coming year bring you health, happiness, and joy! 💫
Best wishes,
Villa Terray Team 🩵
The term came to a heartwarming close with a delightful Secret Santa celebration at Terray. The girls truly enjoyed this festive and convivial moment together, sharing laughter and surprises that brought them closer as a community.Moments like these are priceless, filling the house with warmth and joy, and reminding us of the special bonds we share.
As we bid farewell for the holidays, we exchanged heartfelt wishes for a merry Christmas filled with happiness and love. Here’s to cherishing these memories and looking forward to an even brighter new year!
A massive thank you to Mr. Ronan for organising a fantastic evening that entertained our junior boarders with a brilliantly planned quiz! The prizes were outstanding and kept the students excited and engaged throughout the night. The top rewards included gold, silver, and bronze prizes for the first, second, and third-place winners, which brought the competition to an entirely new level.
Adding to the excitement, Mr. Ronan introduced a prize wheel, spinning it throughout the game to award smaller prizes, making the experience even more thrilling and unpredictable.
Honestly, this was one of the most enjoyable quiz nights we’ve had in a long time. The students were happy, and the event created a wonderful opportunity for them to bond and share a memorable moment together. Thank you once again, Mr. Ronan, for making it such a special evening!
A fabulous winter show showcased the incredible talents of our students, with captivating performances of Christmas songs, an outstanding orchestra and choir. The evening was further enriched by exceptional ballet and hip-hop routines presented by the contemporary dance students. Tonight’s show was truly entertaining and a delight to watch. Our boarder, Jade, was part of the choir, and her beautiful singing added a special touch to the evening.
Happy Birthday! 🎉 Here’s to another year of amazing memories and adventures!”
This weekend, we enjoyed a variety of activities, including horse riding, cooking, hip-hop dancing, climbing, shopping in Geneva for Secret Santa gifts or the upcoming Winter Ball next weekend, playing tennis, painting with Paint, and visiting the ice rink in Versoix.
On top of that, the girls did an incredible job in the Gingerbread House competition, creating a representation of Terray House with some impressive details. We thoroughly enjoyed completing this challenge together and are eagerly looking forward to the results!
Wishing you all a wonderful start to the week,
Villa Terray Team 🩵
Dear all,
This evening, we enjoyed a delicious Greek dinner at home, marking the last of our 2024 dinners at home! It was wonderful to savor such tasty food and spend some time together here, instead of in the dining hall.
Wishing you a lovely end to the week!
Villa Terray team 🏡😊
This evening was packed with excitement as we attended our monthly boarding assembly, enjoyed a Norwegian international dinner, and baked cookies at home for the Grade 8 baking competition!
In our assembly, we were reminded that this coming week, we celebrate the “Excellence” aspect of our RISE values, appreciating all students who go above and beyond in and outside the classroom.
Our Norwegian dinner was a unique and wonderful culinary experience, with roasted potatoes, Norwegian meatballs, a vegetable medley, cured salmon, and to top if off, a delicious cinnamon roll for dessert!
Once we returned home, we started baking cookies for the grade 8 baking competition, using festive cookie cutters and all of our creativity to make delightful treats to share with classmates.
Another fantastic performance by our boarders! Learning an instrument and performing in front of an audience can be a challenging experience, but the students showcased impressive skills and delivered an entertaining and memorable show.
This afternoon, I attended a keyboard presentation by the G7/5 class, showcasing their progress at various levels. The students performed pieces that highlighted what they have learned, and it was truly a delightful and enjoyable experience.
Lisa “Level 7” played a lovely piece called Bossa Nova then performed in duet with her teacher.
Melissa “level 8” played a piece called Football match
This weekend, our students experienced the magic of Disneyland, enjoying thrilling rides, lively parades, and unforgettable moments with friends. It was a day filled with fun, laughter, and cherished memories in the enchanting world of Disney.
This weekend, our boarders took part in Samedi du Partage, a charity event supporting those in need. Stationed at store entrances, they encouraged shoppers to donate non-perishable food items.
The experience was both inspiring and rewarding, as students witnessed how small contributions can make a big impact. We’re proud of their efforts and their commitment to giving back to the community!
Today we observed the Thanksgiving holiday, taking time to reflect on the many blessings we have in our lives. At the beginning of the month, we introduced a new initiative to the house: a Gratitude Board. Each Monday, the students contribute to it, starting their week with a sense of positivity and gratitude for all the wonderful things in their lives.
Although the Gratitude Board is a year-round initiative, this Thanksgiving, we’d like to highlight some of the many things our girls are thankful for. Below, you’ll find a selection of the thoughtful expressions of gratitude they’ve shared with us and photos from the wonderful Thanksgiving meal we enjoyed as a house. Happy Thanksgiving to all! 🧡🍂🥧
Tonight was a very special night where we took a moment to celebrate the great achievements and contributions of our boarders through the Awards Night Assembly. The three categories for recognition were the Boarding Life Award, Boarding Activity Award, and Boarding Academic Award. Julia won the Boarding Life Award for embodying the RISE values, while Alessia won the Boarding Activity Award for her dedication to extracurricular sports, and Eve won the Boarding Academic Award for her high grades. We are so proud of all of our boarders and are excited for the second awards night later in the year to celebrate their accomplishments once more!
We also were treated to another International Dinner, which was Portuguese-themed—a delicious celebration of flavors from the Iberian Peninsula! The menu featured Bread with Chorizo, Shrimp Rissoles, Cod Squabs, Portuguese Roast Chicken, and potatoes. To top it off, we had a very classic Portuguese dessert—Pastel de Natas, a crispy tart-shaped dessert with a creamy custard filling. At Terray, we always look forward to International Dinners each Wednesday, excitedly awaiting the opportunity to try different foods from around the world.
As part of the Wellbeing Program in boarding, there are four pillars focusing on various aspects that impact the development and safety of our students. This term, the focus was on Online Safety. To conclude the term, our amazing House Tutor, Ms. Sophie, delivered a highly informative session on the topic of sextortion, researched by Mr. Salvatore.
Looking ahead, keep an eye on the second pillar, which will focus on Protecting Against Bullying and Respecting Diversity.
Best wishes,
Villa Terray team 🩵
This weekend, we filled the house with Christmas vibes as the girls are already so excited about the season. We put up our two Christmas trees and decorated them together as a family. More decorations are on the way to make the house as festive and cozy as possible 😊🎄🎁🧸 But the weekend didn’t stop there!
The girls were also allowed to have sleepovers, watch heartwarming films like Wonder, and visit the Cailler Chocolate Factory. There, we got to try delicious chocolates and pick out some presents for family and loved ones. They also had a chance to go horse riding, a perfect way to enjoy the crisp winter air. To top it all off, the girls squeezed in a fun badminton match and whipped up some couscous with meatballs in the kitchen – almost ready for MasterChef! 🍴
We are looking forward to the upcoming weekends, which promise to be full of warm winter vibes, treats, and exciting sports events. Stay tuned for more updates on the blog!
Villa Terray Team 🤎🍫
A big thank you to Mr. Ronan from CDB for hosting an entertaining Kahoot challenge for our boarders! The evening’s theme was World Children’s Day, with questions from around the globe.
The first game saw a victory for the CDB boys, while the Terray girls came out on top in the second round. The friendly competition brought plenty of excitement and laughter, and we truly enjoyed sharing this special moment together as a community.
Here’s to more fun and engaging activities like this in a near future!
This week kicked off on a high note as we replaced an hour of phone time with engaging group activities. Each day, the girls either decide on an activity or take suggestions from us, creating a wonderful sense of collaboration and fun. On Monday, we played a house favourite, Werewolf, and baked a delicious pear cake that everyone enjoyed. On Tuesday, we continued working on our creative book cover designs. These group sessions aim to foster a sense of togetherness, connection, and creativity among the girls, making their time in boarding even more enriching and memorable.
This weekend was packed with fun, laughter, and meaningful activities—it truly flew by! From exciting outings to creative projects and moments of relaxation, everyone made the most of their time together.
A big thank you to our Boarding Activity Coordinator for organising a fantastic day out for all the boarders! The outing included a special treat to watch Wild Robot at the cinema ! A captivating movie that kept all boarders engaged, after the movie, the students enjoyed a meal followed by some free time in the shops.
A new initiative has been organised by our Senior House Parent, Mr. Gordon, who is in charge of the Boarding Representative Committee. The committee has decided to introduce a challenge for all boarding houses every two weeks to promote team-building skills.
I am pleased to confirm that the Terray girls thoroughly enjoyed participating in this week’s Word Search Challenge.
This weekend, the girls enjoyed an extended rest, with no classes on Friday because of Parent-Teacher meetings. This extra day of relaxation was well-spent by the girls as they filled their day with socializing, studying, naps, and snacks!
On Friday afternoon, three of our boarders left for the Lucerne trip, where they enjoyed a stunning tour of the mountain town. For those of us back at Terray, the autumn scenery and weather were wonderful; it wasn’t too chilly, and we had lots of moments of sunshine. The girls participated in their usual weekend activities, including Hip Hop Dance, Horse Riding, Cooking, and on Sunday, a gorgeous trek all together in the forest near campus.
Overall, it was another great weekend at Terray. We hope yours was lovely too!
Howdy, everyone!
Tonight was a special night—we had dinner at home! The theme was “USA,” and we made sure to include all the classic favorites. On the menu were burgers with every topping imaginable, refreshing coleslaw, herbed potatoes, and, to top it all off, delicious mini apple pies for dessert! Each of the girls customized her burger to her liking, and we had a great time picking out toppings together.
Dinner at home is very special to us here at Terray. It’s a chance to enjoy our wonderful dining area and spend quality time together in the comfort of our own space. We’re already looking forward to our next dinner together at Terray!
Best wishes,
Villa Terray Team🩵
Tonight, we were treated to another exceptional culinary experience, with each bite transporting us to Italy! The menu tonight included cheesy gnocchi, a tender Osso Buco stew, tomato bruschetta with olive and Grana Padano, Polenta, Parmigiana eggplant, and to top it all off, a wonderful Neapolitan dessert served alongside chocolate mousse! Here at Terray, we love International Dinner nights, because we get to experience cuisine from all around the world while learning new things about the countries at the same time. Check out some photos of our delectable dinner!
We had a wonderful weekend with mild weather and beautiful autumn leaves creating a colourful, scenic backdrop that was a pleasure to admire. The girls chose a variety of activities, including baking, horse riding, hip-hop dancing, November fitness challenge and on Sunday, Terray attended an air-loop trampoline day trip. Of course, no weekend would be complete without our evening gathering to watch a movie together. Overall, it was a pleasant and restful weekend.
To kick off the spooky festivities, we created a Halloween scene for a pumpkin competition against the other boarding houses. The girls did an amazing job showcasing their talents, and we proudly took 2nd place, competing against some pretty impressive pumpkins! The girls had a blast dressing up for school, with some even coming in their full trick-or-treating outfits and makeup.
For dinner, we enjoyed a traditional cheese fondue, surrounded by fantastic decorations and costumes. Right after eating, we set off on a candy trail, stopping by the different boarding houses to collect as many sweet treats as we could carry.
Take a look below at the incredible costumes our girls put together—can you guess who’s who?
Happy Halloween!
Villa Terray Team🧡
Tonight, we were treated to an exceptional culinary experience! Instead of having dinner in Léman as usual, we gathered in Eiger to enjoy delicious Indian food. The menu this evening included fluffy rice, flaky parathas, savory butter chicken, and creamy Mango Lassi! Everything was cooked to perfection, with some of our girls even saying this was their favorite International Dinner so far. Our Wednesdays are always made better by trying new foods, and today was no exception. Take a look at the beautiful foods we ate, and learn some fun facts about India as well! Happy Wednesday!
We are so happy to have a house filled with laughter and fun again! Most of the girls arrived today, bringing lots of their favorite snacks from home, warm winter clothes, and wonderful memories from their breaks.
After doing arrival photoshoots, the girls helped each other unpack, and then we all enjoyed a nice dinner together, going home straight after to give the girls a chance to unwind and relax after their travels. We had an early night tonight, ensuring the girls get as much rest as possible so they are fully energized for their first day back at school after break.
This week, we are all looking forward to a delicious Indian International Dinner, with Butter Chicken, Rice, and Parathas, as well as a fun, candy-filled Halloween, dressed up in the most amazing costumes!
Here’s to a great first week back at Terray and CDL!
J.B. Terray is officially open again, and we are so excited to greet all our students returning from an amazing October Break. We have missed the girls and can’t wait to hear about all the fun they had over the holiday! We hope everyone enjoyed time with family, friends, and familiar foods. Check back soon for photos of arriving, unpacking, and settling back into the wonderful routine here at J.B. Terray and CDL!
Use the link to download our easy-to-use smartphone app is the best way to keep in touch with the latest news, events, and updates at CDL.
This special international dinner, we treated ourselves to a wonderful Japanese feast, a favourite for food lovers from all over the world. The experience was nothing short of delicious.
Dear all,
As the weather gets slightly colder, reminding us of the autumn season, the holidays are also approaching fast! The girls are very excited to ge going back home and we can’t wait to hear about all their fun memories.
This weekend was full of revision and preparation for summatives and formatives for the upcoming week. They did appreciate to spend time chilling at home, under a cossy blanket while watching Charlie and the Chocolate factory. Some other activities the girls were involved in include cooking, tennis and horse riding.
Have a great two weeks break when it comes and a nice start of the week.
Kind regards,
Villa Terray team 🩵
We had a wonderful dinner tonight inspired by the flavours of North Africa “Morocco”. The spices and aromas were exceptional, and we enjoyed a delicious lamb couscous with a warm traditional salad served with small pitta bread. To top it off, we were served sweet mint tea and biscuits, making it an absolute treat!
At Terray boarding house, we are passionate about encouraging our students to engage with and embrace reading in all its forms! We’ve introduced a daily habit where everyone reads for 20 minutes together and then shares a brief summary of their book. This not only fosters a love for reading but also sparks interest in different genres and titles across the group.
We’ve also brainstormed a few exciting activities to make reading even more interactive:
The possibilities are endless, but our goal remains the same—to instil a love for reading as a lifelong hobby. I’m excited to share a few pictures that capture these wonderful moments in the house!
Léman vs Terray: The girls, joined by Champs des Bois, formed a strong team and played in their first boarding tournament. Despite the defeat, we celebrated their resilience and sportsmanship. The match ended with a score of 5-1.
A huge congratulations to our girls Alessia, Julia, Melissa, and Victoire for participating in the 5 km run this Sunday! A special thanks to our coordinator, Ms. Perine, for organising this fun event that not only keeps our boarders active but also brings everyone together for a great time.
Brunch is always a feast enjoyed by both boarders and house parents . A big thank you to our chefs and the entire kitchen team for consistently delivering such delicious meals!
We had a fantastic weekend! On Friday, Melissa participated in a vibrant color run, while Alessia returned victorious from a football tournament, proudly securing 2nd place. The girls and CDB boys took a trip to the local store to restock our snack cupboard, enjoyed some lively board games, and took part in their favourite weekend activities, which they always enjoy to the fullest.
The Grade 8 Francophone students are on their way to Interlaken for an exciting school trip! The girls were full of excitement as they prepared to experience this wonderful time with their peers, exploring the stunning Lake Brienz by kayak and participating in many other activities. We’re all keeping our fingers crossed for good weather!
What a weekend! 🐕🧗♀️🧘♀️🏇🤾♀️🤸♀️🎉🎢🎡
Everything started on Friday with the departure of Emily, Jade, and Annabella to Europa Park, where they enjoyed the bumper cars, thrilling rides, and Annabella even won a super cute, giant stuffed toy!
Meanwhile, back at Villa Terray, the highlight was the unexpected visit of Charlig, an adorable lost dog. Luckily, we were able to contact his owner, who came to pick him up almost an hour later – though not nearly long enough for everyone to enjoy his company! The following day, Charlig and his owner returned for a visit, bringing delicious macarons to thank us for taking care of him. All the girls were excited to see their furry friend again!
The weekend was packed with even more fun, including a shopping trip to Geneva to look for sports items, warm clothes, electronic devices, and food. On the way back, Miss Ana made some banana pear ice cream- a delicious and healthy way to enjoy fruit in a new form!
Other activities included horse riding, trampoline park, badminton, stretching, and tennis. There was also the chance to sleep together and plan a mini pajama party, taking advantage of the absence of half the house due to the Europa Park trip.
Now, everyone is hoping Charlig will visit again soon. We’re already looking forward to more weekends like this – full of laughter, surprises, and endless fun!
Wishing you all a wonderful week,
The Villa Terray Team 🩵
We had a lovely afternoon at Concha, bringing together parents, teachers, students, and boarding staff. Despite the windy weather, it was a great opportunity to meet the teachers in a friendly setting, discuss an overview of the students’ learning, ask questions, and share this moment together. The afternoon was filled with various activities, including food stalls, fundraising events, book sales, uniform sale, and great performances from many students on the stage.
Best wishes for the New Moon celebration! May this special time bring joy, prosperity, and togetherness.
We had another fabulous weekend at Terray with the girls! The weather was much better than it had been a few days ago, which made it perfect for everyone to enjoy a variety of clubs and activities of their choice. On Friday night, we relaxed with a great movie, while on Saturday, a few girls took a trip to Geneva with their friends. Overall, it was a smashing weekend filled with fun and laughter!
The first dinner at home took place today, with an amazing meal celebrating Italian lasagna and tiramisu. We sat together to create more of a family feeling, rather than going to the dining hall, and all the girls loved it!
Kind regards,
Villa Terray Team 🩵
Terray girls are looking forward to another exciting weekend on campus! A variety of activities will be available for them to choose from. Every weekend, our students have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities that help keep them in shape or develop new skills. We encourage them to have fun, explore, and try something new!
Dear all,
This weekend, we went to Leysin to connect with nature, create some wonderful memories, and bond together as a small family while enjoying time off campus! Some of the activities we participated in included learning about local fauna and flora, geography, and other interesting facts during a great hike. We also had a campfire where we roasted marshmallows, did orienteering, created forest art, and enjoyed many other exciting activities.
On behalf of the girls and ourselves, a big thank you to Claire and the entire camp team for making this weekend such a memorable one. We’re now off to rest and recharge for tomorrow and the exciting discovery days ahead!
Wishing you all a great start to the week,
Villa Terray Team 😊
Dear all,
To make the most of today’s school-free day, we went to Lausanne to explore the history of the Olympic Games, listen to the anthem from the inauguration, and buy some souvenirs. In addition, the girls had the chance to finalize the last items needed for the upcoming mountain weekend, which starts tomorrow! Keep an eye on the blog for updates from Leysin.
We look forward to sharing exciting mountain activities and outdoor experiences soon!
Best wishes,
The Villa Terray Team
Terray 27 Girls attending the 1st Boarding Assembly!
The girls had a fun time in the playground during social hours, and we were delighted to have a visit from our lovely boarding counsellor, who introduced herself to our boarders and explained her role in the boarding community. We enjoyed breakfast in Léman, our evening meditation—a moment of bliss after a busy day. Today, the girls also voted for the house captain and house representative. The results were announced by Jade, and the chosen students are Alessia and Julia.
We had a full house today as students gathered to mingle and cook together. The kitchen was filled with delicious aromas, though it quickly turned into a bit of a chaotic scene—far too many cooks in one place! But what truly mattered was the shared experience and the opportunity to start building close friendships.
We wrapped up the afternoon with some group games, and we were delighted to have a senior student visit to volunteer and join in the fun.
Dear all,
This first weekend was very eventful for the girls, as they enjoyed a variety of activities including horseback riding, watching a movie in Champs des Bois, cooking, playing board games and football, making new friends, and playing the piano.
We are very much looking forward to spending the year together. We are proud to see the values we cherish being embraced from the very beginning—kindness to one another, internationalism, spirit, and a commitment to improvement through hard work. We are truly proud of this strong start, girls!
Best wishes,
JB Terray Team
Dear all,
The much-anticipated day has finally arrived! Our JB Terray girls have joyfully begun their school journey, filled with a wonderful mix of nerves and excitement as they met their new classmates and teachers. The photos beautifully capture these emotions. We wish them all a fantastic academic year ahead!
Later in the evening, both new and returning boarding students attended the first monthly Assembly of the year, which was followed by a delightful Swiss-themed international dinner.
Best wishes,
JB Terray Team
Dear all,
Today was Primary Orientation Day for Jade, our Primary student at JB Terray. In the evening, everyone visited the Aquaparc and had a fantastic time together!
Kind regards,
JB Terray Team
Dear all,
Middle School Orientation Day is here, and all students and families had the chance to meet some of their teachers and take some exciting placement tests in Maths, English, and French. The girls also showed a great interest in football today, enjoying a wonderful game as a house, which provided a fantastic bonding experience.
Best wishes,
JB Terray Team
Dear all,
Today, the families and students attended the Welcome Assembly led by Mr. Usher, followed by a delightful Treasure Hunt to explore the campus. We’re excited to share that a team composed of kids from Concha and three JB Terray girls finished in first place! We’re confident they now know all the houses and buildings on campus.
Best wishes,
JB Terray Team
Dear all,
Our boarding team is thrilled to welcome you back for another school year!
You may already know Ms. Rym and Ms. Ana, who worked at Champs du Bois and Villa du Lac, respectively, last year. This year, we are proud to introduce a new member to our team: Mrs. Sophia!
Best wishes,
JB Terray Team
Dear all,
As the summer holiday comes to an end, we are excited to meet you all in person or welcome you back to what will be your home for the next academic year.
We look forward to seeing you very soon!
Best wishes,
Villa JB Terray Team
Happy holidays! !! We wish you all a well-deserved and relaxing Summer holiday! Thank you to our J.B. Terray girls: Ana Sofia, Defne, Mia, Ana Lucia, Maria Luiza, Jasmine, Maria Clara, Venus, Raquel, Ava, Ella, Yuki and Priscilla for making this year so special and enjoyable for us. We shall miss you!
Boarding Team ( Your Swiss Family )
Today, we had our final international dinner before leaving for summer vacation. The variety and quality of each meal were truly delightful. We are grateful to our boarding directors for allowing us to “travel” around the world every Wednesday and celebrate the internationalism of our boarding community.
We also want to thank Chef Olivier for taking care of our meals throughout the year. We wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him in August, when he can continue delighting us with his wonderful recipes!
Today was a special day at CDL boarding, as we celebrated the end of the school year with a series of fun and memorable activities.
Throughout the day, we had several stations with different activities and it was wonderful to see everyone participating and having a great time together. 
We are so proud of our students and grateful for the wonderful memories we’ve made this year. Here’s to another amazing year ahead of us!
This weekend, two adventurous girls from Terray went paragliding with our school. It was an exhilarating experience, with stunning views and a sense of freedom as they soared through the sky.
It was their first time for Ava and Yuki, and the mix of excitement and nerves quickly turned into pure joy. They returned with big smiles, amazing stories, and a newfound sense of confidence.
Kudos to all the brave participants for making this adventure unforgettable!
Tonight during our house assembly, we focused on the 5th Wellbeing Pillar: Making Safe and Responsible Choices. Our main goal was to help students understand and deal with peer pressure, emphasizing both its positive and negative effects.
Using various activities and discussions, our students explored how peer pressure can impact their decisions and behavior. They learned strategies to make safe, responsible choices and to encourage their peers to do the same.
We also screened a video created by the advocates of 5 Pillar , which featured feedback and reflections from our students on the work done.
What a remarkable achievement for the Class of 2024! We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the graduates from Villas Terray & Ecureuil: Defne, Jasmine, Maria Luiza, Ana Lucia, Ana Sofia, Maria Clara, and Mia.
Your dedication and hard work throughout your time at Collège du Léman have culminated in this momentous occasion. As you embark on new adventures beyond our campus, please know that you carry with you the RISE values and memories that have shaped you during your time here. Though farewells may seem bittersweet, remember that you will always remain an integral part of the Collège du Léman family, no matter where your journey takes you.
Wishing you all the best in your future endeavors, and may your successes continue to shine brightly wherever life leads you.
Boarding Team
Please click on the link below to watch The Graduation Ceremony
Thank you Ava, our advocate for this pillar, for supporting the junior students
Continuing our pastoral program, focusing on Pillar 5 this week, we explore the second key point: ‘How can I assist myself and others when facing tough decisions?
The advocacy team has crafted a succinct yet enlightening video providing guidance on navigating challenging choices.
Following the video, we prompted our students to reconvene in groups. They were tasked with posing a brief inquiry about their own methods for handling difficult decisions.
During tonight’s house assembly, and following our Well-being Program, we focused on ‘Making Safe and Responsible Choices.’ This topic holds particular significance as students mature and prepare for the transition to college, where they’ll assume the responsibilities of adulthood. Adolescents encounter a myriad of influences, both online and in real life, presenting significant temptations. It’s crucial that they develop strong, healthy morals and principles to navigate these challenges effectively.
To facilitate the submission of ideas for students, a QR code has been generated.
Wishing you a very Happy Birthday filled with love, joy, and all the things that make your heart sing! May your day be as special as you are and may this year bring you even more happiness and success.
Tonight, during our Boarding Assembly has been launched the final Pillar of our Well-being Program: “Making Safe and Responsible Choices” Extremely important topic, especially as they grow older and head towards college to become fully-fledged adults. Teenagers are surrounded by many influences both online and in real life. There is much temptation and it’s important they develop their own strong healthy morals and ideals.
Tonight, during the Monthly Boarding Assembly, led by our boarding director Mr. Usher, various topics were discussed such as the EDI Reading Challenge, Celebrating Success, the launch of Pillar Five of our Well-being program, the Fitness Challenge, the Trip to Tanzania, G12 arrangements, among other topics. As usual, it was another successful assembly! !
Welcome May !
🌍 A day rich in flavours, colours and emotions. Our International Day 2024 went wonderfully well, and the student volunteers had the opportunity to showcase dishes from every continent.
💙💛❤️ Internationalism is an important value for our community, and we’re very happy for our students to share wonderful days like today. Our students also had the chance to attend musical performances and a football tournament.
We hope you had a great holiday! Villa Terray is already open Let’s go for the last stretch of the school year! !! 💪💪
We are wishing all our girls and their families a happy and peaceful time together during this Easter Break !!
This evening, the girls took part in the latest House Competition – the Talent Show. Great fun was had by all and it was fantastic to see the acts from all the other houses. Well done girls!
Have a lovely day Mia !!
During our Monthly Boarding Assembly tonight, we successfully launched the fourth pillar of our Wellbeing Program: Online Safety.
As part of our ongoing commitment to the holistic well-being of our community, the Online Safety pillar aims to empower students with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the digital landscape responsibly and safely.
Although it is generally acknowledged that the automobile was “officially” born with Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach’s “Benz Patent Motorwagen”, which was presented at the Paris World Fair in 1889, studies and first experiments with motor vehicles began much earlier. All over Europe, but also in Switzerland!
Isaac de Rivaz, a Swiss citizen, tried to motorize a chariot in 1775 using steam and then gas. Swiss engineers can also be credited with several significant achievements in the automobile sector from the end of the 19th century: front-wheel drive and the gear-transforming flywheel, a kind of automatic gearbox before its time, by Henriod, the overhead camshaft by Popp, the progressive extension pulley gearbox by Weber, and the asphalting of roads developed by Dr Guglielminetti.
The Swiss car industry experienced a period of euphoria at the beginning of the 20th century: there were more than 70 Swiss car manufacturers and the first races and rallies were held.
It was in this context that the first Swiss National Automobile and Cycle Exhibition was organized in Geneva in 1905. Switzerland was then at the heart of the European automobile industry and its automobile production was renowned for its reliable and luxurious products.
Today our students had the opportunity to visit ans enjoy this incredible car show . It have been exciting to explore and experience the different brands and models on display.
Consistent effort and dedication contribute significantly to academic success. Wishing our girls the best of luck as they navigate through this period of preparation!
During her February Break, Mia enjoyed an unforgettable trip to Finland! Whether you explored the vibrant city of Helsinki, witnessed the breathtaking Northern Lights, or enjoyed the unique Finnish culture and landscapes.
Another successful Ski Week in Crans-Montana !!
Villa Terray has just closed for the February mid-term break. We are proud of all the girls for all they have achieved throughout this half term. We hope they get to enjoy this well-deserved break and return with their batteries fully charged! The boarding house will be open again on Saturday 24th February from 9am. We are already looking forward to seeing everyone in a week’s time!
Happy Birthday Raquel. Enjoy your day with your family and friends !!! 
RISE is an acronym representing Respect, Internationalism, Spirit, and Excellence – the core values of College du Leman. With a school community comprising over 110 nationalities and cultures, our RISE values lie at the heart of everything we do. We firmly believe in respecting diversity, a hallmark of our school community.
During this week, we are commemorating Internationalism. Our students are actively engaged in formulating a College du Leman specific definition of Global Citizenship, and the integration of their perspectives is indispensable to this ongoing process.
Have a lovely day celebration !! 
Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year) happens this year on Saturday, February 10, 2024. This year ushers in the year of the Dragon!
Embark on an unforgettable adventure to the breathtaking ski resort in La Tzoumaz, just like Yuki did this morning! With its stunning slopes and jaw-dropping views.
We’re currently on Week 4 of our Well-being Program, where we’re delving into the 3rd Pillar: ‘Building Positive Relationships’. During our latest session with the students, we focused on examining toxic friendships and relationships. Our main goal was to identify the signs of a toxic friendship or relationship through Kahoot scenarios.
Following our Pastoral Program, we are now in Week 3 of the delivery phase of the 3rd Pillar, which is focused on “Building Positive Relationships`”The focus of our assembly is to explore international friendships and identify and address “ microaggressions. These are the thinly veiled, everyday instances of racism, homophobia, sexism (and more) that you see in the world. Sometimes it’s an insult, other times it’s an errant comment or gesture. It is crucial to understand how to recognize and handle microaggressions in our interactions to foster positive relationships.
Here we go !!
Thank you Bozhena , Bruno,and Elina for taking the time to visit us and for bringing your infectious energy and wonderful spirits with you. The memories we shared together will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Boarding Team (your Suisse Family)
In tonight’s assembly and following our pastoral program, we intend to shift our focus inward to reflect on the qualities of friends.Positive friendships constitute an integral aspect of the journey to adulthood, as they enable children and teenagers to acquire significant social and emotional skills, such as being attuned to the thoughts, feelings, and well-being of others.
Healthy friendships and relationships are predicated on mutual care, understanding, respect, and responsibility. In such relationships, individuals are capable of solving problems together while communicating honestly, as they share at least some of the same goals and values.
Our challenge for this session was to create a compelling videos that symbolize the essence of friendship.
Our first Boarding Assembly in 2024 has seen the launch of The Third Pillar of our Well-being Program, Building Positive Friendships.
Friendships are one of the most important elements of our lives. We are social beings and despite differences between us, we can all agree that we need people around us to be fulfilled in our nature.
In Boarding, this is even more emphasized. By being away from the family, the students are led to create strong bonds to lay the foundations of their “Boarding Family”. Peers, roommates, and colleagues become like brothers, confident, close friends… in some cases, inseparable for life. The nature of this connection is then authentic, genuine and forged by the circumstances and the kinship that the setting enhances.
This third Pillar will accompany our students, and it will offer them the opportunity to work on a range of many different projects and activities until February Break. The first Takeaway point: Identifying characteristics of positive friendships. Please see the video created by the advocates for this Pillar 3
Thank you, Mrs Vasiliki, Boarding Guidance Counsellor, for visiting us today and supporting our new students!
Villa Terray is now open and ready to welcome you back for an exciting and busy term ahead! We hope you all had a lovely and enjoyable holiday and wish you a Happy New Year. Have a safe journey back to Geneva and we look forward to seeing you all soon!
Wishing you a season filled with warm moments and cherished memories.Best wishes for a wonderful Holiday and a very Happy New Year.
Last Saturday evening, the girls enjoyed our annual Christmas dinner and dance at the Hilton Hotel. The girls looked lovely in their outfits and it was lovely to see everybody helping each other to get ready for the event. What a fantastic evening of good food, good company and dancing.Thank you, Mrs. Lucelia, for organizing such a wonderful event!
Tonight we had our First Awards Ceremony, where some of our girls received a medal for being involved in Activities (Raquel), Boarding Life ( Ana Sofia) and Academically reaching amazing grades ( Maria Clara and Jasmine). Well done to all of the winners. We are proud of you !!
lcome December
As part of our pastoral program, we will be focusing on disability this week. We aim to encourage students to think about the concept of disability and the potential obstacles that a housemate with a disability might face in different houses. To make it easier for students to submit their ideas, we have created a QR code
Today’s meeting with Kateryna was a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with one of our valued alumni. She came by to enjoy a “petit goûter” and share her memories of her time at CDL, and we were thrilled to hear about her. It’s important to us to keep in touch with our alumni and maintain a strong connection with our community, and Kateryna’s visit was a great reminder of that. We look forward to continuing to engage with our alumni in meaningful ways and nurturing the relationships that make CDL such a special place.
Today our girls took part in the Inter House Bake Off Competition. Each boarding house had to bake their own cake. Well done girls, a truly delicious effort !!
@thatboardingvibe CDL Gift Box Appeal!!! #thatboardingvibe #giftboxappeal #giftwrapping #giftbox #giving #shoeboxappeal #cdl
As the weather gets chilly and the air becomes crisp, we find ourselves immersed in the spirit of Thanksgiving here at our beloved home. This special time of the year is not just about turkey and pumpkin pie; it’s about gratitude, reflection, and coming together.
In moments like this, it seems like time pauses as we swap stories and reminisce about the quirks that make each of us unique. We share anecdotes that become a part of our collective narrative. From the hilarious mishaps of the last semester to the triumphs that still bring smiles to our faces.
Thanksgiving reminds us to cherish these moments, the joy of connecting with friends who feel like family, and the simple pleasure of being surrounded by people who understand and appreciate us.
Wishing you all a Thanksgiving filled with joy, laughter, and the company of those you hold deal.
Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃🍂🍂
RISE is an acronym for Respect, Internationalism, Spirit, and Excellence – the core values of College du Leman. Our school community comprises more than 110 nationalities and cultures, and our RISE values are at the heart of everything we do. We believe in respecting diversity, which is the hallmark of our school community. Our students understand that every individual is unique, and they learn to value and appreciate these differences for the richness they bring to the school and wider community. We are confident and strong in our values and beliefs, and we strive to instil these values in our students.
Following the first challenge, which involved creating an audio piece highlighting numerous similarities, we are set to progress to the second activity of pillar 2 in tonight’s meeting. Specifically, this activity pertains to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. Our advocates’ team has proposed an interactive Question and Answer designed to provide insights into issues related to sexual orientation or gender identity. Our students will participate, scanning the QR code on the poster. Their responses( entirely anonymous) will be gathered and collated in a shared document for subsequent discussion.
We wish you a wonderful day!
Today, we are thrilled to celebrate Odd Socks Day, an exciting initiative that embraces and celebrates the unique qualities that make each of us special. This initiative is part of our commitment to Anti-Bullying Week, promoted by our Wellbeing Advocates. We encourage all our students to join in by wearing odd socks to school, symbolizing and celebrating the wonderful diversity that makes each of us unique!
This weekend Venus, Maria Clara and Defne had the opportunity to spend the weekend at Europa Park in Germany. A lot of fun was had by all as we enjoyed the exciting rides and delicious food that was on offer!
Ici, nous écoutons la radio en français. Cliquez sur le lien ci-dessous pour écouter la Radio Nostalgie à Genève.
During our house meeting as part of our well-being program, the advocates for Pillar 2 proposed a challenge for roommates to create a video or audio emphasising numerous similarities.
Here are the results:
We want to express our sincere gratitude to our parents for their unwavering support and ongoing communication. It is greatly appreciated. Semi and Bea
During our Monthly Boarding Assembly led by our Boarding director Mr. Usher, the Second Pillar of our Well-being Program was launched: Protecting against Bullying and Respecting Diversity. We are feeling proud of the presentation that Ana Sofia and Mia made about ” El dia de los Muertos” as part of our Cultural Diversity. Celebrating and understanding diverse cultural traditions is a valuable aspect of education and promotes inclusivity within our school community.
Registrations are still open for our Annual Winter Camp in Crans Montana.
https://fs30.formsite.com/CDLSwiss/1eeg7wuvie/index
For more information, contact our Camp Team: camps@cdl.ch 🎿
Another exciting term to come, with events such as the Pumpkin Carving Competition and the Christmas Dance ahead of us, it’s set to be a fun one! Welcome back, girls!
Our Boarding Team is wishing you all a well-deserved and relaxing Autumn Holiday! !! We will wait for you to celebrate our Traditional Fall Pumpkin-Carving Competition!
To our lovely Housekeeping staff, Liliana, we thank you for keeping our house beautiful and clean!
Almost the end of this term means the end of the Wellbeing Pillar 1. Today in the House Meeting it was time to wrap up the reflections done these weeks and find some conclusions.
We thank Ana Sofia for her advocacy work
The National Honor Society (NHS) is a nationwide organization for high school students. Selection is based on four criteria: scholarship (academic achievement), leadership, service, and character. The National Honor Society requires some sort of service to the community, school, or other organizations. Congratulations Defne for becoming a new member of the National Honor Society! We are very proud of you! 🙂
This race was open to everyone, but we were especially eager to encourage students who have never run before to take their first steps towards a healthier lifestyle. It was a fantastic chance for them to achieve a personal milestone, test their limits, and have fun while doing so. We want to emphasize that there was no pressure for success; participants could stop or walk at any time during the race. Well done, runners !!
To encourage our students to better use the recycling centres, we are launching a competition for all students of the school.At Collège du Léman, we are raising awareness of how to recycle correctly. Students are encouraged to create a short video advertisement with iMovie. All projects submitted that meet the criteria will be rewarded with House Points, REACH or CAS hours in Creativity or Responsible Citizenship / Service. Well done Maria Luiza, Mia, Ana Luica and Ava !
This evening, we had our monthly Boarding Assembly led by Mr. Usher, our boarding director. A great opportunity for everyone to get together and share news from the month along with any announcements and any accomplishments.
Have a lovely day. We love you.
This weekend a lucky group of Boarders set off on the first trip of the year and enjoyed an exciting yet exhausting weekend at Disneyland Paris. Ava and Mia all had a great time meeting the famous characters and riding the rollercoasters!
Tonight’s assembly started with this wonderful video made by our fantastic team of student advocates. Certainly, the strong connection between physical health and mental health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being. It’s important to understand that physical activity doesn’t only benefit our bodies; it plays a significant role in promoting our mental well-being as well.
Do you know the meaning of the song “La Vie en Rose”?
Edith Piaf, the lyricist, described how it feels to fall in love with someone who makes her see the La Vie en Rose~ ♥️
The actual meaning of La Vie en Rose is “Life in Pink” seeing life from an optimistic point of view (through rose-coloured glasses).
One of the best challenges for sleeping, meditation
Congratulations to our Varsity Girls Team for the first place.Well done !!
Thank you to all the teachers who came to visit us in J.B. Terray 27 today. It was a pleasure being able to spend time with you, and we hope you enjoyed it.
Merci aux professeurs qui sont venu nous rendre visite à J.B.Terray 27 aujourd’hui. C’était un plaisir de passer du temps avec vous, et on espère que vous vous êtes amusé autant que nous.
Have a lovely day!
Community Service is something that at CDL we feel very passionate about and try to instil in all the students of the school. Within the school, they work on the REACH programme which promotes the students to address the areas of Health and Activity, Responsible Citizenship and Creativity. They must complete thirty hours per year during their school career.
Within the Boarding House, we accomplish many of these by providing activities and opportunities to take part in events and projects.
On Sunday Ana Lucia, Maria Clara, Mia, Raquel and Maria Luiza took it upon themselves to do some litter picking in the forest path running alongside the campus. Well done girls !!
At Collège du Léman, our students ‘ well-being is defined as being physically and mentally healthy and able to cope with life’s challenges positively and constructively.
Our student’s health and academics are very important and this year we want to have a different focus on their well-being by providing them with the tools that a teenager needs to maintain a healthy body and mind.
During our house assembly, tonight has seen the launch of the First Pillar of our well-being program, Nurturing Healthy Minds and Bodies
The aim of this pillar is to highlight the importance of SLEEP and healthy sleeping routines in our day-to-day lives. A crucial part of this pillar will be to help the students by providing them with tools to get a better quality of sleep. A good sleeping routine has been proven to have a positive impact on one’s overall well-being.
It’s wonderful to acknowledge and thank Ana Sofia and the other advocates for their efforts in creating these videos for this first pillar.
Petits pains au chocolat avec chocolat chaud et tea !!
This weekend we had our first Mountain Weekend in Verbier. This was a fantastic opportunity for the whole Boarding Community to spend a weekend up in the mountains. Doing this at the start of the year allowed us all to have time to bond and get to know each other while doing group-building activities and enjoying the amazing scenery.
Our girls had plenty of different activities to choose from. Some of them went mountain biking, rock climbing, or hiking. Others preferred to go to a ropes course, do multi-sports on camp.Sunday we had plenty of Carnival games.
Here we go !!
Over the last week, our students have been away enjoying their Discovery Days – learning new skills and taking part in team-building activities!
our Grade 11 and IB1 students have been away enjoying their Discovery Days – learning new skills and taking part in team-building activities!
Great weather for a lovely day out in Annecy
The Jeûne Genevois is a public holiday specific to Geneva. It falls on the Thursday after the first Sunday in September. On this special day, the people of Geneva traditionally eat prune tart.
The practice of fasting could be observed in the. Swiss cantons as far back as the 15th century. The Diet, an assembly of the representatives of the cantons in place until 1848, organised penance and thanksgiving days. Each canton could decide what form these fasts would take.
The origin of the Jeûne Genevois dates back to the first fast recorded in Geneva, at the beginning of October 1567 following the repression of Protestants from Lyon. From 1640, fasting was seen as a moral and religious act and became an annual practice at the initiative of reformed cantons. It was seen as an act of humility and solidarity with the poorest members of society.
Our “ J.B. Terray 27 ” Boarding House is ready to celebrate a holiday! And since we don’t have to go to school tomorrow, we are all looking forward to the trip to Annecy which is going to be organized thanks to our great Boarding Activity Managers! !! You will be able to see the beautiful pictures of these trips tomorrow.
This weekend saw the girls take part in the first of many house competitions; Sports Day! The girls had a great time and definitely showed off their competitive sides. Well done girls !!
This past weekend, Defne had the opportunity to visit Paris as part of her IB2 French class to immerse herself in French culture. Une expérience merveilleuse. Merci Paris, À bientôt !!
Settling, belonging, sharing, family, respect, kindness, caring, equity, equality, globality, spirit, excellence….
Your first study hall in your new senior house! Keep up the good work!
A great way to begin the year by catching up. Proud of you! Go ahead!
Just like in many (big) families, we like to gather and relax on a Sunday morning, sharing good food and talking about everything and anything. Everyone can find something they would like to eat: croissants or bacon, fruits or eggs, everything is fresh and cooked on the spot by our amazing kitchen staff.
And as it is Sunday, there is no rush. The cafeteria opens at 9.30am and closes at 11.30am, so everyone can go when they want. Such a good thing for the ones who are eager to go on activities in the morning, or for the ones who want to sleep longer.
This morning, Defne took her SAT exam, which is a mandatory requirement for entry into a US University to study Business-Economics. We are confident that she will achieve excellent results, as she always does. Proud of you Defne !!
In loco parentis (Latin: in the place of a parent), we enjoyed our house meeting by getting to know each other a little bit more.
Despite the high temperatures this morning, Ava and Jasmine had an enjoyable experience during their first outing to visit Geneva.😍
Thank you Mrs Vasiliki Ekoutsidou, Boarding Guidance Counsellor, for visiting us today and supporting our students !
This year, we’ve had the wonderful opportunity to have the presence of Mr Brian Cooklin, Nord Anglia Regional Managing Director Europe, Mrs Nord, Director General, Mr Usher, Director of Boarding, Mr Bearblock, High School Principal and Mr Coigny, Executive Principal/ Proviseur Secondaire.
Welcome to Collège du Léman!! As the excitement of a new academic journey begins, we are thrilled to extend our warmest greetings to all incoming students arriving at the airport! Miss Maral is there for all of you!
Our dedicated staff and one of our Prefects students eagerly await for your arrival at our Welcome desk at the entrance of the school, ready to support you!!
Wishing you a wonderful day !! We cannot wait to see you back. God bless you!
Collège du Léman is welcoming all the new and “old ” boarders . Villa J.B.Terray 27 is finally starting to come alive again after the summer break! Wishing all the boarders a fantastic, exciting, productive, and unforgettable New School Year 2023/2024
On behalf of the Terray Team and the entire Collège du Léman community, we would like to extend our warmest wishes to all of you for a fantastic summer. It has been an incredible year filled with growth, learning, and achievements. Now it’s time to take a well-deserved break and enjoy precious moments with your loved ones.
May this summer be filled with relaxation, joy, and new experiences. Take this opportunity to recharge your batteries, explore new horizons, and create lasting memories. We look forward to welcoming you back refreshed and energized for another remarkable academic year in August.
Thank you for being part of our wonderful community. Have a fantastic summer!
Thank you Bozhena and Elina for taking the time to visit us and for bringing your infectious energy and wonderful spirits with you. The memories we shared together will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Boarding Team
Defne, a new student who has been allocated to Villa Terray for the upcoming year, has been warmly welcomed by our House Representative, Ana Sofia. Defne, we are excited to have you as part of our Villa Terray family, and we look forward to witnessing your growth, achievements, and contributions in the upcoming academic year.
A heartfelt and resounding thank you goes out to our incredible Kitchen Staff: Mr. Antonio, Mrs. Andrea, and Mr. Olivier. Their exceptional skills, dedication, and hard work have made every Sunday’s brunch an unforgettable culinary experience. Mr. Antonio’s mastery of the kitchen has continuously amazed us. Mr. Olivier’s behind-the-scenes efforts have been nothing short of extraordinary and, Mrs. Andrea’s unwavering dedication and attention to detail have played a vital role in the success of our Sunday brunches.
Thank you once again for your care, support, and dedication. Your hard work behind the scenes often goes unnoticed, but we want them to know that your efforts have not gone unnoticed and are greatly appreciated We are fortunate to have you as part of our community !!
Today was our end-of-year event. There were many activities such as a sliding slide, climbing, and more water activities. Maria Clara dared to do bungee jumping. They had a great time!!!
Proud of them !!!
We are so proud that you have graduated, Bianka, Amanda, Dalaa, Magnolia, Sabine, Sofia, and Bozhena have made it, now you can enjoy the summer and a new stage in your lives. WE WILL MISS YOU!!
We are proud of you, Sofia Mariko, Bozhena, Amanda, Dalaa, Bianka, Sabine and Magnolia.We are wishing you all the best for your future. God bless you, girls! Go ahead!! We love you
Boarding Team ( your stepfamily in Geneva )
Please click on the link below to watch The Graduation Ceremony
Graduation (nordangliaeducation.com)
Today was the Leavers Assembly for the Grade 12. It was an emotional moment for everyone. But you made it!!!! Bea and I are very proud to have spent your last year in Boarding as your House Parent. We love you!!
Good luck with your final exams Maria Luiza, Ana Sofia and Maria Clara !!
Let’s go for the last stretch of this academic school year! !! 💪💪
We have almost all the Grade 12 girls back.
In the meantime, Ana Sofia enjoyed Wakeboarding on Saturday, and on Sunday together with Maria Clara, they were at the lake taking advantage of these sunny days.
Yesterday was the international day at school and Ana Sofia was at the Mexican stand and together with other boarders and day students prepared delicious food from Mexico.
This is the last weekend of Grade 12 before the exams finish so the girls decided to do something together. Bianka did some Slovakian dessert. It was delicious!!!
Tonight we had the last dinner in the house with the grade 12 before they graduate.
Tonight, during our Boarding Assembly led by our Boarding Director Mr Usher, has been launched the final Pillar of our Well-being Program: “Making Safe and Responsible Choices”
Extremely important topic, especially as they grow older and head towards college to become fully-fledged adults. Teenagers are surrounded by many influences both online and in real life. There is much temptation and it’s important they develop their own strong healthy morals and ideals.Through the next weeks, we will ask students to explore an area of interest relating to this pillar through a podcast or other research.
Terray girls are revising and working hard for their final exams.
May the force be with you!!!
A little break between study times. Hand-made snacks and the best part is they are healthy nonsugar added.
Saturday night is the time for a movie night.
We hope you had a great holiday! Villa Terray is already open Let’s go for the last stretch of the school year! !! 💪💪
We are wishing all our girls and their families a happy and peaceful time together during this Easter Break! We will be back on the 22nd of April. Boarding Team
This evening some girls were watching a movie because of the weather outside is for movies, blankets, and Netflix.
Dear Parents , thank you for your collaboration during all this academic year. Your continuous involvement plays an important role in your daughter’s progress !! 🙏
We are at the end of our Fourth Pillar in our Well-being Program.
Tonight during our well-being tutorial, we had the chance to discuss and reflect on this pillar with our girls.
A huge thank you to the advocates, who made this video to wrap up this pillar .
@thatboardingvibe Online Safety ! Well done to the advocates. First video credit to @tamar #thatboardingvibe #onlinesafety #pillar4 #passwords #stoptheloop
Let’s celebrate our Community and School Spirit! Bravo Ms Monica and Bianka !!
Thank you Liliana for these delicious chocolates. And a huge thank you to make our house nice and clean every day!
Yesterday was a special day for all the Grade 12 because they took their Graduation photos. All of them were beautiful.
As every month today, we had dinner at the house and the truth is that the girls appreciated it. Everything was very tasty.
This evening, the girls took part in the latest House Competition – the Talent Show. Great fun was had by all and it was fantastic to see the acts from all the other houses. Well done girls!
Most of the girls were on Exeat this weekend but on Sunday Bozhena did Community Service for her REACH hours. And we rehearse for the Talent Show.
Tonight in our Well-being Session, we focused on the take away Scams, security and identity theft.
There are lots of things you can do to keep yourself safe online. Think before you post:
1.Don’t upload or share anything you wouldn’t want your parents, carers, teachers or future employers seeing. Once you post something, you lose control of it, especially if someone else screenshots or shares it.
Don’t share personal details
2.Keep things like your address, phone number, full name, school and date of birth private, and check what people can see in your privacy settings. Remember that people can use small clues like a school logo in a photo to find out a lot about you.
Watch out for phishing and scams
3.Phishing is when someone tries to trick you into giving them information, like your password. Someone might also try to trick you by saying they can make you famous or that they’re from a talent agency. Never click links from emails or messages that ask you to log in or share your details, even if you think they might be genuine. If you’re asked to log into a website, go to the app or site directly instead.
4.Think about who you’re talking to.There are lots of ways that people try to trick you into trusting them online. Even if you like and trust someone you’ve met online, never share personal information with them like your address, full name, or where you go to school. Find out more about grooming.
5.Keep your device secure Make sure that you’re keeping your information and device secure.
6.Never give out your password.You should never give out your password or log-in information. Make sure you pick strong, easy to remember passwords.
7.Cover your webcam .Some viruses will let someone access your webcam without you knowing, so make sure you cover your webcam whenever you’re not using it.
We have also watched these videos regarding Social Media Safety Tips and how to prevent identity theft
Congratulations to our Varsity Girls Team for the third place .Well done !!
Amanda, Bianka and Maria Clara enjoyed a well deserved day of relaxation at Les Bains de Lavey , one of the biggest thermal baths in Switzerland.
In today’s well-being session, we focused on Online Well-being. Firstly we began by discussing this takeaway point : Online life vs Real Life. Are you conscious of how much time you spend on your phone? and Who really wins by you spending more and more time on your apps?. Furthermore, our advocate Ana Sofia presented to the girls The Phone Detox Challenge. This could be a a really interesting project for some of our students as we aim to pose the question to them – just how obsessed are you with your phone.
Today we are celebrating women all over the world and within our Nord Anglia community of schools. Magnolia, Maria Luiza, Sabine, Maria Clara, Bozhena, Sofia, Amanda, Bianka, Dalaa and Ana Sofia, GO AHEAD !! And thank you to Mr Usher, Mrs Salamin, Mr Salva and Mrs Lucelia for the chocolates and roses.
Today all the outside villas went Ice Skating. It is really nice to see them all together. We had a good time!!
Today Bianka and Amanda represented JB Terray in the ski Competition. The competition was in La Tzouma and they had a great day. Both gave their best in the competition. WELL DONE!!
It was a pleasure to see Arlene .We miss you !! Thank you for visiting us.
Community Service is something that at CDL we feel very passionate about and try to instil in all the students of the school. Within the school, they work on the REACH programme which promotes the students to address the areas of Health and Activity, Responsible Citizenship and Creativity. They must complete thirty hours per year during their school career.
Within the Boarding House, we accomplish many of these by providing activities and opportunities to take part in events and projects.
Today Maria Luiza took it upon themselves to do some litter picking on campus. It was therefore nice to show the responsibility we feel we have towards our school community and keeping it clean.
Tonight, all houses took part in an EPIC competition to find out who had the best general knowledge of Switzerland. Well done Maria Luiza and Sabine for representing Terray. And thank you for a fun, friendly and competitive tournament.
Maria Luiza has arrived in Terray and with her, we have a complete house. WELCOME TO JBTerray!!
The girls from Terray were busy doing different things during the weekend.
Tonight we had dinner in the house. We sit together, talk and we put some music in the background. It was a nice family moment.
During our Monthly Boarding Assembly, Amanda gave an awesome presentation about her passion for Art. Bravo Amanda . Well done . We are proud of you !!
We hope you have a wonderful day ! We love you. Many blessings
Tonight during our well-being tutorial, we focused on the reflective question: Do you embrace the international community, or do you prefer the convenience of building friendships within your own culture and language.
At Collège du Léman, teaching extends beyond the classroom. The family environment in which we live should encourage our girls to take care of each other and create a strong bond, and above all, one that will last a long time. Many friendships are formed and they find that their social circle becomes larger, more diverse, and more interesting. Friendships are a very important element in a person’s life. This is why boarders experience throughout this pillar various ways of making friends that are beneficial to them. They will also have to analyze and understand that there are situations in which certain social environments can be harmful and should be avoided, the more than well-known “bad influences”.
Respect across different nationalities is important for the school’s principle of RISE, but it is much more than just an acronym. It is the most important principle in our house as we are all coming from different countries. Living with such an amazing internationalism spirit made us all learn about different cultures and most importantly, embrace our own.
This weekend we went to Fiesch. We had amazing weather and the girls enjoyed the slopes. And for the ones that didn’t like the snow they also enjoyed in their way.
The weeks before the February break, our well-being sessions continue and we will concentrate on the third pillar: Building positive friendships. Tonight, during our house assembly, we focused on: What are the benefits of an international Friendship? How does the boarding house support and encourage those friendships? What advice would you give future students coming into an international school environment? And lastly, do you know some examples of famous international friendships?
We also watched this interesting video about international Friendship Day
For 2023, the Chinese New Year will start on Sunday 22 January and will celebrate the Year of the Rabbit.
![101+] Blessed Chinese New Year 2023 Wishes, Quotes & Images](http://happyeventday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Chinese-new-year-2023-min.jpg)
Tonight we had dinner in the house. We sit together and enjoyed the dinner as a family.
Our first Boarding Assembly in 2023 has seen the launch of The Third Pillar of our Well-being Program, Building Positive Friendships. In Boarding this is even more emphasized. By being away from the family, the students are led to create strong bonds to lay the foundations of their “Boarding Family”. Peers, roommates, colleagues become like brothers, confident, close friends… in some cases, inseparable for life. The nature of this connection is then authentic, genuine and forged by the circumstances and the kinship that the setting enhances. This third Pillar will accompany our students, and it will offer them the opportunity to work on a range of many different projects and activities until February Break.
We are waiting for you!!! W can’t wait to see all the girls and to tell us how were the holidays.
It is with great gratitude that we end this year, thanks to all the wonderful moments we have enjoyed in our community, in and out of the classroom, at the many artistic, sporting, and musical events that have taken place recently.
J.Terray Boarding House will close its doors this weekend, and we would like to take this chance to wish all our girls and their families, Happy Winter Holidays and Happy 2023!! Enjoy these festive weeks with family, friends, and beloved ones. Stay safe !!
Terray Team
After two years of not being able to celebrate outside the school, we were finally able to get together. It was a fun night where we all enjoyed ourselves and put on our best clothes.
Tradition says that the youngest person, Maria Clara, and the oldest person, Bianka, in the room should break the pot together by saying these words.”Ainsi périssent les ennemis de la République”
After breaking the pot the girls enjoyed a little piece of sugar before going to sleep.
This morning we woke up and discovered that everything was covered with snow and the girls were happy to enjoy such a day.
Amanda represented the school today at an art exhibition at Webster University. Most of the girls from Terray went there to support their housemate. WELL DONE!!
Tonight we had “The Awards Ceremony”, where some of our girls received a medal for being involved in Activities, Boarding Life, and Academically reaching excellent grades.
Congratulations to our girls for the awards they received at the boarding ceremony tonight
Academics Award: Zembova Bianka,
Boarding Life Award : Gomez Hernandez, Amanda
Activities Award : El Haje , Dalaa
Mr. Roger came to Terray to record our Christmas album. The girls were Amazing!!! They choose the song Feliz Navidad from Jose Feliciano. Thank you, Roger!!
Today was the Baking competition. All the houses made a cake and Terray girls did a delicious Christmas cake with Nutella. Magnolia and Ana Sofia take the lead in doing the cake.
WELL DONE!!!
Sunday is a relaxing day for the girls and Amanda, Dalaa, and Maria Clara wanted to do Stretching.
Today Amanda and Dalaa participate in Samedi du Partage, this is an event that College du Leman is happy to participate in every year and consists that the kids collecting food from Coop for the Hospice general de Ginebra.
Today Amanda, Dalaa, and Ana Sofia helped to decorate the dining hall for Thanksgiving. After we had a lovely dinner.
Happy Thanksgiving!!!.
Today the girls enjoyed a nice Panettone with chocolate chips to sweeten their afternoon.
We have reached the end of the Second Pillar and during our weekly pastoral tutorial, our girls had the opportunity to reflect on this second pillar of our well-being program. They have written on paper about how they all say they value diversity and if they are comfortable with differences. They also reflected on the positive effect of the Community Service and Charity actions we are taking these weeks
Registrations are still open for our Annual Winter Camp in Crans Montana
For more information, contact our Camp Team: camps@cdl.ch 🎿
Tonight during our well-being tutorial, we focused on the second takeaway of this Pillar 2: Noticing differences is normal but there are many ways to be an ally.
We reflected with the students on the notion of diversity itself. It’s easy to label diversity as something uniquely linked to ethnicity, creed or sexuality… However, there are many, many other forms of diversity. Simple things such as personal tastes or hobbies are a source of diversity, and these are at least as visible as the above-mentioned ones.
We had an interesting discussion about why we bear judgement towards someone who doesn’t have the same religion or the same beliefs and not towards someone who doesn’t listen to the same music or supports another sports team.
We also watched this video which gives a simple explanation of the real notion of differences and diversity.
This afternoon our G12 students had an important meeting with Mrs Batey, our CDL University Advisor to discuss with her, their university choices. Thank you, Mrs Batey, for your support.
We hope you had a lovely day ! We love you
We had a quiet weekend but Sunday all the girls participate in Laser tag. They had fun and they win against Villa du Lac girls. WELL DONE!!!
Tonight we have a lovely dinner in Terray. Girls really appreciate it to have dinner in the house.
In tonight’s house assembly, we focused on the first key takeaway of this pillar: Integration and diversity are part of the international agenda of the world’s most important institutions. We talk about it at a lower level, at schools, work and public places. However, that topic is at the heart of the identity of all the major international organizations and that is something that sometimes we overlook to consider diversity something to think of at an individual level. Beyond the political message on the importance of diversity, institutions like the UN have a policy of promoting diversity in their work force and enabling all types of people to access job position within their ranks and therefore setting the example on integration and teamwork.
Globally what we want to achieve with this point is that students understand that Diversity and Integration are present far beyond the school environment or our individual background and that it’s a top priority in the world today. Sometimes, this might be overlooked, and we believe it’s important they acknowledge that the work and reflection being done here is echoed in the World Leading Institutions.
Take away point 1 – Integration and diversity are part of the international agenda of the world’s most important institutions.
We also watched this interesting video about UN volunteers
It was a pleasure to see Sue .We miss you !! Thank you for visiting us.
During our Monthly Boarding Assembly led by our Boarding director Mr Usher, the Second Pillar of our Well-being Program was launched, Protecting against Bullying and Respecting Diversity.
Through the next seven weeks, we will ask students to explore an area of interest relating to this pillar through a podcast or other research. We will be asking them to take note of their thoughts and feelings. The aim of this experience is to have a lasting impact on how the students view diversity or bullying.
We also talked about some different topics, such as School Trips, Academics, Xmas Dinner,etc.
We hope you had a good holiday and that the girls come back with renewed strength. We look forward to hearing how your holidays went.
Bea and Monica
Our Boarding Team is wishing you all a well-deserved and relaxing Autumn Holiday! !!
We will wait for you to celebrate our Traditional Fall Pumpkin-Carving Competition!
To our lovely Housekeeping staff, Liliana, we thank you for keeping our house beautiful and clean!
From Singapore to Brazil; from Miami to Japan; from Houston to Lebanon; from Mexico to Slovakia and from Ukraine to Geneva. A huge THANK YOU to parents for their collaboration, your continuous involvement plays an important role in your daughter’s progress. 🙏
Bozhena made her nail salon at the house.
The girls from Terray enjoyed the last weekend before the holidays. From Climbing, Bodyshaping, Chess and also they had time to community service and. Well Done!!!
We have reached the end of the First Pillar and during our weekly pastoral tutorial our girls had the opportunity to reflect on paper about this first pillar of our well-being program. They have written about how their friends and the people around them have a positive impact on their healthy balanced lifestyle regarding nutrition and physical activity.
This national holiday commemorates the exact date when Christopher Columbus first set foot in the Americas.
Columbus was attempting to find a western sea route to India. After leaving the Canary Islands, Columbus’ ships had been sailing west for five weeks, when on the morning of October 12th 1492, land was spotted.
The sighting is recorded as having been made by a lookout, but Columbus insisted that he had seen a light from land a few hours earlier, therefore making sure that he was awarded a lifetime pension from the Spanish Royal family for being the first person to spot land.
They then made landfall at an island in the Bahamas, which he named San Salvador, though it is not sure which island in the Bahamas this actually was.
Columbus’ voyages across the Atlantic Ocean initiated the European exploration and colonization of the Americas.
It’s a pleasure to see you Laetitia. Thank for visiting us !
A HUGE thank you to Mrs Samarra, Mr Levy, Mrs Chung, Mr Van Leeuwen, Mrs Thompson, Mrs Jody Kallay, Mrs Gonzalvez, Mrs Robinson, Mr Botcheff, Mrs Balbe, Mrs Lemale, Mrs Enrech, Mrs Tandy, Mr Fitzgerald, Mr Levy, Mrs Robinson, Mrs Van Moorsel, Mrs Mitchell and Mrs R.B. to visit us in J.B. Terray 27 today. It was a pleasure being able to spend time with you, and we hope you enjoyed yourselves too.
Today we took the photo with the hoodies of Terray.
Ana Sofia shows the girls a meditation that she uses. Also is part of our Wellbeing program for Pilar 1. It was so beautiful to see them focus and relax after.
This weekend the girls from Terray were busy Ana Sofia did Tennis, Magnolia Bodyshapping, Amanda, Bianka, and Dalaa join the Chess club and Selin did Baking delicious macarons. Well done girls!!!
Today Franconi’s boys and Terray’s girls have lunch together. Together we cooked risotto and Bruschetta. Delicious!!!!
A huge thank you to our Kitchen Staff for this delicious brunch !!!
Dalaa played Football tonight with Leman’s boys. she scored a goal. Well played!!!!!
In tonight’s house assembly, we focused on the second key takeaway of this pillar: The importance of a healthy balanced diet for sports and everyday life.
Staying healthy is at the top of nearly everyone’s priority list, and our daily choices can determine just how healthy we are. Not everything is in our control, but the habits and approaches we take to our health can often make a difference between being healthy and unhealthy
We also watched this video and we discussed how a healthy balanced diet can benefit them with sports performance, as well as academic performance, brain development and growth.
Have a lovely day Sabine. God bless you !! Love you
Today we have a double celebration. Congratulations Bianka and Amanda.
Tomorrow is Bianka and Amanda’s birthday and some girls bought some cakes for them and came to celebrate with them.
This Weekend the girls from Terray did Tennis and Acrobranche and Ana Sofia participated in the Volleyball tournament.
This week, Sabine has made use of the laundry service, which the School provides for our students (Monday morning pick-up/Wednesday afternoon delivery) as well as choosing a weekly slot in case she wants to do her laundry in the house by herself. 
This morning CP1 students enjoyed Bianka’s video focused on the benefits of reading .This Well-being class has been led by Mrs Amanda Gardiner (IB Core and Reach Coordinator) and Mrs Jana Krainova (Head of IB Programmes ,IBDP Coordinator and Pastoral Head)
Bianka made this video about the benefits of reading and how books can help not only to deal with stress but also with anxiety.
This weekend we had our first Mountain Weekend in Verbier. This was a fantastic opportunity for the whole Boarding Community to spend a weekend up in the mountains. Doing this at the start of the year allowed us all to have time to bond and get to know each other while doing group-building activities and enjoying the amazing scenery.
Our girls had plenty of different activities to choose from. Some of them went mountain biking, rock climbing, or hiking. Others preferred to go to a ropes course, do multi-sports on camp or a Via Ferrata. The girls also had the chance to do study hall in the afternoon. Sunday we had plenty of Carnival games. They all had a lovely time and Selin won a silver medal for the house!!
Here we go!!! 😀
Bianka wanted to cook a Croatian dessert and Dalaa helped her. It is delicious!!!
The Jeûne Genevois is a public holiday specific to Geneva. It falls on the Thursday after the first Sunday in September. On this special day, the people of Geneva traditionally eat prune tart.
Our “ J.B. Terray 27 ” Boarding House is ready to celebrate a holiday! And since we don’t have to go to school tomorrow, we are all looking forward to celebrate our first mountain weekend in Verbier.
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This afternoon we had our first meeting with our boarders’ teachers to discuss their first weeks settling into her new academic year at Collège du Léman.
Sofia’s Advisory Teacher, Mrs. Samarra
Maria Clara’s Advisory Teacher, Mr. Mc Guire
Magno, Selin, and Bozhena’s Advisory Teacher, Mrs. Skidmore
Amanda’s Advisory Teacher, Mr. Van Leeuwen
Ana Sofia’s Advisory Teacher, Mrs. Murray
Dalaa’s Advisory Teacher, Mr. Penrose
Bianka’s Advisory Teacher, Mrs. Tandy
Sabine? Advisory Teacher, Mr. Botcheff
This Sunday the House Competition of the Olympic Games took place. Terray teamed up with Saint-Loup. The girls had great time teamwork, well done!
On the first weekend back on Boarding the girls from Terray participates in Cooking and Pilates. Well done!!
Alfajores from Argentina , petits pains au chocolate from Suisse, baklavas from Lebanon and leche quemada from Mexico
Collège du Léman is welcoming all the new and “old ” boarders . Villa J.B.Terray 27 is finally starting to come alive again after the summer break! Wishing all the boarders a fantastic, exciting, productive, and unforgettable New School Year 2022/2023
Happy holidays! !! We wish you all a well-deserved and relaxing Summer holiday! Thank you to our J.B. Terray girls: Arlene, Muslima, Galia, Angelina, Katia, Bozhena, Bianka, Amaliya, Joelle, Lia and Sofia for making this year so special and enjoyable for us. We shall miss you!
Boarding Team ( Your Swiss Family )
Mrs Pauline Nord, General Director
Mr James Bearblock (High Principal ), Jana Krainova-Samuda ( Head of IB Programmes), Mr Philip Shaw (Deputy High School Principal , AP Coordinator and Charity Coordinator , Ms Tracy Usher ( High School Administrative Assistant)
Mrs Amanda Gardiner ( IB Core and Reach Coordinator. English and Theory of Knowledge Teacher )
Mrs Melanie Batey ( University Advisor )
Our wonderful Admissions Team lead by Mrs Laura Bayat
Mrs Claire Rocheteau (Camps Manager ), Matthew Svenningsen and Annick Quard ( Camp Coordinators)
XCR Activities Team
Our Kitchen Staff lead by Mr Olivier
Our nurses, Mrs Floriane Maitre and Mrs Aliénor Régis
Mrs Paula Vieira ( Our Cleaning Lady)
Mrs Marina Karpova ( Guidance Counsellor and Learning Support Services )
Our IT Team lead by Mr Jean-François
Mr Carlos Riberio (Administrative Assistant)
Mrs Rosario Bautista ( Book Store )
Mr Jean Pierre ( Security Staff )
Mr Alain ( Crossing Staff )
Hichem Mékacher ( Reception)
And special mention to Mr Usher ( Boarding Director )
Madam Salamin ( Deputy Head Boarding )
and Mr Salva Politano ( Deputy Head of Boarding and Pastoral Program)
Is an international school really that different? Come and find out why we think beyond academic success. Learn how our holistic approach inspires to students to acquire 21st century skills and be ready for the future.
Join us on campus and speak to our Middle School, High School Principals and students on campus as they share what makes their experience unique.
Register today!
Visit Chillon Castle
Chillon Castle is an island castle located on Lake Geneva. It is situated at the eastern end of the lake, on the narrow shore between Montreux and Villeneuve, which gives access to the Alpine valley of the Rhône. Chillon is amongst the most visited medieval castles in Switzerland
Pool time
Brunch Time
Community Service, Litter picking campus
Meditation Day
During our well-being tutorial, we focused on Attachment figures this week, the second key takeaway of this Pillar 5. Attachment theory focuses on relationships and bonds (particularly long-term) between people, including those between a parent and child and between romantic partners. The quality of our early attachments profoundly influences two things:
• our personality
• Our relationships later in life
Depending on their attachment style, our students are either able to empathize with others, share feelings with other people, show trust, engage in long-term relationships, have high self-esteem, enjoy intimate relationships, seek out support etc., or not.
Since our attachment styles are formed so early, we neither remember much about this stage of development nor do we have control over it. Therefore, our attachment traits are typically subconscious and automatic. Consequently, we might find ourselves repeating the same unhealthy patterns, in our relationships with ourselves and with others, repeatedly.
So, since Awareness is the beginning of change, tonight we asked our girls to take an attachment questionnaire quiz to help them figure out their attachment style.
In tonight’s house assembly, we focused on the first key takeaway of this pillar: Time in, How do you connect with the inner world?
What we experience in our inner world, which includes our feelings, thoughts, perceptions, memories, beliefs, hopes, dreams, desires, motivations, longings etc., can occur even without us being aware of it. The lack of self-awareness entails the failure to see the patterns in our behaviours and thinking. As a result, we risk making choices that are not aligned with what we really are and with what we really want.
On the contrary, when we develop the habit to pay attention to these inner experiences we become more self-aware. This can help us have more control over the decisions and choices we make and prevent us from being at the mercy of our own feelings, desires and external negative pressure.
Have a lovely day. All the best !!
Tonight, during our Virtual Boarding Assembly, has been launched the final Pillar of our Wellbeing Programme: “Making Safe and Responsible Choices”. Extremely important topic, especially as they grow older and head towards college to become fully-fledged adults. Teenagers are surrounded by many influences both online and in real life. There is much temptation and it’s important they develop their own strong healthy morals and ideals.
Terray girls are revising and working hard for their final exams.
May the force be with you!!!
It’s a pleasure to see you, Kateryna. Thank
you for visiting us.
Wish you all the best. We love you !
Community Service is something that at CDL we feel very passionate about and try to instil in all the students of the school. Within the school, they work on the REACH programme which promotes the students to address the areas of Health and Activity, Responsible Citizenship and Creativity. They must complete thirty hours per year during their school career.
Within the Boarding House, we accomplish many of these by providing activities and opportunities to take part in events and projects.
Today Joul took it upon themselves to do some litter picking on campus. It was therefore nice to show the responsibility we feel we have towards our school community and keeping it clean.
“R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me”, just like the song, so we asked the entire CDL community and compiled some of the many great answers here!
We are wishing all our girls and their families a happy and peaceful time together during this Easter Break !!
It was a pleasure to see our lovely Laetitia from Romania and Alina from Ukraine. We miss you !! Thank you for visiting us.
Summertime is the practice of moving the clock forward by one hour at the beginning of spring each year and moving it back one hour in the autumn- The aim is to make use of daylight longer into the evening by starting daylight an hour later in the morning.
In today’s wellbeing session, we focused on Online Wellbeing. Firstly we began by discussing these takeaway points: Are you conscious of how much time you spend on your phone? and Who really wins by you spending more and more time on your apps?. Furthermore, girls answered this Digital Phone Detox Challenge as part of their individual projects for this Pillar 4
We also watched the video that has been made by the Student Advocate Group.
Following our Pastoral Program, this week during our house assembly we discussed two interesting points about our “Online Life”. First one: What is our true reason for posting our pictures, videos online and second one Why do we think society now values followers, likes and comments on someone’s post as a measure of their success
Also, we watched the video that has been made by the Student Advocate Group for this Pillar 4.
During our house assembly and following our wellbeing program, tonight we focused on the topic What you post…. at that moment
There are lots of things you can do to keep yourself safe online.
Think before you post
Don’t upload or share anything you wouldn’t want your parents, careers, teachers or future employers seeing. Once you post something, you lose control of it, especially if someone else screenshots or shares it.
Don’t share personal details
Keep things like your address, phone number, full name, school and date of birth private, and check what people can see in your privacy settings. Remember that people can use small clues like a school logo in a photo to find out a lot about you.
Watch out for phishing and scams
Phishing is when someone tries to trick you into giving them information, like your password. Someone might also try to trick you by saying they can make you famous or that they’re from a talent agency. Never click links from emails or messages that ask you to log in or share your details, even if you think they might be genuine. If you’re asked to log into a website, go to the app or site directly instead.
Think about who you’re talking to
There are lots of ways that people try to trick you into trusting them online. Even if you like and trust someone you’ve met online, never share personal information with them like your address, full name, or where you go to school. Find out more about grooming.
Keep your device secure
Make sure that you’re keeping your information and device security.
Never give out your password
You should never give out your password or log-in information. Make sure you pick strong, easy to remember passwords.
Cover your webcam
Some viruses will let someone access your webcam without you knowing, so make sure you cover your webcam whenever you’re not using it.
We also watched this interesting video :
Tonight, during our Monthly Boarding Assembly, has been launched the fourth Pillar of our Wellbeing Program: Online Safety. The takeaways we will cover this Pillar are: Cyberbullying, Online Life, and Online Wellbeing. This pillar will accompany our students through these next five weeks of the school year, and it will offer them the opportunity to work on a range of many different projects and activities until the Easter Break.
Also, two of our students gave a powerful presentation about the importance of peace and friendship regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The Malaysian Chef
Vegetarian dish with tofu
Shrimps Laksa
Poultry Rendang
A HUGE thank you to Mrs Laura Bayat ( Director of Admissions & Marketing), Mrs Hong Raemy ( Admissions Manager Asia), Mrs Maria Rybakova (Senior Admissions Representative ) and Mrs Amélie Munoz ( Talent Acquisition Officer Human Resources) for your support and help with our girls.
Thank you Sofia and Bozhena for your help!
Tonight during our weekly house assembly we were covering the topic of the Wildlife Expedition. Thank you to our student Rei for this interesting presentation and video.
Operation Wallacea – Schools Expeditions – YouTube
We had a fantastic weekend up in Crans Montana. The whole boarding community went together to have a Swiss Alp experience. The snowfall was wonderful and they all had a great time. We stayed in La Moubra. The students had a choice of skiing, snowboarding or staying at camp and doing activities. It was a great experience. The conditions were excellent for experienced and beginner skiers.
Following our well-being program Pillar 3, tonight, during our weekly house assembly we discussed Boundaries, and why is this so important in building positive relationships.?
Setting boundaries is an important part of establishing one’s identity and is crucial for mental health and well-being. Setting healthy boundaries can have many benefits, including helping people make decisions based on what is best for them, not just the people around them. This autonomy is an important part of self-care. Healthy boundaries are a crucial component of self-care.
Boundaries can be described as how emotionally close you let people get to you. They are also where you draw the line within a relationship. They say how much you are willing to give or take before requiring that things change or deciding to call it quits. …
Boundaries are one of the measures of relationship health.
We also watched this interesting video about how we can set healthy boundaries with toxic people.
Following our Pastoral Program, we met this evening to speak about positive and toxic Friendships, what it means for each of us, and what we consider is essential in a friendship relationship.
We also watched this video about the differences between good friends and toxic friends
We need your flight tickets for February Break
From Friday 18th February to Sunday 27th February
Villa Terray has shared a token of friendship by baking apple tarts for two boarding houses part of Wellbeing Pillar 3 to show their friendship towards other boarders. Following Covid measures, the Houseparent delivered the pies as no visitors are allowed now.
Teenagers learn when adults act as good role models. But when it comes to developing great communication and social skills, practice with other kids can be invaluable. Building strong social skills can help teens make friends and feel better equipped to deal with stress and other issues as they develop and grow knowing there is support from the people around them.
One of the best ways for kids to learn to communicate well is to have them interact in a group and use the teachable moments which are created. Board games are fun and one of the easiest ways for kids to engage with one another. Playing a game requires patience, being able to take turns, agreeing to and sticking to the rules, and being a good friend – whether you win or lose.
UNO and JENGA are great games for building decision-making skills and improving hand-to-eye coordination. But, most importantly, the aim of these games is to teach kids the importance of being patient, how to be a good friend under pressure, and how to contain their excitement when a friend knocks the tower over!
This weekend we continued our weekly Community Service by tidying up our campus and the local area. We feel we have a duty to care for where we live and the land we borrow from nature. It is important for students to be able to give their time and energy and take this moment to reflect. Everything that they pick up, has been dropped by another person. If only we all took responsibility for our own trash and recycled it, we would all be living in a better place.
In our community, we believe that fruits are very important for the daily food intake, and as we are supporting a healthy lifestyle, every Tuesday and Saturday, we are getting the fruits-sources of many essential nutrients that are under-consumed, including potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin C, and folate.
Thank you to our boarding managers for these delicious fruits and also thank you to Bianka and Arlene for your help today.
Friendships are one of the most important elements of our lives. We are social beings and despite differences between us we can all agree that we need people around us to be fulfilled in our nature.
In Boarding this is even more emphasized. By being away from the family, the students are led to create strong bonds to lay the foundations of their “Boarding Family”. Peers, roommates, colleagues become like brothers, confidents, close friends… in some cases, inseparable for life. The nature of this connection is then authentic, genuine and forged by the circumstances and the kinship that the setting enhances.
Registrations are still open for our Annual Winter Camp in Crans Montana Winter Camp | Collège du Léman – International School – Geneva, Switzerland (nordangliaeducation.com)
All students who are 16 and older are required to have a valid G2 Covid Pass (Vaccine or recovery) to be able to attend our Winter Camp due to the rules in place at the hotel and for activities.
For more information, contact our Camp Team: camps@cdl.ch 🎿
vector illustration background welcome back
Joyeuses Fêtes & Happy Holidays to all our students, and families. Wishing you a season and New Year filled with joy, good health, peace and joyful moments to be cherished and treasured forever!!
We would like to take this chance to wish all our girls and their families, Happy Holidays and Happy 2022 !! Enjoy these festive weeks with family, friends, and beloved ones. Stay safe !!
CDL Family
A huge thank you to make our house nice and clean every day! Thank you, Paula !!
” For two weeks in December, the city of Geneva goes Escalade mad. As Roy Probert found, the people dress up in period costume and pay homage to a humble soup pot that saved the free world. Or something.
Geneva may be renowned as the world capital of peace and humanitarian work. But during the Escalade period, the citizens of the city show a surprising fondness for guns, swords and canons.
All Swiss people, it seems, have a secret love of dressing up in period costume, polishing muskets and playing fifes and drums. The Genevans are no different. But when they do it, they are remembering a decisive event which arguably made the city what it is today.
The actual day of the Escalade is December 12. It is Geneva’s 4th of July and Bastille Day, though, in keeping with Geneva’s puritan past, it’s celebrated with rather more sobriety. It marks the night when the small Protestant city-state defeated the Catholic forces of the Duke of Savoy and, it’s claimed, cemented its place as a bastion of freedom and tolerance.
“If it had not been for the Escalade, we would probably be French now. And that’s worth celebrating,” says Jean-Michel, who, like his father and grandfather before him, is a member of the 1602 Society, which organises the annual Escalade procession through Geneva’s Old Town.
But what, the visitor will be forgiven for asking, is the significance of the chocolate cauldrons that seem to be in every shop window in the city from the middle of November till the middle of December?
These are “marmites”, and they symbolise the soup pot which played a crucial role in defeating the French hordes.
The story goes something like this: On the night of December 11, the Duke of Savoy launched a surprise attack on the city. As they scaled the city walls with ladders (escalade means to scale) his men were spotted by a woman now affectionately known as Mère Royaume, who poured a pot of boiling vegetable soup over their heads and raised the alarm.
In reality, it was not Catherine Cheynel (Mère Royaume’s real name) who raised the alarm. But she was one of thousands of ordinary Geneva citizens who helped fight off the Savoyards, and her inventive weapon became the symbol of the Escalade.
Today the marmite is made of chocolate and filled with marzipan vegetables. Tradition dictates that the youngest and oldest people smash the chocolate pot and recite the phrase: “Thus perish the enemies of the republic”. In French, of course.
The really serious escalade festivities take place on the weekend closest to December 12. Members of the 1602 Society, dressed in those authentic Reformation period costumes, stage an understated, but fascinating procession through the old town.
At intervals along the way, they stop and a proclamation is read out (the same proclamation that was made after the Duke had been put to flight), muskets and canons are fired and the Geneva anthem Cé qu’è lainô (He who is on High) is sung.
Very few people seem to know what the 68 verses of Cé qu’è lainô mean, as they were written in an ancient Geneva patois. But that does not stop young and old belting it out with gusto. And nowadays they just stick to four verses, which helps.
In short, it’s not particularly complementary about the Savoyards. One verse goes something like this: “On the darkest night they came, and it wasn’t to have a drink. It was to loot our homes and kill us for no good reason.” Thank heavens the Genevans won.
“They have quite a story to tell,” says Keith Kentopp, an American who has lived in Geneva for some 30 years and one of the few foreigners in the 1602 Society.
There are around 2,600 members of the company of whom some 700 are allowed to wear costumes.
“There is nothing Disneyesque or commercialised about this. We know who the main characters of the Escalade were and we all have a role to play,” Kentopp says.
“It’s fun to dress up, but in a time of shifting values, the Escalade represents a kind of continuity. It’s about patriotism, tradition, and basic ideals like freedom.”
It’s also important to place the Escalade in its historical context. It happened at a time of massive religious upheavals in Europe, just before the outbreak of the Thirty Years War.
“It was only a small episode in history. Today we would call it a commando raid,” says Christian Colquhon, a former secretary general of the 1602 Society. “But the following year a peace treaty was signed which brought peace to this region.”
The defeat of the Catholic forces from France and northern Italy also confirmed Geneva’s position as a haven for dissidents and persecuted minorities.
“Many specialists agree,” says Colquhon, “if the Duke of Savoy had taken the city that night, it would not be the city that we know today – city of peace, a city of the world and the headquarters of the United Nations.”
A HUGE thank you to Mr James Bearblock (High School principal) Mrs Jana Krainova ( IB Coordinator), Mrs Sheena Tandy ( Pastoral Head Grade 11 & 12 ) and Mrs Gardiner ( IB Core and Reach Coordinator ) for your support and help with our girls.
Tonight we had “The Awards Ceremony”, where some of our girls received a medal for being involved in Activities, Boarding Life, and Academically reaching excellent grades. 
Congratulations to our girls for the awards they received at the boarding ceremony tonight
Academics Award: Katia
Academics Award :Muslima
Boarding Life Award : Bianka
Activities Award :Sofia
Thursday 9th DECEMBER
(Limit 20 CHF per gift)
HOUSE DINNER IN J.B. Terray 27
We need your flight tickets for December Break
Our students attended a session today with Mr Usher and Mr Salva regarding the first stage of the House Review. This process is something that the Boarding Department completes every two years, to ensure the happiness and safety of the students in their second homes.
As parents and guardians, you will also receive a House Review Survey which gives you an opportunity to share your opinion on several topics.
In our weekly wellbeing meeting, we have talked about the important role Community Service plays at Collège du Léman. How can we participate, what are the positive effects of our actions in favour of the community and what kind of sense and fulfilment we can find. These are some of the questions we have talked through in our meeting discovering very positive answers.
Our school encourages all students to connect with the greater community, giving them the opportunity to engage with a variety of activities. Terray girls have helped to mentor students, clean up lake Geneva, helping staff in our everyday tasks, teach younger students, etc.
We also watched this video about the Benefits of Community Service
Proud of them !!
This weekend we continued our weekly Community Service by tidying up our campus and the local area. We feel we have a duty to care for where we live and the land we borrow from nature. It is important for students to be able to give their time and energy and take this moment to reflect. Everything that they pick up, has been dropped by another person. If only we all took responsibility for our own trash and recycled it, we would all be living in a better place.
As part of our school-wide RISE week for Respect, and to draw further attention to be more respectful on our CDL campus, we have decided to focus on a theme: One small step makes a big difference.
In our J.B. Terray 27 Boarding House, we have created this image below to suggest one small effort that they can do in relation to Respect.
This week in our Wellbeing session we focused on Respecting Diversity and Discrimination.
Diversity refers to the ways that we all are different from one another. Some differences can be our gender, sexuality, ethnicity or culture, religion or spirituality, family, how much money we have (our social standing), age, body size, and ability. We believe diversity (all the things that make us different) should be appreciated and celebrated! Loving differences starts with being curious and open-minded when someone seems different from us.
Discrimination is when people treat others badly because they are different from them in some way. A form of discrimination called oppression is often used to take power away from an individual or a group of people. It can be hard if we experience discrimination, but there are supports and ways of resisting.
We also watched this video about Bullying and Diversity
During our house assembly and following our wellbeing program, tonight we focused on Racism and Stereotypes and how they lead to bullying.
We discriminate because we feel we protect ourselves, as a group, from those who are not just like us. Bullying is a result of a stereotype which quite often does not represent the truth.
There are several types of bullying that teenagers can experience, though some can be more obvious than others.
Being capable of identifying the forms of bullying and where they come from is the first step to enhance the awareness and feel confident to effectively tackle it around us.
Four common types of bullying :
Physical Bullying- This type of bullying involves hitting, kicking, punching, pushing and tripping, or stealing or damaging personal property. Physical bullying can cause both short term and long term damage
Verbal Bullying- Verbal bullying involves name-calling, insults, teasing, threats or homophobic or racist remarks. While verbal bullying can start out harmless, it can mount to levels that start affecting the individual target. Some signs of verbal bullying include things such as being withdrawn, becoming moody or a change in appetite.
Social Bullying- Social bullying, referred to as covert bullying, is often hard to recognize and can be carried out behind the target back. It’s often done to harm someone’s social status and/or to cause humiliation. Signs of this type of bullying include shifting towards being alone, mood changes and becoming withdrawn from a group of friends. Examples of this type of social bullying include:
Cyber Bullying- This certain type of bullying can be overt and covert bullying behaviour. The bully would use digital technologies, including hardware like computers and smartphones, and software such as social media, texts, websites and other online platforms. Cyber can happen both in public or private and sometimes only the target and the bully know it’s occurring. Signs of cyberbullying may involve your child, after being on their phone or social media sites, more and becoming sad or anxious afterwards. Cyberbullying includes:
We also watched this interesting video about stereotypes and bullying.
Today we had our First Virtual Parent & Teacher Meetings and we are so proud of the girls and all the positive feedback we received.
We would also like to thank our Teachers and staff from Collège du Léman, which are directly and indirectly involved in their education and wellbeing. We are sure they are on the path of Lifelong learning, the voluntary act of learning throughout life. Discover the benefits of a learning mind-set for personal and professional development and we can only thank everyone for providing them with that.
Congratulation girls, for all your efforts and dedication. We are proud of you!! This is the way to go. Go ahead !!
After our October Break, we started the Second Pillar of our Wellbeing Programme, focused on Protecting against Bullying and Respecting Diversity.
Through the next seven weeks, we will be asking students to explore an area of interest relating to this pillar through a podcast or other research area. We will be asking them to take note of their thoughts and feelings. The aim of this experience is to have a lasting impact on how the students view diversity or bullying.
Tonight, during our weekly house assembly, we discussed what bullying is, what bullying includes, and how to deal with bullying at school. Furthermore, and as we did in our First Pillar, students will think about an individual and a community project to carry out during this period, until the Christmas Break.
Tonight we had a special guest, Mrs Jody our boarding counsellor. The girls were happy to meet Mrs Jody and very grateful for this wonderful workshop.
Angelina was the one in charge to represent the House in this competition. Well done to Arlene , Bianka and Katia who helped with the carving too.
A little treat for our girls.
First two boxes already wrapped and ready to go.
If you want to learn more about our project, click on the link: Gift Box Project
It was a pleasure to see our lovely Liza. We miss you !! Thank you for visiting us.
Our Boarding Team is wishing you all a well-deserved and relaxing Autumn Holiday !!
Villa J.B. Terray 27 reopens on Friday, the 22nd of October at 16h
It was a pleasure to see Diana. We miss you !! Thank you for visiting us.
Thank you for all you do for us Mr Usher, M Salamin, Mr Salva and our nurses. !!
Tonight we had the privilege of Arlene’s performing for us! We are proud of you Arlene!
“Not Waving but Drowning” 1957 is a poem by the British poet Stevie Smith. The most famous of Smith’s poems, it gives an account of a drowned man whose distressed thrashing in the water had been mistaken for waving.
This national holiday commemorates the exact date when Christopher Columbus first set foot in the Americas.
Columbus was attempting to find a western sea route to India. After leaving the Canary Islands, Columbus’ ships had been sailing west for five weeks, when on the morning of October 12th 1492, land was spotted.
The sighting is recorded as having been made by a lookout, but Columbus insisted that he had seen a light from land a few hours earlier, therefore making sure that he was awarded a lifetime pension from the Spanish Royal family for being the first person to spot land.
They then made landfall at an island in the Bahamas, which he named San Salvador, though it is not sure which island in the Bahamas this actually was.
Columbus’ voyages across the Atlantic Ocean initiated the European exploration and colonization of the Americas.
Thank you, Mrs Mitchell, for coming to Villa Terray to collect the items that our girls have been gathering these weeks. A great demonstration of solidarity between our Boarding Community and Geneva refugees.
Katia, our House Captain offering our traditional apple pie to Miss Mitchell
♦
Our girls managed to spend several hours on Saturday giving back to the community by cleaning up Lake Versoix, we were very proud of our House’s turnout as most of the girls were keen to get involved and never once complained as the day became tiresome. Good job girls, Proud of you !!
In our community, we believe that fruits are very important for the daily food intake, and as we are supporting a healthy lifestyle, every Tuesday and Saturday, we are getting the fruits-sources of many essential nutrients that are under-consumed, including potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin C, and folate. Thank you to our boarding managers for these delicious fruits!
It was a pleasure to see our lovely Laetitia. We miss you !! Thank you for visiting us.
Comments after the meditation session from our girls:
Lia: “It allows us to learn and perceive all senses”
Bozhena: “Every bone in my body was relaxed and it seemed that I was in sync with my body and my mind. Great experience.”
Katia: “Meditation is being present in the moment”
Bianka: “After the session, mediation is adquiered and perfected with practice. The more you practice the better you are at it and you are more connected to the environment.”
Sofia: “It was really nice to be able to feel things that normally we don’t have the time to even be aware of.”
Arlene: “I liked it because it is something that you cannot do right or wrong because there is no results just what you feel and how you understand and applied it into your life.”
Galia: “It allowed me to find some equilibrium and be more connected with my body. To be able to put all the worries aside and concentrate only in what that happening in that instant. ”
Amaliya: “Although this activity was not my favorite one, I like the state of mind that I was left with after the session.”
Muslima: “The body almost can do it all but is the mind who we need to convince. Being able to leave all my worries for a while was really rewarding .”
Thank you Bianka and Muslima for a wonderful dinner and a delicious dessert. 🙂
WELL DONE MUSLIMA… AND AMALIYA!
Were delicious Arlene!
The thing that separates the good schools from the great, is about how well they understand that what they teach, doesn’t just lie in the academic. For as high as our academic standards at C.D.L are and how hard our students work; what we pride ourselves on is an education that can prepare us for when life truly begins.
And much like the academic, the basics is where it all comes together. Because maintaining a healthy body and mind doesn’t require much creativity. But it does require routine. Simple maintenance in the most obvious areas. Getting enough sleep. Eating well. Reducing time spent between them and electronics. And it’s easy to forget that. So at C.D.L, in our Wellness sessions, we bring our girls at Villa Terray together to remind them about those healthy basics and getting them involved in revitalising their interest in them.
Featured below is a photograph of our boarding C.D.L counsellor Mrs Jody supervising a mindfulness exercise.
We are now entering the fifth week of the Wellbeing Pillar 1. This week the topic to be covered in the Boarding Houses will be based around positive activities. We would like the students to ask themselves ‘how do they spend their free time?’ This is linked to the second takeaway point of this pillar which is: ‘How can we use our hobbies to de-stress?’ Therefore, we would like the students to first identify their hobbies (perhaps relating to sport, art, reading or music etc), then encourage them all to use these extremely beneficial activities as a positive form of relaxation or destressing.
Having a hobby is a great way to spend your spare time and unwind from your daily routine – whether it’s learning a new skill, doing something outdoors, reading, or doing something musical or artistic.
Spending time on an activity that you enjoy can improve your mental health and wellbeing. Research shows that people with hobbies are less likely to suffer from stress, low mood, and depression.
Activities that get you out and about can make you feel happier and more relaxed. Group activities like team sports can improve your communication skills and relationships with others.
Your interests may be creative, athletic, academic, or something distinctly personal. You may choose a hobby that you can do alone or as part of a group. Whatever your interests are, there is sure to be a hobby out there for you. What matters is that it is something you find meaningful and enjoyable.
Thank you for visiting us. We miss you, Mrs Bianca. All the best! God bless you! And see you soon !!
Proud of her!
We are now entering the fourth week of the first Pillar of our wellbeing programme – Nurturing Healthy Bodies and Minds.
The second takeaway point from this pillar is ‘How can we use our hobbies to de-stress?’. Every single one of us is faced with a certain level of stress in our lives at some point. We appreciate that our students with have pressures and stress to deal with from many different aspects of their lives, therefore it is crucial that we talk about how we can help identify these stressors and how we can help manage those stress levels. This is another big step in identifying how we can maintain a healthy mind in order to benefit our well-being.
During our Boarding House assembly this week, we specifically talked to the students about ‘How can we identify personal stressors. The idea behind this topic is that it’s important to learn how to identify what it is exactly that is putting under stress before we then find appropriate activities and strategies to help alleviate that stress.
We also watched this interesting video about how we can provide them with more knowledge surrounding stress management.
It was a pleasure to see our lovely Jessica Song. We miss you !! Thank you for visiting us and for these delicious Dunkin’ Donuts !!
The Mid-Autumn Festival is also called the Moon Festival or the Mooncake Festival. It traditionally falls on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, which is in September or early October on the Gregorian calendar.
In 2021, the Mid-Autumn Festival falls on September 21st (Tuesday). Chinese people have a 3-day public holiday from September 19th to 21st.
A “mid-autumn festival” is also celebrated in many other Asian communities besides China. In China, it’s a reunion time for families, just like Thanksgiving, while in Vietnam, it’s more like a children’s day.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is the second most important festival in China after the Chinese New Year. Chinese people celebrate it by gathering for dinners, worshipping the moon, lighting paper lanterns, eating mooncakes, etc.
Thank you to our Boarding Direction for these delicious mooncakes !!
🏅 A group of 8 IBCP students are taking part in a fantastic challenge this week hosted by Les Roches Global Hospitality Education – Switzerland
Every day, Arlene waters the plants of the House. Well done!
We are now entering the third week of the Wellbeing Pillar 1. This week the topic to be covered is ‘The effects of screen time before sleeping’. This is again linked to the first takeaway point of this pillar which is: ‘How important is sleep?’
We care about all the elements which interfere with the life of our students. One of these is the time spent in front of screens before sleeping.
Using phones, or any screens for that matter, before you go to sleep has an effect on your health and subsequently your wellbeing. Scrolling through your phone or watching something on your laptop at bedtime can keep your mind psychologically engaged, preventing your brain from switching off effectively at the end of the day. The blue light that comes off the screens reduces the melatonin levels in your body. Melatonin is the hormone within the body that controls your sleep cycles. It is also possible that scrolling and watching can trigger emotions within your brain that will delay your sleep and can lead to you lying awake reflecting on those emotions. We would like to outline the importance of sleep to our students so that they are fully prepared and they give themselves the best opportunity possible to achieve their full potential – in all aspects of their lives. Allowing the brain the sufficient amount of time to rest and recover means we give ourselves the best chance to having a healthy mind, and a healthy body
We also watched this interesting video about How smartphones affect our sleep
Merci aux professeurs qui sont venu nous rendre visite à J.B.Terray 27 aujourd’hui. C’était un plaisir de passer du temps avec vous, et on espère que vous vous êtes amusé autant que nous (non seulement à cause de notre nourriture !) 🙂
Thank you to all the teachers that came to visit us in J.B. Terray 27 today. It was a pleasure being able to spend time with you, and we hope you enjoyed yourselves too (not only because of our food!) 🙂
Following our Pastoral Program, tonight we had our second Wellbeing session focused on The effects from lack of sleep and How does it affect all areas of our life.
The discussion was interesting. Everybody shared the reasons that can make us go late to bed: social media, homework, stress, etc. Using their answers we set up a new action plan:
1- Unlike us, who have grown up without the internet and mobile phones, our students were born into the age of the Internet and for them, it is something intrinsic and second nature. Students need 7/ 8 hours per night to sleep. Due to their lack of sleep, we made a deal: During the week, they are not allowed to use mobile phones after 22.30.
2- To help relax their body and mind after an intensive daily routine, we suggested that they take a shower and drink a tea or infusion before bedtime. Obviously, family calls/chats are important as well as attending yoga classes or meditating, all helping them feel more relaxed.
3- They need at least five meals: breakfast, snack at school, lunch, snack after school, and dinner. We suggested that they avoid eating fast food and energy drinks. Best to drink water. Tuck shop is cancelled so they can buy their healthy food.
4- They must practice more sports. Almost all of them have signed up for 1 or 2 activities during the week/weekend: fitness, volleyball, horse, soccer, tennis.
We also watched this interesting video about How sleep affects our brain.
The Jeûne Genevois is a public holiday specific to Geneva. It falls on the Thursday after the first Sunday in September. On this special day, the people of Geneva traditionally eat prune tart.
Tarte aux pruneaux (plum pie) is often served as dessert in Geneva homes on Jeûne genevois. Any knowledge as to how this tradition began seems to have been lost, although it may have come about as a means to allow women and housekeepers a way to spend the day in prayer, having cooked plum pies the day before (area plums being in season).
The practice of fasting could be observed in the. Swiss cantons as far back as the 15th century. The Diet, an assembly of the representatives of the cantons in place until 1848, organised penance and thanksgiving days. Each canton could decide what form these fasts would take.
The origin of the Jeûne Genevois dates back to the first fast recorded in Geneva, at the beginning of October 1567, following the repression of Protestants from Lyon. From 1640, fasting was seen as a moral and religious act and became an annual practice at the initiative of reformed cantons. It was seen as an act of humility and solidarity with the poorest members of society.
Our “ J.B. Terray 27 ” Boarding House is ready to celebrate a holiday! And since we don’t have to go to school tomorrow, we are all looking forward to the trip to Lausanne to visit the Olympic Museum. This excursion is going to be organized thanks to our great Boarding Activity Managers! !! You will be able to see the beautiful pictures of these trips tomorrow.
To welcome Arlene to Terray and having Ghida for a visit, our girls decided to make crêpes for them. 🙂
As a new school year begins, J.B. Terray 27 and the whole boarding community will be focusing on looking after ourselves and others around us. We will be spending an hour a week together concentrating on what it means to have a positive attitude towards our own wellbeing and the benefits it can bring us both academically, socially, and personally. This will be a 5 pillar program carried out over the year, focusing on different areas of our lives. Tonight we had a special guest, Mrs Jody our boarding counselor. The girls were happy to get to know Mrs Jody and very grateful for her visit and support.
The first pillar we are building is Nurturing healthy bodies and minds. This first Pillar will accompany our girls through these first weeks of the school year, and it will offer them the opportunity to work on a range of many different projects and activities until the October Break. During the next weeks, we will cover crucial topics such as sleep, nutrition, exercise, and emotional regulation which will be the main focus of this Pillar.
We strongly believe in the importance of sport and activities and the extensive benefits they have on both our physical and emotional well-being. We think it’s very important that where we work hard, rest and relaxation are also vital. This can be provided by sports also, but other constructive ways to look after ourselves emotionally can be reading, listening to music, meditating, making things or yoga.
Throughout this school year, students will be encouraged to complete an individual project and a community project for each pillar of well-being. Our community project will involve the whole Boarding House.
A huge thank you to our Kitchen Staff: Mr Antonio, Mrs Alexandra and M.r Bastien for this delicious brunch !!!
Lia working hard to complete her essay and putting her affairs in order. Keep it up Lia!
Our Boarding Team led by Mr Usher, Mrs Salamin, Mr Politano, and Mrs Kallay is wishing you a successful School Academic Year 2021/2022
Collège du Léman is welcoming all the new and “old ” boarders . Villa J.B.Terray 27 is finally starting to come alive again after the summer break! Wishing all the boarders a fantastic, exciting, productive, and unforgettable New School Year 2021/2022
Happy holidays! We wish you all a well-deserved and relaxing Summer holiday! Thank you to our J.B. Terray girls: Diana, Louise, Ruijin, Kateryna, Alina, Maeva, Isabella, Lia and Katia for making this year so special and enjoyable for us. We shall miss you!
Boarding Team ( Your Swiss Family )
The girls had their last boarding assembly of the year and we are very proud to announce that Katia is going to be a Prefect next year!!! Welldone Kati 🙂
The girls also watched the stay safe movie and we had a great discussion about it after and how this can be in the real world. It was great to have their point of view.
Stay safe girls 🙂
We hope you have a lovely day with your family. All the best for your future !! We will miss you !! Love you.
Boarding Team
Please click on the link below to watch The Graduation Ceremony
Have a lovely day!! We love you !!
Some of our girls are graduating this year. It has been such a pleasure to share with you this last year of school.
We are proud of who you are and we are sure you will begin this new journey with courage, strength and wisdom. CDL will for sure miss you!!!
Following our Pastoral Programme , we watched this interesting video about How Happiness is dependent on self-discipline.
Self-discipline, or self control, means taking possession of our own mind. The power of thought is the only thing over which and human being has complete unquestionable control. We have the power of the self-determination, the ability to choose what out thoughts and action will be. If you direct your thought and control your emotions, you will ordain your destiny.
Take charge of your life. You are what you think !
🌊 When Mr. Usher, Director of Boarding, takes our students onto Lac Léman on a speedboat, be prepared to adjust your perspective whilst approaching Geneva’s famous Jet d’eau and discovering the coast from “the other side”. ⚓
Have a lovely day
Following our Well-Being Programme, today’s conversation was about decision making and consequences.
Decision making is the process of making choices by identifying a decision, gathering information, and assessing alternative resolutions. Using a step-by-step decision-making process can help us make more deliberate, thoughtful decisions by organizing relevant information and defining alternatives.
The Consequences of Choice: The Final Step in Decision Making
Before moving ahead with a decision, it is imperative to consider possible adverse consequences of feasible alternatives. The negative consequences of any action are as tangible as its benefits, sometimes more so. Once a decision has been made and implemented, any of its negative effects will eventually become real problems. The effects of decisions—good or bad—always outlive the decision-making process that produced them.
We all make mistakes . Helping teenagers learn from their mistakes
In today’s world where we tend to focus on success and money, mistakes are frowned on. This attitude has been past on to our teenagers. Some parents don’t expect their teens to make a mistake or fail at something. If their teen does make a mistake, the consequences can be severe.
Teenagers are very aware of the pressure on them to succeed and never make a mistake. Many teens who make mistakes are terrified of telling their parents because they fear their reaction. Some teens even consider suicide if they failed a test at school. Teens feel this pressure because parents arrange for tutors so they will get good grades. Also parents are sending their teens to courses to prepare them for the SAT test and parents are also arranging for consultants to help their teens get into good colleges. This is a great deal of pressure and stress.
Think back to when your son or daughter was learning to stand or walk. When the child fell, you would tell them good job for trying and keep trying because you will get it. We say this all the time to our little children. However, for some reason when that little child becomes a teenager, mistakes are not as acceptable and often teens get into trouble for making a mistake.
Yes, as a teen their mistakes get bigger and can be very serious. Obviously if a teenager made a mistake of shop lifting or driving while drunk, these are very serious issues and deserve negative consequences the first time they occur. However, if the mistake is they forgot to do their homework or they came home 20 minutes after curfew, these are not as serious and do not require a severe consequence. Remember the consequence needs to be related to the mistake. If it is too severe or if there is no consequence, the teen will not learn anything.
As parents, we need to remember that teens are starting to learn about relationships and how to handle responsibilities as adults. When they were younger they needed to learn how to walk and had to be toilet trained. We were patient with them as little children, why not be patient with them as teens?
When your teenager makes a normal life mistake, instead of getting mad or frustrated look at it as a teaching opportunity and a bonding opportunity. When your teen makes a mistake this gives you an opportunity to discuss what type of adult you would like to see them mature in to and what values as an adult you hope they will have. It is also a chance to grow closer because if you talk with your teen it give you the opportunity to learn about them and for your teen to learn about you.
We also watched this interesting video about the adolescent brain by Dan Siegel
It’s not so easy being an adolescent these days. We become aware of the world around us, are flooded with input through digital media about our extended global family, and learn about the world’s intense and overwhelming problems. And even more, puberty’s onset is getting earlier, and the time between our childhood dependence and adult responsibility over the last century has moved from a couple of years to a dozen or more.
For adolescents, this means that the pruning down of existing neurons and the laying down of myelin sheaths connecting the remaining linked neurons will continue years after we stop referring to them as “teenagers”
🎬 We are very proud of our students who were selected to represent CDL in Juilliard’s Construct-A-Dance challenge. This involved them creating, choreographing, dancing and filming themselves in groups. 🕺
🏅 Our brilliant dancers and passionate teachers Veronika and Sophie were awarded a certificate for their hard work. 👏
Enrollment 2021-2022 is still open at Collège du Léman. Contact our admissions team at admissions@cdl.ch
https://www.nordangliaeducation.com/en/our-schools/switzerland/cdl/admissions/online-application
Today we had a chat over some fruits and it was about decision making. I took an apple and I asked them whether they wanted to eat it or not? And the conversation started there.
I asked them have you ever wondered just how many decisions you make in a day? I got frowned faces. So I answered this question, neuroscientists predict it’s a mind-blowing 35,000! (Yes, I searched about it before, like I do every time we are about to have a debate about a wellbeing project.).
Then I went on to ask them if they could number how many decisions they had to make since they woke up. I started my list by, when I woke up I saw it was 7am so I questioned myself whether I should get up or stay in bed 30more mins. It followed by whether I should drink my coffee with or without milk, go straight to the computer or enjoy my coffee in the sun, drink a second one or wait for brunch, enjoy the sun or open my phone to check messages etc. Then they started to think of all the decisions they made until then and realised that they were actually a lot!
I told them that someone once told me that life is just a series of decisions, one right after another, each determining the life that we lead. Sometimes the decisions are small and inconsequential, like my morning selections. However, sometimes the decisions are big. They have the power to shape us, such as which college to attend, and the degree to pursue, whom to marry or where to settle down. And the ripple effect that follows can feel like you’re riding a tidal wave. Regardless-big or small, every day these choices are written into our story.
So we talked about how to get to the root of decision making and we came up with these 6 steps;
This was a great interaction time and now they know that learning to make their own choices help them be more independent, responsible, and confident. It gives them a sense of control over their lives, reducing anxiety and promoting resilience. Furthermore, it encourages self-exploration and helps them to solidify their values.
Let’s continue with more decision making; whether to eat another fruit or stop there? Let’s apply the 6 steps and make a decision!
Tonight, during our Virtual Boarding Assembly, has been launched the final Pillar of our Wellbeing Programme: “Making Safe and Responsible Choices”
The key take-away points for this Pillar will be three : first , the ESSENCE of teen brain and the science behind decision making process ; second , consequences and third , self-discipline.
Also, our girls will be given only two choices for their Individual Projects. They will have to join either the discipline revolution project or the happiness project
We hope you had a great holiday! Villa Terray is already open Let’s go for the last stretch of the school year! !! 💪💪
We are wishing all our girls and their families a happy and peaceful time together during this Easter Break !!
What makes social media actually ‘social’ are the connections users make with other users on the platforms. Every social networking site handles these connections differently, calling them ‘connections’, ‘friends’ and ‘followers’, amongst others. Having friends and followers is how we find out what other people say and do. Your friends and followers are much more likely to see your online content than those outside of your network, which is why it’s important to be mindful of who you connect with and what you share. On some platforms, if two accounts follow each other, this may allow additional communication channels such as private messaging.
Some tips to stay safe online;
1. Be Cautious of Sharing Too Much
2. Adjust Privacy Settings
3. Limit Details About Work History
4. Verify Who You’re Connecting With
5. Keep Control of Comments – Be Aware of Impersonators
6. Don’t Share Personal Details
7. Check Out Your Own Account
8. Know Employer Boundaries or Acceptable Use Policies
9. Control What Information is Shared with Outside Sources
10. Be Careful of Over-Friending
11. Consider Forming a New Social Network
12. Single Sign-On: Open ID
13. What Goes Online Stays Online
14. Know How to Block Unfriendly Followers
15. Keep Passwords Strong
And last but not least, enjoy your social media, but don’t forget to enjoy your social life ❤️
The girls have been doing a community project this last two weeks, going over the recycling rubbish and separating them once again. They are not only doing it to deal with the consequences of some of their actions but also to save their own planet.
These bins are only supposed to be for PET, but, as you can see in the picture, there are thousands of different things in them that are not PET bottles.
The girls were pleased to do this and at the same time shocked to see how disrespectful the others are towards our planet. Here is a recorded message from them;
Thank you, girls, not only for showing that you are responsible for your actions but towards our planet! As I said before, I am sure you are growing up to be great women.
Seven years with us at Collège du Léman . Time flies !! Too many memories. Love you. Enjoy your day !!
Tonight, we had our Wellbeing Tutorial organised by our counselor Mrs Jody and focused on Stay Safe workshop covering online harassment. Furthermore, we enjoyed our traditional Talent Show Competition organised by our Boarding Activities Team. The girls really enjoyed it !!
This afternoon, over some strawberries and cream, we started discussing if they remembered their lives when they were very young before they could actually start playing with the internet.
I also talked about my experience and we had a nice chat that led to different discussions, like, What do you most like about the internet? What do you use most? What you don’t like? and If something bad happened to them related to the internet, bullying, shaming and etc.
I t was nice to see so many different points of view and freely discuss it 🙂 Here are some things for you to reflect on before and after the internet.
I am proud to say that the girls took their responsibilities into their hands and went ahead with this recycling sorting task in the school.
Seeing you being responsible for the consequences of your actions and completing this task with great intention could not make me less happy.
I am sure you are growing up to be great ladies 🙂 Let’s go for a second round of helping hands tomorrow too, this time with music!
Today we had our Second Virtual Parent & Teacher Meetings and we are so proud of the girls and all the positive feedback we received.
We would also like to thank our Teachers and staff from Collège du Léman, which are directly and indirectly involved in their education and wellbeing. We are sure they are on the path of Lifelong learning, the voluntary act of learning throughout life. Discover the benefits of a learning mind-set for personal and professional development and we can only thank everyone for providing them with that.
Congratulation girls, for all your efforts and dedication. We are proud of you!! This is the way to go. Go ahead, is the last stretch !!
This week in our Wellbeing Session, we have watched some videos regarding Online safety and Staying safe.
TIPS TO STAY SAFE ONLINE
There are lots of things you can do to keep yourself safe online.
Think before you post
Don’t upload or share anything you wouldn’t want your parents, carers, teachers or future employers seeing. Once you post something, you lose control of it, especially if someone else screenshots or shares it.
Don’t share personal details
Keep things like your address, phone number, full name, school and date of birth private, and check what people can see in your privacy settings. Remember that people can use small clues like a school logo in a photo to find out a lot about you.
Watch out for phishing and scams
Phishing is when someone tries to trick you into giving them information, like your password. Someone might also try to trick you by saying they can make you famous or that they’re from a talent agency. Never click links from emails or messages that ask you to log in or share your details, even if you think they might be genuine. If you’re asked to log into a website, go to the app or site directly instead.
Think about who you’re talking to
There are lots of ways that people try to trick you into trusting them online. Even if you like and trust someone you’ve met online, never share personal information with them like your address, full name, or where you go to school. Find out more about grooming.
Keep your device secure
Make sure that you’re keeping your information and device secure.
Never give out your password
You should never give out your password or log-in information. Make sure you pick strong, easy to remember passwords.
Cover your webcam
Some viruses will let someone access your webcam without you knowing, so make sure you cover your webcam whenever you’re not using it.
Today we are celebrating women all over the world and within our Nord Anglia community of schools. Diana, Lia, Jessica, Katia, Alina, Maeva Louise, Kateryna and Isabella GO AHEAD !!
Diana was feeling like the weather didn’t help with the mood today, so we decided to make some healthy cookies for everyone in the house and we ended up doing an abbs workout challenge to kick some more endorphin in.
The cookies were so yummy, thank you, Diana 🙂
And here goes the hard work to burn them off, kick some endorphin in and give us a smile 🙂
Saturday is paid off 🙂
In our community, we believe that fruits are very important for the daily food intake, and as we are supporting a healthy lifestyle, every Tuesday and Saturday we are getting the fruits-sources of many essential nutrients that are under-consumed, including potassium, dietary fibre, vitamin C, and folate.
A huge thank you to our Kitchen Staff for another delicious brunch !!!
J.Terray will close its doors tomorrow morning and we hope everyone will enjoy their break and recharge the batteries 🙂
Enjoy the winter break, and be ready for some snow fun like our super Maeva!
We will be waiting for you from next week girls!!!
Tonight Jessica enjoyed a lovely Chinese dinner with her friends.
Your Boarding Team is wishing you all the best for this New Year. Love you, Jessica!
Please. Click on the link to watch the card :
https://www.123cards.com/chinese-new-year-ecards/lanterns/preview/
Today we celebrated Chinese new year at dinner and the dining hall looked amazing and smelt amazing!
Thank you, everyone involved in this and Happy Chinese new year everyone!
A very important topic was brought up during our virtual house assembly, which is also a part of our Wellbeing Pastoral Programme. Peer pressure and the role of positive friendships in youth development. Adolescence is a period of rapid change —physically, emotionally, and socially—and relationships with friends play an important role in adolescents’ lives as they become increasingly independent, develop their own identity, and grapple with self-esteem. Positive friendships provide youth with companionship, support, and a sense of belonging. They can encourage or reinforce healthy behaviours, and evidence suggests that positive companies in adolescence can lay the groundwork for successful adult relationships, including romantic relationships.
Today was filled with snacks and concentration. The girls have been studying since early and why not having some snacks to keep concentration level at its best?
Well done for the hard work girls! We are so proud of you! 🙂
A special Thank you to the direction for providing these super delicous food!
Today the girls enjoyed their day doing ski in Les Crosset. The day started out ok but it turned out very different! What it is, is that sand from the Sahara desert came to pay a visit in the alps and all turned yellow and muddy like, but nothing stopped them.
Following our Pastoral Programme, we met this evening to speak about positive and toxic Friendships, what it means for each of us and what we consider is essential in a friendship relationship.
Positive Friendship
Negative Friendship
We also watched this interesting video :
A huge thank you to our Boarding Directors, Mr Usher, Mme Salamin and Mr Salva for this delicious snack !!
On Saturday the Boarding School headed for the mountains (Leysin and Villars) for a ski day of fun in the snow. The girls had a great time skiing and snowboarding with plenty of fresh snow.
A huge thank you to our Kitchen Staff for another delicious brunch !!!
Along with Mr Usher, the prefects decided that for the respect week CDL should focus on respect for the environment. So on this sunny day, good music and a great willingness to see our community clean, Maeva, Lia and Isabella decided to take part in it and we all went litter picking around our community.
During our walk, we discussed how we can help improve our environment and what are the things we should do to educate those that don’t. Just as we were passing by a shop, a man who saw we were picking up litter, was smoking and we all waited to see if he would throw it out on the street or in the bin and at the end, he threw it in the bin and the girls decided to go and congratulate him and thank him for his care towards our environment.
Full trash bags and big smiley faces!
The girls were impressed with the number of cigarette buds that are thrown in the streets and Maeva wanted to make sure we show that to everyone so they can learn how to respect our environment.
Litter team on attack!
Well done girls, we are so proud of you!!!
Today some of the girls had a lot of fun on their sky day in Leysin and Villars. They were lucky to have such nice weather in the morning, which unfortunately turned cloudy in the afternoon, but nothing stopped them from having great fun!
Following our Well-Being Programme, our house assembly this time was about Peer Pressure.
Peers are people who are part of the same social group, so the term “peer pressure” means the influence that peers can have on each other. Although peer pressure does not necessarily have to be negative, the term “pressure” implies that the process influences people to do things that may be resistant to, or might not otherwise choose to do.
So usually the term “peer pressure” is used when people are talking about behaviors that are not considered socially acceptable or desirable, such as experimentation with alcohol or drugs. The term “peer pressure” is not usually used to describe socially desirable behaviors, such as exercising or studying.
Is Peer Pressure Always Bad?
In reality, peer pressure can be either a positive or negative influence that one peer, or group of peers, has on another person.
Positive Peer Pressure
Peer pressure could influence a young person to become involved in sports. This involvement could be positive, leading to exposure to healthy lifestyles and role models, and eventually leading the young person to become a positive role model herself.
Negative Peer Pressure
That same peer pressure could lead the same young person to over-identify with sports, putting exercise and competition above all else.
If taken to an extreme, she may develop exercise addiction, causing her to neglect schoolwork and social activities, and ultimately, use exercise and competition in sports as her main outlet for coping with the stresses of life. This can also lead to numerous health consequences.
This afternoon a fruitful conversation took place in our lounge during our snack time and all the girls were engaging with great interest.
What is the definition of a role model? Someone that you look up to.
We all have role models.
What are their qualities?
They have high moral values and they are honest.
They project confidence.
Role models demonstrate their commitment to a desired goal and are willing to invest the necessary time and effort to achieve success.
They don’t give up easily and they persevere when confronted by obstacles. Their passion to succeed inspires youngsters to follow through and reach the goals they set for themselves.
In order for role models to be influential, they must show respect for others.
Role models inspire others with an upbeat, optimistic outlook on life.
In J.B. Terray Boarding House, everyone’s role model or models come from family members. Grand-parents and parents who managed to succeed in life with their perseverance and positive energy. Strong passionate people who are kind and compassionate. We are all lucky and grateful to have these people in our lives. We want to learn from them and set the example to others as they did.
And you know…. you might be this role model. It’s all about good intentions and kind actions.
During our first Virtual Boarding Assembly in 2021 has seen the launch of The Third Pillar of our Well-being Programme, Building Positive Friendships.
This third Pillar will accompany our students, and it will offer them the opportunity to work on a range of many different projects and activities until February Break.
Throughout these weeks, we will cover crucial topics such as Friendship groups, Positive role model, Sociability, Confidence/Motivation…
Friendship is a very important part of our lives.
For teenagers, good friends can be:
– like a personal support group
– a sense of belonging, a feeling of being valued and help with developing confidence
-the sense of security and comfort that comes from being with others going through similar experiences
-information about the changes that puberty brings, and what’s going on physically and emotionally
-a way to experiment with different values, roles, identities, and ideas
– experience in getting along with people of the opposite sex.
-a social group to do new things with, especially things that are different from what families do.
Registrations are still open for our Annual Winter Camp 2021
https://www.nordangliaeducation.com/en/our-schools/switzerland/cdl/camps/winter-camp
CDL welcome desk is ready and set for another day of arrivals!
We are happy to receive everyone and we can’t wait to see all our boarders’ smiley faces! 🙂
Jb Terray is now open and we are excited to see everyone’s beautiful faces again!
We are sure you all had a great family time together and got your batteries charged for another wonderful and hard-working term full of energy, realizations, and great health!
We can wait to see you all again!! Safe travels and see you soon!
We would like to take this chance to wish all our girls and their families, Happy Holidays and Happy 2021 !! Enjoy these festive weeks with family, friends, and beloved ones. Stay safe !!
Boarding Team
Enjoy our two Christmas Videos. Click on the links below :
Video 1
Video 2
https://naeeuro-my.sharepoint.com/personal/aida_villalba_cdl_ch/Documents/Attachments/CDL(1).mp4?_=1
Thank you to Mrs. Nord, our Director General, for these delicious biscuits!!
Thank you to Mr. Usher, Boarding Director, and Mrs. Salamin, Deputy Head of Boarding, for these swiss chocolates !!
And thank you to Mrs. Jody and Mr. Salva, our Pastoral Programm Team for your continuous support in these difficult times !!
A huge thank you to make our house nice and clean every day! Thank you, Paula !!
Tonight we had vegetarian lasagna and milk pudding to celebrate the last weekend before the holidays!
The girls were happy to eat at home and have a quiet time before going to bed for the last week of school! The main conversation was about how excited they are to go back home 🙂 But also, we discussed what do they do and how they call the end of year celebrations back in their country.
This was a nice way to discuss diversity around the theme of “end of year celebrations” and also other celebrations. The girls seemed very mature towards this theme and discussed how important it is to be respectful of different cultures and beliefs. In another word, we tested each other to check how well we knew our own culture.
In the end, we learned that the best way to understand other people’s cultures is to first examine your own. Most of us take our background for granted, and we’re rarely challenged to evaluate it. However, it’s only through appreciating our own unique cultural makeup that we can fully appreciate others’.
What is it that you believe in? What biases do you have? What behaviours define you, and would any of them seem odd or unusual to someone with a different culture? These aren’t easy questions to answer, but they did open their eyes to understanding other cultures.
We all have our unique filter through which we view the world, and recognising that fact makes it easier to see other points of view.
And was this way that we finished the day, and guess what, we all learned different card games from each other country 🙂
Today was the end of the Year dinner party.
The girls were happy to be celebrating this evening together. Even though the hygiene measures were restricted and well followed, we did have an amazing evening with extremely delicious food.
They have been working hard this year and they have fully deserved this moment.
The decoration was amazing, everyone enjoyed it, no need for more words, the pictures speak for themselves ! 🙂
Due to the health situation linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, the school parades, the historic parade, the Course de l’Escalade and numerous events within the different districts have been cancelled. One sure value can nevertheless be enjoyed: the chocolate cauldron: La Marmite de L’Escalade ”
L’Escalade takes its name from the assault on the ramparts of the City of Geneva by the troops of the Duke of Savoy during the night of 11/12 December 1602. Every year in December, the Fête de l’Escalade commemorates the victory of Geneva with a blend of humour and tradition.
” For two weeks in December, the city of Geneva goes Escalade mad. As Roy Probert found, the people dress up in period costume and pay homage to a humble soup pot that saved the free world. Or something.
Geneva may be renowned as the world capital of peace and humanitarian work. But during the Escalade period, the citizens of the city show a surprising fondness for guns, swords and canons.
All Swiss people, it seems, have a secret love of dressing up in period costume, polishing muskets and playing fifes and drums. The Genevans are no different. But when they do it, they are remembering a decisive event which arguably made the city what it is today.
The actual day of the Escalade is December 12. It is Geneva’s 4th of July and Bastille Day, though in keeping with Geneva’s puritan past, it’s celebrated with rather more sobriety. It marks the night when the small Protestant city state defeated the Catholic forces of the Duke of Savoy and, it’s claimed, cemented its place as a bastion of freedom and tolerance.
“If it had not been for the Escalade, we would probably be French now. And that’s worth celebrating,” says Jean-Michel, who, like his father and grandfather before him, is a member of the 1602 Society, which organises the annual Escalade procession through Geneva’s Old Town.
But what, the visitor will be forgiven for asking, is the significance of the chocolate cauldrons that seem to be in every shop window in the city from the middle of November till the middle of December?
These are “marmites”, and they symbolise the soup pot which played a crucial role in defeating the French hordes.
The story goes something like this: On the night of December 11, the Duke of Savoy launched a surprise attack on the city. As they scaled the city walls with ladders (escalade means to scale) his men were spotted by a woman now affectionately known as Mère Royaume, who poured a pot of boiling vegetable soup over their heads and raised the alarm.
In reality, it was not Catherine Cheynel (Mère Royaume’s real name) who raised the alarm. But she was one of thousands of ordinary Geneva citizens who helped fight off the Savoyards, and her inventive weapon became the symbol of the Escalade.
Today the marmite is made of chocolate and filled with marzipan vegetables. Tradition dictates that the youngest and oldest people smash the chocolate pot and recite the phrase: “Thus perish the enemies of the republic”. In French, of course.
The really serious escalade festivities take place on the weekend closest to December 12. Members of the 1602 Society, dressed in those authentic Reformation period costumes, stage an understated, but fascinating procession through the old town.
At intervals along the way, they stop and a proclamation is read out (the same proclamation that was made after the Duke had been put to flight), muskets and canons are fired and the Geneva anthem Cé qu’è lainô (He who is on High) is sung.
Very few people seem to know what the 68 verses of Cé qu’è lainô mean, as they were written in an ancient Geneva patois. But that does not stop young and old belting it out with gusto. And nowadays they just stick to four verses, which helps.
In short, it’s not particularly complementary about the Savoyards. One verse goes something like this: “On the darkest night they came, and it wasn’t to have a drink. It was to loot our homes and kill us for no good reason.” Thank heavens the Genevans won.
“They have quite a story to tell,” says Keith Kentopp, an American who has lived in Geneva for some 30 years and one of the few foreigners in the 1602 Society.
There are around 2,600 members of the company of whom some 700 are allowed to wear costumes.
“There is nothing Disneyesque or commercialised about this. We know who the main characters of the Escalade were and we all have a role to play,” Kentopp says.
“It’s fun to dress up, but in a time of shifting values, the Escalade represents a kind of continuity. It’s about patriotism, tradition, and basic ideals like freedom.”
It’s also important to place the Escalade in its historical context. It happened at a time of massive religious upheavals in Europe, just before the outbreak of the Thirty Years War.
“It was only a small episode in history. Today we would call it a commando raid,” says Christian Colquhon, a former secretary general of the 1602 Society. “But the following year a peace treaty was signed which brought peace to this region.”
The defeat of the Catholic forces from France and northern Italy also confirmed Geneva’s position as a haven for dissidents and persecuted minorities.
“Many specialists agree,” says Colquhon, “if the Duke of Savoy had taken the city that night, it would not be the city that we know today – city of peace, a city of the world and the headquarters of the United Nations.”
Tonight we had our First Virtual Awards Ceremony led by Mr. Usher, our Boarding Director, where some of our girls received a medal for being involved in Activities, Boarding Life and Academically reaching amazing grades. Well done to all of the winners. We are proud of you !!
Louise received the Boarding Life Award for her involvement and spirit in our house.
Kateryna got a medal for her outstanding participation in the school and boarding activities.
Katia won the award for the highest GPA in her academic program in Grade 11 AP and Maeva was awarded for the highest GPA in her academic program in Grade 12 AP
This afternoon Lou Lou and Jessica have enjoyed their snack with Mrs. Angie. She came to our house and they had a long talk about their Bac exams.
Merci beaucoup M Angie pour votre soutien !!
It will be four months since the explosion in Lebanon, which affected several of our CDL family. To respect this and show our support, tonight, our students had Lebanon’s flag in a window, and they stood around it, praying and shining the light from their phones towards the window: ‘Light for Hope’ 🙏
Following our Pastoral Programme, tonight we had a nice discussion about being in a community with people from different cultures. We came to the conclusion that we can find a lot of things in common with people even from a completely different continent. We shouldn’t be prejudiced, in the end, we are all differently same. We are valuable human beings who deserve to be treated with kindness and understanding. We were very happy to see the girls getting along and work together as a small group in a big international community.
We also watched a video on nonviolent communication.
Tonight, Jessica made an excellent presentation about how we can read a painting.
1- Have a look: attention
2- Reading artworks through topic or subject: topics
3- What is that about symbolism
4- How would they do that: biographical information.
5- Anyone can do that: emotions & feelings
A few weeks ago, the girls picked names to buy a small present anonymously for another girl from the House. Tonight we exchanged our gifts for Secret Santa. They really enjoyed this moment as they tried to figure out who was their Secret Santa.
Here is a smiley “Cupcake mug” to cheer up your tummy 🙂 But what does it have to do with Diversity? Let me start…
The discussion was; How do you bake cakes back in your country? As we all know, east Asian food, for example, doesn’t have cheese or dairy as much as other parts of the globe. It was only in the late ’90s that it started being advertised. Knowing that the question arose; So you guys didn’t have cakes, oh my god!? And a nice discussion about diversity and cakes started.
All that led us to understand the importance of a diverse community and how each one of their educational experience can be enriched by living among people from a variety of backgrounds. Here, we embrace our similarities and celebrate our differences.
We discussed the importance of supporting each other to be their most authentic self and accepting these of others will propel them to thrive in their relationships, work, and life-long learning in the future. Being in a multicultural and diverse school teaches students cultural competency in real-time, how to engage in spaces and with other students and adults from different backgrounds than their own. It helps them learn how to understand the social and emotional reactions and experiences of their peers, often unlike their own.
Of course, we did all that munching on our cake mugs, that for instance didn’t have any milk and yet, tasted just like it did! Once again we proved that being different is not bad, only it was from a different point of view 🙂
Today is Thanksgiving and we celebrated it with all of the boarders, with a nice feast and with lots to share and be thankful for. And you, what are you thankful for?
We are sure that some of us might be experiencing different feelings due to this extraordinary situation. We are experiencing a pandemic. It is normal to feel overwhelmed with emotions. Sometimes we feel sad, scared, and a bit worried. But there is a way to avoid falling into a sad spiral.
During our weekly assembly, the tip to take care of our mental health was practicing mindfulness meditation.
Mindfulness meditation can bring to our girls, clarity and calm. It’s a practice that encourages them to be present, acknowledge their emotions, and let it go. And it’s all grounded by breathing.
The regular practice of it will help them to be less overwhelmed with all the emotions triggered by the pandemic. It will remind them all feelings are normal and it’s okay. And eventually, what they’re feeling will end.”
| Lia | Presentation: International Cooperation | |
| Alina | Presentation: Bullying | |
| Lou Lou | Presentation: Internationalism | |
| Diana | Presentation: Bullying | |
| Katia | Presentation: Internationalism at CDL | |
| Isabella | Presentation: Peer Pressure | |
| Jessica | Paper-Cutting. Chinese Tradition | |
| Maeva | Presentation: Respecting Diversity | |
| Kateryna | Presentation: Cultures |
Il fait froid à Genève 🥶 Petits pains au chocolat avec chocolat chaud et tea !! ❄️
Today our girls took part in the Inter House Bake Off Competition led by Mr Usher. Each boarding house had to bake their own cake. Well done girls, a truly delicious effort !!
