OurPoint Of View

As a progressive and forward-thinking school, we endeavour to stay abreast of the latest developments in education to ensure our programmes prepare our students well for their personal, academic and professional futures. The following articles describe just some of the topics that have helped us shape and develop the educational pathways we offer.

Katie Harwood

3 TIPS FOR STUDENT SELF-CARE THIS AUTUMN

Attending a Swiss international school is an incredible privilege, in part thanks to the awe-inspiring environment around us. However, the descent of Autumn into Winter and the arrival of short days and dark nights can have a wearing effect on many students’ mental health.

Here is a list things students can do to ensure they are feeling their best at this time of year.

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WHAT WERE HAUT-LAC'S VALUES THEN AND NOW?

When Haut-Lac was founded thirty years ago, Switzerland was a very different place.

We were a much less technologically-savvy society, ignorant of how much and how quickly the world was set to change. The values we instill in our students have therefore had to evolve over time to compliment these constant developments.

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WHERE IN THE WORLD ARE HAUT-LAC ALUMNI?

When you've been around for thirty years as an international school, you eventually begin to build quite an extensive alumni network.

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WHERE WAS HAUT-LAC WHEN YOU CALLED IT HOME?

Twenty years after moving to St-Légier, Haut-Lac International Bilingual School has become synonymous with the beautiful village. With its jaw-dropping situation over Lake Geneva, staff and students are treated to a new iteration of the iconic view every day through every season.

However, we were not always to be found nestled in this quiet paradise. Over the years, we have filled many buildings with the laughter and buzz of international school life. Do you remember attending school in any of these old haunts ?

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30 YEARS OF HAUT-LAC FAMILY EVENTS – REMEMBER THEM?

As Haut-Lac International Bilingual School is set to celebrate its 30th anniversary this year (complete with festivities, of course), we've been digging into the archives. Now is a great time to reminisce over the many years of events, activities and shows we’ve shared with our students, teachers and families, so keep an eye out for throwback articles in the run up to the big milestone.

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BILINGUALISM : WHAT’S TRUE & WHAT’S NOT?

I was sitting in an Italian translation class at university one day, when my teacher asked the bilingual students to raise their hands. Educated at Haut-Lac International Bilingual School as I was, I put my hand up. I spoke English and French at home in Switzerland and was studying Italian at university.

The teacher proceeded to say that true bilingualism is only achieved when one can do everything to the exact same level in both languages. Incorrect as his assumption was, it is only one of many untruths spread about bilingualism.

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WHY HAUT-LAC STUDENTS JOIN THEIR ALUMNI NETWORK

Did you know Haut-Lac International Bilingual school is in its 30th year?

As a result, we have built an extensive network of past students who have made their lives and careers in every corner of the globe.

Whether you spent just one year at Haut-Lac or your entire schooling from our Les Marronniers nursery to your graduation day with us, you are an Haut-Lac alumnus. The following benefits are therefore yours!

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HOW TO EMPOWER STUDENTS TO TRUST THEIR OWN VOICE

School is a time of great exploration. Yet it can also be a time of great fear, or of self-consciousness.

Public speaking, answering questions in class and trusting one’s own voice are all hurdles many students learn to overcome during their school years. It’s not always an easy journey though.

That is why, at Haut-Lac International Bilingual School, we provide pupils with tools and experiences to help them have faith in their own opinions and ideas.

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HOW BOARDING DEVELOPS SKILLS FOR THE FUTURE

It’s been a month since the Haut-Lac Boarding House opened its doors. And in that month, a comfortable relationship has formed between our international boarders and their experienced house parents to create an Haut-Lac home from home. Yet living in this communal way is more than just a fun teenage adventure. It is a unique experience that will equip the students with the following key skills for later in life.

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WHY LIVE & STUDY AT A SWISS BOARDING SCHOOL?

Whilst many countries have a lengthy and distinguished boarding school history, few have one so illustrious and famed as the Swiss private boarding school. Here's why parents have long been choosing to send their children to live and study among the Swiss lakes and mountains in the heart of Europe ?

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5 REASONS THE IBDP IS IDEAL FOR MODERN STUDENTS

It provides students in over 140 countries with an international qualification recognised by many universities worldwide. It’s an academic programme powerhouse. It’s the IBDP.

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CLIMATE CHANGE READS FOR SUSTAINABLE STUDENTS

2021 has seen a monumental end of year for climate change awareness, as world leaders awoke once more to the pressing climate matter at the COP26. Yet, even more important, was the light shone on both the many areas in which countries are falling down and how individuals and communities are getting together to do great things.

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WHY HAUT-LAC VALUES ITS SCHOOL TRADITIONS?

Haut-Lac International Bilingual School was founded in 1993. That's a long time for traditions to take root. But why have we always encouraged our local and expat families to join us in celebrating the same, annual events?

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SELF-AWARENESS: WHY DO STUDENTS NEED THIS SKILL?

We’ve mentioned soft skills before, but we'll mention them again because today's international school students need them now more than ever. Not just for their futures, but to help them successfully navigate these unpredictable times. As educators, we have to equip them with such transferable skills, but it is up to them to recognise when and which one will benefit them in different situations.

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HOW TO KEEP YOUR CULTURE WHILST LIVING IN ANOTHER

Having been in the Swiss Riviera since 1993, Haut-Lac International Bilingual School has met its fair share of expat families over the years. And one of the key desires these international families shared was to impart a sense of their national culture(s) to their children. Here are some of their ideas and wise advice on how to do so.

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