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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.

Did you know Haut-Lac International Bilingual school is in its 30^th 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!

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.

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.

Everyone likes travelling. Whether it’s to see family and friends or just to get away and breathe, it’s most people’s plan A. The problem, however, is that the perpetually flourishing hospitality industry is in great need of qualified hotel managers, chefs and other personnel to continue creating exceptional experiences abroad.

Sound up your street?

Twenty years’ ago, when I asked my Science teacher why I had to learn about Pavlov and his dog if I didn’t want to be a scientist, she replied “because it’s part of the curriculum”.

In one way, I guess she was right but it was not the answer that was going to get me to go above and beyond in my learning.

What do you do when faced with a problem? Do you sit their and stare at it? At first maybe, but you’d eventually get up and do something else or find someone to discuss it with. Why? Because you need a fresh take on it. A new way of looking at it. A new idea.

Haut-Lac student-athletes Victoria and Axel are enjoying a month’s rest after a very successful ski season with elite ski team, Ski Valais. We therefore managed to catch up with them to find out more about their sport, and of course to congratulate them. It’s not easy achieving such superb performances in slalom, giant slalom and super G, whilst staying so committed to their IB MYP studies.

Following on from this introduction to the Mantle of the Expert, MoE trainer Tammy recounts the journey of pedagogical discovery and deeper understanding she took along with six other Haut-Lac colleagues.

Have you ever been on a roll only to suffer a setback? With her horse Utino de la Cense II in recovery,  Haut-Lac student-athlete Helena had to rethink her training for the upcoming show jumping season. We caught up with her to find out how things were going.

Despite winter weather conditions, MYP4 sport & study student Kyan has been training hard indoors to prepare for the next cycling season. He managed, however, to find some time to tell us a bit about what he’s been up to.

If you’re wondering how best to help your child through the rigorous International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), you’re not alone. Many parents find it hard to get to grips with the programme and its countless assessments. So, as an IBDP alumnus myself, I thought I'd share the 5 ways my parents helped me to manage my stress and meet the high IBDP demands.

Trying to understand the difference between these two courses has long been a source of trouble for many local and expat families in Switzerland. 

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 ?

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.