Extracurricular Activities

There are many ways to express your imagination. Visual arts give you the chance to do it. From drawing and painting to working with clay and other materials, you will train your hand in different techniques while having fun and letting your creativity flow. Whether you are just starting out or already love making art, this is a space to explore, improve your skills, and enjoy the process of creating something uniquely your own.

Moving to the rhythm of the beat, dance is a fun and energetic way to express yourself, stay active, and enjoy time with friends. Most sessions we offer are based around modern jazz, but all kinds of music are welcome – anything that gets you into the groove and inspires movement. Dance club regularly performs at La Garenne events such as graduation ceremonies, so it is also a fantastic way to get real stage experience.

We welcome singers, actors, and other musical talent! The performing arts department at La Garenne offers everything you need to grow. Our singing club is a beloved option within the school. Sessions take place throughout the week and are tailored to accommodate the skill level of each participant. You can develop your musical ear, refine your stage presence, or continue learning your personal instrument. With our state-of-the-art music rooms, professional instruments, and dedicated support, you will have the space and tools to express yourself and be in the spotlight.

Music is part of our curriculum, but if you want to take your talent further, our extracurricular music activities are the perfect next step. Whether you are interested in solo practice, learning a new instrument, or joining a group, there is something for everyone. If you would like to play in a band, the school band is always happy to welcome new members. Instruments you can choose from include guitar, bass, piano, drums, violin, and clarinet.

Whether you're already a skilled ball magician or just starting out, this is your chance to explore the world’s most popular team sport. Through our partnership with the Juventus Football School, the La Garenne Juventus Academy offers top-level training to help you improve your game. You will learn how to behave on the field, play tactically, pay attention to your strengths and weaknesses, and to perform as a team player. Join our school team, take part in local competitions, and test your skills in regular inter-school matches and tournaments.

Get ready to dunk, shoot, and score alongside your basketball friends. Our coaches will help you sharpen your skills and learn new techniques you can use to impress on the court. There’s a place for every player – come and play your part. Let’s just say, it’s going to be a slam dunk.

Passionate about these magnificent creatures? Whether you are a beginner or already confident in the saddle, there is always something new to learn about them. Learn how to care for horses and ponies, develop your riding skills, and improve your technique with the help of experienced, professional trainers.

Catch the ball, set it up for your teammate, and smash it down for the point: volleyball is all about teamwork, energy, and fast-paced fun. La Garenne volleyball teams train hard, improve together, and regularly win matches against other schools in competitive fixtures. If you’re up for keeping the ball in play and the team spirit high, come join our amazing volleyball sessions.

Switzerland is famous for its love of ice hockey. If you share that passion, we’ve got you covered. Our school has strong connections with the local ice hockey club in Villars, where you can train, play, and join the action on the ice.

Living in the Swiss Alps means that we are surrounded by endless opportunities to enjoy climb. Rock climbing is an exciting physical challenge that brings body and mind together, building strength, focus, and confidence. With excellent training facilities at our doorstep, it’s no surprise that climbing is a favourite among our students.

Student well-being is our top priority, and yoga is a perfect match for that. It supports both body and mind, helping you feel more balanced, focused, and energised. Yoga offers real benefits for both children and adults: it fosters better posture, flexibility, strength, and coordination. It’s not just an activity – it’s a healthy habit that helps you stay in shape and feel your best, inside and out.

Pilates is a low-impact exercise that strengthens your core, improves posture, and helps you develop greater control over your body and mind. It’s a great way to build flexibility, stability, and focus, all while supporting long-term physical and mental well-being. Whether you are looking to improve strength or simply feel more centred, Pilates is a calm but powerful way to stay in shape. Come and give it a try – you might just love it.

Fast-paced and energetic, squash is a great way to develop quick reactions, strong reflexes, and sharp hand-eye coordination. Played year-round in nearby squash courts, it’s part of the wider family of racket sports including tennis, badminton, padel, and table tennis. If you’ve never tried it before, you will be surprised how quickly you pick it up – and how much fun it is to play.

Tennis is one of the world’s most popular sports – and a favourite among our students. Our coaches are here to help you improve your technique so you can enjoy playing both singles and doubles matches with your friends at school.

Badminton is a fast, agile sport that many of us enjoy on holiday. At La Garenne, you can take it to the next level. Learn how to control the shuttle, move with speed and precision, and play confidently in both singles and doubles matches. Our coaches will teach you key techniques, smart strategies, and all the little tricks to help you improve your game and impress on the court.

Relatively new but already hugely popular, padel is a fun and fast-paced alternative to tennis. Played on a smaller court with walls that are part of the game, it adds a creative, three-dimensional twist to classic racket sports. Easy to pick up and hard to put down, padel is a favourite among students who enjoy fast rallies and smart teamwork.

From sprinting and long-distance running to jumping and throwing, athletics gives you the chance to develop a wide range of physical skills and train all major muscle groups. Whether you're inspired by Olympic legends or simply enjoy pushing your limits, you can build strength, speed, and stamina – all while having fun outdoors.

If water is your element, the swimming club is the perfect place for you. Each week, you will have time in the pool to refine your technique, build strength, and clear your head. Our swimming instructors are there to support those who are just starting out and those who already work on advanced strokes. Whether you're preparing for inter-school competitions or enjoy being in the water, swimming a great way to stay active and balanced.

Karate is a discipline, an art form, and for some, a way of life. It is very beneficial for students of all ages starting from the youngest ones, as it teaches focus, self-control, and respect for others. But no matter what age, it is never too late to begin. Our instructors will guide you step by step, helping you build confidence, skill, and strength from the ground up. Through regular training, you’ll develop respect and self-discipline, essential values on the journey toward earning your black belt.

With the forest and mountains right in our backyard, La Garenne offers the perfect setting for mountain biking. Whether you're new to the sport or already confident on the trails, our sessions are designed to suit all levels, from beginners to experienced riders. Build your skills, boost your confidence, and enjoy the thrill of riding through stunning alpine terrain. It's all about fresh air, fun, and a bit of adrenaline.

Many of our students learn to ride a bike for the first time at La Garenne, and it quickly becomes a skill they will keep for life. Cycling is not just practical, it’s also a source of freedom, fun, and confidence. Our guides will support you every step of the way, from learning the basics to trying out trail or mountain cycling later on.

As soon as the first snow falls, the winter season begins in Villars – home to one of Switzerland’s most scenic alpine resorts. Throughout the season, you will head up the mountain several times a week to develop your skiing or snowboarding skills, explore the slopes, and enjoy life in our winter wonderland. With the ski lift just a few steps from campus, winter sports are naturally part of life at La Garenne: easy to access and hard to resist. Please check our Ski Academy page for more details.

Cross-country skiing is one of the most physically demanding winter activities we offer, but also one of the most peaceful. Far from the busy slopes, you will glide through quiet forests and snow-covered landscapes, surrounded by nature at its most magical. It’s a chance to challenge your body while enjoying the calm and beauty of the mountains.

Strategy, anticipation, and smart thinking: Chess is a fascinating game that continues to grow in popularity among students around the world. Many of our students play regularly and enjoy sharpening their skills in friendly matches. The game becomes even more exciting when taught by our very own chess champion, who guides players of all levels through tactics, techniques, and ways to think ahead.

The world is full of innovation and exciting challenges, and robotics is the perfect way to explore both. In this activity, you will learn how to build, programme, and experiment with real robots using modern tools and even a touch of artificial intelligence. The club is open to all ages.

La Garenne is a dog-friendly school, and we believe that spending time with animals has a positive impact on student well-being. Each week, a group of students has the chance to walk and play with our friendly dogs in the beautiful alpine surroundings. It is a fun, relaxing activity and a unique way to connect with nature – and with some of the school’s most popular companions.

Next to Rock Climbing in spring and summer, nothing excites students quite like the thrill of ice climbing. Fully geared up with ice picks and expert safety instructions, there is nothing that holds our students back from conquering the icy walls.

For generations, these colourful blocks have inspired people of all ages to explore, invent, and create – and our students are no exception. The only thing you need is your creativity and imagination. Building LEGO models is a fun, relaxed way to spend time with friends after the school day ends, building anything from wild ideas to carefully planned designs.

Today’s world is digital, and learning how it works starts here. This popular after-school activity introduces you to the basics of programming and helps you understand what makes computers run and smartphones respond. You will learn how to code, solve problems, and build the foundation for more advanced digital skills – all in a hands-on and creative environment.

Learning the basics of video and moving images, our animation directors discover how to create stories with the help of Lego, photography, music, and video production software. Step by step, you will build your own stop motion animations, combining imagination and technology in a fun and hands-on way. Creating your own animated video has never been more enjoyable.

Want something for your sweet tooth or would like to try the latest trending dish? Join our Cooking Club. Open to all age groups, the level of instruction in the club is tailored to the students taking part. Ingredients are provided, and of course, you can take your culinary creations with you at the end of each session. Throughout the year, you will also take part in special workshops, including visits to local bakeries and the Cailler chocolate museum.

There’s more than one way to enjoy a snowy slope – and sledging is easily one of the most fun, especially for our younger and middle school students. Best of all, you don’t have to go far. Some of the best sledging slopes are just a few minutes’ walk from our campus!

Fitness training is a great way to build strength, improve endurance, and stay in top physical condition. Using our state-of-the-art gym facilities, students follow personalised workout plans designed with the support of a qualified trainer. Whether you're aiming to stay active, boost your energy, or feel stronger in your daily life, fitness training offers a safe and structured way to reach your goals.

“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” Boxing activity at La Garenne, taught by true professionals passionate about this sport, offers much more than just physical training. You will develop precision, discipline, and respect – all while building strength, focus, and confidence. It’s a powerful way to train both body and mind, open to all students, boys and girls alike.

Extra study time to do the necessary homework is not a luxury in such a fully packed and busy school programme. Taking the time to study is important for most students, especially when they are preparing for different exams.

This clinic offers extra help for students who need a little boost to reach the level expected in class. During after-school activities, you will have the opportunity to focus on your maths skills with support from specialist teachers. It is a productive way to close learning gaps and keep up with the curriculum at your own pace.

Creating props for theatre and musical productions is a hands-on way to put your artistic talents to work. Students in this activity help design and build the actual props used in our annual musical – a major event that brings together students, staff, parents, and members of the local community. It is a creative and collaborative experience where your work becomes part of the show.

The film making class is a hands-on, interactive experience where students take part in every step of the creative process. From acting in scenes to producing and directing their own short films, you will learn how stories come to life on screen. This is one of the most popular activities at La Garenne, and for good reason. Led by an experienced teacher, the class creates original films that are later shared on the La Garenne YouTube channel for the school community to enjoy.

With such a full and active school schedule, having extra time to focus on homework is often essential. Homework Club provides a quiet, structured space where you can stay on top of assignments and prepare for upcoming exams. The club is open to all students who want to use their time productively. Additional one-to-one lessons can be arranged as an extra if more support is needed.

Model United Nations - Step into the shoes of world leaders and diplomats as you explore global issues, debate real-world challenges, and work together to find solutions. In Model United Nations, you will learn to see international affairs from multiple perspectives and gain insight into the politics, diplomacy, and negotiation behind global decision-making. As a participant, you will take part in international MUN events and conferences, representing countries, crafting resolutions, and building skills in public speaking, teamwork, and critical thinking.

English is the main language of instruction at La Garenne. While many students quickly build their language skills, some students, especially those who are new to the school, benefit from extra support. Our EAL (English as an Additional Language) sessions are designed to help you strengthen your English, follow lessons with confidence, and feel more at ease in both academic and social settings.

All the students study French as part of the curriculum. As the language of our region and a global language of culture and diplomacy, French offers students the chance to develop valuable language skills. Our programme helps students prepare for the official DELF and DALF language diplomas, awarded by the French Ministry of Education. These internationally recognised certifications can support access to universities, enhance academic profiles, and provide lifelong proof of language proficiency.