We hope you are enjoying a good summer break and finding time to relax.
2025-2026 will see La Garenne at full capacity, with over 40 nationalities represented and waiting lists for some year groups. This is a proud milestone in the history of our school, and a testament to our reputation as a centre of excellence among international boarding schools.
Another significant development is the construction of our new Sports Hub, for which the groundworks are already well underway. Completion is set for 2027.
In the classroom, we are renaming our year groups in order to align more closely with other schools and smooth the transition to universities and colleges. For example, MYP1 is now Year 7, MYP5 is Year 11, and DP2 is Year 13. You will see these new year grades in school reports and communications from now on.
IGCSE courses will start for all students entering Year 10 (old MYP4). If you have not yet finalised your subject choices, please get in touch with your tutors as soon as possible.
New destinations for School Trips have been added to the calendar: Croatia, Kenya, and Egypt, and with a bit of luck if we can obtain tickets, a trip to the Winter Olympics in northern Italy.
To support our older students as they apply to university, we are continuing our partnership with higher education specialists Bonas MacFarlane, and we have also appointed a new Higher Education and Futures Coordinator.
A key signifier of future success is students' motivation to work independently. I remind you that students must complete all their holiday homework. Let’s get the new School Year off to a positive start by making sure everything is finished on time.
In the links below, you will find important information concerning 'Back to School' and upcoming events. Please share this with your child. Note: the school will be closed from Saturday 9 August until Wednesday 20 August.
Friday 19 June: End of Year Prize Giving Ceremony, Years 6 & 11 Graduation, Parent-Teacher meetings
Information Channels
In order to stay up to date with school events and term dates, you can join our WhatsApp or Telegram channels, and download the school calendar by clicking the 'Subscribe' link here: https://www.la-garenne.ch/school-calendar
This year, students will once again have the chance to join exciting school journeys and service learning trips taking them from Africa to Asia and many points in between. All excursions complement our educational programmes and participation in many of them is compulsory. Trips are not included in school fees and are invoiced separately.
Term 1
Compulsory Educational Trips
Service Learning Trip Year 12: Kenya
Service Learning Trip Year 11: Thailand
Service Learning Trip Year 10: Sri Lanka
Primary School: Europa Park
Term 3
Compulsory Educational Trips
Service Learning Trip Year 9: Morocco
Service Learning Trip Year 8: Portugal
Service Learning Trip Year 7: Croatia
Years 5 and 6: South of France
Secondary School: Europa Park
Term 1
Optional Discovery Trips
Mid-Term Break Years 7 to 11: Switzerland, Italy, Egypt. More details soon.
Juventus Camp in Turin for Football Academy students 2-6 October
Term 2
Optional Discovery Trips
Years 3 to 5: Young Voices, London
February Long Weekend: Europe Ski Trip
Years 11 & 12: UK Universities and Entrepreneurship
We are very proud to be the only international school in Switzerland to offer multiple different sporting academies. Open to middle and secondary school students, successful applicants will gain sporting and life skills encompassing team work, problem solving and managing self-esteem.
Places are strictly limited and parents and students will be provided with detailed information about each of the Academies, along with expectations of the students selected to participate.
Our extensive programme of Extra-Curricular Activities will continue throughout the coming School Year. These clubs range from mountain biking to music, from baking to boxing. Most students will choose at least two each term. ECAs are not included in school fees and will be invoiced separately.
Attendance is compulsory except for day students in the Primary School. Students will be given the opportunity to sign up at the start of term.
Please read the handbooks thoroughly as they include information concerning school life, academic programmes, Extra-Curricular Activities and communication with parents.
Activities for all students - including day students
• 13:00 - 16:00
Monday 1 September
Classes begin
08:00 Academia
08:30 Le Roc
Students arriving at Geneva Airport between 09:00 and 16:00 on official arrival dates are transported to La Garenne free of charge. School transport is only for students. The meeting point is at the La Garenne desk in the Visitors' Centre, on the arrivals floor.
Designated person meeting Unaccompanied Minors (UM)
Please give this information to your airline:
Name: Mr. Serafim Leite de Azevedo
Swiss Passport: X1105102
Date of birth: 06.12.1963
Address: La Garenne International School
Chemin des Chavasses 23
CH 1885 Chesières
Villars-sur-Ollon
Tel: +41 (0) 24 495 24 53
Email: travel@la-garenne.ch
Our recommended stationery list is below. Students can either provide their own items or purchase a complete set (excluding laptop) directly from school for CHF 250. All students should bring a pencil case.
Students may request private lessons in languages, maths, sciences and music. In addition, our official school photographer offers individual photo packages documenting a student's school year.
Our school is passionate about ensuring all students receive support for their physical and mental health. Students may opt for complementary health treatments.
Please complete the form below if you would like to register for any of these options.
