La Chat's Online Newspaper
10/03/2026 | Sianna Zewdie (Y12)
We are in a school where when you say ‘feminist icon’ the first thing people think is HERMIONE GRANGER.
27/03/2026 | Melanie McQuigg (Y12)
Spring is finally dawning on our campus and I feel the will to live again. Hallelujah!
26/03/2026 | Amara Nwachuku (Y8)
I’m not sure what is propogating the rise in La Chât middle schoolers writing absurdist fiction for the Update but I’m even more scared of them than I was before.
26/02/2026 | Sufi Irwan (Y7)
The Trump reference becomes infinitely funnier when you think about his fake tans and the fact that this poem is called ‘I Hate Winter’
26/03/2026 | Aarika Das Panda (Y12)
If spring isn’t your thing and you’re just missing the cold clammy feeling of existential dread, then maybe this is the poem for you
25/03/2026 | CAS Project
The Frames of Impact lot venture into the world of intersectionality. Read on to see the miracle of La Châtaignerians facing the realities of their privilege…
24/03/2026 | Jasmine Serena (Y8)
School lunch must now pass the ultimate test: winning the goodwill of a MIDDLE SCHOOLER.
23/02/2026 | Florian Barnett-Trier (Y12)
In China, freedom of religion is allowed but dont assume you’ll have freedom of movement after…
23/03/2026 | Isabelle King (Y12)
Nineteen year old activist Chloe Cheung proves that we’re not too young to make a difference…we’re just too lazy
20/03/2026 | Alessia Italici-Ricbour (Y8)
In this investigative piece, real data is used to give us answers to the questions that matter most to us.
19/03/2026 | Aarika Das Panda (Y12)
Why can’t life be like this again first day of school bringing in mini packed lunches but NOOO we HAD to get OLDER and do the IB. ugh.
18/03/2026 | CAS Project
The Y12 dream team—Florian, Badis, Kamaal, and Emin—take a break from the harrowing struggle of the IB student to analyze the marginally more harrowing toils of war
18/03/2026 | Emma Rassi (Y8)
Harry Styles fangirls are gonna crap themselves when they see this article
17/03/2026 | Lucia Yepes Puerto & Emma Papangelopoulou
Nous avons tous entendu parler du vapotage et connaissons l’impact drastique qu’il a sur la santé physique et mentale d’un adolescent. Mais pourquoi les adolescents vapotent-ils? Comment peut-on se sortir d’une addiction?
17/03/2026 | Annabelle Ward (Y8)
Me personally, I think there SHOULD be school uniforms but only for the teachers because some of them have very ‘interesting’ fashion choices….
16/03/2026 | Emma Rassi (Y8)
Emma Rassi’s 2026 Brits debrief: Olivia Dean cleaned up, the censors had a meltdown, and apparently not even a Brit Award can get you past a Manchester bouncer.
15/03/2026 | Dalal Abu Diab (Y13)
Dalal writes yet another polemic article on Mr. Giddings’ new special interest.
12/03/2026
Lets get giggly. haha.
13/03/2026 | Melanie McQuigg (Y12)
FINALLY ITS SPRING oh no the moon is leaving
13/03/2026 | Lucia Yepes-Puerto (Y10)
Hold your friends close but your horses closer. Enjoy this humourous story that is sure to give you neightmares.
12/03/2026 | Brasen Tham (Y12)
Ever had a creeping question tickling a part of your brain, that you just cant reach? Is it about fish?
I hope so.
12/03/2026 | Sufi Irwan (Y7)
Sufi writes a post card from Norway featuring casual terminology such as ‘fiskesuppe’ and ‘raspeballer’
12/03/2026 | Mayra Beck (Y7)
Y7 writes a horror story that would scare the bejeesus out of anyone
12/03/2026 | Aarika Das Panda (Y12)
The Update team had a fun time trying to figure out what this poem was meant to represent…
04/03/2026 | Isabelle King (Y12)
A review of a whopping 3 books, that’s gotta be a record.
11/03/2026 | Elijah Graymore (Y12)
POV you argue with someone in a Letterboxd comment section so you get on the Update to write a whole article proving them wrong
10/03/2026 | Sianna Zewdie (Y12)
We are in a school where when you say ‘feminist icon’ the first thing people think is HERMIONE GRANGER.
10/03/2026 | Sanaa Mumba (Y9)
Why do we celebrate BHM? What’s it like being Black in a white school? Read on to find out…
09/03/2026 | Jasmine Serena (Y8)
A recap of the Winter Olympics for those of you who were too lazy to watch it but still want to seem annoyingly knowledgable in conversation
09/03/2026 | Noa Aplon (Y12)
‘Why do we celebrate women’s day’ ‘Why is there no men’s day’ Read this article and maybe educate yourself a bit
02/03/2026 | CAS Project
Read on to experience what La Chât students hate most: a reminder of their privilege
20/02/2026 | The Update Team
Oh my god Karo and Sianna are literally the best editors in chief like are we seeing the kind of stuff they’re doing to revamp the Update they’re totally so amazing amirite
20/02/2026 | Brasen Tham & Jasper Lim (Y12)
Miss the show MythBusters since it was canceled? Never fear—it’s back again, in writing form!
20/02/2026 | Emma Rassi (Y8)
Any Swifties (I’m looking at you Mr. Giddings…) should check out Emmas raving review on her latest music video!
20/02/2026 | Melanie McQuigg (Y12)
Budding astronomers: READ ON!!
20/02/2026 | Elora Shipman (Y12)
An invitation to use those little peas that we call brains for something other than scrolling on TikTok!
14/02/2026 | Sufi Irwan (Y7)
LOVE ME LOVE ME SAY THAT YOU LOVE ME FOOL ME FOOL ME GO ON AND FOOL ME
Happy Valentine’s Day!
13/02/2026 | Brasen Tham (Y12)
Chemistry with Mr. Fyfe not making you feel useless enough? Have a look at this article!
13/02/2026 | Aarika Das Panda (Y12)
To be fair, happy Valentine’s Day poems ARE overdone clichés
13/02/2026 | Lily Whitworth (Y11)
Genuinely, have you ever heard a name more literary than Lily Whitworth?? Straight out of a novel
13/02/2026 | Alex Gilbert (Y12)
Alex yearns to be back in summer where she shares her nostalgic memories. #toorelatable #imsocold #sendmetothebahamasrightnow #christmasisovernowwinterisdepressing
13/02/26 | Isabel Gleave (Y12)
Sleazy politicians and their even sleazier use of language
13/02/2026 | Emma Papangelopolou (Y10)
An account of the best BDN ever, like nothing will top it, when my life flashes before my eyes when I’m dying this will be the main thing I see it was that good – blurb not written by Sianna I swear
13/02/2026 | Melanie McQuigg (Y12)
A once in a century event is happening this week and I bet you’ll all be on your phones and miss it!
13/02/2026 | Isabelle King (Y12)
If the wordplay in this title isn’t enough to convince you to read this then honestly, I don’t know what will
13/02/2026 | Brasen Tham and Jasper Lim (Y12)
how to not die this winter: a guide
06/02/26 | Sianna Zewdie (Y12)
When I get bored, I rewatch ‘The Office’. When Trump gets bored, he tries to ensure eternal global dominion. We are not the same.
06/02/2026 | Romy Haverman (Y12) & Zena Loveridge (Y11)
Watch this to get the hot goss on the head of the humanities department…👀
06/02/2026 | Melanie McQuigg (Y12)
ALL HAIL MR BRITTAIN AND HIS PHOTOGRAPHY SKILLS.
06/02/26 | Ines Garcia (Y12)
AI + Politics = …disaster?
06/02/26 | Claire Blakley (Y10)
Donald Trump told Denmark that they have no claim to Greenland just because they landed there 500 years ago. And white people are Native Americans…?
06/02/2026 | Aarika Das Panda (Y12)
Aarika express her (strong) emotions regarding love.
06/02/26 | Sanaa Mumba (Y9)
Sanaa writes about her experience of her third basketball tournament through a short story
04/02/2026 | Lucia Yepes-Puerto (Y10)
Lucia writes an account of how the Wellbeing committee raised awareness for World Cancer Day. Yippee Willem!
30/01 | Our Brilliant Interview & Editing Team
Do you think all this AI-taking-over-the-world stuff is nonsense? Or aere you worried reality will turn into an exact replica of Terminator (1987)? Either way, listen in to an interview with a recent guest speaker, Meagan Fallone!
30/01/26 | Emma Rassi (Y8)
Anyone who thinks football is uncontroversial has probably never watched an El Clasico showdown. Tune in to the 2026 Men’s World Cup (with a side dish of human rights violations)!
30/01 | Melanie McQuigg (Y12)
February starts soon (finally…)! Look into the celestial events of the first few days of the month.
30/01/26 | Florian Barnett-Trier (Y12)
Turns out, ChatGPT might be good for more than just doing your homework
30/01/26 | Isabelle King (Y12)
A play about…illegal migration!!??? And it was GOOD!!!???!!! NO WAY!!!! – totally a quote by Donald Trump
30/01/26 | Brasen Tham (Y12)
Ever wondered where your pencil erasers go? No? Read this anyway!
23/01/26 | Sianna Zewdie (Y12)
Sianna complains about the lack of recognition of Black excellence, which is her way of renouncing her Chemistry grades
23/01/26 | Sophie Wood (Y8)
Dear the girl who sends me 30 videos a day on TikTok: read this article.
23/01/26 | Melanie McQuigg (Y13)
What to look out for in the skies this week! Get ready for the sky to go absolutely BONKERS!
16/01/26 | Dalal Abu Diab (Y13)
Tune in for your weekly dose of polemics 🙂
16/01/26 | Isabel Gleave (Y12) and Melanie McQuigg (Y12)
Isabel and Melanie interview the fascinating John Moorehead-Guinea. What makes him so fascinating you may ask? He graduated from this school…and VOLUNTARILY returned to visit!
16/01/26 | Artemis Perez (Y8)
A report and short analysis on the murder of Renée Good by an ICE agent last week
16/01/26 | Melanie McQuigg (Y12)
Melanie tells you what to look out for in the skies this week. Don’t ask me how she has the patience to do this every week…!
16/01/26 | Brasen Tham (Y12)
Brasen tells you about a city in Russia that, after reading this, you’ll surely strike off your travel lists
16/01/26 | Aarika Das Panda (Y12)
Aarika expresses her thoughts on grief and loss through the art of poetry
16/01/26 | Noah Grossenbacher (Y12) & Aarika Das Panda (Y12)
Noah and Aarika take on the challegenge of debating a Trump supporter without losing braincells…
09/01/26 | Alessia Italci-Ricbour (Y8)
Keep an eye out for upcoming movies this year to break your bank paying for 18CHF cinema tickets!
09/01/26 | Ella Lagacé Edwards (Y13)
Remembering the tragedy that occured last week on New Years Day at Crans-Montana
09/01/26 | Sophie Wood (Y8)
An impassioned letter to school administration on why we deserve three day wekeends
09/01/26 | Dalal Abu Diab (Y13)
Warning: may induce sudden respect for the concept of a border
Warning 2.0: If you thought Dalal wrote long articles, just look at THIS one
09/01/26 | Melanie McQuigg (Y12)
Melanie invites you to stop doomscrolling and take a look out of your window for once
09/01/26 | Isabelle King (Y12)
Isabelle compares a modern filmbro movie with its equally pretentious book equivalent
12/12/2025 | Sianna Zewdie (Y12)
No, I won’t let you go off on winter break without at least a modicum of class guilt
As this year draws to a close and the crisp, long nights of winter settle in, this holiday period will…
What an incredible year this has been. How about a little summary of your favourites: Total number of views this…
By Isabelle King (Y12) The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood explores a dystopian world called Gilead, where women are seen…
Disclaimer: Any resemblance to a functional democracy is purely coincidental.
Brought to you by IB Year 13 students The IB. The grand finale of high school. We hype it up,…
By Alessia ITALICI-RICBOUR (Y8) Hello, today I’m going to teach you how to decorate a Christmas tree First, you have…
Find out about bioluminescence, places where this phenomenon can be seen, and the reasons why this occurs!
Read about this week’s celestial events!
05/12/25 | By Ayaan Rai (Y12)
Ayaan details his transformative experience at the Young Activists Summit 2025…
This week’s episode covers major political leaks, global tensions, climate disasters, and shifting power struggles from Washington to Seoul.
This episode spans political upheavals, major security incidents, climate disasters, and cultural battles from New York to Nigeria to the Philippines. Tune in!
In this episode, we cover some of the most urgent and geopolitically significant stories unfolding around the world—from Sudan’s collapsing humanitarian situation to major shifts in global power.
This episode brings a mix of global political drama, high-profile trials, and one of the most audacious museum robberies in modern history.
On the 3rd episode of The Update Live, we welcome our first guest, Kamaal Jhumra. This episode dives into a fast-moving set of global developments — from high-stakes diplomacy to rising geopolitical tensions and major natural disasters.
Introducing the second episode of The Update Live, focusing on the US government shutdown, recent Gaza hostage negotiations and more. Tune in to find out more!
By Dalal Abu Diab (Y13)
Spoiler to the spoiler: And it’s not Donald Trump
Find out about the next few celestial events, from the Moon gliding past the Pleiades to the Cold Moon Supermoon.
By Brasen Tham (Y12) A Body Like No Other Amongst all the fascinating creatures that inhabit our oceans, few inspire…
by Dalal Abu Diab (Y13) Democracy was never going to die in a coup. That would be too honest, too…
Find festive joy ! This is our guide to the must-visit Christmas markets in our region, from lakeside spectacle to artisan charm.
Découvrez la joie des fêtes ! Ce guide présente les marchés incontournables de notre région, du spectacle au bord du lac au charme de l’artisanat.
Look up this week for the brightest and best views of the week, featuring the Ice Giant’s peak and a magnificent planetary pairing.
Spoiler Alert: the patriarchy!
by Emma Rassi (Y8) 1. Home Alone Home Alone is a classic Christmas movie released in 1990 about the adventures…
Warning: may induce loss of faith in Western altruism and sudden respect for African socialism.
This week offers great celestial viewings ! Prepare for a major meteor shower, a giant golden planet and a perfect night that will guarantee amazing sights
by Isabelle King (Y12) The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath follows a woman, Esther, in her mid-twenties, who struggles with…
‘SOCIALISM IS BAD’ IS AMERICAN COLD WAR PROPAGANDA NO THE USSR ISNT A VALID DEFENSE
By Brasen Tham (Y12) Imagine an animal with the bill of a duck, the tail of a beaver, and the…
In this piece, Bubbles does an in depth analysis of Kristofers Kemers in less than 150 words.
As the first week of November draws to a close, the night sky prepares for a fantastic week of celestial…
by Dalal Abu Diab (Y13) Pol Pot did not emerge from the paddy fields, forged in peasant struggle, as the…
Listen in to The Update’s most impactful interview, Mr. Deighan and his story.
Look up ! Learn all about this week’s amazing celestial events. You won’t want to miss these !
A compilation of movies to watch this Halloween, for a range of ages. Enjoy!
Warning: contains factual references to capitalism
“Autumn comes and go” by Olive Chavez-Goldman (Y7), “Autumn’s Beauty” by Sufi Safiyya Irwan Shahrezza (Y7), “AUTUMN” by Lucia Chavez-Goldman (Y7), “Whisper of Autumn” by Mayra Beck (Y7)
Don’t know what to do over the holidays? Bored? Here’s a list of our go-to movie and television shows:
Taylor Swift’s latest album, “The Life of a Showgirl”, has sparked a wide range of opinions among fans and listeners. A student shares views on this album, compared to some of her previous works, and looks into overall expectations.
Listen in on Olli-Pekka Heinonen, The director general of The International Baccalaureate, as he speaks at La Châtaigneraie.
Discover about the celestial shows unfolding over the next few days. Take a moment to mark these dates in your calendars.
Read about Ecolint’s latest project, the Campus Hub, which will include a new cafeteria, science labs, an exhibition hall and plenty more.
How I would have liked to have answered the essay question, “Why did the United States become so much bigger…
With October 10th being World Mental Health Day, hear about how La Chât and StuCo are taking action, the theme this year, plenty more.
Mr. Deighan, now retired, was a keystone figure in La Châtaigneraie, managing over 400 guest speakers. This article includes some of the important lessons he shared with us over his 20 years at the school.
Hear about our latest book review: The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson.
Read about this local event, the “Fête du Bourg”, and what makes this charming event so special.
Geneva has long been recognized as the hub city of diplomacy, human rights and international cooperation. But in 2025, tensions between the United States and the United Nations are sending ripple effects across international Geneva.
By Melanie McQuigg Autumn has arrived, and the turning of the leaves is not the only natural phenomenon you should…
A feature article by Finlay. H. Hamilton (Y13) I didn’t really know what to expect when entering the Eleventh Conference…
by Dalal Abu Diab (Y13) Julian Assange didn’t just publish secrets. He rearranged the geopolitical nervous system. He dismantled the…
With the launch of our student-run podcast, we are pleased to announce The Update Live. Listen in to find out more on some fresh perspectives on the world of geopolitics.
This compelling piece shines a spotlight on the brutal atrocities inflicted upon the Bangladeshi people over the course of their independence movement and the muted international response they received.
Read this touching parting message contributed by an anonymous parent about a teacher who has a very special place in the Update’s heart…
Yusra Mardini speaks about her incredibly journey fleeing Syria to Germany, her commitment to swimming that brought her to Olympic-level, her advocacy for refugees and words of wisdom for youth…
Hear from Alexander Kirk about his important work in climate and social accountability…
“No place is home” by Maia Koehler Allen (Y8), “Paragraph without a/b” by Ananya Brandon (Y7), “My story*” by George Chalkias
Thank you to Paul Laverty for joining us online on 06/10/2025 and speaking about his inspiring experiences in the film…
Hear from former Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn on the current state of affairs of the British Labour Party, inequality in Britain, the rise of ReformUK and the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
An enormous landfill site threatens the school’s local environment and community. Your help is needed in preventing its construction…
“Reading No Matter The Weather” by Ella Smith (Y7), “The Taj Mahal: a monument to everlasting Love and Death” by Maia Koehler Allen (Y8), “LA fires core” by Beatrice Kellet (Y9), “Violet” and “Nature Walk Poem” by Ananya Brandon (Y7)
Amira Mohammad, co-host of podcast ‘Unapologetic: The Third Narrative’, along with her producer Evelyn Uzan, provide insightful and refreshingly down-to-earth takes on the conflict in Gaza and what the direction is for a long-term peace and reconciliation in the Middle East.
Hear first female Australian PM Julia Gillard’s reflections on her tenure and thoughts on the current state of the world from her 17/03/2025 talk at La Châtaigneraie.
On March 31st, the FOOTBALL4iMPACT CAS group at La Châtaigneraie School had the amazing chance to host Sally Freedman, a well recognised feminist sports author, for a special assembly with Year 9 students.
Karolina Sacha (Y11) and Sianna Zewdie (Y11) February 18th, 2025 marked the annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy.…
Landmines pose severe dangers long after conflicts, injuring civilians daily, especially children. Removal efforts face significant challenges, demanding extensive funding and impacting mental health. Help donate a 9innovate project supporting landmine clearance efforts!
An indictment of the veto system as the UN’s most elegant excuse for doing nothing when it matters most. By…
An opinionated article on the lack of reparations for past atrocities in the global sphere, focusing on case studies of…
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is an extremely harmful practice that over 230 million women and girls alive today have undergone. Fatou Baldeh from the Gambia came to Ecolint to discuss her campaign to end it.
The Update is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to meet famous artist Peter Kennard, as well as his inspiring son, Matthew Kennard, author and investigative journalist.
Many thanks to Tristan Lebleu for joining us here at La Chât on 27/01/25 to speak of your inspiring experiences in the realm of carbon capture technology, working for one of the leading pioneers in the field – Climeworks.
La Chât is incredibly grateful to have welcomed former Green Peace and Amnesty International director Kumi Naidoo to share his inspiring story in fighting for the climate on 17/02/2025. Thank you for joining us in celebrating Ecolint’s centenary.
Student short story entry to the George Orwell Prize, on the theme of Freedom is . . . A literature…
Thank you to Helen & Kate Richardson-Walsh for coming to La Chât on 02/12/24 and speaking about your experience as Olympians and being a same-sex couple in competitive sport.
Trump wants to end birthright citizenship in the US. But what does this mean for the rights of children and the future of the country?
Many thanks to entrepreneur, author and keynote speaker Janine Rogan for coming to La Chât on 18/11/24 to speak about ‘The Pink Tax’ – a wealth gap between genders and how we can bridge it.
This year, FOOTBALL4iMPACT is taking a major leap forward by hosting students and foundation players from London and Lisbon in Geneva. To achieve this, we need your help.
“I AM” by Theodore Vandenberg (Y8), “Pennywise the Clown” by Beatrice Kellet (Y9), “Bali – The Island of Paradise” by Ananya Brandon (Y7), “Goodnight from the Mountains” by George Chalkias (Y7) &
“The Hypocritical Observer of Snow” by Maia Koehler Allen (Y8)
[RESPONSE FROM LEADERSHIP TEAM INCLUDED]
“In truth, it’s not really us who are obsessed with our phones—it’s them.” – Hear from two Year 11 Students on why they think the school’s phone policy doesn’t work.
What is the latest in Trump’s hostile pivot against Ukraine? What does a freeze on aid mean? Is the US administration right about security guarantees?
– Opinion Piece
Many thanks to Dianne Whelan for coming to La Chat on 04/12/2024 and speaking of your wonderful experiences as a filmmaker and adventurer.
Many thanks to Anne Wafula Strike for telling us her story at La Chat on 25/11/2024. Anne Wafula Strike is a British Paralympic wheelchair racer and a powerful advocate for disability rights.
Many thanks to South-Sudanese-Canadian activist, musician and actor Emmanuel Jal for visiting our school on 30/10/2024 to talk about his experiences.
Thank you to Secunder Kermani for joining our team on 15/11/2024 to share his valuable insights. Secunder Kermani is an award-winning journalist and the Foreign Affairs Correspondent for Channel 4 News (UK), best known for his work in Myanmar, Afghanistan and Palestine.
Thank you to Cynthia Miller-Idriss for visiting Ecolint on 17/10/2024. Cynthia Miller-Idriss is an award-winning author and expert on extremism and radicalization based in the US.
A huge thank you to Lord Alfred Dubs for coming on 18/10/2024 to discuss his remarkable life. Lord Dubs was among the Czech children saved from the Nazis through the Kindertransport. He is a British Labour politician and a former Member of Parliament.
The rape of women during wartime has occurred throughout history. This act of crime is said to be “unfortunate but inevitable”, according to Britannica. But what could have lead humanity to believing that these destructive and traumatic actions are ‘normal’?
A tongue-in-cheek article on the constant interference of the CIA in the Middle East since 1950 and the plot holes in US foreign policy. The CIA is like an uninvited acquaintance to the lunch table: awkward, destructive, and somehow always leaving with more than they brought.
As FOOTBALL4iMPACT continues its journey towards growing into a fully developed NGO, 2025 stands as the pivotal year filled with ambitious goals and transformational plans…
“A Message in the Wind” by Ananya Brandon (Y7) & “The Eyes in the Dark” by George Chalkias (Y7)
Few have had more reasons to be silent; most have had less courage to speak. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nadia Murad’s account is a story that everyone should hear…
Who needs Broadway when you’ve got the Theater department?
article by Jennifer Yoo (Y12) This paper critically considers whether Switzerland should lower its legal voting age from 18 to…
An article written before I (Sianna) was properly educated so forgive my idiocy
article by Charlotte Tibi, Clara Noonan Montagut and Matilda Llopart Sigerud for their IB CAS Project On a semi-abandoned road…
article by Ella Lagacé Edwards (Y12) A short Biography Dr. Jane Goodall, born in April 1934 in Hampstead, London, fell…
Thank you to Robert Swan for joining our team to discuss his great adventures! Interviewers: Karolina Sacha and Finlay Hamilton…
poem by George Chalkias from our Junior Update! As the winter wind whistles, its song swirling around me I stand…
America, why do you have to be so FREAKING STUPID
Written by : Isla Johnson Throughout history, literature has often been shaped by the perspective of those in power, most…
article by Bora and Shehryaar from FOOTBALL4iMPACT Following an unforgettable five-day trip to London, twelve of our Year 12 students…
article by Sianna Zewdie (Y11) This article was written prior to Trump’s win of the presidency. It is purely objective…
24/03/2026 | Claire Blakley (Y10)
Claire paints such a beautiful picture of Geneva that it almost makes me not want to move away for college. Almost.
