The firefighters next to our school are actually volunteers so we need to support them cus they barely earn any money :/

12/06/2026 | Emma Papangelopolou & Lucia Yepes Puerto (Y10)
The firefighters next to our school are actually volunteers – they need all of our support, cus they barely earn any money :/ . Yes. I’m talking to you… who is now pretending you don’t even know the fire station I’m talking about – don’t even try, you walk by it every day.

Success in London: 2 world records broken!

11/05/2026 | Claire Blakely (Y10)
Reading this makes me feel ashamed of being a EAWDRLD (East African Who Doesn’t Run Long Distance)

Under the Night Sky, 8/05-14/05

08/05/2026 | Melanie McQuigg (Y12)
Who needs sleep when you have the night sky 😍

Useless Genius: The Economics Behind “For Just 2 Francs More…”

07/05/2026 | Brasen Tham (Y12)
A cautionary tale of the vortex of despair that shopping at McDonald’s may cause.

The Movies

06/05/2026 | Aarika Das Panda (Y12)
Performative Male Pro-Tip: Don’t just watch movies—read poems about them.

How to go gym: Exercising for hypertrophy and strength gains

07/06/2026 l Ayaan Shamsie (Y13)
The secrets of A-Listers and mass monsters laid bare for all to see…

From Guts to Glam: Full review of Olivia Rodrigo’s new single “Drop Dead”

06/05/2026 | Emma Rassi (Y8)
For all you Rodrigo enthusiasts out there…

The Met Gala vs. My Opinion

06/05/2026 | Sianna Zewdie (Y12)
Disclaimer: My fashion credentials are limited to TikTok reviews and three (3) viewings of The Devil Wears Prada. Thus, take my commentary with a grain of salt. Actually, better make it a whole shaker.

The Madeleine Albright Memorial Prize for Excellence in Child Mortality

04/05/2026 | Dalal Abu Diab (Y13)
Dalal wrote this in 2022. What were YOU doing at 13 years old?

The King’s Mission: Mending Burning Bridges

04/05/2026 | Isabel Gleave (Y12)
Much like Ross and Rachel, the UK and US seem to be ‘on a break’. Read on about how King Charles is sent as a special envoy to repair their ‘special relationship’.

Under the Night Sky, 30/04-6/05

As April’s planetary parade fades into the rear view, May arrives with a change of pace, trading tight huddles of…

The Fake Listen

01/06/2026 l Sophie Wood (Y8)
A deep dive into the psyche of a La Chat student.

Giza pyramids and Sphinx with tourists and camels in desert

What did I do for the holiday?

30/04/2026 | Noor Radjai-Bokharai
A fun holiday spent inside pyramids and doing sport

Raindrops on car window with blurred city traffic and lights outside

Racing raindrops

30/04/26 | Aarika Das Panda (Y12)
A poem about the famous raindrop race we all did as kids.

Frames of Impact Week 4 – Slumdog Millionaire

29/04/2026 | CAS Project
A not so subtle reminder of how different life looks outside the La Chât bubble.

A Collection of Vietnam War-Related Media

29/04/2026 | Isabelle King (Y12)
A balanced media diet is often reccommended, this article disregards that completely.

I Sat Through A 2 Hour Candidate Q&A So You Don’t Have To (You’re Welcome)

28/04/2026 | Sianna Zewdie (Y12)
Everything you missed while you were busy having a life.

How did the phone ban actually affect middle schoolers’ daily lives?

28/04/2026 | Emma Rassi (Y8)
Don’t worry Ms. Hassen, this isn’t another diatribe against school policies…

Artemis II: A Mission Encompassing The Moon

27/04/2026 | Claire Blakely (Y10)
Four daring astronauts venture further in space than any man has been before to confirm that the moon is in fact NOT made out of cheese.

Are You Being Manipulated?

27/04/2026 | Ines Garcia (Y11)
Anyone who says they’re not vulnerable to propaganda is the most vulnerable to propaganda

Under the Night Sky, 24/04-30/04

24/04/2026 | Melanie McQuigg (Y12)
Who needs Netflix when you have the night sky??

Just Keep Swimming

23/04/2026 | Aarika Das Panda (Y12)
Aarika is hit with a burst of inspiration after her yearly Finding Nemo rewatch

What are MACROS?

23/04/2026 | CAS Project
Ever wanted to be a gym bro? Read this for a crash course on macros!

30 Questions With Mr. Winter

21/04/2026 | Romy Haverman (Y12)
Mr. Winter reveals the deepest, darkest elements of his personality in this soul-searching exclusive interview.

A Hallway Survival Guide

21/04/2026 | Annabelle Ward and Alessia Italici-Ricbour (Y8)
The parkour craze of the mid-2000s has returned- and the newest arena? La Chât’s hallways.

Under the Night Sky: Spring Break edition

02/04/2026 | Melanie McQuigg (Y12)
Melanie takes a well-deserved break from her column—but not before giving you some things to look out for over the vacation!

Blood Red Night

02/04/2026 | Olive Chavez (Y7)
Whatever is going on in the poetry unit of middle school English is producing a series of ominous poetry from Year 7s and it’s scaring me.

Rear Window

02/04/26 | Amara Nwachuku (Y8)
Short story on a mystery woman’s life choices.

Your Gut Is Basically a Second Brain

29/03/2026 | Brasen Tham and Jasper Lim (Y12)
Fascinating, riveting, edge of the seat read about your gut.

Ekphrastik Poem

26/03/2026 | Lucia Chavez (Y7)
QUICK, CLOSE YOUR EYES AND SEE IF YOU CAN SPELL THE TITLE OF THIS POEM CORRECTLY WITHOUT LOOKING!!!

A comparison of two interplanetary books that are set on Mars! – The Martian, and Red Rising

01/04/2026 | Isabelle King (Y12)
A review of two books + a movie, that might not have alot in common

Why Kinger is the best character in The Amazing Digital Circus

1/04/2026 | Emma Papangelopolou (Y10)
A passionately written article about a chess piece named Kinger!

Taking a look at Ecolint’s involvement in the IDC26 project and why you should visit

31/03/2026 | Jasper Lim (Y12)
What is project IDC26? How have Ecolint students and teachers become involved with it? Dive into the details, benefits and future of the IDC26, and make sure not to miss out on an interview with Mr. Dijkstra, who since last year is guiding this project with another Ecolint Alumni.

A Look Back on the Climb

31/03/2026 | Miles Johnson (Y13)
Growing up with Autism Spectrum Disorder is not easy. To do so in a world designed for neurotypical people is even harder. In this piece, Miles illuminates the nuances of a life with ASD from a first person perspective.

Chaos in the Middle East

30/03/2026 | Ines Garcia (Y11)
For anyone thirty or over, this American invasion of the Middle East must feel like some SERIOUS déja vu

Under the Night Sky, 27/03-2/04

27/03/2026 | Melanie McQuigg (Y12)
Spring is finally dawning on our campus and I feel the will to live again. Hallelujah!

Beyond Green

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.

I Hate Winter

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’

Not Long Ago

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 that winter provides, then maybe this is the poem for you

Frames of Impact Week 3 – Hidden Figures

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…

A Day In Geneva: A Guide On What To Do Over Spring Break

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.

Tater Tots & Truth: What We Actually Think of Lunch

24/03/2026 | Jasmine Serena (Y8)
School lunch must now pass the ultimate test: winning the goodwill of a MIDDLE SCHOOLER.

“Freedom” of Religion in China

23/02/2026 | Florian Barnett-Trier (Y12)
In China, freedom of religion is allowed but dont assume you’ll have freedom of movement after…

From Hong Kong to Geneva: Chloe Cheung’s Fight for Freedom

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

TOP 10 SNACKS AT THE SNACKBAR

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.

First Day of School

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.

Frame of Impact Week Two – All Quiet on the Western Front

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

Kiss All the Time, Disco Occasionally: An honest review from a fan

18/03/2026 | Emma Rassi (Y8)
Harry Styles fangirls are gonna crap themselves when they see this article

Le Vapotage et les Adolescents

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?

Should There Be School Uniforms?

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….

Chaos, Comebacks, Snubs and Winners: Inside the 2026 Brit Awards

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.

Indemnify This

15/03/2026 | Dalal Abu Diab (Y13)
Dalal writes yet another polemic article on Mr. Giddings’ new special interest.

This weeks silly fun times

12/03/2026
Lets get giggly. haha.

Under the Night Sky, 13/03-19/03

13/03/2026 | Melanie McQuigg (Y12)
FINALLY ITS SPRING oh no the moon is leaving

close up portrait of a brown horse with its tail wagging on a farm

Man claiming to be “The Horse Whisperer” gets trampled by local horse

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.

Do Fish Sleep?

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.

Greetings from Norway

12/03/2026 | Sufi Irwan (Y7)
Sufi writes a post card from Norway featuring casual terminology such as ‘fiskesuppe’ and ‘raspeballer’

Dead Shadows

12/03/2026 | Mayra Beck (Y7)
Y7 writes a horror story that would scare the bejeesus out of anyone

Chasing the Unconscious

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…

Critics Corner: A comparision of Vicious, Six of Crows, and One Dark Window

04/03/2026 | Isabelle King (Y12)
A review of a whopping 3 books, that’s gotta be a record.

Why Superman (2025) is the greatest comic book adaptation ever put to the silver screen.

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

So…How Feminist Is La Chât Really?

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.

Black History Month: Past and Present

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…

Milano Cortina 2026: A Winter Games Recap

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

Erased: The Disappearance of Women from Afghan Society

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

Frame of Impact Week One – The Breadwinner

02/03/2026 | CAS Project
Read on to experience what La Chât students hate most: a reminder of their privilege

Updates to the Update!

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

Medical Myths We Still Believe—Even Though Science Has Moved On

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!

Love, Pet Rocks, And Cacti: Inside Taylor Swift’s Opalite Music Video

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!

Under the Night Sky 20/02-6/03

20/02/2026 | Melanie McQuigg (Y12)
Budding astronomers: READ ON!!

Crossword Crew

20/02/2026 | Elora Shipman (Y12)
An invitation to use those little peas that we call brains for something other than scrolling on TikTok!

Love Me

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!

The Tragic Limitations of Human Eyeballs

13/02/2026 | Brasen Tham (Y12)
Chemistry with Mr. Fyfe not making you feel useless enough? Have a look at this article!

My Valentine’s

13/02/2026 | Aarika Das Panda (Y12)
To be fair, happy Valentine’s Day poems ARE overdone clichés

Where Time Folds In On Itself

13/02/2026 | Lily Whitworth (Y11)
Genuinely, have you ever heard a name more literary than Lily Whitworth?? Straight out of a novel

December

13/02/2026 | Alex Gilbert (Y12)
Alex yearns to be back in summer where she shares her nostalgic memories. #toorelatable #imsocold #sendmetothebahamasrightnow #christmasisovernowwinterisdepressing

Words as Weapons

13/02/26 | Isabel Gleave (Y12)
Sleazy politicians and their even sleazier use of language

Ecolint’s Iconic Bal des Neiges (and why you should like, totally go)

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

Under the Night Sky 13/02-19/02

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!

Critics Corner- Call your granny!- That’s right; It’s the Grammys.

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

Beating the Winter Cold: Inside Your Immune System’s Defense

13/02/2026 | Brasen Tham and Jasper Lim (Y12)
how to not die this winter: a guide

Bored of Peace: Trump’s Foray Into Global Dominance

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.

30 Questions with Mr. Todd

06/02/2026 | Romy Haverman (Y12) & Zena Loveridge (Y11)
Watch this to get the hot goss on the head of the humanities department…👀

Under the Night Sky 6/02-12/02

06/02/2026 | Melanie McQuigg (Y12)
ALL HAIL MR BRITTAIN AND HIS PHOTOGRAPHY SKILLS.

Who’s Really in Charge? AI’s Advent into the World of Politics

06/02/26 | Ines Garcia (Y12)
AI + Politics = …disaster?

Trump’s Visit To Switzerland, And His Vision For A New Global Order

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…?

The Cliché

06/02/2026 | Aarika Das Panda (Y12)
Aarika express her (strong) emotions regarding love.

The Third Tournament

06/02/26 | Sanaa Mumba (Y9)
Sanaa writes about her experience of her third basketball tournament through a short story

World Cancer Day

04/02/2026 | Lucia Yepes-Puerto (Y10)
Lucia writes an account of how the Wellbeing committee raised awareness for World Cancer Day. Yippee Willem!

An interview with Meagan Fallone

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!

The 2026 Men’s FIFA World Cup

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)!

Under the Night Sky, 30/01-5/02

30/01 | Melanie McQuigg (Y12)
February starts soon (finally…)! Look into the celestial events of the first few days of the month.

AI For Good? Our Jobs Might Not Agree…

30/01/26 | Florian Barnett-Trier (Y12)
Turns out, ChatGPT might be good for more than just doing your homework

Donald Trump’s Nightmare: On The Y12 IB Theater Play

30/01/26 | Isabelle King (Y12)
A play about…illegal migration!!??? And it was GOOD!!!???!!! NO WAY!!!! – totally a quote by Donald Trump

Useless Genius: The Secret Life of Pencil Erasers

30/01/26 | Brasen Tham (Y12)
Ever wondered where your pencil erasers go? No? Read this anyway!

Hollywood’s Favourite Trick: Applaud Black Pain, Then Vote for Something Else

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

Social Media: Helpful or Harmful?

23/01/26 | Sophie Wood (Y8)
Dear the girl who sends me 30 videos a day on TikTok: read this article.

Under the Night Sky, 23/01-29/01

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!

The Congo Free State and the Invention of Respectable Violence

16/01/26 | Dalal Abu Diab (Y13)
Tune in for your weekly dose of polemics 🙂

How we can make the change – A candid interview with John Moorhead-Guinea

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!

Cold-Blooded Murder or ICE Cold Justice?

16/01/26 | Artemis Perez (Y8)
A report and short analysis on the murder of Renée Good by an ICE agent last week

Under the Night Sky, 16/01-22/01

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…!

Yakutsk Up Close: Siberia’s Hidden Gem

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

to paint with a ghost

16/01/26 | Aarika Das Panda (Y12)
Aarika expresses her thoughts on grief and loss through the art of poetry

The Update Live Episode 9

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…

Movies, Movies, Movies: What to Keep An Eye Out For!

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!

In Remembrance of the Crans-Montana Tragedy

09/01/26 | Ella Lagacé Edwards (Y13)
Remembering the tragedy that occured last week on New Years Day at Crans-Montana

A Totally Serious Proposal: Make Weekends Three Days Long!

09/01/26 | Sophie Wood (Y8)
An impassioned letter to school administration on why we deserve three day wekeends

Apparently, The Monroe Doctrine Goes Door-to-Door

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

Under the Night Sky, 9/01-15/01

09/01/26 | Melanie McQuigg (Y12)
Melanie invites you to stop doomscrolling and take a look out of your window for once

Critics Corner: Dune, 1st Book vs. Movies

09/01/26 | Isabelle King (Y12)
Isabelle compares a modern filmbro movie with its equally pretentious book equivalent

Santa Claus: What a Capitalist Ho (Ho Ho)

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

Under the Night Sky – Holiday edition

As this year draws to a close and the crisp, long nights of winter settle in, this holiday period will…

The Update Wrapped!!! – Don’t miss it

What an incredible year this has been. How about a little summary of your favourites: Total number of views this…

Critics Corner – The Handmaid’s Tale: the book and the TV series

By Isabelle King (Y12) The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood explores a dystopian world called Gilead, where women are seen…

How a Superpower Feared Free Clinics More Than the Klan

Disclaimer: Any resemblance to a functional democracy is purely coincidental.

Let’s get real – IB Student podcast

Brought to you by IB Year 13 students The IB. The grand finale of high school. We hype it up,…

How to decorate a Christmas tree

By Alessia ITALICI-RICBOUR (Y8) Hello, today I’m going to teach you how to decorate a Christmas tree First, you have…

Where the Ocean Glows: The Magic of Bioluminescent Beaches

Find out about bioluminescence, places where this phenomenon can be seen, and the reasons why this occurs!

Under the Night Sky, 5/12-11/12

Read about this week’s celestial events!

YAS 2025: When Youth Voices Cut Through the Noise

05/12/25 | By Ayaan Rai (Y12)
Ayaan details his transformative experience at the Young Activists Summit 2025…

The Update Live – Episode 7

This week’s episode covers major political leaks, global tensions, climate disasters, and shifting power struggles from Washington to Seoul.

The Update Live – Episode 6

This episode spans political upheavals, major security incidents, climate disasters, and cultural battles from New York to Nigeria to the Philippines. Tune in!

The Update Live – Episode 5

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.

The Update Live – Episode 4

This episode brings a mix of global political drama, high-profile trials, and one of the most audacious museum robberies in modern history.

The Update Live – Episode 3

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.

The Update Live – Episode 2

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!

The Constitution vs. Donald Trump (Spoiler: Only One of Them Can Read)

By Dalal Abu Diab (Y13)
Spoiler to the spoiler: And it’s not Donald Trump

Under the Night Sky, 29/11-4/12

Find out about the next few celestial events, from the Moon gliding past the Pleiades to the Cold Moon Supermoon.

Eight Arms, Endless Wonders

By Brasen Tham (Y12) A Body Like No Other Amongst all the fascinating creatures that inhabit our oceans, few inspire…

Democracy, LLC: A User’s Manual for Buying a Government

by Dalal Abu Diab (Y13) Democracy was never going to die in a coup. That would be too honest, too…

The must-visit Christmas markets in the region-Les marchés de Noël de la région à ne pas manquer

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.

Under the Night Sky 21/11-27/11

Look up this week for the brightest and best views of the week, featuring the Ice Giant’s peak and a magnificent planetary pairing.

Why do Girls Hate Feminism?

Spoiler Alert: the patriarchy!

Critics Corner – Top 5 Christmas Movies to Watch Before the End of the Year

by Emma Rassi (Y8) 1. Home Alone Home Alone is a classic Christmas movie released in 1990 about the adventures…

The CIA vs. Common Sense: A Study in Postcolonial Stupidity

Warning: may induce loss of faith in Western altruism and sudden respect for African socialism.

Under The Night Sky, 14/11-20/11

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

Critics Corner – The Bell Jar: Sylvia Plath

by Isabelle King (Y12) The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath follows a woman, Esther, in her mid-twenties, who struggles with…

Goodbye Lenin! How Capitalism Taught the World to Fear Socialism

‘SOCIALISM IS BAD’ IS AMERICAN COLD WAR PROPAGANDA NO THE USSR ISNT A VALID DEFENSE

The Platypus and the Power of Being Unique

By Brasen Tham (Y12) Imagine an animal with the bill of a duck, the tail of a beaver, and the…

Student Spotlight – Kristofers Kemers.

In this piece, Bubbles does an in depth analysis of Kristofers Kemers in less than 150 words.

Under the Night Sky, 7/11-13/11

As the first week of November draws to a close, the night sky prepares for a fantastic week of celestial…

How Cambodia Was Remade into a Rice Paddock of Graves

by Dalal Abu Diab (Y13) Pol Pot did not emerge from the paddy fields, forged in peasant struggle, as the…

The Interview – Mr Deighan: Educator, leader, guest speaker coordinator, The Update founder, and friend

Listen in to The Update’s most impactful interview, Mr. Deighan and his story.

Under the Night Sky, 31/10–7/11

Look up ! Learn all about this week’s amazing celestial events. You won’t want to miss these !

Critics’ Corner – 15 Movies for this Halloween: from silly dancing monsters to demonic possession.

A compilation of movies to watch this Halloween, for a range of ages. Enjoy!

The Free Market and Other Fairy Tales

Warning: contains factual references to capitalism

Highlights from the Junoir Update, October 2025

“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)

October Break: What to watch?

Don’t know what to do over the holidays? Bored? Here’s a list of our go-to movie and television shows:

Critics Corner — “The Life of a Showgirl” – A sparkling success or delusional disaster?

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.

Olli-Pekka Heinonen: About The International Baccalaureate and the elements of the diploma programme

Listen in on Olli-Pekka Heinonen, The director general of The International Baccalaureate, as he speaks at La Châtaigneraie.

Under the Night Sky- 17/10/25-24/10/25

Discover about the celestial shows unfolding over the next few days. Take a moment to mark these dates in your calendars.

Campus Hub

Read about Ecolint’s latest project, the Campus Hub, which will include a new cafeteria, science labs, an exhibition hall and plenty more.

A Republic of Landlords and Liars

How I would have liked to have answered the essay question, “Why did the United States become so much bigger…

Let’s talk about it: World Mental Health Day at La Chât

With October 10th being World Mental Health Day, hear about how La Chât and StuCo are taking action, the theme this year, plenty more.

Standing Up and Speaking Out: Honouring Mr. Deighan’s Legacy

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.

Critics Corner — The Way of Kings

Hear about our latest book review: The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson.

In Our Bubble – Fête du Bourg

Read about this local event, the “Fête du Bourg”, and what makes this charming event so special.

When Global Affairs reach Geneva: The U.S., the UN, and what it means for this city

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.

Under the Night Sky – 13/10/25 – 19/10/25

By Melanie McQuigg Autumn has arrived, and the turning of the leaves is not the only natural phenomenon you should…

The Elephants in the Arms Trade Treaty Conference Room

A feature article by Finlay. H. Hamilton (Y13) I didn’t really know what to expect when entering the Eleventh Conference…

Data Dumps and Double Standards – Why “responsible journalism” often means not upsetting NATO.

by Dalal Abu Diab (Y13) Julian Assange didn’t just publish secrets. He rearranged the geopolitical nervous system. He dismantled the…

The Update Live – Episode 1

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.

Yahya, Kissinger, and the Dead Who Spoke Bengali

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.

A wee message for the ‘Swiss-ish guy in a kilt’

Read this touching parting message contributed by an anonymous parent about a teacher who has a very special place in the Update’s heart…

How Swimming Saved Her Life—Literally: Yusra Mardini’s Journey from Syria to the Olympics and Beyond

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…

Persuading with Reason and Flair | Global Witness’ Alexander Kirk

Hear from Alexander Kirk about his important work in climate and social accountability…

Highlights from the Junior Update, June 2025

“No place is home” by Maia Koehler Allen (Y8), “Paragraph without a/b” by Ananya Brandon (Y7), “My story*” by George Chalkias

The Accidental Screenwriter: Paul Laverty on Becoming a Social Storyteller & Working with Ken Loach

Thank you to Paul Laverty for joining us online on 06/10/2025 and speaking about his inspiring experiences in the film…

Has Labour Lost its Way? – Jeremy Corbyn on Reeves, Reform, and Responses to Gaza & Ukraine

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.

100m from Disaster: Chavannes-de-Bogis’ Imminent Threat of Ecosystem Demolition

An enormous landfill site threatens the school’s local environment and community. Your help is needed in preventing its construction…

Highlights from the Junior Update, May 2025

“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)

Real Talk on Peace in Gaza | Unapologetic: The Third Narrative

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.

Progress Under Deep Challenge – Lessons from Australia’s First Female PM | Julia Gillard Talk

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.

FOOTBALL4 iMPACT Brings Author Sally Freedman to 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.

Demanding Freedom: The 2025 Geneva Summit on Human Rights and Democracy

Karolina Sacha (Y11) and Sianna Zewdie (Y11) February 18th, 2025 marked the annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy.…

Landmines

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!

UNderperforming Since 1945

An indictment of the veto system as the UN’s most elegant excuse for doing nothing when it matters most. By…

When History Is a Bill You Refuse to Pay

An opinionated article on the lack of reparations for past atrocities in the global sphere, focusing on case studies of…

Fatou Baldeh, the Woman Fighting Against FGM

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.

Peter and Matthew Kennard: Seekers of Truth through Photomontage and Investigative Journalism

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.

The Amazing Potential of Carbon Capture | Tristan Lebleu from Climeworks

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.

Breaking the Boundaries between Environmental Justice and Human Rights with Kumi Naidoo

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.

A Stateless Man’s Paper Trail

Student short story entry to the George Orwell Prize, on the theme of Freedom is . . . A literature…

Breaking Barriers in Sports: Helen and Kate Richardson-Walsh on Field Hockey, Love, and Legacy

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.

‘All children deserve a future’ – A Defense of Birthright Citizenship in the U.S.

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?

The Pink Tax: Janine Rogan on Closing the Wealth Gap Between Men and Women

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.

Support FOOTBALL4 iMPACT – GoFundMe

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.

Highlights from the Junior Update, February 2025

“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)

Lies, Laws and Illusory Priorities: Why Ecolint’s Phone Ban is a Bad Idea

[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.

‘You’re Gambling with WWIII!’– or am I? Unpacking Trump vs Zelenskyy

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

Dianne Whelan on 500 Days in the Wild: Adventure, Filmmaking, and Finding Meaning in Nature

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.

Paralympian Anne Wafula Strike on Overcoming Adversity, Redefining Disability, and Inspiring Change

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.

Emmanuel Jal : From War Child to Musician for Peace and Healing

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.

Reporting from the Frontlines: Secunder Kermani on Journalism, Integrity, and Conflict Zones

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.

Extremism, Youth Culture, and the Future of Political Ideals: Conversation with Cynthia Miller-Idriss

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.

From Kindertransport to Parliament: Lord Alfred Dubs on Fighting for Refugees

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 Untold Story of Rape as a War Crime

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’?

The Mosquito in the Middle East

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.

FOOTBALL4 iMPACT: Goals and Ambitions for 2025

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…

Highlights from the Junior Update, January 2025

“A Message in the Wind” by Ananya Brandon (Y7) & “The Eyes in the Dark” by George Chalkias (Y7)

Telling the Untellable: The Incredible Courage of Nadia Murad

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…