The Daily Knight

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  • End of Vingtaine Celebration

    End of Vingtaine Celebration

    As the end of the vingtaine nears, we begin to see more and more yellow ovals accumulate on our devoir page and there’s a certain panicky atmosphere comparable to a strict night at Greengo. The first vingtaine is the worst in terms of grades for we do not learn much and when, and if we do learn, we are tested on everything in the last week. Some students are frantic about grades, others believe they can save their doomed vingtaine. It’s beautiful what the end of the vingtaine does to people. We’ve seen a multitude of different personalities come out this final week. I have strolled by classes where pitiful girls and boys have been on their knees crying to teachers, begging for that 7.

    This week proves that nothing is impossible. A rare ethnically Asian, Hsiao-Chun, got a 3 in maths higher, the PSAT talks about training dogs with ropes and starring competitions, and even the girls might beat the boys in the debate. Just kidding, almost nothing is impossible; that last one was a joke.

    One myth that has been proven impossible year after year is the fact that the last week in the vingtaine is the week to save it. “I totally saved my vingtaine by doing really really well on all those tests and projects in the last week!” said no Roséan ever. It’s a legend, a myth, common folklore some veteran students may say. Saving your vigntaine is a myth, do not try, you will not succeed.

    Lastly, there should be no complaining since the mid-term break is approaching. The mid-term break is a week where students must relieve themselves of all the built up tension caused by the last week of vingtaine. It will not be surprising when the instagram feed will be constant pictures of beaches, lounges, and for less lucky, visiting colleges. Hashtags will range from “#IdotheIB” to “#TheIBisdoingme!”

     

    You will all be wholeheartedly missed; see you after the holidays.

  • ADISR Sénior

    ADISR Sénior

    Competition is what makes this year’s senior football different to any others. 54 players competing for different spots is nothing this school has ever seen before. Well, this school has always loved its football. A phenomenon like this has forced Mr. Pedat, the beloved coach, to create Rosey team A and B. The creation of two teams has to lead to high felt competition between each player, getting into the first team would not be as easy. However, this competition is what injects energy and motivates the players into becoming the best player they can be. Slacking off, being lazy, there would be no space for that in this team, all the players are aware of that as they know Mr. Pedat is aware of the large selection he has.

     

    In order to split the two teams the first Le Rosey football team try-outs had to take place where everyone attempted to show off their hidden football skills to the coach. There were many disappointments, surprises, and positive remarks as the team was split into two. However, there was never any need to see Rosey team B as a second and worse team as both teams would be taking part in the same tournament and possibly could even face each other in the near future. The fact that the players put into team B was seen as a bad outcome by them is what makes the drive and passion in that team so powerful. On the other hand, the technique and skill in team A as well as the fear of being put into team B is what made that team get the best out of each player.

     

    These two essential features is what drove Le Rosey into winning each of their first matches as Le Rosey team A beat Haut Lac 2-0 in what could have easily been a 10-0 thrashing.

     

    Subsequent to seeing their fellow team succeed, Le Rosey team B did not want to be seen as the mere second option, this therefore lead to their victory against 4-2 turnaround against LAS.

     

    Despite the two victories, the second matches for each team gave the all the players something to think about as they walked off the pitch through the pouring rain. Two losses, one 4-1 against ISL for team A and another against LGB, 2-1, for team B signaled to both teams that despite all the competition, improvement is necessary now more than ever.

     

    In order to bring back the trophy to Rosey the team is aware that they must give their all to win this tournament for themselves, the school and for Mr. Pedat. There is one quality that this team must possess to win, and that is definiteness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants, and a burning desire to possess it. It is clear that this team definitely has it, the willpower to keep moving forward regardless of what comes in their way.

     

    By Faisal 

  • London

    London

    The trip to London that 18 of us participated in was one we will definitely remember. After arriving in London and after checking into our hotel, the Royal Horseguards, we were taken straight away for dinner to a Mexican restaurant, Lupita, on the Embankment. The food did take longer than expected but was more than half decent for a Mexican restaurant in Central London. For the sightseers and tourists of the group, Mr Berube took a group of us after the meal to see Big Ben, the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament by night.

    Getting up was a tough one due to the early morning rise. We strolled across the Thames; bad weather of course. We had a backstage tour at the Royal National and were shown how each performance is created. We saw many different areas by our guide, who was extremely energetic even though it was early on a Saturday morning. All of us then were given free time in between the backstage tour and the first play Pomona. Majority of us made a trip to Harrods to do a bit of shopping and to grab a bite to eat.

    Pomona, the first play, was something that I don’t think we were expecting in the slightest. It was very twisted and vulgar, but very interesting at the same time. From the end of Pomona, we were then given more free time to either shop, do some sightseeing or eat. Dinner was a choice by everybody and the girls managed to include a bit more shopping, as always.

    The second play we went to see was called “The Importance of Being Earnest”, a performance set in a traditional English setting. It was definitely the funnier out of the two plays, with a much less disturbing theme. The rest of the night was different for each class, the class 3’s going for dessert with Mr and Mrs Berube, and the class 1’s having a curfew of 12…

    There is no doubt that all of us absolutely loved the trip and enjoyed going somewhere a bit more exciting than Rolle.

  • Greece Humanitarian Trip

    From the 30th of August to the 5th of September, I took part in a humanitarian trip to Chania, Crete, focused on a non-governmental organization called Orizondas ( Horizons in English) , whose aim is to support patients with cancer and their families which face financial issues and, hence, would not be able to afford the treatment. Besides, as there are no cancer cure centres in Chania, Orizondas also provides accommodation for the patient and for one member of the family  in Athens.

    I would consider the strongest moment in our trip when we visited the patient’s house for many reasons. Firstly, it showed the real social-economical condition of the patients and their families, demonstrating the harsh life that the current Greek crisis has led to and the real necessity for help provided by  Orizondas. Secondly, as an aspiring med student, I found it truly interesting to see the daily life of a patient that has suffered from cancer and the difficulties they have due to the disease. These difficulties vary from economical issues, unemployment, loss of governmental health insurance, to more personal problems. Such as the fact that cancer patients who are not able to work may not receive a full Greek government’s financial support as happens with Effy, a lady diagnosed with a tumor, whose support was of just 70%, considered a good rate if analysed all the cases nowadays in Greece.

    Furthermore, this trip was extremely profitable owing to the fact that it demostrated the hard task taken by volunteers of a NGO and the nobility of this task because, apart from not being paid, these volunteers devote time and energy to the cause. One day we confronted the troubles of a volunteer job by trying to distribute leaflets to tourists concerning the donation of bone marrow. This was difficult owing to the fact that the tourists were either uninterested or did not want to engage on a project while travelling.

    Lastly, we visited the Pediatric Clinic of the General Hospital of Chania. This visit was particularly special to me as I could see how a hospital works and how hospitals in Greece are coping with the economic crisis. The conditions of the hospital were fairly good and, talking with patients and their families, it seemed that they were quite happy with the service provided. However, the lack of material and personel was shoking. There were not even termometers and neddles for the staff to use and, hence, we bought them a few.

    In conclusion, this trip contributed to my personal grownth as it increased my awareness on how important small initiatives, as Orizondas was back in 2004, can have a huge impact on the local community, helping sectors that, otherwise, would be forgotten or passed behind. Just in a matter of numbers, since the creation of Orizondas in 2004, more than 5000 people were given aid and support, showing the true commitment of this non-governmental organization to Chania and cancer patients all over Greece.

    By Matteo 

  • Weekend de Connaissance Class 2

    Weekend de Connaissance Class 2

    Having to wake up at 8:00 on a Saturday morning to go canoeing in 10 degree water, where the chance of you not getting wet is close to none, is definitely the most desirable choice of how to spend one’s Saturday. So here is my the story:

    It was a cold September morning, the new students lined up like pigs to the slaughter to get on the bus, where they were supposed to bond with us oldies. In truth the only thing that managed to keep us awake on the bus trip was the blinding light of the sunrise and the intoxicating farts let off by some of the girls of course.

    After what seemed like years, we got off the bus to meet a group of Swiss Germans ready to take us to our death…. canoeing. And after about 16 hours of briefing, where we learned to hold the oar, we set off. The canoes mainly varied from 2-5 people, though there were 3 canoes that held 10 people each. We navigated through the zigzagged river, bumping into bushes and people, and waging war on the more vulnerable canoes. The war consisted of smacking ones oar on the surface of the water to send a wave to the other canoe, wetting the passengers with dark green leech infested water.

    The war raged and each person became wetter with sewage water by the moment. The Swiss German instructors occasionally shouted at us, and even if they were speaking English, it sounded more like Swahili to the ear. Eventually their anger vanished and we paddled on.

    I was now very wet half way into the trip, so my canoe buddy and I decided a swim was necessary, and it gave us an opportunity to rid the canoe of water. Little did we know, that the more we tried to empty the water, the more water filled the canoe. This continued until the top of the canoe, was now at the surface level of the water. The fifteen minutes of wading through the water went by faster than I thought possible, mainly because we were laughing so much. Eventually two canoes came to our aid, and lifted the canoe out of the water, and we could finally paddle to safety to enjoy a pasta meal (as if we don’t have enough of those).

     

    Written by Théo

  • The Wiz- Interview with Mrs Bérubé

    The Wiz- Interview with Mrs Bérubé

    First of all, why “The Wiz”?

    Well I was looking for something where the students could express enthusiasm and have fun. And I wanted to use the talents that I knew, among the students. It was also, of course, a departure gift for M. and Mme Gudin. It was actually my 30th production and the first time since 1995 that the play was indoors.

     

    Was picking the cast difficult?

    Picking the cast is probably the most difficult part of the job, because you need a team that works well together but also the right person for each role.

    A lot of people auditioned, and letting them down was particularly hard.

     

    Did the cast come up with ideas for certain aspects of the play?

    Mrs. Bérubé: Of course! Collaboration is an important part of theater, and I think it’s important to involve everyone’s imagination.

    For example, Adrian came up with the idea of the dog and decided he wanted to play that role.

    On the other hand, it’s also important to let go of ideas and evolve as the play progresses.

    I also love my collaboration with Mrs. Newberry: we have a symbiotic relationship!

     

    Speaking of collaborations, the art and music department also played a major part in the preparation of this production.

    Yes of course, the graffiti that the art department designed was amazing, and without certain people it wouldn’t have happened. It really took a whole company!

     

    Out of the characters in the play, which one do you see yourself as?

    Definitely Evillene! Evil is always fun to play!

    Although I did play Dorothy in the past, I would choose Evillene now.

    Maybe not with the corset though!

     

    Did you have many difficulties working with the cast?

    The fact that it was so large made it challenging, but every year has its own challenges, but it’s accidents and chaotic moments that allowed us to discover certain details.

    In the end, it’s a question of trusting me, and trusting that I’m not going to make a fool of you.

     

     

    Did anything go wrong on opening night?

    Something always goes wrong!

    I was quite disappointed that Victor’s song was cut due to a line being missed, but it’s a mistake that went quite smoothly.

    The choreography got a little rough, but it did look more natural and fun!

    Obviously certain details were missing like Dorothy’s tie, but only little things.

    This isn’t Broadway; here it’s about learning and allowing the students to make decisions and contribute.

    One of the main difficulties we did encounter was the distance between the audience and the stage, which was too great, so our solution was to throw as many of the actors in the audience, hence the flags and the dancers.

     

    How did you come up with the modern version of this world-known story?

    I used the movie version with Michael Jackson as an inspiration, but I mostly wanted to urbanize the story, have it today, and get Dorothy away from Kansas.

    Having grown up in New York, this is my world.

    But Emerald City being a club was an original idea, and then the details eventually came together.

     

    The crew backstage was also quite large, how did they work under such pressure?

    The stage management was extremely professional, not one of them got flustered, and without them it would have been total madness

     

     

    Can you give us any hints on next year’s production?

    I’m not going to share those! Director’s secret!

     

    Any advice to future or current actors among us?

    Have fun out there! If you do, the audience will too!

     

    Interviewed by Sara Ghadimi

  • The Cruise

    The Cruise

    The boat party is truly a special occasion. It’s a time when old Roseéns return home and it’s a time when the new ones get to see their new one. It’s a time when the girls dress up and it’s a time when the boys get to gawk and see if the hot ones are in their class or not. It’s the first occasion for the students to associate. Everyone sits, eats and tells stories of their summers. The laughs and cries echo over the lake Geneva.

    As the boat reaches Geneva the fountain sprays the decks, misting those outside trying to look nice for their selfies. As the boat turns away the real fun begins. The committee cranks up the music and the lights dim. Almost everyone swarms in like bees to dance to the music. Teachers flit in and out on patrol. Lights strobe. The evening is purely dedicated to the student body’s enjoyment. Even as the cruise arrives at its destination back in Rolle, students are still partying, like Ramon. Slowly, things dissipate and everybody gradually finds their way back to school. It’s a joyous occasion; definitely one of Rosey’s finest traditions.

     

    Written by Carter