May was full of nature and outdoor learning for primary students at Collège Champittet. From Grades 1 to 4, students enjoyed a variety of excursions that mixed art, science, animals, and environmental discovery. Exploring nature from every angle, diverse experiences invited students to learn about the ecosystem and reflect on their relationship with nature. In Grade 2, students went to a farm in Ropraz, which they first visited in April and will return to in June. By planting seeds, caring for plants, and harvesting crops, children learned where food comes from and how it is grown. Grade 3 students now know where honey comes from and the important role bees play in the ecosystem, thanks to a day spent learning about bees with the school’s own beehives on campus. Grade 1 students took delight in exploring the Jura Vaudois Nature Park while riding donkeys—part of the magical Intér'ânes nature experience. Aquatic wildlife also played a vital role, as students discovered while visiting the House of the River in Tolochenaz and the Aquatis aquarium in Lausanne, which houses over 300 different species of animals and plants. Grade 3 students also experienced being on the water of Lake Geneva with an exciting sailing trip. Art gave students another opportunity to reconnect with nature at the unforgettable “Imagine Monet” exhibition at Beaulieu. Grade 1 students watched in awe as more than 200 works came to life through immersive 360-degree projections—a vivid introduction to Monet’s famous Water Lilies.
Sustainability was in action on 27 May with “Bike to School” Day. The entire Champittet community was encouraged to get outdoors and cycle to school. In addition to highlighting the importance of eco-friendly mobility, the initiative doubled as a fundraiser for the school Sustainability Club. The parent association APEC generously made a donation for every kilometre cycled, providing an extra incentive for students to get on their bikes. With a shared breakfast, races for the youngest students, and prizes to win, it was a wonderful chance to come together as a community while fostering environmental awareness and responsibility.
