Aiglon College – Wikipedia

Posted on by
before-content-x4

Independent school, day and boarding school in Chesières-Villars, Vaud, Switzerland

 after-content-x4

Aiglon College is a private co-educational boarding school in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland. Founded in 1949 by former Gordonstoun teacher John C. Corlette, it occupies a scenic location in the alpine village of Chesieres, close to the ski resort of Villars.

The school prepares its students for IGCSE exams and the IB Diploma, and is also known for its extensive programme of outdoor education and prowess in winter sports.[5]

History

Aiglon College was founded by John C. Corlette in 1949 and opened with just six pupils.[6][a] A former teacher at Gordonstoun, Corlette had sympathised with the theories of its founder, Kurt Hahn, and began to think about opening a school of his own.[7]

Corlette suffered from ill-health as a child and was never physically robust. This spurred a personal philosophy emphasising stamina and toughness, and upon which the principles of Aiglon would be founded.[7] Corlette’s decision to open a school in Switzerland was likely inspired by his own experience: he left Stowe at 16 to finish his education at Alpine College, having been sent there for the benefit of his health.[7]

Following a financially precarious beginning, during which it rented various chalets, the school acquired its first permanent building with the purchase of the Hotel Beau-Site in 1955, now known as Clairmont.[8] Though founded as a school on the British model, by 1957 half the student body were American nationals. British parents at this time were put off by a combination of high fees and a weak pound.[9]

 after-content-x4

That decade, another idea borrowed from Gordonstoun, the ‘rank system’, was implemented. This ranked boys according to merit, academic or otherwise, with extra privileges awarded to the higher ranked.[10] In 1968 the school became co-educational and 22 girls arrived that September.[11]

By the 1970s Aiglon had drawn some criticism due to the fullness of its programme, with the working day running from 7am to 8:45pm for the youngest children, and up to 11pm for the oldest; though the school maintained this was necessary to “develop the whole child” and set this against long vacation times, which lasted up to 11 weeks in the summer.[12] American author Allen Kurzweil recalled the eccentricities he encountered when he was sent to Aiglon in 1971.[13]

Early morning were given over to fresh-air callisthenics, cold showers, and meditation. Afternoons were reserved for skiing and hiking. A retired opera singer with ill-fitting dentures taught elocution.

In line with the aims of its founder, school culture “placed a premium on stoic self-reliance” and injuries were a fact of life.[13] During the academic year Kurzweil attended, one student lost the tips of two toes to frostbite, another almost died after falling into a crevasse, and a girl was permanently disfigured on the local slalom course after taking a bamboo gate too closely.[13]

In 1972 the Indian spiritual leader Chinmayananda Saraswati visited the school and gave talks on the Hindu faith.[14] That year, Corlette stepped down as Executive Headmaster and took on the new title of Director and Founder.[14]

Student numbers continued to grow in the coming years and by 1983 there were approximately 250 pupils from 142 nationalities.[15] Aiglon had also cemented itself as a popular choice for celebrities and the international jet set, with Gregory Peck, Sophia Loren, Roger Moore and Dame Joan Sutherland having already enrolled their children.[16]

A 1995 Newsweek profile noted that high fees did not “buy luxury” at Aiglon, and student dormitories were surprisingly modest.[16] Such “unpretentious surroundings” were said to be popular with wealthy parents who did not want their children to be living in too much comfort.[16]

In 2019 Nicola Sparrow became the first woman to lead the school.[17]

Administration and organization

Aiglon College Junior School caters for boys and girls in years 5 to 8 (US grades 4–7). The Senior School caters for students in years 9 to 13 (US Grades 8–12). Students are prepared for GCSE and IGCSE examinations at the end of year 11 (Grade 10) and for the International Baccalaureate in the final two years. Throughout the school, the curriculum is taught in English, with the exception of languages and literature.[18]

All students are required to take part in expeditions every term. These include hiking, camping, mountain biking, kayaking, rock climbing, ski mountaineering, and other outdoor challenges.[19][20]

The school is run by a volunteer Board of Directors who oversee the school’s strategic direction and continued alignment with its founding principles. The school’s senior management team responsible for its day-to-day management is called the School Council and is led by the Head of School.[3]

Campus

Aiglon’s campus consists of approximately 40 different buildings and chalets spread across approximately 60,000 m2. The school has eight senior boarding houses and two junior houses. The village campus is a combination of existing chalets and renovated hotels joined with purpose-built buildings.[21][4]

Notable alumni

  • Shaun Ellis Agar, 6th Earl of Normanton (1946–2019), British cavalry officer, professional powerboat racer, impresario and entrepreneur[22]
  • David A. Anderson OC (Hon.), Canadian Member of Parliament, Queen’s Privy Council (Ret), Olympian (silver medal, rowing, 1960)
  • Abhishek Bachchan, Indian actor, co-owner Chennaiyin F.C., member of the Bachchan family
  • Shashi Batra (1966–2017), American cosmetics industry executive, Co-Founder Sephora North America, Founder Credo Beauty[23][24]
  • Marcus de la Poer Beresford, 7th Baron Decies, Irish solicitor, Chairman A&L Goodbody.
  • Martha “Sissy” Biggers, American television personality.
  • Felix Bonnier, Swedish businessman, H&M, Bonnier Group, of the Bonnier family
  • Alfonso de Orléans-Borbón, Duke of Galliera, Spanish racing driver, founder of Racing Engineering
  • Eric J. Boswell, United States Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security and Director of the Office of Foreign Missions
  • Struan Campbell-Smith, Canadian photographer[25][26]
  • Count Enrico Marone Cinzano, Italian artist and furniture designer
  • Sir Coles Jeremy Child (1944-2022), British actor
  • Alastair Crooke CMG, British diplomat, founder and director of the Conflicts Forum
  • Ali Daud, Omani businessman, CEO of the Daud Group of Companies[27][28]
  • John Doggart OBE, British architect, pioneer of solar housing and sustainable construction, Chairman Sustainable Energy Academy, Trustee National Energy Foundation[29][30]
  • Andrés Duany, American architect and author[31]
  • Annabel Fay, New Zealand pop singer, daughter of Sir Michael Fay[32]
  • Gerald Feffer (1943–2013), American lawyer, former US Deputy Assistant Attorney General[33]
  • Roger C. Field, British inventor; inventor of the Foldaxe folding electric guitar.
  • Marion Fischel, Israeli journalist (Jerusalem Post)[34]
  • Ben Freeth, MBE, Zimbabwean farmer and human rights activist.
  • Jack Gerber, South African Formula One driver, Chairman Macsteel Group[35]
  • Eric Gibson, American journalist, Wall Street Journal editor[36]
  • Michel Gill, American actor
  • Faris Glubb (1939–2004), British-Jordanian journalist and political activist, son of John Bagot Glubb[37]
  • Sheherazade Goldsmith, British journalist, environmentalist and jeweller
  • Barry Golson, American author, former editor TV Guide and Playboy magazine
  • François Grosjean, French psycho-linguist, academic and author[38]
  • Patricia Gucci, British businesswoman and author, daughter of Aldo Gucci[39]
  • Gordon Guillaumier, Italian designer[40]
  • Michael Haggiag, American producer[41]
  • Laura Harring, Countess von Bismarck-Schönhausen, Mexican-American actress, first Hispanic woman to be crowned Miss USA[42]
  • Nigel Harris, British aviator, founder of London Flight Centre Group and Montserrat Airways[43]
  • Hans Hickler, American businessman and author, former CEO DHL Express[44]
  • Anthony Hickox, British film director, producer and screenwriter[45]
  • Michael Hippisley MBE, established the Samaritans in the Scottish prison system[46]
  • Sir David Hoare, 9th Baronet, British banker (Hoares)
  • Howard Hodgson, British funeral industry executive, former CEO Ronson Products and Colibri International[47]
  • Ken Howard (composer), English songwriter, lyricist, director and philanthropist. Co-Founder Sophisticated Games.
  • Pamela Huizenga, American jewellery designer, daughter of Wayne Huizenga[48]
  • Bruce P. Jackson, American political strategist, founder and president of the Project on Transitional Democracies.
  • Geoffrey James, Canadian photographer and journalist[49]
  • Tony Jashanmal, Kuwaiti-Indian businessman, Jashanmal Group[50]
  • Elisabeth Jensen, American education advocate and politician
  • Michael Jewison, American producer, son of Norman Jewison[51]
  • Terence Kearley, 3rd Viscount Devonport, British architect
  • Shaygan Kheradpir, American technology executive, former CTO of Verizon, former CEO of Juniper Networks[52]
  • Simon Kidston, British classic car dealer, commentator and car collector[53]
  • Karl Kirchwey, American poet
  • Bill Koch, American Olympian (silver medal, cross-country skiing, 1976)
  • Dion Kremer, British racing driver[54]
  • Allen Kurzweil, American novelist, journalist and editor[55]
  • Leka, Crown Prince of Albania (1939–2011)
  • Andrew Leslie, CMM MSC MSM CD, Canadian Member of Parliament, Canadian Forces Lieutenant-General, Chief of the Land Staff (Ret)
  • Lukas Lundin, Canadian businessman, Chairman Lundin Mining, Denison Mines, Lucara Diamond, NGEx Resources, Lundin Gold etc.
  • Richard Marcus, American actor
  • Alan Merrill (1951–2020), American composer and recording artist
  • Henry Milles-Lade, 5th Earl Sondes (1940–1996), British businessman (agriculture), Chairman Gillingham FC
  • Hamid Moghadam, American philanthropist and businessman, Chairman and CEO Prologis[56]
  • Megan Moulton-Levy, Jamaican-American professional tennis player[57]
  • Casey Murrow, American educator and philanthropist, son of Edward R. Murrow[58]
  • Jeffrey Nelson (1949–2015), American producer and director[59]
  • Don Nunes, American journalist, Washington Post editor[60]
  • Hank Palmieri (1954–1999), American filmmaker, founder and head of National Geographic’s feature film division[61]
  • Princess Marsi Paribatra of Thailand (1931–2013), artist, art historian and author[62]
  • Brendan Parsons, 7th Earl of Rosse, Irish diplomat (United Nations), owner Birr Castle, sponsor of the Irish Manuscripts Commission[63]
  • Cecilia Peck, American film producer, director, actress[64]
  • Edoardo Ponti, Italian director/writer[65]
  • Don Alessandro Pucci, Marchese di Barsento (1959–1998), Italian businessman, member of the Pucci family.[66]
  • Hilary Saltzman (1961–2019), Canadian film producer, daughter of James Bond producer Harry Saltzman[67][68]
  • Roger Sanders, British-American radiologist and author, pioneer of ultrasound technology
  • Fenton Sands, American international development expert, US Agency for International Development[69]
  • Julio Mario Santo Domingo III, Colombian-American impresario and businessman, of the Santo Domingo family[70]
  • Susan Schwab, American politician
  • Princess Alia Al-Senussi, Libyan-American academic and arts patron, daughter of Prince Idris bin Abdullah al-Senussi[71]
  • Cora Sheibani, Swiss jewellery designer based in London[72][73]
  • Rohan Sippy, Indian film producer and director[74]
  • Paul Stewart, Scottish racing driver, son of Formula 1 driver Sir Jackie Stewart, co-founder Stewart Grand Prix (now Red Bull Racing)
  • Masaru Tamamoto, Japanese scholar, World Policy Institute senior fellow[75]
  • Princess Tatiana of Greece and Denmark
  • Sebastiano Tecchio, Italian filmmaker and fine art photographer[76]
  • James Thackara, British-American novelist[77]
  • Michael Todman, American businessman, former Vice-Chairman Whirlpool Corp (Ret)[78]
  • Alessandro Twombly, Italian artist, son of Cy Twombly.[79]
  • Heidi Ueberroth, American businesswoman, former president of National Basketball Association International, daughter of Peter Ueberroth[80]
  • Pieter van Doorne, Dutch businessman, co-founder of Booking.com, co-founder of Green Safaris[81]
  • Gary Vidor, Australian businessman and hotelier, TOGA Group of Companies[82]
  • Rod de Vletter, Swaziland environmental, conservation and eco-tourism specialist[83]
  • Caroline Wallenberg, Swedish businesswoman and philanthropist, member of the Wallenberg family[84]
  • Vivian White, British journalist and broadcaster[85]
  • Dean Young, American cartoonist (Blondie)[86]

Notes

  1. ^ Though founded as a boys school, Aiglon very occasionally admitted girls under exceptional circumstances until it became fully co-educational in 1968. A female student, Marsi Paribatra, was one of the first to enrol in 1949.[6]

References

  1. ^ “Our Guiding Principles: mind, body and spirit | Aiglon College”. Aiglon. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  2. ^ “Welcome from the Head”. Aiglon Switzerland. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  3. ^ a b “School Governance”. Aiglon. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  4. ^ a b “Why Aiglon?”. Aiglon Switzerland.
  5. ^ Reporters, Telegraph (24 May 2019). “The world’s most exclusive boarding schools”. The Telegraph. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  6. ^ a b “The Gala Dinner”. Seventy Things: The 70th Weekend Anniversary Brochure. Aiglon College: 29. 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  7. ^ a b c Roberts, Patrick A. (2019). Aiglon 25: 1949–1974 (2nd ed.). Princeton, New Jersey: The Friends of Aiglon College (U.S.). pp. 1–4.
  8. ^ Roberts, 2019, p. 13
  9. ^ Roberts, p. 16
  10. ^ Roberts, p. 25
  11. ^ Roberts, p. 37
  12. ^ Roberts, pp. 55–56
  13. ^ a b c Allen Kurzweil (17 November 2014). “Whipping Boy”. The New Yorker. pp. 66–68.
  14. ^ a b Roberts, pp. 50–51
  15. ^ Vargiu, Julia (2005). “Julia Vargiu”. Dumbo feather, pass it on (6): 62.
  16. ^ a b c Scott-Moncrieff, Kate (1 May 1995). “Schooled for Excellence”. Newsweek. p. 65.
  17. ^ Seventy Things: The 70th Weekend Anniversary Brochure, 2020, p. 21
  18. ^ “Aiglon | International boarding school in Switzerland”. Aiglon.ch. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  19. ^ “Expeditions : unique education experiences | Aiglon”. Aiglon.ch. Archived from the original on 11 February 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  20. ^ Nicholas, Anna (9 April 2012). “International schools: a small price to invest in your children”. Telegraph. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  21. ^ “Our Campus”. Aiglon Switzerland. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  22. ^ “Sunday Times Obituary”. The Times of London.
  23. ^ Reed, Samantha (23 May 2017). “Death of Shashi Batra”. American Spa Magazine.
  24. ^ Collins, Allison (22 May 2017). “Credo Founder Shashi Batra”. wwd.com. WWD, Penske Media Corp. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  25. ^ “Struan Campbell-Smith”. lensculture.com. LensCulture. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  26. ^ Schwartz, Joan M. (19 December 2019). ““In the Archives, a Thousand Photos That Detail Our Questions”: Final Reflections on Photographs and Archives”. In the Archives, a Thousand Photos… mprl-series.mpg.de. MPRL – Studies. Max Planck Institute for the History of Science. ISBN 9783945561546. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  27. ^ “Oman American Business Center Bio”. Oman American Business Center.
  28. ^ “Ali Daud Interview”. thebusinessyear.com. The Business Year Magazine. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  29. ^ Rowley, Sylvia (31 January 2011). “Inside Track Profile”. Green Alliance.
  30. ^ “SEA Chairman Awarded OBE”. superhomes.org.uk. SuperHomes, National Energy Foundation. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  31. ^ Lind, Diana. “Architect Magazine Profile”. American Institute of Architects.
  32. ^ “Apple Music Bio”. Apple Music.
  33. ^ Langer, Emily. “Washington Post Obituary”. Washington Post.
  34. ^ “Marion Fischel, The Jerusalem Post”. jpost.com. The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  35. ^ “Daily Sports Car Interview”. Daily Sports Car.
  36. ^ “Wall Street Journal Bio”. Wall Street Journal.
  37. ^ Clark, Peter (17 May 2004). “Guardian Obituary”. The Guardian.
  38. ^ “Psychology Today Bio”. Psychology Today. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  39. ^ Paton, Elizabeth (27 September 2019). “New York Times Profile”. The New York Times.
  40. ^ “Gordon Guillaumier”. lacividina.com. La Cividina. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  41. ^ “Michael Haggiag”. bfi.org.uk. British Film Institute. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  42. ^ Abramovich, Seth (9 April 2019). “Mulholland Drive”. Hollywood Reporter.
  43. ^ “Air Charter Association Bio”.
  44. ^ “Huffington Post Contributor Bio”. Huffington Post.
  45. ^ “United Agents Artist Bio”.
  46. ^ “Evening Telegraph Honours”.
  47. ^ Davey, Jenny. “Sunday Times, The Man Who Became Dead Rich”. The Times of London.
  48. ^ Unninayar, Cynthia. “Pamela Huizenga”. gemscene.com. Gem Scene. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  49. ^ “National Gallery of Canada Artist Bio”. National Gallery of Canada.
  50. ^ “Arabian Business Bio”. Arabian Business.
  51. ^ “Michael Jewison”. bfi.org.uk. British Film Institute. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  52. ^ “Economics, Business and Management — Curriculum — Departments and teachers — Individuals and Societies — Aiglon”. www.aiglon.ch. Archived from the original on 24 January 2015. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  53. ^ “Remembering Philip Parsons”. Aiglon School. Archived from the original on 15 March 2017. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
  54. ^ “Dion Kremer”. driverdb.com. Driver Database. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  55. ^ Hogan, Ron. “Indie Bound Interview”.
  56. ^ “Prologis CEO Hamid Moghadam on Q2 earnings”. cnbc.com. CNBC. 21 July 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  57. ^ “WTA Tour Profile”. WTA.
  58. ^ Olson, Nancy A. “Son of legendary journalist to speak…Dec. 2017”. reformer.com. Brattleboro Reformer. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  59. ^ “Jeffrey Nelson Obituary”. legacy.com. Legacy. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  60. ^ Nunes, Don. “Don Nunes, The Andes”. Washington Post.
  61. ^ “LA Times Obituary”. Los Angeles Times. 26 September 1999.
  62. ^ “A Princess Remembered”. The Nation, Thailand. 19 July 2013.
  63. ^ Cohn, Beverly. “Beverly Cohn Interview”. Traveling Boy.
  64. ^ “Princeton Alumni Bio”. Princeton Alumni Weekly. 6 November 2017.
  65. ^ Utichi, Joe (15 January 2021). “Ponti Directs Loren”. Deadline.com.
  66. ^ “Emilio Pucci Family”. Fashion ABC.
  67. ^ Mark, O’Connell. “Remembering Hilary Saltzman”.
  68. ^ “Hilary Saltzman Interview”. jamesbondradio.com. James Bond Radio. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  69. ^ “USAID Interview”. 19 December 2013.
  70. ^ “Forbes List Entry”. Forbes.
  71. ^ “Leading Culture Destinations Bio”.
  72. ^ Garrahan, Rachel (21 November 2017). “New York Times: Design, Jewelry and Cora Sheibani”. The New York Times.
  73. ^ “London Chapter: Gems in Action Series – A Conversation with UK Jewelry Designer Cora Sheibani”. www.gia.edu. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  74. ^ “Indo-Asian News Service, Rohan Sippy”.
  75. ^ “World Policy Institute Bio”.
  76. ^ “Infinito Studio Gallery Artist Bio”.
  77. ^ “The New Yorker: A Legend in His Own Mind”. The New Yorker. 15 December 1997.
  78. ^ “Michael A Todman”. bloomberg.com. Bloomberg. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  79. ^ “Alessandro Twombly”. tristanhoaregallery.co.uk. Tristan Hoare Gallery. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  80. ^ “SportsPro Media Bio”.
  81. ^ “African Parks Board Member Bio”.
  82. ^ Turner, Brook (13 February 2009). “Family Vibe”. afr.com. Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  83. ^ “IUCN World Parks Congress”.
  84. ^ “Wallenberg Family”.
  85. ^ “BBC Panorama Team”. 10 December 2008.
  86. ^ “Cartoonist’s View, Duluth NewsTribune”. 18 February 2013.

External links


after-content-x4