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In this month’s Newsletter, you will read of some outstanding Sporting successes, most notably, that of Othman Harakat, who recently completed the notoriously challenging Marathon des Sables. Othman’s participation in that race sums up the spirit of Beau Soleil and the values which we hold dear. His ambition to attempt one of the hardest races in the world has proved inspirational to the whole school community. He trained relentlessly through winter, never allowing his busy schedule to impact negatively upon his academic work. During the actual race, he endured extreme conditions yet maintained his characteristic good humour throughout. He is testament to what can be achieved with the right combination of a good attitude, careful planning and determination to succeed. We are all in awe of his achievement and look forward to him leading the field when we participate in our final school Challenge of the year, the Ollon to Grand Cham Challenge, on June 22nd. I would warmly invite any parents or alumnae who are in Villars at that time, to join us for the race.
In next month’s Newsletter, we will have a special feature introducing you to the new staff who will join our team next term. I am delighted to attach here a video message from Mr Foyle, so that you can start to get to know him in advance of his arrival in August. He and I are working closely together to ensure that there is a seamless transition into his leadership of the school and we are well underway with planning for the coming year.
I would like also to take this opportunity to announce the appointment of Mrs Jane White, who will replace Dr Thurston as Deputy Head, Pastoral, from September. Dr Thurston and his family are moving back to the UK where he will take up a position at Magdalen College School in Oxford. We will miss him greatly and wish him and his family all future success and happiness. Mrs White is currently Head of Social Sciences at an international college in Cambridge. She has spent much of her career in UK boarding schools, finishing with 6 years as a boarding housemistress before moving into international education. She spent a year as Head of Economics and Business Studies and a Deputy Houseparent at Aiglon College before moving to BISS Puxi in Shanghai where she was Head of Humanities before joining the Senior Leadership Team, initially as Head of Key Stage 3 and then as Head of Sixth Form. She is married and has three children, two at university in the UK and one who will join grade 10 at Beau Soleil in September. She is very much looking forward to returning to Switzerland and joining the Beau Soleil team.
Finally, you will shortly receive the formal invitation to our Graduation Ceremony on Friday June 24th and to a special Leavers' Reception at the RoyAlp on the evening of Thursday 23rd June. I look forward very much to seeing many of you at these events and celebrating with you, the hard work and achievements of our students and Faculty. If you have any questions about the end of term arrangements, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Finally, congratulations must be extended to our newly elected-prefect team for the next academic year. Please see overleaf for the full list.