Aiglon's handbook is designed to be a useful guide that explains the various aspects of life at Aiglon. This includes the principles, rules and expectations that govern our School's daily life. The handbook is updated yearly.
For any questions concerning the content of this publication, please write: studentlife@aiglon.ch
Daily schedules for weekdays and weekends during term time are available in the Annual Information Booklet, or in the appendices in the back of the printed version of this book.
The School Council is the senior management team of the School.
Head Master Mr Richard McDonald Bursar Mrs Patricia Bremner-Gadotti
Deputy Head (Curriculum) Mrs Nicola Sparrow
Deputy Head (Student Life) Mr Chris Chalcraft Director of Admissions & Advancement Mrs Valerie Scullion
Head of Junior School Mr Stuart Hamilton
The aim of Aiglon is the balanced development of MIND, BODY and SPIRIT through: Challenge Respect Responsibility Diversity Service
Aiglon seeks to challenge its students intellectually and academically, encouraging them to be inquisitive and motivated learners, able to reach an ever-growing understanding of the world around them through rigorous and critical thinking and the acquisition of a strong body of knowledge.
This process encourages respect for a range of ideas and opinions, acknowledging that learning requires a need for open-mindedness, humility and an interest in multiple perspectives. A respectful mind focuses not just on the self, but on others and the priorities of the world around us. The world of the intellect and ideas requires recognition that we all carry responsibility. A well-developed mind will reflect on issues of morality and rightful action, and accept that we must assume the consequences of our attitudes and actions. These responsibilities are to ourselves, to others and to our environment. A well-developed mind can engage with the world in diverse ways. Alongside knowledge and reasoning, it shows creativity, aesthetic awareness, judgement, freedom from prejudice and true breadth of interest. A generous mind recognises the importance of service to others as an essential part of creating a harmonious and healthy society.
An Aiglon education provides physical challenge to build strength, resilience and fitness as well as to develop confidence and a sense of achievement as the rewards for physical effort. This process builds respect, both for oneself and for others who undertake physical challenges. Respect for one’s body includes good living habits such as a healthy diet, exercise, rest, personal cleanliness and tidiness. Respect for one’s body requires making choices that reflect responsibility and the avoidance of habits that diminish fitness and physical aptitude. The development of the body can take a diversity of forms. In addition to personal exercise regimes, physical development is promoted through team and individual sports, expeditions and performance. Furthermore, dexterity, co-ordination, sensitivity and awareness can be developed through a wide range of skills that include the creative and performing arts. A fit and able body means that physical effort can be applied in the service of others.
Developing the spirit represents a challenge to move beyond the intellectual and physical to reflect on the deeper questions of existence. These questions may find answers through personal faith and through the teachings of Christ and other great teachers. This challenge also invites us to be “explorers” and to take risks. The concept of spirit embraces character, emotions and the capacity to engage fully and confidently with the world in many contexts. The developed spirit demonstrates respect for the feelings of others and a recognition that relationships are built on an understanding and acceptance of a common humanity that transcends divisions of wealth, culture, religion and ethnic identity. By developing the spirit, a system of personal and collective values can be established which defines the individual and collective responsibility of the individual. This, in turn, shapes social awareness and the qualities of purpose, initiative and integrity that characterise effective leadership. The spirit can be nurtured in a number of ways, through action or stillness, the spoken word or silent reflection. In addition, our lives are enriched by the diversity of cultural approaches to the deeper questions about ourselves and our world. The practical expression of the spirit – through generosity, humility, selflessness and compassion – is service to others, realised in many forms.