Annual Review 2023 by Aiglon College

SWITZERLAND

WELCOME

Scholarships – a year in the life Welcome to our Annual Review for 2023 – another incredible year. In this report, we examine how our Scholarship Programme shapes school life: we celebrate student achievements, explore the role of partnerships, and highlight the remarkable impact and generosity of our donors. I hope these stories give you just a taste of the impressive things our students, staff, donors and Board members have been doing, and hope you will find, as I have, much to inspire and delight. Mrs Karen Sandri Director of Philanthropy & Community Engagement

AIGLON ANNUAL REVIEW 2023

H F RE O AM D E TR H HE E SR CE H O O L D I R E C T O R

Extraordinary experiences – unique to Aiglon How do you take an extraordinary school to the next level? By delivering experiences in partnership with fellow world champions. HIS YEAR, MORE THAN EVER, SCHOOL Director Mrs Nicola Sparrow has been thinking differently. “We’ve never wanted to copy other schools,” she says. “Aiglon is entirely unique. I’m always thinking about how we can be better, and that means giving students opportunities they simply can’t get anywhere else.” Mrs Sparrow has never stood still in her own career. An alumna of Worcester College, Oxford, she taught for three years at a British state school, then a year at an international school in the Turks and Caicos Islands, before joining Harrow School in Bangkok. She had her three children and spent 13 years at Harrow, starting as Head of History and moving up to Director of Studies. In 2012, she came to Aiglon as Deputy Head and Director of Learning following the graduation of the first cohort of International Baccalaureate (IB) graduates, with the aim of giving Aiglonians a radically improved learning experience. She succeeded – results are consistently excellent – and became Head of School in May 2019 and School Director in 2021, leading the school successfully through the challenges of the pandemic.

A S I NGU L A R ED U CAT I O N So how do you make an already extraordinary school more extraordinary? Mrs Sparrow says that partnerships are crucial. “Partnerships are about taking what students can achieve here to another level. They provide opportunities for students to try new things and develop new passions.” This year, Aiglon entered a partnership with European champions Manchester City Football Club – the only school in Europe to do so. Aiglon employs a full-time

AIGLON ANNUAL REVIEW 2023

FROM THE SCHOOL DIRECTOR

Manchester City football coach, who is trained and qualified to deliver their world-leading programme to Aiglon’s students. The partnership also includes trips to clubs and training grounds around the world, internships, visits from past players and trophies, education for Aiglon’s coaching staff, and a special opportunity for students to both develop their football skills and a deeper appreciation for holistic life skills. In September, Aiglon established a new skiing partnership with the legendary alpine ski racer Lindsey Vonn. One of just six women to have won World Cup races in all five disciplines of alpine skiing – downhill, super-G, giant slalom, slalom and super combined – she is an Olympic gold and bronze medal winner. “I am so excited for the potential of this partnership, as skiing is such a big part of Aiglon’s life and heritage,” says Mrs Sparrow. “Working with Lindsey Vonn is an incredible privilege: she is such an extraordinary sportswoman and role model.” H O N OURI NG O UR VALUES AND ET HOS Alongside delivering new partnerships and opportunities, Mrs Sparrow says Aiglon will continue to honour its founding principles, values and ethos. “We have always been a progressive school that engages with new things and is at the cutting edge. So we will continue to stay ahead of the pack.” Education is changing all the time. As schools find new and innovative ways to use advances such as artificial intelligence, Aiglon’s emphasis on character will be key. “Take the way our students live together, for example. There is only one way you can learn to get along with someone from a very different culture and with different views, and that is to be with them

Skiing is such a big part of Aiglon’s tradition, so working with Lindsey Vonn is an incredible privilege: she is such an extraordinary sportswoman and role model

World-leading Aiglon has established unique partnerships with Olympic ski champion Lindsey Vonn and current champions of Europe, Manchester City FC.

in a community like ours. For me, so much comes back to the strength of the Aiglon community and the life lessons our students take from it.” Similarly, the Scholarship Programme, she points out, doesn’t just give scholars the life-changing opportunity to benefit from an Aiglon education and take those values back to their home countries. “It also broadens the school’s socio-economic diversity, giving all students a better understanding of the world they live in.” FO R ST U D ENTS , NOT PRO FI T Of course, it’s Aiglon’s not-for-profit status that enables the freedom to use its funds to improve the student experience. And it would not be possible, says Mrs Sparrow, without the generosity of those who give. “Our thanks go to everyone who donates to the school, whether that is money, time or expertise.” And, she says, she is thankful to those parents who put their trust in the school and grant Aiglon the responsibility of educating their children. “As parents, you can choose a school anywhere in the world – and you choose Aiglon. I’m incredibly grateful that you put your confidence in us as a school to produce a young person you will be proud of, who embodies the values of your family and the character to match. The future is exciting. We want our students to embrace it. We will embrace it, too – but we will never lose sight of what makes Aiglon unique.”

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THE AIGLON SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME

Opening doors – how scholarships benefit everyone Scholarships change lives: of the scholars themselves, their families – and their wider communities. In return, scholars help shape what it means to be an Aiglonian. ROWING UP IN ALBANIA, ENES KRISTO (Delaware, 2017) knew he wanted to study overseas. So when he heard that the Crown Prince of Albania had attended Aiglon, he was intrigued. “I discovered you could actually get scholarships to this great school,” he says. “So I sent Aiglon an email, applied to the Scholarship Programme, went through the process – and was accepted. In fact, I was only the second Albanian person to attend Aiglon, after the Crown Prince!” Aiglon changed his life. “It was unforgettable. Canoeing, climbing mountains, skiing, all in this beautiful place. I had the opportunity to interact with children who grew up very differently to me. Your character grows when you’re in strange circumstances. You have to manage yourself and your relationships with an entire dorm of people. I found that an incredibly valuable skill, particularly at university.” Enes is just one of the Scholarship Programme’s many success stories. A longstanding scheme that has been considerably revamped over the past few years, it offers a small and select number of full scholarships reserved for families who cannot afford the costs associated with an Aiglon education. “For me, the programme is one of the key things that defines Aiglon and makes our culture so special,” says Mr Tomas Duckling, Deputy School Director and Head of the Scholarship Programme. “It helps us ensure a true diversity of students. And it is beneficial not just for the scholars but also for the school. We take as much from them as they take from us. ” What marks out an Aiglon scholar? Academic achievement, a desire to get involved in all areas of school life, and a willingness to be part of the

AIGLON ANNUAL REVIEW 2023

THE AIGLON SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME

community, says Mr Duckling. “In the first place, we are interested in developing people. They need to be academic, so they can move on from Aiglon. But we are also committed to those students from a holistic point of view.” Scholars are selected via a rigorous process – which begins with a review of their academic reports. Applicants must write a letter of motivation, and successful candidates then undergo a short interview, either in person or online, with a member of the Scholarship Committee. Those who pass will take Aiglon’s admission and entrance exams, and participate in a final interview. The Committee then make their recommendations to the School Director Mrs Nicola Sparrow, and the COO/CFO, Mrs Patricia Bremner, who make the final decision. Aiglon has also strengthened its relationships with a hand-picked roster of schools, whose specific expertise and knowledge can assist in selecting the most suitable students for consideration – though spontaneous applications are also considered. The school now has partnerships with the Starehe Boys’ Centre and School and the Starehe Girls’ Centre in Kenya; the Jay Pritzker Academy in Siem Reap, Cambodia; the Abaarso School in Somaliland; and Horizons Academy in Palestine. Donors funding full scholarships may also specify that scholars must come from a particular country. Previously, the programme was entirely funded from the school’s budget – Aiglon’s not-for-profit status ensures every centime goes towards improving the student experience. Now, however, a significant proportion of scholarships are funded through the generosity of donors, boosting the long-term sustainability of the programme. Ramsay Nafa (Alpina, 1992) is a regular monthly donor to the Scholarship Programme. “I believe that Aiglon is a wonderful melting pot of culture, creeds and backgrounds,” he says. “It gives kids a perspective that they will take with them into adult life. Bringing students from many different backgrounds together benefits the whole of society. It’s incredibly important

It’s vital that Aiglon continues to educate a diverse bunch of students – it benefits the whole of society

PH I L A NT H RO PY

Alumni Eagle Scholarship Award and Parent Scholarship Award This year, 74 alumni and alumni parents generously donated to fund our second Alumni Eagle Scholar. We are now asking the alumni community to consider making a gift to help fund next year’s scholar. We also launched the Parent Scholarship Award, an initiative enabling our parent community to fund one scholar’s journey. Our first recipient joins the school this year, funded by 47 current families. Both these awards fund scholars at 100%, ensuring students can access a full Aiglon experience. All these gifts add up to make a big, life-changing impact while broadening the horizons of the whole community. that the school continues to get a diverse bunch of students coming through the doors who represent multiple backgrounds and not just those coming from a privileged position. “For me, donating is a great way to give back to the school. It’s about thinking of others and thinking about what the school means to you – and what it did for you when you were there. I want scholars to get the same things out of Aiglon that everyone wants: to go on to higher education, achieve their full potential, follow their own path and have that network of friends and the school to draw upon in future years.” And it is a virtuous circle. After he graduated from Aiglon, scholar Enes Kristo went on to study at Amherst College, Massachusetts, where he lives today. He is now a data engineer with Wealthfront, a fintech company – and, of course, a Scholarship Programme supporter himself. “By donating, I feel I am contributing to the school in a way that goes beyond just being nice to a scholarship student. It’s a way of saying that Aiglon mattered to me far beyond my two years of schooling. Aiglon stays with you.”

From the top: Mr Tomas Duckling, Deputy School Director; Enes Kristo (Delaware, 2017); and Ramsay Nafa (Alpina, 1992).

AIGLON ANNUAL REVIEW 2023

SEBA CZ SCHOLARSHIP

Seba’s name lives on with his scholars The scholarship that honours Sebastiano Calleri Zavanelli is testament to his philanthropic values – and his determination to live life to the full. T HAS BEEN 12 YEARS SINCE DAVID Kimondiu (Belvedere, 2013) arrived as Aiglon’s first SebaScholar. But like all who have benefitted from the programme, the experience continues to resonate. “This wonderful gift opened up so many opportunities,” says David. “At Aiglon, holistic education is not a label – the equal focus on Mind, Body and Spirit is a special sort of learning. Coming from rural Kenya, I can’t imagine another education that would have got me where I am today.” David was the first student on the programme, set up in memory of Sebastiano Calleri Zavanelli (Belvedere, 1992). While at Aiglon, Seba had visited

AIGLON ANNUAL REVIEW 2023

the Starehe Boys Centre in Nairobi and was inspired by its philanthropic values – and especially a sign in the school hall: “From those to whom much has been given, much will be required.” When Seba tragically passed away descending Mount Kenya in 2004, his mother Fiorina Zavanelli and sister Carlotta CZ Newbury (Exeter, 1994) were inspired by a substantial donation offered by JG, Seba’s boss at AEA, the private equity firm Seba worked for, with the suggestion that it should benefit Aiglon. “I wanted to make this not just about money, but also family,” says Fiorina. “I wished the boys to truly belong, so I invited each of them to live with us during the holidays.” A LL- RO U ND LEA RNI NG All the scholars have extremely fond memories of life as part of the Zavanelli family – including learning to ride bikes, going cross-country skiing and, in David’s case, acquiring a small but socially invaluable skill. “Mrs Zavanelli taught me which cutlery to use,” he laughs. “It sounds so minor but it’s one of those things that means you can go anywhere and naturally fit in.” The Seba CZ Scholarship has funded four students from Starehe to do the International Baccalaureate at Aiglon. “Obviously it’s a culture shock,” says Patrick Wachira (Delaware, 2019). “The way of living, the food – I hadn’t eaten cheese before – and the location. I’d never seen snow, so in the winter it was magical. “But Aiglon also helped me to instinctively see someone else’s point of view, to realise there’s a path that led them there. Being surrounded by people from different cultures makes you actively look for commonality between you. It has made me empathetic, which helped me throughout my life.”

SEBA CZ SCHOLARSHIP

In memory of Seba This illustration is by Rolando Perasso (1915-2006) and represents the moment on Mount Kenya when Seba’s soul left for a new life, while two friends stood with him throughout his last moments.

NETWORK BENEFITS

Ian Onchangwa The Aiglon network can take you anywhere, as SebaScholar Ian Onchangwa (St Louis, 2022) can attest. Within six months of him leaving school, Aiglon connections had given this aspiring doctor internships in both India and Wales. Just a month after Ian left school, India-based alumni went above and beyond to fly him to Mumbai and welcome him with open arms, offering accommodation and much more. There he took up a three-month internship at Wockhardt Hospital, founded in 1967 by alumni parent Dr Habil Khorakiwala, and where daughter Zahabiya Khorakiwala (Chantecler, 2001) is the Managing Director. “I have always wanted to go into medicine, and here I was shadowing a neurosurgeon on morning rounds, going into theatre and observing post-op reviews. It was an incredible opportunity I could not have gotten without the network.” And when that finished, Ian was immediately offered another internship, this time thanks to an alumni family at Welsh biotech firm Mootral. “That was also amazing, working as an R&D assistant on probiotic research. It’s set me up well for university.” Now, following his internships, Ian has started the next phase of his education: a neuroscience degree at St Lawrence University in upstate New York. “Once I get into my own career, I’ll be looking to give back and offer similar opportunities to others. Aiglon taught me a whole new way of looking at the world.”

Dadley Ongori (Alpina, 2016) agrees. “Aiglon, like Starehe, is a Round Square school with emphasis on all-round learning. It was wonderful and gave me a global mindset. I joined clubs, volunteered, and I was on an expedition every weekend! But I gave as much to my studies, too, because I was keen to make the most of every opportunity. Aiglon is the only place I could experience all that, and it has helped shape who I am today, thanks to the Seba CZ family and friends.” MOVIN G FO RWA RD Carlotta says her family wanted to extend the special bonds unique to Aiglonians. “The combination of a culturally diverse group of people, in the stunning mountain location, with the underlying ‘whole person’ programme created by John Corlette encourages you out of your comfort zone – it creates something special in us as individuals and as a group. You have different conversations, you see how people approach problems in a different way because of their backgrounds, and you bond in a unique way.” The Seba CZ Scholarship didn’t just benefit its own scholars, Carlotta adds. “Their impact on other students is palpable – they set an excellent example of good service and have a profound influence on the entire student body.” The Aiglon experience and its network has helped all SebaScholars to move forward after leaving school: David went on to Stanford University and a successful career with American solar company Zola across Africa, before joining REACH; Patrick is Incoming Programs Fellow at the Business Council for International Understanding in Washington; and Dadley is a Prime Brokerage Associate at Morgan Stanley in New York. “It’s very hard to think of an alternative route that would have been as successful,” says David. “I can’t imagine not going to Aiglon.” Perhaps unsurprisingly, all the SebaScholars have since supported the fund to give other Starehe students the same opportunities. “I’m honoured to have been part of Seba’s legacy,” says Dadley. “People speak of him with such warmth. He was a fun, happy and well-loved guy with a real sense of adventure. He was someone I’d want to be friends with. I’m so fortunate to be part of his legacy and his memory.” And although Seba’s Fund has now accomplished its mission, Dadley encourages anyone who can to support initiatives such as the Aiglon Scholarship Fund. “It’s vital these scholarships can continue to give opportunities to students for years to come.”

MEET THE SEBASCHOLARS

DAVID KIMONDIU (Belvedere, 2013) Head of Business Development, REACH

DADLEY OGETII (Alpina, 2016) Prime Brokerage Associate, Morgan Stanley

PATRICK WACHIRA (Delaware, 2019) Incoming Programs Fellow, Business Council for International Understanding

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A WHOLE-SCHOOL APPROACH

Service. Scholarship. Schools. Deep in rural Cambodia, Aiglon service projects run alongside a partnership with Jay Pritzker Academy to bring the very brightest scholars to the mountain. ARTICIPATING IN AIGLON’S SERVICE project in Cambodia opened Marianna Caprotti’s eyes to the devastation caused by war and poverty – and to the richness of Cambodian culture. Visiting the Killing Fields, she learned about the atrocities suffered under the Khmer Rouge regime just 50 years ago. She marvelled at the extraordinary Angkor Wat. And, at the Angkor Hospital for Children, she saw the difference a dedicated healthcare organisation can make. It also helped Marianna (Le Cerf, 2023) see that she could make an impact. “When we were teaching English in the village of Beng Mealea, we noticed that rubbish was strewn everywhere,” she says. “So we came up with a game where whoever picked up the most rubbish would win a prize. The children really got into it, and hopefully it will continue in the future. And when I came back home, I felt differently about rubbish. I’ve started to always carry around a tote bag when I go to the supermarket. We talk about plastic pollution a lot, but I didn’t realise just how it affects people’s lives until I went to Cambodia.”

M A X I M I S I NG POT ENT I A L Service has long been a core aspect of an Aiglonian education. But in rural Cambodia, our service project runs alongside our partnership with Jay Pritzker Academy (JPA) in Siem Reap, which sends scholars to Aiglon. This means that the practical efforts of students on the ground is combined with the philanthropic effort of our whole community to create a connection that goes further than ever before. Founded in 2006 by US philanthropists Dan and Karen Pritzker, JPA is a co-ed day school. Its rigorous

AIGLON ANNUAL REVIEW 2023

A WHOLE-SCHOOL APPROACH

selection process aims to attract the most academically talented and motivated students in rural Cambodia, maximising their potential and their ability to build a better future for themselves, their families – and their country. “It’s an old, traditional rice farming community,” says Ms Naomi Lane, Dean of JPA. “We’re on the flood plains, so it’s very beautiful, very quiet and very green. Nature is all around us, from ducks to buffaloes to snakes!” One day, back in 2014, a staff member researching boarding schools found out about Aiglon. They wrote to Aiglon, asking if any of their students might be a fit for Aiglon’s Scholarship Programme. Now, the school regularly sends scholars. The end goal for its students, says Ms Lane, is to win a scholarship and attend one of the world’s leading universities – and many do just that. E XPA NDI NG A ND E X PLORIN G What the Aiglon scholars gain is beyond measure, says Ms Lane. “It’s a comfortable environment for them to expand and explore all that they can be. They gain confidence, without losing any humility. They know they have a place not just in Cambodia but in the world. They can walk into a room anywhere and feel that they belong. And that helps them to be better advocates for themselves – and for Cambodia. There are so many positives about JPA, but we are a Cambodian school, and we can’t offer the diverse perspectives that Aiglon offers.” This year, School Director Mrs Nicola Sparrow visited JPA to deepen links with the school, and to interview prospective Scholarship Programme

The project offers a unique opportunity: not only to visit but also to be part of this country’s rebirth

candidates. “We have had some amazing students from JPA, who have all gone on to full scholarships at universities in the USA,” she says. “I went to JPA this year with the intention of taking one scholar, but I ended up taking two! All the candidates were incredible. I would have taken all 12 of them if I could.” Mrs Sparrow was particularly impressed with how the students had coped with the disruption caused by the pandemic – schools in Cambodia were required to close for extended periods throughout 2020 and 2021 and provide online classes. “JPA was closed for almost two years, and students and families could not access meals, healthcare or materials support from JPA’s campus,” she says. “It was a struggle just to access online classes. It was humbling to hear how they found the positives in this life-changing experience.” The Cambodia service project and the Scholarship Programme give Aiglon students, parents and alumni a unique opportunity, not just to visit a country striving to overcome the disruption of war and political turmoil but also to be part of its rebirth. As Ms Lane says, donating to Aiglon’s Scholarship Programme is nothing less than an investment in the future. “The impact may not be easy to see in the short term, but in the long term it is vast,” she says. “The Scholarship Programme creates a unique opportunity for future decision-makers around the world to have a shared understanding. They will bring their Aiglon experience to decisions that will have a huge impact. And I hope that this will lead to better decisions being made for everybody on this planet.”

Making a difference Aiglon students on their recent service trip to Cambodia.

AIGLON ANNUAL REVIEW 2023

OUR VISION

Heroes of their nation Aiglon’s links to Somaliland started with Ali (Alpina, 1971) and Ahmed Egal (Alpina, 1972), the proud sons of the country’s first president. A new partnership with Abaarso School builds on that success – and perhaps one day will enable Aiglon to educate a future president.

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HEN ABDIQANI MOHAMED (Belvedere, 2023,) graduated last year, he became the first scholar from Abaarso School in Somaliland to do so. Today, Abdiqani is the embodiment of Aiglon’s emphasis on the lifechanging power that education offers. “We believe in nurturing the academic, intellectual and character development of promising Somalilander students,” says Mrs Karen Sandri, Director of Philanthropy & Community Engagement, “so that they can effectively and ethically advance their society as the leaders of tomorrow. “So our support of Abdiqani doesn’t end at graduation. He was offered an 80 percent scholarship to go to Texas Christian University,” explains Mrs Sandri. “His family couldn’t afford the extra 20 percent, so the school awarded another 10 percent from the Higher Education Fund set up by the Board to assist scholars in their transition to university, and we were able to raise the final 10 percent from donations from our generous Aiglon community. This programme isn’t just about bringing scholars to Aiglon but also helping them take their next steps.”

I M PROV I NG AC C ES S Aiglon’s links to Somaliland – an independent state that has seen years of struggle – date back to the 1970s. Muhammed Haji Ibrahim Egal, who served as Prime Minister of the newly formed Somali Republic in 1960, and again between 1967 and 1969, would spend 16 years in jail after his government was overthrown, and so he sent his two sons, Ali (Alpina, 1971) and Ahmed (Alpina, 1972), to safety at Aiglon. He was subsequently released and elected President

OUR VISION

of the new Republic of Somaliland, a role he held until his death in 2002. Today, Somaliland has a stable government and peaceful elections, and Egal is regarded as a hero of the nation. But the country continues to battle the deep structural problems that result from a society riven by war: 30 percent of citizens live below the poverty line; all schools were destroyed in the civil war; and fewer than 45 percent of school-age children attend primary school. Abaarso School of Science and Technology is key to improving access to education and developing the leaders of tomorrow. A boarding school for 7th to 12th grade students, founded in 2009 by US financier Jonathan Starr, Abaarso focuses on educating the next generation of leaders – with incredible success. More than 100 alumni are now continuing their education across the world, and in 2017, the Abaarso network opened Barwaaqo University, the first ever boarding university for women in Somaliland. A N I NS P I RATI O N Aiglon is proud to be part of Abaarso School’s story. This year, alumnus Ali Egal accompanied Mrs Sandri and Mr Tomas Duckling, Deputy School Director and Head of the Scholarship Programme, on a trip to Abaarso to find Aiglon’s next Somaliland scholar. “When I first heard that there was a scholar from Somaliland at Aiglon – through an Abaarso graduate I met – I was very surprised,” says Ali. “I thought it was impossible! So I was very pleased to accompany Mrs Sandri and Mr Duckling to the school, and see how impressed they were by these young people.” Mrs Sandri says that Ali was an inspiration. “I knew that his father had been an extraordinary man. And other alumni had spoken of Ali with awe and respect. So when we started revamping the Scholarship Programme, we wanted to visit all our partner schools before conducting the online interviews. To see the esteem in which Ali’s family is held in Somaliland was truly wonderful. “In fact, when we visited the primary school, the children were doing a report on his father! It was amazing to see the looks on their faces when Ali walked in and said: ‘Hey, that’s my dad!’ And, of course, I was impressed by the sheer dedication, enthusiasm and ambition of the potential scholars.” For Mr Duckling, the trip was also an eye-opener. “It was so important for me to add context to the experience of our Somalilander students. I see their experience of arriving and living at Aiglon entirely

differently having been there, seen their lives, learned about their culture, and learned about the trouble the country faces. It was such a privilege to be welcomed into their school by these incredibly proud people, who have been through so much.” Donating to the Scholarship Programme benefits not just the scholars but also the school itself, says Ali. “It brings a different perspective to everyone in a world that is becoming increasingly polarised. Apart from education, these scholarships bring people together and give everybody a new point of view. These young Somalilanders who go on to scholarships at Aiglon enter a completely different universe. It opens our eyes when we are confronted with people who come from a country with such insecurity yet are courageous and intelligent and determined to overcome. It is inspirational.”

A visit to Somaliland Aiglon representatives’ recent visit to Abaarso saw Ali Egal (Alpina, 1971) meet primary school students doing a report on his father.

The children were doing a report on Ali’s father. It was amazing to see the looks on their faces when Ali walked in and said: ‘Hey, that’s my Dad!’ AIGLON ANNUAL REVIEW 2023

THE POWER OF PHILANTHROPY

Your gift changes lives and enriches our community Gaining a scholarship to attend Aiglon is a life-changing opportunity granted only to the very best candidates – one made possible with your support. FIRST MET THE YOUNG GIRL I’LL CALL Hope when I went to interview potential scholars at a school in Kenya this year. When she walked in wearing a sweatshirt with Chinese characters on, her warm, composed presence just filled the room. I was with Assistant Head Jack George and, as a Mandarin speaker, he leaned over and whispered: “Her sweatshirt says: ‘There’s always hope.’” Hope and I started talking, and I asked her one of our standard questions: “What would your friends at school say about you?” She answered: “They probably say I’m pretty strong when it comes to facing challenges.” So I asked her to tell me about some challenges she faced with strength. This is what she told me. When the pandemic hit Kenya, all schools were closed for a year. Hope’s mother caught Covid and died from an underlying heart condition – which could have been prevented if she had been able to access the right treatment. Hope was sent to live with a relative but, when schools reopened, she caught a blood infection and missed another three months of her education. Despite all this, she aced her exams. Then, when she sat Aiglon’s exams, she achieved 94.7 percent on her IB math exam. She had never even studied IB math. We take our Kenyan scholars after they finish high school. So Hope was spending her days taking care of her stepmother’s small children and her nights volunteering at a local church. She had no money and no future plans. When Mrs Sparrow and I interviewed her again, online, Hope was afraid to turn on the video because a friend of hers had bought her a SIM card

Mrs Karen Sandri Director of Philanthropy & Community Engagement

AIGLON ANNUAL REVIEW 2023

THE POWER OF PHILANTHROPY

GI V I NG

A guide to giving at Aiglon

We knew that if we wanted to change a life, we had to give the scholarship to Hope. I cried with happiness

and she didn’t want to run out of internet access before the interview was over. She told us that she was trying to save money to go on a beautician’s course. After that interview was over, Mrs Sparrow and I agreed that there had been other candidates who might bring more, academically, to the school. But if we wanted to change a life, we knew we had to give the scholarship to Hope. I’m not ashamed to say that I cried with happiness. To me, Hope’s story encapsulates everything that is good about our Scholarship Programme. We can take these young people and open a million doors for them. While lifting themselves up, they lift the whole school with them. And because we make a point of only taking scholars who we believe will be able to achieve further scholarships in higher education, many go on to do great work in their home countries and lift them up, too. Hope is now considering becoming a doctor, she tells me. But her biggest ambition is to make as much money as possible – so she can go back to Kenya and use it to open health clinics. Hope’s story is just one of many from the Aiglon Scholarship Programme – which is only made possible through the incredible generosity of our donors. If you want to join them, please consider donating to the Aiglon Scholarship Fund. We are profoundly grateful for any amount, big or small. The impact of their generosity on the lives of these young people – who have lived through challenges most of us cannot imagine – is tangible and lifelong. Hope is just at the beginning of her Aiglon story. With your help, we can start a new chapter in the lives of other people around the world. As her sweatshirt said: there’s always hope.

How are Aiglon’s finances managed? Aiglon employs more than 250 people, with an annual turnover approaching 50 million Swiss francs. Its accounts are audited by PriceWaterhouseCoopers, which has a longstanding relationship with the school’s bank and works with external experts as necessary to ensure all processes are first-rate. COO/CFO Mrs Patricia Bremner and the finance team are always looking for ways to improve financial health and efficiency, while never compromising Aiglon’s ability to deliver its unique and world-class education programme. What difference does Aiglon’s not-for-profit status make? Being a not-for-profit means that the profits Aiglon generates go back into the school itself, rather than to shareholders or an owner. The generous gifts of donors are essential: they allow Aiglon to do more – and faster. How do I make a tax-efficient gift to Aiglon? Aiglon is a member of foundations across the world that offer tax-efficient giving in their country. The school currently has foundations in Canada, the US, the UK, Hong Kong and the Netherlands that are all managed by legal professionals in the appropriate country. Donors will get immediate notification that the gift has been made, and all gifts are transferred once per quarter to the school. I’m interested in giving, but I would like to talk through the options first. We love to talk to Aiglon friends, parents and alumni about our many giving opportunities. Our Director of Philanthropy & Community Engagement, Mrs Karen Sandri, is more than happy to discuss any aspect of giving with you. Please feel free to reach out and contact her directly on k.sandri@aiglon.ch

AIGLON ANNUAL REVIEW 2023

CASE FOR SUPPORT

Culture. Character. Campus. And did we mention sustainability? Innovation? Entrepreneurship? Multilinguilism? We have huge ambitions for what an Aiglonian education can deliver. N 2024, AIGLON WILL CELEBRATE its 75th anniversary: eight decades of developing the Mind, Body and Spirit of young people from across the globe. We’re proud of our heritage – following in our founder’s footsteps and looking to the future. What will Aiglonians need to thrive today, and tomorrow? What do we need to grow and change? And how do we get there? Our comprehensive vision for 2028 covers all aspects of Aiglon’s education, facilities and care – and we ask for your support to make our vision beyond exceptional for this generation and those that will come after. We are asking you to help enable us to go further and faster in our ambitions to weave sustainability, innovation, entrepreneurship and multilingualism through every part of an Aiglonian education. Together we will enable our students to access the diverse perspectives and experiences that will prepare them to lead tomorrow’s world.

OUR PRIORIT IES: C ULTUR E

With your help, we will expand the diversity of young people in our community by continuing to grow the number of Aiglonians benefitting from life-changing scholarships. Aiglon scholarships have enabled the brightest young people from across the world to access our unique education. Scholarships leave a lasting impact on an individual and their family – but just as importantly, they nurture in all our students the values of kindness and respect, regardless of origin, background and beliefs.

AIGLON ANNUAL REVIEW 2023

So far, 116 scholars from countries including Kenya, Bhutan, Israel and Somaliland have passed through the school, with every one continuing to higher education. While Aiglon has historically funded scholarships, we are proud and grateful that a significant proportion of our current recipients are funded through the generosity of parents and alumni. Through that continued generosity we aim to increase the number of scholarships at Aiglon, so that by 2028, we can enable 20 scholars at any one time to broaden their horizons – and those of our whole community – on the mountain. O U R PRI O RI T I ES : C H A RACTE R

You can guide young Aiglonians to find their passion by helping us go beyond in three programme areas across Mind, Body and Spirit. Our innovative, exciting and original programmes across our Mind, Body and Spirit curriculum are core to why Aiglon is such a special place to learn. We are planning a new Innovation Lab as a centre for innovation and entrepreneurship. This hive of ideas will promote inquiry-based learning, with flexible spaces for students to explore emerging areas such as social enterprise, coding, robotics and app design. Your help will enable us to inspire young people to want to provide real-world solutions to global challenges, with input from our accomplished alumni. Alongside this space, we are envisaging an Entrepreneurship Hub to enable students to develop their emerging business ideas. Through studentrun enterprises, Aiglonians will learn to take risks,

CASE H FO ER A DSEURP PH OE R T E

experience what it really means to manage an enterprise and develop the skills they will need to lead the businesses of the future. Physical activity is, of course, a crucial part of character development, as well as being essential for wellbeing. We are thrilled to be the only school in Europe officially partnered with Manchester City Football Club. But we always want to go beyond. Which is why we have established a one-of-a-kind collaboration with Olympic ski champion Lindsey Vonn, helping to take Aiglon’s high-performance ski programme to the next level and build a solid foundation for our wider high-performance athletes and sport innovation programme. Finally, music has long been at the heart of daily life in Aiglon, with more than half of our students enjoying private tuition every week. We are excited to be in the early stages of planning a partnership with Steinway & Sons that will bring beautiful instruments to the mountain and inspire our pianists to greater heights. O U R PRI O RI TI E S : CAMP US

You can inspire our young people to realise a greener future by helping transform our campus, bringing us a step closer to our ambition of a near-zero footprint. Aiglon’s Campus Masterplan is an ambitious investment to ensure world-class facilities and regenerate every learning environment for the years ahead. At its heart is the Moghadam Campus Hub. The largest construction project in Aiglon’s history, the new space will bring together students, staff and teachers once again to reaffirm the sense of community that’s so central to our educational approach. A gift to this project is an opportunity

We are asking you to help enable us to go further and faster, to achieve our ‘beyond exceptional’ vision

to create a lasting legacy with recognition by many future generations. Our transformation of the Parsons Building and Old Belvedere into classrooms filled with light showcases our vision of a campus truly connected with, and giving back to, the landscape. From campus-connected heating sources and the solar panels on the Sports Centre and Moghadam Campus Hub buildings to our E-Bike programme, we want to blaze a trail in our efforts to reduce Aiglon’s energy consumption by more than 10 percent by 2029. Your support will help us nurture the innovative ideas of our students and alumni for a sustainable future and enable us to create the Sustainability Lab – a dynamic learning space dedicated to exploring sustainable solutions to today’s environmental challenges. Philanthropy is crucial for a not-for-profit school like Aiglon. That status means that every franc of profit – and, of course, your donations – goes towards improving the student experience. Our identity is built upon generosity: our first ever permanent home, Clairmont, was purchased with gifts from parents and friends of our founder, John Corlette. Will you contribute to keeping that tradition of giving alive – and help us go beyond?

AIGLON ANNUAL REVIEW 2023

OUR DONORS

Building the future, together We are hugely grateful to Aiglon’s donors: you enable us to go further faster and deliver exceptional educational experiences on the mountain.

Alumni Eagle Scholarship Award We were happy to welcome our second Alumni Eagle Scholar at Aiglon this autumn. A total of 74 alumni and alumni parents generously gave to this great initiative. Thank you.

AIGLON ANNUAL REVIEW 2023

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Elisabeth van de Grampel Clairmont, 1980 Michaela Seeger Clairmont, 1980 Robert Liu Alpina, 1968 Ala Loika Alumni Parent Robert Liu Alpina, 1968 Carin Beumer Alumni Parent Lloyd Gordon Alpina, 1982 Louis Snyder Delaware, 1969 Eugene Kovtonyuk Alumni Parent Aura Reinhardt Clairmont, 1972 Itinder Singh Chadha Alpina, 1995 Elena Yartseva Alumni Parent Andy Dijkerman Clairmont, 1973 Philippe Arni Delaware, 2006 The Kalouti family Alexander Lee Belvedere, 1979 Katherine Sokoloff Clairmont, 1973 Robert Donnell Clairmont, 1969 Michèle Andina Alumni Parent Isabel Santandreu Exeter, 1995 Edward Manley Alumni Parent Jan Hammer Alpina, 1995 Tim Davidson Belvedere/Alpina, 1972 Cecilia Peck Voll Clairmont, 1975 Talal Attieh Alpina, 2015 Roos Kinnegim-Matzinger Alumni Parent Angela Lester Chantecler, 1989 Alessandro Corsini Delaware, 1975 Simon Kidston Alpina, 1985 Hassaan Joosub Delaware, 2008 Barbara Wyatt Exeter, 1974 Leelila Strogov Clairmont, 1987 Eric Gibson Alpina, 1972 David Cornwallis Alpina, 1971

OUR DONORS

I was delighted to be able to support Aiglon’s Scholarship Programme in the memory of my good friend Ahmed Egal (Alpina, 1972). Aiglon offers fully funded scholarships to students from countries such as Somaliland, where Ahmed’s family has played such a role in shaping its history. Perhaps one of Aiglon’s scholars will play a role in shaping its future? T I M D AV I D S O N

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Ramsay Nafa Alpina, 1992 Brian Ang Current & Alumni Parent David Rebak Clairmont, 1965 Hamid Moghadam Alpina, 1973 John Pohl Delaware, 1974 Nicholas Besobrasow Belvedere, 1977 Jim Heidenreich Belvedere/Clairmont/ Delaware, 1970 Jenny Mulholland Alumni Parent Erik Friedl Alpina, 1969 Mauricio Arnaud Alumni Parent Nikki Taussig 1954 Karel Fisher Alpina, 1965 Todd Benoliel Alpina, 1984 Ioana Vasilescu Clairmont, 2020 Philippa Von Hohenzollern Le Cerf, 2008 Celia Rogge Chantecler, 1989 Enes Kristo Delaware, 2017 Patrick Wachira Delaware, 2019 Annabel Richmond Alumni Parent Bahman Azarm Delaware, 1976 Alexander Demishin Alpina, 2016 Ted Pearce Alpina, 1968 Denny Lane Delaware, 1957 Cela Hobbs 1971 Karen Lezny Exeter, 1981 Tony Jashanmal Alpina, 1965 Eugene Kovtonyuk Alumni Parent Steven Sandler Alumni Parent Egon Vorfeld Delaware, 1985 Rex Hesner 1970

We would also like to thank our 10 anonymous donors.

Parent Scholarship Award This year, donors from our parent community have collectively fully funded one student’s two-year IB programme at Aiglon. The first parent scholar will join Aiglon this year. Thank you to the 49 donating families who made this possible. • • • • • • • • • •

Aziz & Anna Musakhanov Andy & Bettina Croft Michael & Viviane Emerson Patrick & Vicki Lovatel Patricia Bremner & Luca Gadotti Murat Cem & Esra Sertoglu Adam & Tierney Horne Alexander & Dinara Ezhkov Albert Carreras & Ingrid Salvado Alexander & Anne-Flore Carpentier Alting

• Ming Jin & Suzhen Wang • Siddharth Balachandran & Sreedevi Eswaran • Pablo Baulies Gomez & Kimi Jufang Xiang • Lei Jiang & Yongping Chai • Go & Wakako Nagasaka • Chuck & Susan Willis • Omar Abbosh • Raffi & Lucine Baroutjian • Jan & Karin Sarfelt • Dan & Jae Rosenthal • Zyrieda Denning • Jonathan & Rebecca Procter • Alex Prout & Karen Boyle • Felix & Asa Bonnier • Jean Marie Kouri • Carlos Braun & Solana Gassiebayle • Rupak Gupta • Kazuomi & Eri Kaneto • Nick & Joanne Ogden • Darren Wise & Nicola Sparrow • Desmond & Emily Hann • Susanna Hong • Higini Cierco Noguer & Carmen Martinez Grima • Nicholas & Reiko Nahum • Hans-Christian Boedker Jensen • Marco Rodzynek • Jose Lafontaine Hamui & Mary Carmen Rascon We would also like to thank our 12 anonymous donors.

AIGLON ANNUAL REVIEW 2023

IN NUMBERS

MIND IB RESULTS IN FOCUS

At Aiglon, we encourage our students to be inquisitive and motivated learners, equipping them with the analytical tools they need to understand the world around them.

35.3

46% OF IGCSE RESULTS WERE AWARDED AN A* OR A

AVERAGE IB SCORE ACHIEVED (out of a possible 45 points)

TEACHER STUDENT RATIO 1:4

IB PASS RATE

HIGHEST IB SCORE ACHIEVED (by 2 students)

85%

20% ACHIEVED OVER 40 POINTS

100%

OF THE STUDENTS ACHIEVED OVER 30 IN THE IB DIPLOMA

Student

29,240

Teacher

NUMBER OF MERITS

AVERAGE SUBJECT GRADE WAS

(out of a possible 45) - 16 students

26% 5.5

OUT OF

NEW STUDENTS

ACHIEVED THE BILINGUAL DIPLOMA

AIGLON ANNUAL REVIEW 2023

NUMBER OF LANGUAGES TAUGHT

IN NUMBERS

OF BER LAR NUM URRICU C IES R AE X T A C T I V I T -led) t n e d (8 stu

2023 UNIVERSITY OFFER HIGHLIGHTS: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Babson College Barnard College Durham University EHL Hospitality Business School Georgetown University Harvard University IE Business School Imperial College London King’s College London McGill University New York University Northeastern University Stanford University University of Bristol University College London University of Edinburgh University of Leiden University of Manchester University of Pennsylvania University of Southern California University of St Andrews University of Warwick

EXTRA- CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES:

EARLY DECISION OFFERS (USA ONLY): • • • • • • • •

Babson College (2) Barnard College Bentley University Boston University George Washington University New York University Northeastern University (2) University of Pennsylvania

68 OFFERS FROM 14 OF THE 24 RUSSELL GROUP SCHOOLS

Astronomy

Chess

DJing

Knitting

Medical

MUN

WWF

Service

% BREAKDOWN OF UNIVERSITY DESTINATIONS

36% USA 34% UK 16% GLOBAL 14% GAP YEAR

AIGLON ANNUAL REVIEW 2023

IN NUMBERS

FIRST-TIME SKIERS AT AIGLON

BODY

An Aiglon education provides every student with the physical challenge they need to build strength, resilience and fitness. As their confidence grows, students gain a sense of achievement.

SUBJECT-RELATED EXPEDITIONS ACTIVITIES LED BY SENIOR STUDENTS TEACHING JUNIOR STUDENTS

This year, Year 8 studied physiology and anatomy in science, and expeditions went deeper to look at the body structure when climbing and how nutrition affects it

2 PARTNERSHIPS WITH WORLD -LEADERS:

BOUQUETINS

225 BOUQUETINS AWARDED LAST YEAR

(minimum of 5 expeditions a term)

1 STUDENT WITH 18 BOUQUETINS AND 6 MARMOTS

MANCHESTER CITY FOOTBALL CLUB & LINDSEY VONN 4 NEW ACTIVITIES ADDED THIS YEAR:

56 MARMOTS IN YEARS 5 AND 6 (4 EXPEDITIONS IN A TERM) Padel tennis

AIGLON ANNUAL REVIEW 2023

Horse riding

Skateboarding

Fencing

IN NUMBERS

TS POR N T S C LU B S E R E / DIFF IVITIES EK ACT P E R W E

SPORTS CLUBS

Mountain biking

Football

Climbing

Skating

Swimming

Touch rugby

Volleyball

Yoga

STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE YEARLY MOUNTAIN MARATHON

24 STUDENTS REPRESENTED THE SCHOOL ACROSS 10 DIFFERENT SPORTS

Golf

TEAMS ACROSS THE SCHOOL COMPETED IN 144 FIXTURES

SKI RESULTS AIGLON CUP

OV E R

ADISR SKIING Medals won in all age categories – demonstrating our strength across the school

STUDENT SKI RACERS

SUCCESS ON THE SLOPES Medals won at the European School races in Wengen and British Championships in Pila

16 PODIUM FINISHES INCLUDING 6 GOLD MEDALS

HONOURS BOARD SKI INTERHOUSE Alpina house BEST SENIOR BOY Zak BEST SENIOR GIRL Mathilde BEST JUNIOR BOY Tyler BEST JUNIOR GIRL Ilaria

AIGLON ANNUAL REVIEW 2023

IN NUMBERS

SPIRIT

We challenge all students to reflect on the most fundamental questions of human life. They explore all faiths, while developing a deep sense of lifelong service.

JUNIOR SCHOOL STUDENTS CAST FOR SCHOOL PLAY (ANNIE )

STUDENT-LED MEDITATIONS

CHF

120

DELEGATES HOSTED AT AIGLON’S MUN CONFERENCE

230,000

RAISED BY 32 FAMILIES FOR THE 2023 CLASS GIFT

FAITH GROUPS COVERING 7 DIFFERENT RELIGIONS/ PHILOSOPHIES (students can change at the end of each term)

AIGLON ANNUAL REVIEW 2023

MENTORSHIP MATCHES BETWEEN STUDENTS AND ALUMNI, WITH 342 MESSAGES SHARED, AND INTERNSHIPS OFFERED

IN NUMBERS

3 ELDERLY LUNCHES HOSTED BY AIGLON, WITH 200 LOCAL RESIDENTS ATTENDING

CHF

800

WAS RAISED BY LE TRIENT TO SUPPORT 8 SAT EXAMS FOR STAREHE STUDENTS

STUDENTS VOLUNTEER AT LOCAL REFUGEE CENTRES

STUDENTS TAUGHT UKRAINIAN STUDENTS AT SVITLO SCHOOL FOR AN HOUR A WEEK ONLINE

3 AIGLON DISCOVERY TRIPS

Year 7 NASA Space Camp

Sailing & Ancient History in Greece

Morocco Cultural Visit

DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES

STUDENT AMBASSADORS

ACADEMIC PEER MENTORS

6 GIRLS AND 7 BOYS Starehe students sponsored by Aiglon boarding houses

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) student champions

AIGLON ANNUAL REVIEW 2023

FINANCIALS

The bottom line? We’re in good health Strong and sustainable: Aiglon’s finances ensure the future is bright for students of today – and tomorrow. tudent experience lies at the heart of everything we do here at Aiglon, and our unique community-owned, not-for-profit status means that everyone – from our wonderful teachers right up to the Board – is focused on delivering the very best for each individual student. It’s something that has been enshrined in Aiglon’s culture since its inception under John Corlette in 1949. His vision led to the creation of the Aiglon College Association – comprising alumni, parents and friend volunteers – and that body is as strong today as it has ever been, ensuring that our school is well-governed and that funds are used to further our mission. Being a not-for-profit does not mean that we do not generate profit – it just means that, as stewards of the school, we have a responsibility to reinvest our operational surplus into the school, for the benefit of our students today and to ensure a strong future.

AIGLON ANNUAL REVIEW 2023

AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CHF)

Consolidated Balance Sheet of Aiglon College as of 31.08.2022 ASSETS ■CURRENT ASSETS ■NON-CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS

52,393,194.64 51,306,735.93 103,699,930.57

LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL ■CURRENT LIABILITIES ■NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES TOTAL ORGANISATIONAL CAPITAL

60,464,365.08 43,235,565.49 103,699,930.57

Consolidated Statement of Operations of Aiglon College as of 31.08.2022 ■REVENUE ■DONATIONS RECEIVED OPERATING INCOME

48,371,112.44 1,295,271.17 49,666,383.61

PERSONNEL EXPENSES OPERATING EXPENSES DEPRECIATION OPERATING EXPENSES

23,581,288.69 17,033,975.07 2,203,861.47 42,819,125.23

OPERATING RESULT

6,847,258.38

If you would like to discuss how you could support Aiglon, please do get in touch. Mrs Karen Sandri Director of Philanthropy & Community Engagement k.sandri@aiglon.ch Aiglon College Avenue Centrale 61, 1885 Chesières, Switzerland www.aiglon.ch Illustrations by Charlotte Trounce Cover photography by Joe McGorty Created on behalf of Aiglon College by YBM www.ybm.co.uk