Blog

As we welcome the new term at Brillantmont, it’s exciting to look ahead at the many opportunities that await our students — both in and out of the classroom.

After an action - packed few months since the start of the school year in late August, our community has already experienced a remarkable blend of academic achievement, adventure, and personal growth. Now, as we settle into the new term, there’s even more to look forward to!

Our Head of Academics, Victor McClean, who leads the MUN experience, celebrates the success of our students.

Recently, a group of fifteen Brillantmont International School students took part in the prestigious THIMUN (The Hague International Model United Nations) conference in Singapore. As the school’s Head of Academics, I am filled with pride each year as our students embrace this extraordinary opportunity to engage in real world diplomacy, which combines intellectual challenge with the chance to collaborate globally. For over 40 years, Brillantmont has been committed to participating in THIMUN conferences, and this year’s event in Singapore underscored our students’ dedication to developing as globally minded citizens.

Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions a parent can make. As a parent, you seek a school that not only excels academically but also fosters personal growth and prepares your child for the challenges of the future.

In a world where education is increasingly commercialised and dominated by new, fast-growing school chains, Brillantmont International School stands out as a beacon of tradition, excellence and stability. With its more than 140-year legacy, Brillantmont is a school with rich core values, a commitment to preparing students for the world today and a personalised approach to education.

Our 8^th and 9^th Grade programmes can pave the way for your child's success. At Brillantmont, we recognize the importance of these formative years in shaping a student's academic journey and future prospects. We provide an enriching and supportive environment for students at this pivotal stage and equip students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to excel in their academic programme and beyond.

The 2023-2024 Young Enterprise Society (YES) Club has made history as the first Brillantmont team to make the finals of the Business School of Lausanne’s (BSL) Entrepreneurial Challenge and has won the award for the best business model.

Our team EDu is a business startup created by Isabela, Tija, Maria, and Nina that focuses on helping match students with universities and majors. The team will have mentoring sessions with BSL professors and successful entrepreneurs and will work with them during the 2024-2025 academic year.

Congratulations to the whole team!

At the end of February 2024, nine of our younger students took part in the international mathematics competitions organised by Waterloo University in Canada. The competitions are full of challenging maths puzzles that require excellent problem-solving skills to decipher and answer. Each competition was taken by around 20 000 students from around the world under exam conditions.

Seven of our grade 9 students and one grade 8 student took part in the Pascal competition. As a keen mathematician who enjoys a challenge, 9th Grader, James, elected to try the more difficult grade 10 Cayley competition.

The beauty of a small school is that there is a very personalised support of students. At Brillantmont, our Vision and Mission are at the heart of what we do, as we help students reach their full potential in our British IGCSE and A Level programme and our High School Diploma.

Summer Course is just around the corner. Why not come to Brillantmont, the only Swiss boarding school to be owned and run by the same family for over 140 years.
 

Learning languages is fun!
Thanks to our fantastic teachers, learning English or French has never been more fun! Take a test on arrival to see which level you are. Don't worry - we have classes from beginner to advanced so we'll make sure you're challenged and making great progress, as you develop confidence. 

If you have a child who is finishing 10th grade this academic year and will soon be starting A Levels, then you’re going to want to know what you should expect. Will an increased workload mean more stress for your child? Will your child cope? 
 

The transition
The transition from 10th grade and the jump up from IGCSE  to A Levels is huge and you should be prepared for your child’s learning to take on a new lease of life. There may be some low grades initially for even the strongest IGCSE student until they familiar with the rigours of A Level. This adjustment may be quite daunting for many new A Level students and here at Brillantmont, we try to prepare students for this step-up to the next level in their learning. Even though they will have dropped many subjects to focus on their chosen subjects (min. 3)  in more depth, they will have to adhere to more deadlines, more autonomous and independent learning and a deeper level of critical thinking. This may initially prove challenging.

However, starting A Levels can also be an exciting time for your child. To start with, your child has chosen subjects that they love to study, which means that they can put all their academic time and energy into areas they love.

It’s the time of year when many families are looking at boarding school options for the next academic year, 24-25. There are so many amazing schools around the world, which makes coming to a decision quite difficult!
 
Choosing between a Swiss boarding school and one elsewhere in the world, depends on personal preferences and goals. Consider factors like culture, language, academic programme and the school’s Guiding Statements when making your decision.

Are you looking for a school which is purely results oriented or do you want a more holistic education, with a balance between academic rigour and a stimulating extra-curricular offer?