In this two part series on boarding school life, we explore what it means to be a boarding school student in Switzerland with the two Heads of Boarding at Brillantmont International School.
First up is Martyn Dix, Head of Boys' Boarding and an integral part of all inner workings of the boarding programme. In this interview, Martyn shares with us some of the highlights of life at an international school.
Q: What is your role at Brillantmont?
I am responsible for all the boys who live at the school. I ensure they are happy, safe and well supported to develop as individuals, learn life skills, and achieve their highest potential. I work closely with a large team made up of people from a number of departments to nurture a family atmosphere and ensure all aspects of the students’ lives at school are supported.
Q: What is your background?
I was originally trained as a paediatric cardiac intensive-care nurse and worked for several years at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London. There I cared for babies and children requiring intensive care. I later started working in boarding schools, first as a nurse and later as a Housemaster.
I worked at a number of schools in England in various capacities for about 7 years. Some of these schools included St. John's Beaumont School, New Hall School, and Harrow School. I have taken Boarding School Association (BSA) and Swiss Learning courses to compliment and enhance my professional development in this field.
Q: What are some examples of activities in the houses and boarding programme?
I work with a number of people both from outside and from within the school to offer a lively, diverse, and fun activity programme. This can vary from sporting activities at school in the evenings - fully utilising the extensive equipment available to us - to weekend trips to Milan. All activities promote the family atmosphere we strive to create within the school, enrich university applications, help students to learn English, encourage them in making new friends, and all while having a lot of fun!
Q: What makes the Brillantmont boarding programme unique?
The support afforded to the students at Brillantmont, combined with the family atmosphere that is intrinsic to all aspects of school life, makes this boarding programme unique.
Q: What is the most enjoyable part of your job?
I thoroughly enjoy supporting the students to learn, develop and explore their goals as they progress through the school. Seeing the look on their faces as they reach these goals, having achieved the best they possibly can, is something that I never forget.
Find out more about the boarding programme at Brillantmont International School, click here.
Other blog posts that might be of interest:
Tips for a First Time Boarder
