Blog

This week we had the opportunity to sit down with our wonderful Maths Co-ordinator, JK Kennedy, to talk about how to engage students in this subject at boarding school and all of the exciting things that he is doing with the Brillantmont Maths programme. Don’t miss his enthusiastic insights and great activity ideas for making maths fun, understandable, and applicable.

Many parents send their children to boarding school in Switzerland, nestled in the centre of Europe, both because of its reputation for safety and security, its fresh air and beautiful landscapes. Safety risk in Switzerland is very low compared to other countries and there is a history of elite families coming here where discretion is highly valued. This tradition also filters down to Swiss boarding schools like Brillantmont where we are used to working with people who seek safety and a good all-round environment for their child. Health and security are therefore prioritised here, and this blog will explore the details of how this is true on our international school campus. 

The extra-curricular activities at boarding school in Switzerland add that essential element of fun to your experience abroad. Switzerland offers incredible natural surroundings ideal for outdoor adventures in all seasons and the rich history of the country makes weekend outings both educational and memorable. Studying at a private institution in a new country gives you the opportunity to explore that part of the world, through the activities and trips that the school organizes for students. Not only is it fun, but it also contributes to the overall development of the individual. This week we sat down with Ginette Tonge, the Activities Co-ordinator and Humanities teacher at Brillantmont.

We have been hearing a lot from students in our blog series this winter, now it is time to hear the parents’ perspective! Why did they choose to send their student to study in Switzerland and how have they seen this benefit their child? These are essential questions to answer for families considering boarding school abroad.

On this boarding school blog we have spoken a lot about what it is like to be at boarding school in Switzerland; we have shared with you the typical day-in-the-life of a boarding school attendee; we have posted videos and photos of some of the incredible excursions and fieldtrips that we get to enjoy; we have opened up discussion on important topics such as the pain of separation for parents and boarding students and the differences between public and private education. However, sometimes the most powerful and helpful pieces are those where we hear directly from students about their experiences at Swiss boarding school.

Picking a boarding school for your child, no matter where in the world you are, is a big task. There are so many factors to consider from location and facilities, to size and type of academic programme. Every parent wants the best home-away-from-home for their children. There are a number of key features to consider when picking the best boarding school. This blog will put forward some of these in order to help you with your schooling choices.

Parents and potential students alike often wonder what the day-to-day life of an international boarding school student is like. Even if you or your parents attended an international school, time can change the daily routines and schedules of a school to reflect the needs of today’s students. Many boarding schools of 50 years ago, would be unrecognisable today, as they have evolved.  The best international schools are becoming more diverse every year and places like Brillantmont International Schooloffer incredible cultural and language exposure and learning opportunities. Allow us to share with you some of these international school highlights.

Are you beginning to think about your holiday plans this winter? Did you seek an educational and safe experience for your child? This winter, Brillantmont International School is hosting a one-of-a-kind six or seven week intensive language programme in the heart of French-speaking Switzerland. Join our incredible team in Lausanne for daily French learning, fun excursions in the Swiss winter wonderland, and the opportunity to make new friends and connections from all over the world.

Swiss boarding schools are known globally for their long and illustrious history of excellent education that polishes and refines its students - an education that prepares them for successful careers and memorable legacies as well as leaving them with a global network of connections. Many of the world’s powerful, elite, and royal families have attended Swiss boarding schools and international institutions over the centuries.

There has been a lot of talk in the media in the past few years, particularly in the UK, about the potentially damaging and isolating effects of boarding school on children’s future lives (Duffell, 2014). Mostly coming out of the UK where large boarding schools and private prep schools are very common, these articles often sight the experiences of now-adults who attended the schools in the 70s, 80s and even earlier when harsh discipline and isolation from family echoed in the halls.