The economic climate of recent years has created some very real challenges for independent schools, and over the last two years, the school has worked hard to maximise cost efficiencies. Despite these external pressures, the School is in sound shape financially and we continue to have strong enrolment. We are moving ahead confidently with our plans to upgrade and develop the campus, and our Sports Centre will open during the autumn term. In addition the Board of Governors and School Council are looking closely at subsequent major campus development projects that will significantly enhance our provision for boarding, classrooms, performing arts and library facilities over the next five years.

In 2010 Aiglon became an IB World School, and this year's Upper Sixth Form students will be the first cohort to prepare to earn an IB Diploma. I am confident that it will provide an excellent springboard for our students to access universities and work placements of quality in the years ahead. We are also progressing in our self-study, which is a requirement for re-accreditation by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). This autumn term, we are hosting a visiting team that will, we hope, recommend that Aiglon be awarded re-accredited status. Part of this process required us to re-articulate our founding principles, and a diverse section of the Aiglon community, including parents and alumni, worked on this challenge. Importantly, our task is not to reinvent or change our philosophy, but to make it more accessible and relevant to our students. In summary, this consultative process resulted in the following revised statement on our general aim and founding principles.

The aim of Aiglon College is the balanced development of MIND, BODY and SPIRIT through:
Challenge
Respect
Responsibility
Diversity
Service

The development of the MIND focuses on the intellect and the
capacity to think, learn and reflect powerfully and purposefully.

The development of the BODY focuses on physical fitness and the maintaining of an active and healthy lifestyle.

The development of the SPIRIT focuses on the essence of ourselves and the exploration of faith, service and purpose in life.

Together with the Board I am keen to strengthen Aiglon's commitment to identifying and funding scholarship students. Initiatives from parents, alumni, staff  and govenors enabled us to recruit new scholars. It is my hope that these excellent examples will inspire others and enable others who might not have the means to access an Aiglon education to benefit from the rich and distinctive school experience that so many alumni and students enjoyed. In turn the presence of talented, motivated students has a powerful impact on the climate of ambition and commitment which reigns in the School.

In summary, Aiglon remains active, vibrant, diverse, ambitious and energised - a good formula for the success and happiness of its students now and in the future.

Richard McDonald

Head Master