Celebrating Aiglon's Staff

During a special staff meeting at the beginning of December, Aiglon launched a new award in order to recognise teachers and staff who have spent a decade or longer at the school.

The “Dedicated Service Awards” were announced by School Director, Nicola Sparrow, during a whole staff meeting. In her speech, Ms Sparrow highlighted the deep-rooted values of the school, “At Aiglon, we often speak about character, responsibility, and service as values at the heart of our educational and school system. But these values are not only taught to students; they are embodied day-to-day by the people in this room.”

"Our school is shaped not only by its unique setting on the mountain but by the unwavering commitment of those who choose to devote their time, energy, and passion to this school," she added, before detailing the specific recognitions for those having served 10, 20 or 30 years as members of the school’s staff.

After the meeting, those staff who had reached the landmark employment lengths received personalised plaques celebrating their accomplishment. “We hope that our colleagues will be proud to display this accomplishment at work or home,” say Marianna Ramonda Estoppey and Nelly Devanthéry, Associate Directors of HR, who helped to bring this new project to fruition.

“We have developed an extensive award scheme to formalise the recognition and acknowledgement of staff who have committed a significant portion of their careers to Aiglon,” says Patricia Bremner, Bursar (Chief Finance & Operations Officer). The scheme was formally launched a few years ago by awarding long-serving staff with an extra pay or holiday entitlement bonus. This can cumulate over time with further awards given out with each subsequent decade.

While recognising staff for their commitment over time, Aiglon also seeks other ways to enable staff achievement and development. Aiglon has a programme to support trainee teachers and others are supported to pursue further advanced degrees whilst at the school. Once at Aiglon for ten years, teachers may also consider submitting an application for a sabbatical term to focus on a particular interest project that can be connected back to their ongoing professional development.

During the presentation, Ms Sparrow recognised the impact of each service level: “To our 10-year awardees: Thank you for your enthusiasm and the fresh perspective that you’ve brought to Aiglon. To those celebrating 20 years: Your long-standing dedication, your deep understanding of our culture, and your consistency have helped to strengthen the very fabric of our school. And to our colleagues marking 30 years of service: Your service reflects a remarkable commitment. You’ve helped shape generations of students, staff, and traditions.”

The school’s current longest-serving employee has been at Aiglon for over 30 years.

“Aiglon is more than an employer. It is a place that values people, their gifts, and their long-term contribution. We could not do what we do without everybody in this room,” Ms Sparrow concluded. "On behalf of the whole community, thank you for walking this path with us, for giving so much of yourselves, and for helping make Aiglon the remarkable school it is today.”