140th Anniversary Celebration - Brillantmont International School

Celebrating a remarkable journey

A family school through the decades

Brillantmont is a private international school,

From 1896 onwards, the first buildings of the

founded in 1882 by Paul and Berthe Heubi in the

current campus were built on land close to the

Château de Lutry. Nowadays, Brillantmont is

city centre, on Bellevue hill. From the outset, the

proud

buildings

to

be

the

oldest

private

school

in

were

to

be

a

school.

to

the

creation

Switzerland which is still owned by the founding

construction

family. This is exceptional!

development of Avenue Charles-Secrétan.

Brillantmont’s

founder,

Paul

Heubi,

was

a

professor at the University of Berne. He had a progressive vision of how girls’ education for should be. He felt that it should not be just about how to run a household, as was the case back then, but that they should learn history, geography, languages and develop their general culture.

led

built

and

Their wider

In 1902, the rather pompously named “Institute of Practical Studies” was created. Its role was to educate

young

women

in

how

to

successfully

manage a busy household. Many other schools in Switzerland offered similar programmes at that time – the famous Swiss finishing schools. During the Great War of 1914-1918, the school remained open since around fifteen students were unable to get home due to the conflict gripping much of Europe.

After the war, Europe witnessed more suffering as Spanish Flu ravaged countries. In 1918, Château Brillantmont was rented out to the YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association). They set up their first “hostel” in Europe within the walls of Château; it was for young people without many means. In the 1920s, Paul Heubi, one of

founder’s sons, settled

in Madrid, where he taught football rules. This teaching was instrumental in the foundation of Real Madrid football club and his contribution to the game is clearly documented in football related archives

Brillantmont welcomes boys and girls, aged 13-18 in a homely, caring, supportive and attentive environment.

The founders, Paul and Berthe Heubi had ten

Emile Heubi, the son of the founders was an

children. When they died, Lily, William and Emile

artist and his friendships with Charles Ferdinand

– took over the running of Brillantmont, working

Ramuz,

together

of

René Auberjonois, helped Brillantmont become

Brillantmont for 40 years. She never married or

known more widely, as they spent time here. In

had children and always lived on campus (in

1922,

Monribeau).

residence

as

a

team.

She

Lily

was

embodied

the

the

Head

soul

of

the

Igor

the

Stravinsky,

artist at

Ernest

Charles

Brillantmont

Ansermet

ou

Clément

took

and

painting

gave

up

school, leading staff and students with humanity,

lessons to the boarding students. Brillantmont

gaining the respect and admiration of her family,

became something of a cultural centre, where

her staff and her students alike. Her values

students could benefit from the teaching and

spread far and beyond Brillantmont’s walls. In

knowledge of famous artists and musicians, like

1930,

Clara Haskil, the famous pianist.

a

French,

secondary was

school,

opened,

with

followed

teaching by

in

official

academic programmes, and later, in 1948, the

Emile and Lily Heubi worked together to lead the

current British (IGCSE / A Level) and American

school for many years, but had no children.

(High School Diploma) programme of studies

Therefore, on their death, their shares in the

were added.

school were passed on to their siblings. Thus, Molly, the younger sister, married to Gabriel

During the Second World War, the school was

Huguenin, became co-Head in the 1960s, along

closed to students. However, its reception rooms

with two of her nieces, who were of a similar age.

were

Molly Hugeunin was the grandmother of the

used

by

the

Poetry

Society,

developed precious links in artistic circles.

which

current owners (Corinne, Anne and Eric Frei).

Did you know that Brillantmont is the only school in Switzerland which has been in the same family for five generations?

After 80 years of harmonious cohabitation,

In

tension grew between the different branches

decided to sell Château Brillantmont. Philippe

of the family and the school campus was split

Frei, the husband of Françoise Frei-Huguenin

in half, with a hedge literally separating the

and Professor of Medicine at the University of

two campuses! On one side, there was Villa

Lausanne, firmly believed that in order to

Brillantmont,

and

survive, Villa Brillantmont should be reunited

business school, directed by Molly Huguenin

with Château Brillantmont. He negotiated with

and

Gabriel

the cousins to buy it back but in order to

Huguenin and his daughter Françoise; on the

raise funds, had to sell off tennis courts and

other side, there was Château Brillantmont,

part of the garden, which until then spread

with the British and American programmes,

down much of the hill.

directed by Lise Freymond, her cousin. Clearly

This meant that in the 1976-77 school year,

defined school programmes meant that the

thanks to the far sightedness of Philippe, the

two

Brillantmont campus was once again reunited

on

her

different

which

was

death,

schools

a

language

succeed

were

by

not

in

direct

competition!

and

the

in

mid

the

1970s,

hands

the

of

Freymond

just

one

cousins

person

–

Françoise Frei-Huguenin, daughter of Molly Heubi and grand-daughter of the founders.

Brillantmont, which until now, was known only

This saved Brillantmont from the fate of many

as a boarding school, began to welcome day

private schools which could no longer survive

students in the 1960s.

in an increasingly competitive market.

In

1983,

Brillantmont

became

the

first

international boarding school in Switzerland to be accredited by the European Council of International Schools and by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

The school has always been reaccredited up to the current day.

Towards the end of the 1980s, Françoise Frei’s children – Corinne, Anne and Eric – joined the School Board, alongside their mother and the Director, defining and shaping the future of the school.

Boys joined the day school from the 1970s but were only admitted into boarding from 1991.

Following the death of Françoise Frei in 2007, the buildings and the running of the school were separated into two distinct legal entities - “Brillantmont F. Frei SA” and “Brillantmont International School”, both governed by charters and family rules.

Mr

Philippe

Pasche,

who

had

joined

In

2007,

Brillantmont

became

a

founding

Brillantmont as an accountant in 1979 took

member of the organisation “Swiss Learning”,

over as Director and directed the school until

which

his retirement in 2019.

boarding schools.

In 2002, Brillantmont was recognised as a

The school has constantly strived to meet the

“Fellowship

Centre

promote

leading

Swiss

Cambridge

academic and sporting needs of the students.

With this in mind, a new building was opened

participation

in 2012. It was named the “Françoise Frei-

and

by

to

International Examinations” in honour of its in

Status

serves

commitment

to

“Cambridge International Examinations”.

Huguenin Sports and Culture Hall”, to honour a woman who was the school’s owner and

In the same year, the school launched an

Head for more than 40 years and whose death

intranet

saw an outpouring of grief and affection from

communication

system

between

parents and the school, leading the way in its time.

alumni across the world.

In 2019, Anne Frei became Head of School and continues to sit on the Board with Corinne and Eric Frei, President.

This represents the 5th generation of the founding family.

“Robotics

and

Coding

(STEAM)”

classes

Sadly, for the first time since 1977, the

were introduced in 2018 and continue to be

Summer Course had to be cancelled, but

compulsory in 8th and 9th Grade.

the Summer Course 2021 bounced back vigorously.

Unlike COVID

most

other

pandemic

schools, in

during

Spring

the

2020,

What a remarkable achievement to be able

Brillantmont remained open for students

to celebrate 140 years of family ownership

unable or not wanting to travel home.

and vision, in a rapidly changing world!

Anne is supported in her work by Sarah Frei (wife of Eric), Head of Admissions and Victor McClean, Head of Academics, both at Brillantmont for over 20 years.

Brillantmont today In many ways, the Brillantmont of today is like

Here are some key facts about Brillantmont

that

today:

of

1882.

emphasises

The

family

school values,

very a

much

sense

of

belonging and a feeling of being in a “home

A warm, caring community of around 80

from

boarding students and 10-20 day students

home”,

just

as

it

always

has.

The

deliberate choice to remain a small school

Students

from

around

reinforces this strong sense of community and

nationalities

being part of a family.

ensure a cultural mix

with

quotas

30

different

in

place

to

A challenging academic programme from The

school

has

the

8th – 12th Grade, with a 13th Grade option

students’ eyes to the world around them,

A British IGCSE and A Level programme

becoming Global Citizens, ready to play a role

and a US High School Diploma

in

Students enter universities all over the

tomorrow’s

sharing

also

world.

intercultural

strived

to

open

Learning

languages,

experiences

to

learn

world, including prestigious Russell Group

from each other has always been part of the

universities

Brillantmont experience and this has never

Leadership

been as important as nowadays, given the

activities

challenges the world faces.

conferences

The

Brillantmont

boarding

experience

has

opportunities

through

Model

Nations

like

United

Service Learning projects in Lausanne and

always been so much more than simply the

a building project for a family in need

academics:

extra-curricular

Fantastic

programme has always encouraged students

curricular

to

explore

discover

the

new

the

Switzerland experiences.

varied

interests

rich and

and

cultural to

enjoy

opportunities discovery

in

talents,

to

neighbouring countries

diversity

of

Skiing – lots of it!

trying

new

for

extra-

Switzerland

and

Incredible Summer Course for 10-17 year olds in July and August – to get a taste for Brillantmont

Find

out

more

about

all

we

offer

Brillantmont today by clicking these links.

School Year Summer Course Instagram Facebook Linked In

at

Brillantmont's Guiding Statements Our Vision To

be

recognised

international

as

learning

an

inclusive,

community

which

empowers and inspires our students to reach their full potential.

Our mission To provide a supportive family environment which enables our students to discover and develop their passions and talents, building the

confidence

needed

to

lead

happy,

meaningful lives.

Our core values Learning

We deliver stimulating curricula and unique learning experiences which equip students with the attributes to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Internationalism

We nurture collaboration and leadership skills

through

challenge,

building

We

actively

ensure

an

international

which

celebrates

courageous, confident critical thinkers.

student

Our teaching promotes reflection which

cultural understanding and diversity.

encourages

We recognise the value of our privileged

students

to

develop

an

awareness of their own learning journey.

location

body

to

promote

the

inter-

learning

of

French, an international outlook and the benefits afforded by the natural sporting Well-being

and cultural wealth of Switzerland.

We cultivate a physically and emotionally healthy

lifestyle

in

a

safe,

inclusive

Community

environment.

Our focus on the individual raises self-

We

esteem,

helping

community, based on mutual respect, in

effective

learners

our and

students balanced

become young

foster

a

caring,

culturally

aware

which our students can be themselves.

people.

We provide opportunities to impact the

We promote the healthy use of technology

lives

and digital awareness, placing value on

leadership within and beyond the school

human connections and respect.

community.

of

others

through

service

and

From left to right: Victor McClean - Head of Academics Sarah Frei - Head of Admissions Corinne Frei - 5th generation founding family, member of the Board Eric Frei - 5th generation founding family, President of the Board Anne Frei - 5th generation founding family, Head of School

Brillantmont International School a journey through 140 years of excellence

1900s - 1910s

1900s - 1910s

1910s - 1920s

1920s

1930s

1940s - 1960s

1950s - 1960s

1970s

1980s - 1990s

1990s - 2000s

2000s - 2010s

2010s

2010s

2010s

2020s

2022

Brillantmont International School 140th anniversary celebrations, June 2023

2023

2023

2023

2023

2023

2023

2023

2023

Hilda Bacardi, BM alum

2023

Eric, Corinne and Anne Frei (Head of School)

2023

If you’d like to see even more photos from our 140th anniversary celebrations, click here!

brillantmont.ch summer.brillantmont.ch Brillantmont International School Avenue Charles-Secrétan 16 CH-1005 Lausanne Switzerland

T +41 21 310 0400 F +41 21 320 8417 admissions@brillantmont.ch