Aiglon Meditation Podcast

In this episode, Year 13 student Cici encourages the community to create meaningful experiences by trying new activities, engaging with different people, and embracing challenges to enrich their lives and slow the perception of time.

Kanyi Maina (Alpina, 2006), along with Aiglon College staff members, Kirsty Matthews and Andy Croft, embarked on a five-day trek for Kanyi’s 40th birthday, raising funds for the Starehe Boys’ and Girls’ Centre Endowment Fund and the Scholarship Programme. We are proud to share that every member of the team successfully reached the summit!  This mission was about much more than the climb itself. It was a celebration of twenty-eight years of partnership, a bond that holds a significant place in the hearts of the Aiglon community, and supporting endowed scholarships at the Starehe Boys’ and Girls’ Schools.

In this episode, Deputy School Director Tom Hadcroft emphasises the importance of embracing vulnerability as a natural human reaction and encourages kindness within the community. The episode highlights how authenticity and emotional openness can foster better connections and support among individuals.

In this special meditation marking Aiglon's 75th Anniversary, alumnus Todd Barbey offers reflections on his journey—from moving to Switzerland and joining the school to graduating and exploring the search for meaning and purpose. Todd delves into themes of faith, forgiveness, and healing for both ourselves and our world.

Steve Saunders, Head of Geography at Aiglon, reminds us to build empathy and find a human in others as well as highlights that awareness of other people's perspectives is a skill we can all work on.

Ashley Norton, AV Services Manager at Aiglon, shares a personal anecdote from his time at school and reminds us about the importance of cultivating common ground and that every connection one can make across a social or cultural divide, however small, helps lessen the potential of violence in the world.

Year 13 student, Kinley, reflects on compassion, gratitude and reminds us that ''kindness, however small, can really have a profound impact''.

In this meditation, Mike Cornish, Service and Spiritual Life Leader and Independent Listener at Aiglon College, discusses how we can become resilient and shares practical tools to start nurturing an attitude of gratitude today.

School Director, Nicola Sparrow, celebrated Founder's Day by reflecting on Aiglon's 76 years. Nicola commemorated Founder's Day by sharing John Corlette's story and how we remain true to our founding values today. She encouraged us to embrace our changing passions and to be open to new ideas.

“Dad loved meditations. He thought it was a wonderful way to start the day and to reflect” remembers Jennifer Synder Jewison. Today at Aiglon we celebrated the life and work of alumni parent Norman Jewison (1926-2024) during Meditation. As we all gathered this morning in Parson's Hall, the school community took time to contemplate how Norman lived out Aiglon's values as a movie director, as father to Kevin (Belvedere and Alpina, 1974), Michael (Belvedere, 1977), and Jennifer (Clairmont, 1977), and as friend and supporter of Aiglon. You can now listen to today's Meditation, and find out more information on Mr. Jewison's glittering career here.

In this meditation, Danny Thomson, Director of Partnerships and Deputy Head of PE and Sport, shares what it means to him to be the best version of yourself starting with ten key points.

Director of Philanthropy & Community Engagement, Karen Sandri, gives the first meditation of the winter term to launch Aiglon's 75th Anniversary. She commemorates Founder's Day in a historical and biographical overview of John Corlette.

During her visit to campus in May 2023, Vittoria Frua delivered a meditation sharing her story of finding what she loves. It takes time and courage to check in on yourself and care for your well-being.

Director of Philanthropy and Community Engagement Karen Sandri shares her takeaways from her trip to Somaliland. She challenges Aiglon students to reflect on the gift of education and the impact they might want to make on the world in the future.

For the very first time, on Thursday 15 September 2022, we held The Gathering. It was a momentous occasion for the entire school to celebrate everything that we aspire to be. Challenge was the all-embracing theme, no doubt it was a feat to organise, and proved a genuine joy to attend. Our special thanks to Karl Kirchwey for stopping by our village and sharing his time, words and wisdom with our community. 

In this meditation, graduating student and alumni child Juliette Nicault talks about the forces that affect our lives using the metaphor of flying as she is learning to fly. Whilst some forces may feel like they are holding us back, these can be beneficial in our growth. Additional audio/visual content has been cut from part of the episode.

In this meditation, Tom Chamberlain shares his experience in studying glaciers, learning to avoid crevasses and the importance of having a 'growth mindset' when tackling issues in our everyday lives and areas of personal struggle. We are also happy to share with you that meditations are now back to being live delivered in the Parsons Hall!

In this meditation, Belvedere Houseparent Ben Bartlett gives advice to his 17-year-old self. He shares his key takeaways from the journey so far, the most important one - being kind. Additional audio/visual content has been cut from part of the episode.

Aiglon Meditation Podcast is back! In this meditation, Rona Watson looks at how we use language and the purpose idioms play in our everyday lives. Idioms often have important messages to convey but are difficult to translate into different languages without cultural context. What can idioms teach us about other cultures? Additional audio/visual content has been cut from part of the episode.

Read by alumnus Robin Mycock (Belvedere, 1969). While driving the country roads of North Carolina, John Corlette is reminded of the deep and long-lasting price humans pay for reckless actions in nature. (Original date of the meditation is unknown.) 

Read by alumnus Peter Rae (Delaware, 1972). Former Headmaster, Philip Parsons, discusses the age of instant information and the role that patience, time and balance should still have in today's generation.

Read by alumnus Michael Hippisley (Evêques, 1952). John Corlette reflects on the nature of fear, its dangers and how love overcomes fear. (Original date of the meditation is not known.)

Read by alumnus Chris Simmons (1967, Belvedere). Former Headmaster, Group Captain Watts, provides a thoughtful reflection on the difference between pleasure and happiness, and the responsibility we all have to choose the right path. 

Read by alumnus Denny Lane (Delaware, 1957). Nearing the end of term John Corlette explores the nature of Aiglon's ethos through the metaphor of driving, but not being controlled by, three horses: our mind, body and emotions. (Original date of the meditation is not known.)

In the first episode of the podcast's second series, we celebrate Aiglon's 70th Anniversary. Michael McCabe (Delaware, 1970) provides the weekend's keynote meditation reflecting powerfully and poignantly on his Aiglon experiences through the lens of change, and change that is often unexpected. (Michael McCabe formerly served as Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency in the United States.)

In the podcast's first series finale, Mrs Hall delivers her final meditation before retiring after 23 years at Aiglon. Mrs Hall tells the fascinating and dramatic story of her family history in Zimbabwe and eventual move to Aiglon, Clairmont house and many years in the drama department.

Mr Baynton tells the story of the famous first ascent to the summit of Mont Blanc in 1786 --but not everything is as it seems. Compelling writing and clever media shape history in ways big and small.

Mr Teal provides an amusing study break in preparation for the exam season. He provides a laughable litany of real exam answers he has seen students provide over the years. His very practical lesson: how not to take an exam.

Francesca (Exeter, 2019) uses media and compelling data to explain the urgency of the climate emergency facing the world. She provides practical advice as to how even young people can make a difference in this big and rapidly changing world.

Mrs Ford celebrates the life and contributions of the journalist, Mari Colvin, who was killed in Syria in 2012. Note: this episode includes mature/sensitive content. Song credit: Annie Lenox, "Requiem for a Private War"

Kritee (Clairmont, 2019) confesses her tendencies toward procrastination. While looking forward to graduation, she examines the challenges of the IB Diploma and looks at how we can each find practical solutions to manage our stress and procrastination.

Mr Fairweather tells the adventurous story behind his favourite photo as a means to reflect on the nature of adventure, hospitality and human generosity.

Patrick (Delaware, 2019) takes a break from the regular and offers his more than amusing perspectives on life at Aiglon as a Kenyan, his plans next year and a trip back home. Perhaps a budding career in standup?

Mr Chapman questions the cultural narratives surrounding introverts and extroverts. In a passionate plea, he calls recognition to the world's many introverts and the benefits of not always being the loud one at the party.

Nico (Alpina, 2019) continues along the week's theme of mental health to relate a love of music and health. He discusses specifically the story of Pink Floyd's album, "The Wall" and plays his favourite song on guitar. 

Mrs Thomas examines the importance of mental health and draws connections to the significant research demonstrating how healthy it is to spend time outdoors.

Mr Torrence provides an alternative reflection on the famous poem by Robert Frost. So often the "other" road is idealised, but is life as certain as we make it out to be?

Mr Hayden reflects on the nature of embarrassing situations. How do we react, and what can we learn to overcome them?

Santiago (Delaware, 2019) overcomes his nerves to deliver a meditation. He uses the opportunity to reflect on other areas of life where the opinion of others or your own insecurities shouldn't stop you from achieving goals. Additional media included.

Mr Black discusses the nature of certainty and significance in our lives through the story of famous actor Sylvester Stallone. This meditation uses themes inspired by Tony Robbins' TED Talk, available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwFOwyoH-3g 

 Mrs Tierney addresses what it means to savour the moment in a world defined by social media and sharing everything. Additional audio/visual content has been cut from part of the episode.