We were thrilled to recently visit Surval, an all girls boarding school above Montreux. The school offers comfort and luxury but with a cosy and friendly family atmosphere. Stunning lake views are had from every room. On the occasion of Surval's 60th anniversary, we met with the new Principal, Nicola Dudley, who was happy to give us more information about who she is and the advantages of an all-girls education.
Ms Dudley, please tell us a bit about yourself and your background?
Proud to call Scotland my home, I also enjoy the fascination and adventure of working and living internationally. After spending the early part of my teaching career as a French and German teacher and senior leader in schools in Scotland, I moved into wider leadership roles in education, and most recently I have been based in Hong Kong. How have I come to be in Surval from Hong Kong, you may ask. The school in Hong Kong could not be more different in context, scale and setting to Surval Montreux. I was both intrigued and excited by Surval, a place where I find all the elements which are important to me coming together in one unique school - the individual attention to each student, the emphasis on enrichment for personal development, the blend of culture, languages, travel and global perspectives, and all in this beautiful corner of Switzerland where I also get to revive my French! As an outdoor pursuits enthusiast, I am looking forward to exploiting the authentic opportunities for personal development provided by the beautiful outdoors environment on our doorstep.
Who has been an inspiration to you personally?
I think back to the first Headmaster I worked for and recognise the impact he had on the development of my educational philosophy. He instilled in me a deep belief in the importance of a holistic approach in schools where each member of staff has a role to play in the academic, social, emotional and wider development of the students, and the belief that every student can succeed in the right environment with the right support.
What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?
It may come as no surprise in current times that memories of the pandemic come to mind. At the start of the pandemic, I was working in Asia, before moving to Switzerland mid-pandemic. Everyone associated with schools will undoubtedly have memories of low points during the pandemic, exhaustion from screen time and trying to create engaging learning experiences in a virtual world, or from constant planning and replanning to take account of changing regulations, or the stresses of preparing for reopening with all necessary precautionary measures in place. But, always one to look for silver linings, as we look back on this period, we mustn’t forget the opportunities that have opened up through the online environment which we might never have considered pre-COVID, the amazing resilience that students, staff and families have shown throughout and the strength of community that can still be engendered through online events. All this said, we will never again take for granted the joy of meeting face to face!
What advantages do you believe an all-girls school provides?
I myself was in girls’ schools throughout my own school career and recognise the inner confidence this instilled in me. I have never questioned what subjects or interests I could pursue or opportunities I could take. I believe that this is the power of an all-girls environment - where, free of potential stereotypes, girls grow comfortable and confident in following their own pathways and stepping forward. As girls navigate their, sometimes turbulent, teenage years an all-girls environment encourages them to be themselves free from some of the pressures which they might feel in a mixed environment.
What are Surval's plans for the future?
Surval provides an exciting blend of traditional and forward-looking perspectives and we will continue to maximise the opportunities provided through this education to attract, inspire and empower young women from across the globe. Our high school curriculum continues to evolve and, with the introduction of Advanced Placements this year alongside the High School Diploma and A Levels, we offer an academically rigorous and flexible curriculum that sets girls up for entry to universities around the world. We seek to optimise the benefits of our small class sizes through a highly personalised, tutorial-style approach to teaching and learning in which we promote student-led discussion and debate and support the development of independent learners. Alongside the academic programme, girls broaden their horizons and global competence through programmes that develop their understanding of leadership, global perspectives, etiquette and social enterprise.
What is your favourite part of being Principal?
In a small school like Surval, it is a joy as Principal to be able to know each student individually and I am looking forward to supporting and seeing each of them grow during their time with us. As Principal, I need to keep sight of all the threads which make up the rich tapestry of the school’s provision and it is a rewarding challenge to keep all the threads in action with just the right amount of tension to ensure the optimum educational environment in which the students and staff can thrive and grow. Working with teenagers there is an important balance to be struck between allowing them the freedom to explore, discover their own interests and personalities and develop their independence, whilst putting boundaries in place to guide and protect them. In short, the role of Principal is a constant balancing act and I enjoy the challenge!
Summer Camp 2022 - special offer for sign-ups before 31 October 2021
Surval's Summer Camps 2022 are open for registration from now. Students who sign up before the 31st of October 2021 will benefit from a 10% discount on fees. These are boarding camps, so campers stay at the school for the duration (which can be from a minimum of 2 weeks to the whole 6 weeks duration).
About the school
Surval Montreux is a unique international full boarding school in Switzerland for girls aged 12-19. We offer a broad range of study programmes including the American High School Program and Advanced Placements, international IGCSE and A Level curriculum and a broad, balanced Foundation programme in Grade 8, which builds strong foundations in language, core subjects and independent study skills to set girls up for success in their studies in Grade 9 and beyond, whether they are embarking on the Surval High School Diploma programme or on UK qualifications. We also offer our bespoke pre-university finishing-style programme, the Surval Swiss Gap Experience, as well as a Winter Term programme and a Surval Summer Camp.
With an average of 10 students per class, and often fewer, our Surval community of 60 girls offers each and every student the opportunity to receive the support she needs to achieve her best, to grow in confidence and to feel empowered to find her true voice, free from any stereotypes and preconceptions. This is the power of an all-girls education.
Against the inspiring backdrop of Lac Léman and the Alps and situated on the edge of the vibrant, safe town of Montreux, Surval offers its boarding students access to a variety of opportunities beyond the classroom, ranging from winter and water sports to a rich cultural and linguistic tradition in Switzerland and nearby Europe. Girls are encouraged to step out of their comfort zone and embrace new challenges.
Every Survalienne becomes part of a global network of alumnae and, long after leaving Surval, they remain lifelong members of the Survalienne family.
Surval Montreux
Girls' School in Switzerland
Route de Glion 56
1820 Montreux
021 966 16 16
www.surval.ch
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Surval Summer Camp 26 June to 6 August 2022: www.survalsummercamp.ch
