Togetherness and hope

Dear Champiteans,

A school community like Champittet may sometimes suffer together, but it always stands together.

This is reflected in the record number of entries for the Lausanne 20KM: the more than 560 participants will wear a commemorative T-shirt in memory of the seven pupils and recent alumni who died in Crans-Montana. This is also reflected in the generosity of those who have already made donations or are signing up in large numbers for the upcoming Champittet Foundation Ball (Saturday 9 May at the Beau-Rivage Palace), dedicated to children with severe burns. The watchmaker Blancpain, the Bernard Piguet Auction House and the EHL are among the ball’s supporters. The evening is intended to be a moment of togetherness and hope, both joyful and a bit understated in view of the circumstances.

I experience moments of intense emotion when I see our students preparing to visit our two students who are still in hospital (one at the CHUV and the other in Zurich). Our young people have matured more quickly as a result of the tragedy; they are thinking more deeply about things and embodying our values of kindness and compassion. If I had to pick out one positive thing since 1 January, it would be the strengthening of our human bonds and our solidarity.