There was too little for the youth in Nijensleek to do, the pastor of the Reformed Church and his son found in 1923. They came up with the idea of establishing a Christian school, with the aim of ‘educating social Christian virtues’.
That school started on May 15, 1923. “That was a long time ago,” says director Irna Oosterhuis. Almost 100 years ago. And the school still exists. Just under a different name and it’s slightly bigger than it was 100 years ago. “It started with 40 students,” says Oosterhuis. The name then: School with the Bible. Nowadays the school is called KC De Bron and has 120 students.
So it’s time for a party at the school. That starts this weekend, with a reunion with former students and former teachers. It is expected that about 275 people will come today.
A special day of classes awaits the current students on Monday. It will then be exactly 100 years ago that the school was founded. That day is old-fashioned teaching. The internet is going out, the digiboards are going black and the tables and chairs are also disappearing. It will be replaced by an old blackboard, inkwells will be used and the students will sit on old school benches. It is also the intention that everyone walks around in old clothes.
Irna Oosterhuis, director of the school for four years now, has to laugh. “Yes, it’s going to be complicated. For both students and teachers. “Normally when the internet goes down, we’re at a loss. Then the programs will no longer work. Fortunately, we don’t just teach through the digital ways. We also let the children write in notebooks and give outdoor lessons. Otherwise, the students really spend all day staring at a screen.”
Tuesday is all about what’s to come. Then the students bury tubes in the ground with a message for 25 years from now. For example, students in group 8 write down where they hope to be in 25 years. “Wouldn’t it be nice if those students could get that tube out of the ground again in 25 years.” There is a telephone for the teachers. “Of course, pictures have to be taken,” she laughs. “We’re not going to use it any more.”
The festivities will conclude with a circus on Wednesday.
The school has produced a jubilee book for the 100th anniversary. “That was a lot of fun to do,” says Oosterhuis. The book contains old photos, stories and memories. By making the book she now knows enough to tell about the history of the school. Who was the first headmaster (Van der Laan) or how the school was almost called Kastanjehof. “That was because there were three old chestnut trees in front of the school. Unfortunately, they are no longer there.”
What remains with the current director in the search for the history of the school is that it was a vibrant school. “And we still are.” As an example, she mentions the many activities that were held in the past, but are still being held today. “They all stem from ideas from parents or teachers. Together we put our shoulders to the wheel and we go for it.”
Oosterhuis talks about 2009, when there was a long, harsh winter. During that period, straw bales were placed on the grounds behind the school. For example, an ice rink was made after the land was sprayed with water. A real ‘Elfstedentocht’ was held there. “We had even placed bridges. Everyone could skate there during breaks and after school.”
But apart from similarities, there are also differences. Not only in the way of teaching, the school itself has also changed. “In 1923 there were two classrooms. Now there are six.”