Partly for that reason, they will start the school year quietly on the rank. The first weeks are not dominated by calculation sies or dictees, but to being together. They do that on the rank in the so -called Golden weeks.
“In the first few weeks it’s all about group formation,” De Haan explains. “Everyone has to find his or her place in the group again. During the golden weeks we emphasize that. What do we expect from each other, how do we work together? The students do games and conduct group discussions. This way we create a positive atmosphere in the classroom.”
While De Haan welcomes the latecomers, people work behind the scenes on the future of the school. De Rank craves for a new school building. Earlier this year, the municipality of Noordenveld made more than five million euros available for construction, in the same place.
“We hope to be ready at the end of next year,” says De Haan. “We just stay open during construction. Part of the square will be a building site, but luckily moving is not necessary.”
Then, punctually at 08.15, the second bell sounds. The signal that the lessons really start now. The square flows empty, the classrooms fill. The head is off: the school year has begun.