St. Gotthard High School (Niederaltaich)
| St. Gotthard grammar school of the Benedictines Niederaltaich | |
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| type of school | Artistic , linguistic and scientific-technological high school , all-day school |
| School number | 0228 |
| founding | 1723, 1946 (reopening) |
| address |
Hengersberger Strasse 19 |
| place | Niederalteich |
| country | Bavaria |
| Country | Germany |
| Coordinates | 48 ° 45 '59 " N , 13 ° 1' 51" E |
| carrier | Niederaltaich Monastery |
| student | 625 (as of: school year 2018/19) |
| Teachers | 63 full-time employees (as of the 2018/19 school year) |
| management | Johann Lummer |
| Website | www.st-gotthard-gymnasium.de |
The St. Gotthard grammar school of the Benedictines Niederaltaich is a state-recognized music , linguistic (formerly: modern language) and scientific-technological grammar school in Niederalteich ( Deggendorf district , Lower Bavaria ). The Niederaltaich Abbey is responsible for this full-day school .
history
School name
The school name St. Gotthard Gymnasium goes back to the Holy Gotthard (Godehard), Abbot of Niederaltaich (996 to 1022) and Bishop of Hildesheim . The name appears for the first time in 1723, when Abbot Joscio Hamberger set up a "seminarium in honorem Sancti Godehardi". In the course of the reforms in the 1960s, the “St. Godehard Seminary” was renamed “St. Gotthard School Home” in 1965. Finally, the grammar school was given its current name in 1985 with "St. Gotthard grammar school of the Benedictines Niederaltaich".
prehistory
The Niederaltaich school tradition dates back to the founding of Niederaltaich Monastery in 731 and 741, which is why the school, like all medieval monastery schools , is one of the older schools in Bavaria and in the German-speaking area . This continuity was interrupted by the secularization of the Bavarian monasteries in 1803. Shortly after the abbey was re-established in 1918, school operations were resumed in 1925. However, the National Socialist rulers put an end to these efforts in 1937 when they ordered the closure of the St. Gotthard Seminary.
Re-establishment
In 1946 the American military government approved the re-establishment of a four-class Latin school . A year later the school operations, which had been resumed in the school year 1946/47, were expanded to a six-class Progymnasium , which in turn was expanded in 1949 to a "German Gymnasium " (seven-year full grammar school). This made it possible for the first time in 1956 to dismiss a graduate class in Niederalteich.
Conceptual course setting
In the following years, the St. Gotthard Gymnasium received innovations that shape the concept of the school to this day. In 1965 girls were admitted, and since 1987 they have made up the majority of students, and evangelical students. The nine-year high school was introduced in 1967 and the day care center in 1968 (four days a week of integrated full-day lessons for grades 5–8). The Niederaltaich grammar school was thus an engine in the field of school reforms : From 1969 the school was an experimental school in which the then new upper level was tested. Finally, in 1970, a new language branch emerged. In 1972, both branches were opened in a school experiment, so that it was possible to choose between English and Latin as the first foreign language.
Construction of the new building
These innovations resulted in a constant increase in the number of students, which made a fundamental solution to the question of space necessary. The abbey built the new high school between 1971 and 1973, to which a double gymnasium was added in 1980/81. The high school has had a computer system since 1983, and an Internet connection since 1997. An intensive school partnership with the “Institution Sévigné” (now also with the “Lycée Beauséjour”) in Narbonne ( France ) has existed since 1993.
Expansion to an all-day school
The day care center was founded in 1968. After several changes in the 1980s, the concept was changed in the 1990s in cooperation with the University of Regensburg . This gradually resulted in the Niederalteich model of all-day school . It is characterized by a rhythmic daily routine, i. H. Phases of learning, practicing, eating together and free time are spread over the day. In a letter dated March 17, 2004, the St. Gotthard Gymnasium was recognized by the Ministry of Education as an all-day school. The renovation of the building and the extension made it possible in 2006 to extend the all-day school to grades 9 and 10. Appropriate concepts were worked out by the steering group and will be further developed together with representatives of the pupils and parents.
Boarding school
From 1946 to 1994 there was a boarding school for boys in addition to the St. Gotthard grammar school. In the beginning the school was shaped by the boarding school, but this connection diminished more and more due to the increasing number of external students. The number of boarding school students steadily declined until it was decided in 1991 to close the boarding school.
- Boarding school directors
- P. or Abbot Emmanuel Maria Heufelder OSB (1946–1955)
- P. Augustinus Rottmann OSB (1955–1958)
- P. or Abbot Placidus Stieß OSB (1958–1988)
- P. Ratmund Kulman OSB (1988-1994)
Building history
The St. Gotthard grammar school occupies two school buildings, the old building and the new building . This division has historical reasons. When the grammar school was re-established, the students were small enough to accommodate them in the baroque complex on the west side of the monastery (today's old building ). At that time, this complex was not connected to the convent building, which is why an extension was built between 1953 and 1955, which today houses the kitchen, dining rooms and the St. Pirmin guest house. The old gymnasium was built in 1965. When even this solution was no longer sufficient, the convent decided between 1971 and 1973 to build the new building east of the monastery complex on the site of the former sports field. In addition, a double gym was built in 1980 and 1981. The new building was renovated in 2006 and 2007 and expanded with an annex and a multi-purpose room, with the spatial concept undergoing significant changes in the course of the conversion into an all-day school. On October 20, 2007, the renovated school building was inaugurated in the presence of the Bavarian Minister of Culture Siegfried Schneider and his State Secretary Bernd Sibler .
School dates
In the 2018/2019 school year, 625 students attended the St. Gotthard Gymnasium. These were taught by 63 full-time teachers. The catchment area of the St. Gotthard Gymnasium extends beyond the Deggendorf district , with the majority of the students coming from the closer vicinity of Niederalteich and the Bavarian Forest .
principal
The principal acted as:
- P. or Abbot Emmanuel Maria Heufelder OSB (1946–1951)
- P. Hildebrand Dußler OSB (1951–1953)
- P. Bernhard Strobel OSB (1953–1973)
- Dr. Rudolf Enghofer (1973–1981)
- Rupert Lienert (1981–1987)
- Wilhelm Hundsrucker (1987–1992)
- P. Ludger Kreye OSB (1992-2003)
- Gerhard Gilch (2003–2012)
- Johann Lummer (since 2012)
School philosophy
The St. Gotthard Gymnasium is a state-recognized gymnasium that is freely run by the church. As a Benedictine monastery school , the grammar school sees itself as an institution that wants to allow the upbringing and education of young people to flourish on the basis of the Christian image of man. The school climate is shaped by the musical branch and therefore by the high level of appreciation for the creative subjects of music and art education , which in addition to the religious dimension contribute to a holistic education of the students. This holistic approach is reinforced by the all-day system, in which students have lunch and take advantage of various leisure activities in addition to the prescribed compulsory lessons (groups of tendencies). All written exercises (usually homework) are prepared at the school during class time under the supervision of the teachers in free or subject-related work phases. This all-day school concept leads to a stronger social bond within the school community and also explains the appreciation of in-school and extra-curricular activities as well as the activities of school-based groups that are supported by alumni.
Aspects of school life
Concerts
With its musical branch, the Niederalteich high school regularly holds concerts. Traditionally on a Wednesday around the solemn festival of St. Gotthard (May 5th) the Gotthard concert takes place, in which the high school graduates give their last concert and are officially bid farewell with a red rose. Just like the Gotthard concert , the Christmas concerts for the lower and upper grades on the last two Wednesdays before Christmas Eve are very well attended. In addition, the Niederalteicher can be heard at the school's house music evenings as well as at benefit concerts.
Student exchange with Narbonne
Since 1993, students in the linguistic branch have been able to take part in a student exchange with two schools in Narbonne ( Occitania region , southern France ). As part of these school partnerships, close connections have been established at the level of the parents' councils. The Niederalteich people showed solidarity with their partners in 2000 when they suffered from the consequences of severe storms and floods. The 40th anniversary of the Franco-German friendship treaty in 2003 and Europe Day in 2007 were also celebrated together.
Religious education
As a Catholic monastery school , teaching religious values is also at the center of school life. In addition to the daily morning prayer and prayer while eating together, other traditions have also become established. Every year there is a foot pilgrimage for the fifth grade to Reichersdorf, the birthplace of St. Gotthard . In addition, the sixth grade students take part in retreats in Windberg . The confirmation of the sixth classes granted the abbot of the monastery Niederalteich in the basilica. The connection between the grammar school and the Benedictine monastery is documented by a monastery day on which the students can find out about the life of the monks. In addition, Niederaltaich students are involved in class services and aid projects.
Artistic achievements
The arts are valued at the St. Gotthard High School. This is shown through exhibitions, with the schoolhouse showing a selection of current works of art. The exhibition in the Kapuzinerstadl Deggendorf , which takes place almost annually, represents a regional focus .
Operating experience
With the company-oriented lessons for the tenth grade, introduced in 1985, in which an internship is completed in the last two weeks of compulsory schooling, the St. Gotthard Gymnasium is a pioneer in the Deggendorf district .
School newspaper "The Cheat Sheet"
Since 1995 there has been a school newspaper at the Niederalteich high school , in which around 50 to 60 pupils participate. Two issues appear per year. The project is supported by the Förderverein Schülerzeitung eV, founded in 1998. In the school newspaper competition of the federal states in 2011, the “Cheat Sheet” was awarded as the second best school newspaper in Germany.
Student responsibility and student culture
In addition to official school life, a student culture or a “tradition from below” has also established itself. The Niederaltaich SMV is very active and organizes as SMV AG including "Mini-SMV" carnival balls or school-internal SMV seminars. In the last week before the summer holidays, middle and high school students camp on the Niederalteich Danube and celebrate the end of the school year as a school community.
Groups close to school
In addition to music groups that the St. Gotthard Gymnasium has produced over the years and that shape cultural life in the Deggendorf district, school life is shaped by the following groups:
Fördergemeinschaft St. Gotthard e. V.
The St. Gotthard e. V. exists since 1967 and sees itself as an association of all alumni, friends and supporters of the St. Gotthard high school.
Förderverein Schülerzeitung e. V.
The Förderverein Schülerzeitung e. V. was founded in 1998 with the purpose of promoting journalism at the St. Gotthard High School, in particular the school newspaper “Der Cheat Sheet” (since 1995). At the extraordinary general meeting on November 7th, 2015 the dissolution of the association was decided. The friends' association was led by Michael F. Schweikl (1998–2012; 2013–15) and Thomas M. Mittermeier (2012/13).
Pueri Cantores Altahensis
The boys' choir of Niederaltaich Abbey was founded in 2001 by Father Romanos Werner OSB. This choir, made up of former and current students from the St. Gotthard grammar school, sees itself as a link between the abbey and the school.
The Pueri Cantores Altahensis are the official choir of the Benedictine Abbey of Niederaltaich. This stands in the tradition of the former choirboys, which go back to the Middle Ages. With the Benedictines in particular, praise for God is the center of everyday life. Even in earlier centuries, the boys' choirs were therefore intended to hold church services in the abbey. Since 2001, the Pueri Cantores have again formed a link between the grammar school and Niederaltaich Abbey. In addition to liturgical services (Maundy Thursday, Benedict's Day etc.), large concert projects (oratorios, acapella concerts) and concert tours are organized. Particularly talented boys in the arts grammar school are given the opportunity to broaden their musical horizons beyond school education through individual voice training and choral singing and to acquire social behavior within a community. The Pueri Cantores are based on the principle of the classical way of singing, as it was practiced in the choir well into modern times: The boy sopranos receive special voice training, while all other voices, i.e. alto, tenor and bass, are performed by experienced singers. In the Niederaltaich case, these are students and "alumni" of the grammar school of the Benedictine Abbey of Niederaltaich. The musical direction has been the responsibility of the conductor Sebastian Ferenz since 2016; Mathias Großschädl is the choir manager.
Eminent teachers and students
- Monika Drasch (* 1965), Absolvia 1985, musician
- Emmanuel Jungclaussen (1927–2018), Abbot (1989–2001) and former teacher
- Michaela Karl (* 1971), Absolvia 1991, political scientist and writer
- Richard Loibl (* 1965), former student, director of the House of Bavarian History
- Gerhard Lutz (* 1942), former teacher and artist
- Alexandra Mazzucco (* 1993), Absolvia 2011, handball player
- Franz Mußner (1916–2016), former student and professor emeritus for biblical theology at the University of Regensburg
- Rudolf Piehlmayer (* 1961), Absolvia 1981, conductor
- Bernd Redmann (* 1965), Absolvia 1984, composer, musicologist and President of the Munich University of Music and Theater
- Konrad Ruhland (1932–2010), former teacher and musicologist
- Stefan Trenner (* 1967), German composer
- Roman Sladek (* 1989), jazz musician
- Marko Zdralek (* 1973), Absolvia 1993, composer and musicologist
literature
- Benedictine Abbey Niederaltaich (Ed.) , The two towers. Niederaltaicher Rundbrief, 1965ff (half-yearly circular of the monastery).
- Fördergemeinschaft St. Gotthard e. V. (Ed.) , St. Gotthard High School Niederaltaich. 1946 / 47-1996 / 97. 50 years St. Gotthard high school of the Benedictines Niederaltaich. A look back at the school history since it reopened in 1946/47, Tiefenbach 1998.
- Stadtmüller, Georg / Pfister, P. Bonifaz , History of Niederaltaich Abbey. 731–1986, 2nd edition, Grafenau 1986.
- St. Gotthard Gymnasium (Ed.) , St. Gotthard Gymnasium Niederaltaich. Annual report of the grammar school and the funding association, 1967ff (annual report published annually).
Web links
- Niederaltaich Abbey
- Förderverein Schülerzeitung e. V.
- Pueri Cantores Altahensis
- SMV at the St. Gotthard Gymnasium
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c St. Gotthard Gymnasium of the Benediktiner Niederaltaich in the school database of the Bavarian State Ministry for Education and Culture , accessed on January 14, 2020.
- ↑ school management. In: www.st-gotthard-gymnasium.de. Retrieved March 14, 2020 .
- ↑ Fördergemeinschaft St. Gotthard e. V. (Ed.), St. Gotthard High School Niederaltaich. 1946 / 47-1996 / 97. 50 years St. Gotthard high school of the Benedictines Niederaltaich. A look back at the school history since the reopening in 1946/47, Tiefenbach 1998, p. 16ff.
- ^ Stadtmüller, Georg / Pfister, P. Bonifaz, History of the Niederaltaich Abbey. 731-1986, 2nd edition, Grafenau 1986, p. 340ff.