Here stands the Schule auf der Veddel, a place where history echoes through the halls. This school is more than just brick and mortar. It’s a testament to the Veddel’s resilience. Founded in 1932, the Schule auf der Veddel, originally named Schule Slomanstieg, has been a cornerstone of this community.
Fritz Schumacher designed this building. His vision was to create not just a school, but also a cultural hub for the local workers’ settlement. Imagine the grand aula bustling with activity. It even served as a cinema known as Lichtburg Veddel. For a time, it offered 550 seats to moviegoers.
Hinrich von der Lieth’s appointment as headmaster in 1935 marked a dark chapter. He was an active member of the Nazi party. By November 1935, an alarming 90% of the students were members of the Hitler Youth. This was double the average of other Hamburg schools.
After the war, the Schule auf der Veddel transitioned. It became a combined Grund-, Haupt- und Realschule. In 1956, it embraced coeducation, uniting boys and girls under one roof. The cinema continued to operate until the early 1960s. It even boasted Cinemascope from 1958.
The NDR produced a documentary about the school in 2003. This stirred controversy. Some felt it unfairly portrayed the school. Joachim Schroeder argued it misrepresented the Schule auf der Veddel. He claimed it was a cultural center, not a “run-down ghetto school.”
The Hamburger Schulreform brought changes in 2010. The Schule Slomanstieg transformed into a primary school. In 2012, it was re-established as a Stadtteilschule with an attached primary school, retaining its buildings. Between 2012 and 2014, its name changed to Schule auf der Veddel.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in November 2020, the school faced a crisis. Mass testing revealed 94 infections among students and staff. The Schule auf der Veddel had to close temporarily and switch to remote learning.
Even the street name, Slomanstieg, sparked debate. Students campaigned to rename it. They cited Robert M. Sloman’s role in German colonialism. They argued he bore responsibility for numerous deaths.
Architecturally, the Schule auf der Veddel is notable. Its dark clinker facades and light window bands are distinctive. The building features a five-story main building. A three-story east wing houses a library and a cafeteria. The west wing integrates a gymnasium, an aula, and a gymnastics hall.
Inside, you would have found artworks. Otto Thämer’s mural in the gymnastics hall is particularly significant. There were also murals by Paul Kayser and Eduard Hopf in the hallways. Eduard Kasper and Arnold Fiedler created works for the teachers’ rooms.
Today, the Schule auf der Veddel is a partially comprehensive all-day school. It serves students from Year 1 to Year 10. It operates as a Stadtteilschule without its own upper level. The school actively fosters career orientation. It partners with Aurubis. Together, they integrate internships and vocational training into the curriculum.
The Schule auf der Veddel stands as a beacon. It’s a testament to education and community. It has overcome challenges. It continues to evolve. The school provides a nurturing environment. It allows students to learn and grow. It shapes the future of the Veddel.