Picture this A vibrant school stands before you. This is the Anne-Frank-Grundschule. It wasn’t always a school though. Its story begins much earlier in a different form.
The Anne-Frank-Grundschule wasn’t always a place of learning. In fact it started life as a goods shed. The Spreebord goods shed to be precise. This was part of Berlin’s large goods handling facility. It served the Lehrter and Hamburger goods stations. This was back in the 1930s. Architect Gunther Luttich designed the impressive building. It’s built in a functional brick style. It features expressionist touches. Different colored bricks add a lively feel. The windows and walls form horizontal stripes. The building’s imposing cornice is a response to the military architecture. The former Heeres-Proviantamt stood opposite.
Later a sculptor added a powerful sandstone sculpture. Felix Kupsch created the work. It depicts a porter at work. This highlights the building’s original purpose.
Time passed. The goods shed fell into disuse. Then in the late 1990s it was transformed. Architect Marion Drews oversaw the conversion. The old building was renovated. A sports hall and kindergarten were added. In the year 2000 the Anne-Frank-Grundschule opened its doors.
But the school’s history stretches even further back. Long before its existence as a goods shed. It has a history that spans over 140 years. It started as the 128th municipal school for girls in 1882. It moved several times changing its name frequently. In 1971 it was finally named after Anne Frank.
The school has had several headteachers. Katherina Werner championed the name change. Kurt Bohley led the move to the current building. Mr H oversaw a school reform. The Anne-Frank-Grundschule became a full-day school. Petra Kleiber was headteacher until 2023. Now Heike Irogue leads the school.
The Anne-Frank-Grundschule is more than just a building. It’s a testament to transformation. It represents the evolution of a city. It’s a place where history lives and learning flourishes. It stands as a symbol of hope and remembrance. A place where children learn and grow. A fitting tribute to Anne Frank. It’s a place to learn about the past and build a better future.