Imagine walls that echo with history. These are the walls of the Cato Bontjes van Beek-Gymnasium. This school in Achim bears the name of a remarkable woman. Cato Bontjes van Beek was a courageous resistance fighter against the Nazis.
The Cato Bontjes van Beek-Gymnasium opened its doors on September 11 1971. It was initially known as Gymnasium Achim. Twenty years later in 1991 it was renamed to honor Cato Bontjes van Beek. This change reflects the school’s commitment to remembering her legacy.
This gymnasium is more than just a place of learning. It is a center for remembrance and engagement. The school’s catchment area includes Achim, Oyten, Thedinghausen, and Ottersberg. This also includes Fischerhude. This was Cato Bontjes van Beek’s hometown.
In 2004 the school became the largest Gymnasium in Lower Saxony. This was due to the abolition of the orientation level in Lower Saxony. In 2008 the Ottersberg branch became an independent school. The Cato Bontjes van Beek-Gymnasium was no longer the largest.
Today nearly 1400 students attend the Cato Bontjes van Beek-Gymnasium. They are taught by over 126 teachers. Daniel Meyer is the current acting principal. He took over from Stefan Krolle in 2022.
The school offers a wide range of foreign languages. Students can start with English in class 5. From class 6 they can choose French, Latin, or Spanish. From class 7 there is a bilingual branch in English.
The gymnasium is not just about academics. Its sports hall is home to the SG Achim/Baden handball club. The hall can accommodate up to 800 spectators. It even has facilities for disabled fans.
The Cato Bontjes van Beek-Gymnasium has received several awards. Since 2006 it has been recognized as a School Without Racism. Since 2010 it has been an officially recognized European School. It is also an accredited Erasmus+ school.
The Cato Bontjes van Beek-Gymnasium also houses a special archive. It was founded on the occasion of her 90th birthday. The Cato Bontjes van Beek Archive contains photos and letters. It also includes documents about Cato’s life. The archive is open to external visitors. It is recognized as one of Lower Saxony’s frauenORTE.
The school actively engages with Cato’s history. Workshops are offered on her biography. These also cover topics like resistance and youth culture during the Nazi era.
The Cato Bontjes van Beek-Gymnasium stands as a living memorial. It promotes education and remembrance. It encourages students to learn from the past. The school is dedicated to fostering a more just and tolerant future. It is a place where history and learning come together.