Originally opening its doors to eighty children in 1938, the Gorch-Fock-Schule has a rich history. The school is named after the famous German author Gorch Fock. Let’s delve into the story of this school.
The Gorch-Fock-Schule started in the old Göttsche barn. Rektor Simon from the Hans-Schemm-Schule initially led it. Soon after, Louis Warnke took over. During the war years from 1939 to 1945, lessons were irregular. Children sometimes only picked up homework.
After the war in May 1945, regular teaching resumed. The area around Hasseldieksdamm grew due to refugee camps. The Gorch-Fock-Schule expanded to include middle and upper levels. Two teachers taught between 128 and 180 children. The school building became too small. Three classrooms were added in the camps. New teachers were hired but classes still had to be held in shifts.
Rektor Tietgen became the headmaster. The primary school period in Schleswig-Holstein extended to six years. This caused more space issues. The Göttsche house was converted into a school building. Still, classes continued in two shifts. Two pavilion-style rows were built to provide more space.
In 1956, the Göttsche house became a teacher’s residence. The annual Vogelschiessen event started in 1959. The commander of the Gorch-Fock training ship visited in 1963. By 1964, the Gorch-Fock-Schule was a large primary and secondary school. It had over 600 students. A school kindergarten was established for children not yet ready for school.
In 1965, a sports field and an extension with classrooms were opened. There were also specialized rooms and a new administration area. By 1971, the school had two pre-classes for children who would start school the following year. Over 100 new students enrolled and school readiness was a key topic. Discussions about moving the secondary school to Mettenhof began in 1972.
Parents protested to keep their secondary school. A five-day week was introduced in 1976. The school kindergarten closed. In 1977, immigrants and asylum seekers arrived. The Gorch-Fock-Schule became more diverse. By 1980, there was only one pre-class and one first grade.
The school celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1988. Elfriede Pagel became the new headmistress. All 170 students participated in a forest run. Ninth graders painted hopscotch games on the schoolyard. The last secondary school class graduated in 1989. New teaching concepts were tested and the 45-minute schedule was abolished. The support association was founded.
The Gorch-Fock-Schule continues to evolve. In 2010, Irene Mittelstaedt became the head of the Gorch-Fock primary school. There were 136 children in seven classes. Children with special needs were integrated into every year. The Gorch-Fock-Schule became a training school.
Today, the Gorch-Fock-Schule is a primary school with about 500 children. It also offers three pre-school classes as a kindergarten alternative. The teaching team consists of 40 dedicated members. The school even receives support from Gymnasium Blankenese teachers for English classes.
The Gorch-Fock-Schule also has a new building since 2010 designed by BRT architects. The new building houses eight classrooms and a break hall. The sports field was transformed into a modern facility. A tartan track runs over the roof of the new building. The school truly blends history and modernity. The Gorch-Fock-Schule remains a vital part of the community.