Graf Spee Schule

In 1907, a brand-new school opened its doors in Bredeney. It welcomed its students, some of whom trekked a whole hour just to get to class. This, my friends, is the Graf Spee Schule. The Graf Spee Schule initially served as Evangelische Volksschule 2. The school’s journey reflects the turbulent times it has witnessed. In 1918, amidst the backdrop of World War I, the school was renamed after Admiral Maximilian Reichsgraf von Spee. A devastating fire in 1921 destroyed the roof and its charming turret. The turret was sadly never rebuilt. The Graf Spee Schule building then endured further hardship. It served as a barracks for the Reichswehr and later housed French troops during the Ruhr occupation. World War II brought more damage. The school’s records were tragically lost in 1944. Despite the hardships, the Graf Spee Schule persevered. Classes resumed in 1945. Imagine learning without books. That was the reality for the students here, with resources scarce and even basic supplies like paper and heating limited. The school’s population boomed, reaching 483 students by 1949. This required a split-shift system. Students attended for two hours in the morning and two in the afternoon. This maximized the limited coal supply for heating. The Graf Spee Schule even temporarily shared its space with the Wirtschaftsoberschule. In 1961, the school reclaimed its name, the Graf Spee Schule. It transitioned to a Gemeinschaftsgrundschule in 1968. Its dark stone exterior was refreshed with a cheerful light gray coat of paint.