Ever wondered how Wolbeck became a hub for education? The story of Gymnasium Wolbeck begins long before its physical existence. This school is more than just bricks and mortar. It is a testament to Wolbeck’s growth and commitment to its students.
Before 1975 Wolbeck students traveled to Muenster for their gymnasium education. They attended schools like the Johann-Conrad-Schlaun-Gymnasium or the Marienschule. The establishment of Gymnasium Wolbeck changed everything for local families.
Gymnasium Wolbeck opened its doors on August 8 1968 as “Amts-Gymnasium Wolbeck”. Initially it was a small school. Only 77 students were taught by five teachers. The surrounding area saw rapid development. This led to a surge in demand for school places. The Gymnasium Wolbeck even used nearby restaurants as temporary classrooms. Students recall a distinct smell of cigarettes and stale beer. The building’s exterior quickly corroded. This earned it the nickname “Rostlaube” or rusty shed.
In 1973 Gymnasium Wolbeck joined with the Hauptschule and Realschule to form the Schulzentrum Wolbeck. Today students come from Muenster Sendenhorst Albersloh Everswinkel and Alverskirchen. Gymnasium Wolbeck is one of Muenster’s most popular gymnasiums. The school celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2008 with a school festival. In 2018 the 50th anniversary was celebrated at the Jovel Music Hall.
Gymnasium Wolbeck emphasizes languages and sciences. Students can study English Latin French Russian and Spanish. Since 2003 the school has been a member of MINT-EC. This is an association for math and science excellence. The school is very successful in the “Jugend Forscht” competition.
Music is another focus. Students in grades 5 and 6 can join music classes. These classes teach them to play an instrument. Music classes are taught with the Musikschule Wolbeck. Students in music classes get three hours of music instruction each week.
Many extracurricular activities are available. These include sports religion and language clubs. Even elementary students can explore chemistry in the Grundschulforscher-AG.
Since 2018 Gymnasium Wolbeck is a Europaschule. This title recognizes its student exchanges with European countries. Its language programs and bilingual instruction also contributed. Since 2017/18 students can earn the CertiLingua label. This label proves their language European and intercultural skills.
The Gymnasium Wolbeck logo shows the school’s roofs and the sun in a stylized form.
Several notable figures have taught at Gymnasium Wolbeck. Franz Kappenberg was a pioneer in electronic data collection in chemistry. Bernd Kipp was a former Fortuna Dusseldorf football player. Jan Romund is a German volleyball and beach volleyball player.
Thomas Röttgermann former CEO of Fortuna Dusseldorf attended Gymnasium Wolbeck. Nicola Borgmann an art historian and architect also studied there. Klaus Filbry CEO of SV Werder Bremen is also an alumni. Carsten Cramer CEO of Borussia Dortmund and Henning Wehland singer of H-Blockx also attended. Markus Happe a former Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Schalke 04 football player is an alumni. Henning Rehbaum a CDU politician and member of the German Bundestag is also a former student.
Gymnasium Wolbeck continues to evolve. It adapts to meet the needs of its diverse student body. From humble beginnings in borrowed classrooms to its current status as a Europaschule Gymnasium Wolbeck remains a pillar of the community shaping future generations.