Een korte geschiedenis
De oorsprong van de huidige school ligt bij de in 1899 opgerichte “Vereniging tot Stichting en Instandhouding ener Christelijke School te Brussel” (in de loop der tijd is de school verschillende keren van naam veranderd) en de in 1963 in het leven geroepen “Stichting Nederlandse School voor Voortgezet Onderwijs op Algemeen Christelijke Grondslag”.
De school opende haar deuren op 1 september 1901 in een pand aan de Nieuwe Graanmarkt 5 te Brussel, dat ook onderdak bood aan de toenmalige Gereformeerde Kerk van Brussel en een onderwijzersgezin. Door de toeloop van leerlingen moest al gauw naar een ruimer onderkomen worden uitgezien. Met royale medewerking van de Nederlandse Staat kon in 1922 het voormalige kasteeltje van de familie d’Oultremont de Wégimont aan de d’Oultremontstraat 19 worden aangekocht, en, na de nodige verbouwingen, op 15 september 1923 officieel in gebruik worden genomen.
Er staat dus een eeuwfeest in de planning voor 2023!
Van 1962 tot 1964 werd het gebouw ingrijpend verbouwd en aan de toenmalige eisen aangepast. Zestig jaar later was het opnieuw tijd voor aanpassingen. Na enkele kleinere renovaties in 2008, in 2012 en van 2017-2018, werd in het schooljaar 2022-2023 een grote renovatie voltooid. Het gebouw voldoet daarmee volledig aan alle normen en eisen van deze tijd.
In English:
A brief history of the Princess Julianaschool
The Julianaschool was established in 1899. It is the oldest Dutch speaking school in Brussels.
Its doors opened officially on 1 September 1901 in a building at Nieuwe Graanmarkt 5 in the centre of Brussels, which also housed the Reformed Church of Brussels and a teacher’s family. Due to the influx of students, it was soon necessary to look for a more spacious accommodation.
With a contribution of the Dutch State, the former ‘castle’ of the d’Oultremont de Wégimont family could be purchased in 1922 and, after the necessary renovation, was officially inaugurated on 15 September 1923.
This year (2023) the Julianaschool exists therefore 100 years at the d’Oultremontstraat #19. This September there will be a big party to commentate this event.
Currently the school has around 170 pupils. It is a primary school. Children can already join at the age of three (until 12).
The school works with an International Primary Curriculum (IPC). This prepares pupils for other international schools (there are quite some students who leave after a few years if their parents have to move due to their work as there are many ‘expats’ at the school).
Climate action is something very important at the Julianaschool. There is for instance a Climate Union which consists of children who try to make the school more environmental friendly. Many ideas are launched and implemented.
A Children Union is also active at the school. In this Union representatives of the various classes discuss how matters at school can be addressed or improved.
The children of the Julianaschool are very motivated and concerned, something the enthusiastic teachers try to stimulate.
Social activities play an important role at school: many solidarity actions are supported by the children such as support for cancer studies, helping homeless people, and handicapped children.
There are also many activities after school, such as sports-, drawing-, computing-, yoga-, judo, and music lessons. Regular visits take place to nearby libraries and museums, and the older children go on a schoolcamp every year.
When pupils graduate at the end of their school career, the school organises a ceremony to celebrate the end of schooltime for these students who will leave for secondary education.
To conclude: the Princess Julianaschool is a very active and pleasant school in the centre of Brussels with many enthusiastic pupils and a great team!
