European School, Bergen

The European School, Bergen (in Dutch: "Europese school Bergen") (or "ESB") is one of the 12 European Schools. It is located in the town of Bergen in the Dutch province of North Holland. [ [http://www.europeanschool.nl Europese School Bergen ] ]

History

The Joint Research Centre (in Dutch Gemeenschappelijk Centrum voor Onderzoek-GCO) in the nearby town of Petten is a European institution (it is part of the European Atomic Energy Community), and thus attracts workers and researchers from across the European Union. To provide an education for their children, the European School, Bergen was established in 1963.

Education

The curriculum is identical to that of the other European schools. There are five language-sections—German, English, French, Italian and Dutch—although the German and Italian sections are being phased out.

chool life

As of October 12 2003, the student population of the European School, Bergen was 696, of which 68 were in the nursery school, 249 in the primary school and 379 in the secondary school.

The majority of the pupils live within 10km of the school. Some commute from as far as Amsterdam and Den Helder. School buses are chartered by the parents' association to take the pupils to and from the school each day.

Every two years (starting in the 5th year of the primary school), a school-trip is organised. This usually lasts for about a week.

The pupils put together a student newspaper once per term. Over the years, the ESB pupils' school newspaper has held several names.

The BAC consists of a series of written exams (Mathematics, First Language and Second Language are obligatory), followed them by oral exams (First and Second language obligatory).

References