Overview
De Broekhof Primary School in Bilderdijkstraat in Aalten was originally called “School-Zuid” (South School). The Dutch Reformed school was officially opened on 31 August 1954. The first classrooms had already been taken into use on 31 August 1954, while construction of the school was still being completed. It was later given the name ‘De Broekhof’.
After the Dutch Reformed school in Varsseveldsestraatweg became too small for the growing number of pupils, the Hervormde Schoolvereniging (Dutch Reformed School Association) decided to build a new school. It was to be located in Aalten-Zuid, then the fastest-growing neighbourhood in Aalten. At first, the school still stood in the middle of farmland; the surrounding streets had yet to be laid out.
The new school initially had four classrooms. One of these was used by the Dutch Reformed nursery school for Aalten-Zuid (the ‘t Broekhofke nursery school had not yet been built). The design was prepared by the architects Geels of Arnhem and Blekkink of Aalten.
At the official opening, held in the hall in the presence of the school board and numerous guests, retired minister Rev. J.D. Stegeman gave a short address on the importance of Christian education. The head of the new school, Mr A. Kuijsten, thanked all the speakers for their good wishes and noted that it was fitting to open the school on this day of prayer for the crops.
Several gifts were presented: an electric clock from the contractors, a desk lamp from architect Geels and a watercolour from mayor E.S. van Veen, who was present with both aldermen and conveyed the municipal council’s best wishes for the education provided in the building.
Address history
Address directory 1967
Vondelstraat 11
Dutch Reformed School-Zuid