Novo Mesto Grammar School

Novo Mesto Grammar School (Gimnazija Novo mesto)

Motto	Pietati litterisque
Established	1746
Type	Public School
Headmistress	Mojca Lukšič
Founder	Maria Theresa
Location	Seidlova 9 Novo Mesto 8000 Slovenia
Students	900
Website	www.gimnm.org

The Novo Mesto Grammar School (Slovene: Gimnazija Novo mesto) is a public secondary school for both, boys and girls, located in Novo Mesto in the region of Lower Carniola, Slovenia. It was founded in 1746 by the Habsburg ruler Maria Theresa of Austria and initially run by Franciscan monks. In 1870, the school became a state school and the current school building was built in 1912.

The school, the oldest in Slovenia, is the largest of the four grammar schools in Novo Mesto. It has a long list of distinguished alumni, among them many scientists and artists.

The school charges no fee to its students.

Overview

Presently about 900 students between the ages of 15 and 19 are enrolled in the school (roughly 220 in each year group).

The school is supervised by the school board, comprising the headmaster, three representatives of the parents, five representatives of the school's employees (teachers), and two representatives of the founder (the government).

History

The Novo Mesto Grammar School is the oldest educational institution in Slovenia that has been in operation continually since its foundation. It was founded by Empress Maria Theresa in 1746. The school was first run by the Franciscans and the lessons started November 3 in 1746. The list of the first 66 students finishes off by a comment by the first dean Father Geodefredus Pfeifer (he said: we start with a modest and tiny flock). Being an educational and cultural institution, the Novo Mesto Grammar School has played a significant role in the cultural, scientific, economic and political life of the Slovenes. It has educated several scientists, artists, economists and politicians.

In 1870 the school became a state school and the present school building was built in 1912. It was characterized by both world wars and consequently by the changes in the political system. Also, it was subject to different school reforms. In 1848 the duration of the schooling was lengthened from 6 years to 8 years.

Due to a new school reform in the 1980s the name gimnazija 'upper secondary school' was banned supposedly because of its supposed elitist connotations and it came to be called Natural Science and Technical School (Slovenian: Naravoslovno-matematična srednja šola). It was soon evident that only an upper secondary school can provide the needed broad knowledge and built-up skills that are essential for successful studies at University. As a result there was a new school reform in 1990 and the school became an upper secondary school again.

Renovation work on the school building, which lasted 2 years, began with the celebration of its 250th anniversary in 1996. Better working conditions in the renovated school and modern classrooms meant an additional impetus for even better and more laborious work. In 2006 all of the school’s 27 classrooms were equipped with computers and digital projectors and in 2011 interactive boards were installed in all classrooms.

Notable alumni

1. Ivan Tavčar, writer and politician, 1866–1868;
2. Oton Župančič, poet, translator and playwright, 1888–1891;
3. Josip Plemelj, mathematician, 1893–1894;
4. Dragotin Kette, poet, 1896–1898;
5. Anton Podbevšek, poet, 1909–1918;
6. Miran Jarc, poet, 1910–1919;
7. Božidar Jakac, painter, 1910–1918;
8. Leon Štukelj, athlete and Olympic gold medallist, 1910–1916;
9. Rado Lenček, linguist, ethnologist, finished in 1940;
10. Pino Mlakar, ballet dancer, 1917–1919;
11. Marjan Kozina, composer, 1917–1925;
12. Edvard Ravnikar, architect;
13. Igor Bavčar, politician;
14. Igor Lukšič, politician
15. Lojze Peterle, politician
16. Gregor Golobič, politician.

Notable professors

• Ferdo Kozak, writer, public intellectual and politician.

References

1. 250 let Gimnazije Novo mesto 1746–1996, multiple authors. Novo Mesto, 1996;
2. 225 let novomeške Gimnazije, multiple authors. Novo Mesto, 1971;
3. Mojca Lukšič, Natalija Petakovič, Nuša Rustja, Gimnazija Novo mesto. Novo Mesto, 2007;
4. Stezice 2005, multiple authors. Novo Mesto, 1996;
5. Mikuž Vasja, Petakovič Natalija, Seidlova geološka zbirka. Novo Mesto, 1998;
6. 260 let Gimnazije Novo mesto, multiple authors. Novo Mesto, 2006.