Varga Katalin Secondary School
Encyclopedia
The Varga Katalin Secondary School (since 2007 officially Varga Katalin Gimnázium – Varga Katalin Secondary School) is a secondary school in Szolnok
, Hungary
established in 1930, which was named after Katalin Bánffy
between 1936 and 1951. It is located in the former Obermayer-Hubay apartment house, which is one of the oldest buildings in the town. Its address is Szabadság tér 6, near the confluence of the Tisza
and Zagyva
rivers.
The school is home to four basic courses of study, outlined in detail below, including one of the country's oldest Hungarian-English bilingual programs (wherein math, physics, biology and history are taught in English). In addition, it was one of the founding schools of the Arany János Program for Talented Youth. At the end of the 1970s the school was the sole location in Hungary of UNESCO
research. The rate of acceptance to higher education is consistently above 85%. The school is also well known for its international relations, international programs, and innovative educational policy.
. The first headmaster of the school was Géza Wollek, who was also headmaster of Szolnok's Verseghy Ferenc Grammar School
at the time; the school's first teacher was Dr. Ilona Vatter. The school was the second school for higher education of girls in Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok County. The school's foundation had been urged by the city's main doctor, Dr. István Elek, in the name of women's rights. He helped additionally with the donation of 250 pengős
. The educational institution form lyceum was chosen instead of gymnasium because the founders thought that the Latin language was unnecessary and difficult for the girls.
Teaching began 1 September 1930, in the building which today houses Szolnok's Belvárosi Primary School, thanks to the assistance of Headmistress Elvira Ellmann. The present school building was first used in 1932, the same year in which the school was moved from the Outer Budapest school district to the Debrecen school district. On 1 February 1935, Dr. György Kurucz became headmaster of the school, effectively establishing its autonomy. By popular request, Latin was again taught, which elevated the school to the status of gymnasium (grammar school), however, the subject of how the girls' education should proceed remained a topic for the local media for years. Instruction in Latin continued to be offered until 2008. In 1936 the school was named for Katalin Bánffy
(Hung
: Bánffy Katalin) with the official name Royal Hungarian Bánffy Katalin Grammar School for Girls. The first Matura
school-leaving exams were held in 1938. During the Second World War the school building was damaged, but classes were held in Verseghy Ferenc Grammar School.
In 1951 the school was renamed, this time after Transylvanian noblewoman Katalin Varga
, with the name Varga Katalin General Grammar School for Girls. The original name was retained, however, in the name of the school's endowment (Bánffy Katalin – Varga Katalin Endowment). In 1957 Szolnok's first Young Communist League was founded here. Due to a growing student body, first two classes and later four were required to attend classes in the afternoon; in 1962 a number of teachers and students were split from Varga and founded Szolnok's Tiszaparti Secondary School. Around this time the school also became coeducational, and hence received its current name, Varga Katalin Secondary School.
In 1970 the structure of the faculty began to be developed, and by September 1971 it was operating at such a high level that it began a standard throughout Hungary. In the 1977/78 school year, on the recommendation of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences
' Pedagogic Research Section, Varga was chosen by UNESCO's Institute for Education
as the location of ongoing educational research under the leadership of Dr. Ottó Mihály and Dr. József Bernáth. The research was focused on the concept of life-long learning, which is one of the key educational principles of the European Union
. At the same time, between 1971 and 1981, Varga was also used as a testing ground for the early Matura
exams. Subjects such as orientation, family studies and others were taught experimentally. One of the more successful projects was the so-called studium generale subject, which included library studies, learning methodology, psychology (self-awareness, creativity), logic, rhetoric, and debate.
During the 1970s
Varga upheld its outstanding literary traditions by hosting a number of great Hungarian writers, poets, and critics: József Darvas, Mihály Czine, Sándor Koczkás, Imre Bata, István Simon, László Nagy, Anna Jókai, Sándor Csoóri, Ferenc Sánta
, Katalin Berek, Adrienne Jancsó, Lajos Cs. Németh, Ferenc Kállai, János Kass, Gyula László and Júlia Marosi.
In 1988 the Hungarian-English Bilingual Education program was introduced (as a four-year course of study, as opposed to five-year programs in other Hungarian schools), and in 2000 the Arany János Program for Talented Youth was initiated by the Hungarian Ministry of Education. Because of the introduction of the bilingual program, the school's name also became bilingual in 2007, resulting in its official name today: Varga Katalin Gimnázium – Varga Katalin Secondary School. The school was the seat of the national Model European Parliament in 2004, and the regional seat in 2009. Also in 2009 Varga hosted students from around Europe as part of the Comenius Physics Program.
building which now houses the Varga was originally constructed in 1856. According to the database of the Cultural Heritage Office, the building's original function was as the Obermayer-Hubay block of flats, built by master carpenter Lajos Obermeyer and bought by Ferenc Hubay in 1860. Since 1881 the property has served the city of Szolnok, first as a court of law, from 1891 as a post office, and from 1932 as the location of the school.
The L-shaped three-storied building was situated on a corner, enclosing the area inside it; it had a basement, pitched roof, and glass-covered arches facing the inner courtyard. Since then, an attic was also added, and the "new wing" was added, changing the building from L-shaped to the shape of a lop-sided U. The building is slightly raised from street level. The windows on the ground floor are arched, on the upper floors straight capped with lintels. The ceilings in the ground floor are vaulted; in the upper floors flat. The stairwell inside the "old wing" contains a cast iron handrail. When the school took possession of the building, the stairwell was enlarged, but under careful supervision in respect to the building's status as a protected historical monument.
In 1932 when the institution first moved into the building, it was intended to be a temporary home. The convention at the time of founding stipulated that "Szolnok shall receive a girls' secondary school only if the city provides a suitable building and equipment." This "suitable building" was never found, so since 1932 the school has not moved. The building's inadequate number of appropriate classrooms and equipment has continued even today to be a frequently discussed point between the school and the city.
Initially only part of the building was given to the school; in other parts there remained tenants, a separate music school, kindergarten, and a wind band. On 1 August 1935, the entirety of the building was given over to the secondary school. Year by year, the building was improved. During the 1937/38 school year the school received a gym, which was expanded to include dressing rooms and work-out rooms. When the gym was built at the back of the school's property, it abutted another outlying building belonging to the school. This small house, formerly used as teachers' quarters, and now home to the P.E. offices and a classroom, is also under historical preservation due to it being the birth place of Dr. Kálmán Balogh, a famous Hungarian pharmaceutical scientist. The roof of the gym was renovated in 2008.
In 1940 the structural beams of the building were renovated, but even so two evacuations were necessary before 1962. During the Second World War the building was heavily damaged; years later a live bomb was found among the beams.
The "new wing" was built in 1989, at which time the school gained new classrooms, a cafeteria, a lobby, and a student lounge, and the internal courtyard was also widened. This new wing replaced what had formerly been a chemist's and a block of flats.
. After the war, the library again increased by the donations of the students; by 1959 2278 volumes had been collected. The library became fully functioning when the structure of faculty came into use in 1972. Since then a Reading Room was also added, and in 1980 the number of volumes stood at 12,197. Nowadays library studies are taught in the school and a Library Club operates in the school.
Of the programs of study which existed before the 1980s, the most is known about this one. The technical course was initiated in the 1959/60 school year, the same year when the school began its tradition of having 4 courses of study. The idea was to provide students the opportunity to find their way in a world experiencing rapid technological growth, as well as giving them a practical and theoretical insight into economic life. They were also exposed to agriculture; for them the typical six-day school week was shortened to five days, and the remaining day was spent on-site at Szolnok's Horticultural Company. After four years, the students received a diploma along with their school leaving certificate.
The Arany János Program for Talented Youth (Hung
: Arany János Tehetséggondozó Program, AJTP) has been operating in Varga since 2000, when the Hungarian Ministry of Education selected twenty schools to begin the five-year program. The program focuses on educating talented applicants who are disadvantaged in some way, usually socially. In preparation for the first year of the program, all students are required to live in the student hostel. At least once a month the entire class remains together for a weekend program, frequently traveling to various places within Hungary. Class trips are taken in the second year of study to Transylvania
, and in the fourth year to England
where the students participate in a week-long EFL course. The program also assists the students in obtaining an ECDL
, drivers' license, and middle level English exam.
In the 9th and 10th grades both English and Math are taught at an advanced level; in the 11th grade the students decide for themselves individually in which direction they would like to continue their advanced studies. Because this program is the most general, it's likely to be replaced in the future with a more specialized program. One possibility would be a course focused on financial education under the direction of the Hungarian National Bank
.
The program, which began in 1988, celebrated its 20th anniversary during the 2008/2009 school year. The aim of this class the acquisition of English at a very high level, and to this end math, physics, biology, and history are taught in English. Unlike many bilingual secondary schools in Hungary, in Varga there is no preparatory year - the students apply as 8th graders, including an oral English exam, and are accepted for the following year based on their own knowledge. During 10th grade, participants in the bilingual course spend two weeks in England doing an intensive EFL course. In addition to the English language at an advanced level, the students in the bilingual program are also much more exposed to English culture, both directly via a British and American Civilization (and civilization of English-speaking countries in general) class in 11th and 12th grades, and indirectly via ongoing classes with native-speaker teachers. At the end of the four-year course the students take their Matura
school-leaving exams in Advanced English, which corresponds with a Hungarian state-level exam of the highest level. They must also take exams in English in two other subjects of their choice.
In the 9th and 10th grades both German and Math are taught at an advanced level; in the 11th grade the students decide for themselves individually in which direction they would like to continue their advanced studies. In the 10th grade the students are encouraged to take part in a student exchange with students from Reutlingen
, Germany
. The number of applicants to this program has steadily declined; half of the class which began in 2007 chose English as their main language over German. When this class graduates in 2011 they will be the final class of this program.
Beginning with the new D class of September 2008, the Math-German program was replaced with the 4-module General Knowledge Program. The optional modules are as follows:
Each student in the D class chooses one of the above modules to study for a semester; at the end of each semester they must decide to continue with that module or to select a new one. After four semesters, at the end of the 10th grade, the students decide in which direction to focus their studies toward the advanced-level Matura
school-leaving exam.
As part of the communications module the students will visit local TV and radio stations, newspaper offices, and the Youth House.
and Semmelweis University
in Budapest
. It is also a reference school for the National Textbook Publications (Hung:
Nemzeti Tankönyvkiadó). Under the direction of the Program for Quality Management Varga has also been partnered with the following companies and institutions: Office for Arany János Program, the primary schools of Szolnok which act as feeder schools for Varga, Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok County's European Information Point (Europe Direct), British Council, Association of Schools for Self-Development (Önfejlesztő Iskolák Egyesülete), Bilingual Schools Association (Két Tanítási Nyelvű Iskolák Egyesülete), County Pedagogical Institute (Megyei Pedagógiai Intézet), Center for Human Services (Humán Szolgáltató Központ), Educational Consulting Office of Szolnok (Városi Nevelési Tanácsadó), Contact, SI-CO Ltd., Tisza Park Ltd.
Exchange programs can be made by a class or by a separate group of students. In the latter case, preference is given to students whose interests are best suited for the exchange, but the program is still open for all applicants. Varga also has a connection with the European Parliament
in Strasbourg
via the Euroscola program. Exchanges are also facilitated through various sister cities of Szolnok, for example Yuza in Japan
. Participating in an international program organised by three counties in Europe Varga also got connections in Somme
, France
and Durham
, England
.
From the 1930s until the 1960s there was a mandatory school uniform. This consisted of "dark blue sailor suit with white collar and cuffs, white blouse with blue collar and cuffs, as regulated. Uniform cap, blue for winter and white for summer, and white cotton gloves." Later added to this were "white blue-striped smock for everyday use, and a dark blue coat for winter," a spring jacket, and clothing and shoes suitable for exercising in. Nowadays the only uniform required is for the P.E. lessons, and students wear t-shirts with the school logo on them.
The so-called Katalin Day (in recent years, Katalin Week) is possible the most important event in Varga student life. It takes place in November, usually the week surrounding November 25, the feast day of St. Catherine
. The week is centered on the 9th grade classes and giving them an opportunity to introduce themselves to the school. The main event of the week is a show created by each of the 9th grade classes and performed for upperclassmen and teachers in Szolnok's Aba Novak Cultural Center or in the local Sport Arena. In addition to the show, each class has opportunities through the week to earn points for themselves (such as themed dress-up days, poster campaign, school quiz, etc.) to determine which class wins the week. 11.B class also presents a 'good bye' show for the senior classes.
October 23 and March 15
In Varga, the traditional celebration of October 23 is for the 11.D class to design the commemorative program (typically, speeches and poetry readings) and for a selected teacher to give the memorial speech. At this time the senior students also receive ribbons showing their school and year of Matura, which they can wear during the school year, as per Hungarian customs. The 15 March program is organized and carried out by the 10.C class. In addition to their program, speeches are also given by selected student and member of faculty. Location for these ceremonies is typically the Aba Novak Cultural Center of Szolnok or the courtyard of the school.
Christmas
In December programs are given by two senior classes. The 12.B class is responsible for the program at St. Nicholas' Day
. In the week preceding the Christmas break, the 12.C class goes caroling in English through the school.
School Leavers' Ball
The School Leavers' Ball in Varga is called the Tabló-bál. It gets its name from the tabló, which is a decorated placard created by each senior class containing pictures of the class and their teachers. The ball usually takes place in November a few weeks after the 23 October ribbon-pinning ceremony. The 11.C class is responsible for decoration of the event, which is normally held in Szolnok's City Sport Arena.
School Gala
The so-called School Gala, held annually since 1994, is a talent show for Varga students to show off their entertaining skills to their friends, family, and classmates. Nowadays it is usually held in Szolnok's Aba Novak Cultural Center or Szigligeti Theater. It has launched several Varga students into poetical and theatrical careers.
Sports Day
At the end of every school year the P.E. department organizes a Sports Day. As well as taking part in various sports competitions, the classes also compete in a cook-off. This event takes place either at Millér Park or at the sports facilities of the Szolnok Helicopter Base.
Student Symposium
Varga regularly organizes symposium days, in which numerous Hungarian and international secondary schools have participated. Some examples are the annual English Language Cultural Symposium and the Natural Sciences Symposium.
Religious Groups
Originally, two religious youth groups were formed by Religions teacher László Szabó in 1932: the Guards of the Sacred Heart (Sziv-Gárda) and the Congregation of Mary (Mária Kongregáció). (Although both groups were Catholic
, the institution has always provided Calvinist, Lutheran, and Jewish religious education as well.) The aim of the groups, and of their successors, the Saint Elisabeth
Guards of the Sacred Heart and the Congregation of Blessed Margaret
(a Szent Erzsébet szívgárda és a Boldog Margit kongregáció), was to both provide religious education, as well as having members regularly offer support, offerings, and acts of good will. The older students were usually members of the Congregation, while younger students were in the Guard. They met fortnightly. At its peak the organizations together contained more than 150 members.
Sports
On 7 October 1933 the school's Sports Club was initiated with a school-wide competition which has been repeated annually ever since. The original club included gymnastics, athletics, rhythmic dance, swimming, and other games. The club gave dance performances year after year in the Szigligeti Theater. In February 1935 they performed a show called "Student Dream" (Diákálom) about a student's first day at the girls' school. The club began functioning even before the gym had been built, so physical education classes were held in a normal classroom. In 1936 the Sports club inaugurated the tennis court in the school's courtyard, and later the basketball court and the winter ice-skating rink.
Girl Scouts
In October 1935 a Girl Scout
troop was formed in the school, which in the following year received the name "Bánffy Katalin" Troop 130. The troop, whose members numbers about 50, held weekly meetings during which they sang, practiced homemaking skills, made excursions, and had lessons in book-binding and first aid. On 9 January 1937 they held their first performance in Szigligeti Theater. From 1938 they took place in the national Scout Jamboree.
Literary Circle
From the 1930s
the school has had a literary debate society. Its goal was self-cultivation mainly through various literary works, but also by examining musical works as well, and works from other cultures. The circle was led by painter and art history teacher Sándor Baranyó in the 1960s.
Poetry Club
The school also has a successful poetry and spoken work club. In Szolnok's 2009 Megavers competition, Varga student Ágnes Barta received first place. Three members of the club also received the Kazinczy Commemorative Medal: Soma Zámbori, Szargit Szarbari, and László Bogár; the latter two also received it as university students. The poetry reading traditions reach back to the original Poetry and Reading Club begun in 1935.
Thespis Teatrum Drama Club
The school's current drama club was set up by Zoltán Fodor in 1997, at which time
one of the classes performed the musical Hair
. The show was a success, earning second place in a local competition and fourth nationally. In the following years, students from all classes took place in the productions. The performances regularly place in the top four in national competitions, which have been held in Kecskemét
, Debrecen
, Budapest
, Gyomaendrőd
and Solymár
. In 1999 the club, along with other international drama groups, was invited to Durham
for the performance of the UNICEF-created children's rights musical "Thursday's Child". In 2002 and subsequent two years through the Arany János Program for Talented Youth the club took place in the National Drama Camp. Also in 2002 they were invited to Växjö
. From 2005 they have regularly been invited to perform at Gould Academy
in Bethel, Maine
USA. Currently the "Student Stage" is led by former student Márton Kovács and his mother Zsuzsa Boross Mrs. Kovács, who is a teacher in the school.
Past performances by year:
The club has performed several plays for years and made several revivals.
Choirs
In the 11th class, students can choose which art subject to participate in (practice singing, art practice, art history, descriptive geometry). Those who choose singing automatically become members of the sining club, but others are also welcome to join. The school also has a men's choir. The choir and the other singing groups perform on a regular basis, among which the Christmas concert is especially prominent. The concert takes place annually in one of the churches of Szolnok.
In addition the group has also traveled abroad; about an exchange with Finland one choir member said, "the two schools exchanged not only experiences, but sounds/voices as well."”
Model European Parliament
The school has taken part - representing the country of Netherlands
- in the program since its beginning in Hungary in 2003. The corresponding student club was set up as a place to prepare for the meetings, most importantly by discussion and debate about current political events. In 2004 the school hosted the second National Session, in 2009 the school received students from many member countries of the European Union
.
offered by Dr. István Elek, the interest of which was always awarded to a student with outstanding performance.
Other than this, even before the establishment of the school there was the Society of Friends of the Lyceum (Leányliceum Barátainak Egyesülete), which helped the school financially, assisted the renovation of the school building, and oversaw alumni functions.
: A Varga Katalin Gimnáziumért. It also contains the years of the foundation of the school, 1930, and the foundation of the award, 1980, as well as the name of Szolnok. There are also two pictures on the plaque: relay racers on the left and students sitting around a table on the right.
Szolnok
Szolnok is the county seat of Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok county in central Hungary. Its location on the banks of the Tisza river, at the heart of the Great Hungarian Plain, has made it an important cultural and economic crossroads for centuries....
, Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
established in 1930, which was named after Katalin Bánffy
Katalin Bánffy
Katalin Bánffy was a 16th century Hungarian noblewoman, the wife of general and politician Ferenc Batthyány.- Life :Katalin Bánffy, a member of the noble Bánffy family of Lendava, was the wife of Ban Ferenc Batthyányi. Her husband spent much of his time away from home at war, or in assembly, and...
between 1936 and 1951. It is located in the former Obermayer-Hubay apartment house, which is one of the oldest buildings in the town. Its address is Szabadság tér 6, near the confluence of the Tisza
Tisza
The Tisza or Tisa is one of the main rivers of Central Europe. It rises in Ukraine, and is formed near Rakhiv by the junction of headwaters White Tisa, whose source is in the Chornohora mountains and Black Tisa, which springs in the Gorgany range...
and Zagyva
Zagyva
The Zagyva is a river in Hungary. Its length is 160 km, and drains an area of about 5,677 km². The source is near Salgótarján in Nógrád county. It flows through the towns of Bátonyterenye, Pásztó, Hatvan and Jászberény and flows into the Tisza River at Szolnok. Average discharge at Szolnok is 9 m³/s....
rivers.
The school is home to four basic courses of study, outlined in detail below, including one of the country's oldest Hungarian-English bilingual programs (wherein math, physics, biology and history are taught in English). In addition, it was one of the founding schools of the Arany János Program for Talented Youth. At the end of the 1970s the school was the sole location in Hungary of UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
research. The rate of acceptance to higher education is consistently above 85%. The school is also well known for its international relations, international programs, and innovative educational policy.
History
On 4 July 1930, the Hungarian Ministry of Religion and Public Education decided to found the Royal Hungarian School for Girls of Szolnok; on 7 July the establishment of the school was authorized by Minister of Culture Count Kunó von KlebelsbergKuno von Klebelsberg
Count Kuno von Klebelsberg was a Hungarian politician, who served as Minister of the Interior and Minister of Culture of the Kingdom of Hungary between the two world wars....
. The first headmaster of the school was Géza Wollek, who was also headmaster of Szolnok's Verseghy Ferenc Grammar School
Verseghy Ferenc Grammar School
Verseghy Ferenc Grammar School is a co-educational secondary state school in Szolnok, Northern Great Plain, Hungary. It is one of the oldest grammar schools in the region and is rich in traditions. The school was founded in 1831 and was named after the famous native of Szolnok, Ferenc Verseghy in...
at the time; the school's first teacher was Dr. Ilona Vatter. The school was the second school for higher education of girls in Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok County. The school's foundation had been urged by the city's main doctor, Dr. István Elek, in the name of women's rights. He helped additionally with the donation of 250 pengős
Hungarian pengo
The pengő was the currency of Hungary between 1 January 1927, when it replaced the korona, and 31 July 1946, when it was replaced by the forint. The pengő was subdivided into 100 fillér...
. The educational institution form lyceum was chosen instead of gymnasium because the founders thought that the Latin language was unnecessary and difficult for the girls.
Teaching began 1 September 1930, in the building which today houses Szolnok's Belvárosi Primary School, thanks to the assistance of Headmistress Elvira Ellmann. The present school building was first used in 1932, the same year in which the school was moved from the Outer Budapest school district to the Debrecen school district. On 1 February 1935, Dr. György Kurucz became headmaster of the school, effectively establishing its autonomy. By popular request, Latin was again taught, which elevated the school to the status of gymnasium (grammar school), however, the subject of how the girls' education should proceed remained a topic for the local media for years. Instruction in Latin continued to be offered until 2008. In 1936 the school was named for Katalin Bánffy
Katalin Bánffy
Katalin Bánffy was a 16th century Hungarian noblewoman, the wife of general and politician Ferenc Batthyány.- Life :Katalin Bánffy, a member of the noble Bánffy family of Lendava, was the wife of Ban Ferenc Batthyányi. Her husband spent much of his time away from home at war, or in assembly, and...
(Hung
Hungarian language
Hungarian is a Uralic language, part of the Ugric group. With some 14 million speakers, it is one of the most widely spoken non-Indo-European languages in Europe....
: Bánffy Katalin) with the official name Royal Hungarian Bánffy Katalin Grammar School for Girls. The first Matura
Matura
Matura or a similar term is the common name for the high-school leaving exam or "maturity exam" in various countries, including Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Serbia,...
school-leaving exams were held in 1938. During the Second World War the school building was damaged, but classes were held in Verseghy Ferenc Grammar School.
In 1951 the school was renamed, this time after Transylvanian noblewoman Katalin Varga
Katalin Varga
Katalin Varga was the leader of the Transylvanian Miners' Movement in the 1840s.-Family and early life:Katalin was born into a family of impoverished nobility on August 22, 1802, in Hălmeag, Transylvania. Her father János Varga and her mother Katalin Rosondai were minor landowners, and they worked...
, with the name Varga Katalin General Grammar School for Girls. The original name was retained, however, in the name of the school's endowment (Bánffy Katalin – Varga Katalin Endowment). In 1957 Szolnok's first Young Communist League was founded here. Due to a growing student body, first two classes and later four were required to attend classes in the afternoon; in 1962 a number of teachers and students were split from Varga and founded Szolnok's Tiszaparti Secondary School. Around this time the school also became coeducational, and hence received its current name, Varga Katalin Secondary School.
In 1970 the structure of the faculty began to be developed, and by September 1971 it was operating at such a high level that it began a standard throughout Hungary. In the 1977/78 school year, on the recommendation of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences
Hungarian Academy of Sciences
The Hungarian Academy of Sciences is the most important and prestigious learned society of Hungary. Its seat is at the bank of the Danube in Budapest.-History:...
' Pedagogic Research Section, Varga was chosen by UNESCO's Institute for Education
UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning
The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning is one of six educational institutes of UNESCO. It is a non-profit international research, training, information, documentation and publishing centre on literacy, non-formal education, adult and lifelong learning...
as the location of ongoing educational research under the leadership of Dr. Ottó Mihály and Dr. József Bernáth. The research was focused on the concept of life-long learning, which is one of the key educational principles of the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
. At the same time, between 1971 and 1981, Varga was also used as a testing ground for the early Matura
Matura
Matura or a similar term is the common name for the high-school leaving exam or "maturity exam" in various countries, including Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Serbia,...
exams. Subjects such as orientation, family studies and others were taught experimentally. One of the more successful projects was the so-called studium generale subject, which included library studies, learning methodology, psychology (self-awareness, creativity), logic, rhetoric, and debate.
During the 1970s
1970s
File:1970s decade montage.png|From left, clockwise: US President Richard Nixon doing the V for Victory sign after his resignation from office after the Watergate scandal in 1974; Refugees aboard a US naval boat after the Fall of Saigon, leading to the end of the Vietnam War in 1975; The 1973 oil...
Varga upheld its outstanding literary traditions by hosting a number of great Hungarian writers, poets, and critics: József Darvas, Mihály Czine, Sándor Koczkás, Imre Bata, István Simon, László Nagy, Anna Jókai, Sándor Csoóri, Ferenc Sánta
Ferenc Sánta
Ferenc Sánta was a Hungarian novelist and film screenwriter. He was awarded the József Attila Prize in 1956 and 1964, and the prestigious Kossuth Prize in 1973.-Selected works:*Sokan voltunk, 1954...
, Katalin Berek, Adrienne Jancsó, Lajos Cs. Németh, Ferenc Kállai, János Kass, Gyula László and Júlia Marosi.
In 1988 the Hungarian-English Bilingual Education program was introduced (as a four-year course of study, as opposed to five-year programs in other Hungarian schools), and in 2000 the Arany János Program for Talented Youth was initiated by the Hungarian Ministry of Education. Because of the introduction of the bilingual program, the school's name also became bilingual in 2007, resulting in its official name today: Varga Katalin Gimnázium – Varga Katalin Secondary School. The school was the seat of the national Model European Parliament in 2004, and the regional seat in 2009. Also in 2009 Varga hosted students from around Europe as part of the Comenius Physics Program.
Building
The neoclassicalNeoclassical architecture
Neoclassical architecture was an architectural style produced by the neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century, manifested both in its details as a reaction against the Rococo style of naturalistic ornament, and in its architectural formulas as an outgrowth of some classicizing...
building which now houses the Varga was originally constructed in 1856. According to the database of the Cultural Heritage Office, the building's original function was as the Obermayer-Hubay block of flats, built by master carpenter Lajos Obermeyer and bought by Ferenc Hubay in 1860. Since 1881 the property has served the city of Szolnok, first as a court of law, from 1891 as a post office, and from 1932 as the location of the school.
The L-shaped three-storied building was situated on a corner, enclosing the area inside it; it had a basement, pitched roof, and glass-covered arches facing the inner courtyard. Since then, an attic was also added, and the "new wing" was added, changing the building from L-shaped to the shape of a lop-sided U. The building is slightly raised from street level. The windows on the ground floor are arched, on the upper floors straight capped with lintels. The ceilings in the ground floor are vaulted; in the upper floors flat. The stairwell inside the "old wing" contains a cast iron handrail. When the school took possession of the building, the stairwell was enlarged, but under careful supervision in respect to the building's status as a protected historical monument.
In 1932 when the institution first moved into the building, it was intended to be a temporary home. The convention at the time of founding stipulated that "Szolnok shall receive a girls' secondary school only if the city provides a suitable building and equipment." This "suitable building" was never found, so since 1932 the school has not moved. The building's inadequate number of appropriate classrooms and equipment has continued even today to be a frequently discussed point between the school and the city.
Initially only part of the building was given to the school; in other parts there remained tenants, a separate music school, kindergarten, and a wind band. On 1 August 1935, the entirety of the building was given over to the secondary school. Year by year, the building was improved. During the 1937/38 school year the school received a gym, which was expanded to include dressing rooms and work-out rooms. When the gym was built at the back of the school's property, it abutted another outlying building belonging to the school. This small house, formerly used as teachers' quarters, and now home to the P.E. offices and a classroom, is also under historical preservation due to it being the birth place of Dr. Kálmán Balogh, a famous Hungarian pharmaceutical scientist. The roof of the gym was renovated in 2008.
In 1940 the structural beams of the building were renovated, but even so two evacuations were necessary before 1962. During the Second World War the building was heavily damaged; years later a live bomb was found among the beams.
The "new wing" was built in 1989, at which time the school gained new classrooms, a cafeteria, a lobby, and a student lounge, and the internal courtyard was also widened. This new wing replaced what had formerly been a chemist's and a block of flats.
Library
The school's library stood at 2221 volumes in 1944, all of which were destroyed during World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. After the war, the library again increased by the donations of the students; by 1959 2278 volumes had been collected. The library became fully functioning when the structure of faculty came into use in 1972. Since then a Reading Room was also added, and in 1980 the number of volumes stood at 12,197. Nowadays library studies are taught in the school and a Library Club operates in the school.
Headmasters
The school's headmasters and headmistresses:Earlier
The school has always offered instruction at a grammar school level, but the precise courses of study have varied. When the grades were first divided, one class followed a science-based curriculum, the other a humanities-based curriculum. In 1957 when a third class was added it was also science-focused. In 1959 a fourth technical course of study was added. A German-Russian language curriculum was introduced in 1966. From 1970, after the restructuring of the faculty system, the classes were assigned distinguishing letters based on their chosen course of study.Technical course
| Distinguishing letter | D |
|---|---|
| Length of study | 4 years |
Of the programs of study which existed before the 1980s, the most is known about this one. The technical course was initiated in the 1959/60 school year, the same year when the school began its tradition of having 4 courses of study. The idea was to provide students the opportunity to find their way in a world experiencing rapid technological growth, as well as giving them a practical and theoretical insight into economic life. They were also exposed to agriculture; for them the typical six-day school week was shortened to five days, and the remaining day was spent on-site at Szolnok's Horticultural Company. After four years, the students received a diploma along with their school leaving certificate.
Arany János Program for Talented Youth
| Distinguishing letter | A |
|---|---|
| Length of study | 5 years |
The Arany János Program for Talented Youth (Hung
Hungarian language
Hungarian is a Uralic language, part of the Ugric group. With some 14 million speakers, it is one of the most widely spoken non-Indo-European languages in Europe....
: Arany János Tehetséggondozó Program, AJTP) has been operating in Varga since 2000, when the Hungarian Ministry of Education selected twenty schools to begin the five-year program. The program focuses on educating talented applicants who are disadvantaged in some way, usually socially. In preparation for the first year of the program, all students are required to live in the student hostel. At least once a month the entire class remains together for a weekend program, frequently traveling to various places within Hungary. Class trips are taken in the second year of study to Transylvania
Transylvania
Transylvania is a historical region in the central part of Romania. Bounded on the east and south by the Carpathian mountain range, historical Transylvania extended in the west to the Apuseni Mountains; however, the term sometimes encompasses not only Transylvania proper, but also the historical...
, and in the fourth year to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
where the students participate in a week-long EFL course. The program also assists the students in obtaining an ECDL
European Computer Driving Licence
The European Computer Driving Licence , also known as International Computer Driving Licence , is a computer literacy certification programme provided by ECDL Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation....
, drivers' license, and middle level English exam.
Math-English program
| Distinguishing letter | B |
|---|---|
| Length of study | 4 years |
In the 9th and 10th grades both English and Math are taught at an advanced level; in the 11th grade the students decide for themselves individually in which direction they would like to continue their advanced studies. Because this program is the most general, it's likely to be replaced in the future with a more specialized program. One possibility would be a course focused on financial education under the direction of the Hungarian National Bank
Hungarian National Bank
The Hungarian National Bank is the central bank of Hungary. The principal aim of the bank is to retain price stability. It is also responsible for issuing the national currency, the forint, controlling the cash circulation, setting the Central Bank base rate, publishing official exchange rates...
.
Hungarian-English Bilingual program
| Distinguishing letter | C |
|---|---|
| Length of study | 4 years |
The program, which began in 1988, celebrated its 20th anniversary during the 2008/2009 school year. The aim of this class the acquisition of English at a very high level, and to this end math, physics, biology, and history are taught in English. Unlike many bilingual secondary schools in Hungary, in Varga there is no preparatory year - the students apply as 8th graders, including an oral English exam, and are accepted for the following year based on their own knowledge. During 10th grade, participants in the bilingual course spend two weeks in England doing an intensive EFL course. In addition to the English language at an advanced level, the students in the bilingual program are also much more exposed to English culture, both directly via a British and American Civilization (and civilization of English-speaking countries in general) class in 11th and 12th grades, and indirectly via ongoing classes with native-speaker teachers. At the end of the four-year course the students take their Matura
Matura
Matura or a similar term is the common name for the high-school leaving exam or "maturity exam" in various countries, including Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Serbia,...
school-leaving exams in Advanced English, which corresponds with a Hungarian state-level exam of the highest level. They must also take exams in English in two other subjects of their choice.
Math-German program
| Distinguishing letter | D |
|---|---|
| Length of study | 4 years |
In the 9th and 10th grades both German and Math are taught at an advanced level; in the 11th grade the students decide for themselves individually in which direction they would like to continue their advanced studies. In the 10th grade the students are encouraged to take part in a student exchange with students from Reutlingen
Reutlingen
Reutlingen is a city in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is the capital of the eponymous district of Reutlingen. As of April 2008, it has a population of 109,828....
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. The number of applicants to this program has steadily declined; half of the class which began in 2007 chose English as their main language over German. When this class graduates in 2011 they will be the final class of this program.
General knowledge / module program
| Distinguishing letter | D |
|---|---|
| Length of study | 4 years |
Beginning with the new D class of September 2008, the Math-German program was replaced with the 4-module General Knowledge Program. The optional modules are as follows:
- technological module (focusing on math and physics)
- science module (biology and chemistry)
- artistic and practical communication (humanities)
- international knowledge
Each student in the D class chooses one of the above modules to study for a semester; at the end of each semester they must decide to continue with that module or to select a new one. After four semesters, at the end of the 10th grade, the students decide in which direction to focus their studies toward the advanced-level Matura
Matura
Matura or a similar term is the common name for the high-school leaving exam or "maturity exam" in various countries, including Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Serbia,...
school-leaving exam.
As part of the communications module the students will visit local TV and radio stations, newspaper offices, and the Youth House.
Achievements
- Students of Varga regularly achieve high results in a number of national competitions, notably the OKTVOKTVOrszágos Középiskolai Tanulmányi Verseny in Hungarian . Students 15–18 years old compete in various subjects, such as natural sciences, history, Hungarian literature and foreign languages...
. - In a 2004 study by Hungary's Educational Research and Development Institute, Varga was ranked 9th in the country according to average entrance exams results, 15th in the country in general, and first in both categories within Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok County.
- In 1998 the school received the "For Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok County Award."
- The school participates annually in Szolnok's 24-hour Competition (a competition between the high schools of the city); in 2007 the school achieved second place and in 2008 first place.
- Varga was awarded the "Pro Universitate" plaque by the Faculty of Science at Kossuth Lajos University (today University of DebrecenUniversity of DebrecenThe University of Debrecen is a university located in Debrecen, Hungary. It is the oldest continuously operating institution of higher education in Hungary .-History:...
); they in turn were given Varga's "Pro Schola" plaque. - Members of the school are regularly called upon to organize or assist with international programs; in 2008 students were invited as interpreters to EU-HUROMEX Firefighters' International Meeting.
Domestic connections
Varga is connected with both University of SzegedUniversity of Szeged
The University of Szeged is one of Hungary's most distinguished universities, and is among the most prominent higher education institutions in Central Europe...
and Semmelweis University
Semmelweis University
Founded in 1769, Semmelweis University is the oldest medical school in Hungary. The faculty became an independent medical school after the Second World War and developed into a university teaching medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, health sciences, health management as well as physical education and...
in Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
. It is also a reference school for the National Textbook Publications (Hung:
Hungarian language
Hungarian is a Uralic language, part of the Ugric group. With some 14 million speakers, it is one of the most widely spoken non-Indo-European languages in Europe....
Nemzeti Tankönyvkiadó). Under the direction of the Program for Quality Management Varga has also been partnered with the following companies and institutions: Office for Arany János Program, the primary schools of Szolnok which act as feeder schools for Varga, Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok County's European Information Point (Europe Direct), British Council, Association of Schools for Self-Development (Önfejlesztő Iskolák Egyesülete), Bilingual Schools Association (Két Tanítási Nyelvű Iskolák Egyesülete), County Pedagogical Institute (Megyei Pedagógiai Intézet), Center for Human Services (Humán Szolgáltató Központ), Educational Consulting Office of Szolnok (Városi Nevelési Tanácsadó), Contact, SI-CO Ltd., Tisza Park Ltd.
International connections since 1997
List of schools with which Varga has had continuing exchanges:| School Name (original language) | Location |
|---|---|
| Albert Einstein Secondary School (Albert-Einstein-Gimnazium) |
Reutlingen Reutlingen Reutlingen is a city in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is the capital of the eponymous district of Reutlingen. As of April 2008, it has a population of 109,828.... , Germany Germany Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate... |
| Vaskivuori Upper Secondary School (Vaskivuoren lukio) |
Vantaa Vantaa Vantaa is a city and municipality in Finland. Helsinki, Vantaa, Espoo and Kauniainen make up the Helsinki Metropolitan Area.Vantaa, with its population of , is the fourth most populated city of Finland. The biggest airport in Finland, the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, is located there... , Finland Finland Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside... |
| Vámbéry Ármin Secondary School (former name: Hungarian Language Secondary School) |
Dunaszerdahely, Slovakia Slovakia The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south... |
| Atlantic College Atlantic College The United World College of the Atlantic, also known as Atlantic College, is an international IB Diploma Programme boarding school in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1962, the school was the first of the United World Colleges and was among the first schools in the world to follow an international... |
Llantwit Major Llantwit Major Llantwit Major is a small coastal town and community in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, lying on the Bristol Channel coast. A small stream, the Afon Col-huw, runs through the town.-Local government:... , Wales Wales Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²... |
| Concordia University Concordia University Wisconsin Concordia University Wisconsin is a private liberal arts college located in Mequon, Wisconsin. The school is an affiliate of the 10-member Concordia University System, which is operated by the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod .... |
Mequon, WI Wisconsin Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is... , USA |
| Kent School of English | Broadstairs Broadstairs Broadstairs is a coastal town on the Isle of Thanet in the Thanet district of east Kent, England, about south-east of London. It is part of the civil parish of Broadstairs and St Peter's, which includes St. Peter's and had a population in 2001 of about 24,000. Situated between Margate and... , England England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental... |
| Gould Academy Gould Academy Gould Academy is a private, co-ed, college preparatory boarding and day school located in the small town of Bethel, Maine, United States. Founded in 1835, the school offers skiing and snowboarding programs, although unlike specialized "ski academies" it remains first and foremost a college-prep... |
Bethel Bethel, Maine Bethel is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,411 at the 2000 census. It includes the villages of West Bethel and South Bethel... , ME Maine Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost... , USA |
| Kilwinning Academy Kilwinning Academy Kilwinning Academy is a six year, co-educational comprehensive, non-denominational school with an agreed capacity of 1330 in Kilwinning, North Ayrshire, Scotland.... |
Kilwinning Kilwinning Kilwinning is a historic town in North Ayrshire, Scotland. It is known as The Crossroads of Ayrshire. The 2001 Census recorded it as having a population of 15,908.-History:... , Scotland Scotland Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the... |
| Immaculata Instituut | Brugge Brügge Brügge is a municipality in the district of Rendsburg-Eckernförde, in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.Its small church and market square are noted for their beauty.... –Sint-Michiels Sint-Michiels Sint-Michiels is a suburb of Bruges, in the province of West Flanders, Belgium.The amusement park Boudewijn Seapark with the dolphinarium is situated in Sint-Michiels.-External links:*... , Belgium Belgium Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many... |
| Växjö Katedralskola Katedralskolan, Växjö Katedralskolan is a high school in Växjö, Sweden. It was founded by queen Kristina in 1643 as the sixth gymnasium in Sweden with about 500 students.-History:The Cathedral School in Växjö has a very long history... |
Växjö Växjö Växjö is a city and the seat of Växjö Municipality, Kronoberg County, Sweden with 64 200 inhabitants in 2010. It is the administrative, cultural and industrial centre of Kronoberg County. Furthermore it is the episcopal see of the Diocese of Växjö. It has a population of about 64 200, out of a... , Sweden Sweden Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund.... |
| Shoham High School (תיכון שוהם) |
Shoham Shoham Shoham is a town in the Center District of Israel.According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics , Shoham's population in the end of 2007 was 19,400. Its jurisdiction is 5,889 dunams .... , Israel Israel The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea... |
| Kopernik Liceum (I Liceum Ogólnokształcącego im. M. Kopernika w Bielsku-Białej) |
Bielsko-Biała Bielsko-Biała -Economy and Industry:Nowadays Bielsko-Biała is one of the best-developed parts of Poland. It was ranked 2nd best city for business in that country by Forbes. About 5% of people are unemployed . Bielsko-Biała is famous for its textile, machine-building, and especially automotive industry... , Poland Poland Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north... |
| Niftarlake College | Utrecht Utrecht (city) Utrecht city and municipality is the capital and most populous city of the Dutch province of Utrecht. It is located in the eastern corner of the Randstad conurbation, and is the fourth largest city of the Netherlands with a population of 312,634 on 1 Jan 2011.Utrecht's ancient city centre features... –Maarssen Maarssen Maarssen is a town and former municipality in the Netherlands, in the province of Utrecht, along the river Vecht. It lies in an area called the Vechtstreek.On January 1, 2011 Maarssen merged with Breukelen and Loenen to Stichtse Vecht.... , Netherlands Netherlands The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders... |
| European School of Brussels I European School of Brussels I The European School of Brussels I is located in Uccle, Brussels, Belgium. Founded in 1958, it was the second European School in Europe. .... (Ecole Européenne de Bruxelles I Uccle) |
Brussels Brussels Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union... , Belgium Belgium Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many... |
Exchange programs can be made by a class or by a separate group of students. In the latter case, preference is given to students whose interests are best suited for the exchange, but the program is still open for all applicants. Varga also has a connection with the European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
in Strasbourg
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
via the Euroscola program. Exchanges are also facilitated through various sister cities of Szolnok, for example Yuza in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. Participating in an international program organised by three counties in Europe Varga also got connections in Somme
Somme
Somme is a department of France, located in the north of the country and named after the Somme river. It is part of the Picardy region of France....
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Durham
County Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
Student life
Another attractive feature of Varga is its rich and varied student life.From the 1930s until the 1960s there was a mandatory school uniform. This consisted of "dark blue sailor suit with white collar and cuffs, white blouse with blue collar and cuffs, as regulated. Uniform cap, blue for winter and white for summer, and white cotton gloves." Later added to this were "white blue-striped smock for everyday use, and a dark blue coat for winter," a spring jacket, and clothing and shoes suitable for exercising in. Nowadays the only uniform required is for the P.E. lessons, and students wear t-shirts with the school logo on them.
Traditions
Katalin DayThe so-called Katalin Day (in recent years, Katalin Week) is possible the most important event in Varga student life. It takes place in November, usually the week surrounding November 25, the feast day of St. Catherine
Catherine of Alexandria
Saint Catherine of Alexandria, also known as Saint Catherine of the Wheel and The Great Martyr Saint Catherine is, according to tradition, a Christian saint and virgin, who was martyred in the early 4th century at the hands of the pagan emperor Maxentius...
. The week is centered on the 9th grade classes and giving them an opportunity to introduce themselves to the school. The main event of the week is a show created by each of the 9th grade classes and performed for upperclassmen and teachers in Szolnok's Aba Novak Cultural Center or in the local Sport Arena. In addition to the show, each class has opportunities through the week to earn points for themselves (such as themed dress-up days, poster campaign, school quiz, etc.) to determine which class wins the week. 11.B class also presents a 'good bye' show for the senior classes.
October 23 and March 15
In Varga, the traditional celebration of October 23 is for the 11.D class to design the commemorative program (typically, speeches and poetry readings) and for a selected teacher to give the memorial speech. At this time the senior students also receive ribbons showing their school and year of Matura, which they can wear during the school year, as per Hungarian customs. The 15 March program is organized and carried out by the 10.C class. In addition to their program, speeches are also given by selected student and member of faculty. Location for these ceremonies is typically the Aba Novak Cultural Center of Szolnok or the courtyard of the school.
Christmas
In December programs are given by two senior classes. The 12.B class is responsible for the program at St. Nicholas' Day
Mikulás
Mikulás is the Hungarian version of Saint Nicholas, and a similar figure to Santa Claus. This tradition is also well-known in the Czech Republic , Slovakia, and Poland ....
. In the week preceding the Christmas break, the 12.C class goes caroling in English through the school.
School Leavers' Ball
The School Leavers' Ball in Varga is called the Tabló-bál. It gets its name from the tabló, which is a decorated placard created by each senior class containing pictures of the class and their teachers. The ball usually takes place in November a few weeks after the 23 October ribbon-pinning ceremony. The 11.C class is responsible for decoration of the event, which is normally held in Szolnok's City Sport Arena.
School Gala
The so-called School Gala, held annually since 1994, is a talent show for Varga students to show off their entertaining skills to their friends, family, and classmates. Nowadays it is usually held in Szolnok's Aba Novak Cultural Center or Szigligeti Theater. It has launched several Varga students into poetical and theatrical careers.
Sports Day
At the end of every school year the P.E. department organizes a Sports Day. As well as taking part in various sports competitions, the classes also compete in a cook-off. This event takes place either at Millér Park or at the sports facilities of the Szolnok Helicopter Base.
Student Symposium
Varga regularly organizes symposium days, in which numerous Hungarian and international secondary schools have participated. Some examples are the annual English Language Cultural Symposium and the Natural Sciences Symposium.
Student Clubs
Almost every subject in Varga Katalin Secondary School has its own related club. To name a few, there is a self-development club, a film club, and an arts club. Students' work can be seen and read in the "Vargánya" school literary magazine (whose editor, teacher István P. Nagy, also was co-editor of Hungarian literary publications "Eső" and "Torkolat"). There was also a library club, which acted as a four-year course preparing its members to take an exam in Librarian Studies. Earlier there were also a photography club and a music club. From the 1950s study rooms have been offered, which both provide the students a chance for extra studies with their teachers in the afternoon, as well as a supervised location. In 1980, as part of the Jubilee celebrations, the Former Students Friend Circle (Öreg Diákok Baráti Köre) was created.Religious Groups
Originally, two religious youth groups were formed by Religions teacher László Szabó in 1932: the Guards of the Sacred Heart (Sziv-Gárda) and the Congregation of Mary (Mária Kongregáció). (Although both groups were Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
, the institution has always provided Calvinist, Lutheran, and Jewish religious education as well.) The aim of the groups, and of their successors, the Saint Elisabeth
Elisabeth of Hungary
Elizabeth of Hungary, T.O.S.F., was a princess of the Kingdom of Hungary, Countess of Thuringia, Germany and a greatly-venerated Catholic saint. Elizabeth was married at the age of 14, and widowed at 20. She then became one of the first members of the newly-founded Third Order of St. Francis,...
Guards of the Sacred Heart and the Congregation of Blessed Margaret
Saint Margaret of Hungary
Saint Margaret was a nun and the daughter of King Béla IV and Maria Laskarina. She was the niece of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary and the younger sister of Saint Kinga and Blessed Yolanda.-Early life:...
(a Szent Erzsébet szívgárda és a Boldog Margit kongregáció), was to both provide religious education, as well as having members regularly offer support, offerings, and acts of good will. The older students were usually members of the Congregation, while younger students were in the Guard. They met fortnightly. At its peak the organizations together contained more than 150 members.
Sports
On 7 October 1933 the school's Sports Club was initiated with a school-wide competition which has been repeated annually ever since. The original club included gymnastics, athletics, rhythmic dance, swimming, and other games. The club gave dance performances year after year in the Szigligeti Theater. In February 1935 they performed a show called "Student Dream" (Diákálom) about a student's first day at the girls' school. The club began functioning even before the gym had been built, so physical education classes were held in a normal classroom. In 1936 the Sports club inaugurated the tennis court in the school's courtyard, and later the basketball court and the winter ice-skating rink.
Girl Scouts
In October 1935 a Girl Scout
Girl Guides
A Guide, Girl Guide or Girl Scout is a member of a section of some Guiding organisations who is between the ages of 10 and 14. Age limits are different in each organisation. It is the female-centred equivalent of the Scouts. The term Girl Scout is used in the United States and several East Asian...
troop was formed in the school, which in the following year received the name "Bánffy Katalin" Troop 130. The troop, whose members numbers about 50, held weekly meetings during which they sang, practiced homemaking skills, made excursions, and had lessons in book-binding and first aid. On 9 January 1937 they held their first performance in Szigligeti Theater. From 1938 they took place in the national Scout Jamboree.
Literary Circle
From the 1930s
1930s
File:1930s decade montage.png|From left, clockwise: Dorothea Lange's photo of the homeless Florence Thompson show the effects of the Great Depression; Due to the economic collapse, the farms become dry and the Dust Bowl spreads through America; The Battle of Wuhan during the Second Sino-Japanese...
the school has had a literary debate society. Its goal was self-cultivation mainly through various literary works, but also by examining musical works as well, and works from other cultures. The circle was led by painter and art history teacher Sándor Baranyó in the 1960s.
Poetry Club
The school also has a successful poetry and spoken work club. In Szolnok's 2009 Megavers competition, Varga student Ágnes Barta received first place. Three members of the club also received the Kazinczy Commemorative Medal: Soma Zámbori, Szargit Szarbari, and László Bogár; the latter two also received it as university students. The poetry reading traditions reach back to the original Poetry and Reading Club begun in 1935.
Thespis Teatrum Drama Club
The school's current drama club was set up by Zoltán Fodor in 1997, at which time
one of the classes performed the musical Hair
Hair (musical)
Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical is a rock musical with a book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni and music by Galt MacDermot. A product of the hippie counter-culture and sexual revolution of the 1960s, several of its songs became anthems of the anti-Vietnam War peace movement...
. The show was a success, earning second place in a local competition and fourth nationally. In the following years, students from all classes took place in the productions. The performances regularly place in the top four in national competitions, which have been held in Kecskemét
Kecskemét
Kecskemét is a city in the central part of Hungary. It is the 8th largest city of the country, and the county seat of Bács-Kiskun.Kecskemét lies halfway between the capital Budapest and the country's third-largest city, Szeged, 86 kilometres from both of them and almost equal distance from the two...
, Debrecen
Debrecen
Debrecen , is the second largest city in Hungary after Budapest. Debrecen is the regional centre of the Northern Great Plain region and the seat of Hajdú-Bihar county.- Name :...
, Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
, Gyomaendrőd
Gyomaendrod
Gyomaendrőd is a town in Békés county, in the Southern Great Plain region of south-east Hungary. It is located at around .-Geography:It covers an area of 303.98 km² and has a population of 15.523 people .-Famous people:*János Pásztor, sculptor...
and Solymár
Solymár
Solymár is a village northwest of Budapest, beyond the 3rd and 2nd districts of the city: Nagykovácsi, Pilisszentiván, Pilisvörösvár, Csobánka, Pilisborosjenő, and Üröm...
. In 1999 the club, along with other international drama groups, was invited to Durham
Durham
Durham is a city in north east England. It is within the County Durham local government district, and is the county town of the larger ceremonial county...
for the performance of the UNICEF-created children's rights musical "Thursday's Child". In 2002 and subsequent two years through the Arany János Program for Talented Youth the club took place in the National Drama Camp. Also in 2002 they were invited to Växjö
Växjö
Växjö is a city and the seat of Växjö Municipality, Kronoberg County, Sweden with 64 200 inhabitants in 2010. It is the administrative, cultural and industrial centre of Kronoberg County. Furthermore it is the episcopal see of the Diocese of Växjö. It has a population of about 64 200, out of a...
. From 2005 they have regularly been invited to perform at Gould Academy
Gould Academy
Gould Academy is a private, co-ed, college preparatory boarding and day school located in the small town of Bethel, Maine, United States. Founded in 1835, the school offers skiing and snowboarding programs, although unlike specialized "ski academies" it remains first and foremost a college-prep...
in Bethel, Maine
Bethel, Maine
Bethel is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,411 at the 2000 census. It includes the villages of West Bethel and South Bethel...
USA. Currently the "Student Stage" is led by former student Márton Kovács and his mother Zsuzsa Boross Mrs. Kovács, who is a teacher in the school.
Past performances by year:
- 1998 – HairHair (musical)Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical is a rock musical with a book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni and music by Galt MacDermot. A product of the hippie counter-culture and sexual revolution of the 1960s, several of its songs became anthems of the anti-Vietnam War peace movement...
- 1999 – GreaseGrease (musical)Grease is a 1971 musical by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. The musical is named for the 1950s United States working-class youth subculture known as the greasers. The musical, set in 1959 at fictional Rydell High School , follows ten working-class teenagers as they navigate the complexities of love,...
- 1999 – István ÖrkényIstván ÖrkényIstván Örkény was a Hungarian writer. A typical feature of his plays and novels is satiric view and creation of grotesque situations.- Life :...
's short storiesShort storyA short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because... - 1999 – Thursday’s Child
- 2000 – Gábor Czakó: Disznójáték
- 2001 – Angels’ Court
- 2001 – Károly Szakonyi: Black-outAdáshibaAdáshiba is a Hungarian play, written by Károly Szakonyi. It was first produced in 1970....
- 2002 – Melchior LengyelMelchior LengyelMelchior Lengyel was a Hungarian writer, dramatist, and film screenwriter.-Biography:Lengyel was born Lebovics Menyhért in Balmazújváros, Hungary. He started his career as a journalist...
: Shadow - 2002 – Petőfi Sándor: A helység kalapácsa
- 2003 – Mihály Csokonai VitézMihály Csokonai VitézMihály Csokonai Vitéz was a Hungarian poet.Having been educated in Debrecen, where he was born, Csokonai was appointed while still very young to the professorship of poetry there...
: Dorottya - 2003 – Jerry BockJerry BockJerrold Lewis "Jerry" Bock was an American musical theater composer. He received the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama with Sheldon Harnick for their 1959 musical Fiorello! and the Tony Award for Best Composer and Lyricist for the 1964 musical Fiddler on the Roof with...
: Fiddler on the RoofFiddler on the RoofFiddler on the Roof is a musical with music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and book by Joseph Stein, set in Tsarist Russia in 1905. It is based on Tevye and his Daughters by Sholem Aleichem... - 2003 – Murray SchisgalMurray SchisgalMurray Schisgal is an American playwright and screenwriter.Native New Yorker Schisgal won his first recognition for the 1963 off-Broadway double-bill The Typists and The Tiger, which won him the Drama Desk Award. His 1965 Broadway debut, Luv, earned him Tony Award nominations for Best Play and...
: The Typists - 2004 – Ede SzigligetiEde SzigligetiEde Szigligeti was a Hungarian dramatist.He was born József Szathmáry, at Nagyvárad-Olaszi . His parents would have made him a priest; he wanted to be a great doctor; finally he entered the office of an engineer...
: LiliomfiLiliomfiLiliomfi is a 1954 Hungarian comedy film directed by Károly Makk. It was entered into the 1955 Cannes Film Festival.-Cast:* Iván Darvas - Liliomfi* Marianne Krencsey - Mariska* Margit Dajka - Camilla* Samu Balázs - Szilvay professzor... - 2004 – Övön alul
- 2004 – Harold PinterHarold PinterHarold Pinter, CH, CBE was a Nobel Prize–winning English playwright and screenwriter. One of the most influential modern British dramatists, his writing career spanned more than 50 years. His best-known plays include The Birthday Party , The Homecoming , and Betrayal , each of which he adapted to...
: The Birthday PartyThe Birthday Party (play)The Birthday Party is the first full-length play by Harold Pinter and one of Pinter's best-known and most-frequently performed plays... - 2005 – Sławomir Mrożek: Tango
- 2005 – Cats
- 2006 – Monty PythonMonty PythonMonty Python was a British surreal comedy group who created their influential Monty Python's Flying Circus, a British television comedy sketch show that first aired on the BBC on 5 October 1969. Forty-five episodes were made over four series...
: Eric, the Viking - 2007 – Canterbury tales
- 2009 – Sławomir Mrożek: Widows
The club has performed several plays for years and made several revivals.
Choirs
In the 11th class, students can choose which art subject to participate in (practice singing, art practice, art history, descriptive geometry). Those who choose singing automatically become members of the sining club, but others are also welcome to join. The school also has a men's choir. The choir and the other singing groups perform on a regular basis, among which the Christmas concert is especially prominent. The concert takes place annually in one of the churches of Szolnok.
In addition the group has also traveled abroad; about an exchange with Finland one choir member said, "the two schools exchanged not only experiences, but sounds/voices as well."”
Model European Parliament
The school has taken part - representing the country of Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
- in the program since its beginning in Hungary in 2003. The corresponding student club was set up as a place to prepare for the meetings, most importantly by discussion and debate about current political events. In 2004 the school hosted the second National Session, in 2009 the school received students from many member countries of the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
.
First endowments and the Szolnok Society of Friends of the Lyceum
The school's first endowment was the 250 pengőPengo
Pengo may refer to:*Pengo , a 1982 video arcade game from Sega*Hungarian pengő, the name of an old Hungarian currency*Pengo language, a Dravidian language spoken in south central India...
offered by Dr. István Elek, the interest of which was always awarded to a student with outstanding performance.
Other than this, even before the establishment of the school there was the Society of Friends of the Lyceum (Leányliceum Barátainak Egyesülete), which helped the school financially, assisted the renovation of the school building, and oversaw alumni functions.
The Bánffy Katalin – Varga Katalin Endowment
This endowment aims to help students' educational progress by supporting and giving funds for language exams, language camps, admission exams preparation, in-field practice, textbooks, debate competitions, and travel abroad. In addition the endowment also provides funds for teachers' professional training.The Vargánya Student Endowment
Its primary goal is the encouragement of student life and activities which are not covered by the Bánffy–Varga endowment. It also organizes programs and outings for students, supports student council, and student sports. It also supports the school's ongoing Child- and Youth-Protection programs and provided assistance for socially vulnerable and disadvantaged children. The endowment also finances the publication of the student newspaper, Vargánya, anthologies, and year books.The "Pro Schola" award
The "Pro Schola" award is given annually to those who spiritually, materialistically, or through physical labor improve the school. The award is a plaque, designed by sculptor and teacher István Nagy, which contains the name of the award in HungarianHungarian language
Hungarian is a Uralic language, part of the Ugric group. With some 14 million speakers, it is one of the most widely spoken non-Indo-European languages in Europe....
: A Varga Katalin Gimnáziumért. It also contains the years of the foundation of the school, 1930, and the foundation of the award, 1980, as well as the name of Szolnok. There are also two pictures on the plaque: relay racers on the left and students sitting around a table on the right.
- Mrs. Dr. László Bartha (headmistressat the time of the award, s/he had already graduated or retired)
- Dr. Ottó Welker (Ministry head adviser)
- Ferenc Csányi (Parent Teacher Association president)
- Dr. Irma Juhász (school doctor)
- Lajos Porcsalmi (executive county adviser)
- Dr. József Bernáth (candidate)
- László Kővári (executive county adviser)
- István Paál (head director of Szolnok's Szigligeti Theater)
- Kossuth Lajos TudományegyetemUniversity of DebrecenThe University of Debrecen is a university located in Debrecen, Hungary. It is the oldest continuously operating institution of higher education in Hungary .-History:...
Faculty of Science - Great Hungarian Plains Oil Production Firm (Nagyalföldi Kőolajtermelő Vállalat)
- Szolnok Radio station (Szolnoki Rádióállomás)
- Corps 6814 of the Hungarian People's Army
- János Kardos (manager of MEZŐGÉP)
- István Dusa (County Planning Board employee)
- Dr. Ilona Vértes (first teacher)
- Mrs. Antal Kocsány (teacher)
- Mária Nagy (teacher)
- Erzsébet Ölbey (teacher)
- Ildikó Csábi
- Dr. Piroska Muzsi (teacher)
- Dr. Zoltán Kovács (teacher)
- Mrs. Béla Varga (caretaker)
- Mrs. László Szabó (teacher)
- Mrs. Károly Csendes (teacher)
- Dr. János Páldi (headmaster)
- Endre Kádas (secretary of the Young Communist League)
- Gábor Kopiás (student)
- Katalin Pozsonyi (student)
- János Györgyey (student)
- László Szudi (secretary of the Young Communist League)
- Gizella Árgyelán
- Dr. József Horváth
- Margit Pintér (teacher)
- László Bérczes (teacher)
- Károly Fazekas
- Mrs. Lajos Botka (headmistress)
- Antal Fábián
- Kálmán Mihály
- Viktor Rónay (teacher)
- Dr. Ottó Mihály
- István Mihályi
- Miklós Kádár
- Mrs. Árpád Antóni
- Mrs. János Czakó
- Mrs. Ferenc Szép (teacher)
- Tibor Fekete
- Gábor Sajti
- Mrs. Emil Zsidai
- Mrs. Miklós Petrásovits
- Erik Szarvas
- Katalin Csomor
- Zoltán Bakos
- Mrs. Elemér Pafféri (teacher)
- Elemér Pafféri (teacher)
- Mrs. Kálmán Peták (teacher)
- Mónika Kedves
- László Botka (student)
- Erika Vékony (teacher)
- Márta Balogh (teacher)
- István Válé
- Dr. Katalin Zsuga, Mrs. Várhelyi
- Mrs. Tibor Horváth (teacher)
- Márta Imre Mrs. Nagy (teacher)
- Éva Kálmán
- Greg Waldrip (guest teacher)
- Mrs. László Bartha (teacher)
- Petra Péter
- Ilona Nagy, Mrs. Dalmadi (teacher)
- Róza Szabó (teacher)
- Zsuzsa Gábor Szabó
- Zoltán Kurucz
- Henriett Bartha
- Éva Mészáros (teacher)
- Miklós Csete
- Sándor Werovszky
- Dr. István Szalay
- Irén Böröcz, Mrs. Szügyi (teacher)
- Mrs. István Dencső
- Tisza Klub
- class 12/A (form teacher: Ilona Szakálos Mrs. Mrená)
- Zsófia Lázár
- Dr. Marianna Szlovák Mrs. Juhász (teacher)
- Mrs. Árpád Bíró (assistant)
- Éva Magócs (teacher)
- Géza Herczeg
- Judit Petraskó
- Ádám Viplak (student)
- Zoltán Fodor (teacher)
- Tamás Krämer
- Éva Muhari (teacher)
- László Kiss (deputy headmaster)
- Zoltán Pafféri
- Szilvia Lakatos
- Erika Munkácsi (teacher)
- Koppány Karsay
- Csilla Várhelyi
- Mrs. Sándor Karakas
- Máté Fodor (student)
- Márton Kovács (student)
- Tibor Nagy (teacher)
- Gábor Ónódi (student)
- Zoltán Nagy (student)
- Mrs. József Molnár (parent)
- István Szűcs (custodian)
- Mrs. József Mucsi (teacher)
- István Makai (student)
- Erzsébet Pásztrai (teacher, librarian)
- Mrs. Árpád Bíró her second time receiving the award
- Mens chamber choir
- Mária Büttner Mrs. Molnár (teacher)
- Ágnes Magyar Mrs. Oláh (school secretary)
- Irén Antal Mrs. Pintér (school secretary)
- Máté Bányi (student)
Enrollment statistics
The school began with only 38 students, but by 1938 (the year by which all 8 grades began operating) this had increased to almost three hundred. Until the Second World War the number of students remained between two and three hundred; after it dropped to less than two hundred in most years. From 1945 when four-year education began, the students were divided into multiple classes. At first there were two classes, which in 1957 expanded to three, and in 1959 to four, at which time classes were also being held in afternoon sessions. From this time enrollment expanded steadily; in 1962 it reached 491 students, but in this year the Tiszaparti Secondary School was split out of Varga, so the number was reduced to 240. From this point the number of students again rose steadily and in the 2000s has consistently been above 500 students.| Number of students by grade, under the 8-year system, 1930–1952 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Year | I. | II. | III. | IV. | V. | VI. | VII. | VIII. | Total |
| 1930/31 | 38 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 38 |
| 1931/32 | 27 | 41 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 68 |
| 1932/33 | 41 | 26 | 46 | - | - | - | - | - | 113 |
| 1933/34 | 44 | 36 | 30 | 52 | - | - | - | - | 162 |
| 1934/35 | 39 | 37 | 35 | 29 | 47 | - | - | - | 187 |
| 1935/36 | 40 | 41 | 36 | 34 | 23 | 44 | - | - | 218 |
| 1936/37 | 40 | 43 | 44 | 35 | 36 | 24 | 42 | - | 263 |
| 1937/38 | 54 | 44 | 48 | 45 | 28 | 34 | 31 | 43 | 317 |
| 1938/39 | 42 | 52 | 41 | 50 | 40 | 23 | 27 | 21 | 296 |
| 1939/40 | 44 | 36 | 50 | 34 | 29 | 37 | 22 | 27 | 280 |
| 1940/41 | 41 | 38 | 35 | 44 | 21 | 26 | 31 | 21 | 257 |
| 1941/42 | 46 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 29 | 17 | 26 | 30 | 253 |
| 1942/43 | 45 | 49 | 33 | 31 | 36 | 26 | 16 | 24 | 260 |
| 1943/44 | 42 | 42 | 48 | 36 | 33 | 31 | 24 | 16 | 172 |
| 1944/45 | 22 | 25 | 16 | 28 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 148 |
| 1945/46A nyolcosztályos általános iskola szervezése | - | 38 | 50 | 41 | 44 | 29 | 25 | 25 | 253 |
| 1946/47 | 1 | 2 | 36 | 35 | 35 | 39 | 23 | 22 | 194 |
| 1947/48 | - | - | 2 | 40 | 37 | 31 | 35 | 25 | 170 |
| 1948/49 | - | - | - | - | 46 | 34 | 35 | 28 | 143 |
| 1949/50 | - | - | - | - | Because of the educational system change, these number can be seen in the other chart | 43 | 32 | 33 | 195 |
| 1950/51 | - | - | - | - | 42 | 30 | 213 | ||
| 1951/52 | - | - | - | - | 40 | 231 |
|
| Number of students by grade and class, 1980–present | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | | I. | | II. | | III. | | IV. | | | | Total | |||||||||||||||||
| A | B | C | D | A | B | C | D | A | B | C | D | A | B | C | D | ||||||||
| 1980/81 | 38 | 38 | 28 | - | - | 39 | 39 | - | - | - | 37 | 35 | 23 | - | - | 35 | 31 | - | - | - | - | - | 343 |
| 1981/82 | 38 | 38 | - | - | - | 38 | 28 | 28 | - | - | 38 | 38 | - | - | - | 37 | 35 | 24 | - | - | - | - | 342 |
| 1982/83 | 38 | 38 | 25 | - | - | 39 | 36 | - | - | - | 37 | 36 | 28 | - | - | 38 | 38 | - | - | - | - | - | 353 |
| 1983/84 | 37 | 37 | - | - | - | 38 | 38 | 26 | - | - | 39 | 37 | - | - | - | 38 | 35 | 28 | - | - | - | - | 353 |
| 1984/85 | 37 | 37 | 30 | - | - | 36 | 36 | - | - | - | 38 | 39 | 26 | - | - | 39 | 37 | - | - | - | - | - | 355 |
| 1985/86 | 38 | 38 | - | - | - | 38 | 35 | 30 | - | - | 36 | 35 | - | - | - | 36 | 37 | 25 | - | - | - | - | 348 |
| 1986/87 | 23 | 29 | 30 | - | - | 38 | 37 | - | - | - | 37 | 36 | 31 | - | - | 36 | 36 | - | - | - | - | - | 333 |
| 1987/88 | 31 | 32 | 25 | - | - | 23 | 29 | 32 | - | - | 39 | 39 | - | - | - | 38 | 36 | 30 | - | - | - | - | 354 |
| 1988/89Beginning in the 1988/89 school year, the C class was designated as the bilingual Hungarian-English class. | 37 | 36 | 23 | - | - | 31 | 33 | 27 | - | - | 24 | 29 | 32 | - | - | 39 | 39 | - | - | - | - | - | 350 |
| 1989/90 | 31 | 28 | 28 | 27 | - | 36 | 35 | 24 | - | - | 31 | 32 | 29 | - | - | 24 | 29 | 32 | - | - | - | - | 386 |
| 1990/91 | 37 | 37 | 30 | - | - | 33 | 28 | 29 | 28 | - | 36 | 35 | 24 | - | - | 31 | 30 | 29 | - | - | - | - | 407 |
| 1991/92 | 31 | 35 | 27 | - | - | 37 | 37 | 30 | - | - | 33 | 27 | 25 | 28 | - | 36 | 36 | 22 | - | - | - | - | 404 |
| 1992/93 | 36 | 34 | 28 | - | - | 31 | 36 | 27 | - | - | 39 | 37 | 31 | - | - | 34 | 27 | 27 | 26 | - | - | - | 413 |
| 1993/94 | 30 | 28 | 24 | 19 | - | 36 | 35 | 28 | - | - | 32 | 36 | 24 | - | - | 39 | 35 | 31 | - | - | - | - | 397 |
| 1994/95 | 30 | 28 | 25 | 29 | - | 31 | 29 | 23 | 21 | - | 36 | 35 | 30 | - | - | 32 | 36 | 23 | - | - | - | - | 408 |
| 1995/96 | 31 | 26 | 25 | 25 | - | 31 | 27 | 26 | 30 | - | 31 | 29 | 24 | 22 | - | 35 | 34 | 23 | - | - | - | - | 419 |
| Year | | 9. | | 10. | | 11. | | 12. | | 13. | | | |||||||||||||||||
| A | B | C | D | E | A | B | C | D | E | A | B | C | D | E | A | B | C | D | E | A | E | ||
| 1996/97 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 28 | - | 31 | 28 | 25 | 25 | - | 29 | 27 | 31 | 30 | - | 31 | 29 | 25 | 22 | - | - | - | 454 |
| 1997/98 | 33 | 34 | 30 | 33 | - | 30 | 32 | 32 | 28 | - | 31 | 28 | 27 | 26 | - | 31 | 27 | 30 | 26 | - | - | - | 478 |
| 1998/99 | 33 | 33 | 30 | 29 | - | 36 | 34 | 30 | 33 | - | 29 | 32 | 29 | 28 | - | 31 | 26 | 25 | 24 | - | - | - | 482 |
| 1999/00 | 29 | 29 | 35 | 28 | - | 32 | 33 | 31 | 30 | - | 38 | 32 | 35 | 30 | - | 27 | 32 | 30 | 28 | - | - | - | 499 |
| 2000/01Beginning in the 2000/01 school year the E class, and from the following year the A class, was designated as the Arany János Program for Talented Youth. | 32 | 28 | 32 | 30 | 23 | 29 | 29 | 35 | 28 | - | 34 | 35 | 33 | 28 | - | 34 | 33 | 35 | 30 | - | - | - | 528 |
| 2001/02 | 25 | 30 | 35 | 35 | - | 31 | 28 | 33 | 30 | 22 | 27 | 32 | 36 | 28 | - | 34 | 33 | 33 | 28 | - | - | - | 520 |
| 2002/03 | 26 | 31 | 31 | 33 | - | 25 | 31 | 35 | 35 | - | 31 | 29 | 33 | 28 | 22 | 28 | 31 | 36 | 28 | - | - | - | 513 |
| 2003/04 | 31 | 35 | 34 | 34 | - | 25 | 30 | 31 | 33 | - | 25 | 33 | 35 | 34 | - | 31 | 29 | 34 | 26 | 22 | - | - | 522 |
| 2004/05 | 29 | 33 | 30 | 31 | - | 30 | 35 | 35 | 34 | - | 24 | 29 | 32 | 35 | - | 24 | 33 | 30 | 34 | - | - | 22 | 520 |
| 2005/06 | ? | ? | ? | ? | - | ? | ? | ? | ? | - | ? | ? | ? | ? | - | ? | ? | ? | ? | - | ? | - | ? |
| 2006/07 | ? | 34 | 32 | ? | - | ? | ? | ? | ? | - | ? | ? | ? | ? | - | ? | ? | ? | ? | - | ? | - | ? |
| 2007/08 | 29 | 30 | 32 | 30 | - | 33 | 35 | 32 | 35 | - | 25 | 31 | 31 | 29 | - | 27 | 34 | 28 | 29 | - | 29 | - | 519 |
| 2008/09 | 25 | 35 | 31 | 38 | - | 26 | 31 | 30 | 29 | - | 31 | 36 | 30 | 35 | - | 24 | 31 | 31 | 29 | - | 25 | - | 517 |