In autumn 2018 the «Theaterwerkstatt Freigymi» drama society is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Such a special occasion calls for a special production: FAME – The Musical. A production that draws on all the artistic potential that our students have to offer. For the first and only time, teachers are also participating as actors in this unique anniversary performance.
2018
With the launch of the concept «Bring Your Own Device» in the upper school of the Gymnasium, FGZ is responding to the profound change in writing and media culture triggered by digitalization. Starting in the autumn semester 2017/2018, all pupils in the upper school will take their own tablets or convertibles into their daily lessons. The electronic equipment will not only store their digital exercise books but will also be used as multifunctional devices for new forms of learning. Through the practical and targeted integration of digital media and equipment in the classroom, FGZ aims to create optimal conditions for both pupils and teachers to acquire and expand their digital skills. On the path to achieving digital maturity at FGZ, the focus is not only on the productive use of the devices, but also on the mindful approach and critical examination of digital media and data in general. The newly created Genius Bars, which are regularly offered by teachers for teachers, serve as a central platform for further in-house training and discussions in the digital field.
2017
Christine Aerne Corcoran is the new Vice Principal of Freies Gymnasium Zürich and the successor to Hans Rudolf Bühlmann. The Romance Studies graduate, who will take up her post as Vice Principal at the beginning of the 2018/19 academic year, has been teaching French and Italian at FGZ for the past 21 years. Christine Aerne is the first woman to join the school management team in the almost 130-year history of FGZ.
2017
After several months of reconstruction and renovation work, the new library will be inaugurated at the end of November with a series of witty lectures and insightful panel discussions. The speakers at the opening ceremony of the new FGZ Library include Manfred Papst, Head of the Culture Department at NZZ am Sonntag newspaper, and Dr. Michael Hagner, Professor of Science Studies at ETH Zurich. In their masterly and entertaining speeches, both speakers will extol the value and significance of “books” which still occupy a unique place in our culture. The newly designed library at FGZ not only offers space for books and reading, but also has a practical role to play in our everyday school life as a place of learning, study, presentation and encounter.
2016
«Education takes time. Writing takes time. Good lessons take time. » (R). In order to meet these pedagogical and technical demands, the 40-minute lessons, which have been the norm at FGZ for over 100 years, will be combined into 80-minute long lessons starting this autumn semester. The extended lessons should not just have a calming effect on the daily timetable, thus helping students to maintain their focus, but should also make it possible to individualise lessons in response to different learning requirements and to encourage independence. In addition, this innovation is intended to be used as a means of promoting writing in the spirit of the writing school project. The new long lessons also allow more flexibility for teachers when designing and structuring their lessons. What is more, the time gained by combining lessons facilitates a later start to the school day in tune with the biological rhythm of young people.
2016
The school writing project will be launched at the beginning of the 2015/2016 school year. The focus of this project is on the constant development and promotion of basic language skills, practical work on words and sentences, and targeted support for writing in class. The school writing project above all strives to do justice to the fact that writing is a key competence in everyday school, study and professional life. At the same time, the project aims to counteract the increasing writing deficit seen in many students attending universities at an early stage. In addition to practical writing support at all levels of the school, this academic year will also see the launch of the student newspaper «FGZ Life», providing opportunities for individual writing challenges, as well as writing events such as application workshops for students in their final year of school.
2015
«What began as a dream, was articulated as an idea and discussed at length [becomes …] reality: the new 5th grade primary class at FGZ!» (RH). The new preparatory class 5, consisting of 16 pupils led by a class teacher and accommodated on the 6th floor, benefits from high-quality primary school education at FGZ. Since some of their lessons are taught by Gymnasium teachers, the pupils also have the opportunity to gain an insight into the following class, preparatory class 6, as well as the world of the Gymnasium in line with the requirements of both children and parents. The cornerstone of the new preparatory class 5 and one important feature that sets it apart from the state school is the inclusion of a half-day project morning on the timetable every week. Pupils are able to pursue their own interests and explore their personal abilities in this project morning with the guidance and individual support of both their class teacher and a Gymnasium teacher.
2015
Starting this school year, FGZ’s relationship with the outside world has found new expression and focus in its cooperation with Sydney Grammar School (SGS) and the student exchange programme involving the two schools. In spite of the geographic distance between these two renowned educational institutions, which have both existed for over 100 years, they have much in common regarding the values and traditions that characterise them. This facilitates cooperation between the schools and helps to make the student exchange an enriching experience for all concerned. A delegation of Australian students attends FGZ for some weeks in December and subsequently spends the Christmas holidays with their Swiss host families. In return a group of students from our school flies to Sydney mid-April to first enjoy the spring holidays with their Australian host families and later to become integrated in SGS classes.
2014
Founded in 1888 by three fathers and with just six students, the FGZ has grown to be an important institution in Zurich. With its preparatory classes, the Progymnasium and the lower and upper schools of the Gymnasium, the FGZ stands out due to its wide range of educational programmes and variety of options to switch from one educational level to another. In just 13 years, the FGZ has become a leading school in the bilingual sector, educating approximately a third of all 470 students bilingually. The students, teachers, parents and alumni proudly look back on the achievements of 2013. Throughout the year, events took place that reflected the diversity of our school (see chapter «125 Jahre-Jubiliäum» / «125 years of FGZ»).
2013
«I don't need to act to live.» The speaker is a star of both German and international cinema who has remained true to himself. The young people assembled in the auditorium believe him immediately. «Just a normal guy with a wife and a child» is what he is, says Moritz Bleibtreu. At home he is just Moritz.
Maximilian Schell, the world famous Oscar-winning actor, director, producer and translator visited his old school, Freies Gymnasium Zürich yesterday. The Swiss celebrity’s first visit in 63 years turned out to be a nostalgic reunion.
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Film
On 16 March 2011 the students of «The bilingual way at FGZ» received a royal visit. Together with his friends, John Hope Bryant, Advisor to Barack Obama and two former presidents, and Pekka Himanen, Professor of Philosophy and Head of the Institute for Information and Technology in Helsinki, His Royal Highness Prince Hakoon from Norway visited the school as part of the «Global Dignity» project.
Freies Gymnasium Zürich receives a new look. The logo has been redesigned meaning that the school takes on a new, fresh and contemporary look. In a series of steps all the school’s communication media will be adapted to the new corporate design.
2010
The Bilingual Middleschool Zurich is integrated into Freies Gymnasium Zürich. The partner school, Lakeside School Küsnacht, sells its 50% share to Freies Gymnasium Zürich. The limited company is dissolved and the bilingual education programmes are integrated into Freies Gymnasium Zürich’s range of education programmes. The close collaboration with Lakeside School is now regulated with a cooperation contract.
2009
With the opening of our bilingual lower school of the Gymnasium, it is now possible for students to go bilingual all the way - from primary school right through to Swiss Matura.
2008The innovations agreed at the school development seminar at the Wolfsberg conference centre are implemented: accentuation of the Matura phase, introduction of a community service activity during the 5th year, and increased support and supervision over lunchtime to expand our school day structure.
2007
Following an intensive selection process, Dr. Thomas Bernet, Head of School of Academia Engiadina, is elected as Principal of Freies Gymnasium Zürich.
2006
The incumbent principal, Beat Sommer, answers the call to head up the Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz. Dr. Hans Berger becomes interim principal.
2005
Freies Gymnasium Zürich becomes a pioneer in the canton: launch of the Bilingual Middleschool Zurich with immersion teaching in English / German. Freies Gymnasium Zürich initiates this new education programme in collaboration with its partner school, Lakeside School Küsnacht ensuring a seamless transition from the bilingual primary school level.
Freies Gymnasium Zürich is the first Gymnasium in the canton to start a bilingual education programme in the upper school of the Gymnasium («Economics and Law» study profile).
Freies Gymnasium Zürich launches its website.
1999
Start of the Gymnasium education in accordance with the new Swiss Matura regulations in the upper school of the Gymnasium. Core subjects and supplementary subjects (study profile) replace the former Matura categories.
Since 1999, the Theaterwerkstatt has staged a major drama production featuring our students every year. The Theaterwerkstatt Freies Gymnasium Zürich benefits from professional leadership in the main artistic areas and has become an important institution in our school.
The incumbent principal, Rev. Markus Zbären, retires. Beat Sommer, Coordinator of Boarding at the Lyceum Alpinum in Zuoz, is elected as new principal.
For the first time in the Canton of Zurich, English is introduced on the timetable for the 1st secondary class and, from the second term, for the 1st Gymnasium classes.
In conjunction with the rescheduled start of the school year from spring to late summer, it is decided to abolish the probationary period to allow students the time to settle in at the school.
1995
The first class of the Economics Gymnasium takes the Matura examinations. The Matura Type E programme at Freies Gymnasium Zürich receives state recognition.
1994
A computer room makes it possible to introduce IT teaching at the school
1991
Opening of the Economics Gymnasium with 21 students.
In order to reply to requests for more supervision and to adapt to social changes, this year sees the start of homework support and school lunches. The demand for these services experiences a steady increase over the following years and they have become an important part of our school structure today. The voluntary lunchtime support offered by mothers and fathers strengthens the bond between parents and Freies Gymnasium Zürich.
EDP lessons are integrated into the timetables.
The school’s centenary celebrations open on 7 May with an official ceremony in the Neumunster Church followed by lunch on the school premises. Two hundred invited guests, including many from the world of politics and business, as well as all those belonging to the school enjoy the speech given by the Rector of Zurich University, Professor H. H. Schmid, as well as numerous good-humoured toasts and after-dinner speeches. In June, on the day dedicated to the students, the entire school travels to Obersee by special train, enjoys sports and games on the banks of the lake in Bollingen and then strolls to Rapperswil where the school community boards a steamship to take everybody back to Zurich. A lively school party with 2,000 visitors, all members of the Freies Gymnasium Zürich extended family, brings the celebrations to a grand conclusion on 28 October.
1988
In 1988 the Education Council of the Canton of Zurich grants permission for Freies Gymnasium Zürich to run the Matura Type E programme from the 1989/90 school year.
1986
Rev. Scheitlin resigns and Rev. Markus Zbären is named as new principal. Like his predecessors, he possesses the remarkable gift of exuding great human warmth while, at the same time, being very down to earth and purposeful - all qualities essential for successful school leadership.
1985
The Matura graduates establish the «Trübelitag» tradition by distributing fresh grapes (Swiss German: Trübeli) to the entire school community on the day that they complete their Matura exams. At this time the Matura exams took place in autumn. After the rescheduling of the beginning of the school year in 1989, the dates of the Matura are also changed. Nevertheless the «Trübelitag» tradition has continued in another form (although without fresh grapes).
1985
The steady increase in the number of pupils during the 1950s leads to the building of the new school premises in Seefeld alongside such good neighbours as the Neumünster Community Centre and the Riesbach Gymnasium.
61972
IBM Switzerland donates one of the first magnetic card computers to Freies Gymnasium Zürich inviting the school to try out the system. The Computer Studies lessons are taught by Heinz Bachmann and Erich Bernhard. For years, the course takes place during a special project week and is only integrated into the timetable in 1989.
1967
In the magazine «Die Frau» (1967) you could read the following article: «If you enter a classroom containing a language laboratory in Freies Gymnasium Zürich, you may think you have walked into a telephone box by mistake: you can see boys and girls wearing headphones sitting in small booths.» The installation, which was donated to the school, allows the teacher (E. Jaccard) sitting at the control panel to talk to each individual student while the others are practising sentences with the aid of pictures and text.
1965
In January 1961, Freies Gymnasium Zürich is honoured by a visit from Field Marshal Montgomery who in true «Monty» fashion decrees that the whole school should have two half-day holidays - this very much to the surprise of school management and to the delight of the students (and teachers).
1961
Rev. Kurt Scheitlin is elected as principal. Fifty years earlier, Professor von Schulthess had expressed the hope that common ground, yet to be discovered, could be found in the relationship between science and religion and their differing view of the world. Now in stark contrast to this statement, Scheitlin writes: «It is not the job of the Protestant Grammar School to protect its students from the tension between knowledge and religion, between reason and revelation, rather the contrary is true: the school should take on the challenge of making its students aware of this tension.»
1958
Freies Gymnasium Zürich now enjoys a certain size and the decision is made to hold the first school party that is not intended to mark another important event. It goes without saying that the principal, Arthur Fischer, at first expresses his grave concern, «whether such frivolities are compatible with the Gospel and humanism of an almost seventy-year-old school» but he subsequently decides to «drop all his main objections just this once». The Honky Tonk, College Jazz Hall, Modern Club and the Cave St.-Germain welcome revellers to a taste of the Jazz Age.
1957
Rev. von Orellis resigns. The incumbent Vice Principal, the 64-year-old Arthur Fischer, is named as principal. Under his leadership, Freies Gymnasium Zürich takes decisive steps towards expanding still further. From now on there will be two first classes in the Gymnasium each year. He also suggests that the Board should consider building a new school.
1953
The foundation of the Student Organisation may have been prompted by the numerous practical activities initiated during the war years, such as the land army or organised groups of students registering sightings of military aircraft or the communal working of a potato field in Rüschlikon. Whatever the reasons for its foundation, the Student Organisation only adheres to its original carefree objective of organising «all sorts of things» for three years; however it later enjoys a revival.
1945
On the event of the 50th anniversary of the school, Rev. von Orelli writes a review of the history, development and distinctive character of the school. In a period of internal and external change and turmoil, this review serves as an evaluation and analysis of our school as it stands.
1938
An important part of the tradition of Freies Gymnasium Zürich is the remarkable loyalty of many former students to our school. In 1930, this prompts the founding of the Alumni Association which actively supports and follows school developments and events.
1930
Rev. Beck resigns as principal to be succeeded by Rev. Hans von Orelli. Student numbers rise to 250. «Orelli is the kind of leader who does not want to do everything himself and who gives other capable teachers space to take on responsibilities. This leads to a new age of collaboration and consolidation of the teaching team which has stood our school’s rich sense of tradition in good stead over decades and, in fact, right up to the present day.»
1919
After 22 years, the school moves into its new building in St. Annagasse and is granted the right to have a «House Matura»; this is followed by state-recognition in 1912.
1910
The introduction of 40-minute lessons allows the school to give its students three school-free afternoons a week. This very popular arrangement only changes when the 5-day week is introduced.
1909
In 1904, the «family school» can already claim to be a fully-fledged Gymnasium, which, in contrast to the boys-only cantonal Gymnasiums, also admits girls.
1904
The private Gymnasium finds itself in a difficult financial situation meaning that the closing of the school can only be averted by the members of the Board guaranteeing the deficit. What the school needs is a strong personality who sees this appointment as «his purpose in life»; a principal to replace the current part-time acting principal Mr Ruegg. Rev. Bernhard Beck is appointed as the first full-time principal and not only is his request for a new desk granted; the school also receives generous donations from benefactors. This change in fortunes is interpreted as a blatant sign of «God’s will».
1903
A preparatory class is introduced to follow the fifth primary school class. The School Association is founded with teachers, parents and friends of the school as members. The name of the school is changed to «Freies Gymnasium».
1892
The founder of Freies Gymnasium dies at the early age of 51. Friends and former colleagues publish a book in his memory.
1891
The family business gradually grows into a school. In order to satisfy the constant requirement for more space, the school moves to the premises in Sihlwart at 26 Gerechtigkeitsgasse in Selnau.
1890
Some other fathers request that their children may also participate in lessons and permission is granted by the cantonal government. The name of the school: Privatgymnasium. Teaching aim: transfer to the upper school of the cantonal Gymnasium. Lessons are moved to the former Glockenhaus. More teachers are employed.
1889
Five fathers, Mr Höhr-Hirzel (bookseller), Rev. Walder-Appenzeller (clergyman), Mr Frick-Morf, Mr Adolf Guyer-Zeller and Mr Bachofner (Principal of the Seminar Unterstrasse College) would like their sons to receive an education based on positive Christian principles. Christian Wagner, graduate of the Seminar Unterstrass College, is appointed the first teacher. Lessons begin in the living room of Christian Höhr’s home. Nobody dreams of founding a school.
1888
