About Us
Our School’s Mission Statement
In the 2025–2026 school year, our mission statement was developed by the faculty of the Hermann-Gmeiner Catholic Elementary School, presented to the parent-teacher association, and adopted by the school conference. At the beginning of that same school year, it was introduced together with the students and integrated into everyday school life.
The mission statement serves as the common foundation for everyone involved in our school:
- our students,
- their parents and families, as well as
- the entire teaching staff.
We view the diversity of our students as an enrichment, a challenge, and a social mission for democratic coexistence. Our school has set itself the goal of valuing, fostering, and developing individual strengths, abilities, and talents.
We place special emphasis on cultural diversity at our school. Our openness and enthusiasm for respectful, culturally inclusive coexistence should be tangible and visible in everyday school life.
At the same time, we define ourselves as a cultural school—a school where every child reliably and regularly gains cultural experiences throughout all four school years, both at school and at various cultural venues outside of school.
With our focus on culture, we aim to provide a holistic education, strengthen each child’s personality, ensure community and participation, facilitate intercultural learning, and thereby offer a space where children can grow into creative, self-confident, and socially competent individuals.
As a Catholic elementary school, we are guided by the Christian view of humanity. We respect the inalienable dignity of every person, regardless of origin, religion, or life situation. Love for one’s neighbor, justice, and solidarity shape our interactions. We take responsibility for creation and encourage the children to treat people and nature with care. Our Catholic mission is clearly evident through regular school services, the celebration of Christian holidays, our cooperation with the St. Antonius parish, and the integration of Christian values into our school life.
We live and promote peaceful coexistence and empower children to courageously follow their own path. In this way, we create a school community where everyone is welcomed for their uniqueness and feels accepted.
In our daily work, we are guided by the values and goals of our mission statement, and we implement them with conviction, responsibility, and heart.
You can download the mission statement here.
Catholic Elementary School
We are a Catholic elementary school. As a Catholic elementary school, we are guided by the Christian view of humanity. Values such as community, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence are central to our school life.
For us, being Catholic means:
- 2 hours of Catholic religious education per class per week (more information here)
- Weekly school service
- Regular choir practice with Ms. Karg, our church musician
Silke Karg besucht die Schule einmal in der Woche um mit den Kindern gemeinsam zu singen. Hauptberuflich ist sie Kirchenmusikerin in der Katholischen Pfarrgemeinde in Reisholz und Hassels tätig.
Wir proben neue Lieder für den Gottesdienst und singen auch Lieder aus dem SingPause Programm.
Jeden Dienstag proben die Kinder der Katholischen Grundschule aus dem 3. und 4. Schuljahr, einmal im Monat auch die Kinder aus dem 1. und 2. Schuljahr.
Celebrating Catholic holidays:
- Thanksgiving Service for First Graders with St. Antonius Daycare
- St. Martin Participation in the St. Martin’s Day parade in the Hassels neighborhood
- Advent Advent singing after Advent Sundays,
Advent afternoon, as a school festival for the entire school community - St. Nicholas We’re getting a visit….
- Christmas Class leadership week before the Christmas break
to bring even more peace and coziness to the pre-Christmas season. - Carolers Participation in the caroling campaign at St. Antonius
- Ash Wednesday service with the entire school community
- Easter Service with the entire school community
We maintain close cooperation with the St. Antonius parish.
Fotografin Stefanie Köster
Aschermittwoch Gottesdienst in unserer Kirche
School Rules
Security Plan
The safety plan is designed to ensure that everyone at our school feels comfortable and safe. This safety plan was developed in 2025 in collaboration with students, parents, and the entire staff. It is available here for your review. Download (PDF, 17 MB)
School Rules
We developed our school rules together with all the classes last school year. In the student council, the children agreed on 10 rules that apply to everyone at school.
The school rules are discussed regularly, and we ensure they are followed.
Foto A. Arzuman
New construction
Our school is being rebuilt. The first parts of the new building are already visible. Until we move, our classes will remain in their current classrooms and will then move directly into the new building. We regularly upload current photos of the construction progress to our website. You can check there for updates at any time.
The first phase of construction will be ready for occupancy by Easter 2027. This phase will house 4 of our classes and 4 after-school care groups until the second phase is completed. The new cafeteria will then be available for everyone to use.
The move into our new school building for all classes is planned for the 2028 spring break. Following that, the new gym and our new schoolyard will be built.
We’ll keep you updated. You can find current photos of the new building here!
Our logo
Our logo was redesigned in 2025. It features a tree with three branches representing the core principles of our school’s mission: Catholic values, cultural education, and fostering community and diversity. Upload logo
Name
The name of our school will be changing shortly, as we would like to distance ourselves from Hermann Gmeiner, after whom the school is named. You can read about the reasons for this in the attached statement.
We are currently working with the City of Düsseldorf to find a new name. As soon as a decision has been made, we will publish it here.