Dear former colleagues,

It is good to see that you have found your way to this page on the internet. It means that you have made considerable progress on the digital highway, just as the school has. This site creates new possibilities, suited to the times we live in, to remain involved with what goes on at our old school and to keep in touch with each other. I am particularly thankful to Laurens Leujes and Herman Vermeulen who have made the necessary preparatory steps to make this possible. A digital “Senioros” page perhaps invites us to peruse other pages concerning the school, though this particular page is of course foremost there to make it possible to hang on to the ‘link’ with each other.

Concerning affairs at school, I am going to leave history for what it is; by now we have so many former colleagues that I would not really know where or when to begin with a historical review. More importantly, it is to be noted that our Rijnlands is in excellent health at this time. The coming school year boasts a record number of its student population: around 1450 students! The registration for the year 2012-2013 is the largest in all of the 57 years of the history of our school. The HAVO department has grown, bilingual education is blooming and the international department is as strong as it ever was. In fact, there is nothing but good news.

Those who have left our establishment before 2007 may have missed two important achievements; in 2007 the north wing was completely refurbished and an extra floor was added. In 2010 the central hall and entrance were thoroughly upgraded. These two interventions have given an enormous boost to the appearance of the building, which has no doubt contributed to the success of the last few years. If this has made you curious and you are in the neighbourhood, do not hesitate to come and see for yourself; you will be proud of your old school.

As I said before, I fervently hope that this new “Senioros” will prove to be the driving force behind more intensive personal contacts for anyone who appreciates this. Should it be that long since you were affiliated to our institution: my name is John Swieringa, the fifth principal of this great school since 2006.

John Swieringa,
principal

May 2012