Parents, students and staff gathered at the new site of the Lycée Michel Lucius international primary school, in the former Lycée Vauban building in Limpertsberg on Sunday, for a summer fête including crafts, children’s workshops and performances from the children.

“I think maybe next year or in two years we will be at capacity. We’ve too many applications,” the principal of the primary and secondary school, Pascale Petry, told Delano on the sidelines of the event. “Three classes per year would be very realistic concerning facilities but also concerning acceptance from the Limpertsberg residents.”

The state-run English-language primary opened its doors to 260 learners from 45 nationalities in September 2017 in temporary buildings in Belair. After a “very busy but very successful” first year, according to primary headteacher Daniel Redinger, the school then moved to the former Lycée Vauban building in Limpertsberg, within walking distance of the Lycée Michel Lucius secondary school. “We’ve more space which means that the infrastructure is better adapted to how we would like the children to learn,” Redinger said. “There are dedicated spaces that’s great for the children.”

Secondary at capacity

In September 2018 the school will have three year 1 classes, Petry said, explaining that the acceptance procedure was complex because of the high demand for places. “We analyse every single application to test what’s best for the child,” she said.

The secondary school, which has offered English classes since 2011, has already reached capacity with almost 500 learners in the English classes. With one wing permanently closed for fire regulations and another being modernised, Petry said it will be tricky to juggle space. These issues should be eased by 2025 when both the primary and secondary are rehoused in purpose-built buildings in Kirchberg. A working group will begin with architects soon.

1 year in

Reflecting on the first year, Redinger said “It’s been a very good year. We started in September with all of these children who didn’t know each other. They came together as a school community.”

It was not only the children who bonded--Sunday’s fair was organised by parents and was the first of what is hoped will be two annual events on the school’s calendar. Co-organiser Mary Rose de Vries said: “It was our initiative. We wanted to do something for our children. There are at least 400 people here today.”