Varga Katalin Secondary School

The building's old wing in the 2000s, from the interior courtyard

The neoclassical building which now houses the Varga was originally constructed in 1856.[16] 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.[23]

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.[23]

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.[3]

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 1937–198 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 birthplace 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.[9] 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.[24] This new wing replaced what had formerly been a chemist's and a block of flats.[25]

The school's library stood at 2221 volumes in 1944, all of which were destroyed during World War II. 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.[26]

The school's headmasters and headmistresses:[27][28]

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.[29] A German-Russian language curriculum was introduced in 1966.[9] From 1970, after the restructuring of the faculty system, the classes were assigned distinguishing letters based on their chosen course of study.

The school, at left, as seen from the Tisza bridge

Of the programs of study which existed before the 1980s, the most is known about this one. The technical course was initiated in the 1959–1960 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.[29]

In the ninth and tenth grades both German and Math were taught at an advanced level; in the 11th grade the students decided for themselves individually in which direction they would like to continue their advanced studies.[2] In the tenth grade the students were encouraged to take part in a student exchange with students from Reutlingen, Germany. The number of applicants to this program steadily declined; half of the class which began in 2007 chose English as their main language over German. It was the final class of this program.

Currently there are four classes in every year:

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.[30] 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 ninth and tenth 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.[2] Because this program is the most general, it's likely to be replaced in the future with a more specialized program.[31] 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.[2] Unlike many bilingual secondary schools in Hungary, in Varga there is no preparatory year - the students apply as eighth graders, including an oral English exam, and are accepted for the following year based on their own knowledge. During tenth 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.

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 tenth grade, the students decide in which direction to focus their studies toward the advanced-level Matura school-leaving exam.[1]

As part of the communications module the students will visit local TV and radio stations, newspaper offices, and the Youth House.

Varga is connected with both University of Szeged and Semmelweis University in Budapest. It is also a reference school for the National Textbook Publications (Hung: Nemzeti Tankönyvkiadó).[38] 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.[39]

The school's entryway

List of schools with which Varga has had continuing exchanges:[40]

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.

Katalin Day 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 ninth 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 ninth 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.

The basketball court and gym

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.[47]

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.

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.[48] 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.[26] Earlier there were also a photography club and a music club.[49] 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.[50] In 1980, as part of the Jubilee celebrations, the Former Students Friend Circle (Öreg Diákok Baráti Köre) was created.[9]

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).[51] (Although both groups were Catholic, the institution has always provided Calvinist, Lutheran, and Jewish religious education as well.[52][53]) 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.[54]

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.[55] In February 1935 they performed a show called "Student Dream" (Diákálom) about a student's first day at the girls' school.[56] The club began functioning even before the gym had been built,[3] so physical education classes were held in a normal classroom.[56] In 1936 the Sports club inaugurated the tennis court in the school's courtyard,[57] and later the basketball court[58] and the winter ice-skating rink.[59]

Girl Scouts In October 1935 a Girl Scout troop was formed in the school,[57] 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.[58] 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.[58] The circle was led by painter and art history teacher Sándor Baranyó in the 1960s.[25]

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.[60] Three members of the club also received the Kazinczy Commemorative Medal: Soma Zámbori, Margit 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.[57]

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,[61] 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".[62] 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.[61] 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.[63]

The school as seen from the far bank of the Zagyva

Past performances by year:

• 1998 – Hair
• 1999 – Grease
• 1999 – István Örkény's short stories
• 1999 – Thursday's Child
• 2000 – Gábor Czakó: Disznójáték
• 2001 – Angels’ Court
• 2001 – Károly Szakonyi: Black-out
• 2002 – Melchior Lengyel: Shadow
• 2002 – Petőfi Sándor: A helység kalapácsa
• 2003 – Mihály Csokonai Vitéz: Dorottya
• 2003 – Jerry Bock: Fiddler on the Roof
• 2003 – Murray Schisgal: The Typists
• 2004 – Ede Szigligeti: Liliomfi
• 2004 – Övön alul
• 2004 – Harold Pinter: The Birthday Party
• 2005 – Sławomir Mrożek: Tango
• 2005 – Cats
• 2006 – Monty Python: 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 singing 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."[64]”

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.[65]

The school's first endowment was the 250 pengő offered by Dr. István Elek, the interest of which was always awarded to a student with outstanding performance.[52] Other than this, even before the establishment of the school there was the Society of Friends of the Lyceum (Leányliceum Barátainak Egyesülete),[66] which helped the school financially, assisted the renovation of the school building, and oversaw alumni functions.[67]

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.[68]

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.[69]