Fichtenberg-Oberschule (Gymnasium) is a general secondary school (grades 7-12, A-level exam) in Berlin-Steglitz. The special profile of this school is the integration of visually handicapped and blind students (cooperation with the neighbouring August-Zeune School for blind students). Fichtenberg-Oberschule also cooperates with Rothenburg Primary School which is located in the same building. The school has recently handed in its application for the title of ‘Inclusion  School’ embarking on its longtime experience with integrating visually handicapped and blind students.

Fichtenberg-Oberschule looks back at a long tradition of secondary education in Berlin-Steglitz (Lyzeum since 1911), and has been known under its present name and administrational structure since 1969. From this year on the school has attracted students from many different European and non-European countries, e.g. Latin American and Asian countries. There are choirs and drama groups in the school and other special classes, e.g. IT, Theory of Relativity, Philosophy and Astronomy which are well received by the students.

The school has been organizing exchange visits with a partner school in Lvov (Ukraine) within the last two years (a contract of cooperation was signed last year) , as well as exchange visits with French and Spanish schools for language students at intermediate levels.

Part of the social and political commitment of the school is a peace activity group which has been organizing workshops and educational excursions to memorial sites of former Nazi concentration camps in Germany and neighbouring countries. This group has also organized an excursion to Serbia last year in order to investigate living conditions of the Roma and Sinti people who had undergone persecution and imprisonment under the Nazi regime during World War II.

 

BERLIN SIGHTS – THE VICTORY COLUMN

The Victory Column ( Siegessäule)
The Victory Column is located in Berlin-Tiergarten. Its height is 69 m, and to the viewing-platform, it’s 285 levels.
The Victory Column was built in 1873 as a memorial of the Prussian/German victories against Denmark, Austria and France. At that time it was still placed on the King’s Square in front of the Reichstag Building. In 1938 it blocked the Nazi’s plans for Berlin, as they wanted to build their capital “Germania” exactly where Berlin actually is located. Therefore it was moved to the Tiergarten, the place where you can find it nowadays.
On the top you can see the Goddess of Victory, Victoria. It was restored in 2010/2011 and since May it is open for visitors again.
Once a year, the Cycle-Star-Ride takes place. More than 150.000 people attended it this year. Everywhere in Berlin people start the ride, and the finishing line is next to the Victory Column. On some routes you can also ride on the motorway.
In 2008, Barack Obama gave a speech in front of the Victory Column when he was visiting Berlin.