For whom?
Intermezzo is intended for students who are intellectually ready for pre-university education (vwo), but are not yet fully ready for the transition to secondary education.
This may be because primary school was unable to challenge them sufficiently, meaning they never really had to 'learn how to learn'. Or because social-emotional development is not yet keeping pace with intellectual development.
This explicitly concerns children for whom these connection problems stem, for example, from their (high) giftedness — not from another cause such as an autism spectrum disorder.
After the Intermezzo year, the parent(s)/guardian(s) and student choose for themselves at which school they will enter the first year.
Goals
Every child has individual learning and support needs, but we strive that every pupil at the end of the Intermezzo year:
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is better prepared for secondary education — by gaining insight into one's own areas for development and taking a step forward in learning skills such as planning, organizing, and perseverance;
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has a stronger foundation — because self-confidence has grown, setbacks can be handled better, and self-reliance has increased.
How do we determine if Intermezzo is a good fit?
To investigate whether Intermezzo is the right place for the child, the following areas of focus, among others, are examined:
VWO potential
The student has demonstrable pre-university potential, which may be evidenced by one or more of the following data:
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pre-university recommendation;
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LVS information in the areas of arithmetic, reading comprehension, and language;
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Intelligence test/psychological examination;
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Acceleration/skipping (part of) a school year.
Emotional development
Many gifted and highly gifted students experience emotions more intensely than their peers, making it sometimes seem as though they behave emotionally younger than is appropriate for their age. This can sometimes lead to behavior in a classroom not being understood, creating a mismatch between the student and the rest of the class. This may be evident from:
Examples of young/uninhibited/playful behavior;
Getting angry/sad if it doesn't work out;
Not being accepted in the classroom/feeling like an outsider;
to be/feel set apart;
Being able to come up with more ideas than one can actually execute, which leads to frustration;
Primary school 'played out'
There are clear indications that learning in primary school does not align with, or aligns insufficiently with, the pupil's giftedness, as evidenced by:
the story of the pupil and his parents;
the story of primary school;
observations/conclusions from intelligence tests/psychological reports from remedial educationalists or psychologists.
General characteristics
Going to school reluctantly;
Poor sleep as a result of school stress;
Physical complaints (psychosomatic);
“my head won't switch off”;
Having difficulty with changes (based on content);
Being bullied;
Abnormal behavior (e.g. tics) for which there is no underlying psychiatric diagnosis and which could be explained by untapped potential;
Strong sense of justice;
Guidance by a psychologist/special education teacher/ECHA coach;
Resilience training/SOVA training.
Finds it boring quickly;
Has difficulty with skills such as planning, organizing, working independently, asking questions;
Asks many questions;
Asks when he/she can (finally) start studying;
Has never had to make an effort, has no boundaries, experienced disappointment;
Thinks deeply about, for example, existential questions, time, the 'why' of things, etc.
Does not do the work if he/she does not know why it needs to be done;
Emphasis is on own learning strategies, has not learned or accepted an alternative strategy;
Intermezzo subjects
Art
During Art class, we get a taste of art!
We get acquainted with the art and working methods of various artists. From them, we learn to experiment, collaborate, and persevere, and discover new talents. We create collages, drawings, paintings, booklets, sculptures, and maquettes, among other things. During Art, you learn that the process is more important than the end result. You learn by doing and experiencing!
Brain lesson
Intermezzo’s brain lessons are theory- and practice-oriented lessons in learning how to learn, planning and organizing, perseverance, collaboration, (self-)reflection, and insight into the teenage brain. All skills needed in secondary school.
The learning format varies with the lesson content – one time you create a game in a small group, the next you present something yourself or fill in your own logbook. Central to the brain lessons is gaining insight into, and tools for, your own actions and learning. This, combined with fun and challenging assignments, makes the brain lessons useful and enjoyable!
English
Welcome to Intermezzo English!
This is where your English journey begins — no matter what level you're at -beginner, somewhere in between, or already quite confident - you'll fit right in.
You'll work in Blink, an online method where you practice vocabulary, read texts, do listening exercises, and train your speaking skills. But that's not all! You'll also read books, write poems, get creative, and take on all kinds of assignments that make English come alive.
The goal is clear: to build your confidence and prepare you for the brugklas. Step by step, at your own pace.
Experience Antiquity
Bij Beleef de Oudheid (iBO in je rooster) gaan we op reis door de oudste geschiedenis die we kennen. De verhalen uit de Griekse en Romeinse wereld staan centraal, maar we kijken ook verder dan dat: hoe is de wereld ontstaan, wat maakt een held tot een held, en hoe bestuur je een keizerrijk?
We lezen, luisteren, kijken, vergelijken en geven er soms een eigen draai aan. Want sommige verhalen en mythen zijn dan wel duizenden jaren oud, maar dat wil niet zeggen dat je er geen eigen versie van kunt maken!
Daarnaast leer je onder begeleiding van muis Minimus al een beetje hoe de taal van de Romeinen in elkaar steekt en hoe het dagelijks leven er in de oudheid uitzag.
Met afwisselende projecten verwerk je je kennis over de Griekse en Romeinse wereld en ontwikkel je je ondertussen alle vaardigheden die je nodig hebt om volgend jaar sterk te kunnen starten in de eerste klas.
French
ICT
In the ICT subject, we dive into the digital world around us.
You will learn how to create a professional newspaper in Word, but also how to program your own games in Python. Additionally, you will design your own font and create a 3D design that we will then actually print using the 3D printer.
Alongside these practical projects, you will discover how computers, artificial intelligence, and the internet actually work. In this way, you not only develop digital skills but also gain insight into the technology behind them. You will learn to analyze problems, devise solutions, and test them—skills that are useful in any subject.
So whether you enjoy puzzles, creative design, or are simply curious about technology: you are right at home in ICT.
Language and literature
Language in Intermezzo is just like language in primary school, but much more fun. You still have spelling and reading comprehension, but it is also a creative subject: you solve puzzles with poems, read exciting stories, get to come up with the ending yourself, and create illustrations for them. You also learn a huge number of new words and proverbs, and write your own texts—about that annoying alarm clock, for example.
Mathematics
In primary school, you learned to do arithmetic well and memorized the multiplication tables until you perhaps went crazy.
Mathematics builds on this, but introduces you to a completely different world where arithmetic is merely a tool.
To get into the rhythm, at Intermezzo we start by applying arithmetic skills to fractions, but combined with challenging thinking problems!
For the rest of the year, there is a varied program, including binary arithmetic, logic puzzles/riddles, figures, lines and symmetry (mirroring), and/or math questions from the class. Fun and good for the brain!
Mentor lesson
During mentor class, we cover everything related to school life. How do you ensure all your things are in order? How do you study for a test? How do you work together?
We also discuss topics such as bullying or the news. In addition, there are individual chats with your mentor. We discuss how things are going and whether you need anything from school.
During Intermezzo, we also work on three projects. Sometimes together with your classmates, sometimes alone. Ultimately, you work towards the final project, where you will teach your own lesson!
Music
Music at Murmellius is a truly hands-on subject where you mainly get to work yourself! In the lessons, you sing together with your class, learn to play instruments such as bass guitar, guitar, ukulele, drums, and keyboard, and discover how fun it is to compose and produce your own music on the computer. Whether you already have experience or not: everyone can participate.
Moreover, by being actively involved with music, you develop important skills. You learn to work together in a group, listen carefully to each other, and plan an assignment over several weeks. Music is therefore not only creative, but also educational and incredibly fun.
People and society
In *Mens en Maatschappij* (People and Society), you learn many academic skills through interesting topics from society that you can use in the first year of secondary school in subjects such as geography and history. We work with varied workbooks, but also engage in conversation with each other. Discussing and debating are definitely part of it! This way, you learn not only facts, but also how to substantiate your opinion and listen to others respectfully. It often covers current topics, and we also regularly watch the youth news. One of the highlights of the intermezzo year in *Mens en Maatschappij* is the Island Game, where you get to manage your own island in a small group.
Philosophy
Een filosoof stelt de wilde vragen. De vragen die nog niet zijn gevangen met één enkel antwoord. Wat weet je absoluut zeker?
Hoe doet een goed mens? Héb je een lichaam of bén je een lichaam? Deze vragen raapt de filosoof op en durft er goed en lang over na te denken. Denk je veel en houd je van vreemde en moeilijke vragen? Dan is filosofie het vak voor jou. Zullen we antwoorden vinden? Dan kan niemand garanderen. Maar door te denken, te vragen en te redeneren worden we hoe dan ook wijzer.
Physical education
Physical Education (PE) – or simply GYM, just like in primary school – is the subject where you learn through movement. At Intermezzo, you do more PE than in primary school; you have a double lesson (100 min) twice a week. PE lessons take place indoors in the gymnasium as well as outdoors on the beautiful sports fields of AMHC.
In PE class, we focus on learning through movement and important skills such as teamwork, perseverance, showing respect for one another, and dealing with winning and losing. During the lessons, you move in a fun and varied way, learn new skills, and discover where your talents lie. From team sports to individual challenges. Enjoyable movement is central to PE.
Science
You take the Science subject for half a year. During this subject, we work on a number of themes and dive into the world of science. Together, we will learn how scientists solve problems in real life. The themes relate to biology, physics, and a bit of mathematics and chemistry. For example, we will conduct a real biological experiment, explore space, and study planet Earth. We also learn to think about facts and opinions, and where the two overlap.
Practical information
Intermezzo
Dedicated mentor
Each intermezzo class has a dedicated mentor. Three mentor lessons are held per week, focusing on group dynamics and individual students. Additionally, we work on projects during the mentor lesson.
School hours
At Intermezzo, we work with a fixed schedule of 6 lessons per day. The day starts at 8:30 AM and ends at 2:20 PM. Below you will find an example schedule.
In the event of class cancellations, the schedule is aligned as much as possible to avoid gaps between lessons. As a result, the first lessons of the day may start later or the last lessons may be moved forward, allowing the student to finish earlier.
Classroom
Intermezzo uses its own designated classroom, where teachers come to the students. As the school year progresses, students are prepared for the first year by going to the subject-specific classrooms on their own. For practical subjects, the designated classroom is naturally used.
Activities
In the spring, we go on a three-day camp with all Intermezzo students. In addition, the Murmellius Gymnasium has four 'Hemelrijkdagen' per year; these are days filled with extracurricular activities such as excursions and sports days. On these days, the Intermezzo students participate in their own in-school or extracurricular activities, including trips to places like Aviodrome, track cycling, and Kranenburg.
Practical information
Practical information
Intermezzo Registration Procedure
Registration for the 2026-2027 school year opens in December 2026.
Who can sign up for Intermezzo?
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Students from primary and special education in Noord-Kennemerland can be registered for Intermezzo.
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Students registered for the 2026-2027 school year must be at least 10 years old (on August 1, 2027), as agreed between the school directors.
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Intermezzo is intended for students who are intellectually capable of handling pre-university education (vwo), but still lack sufficient skills (metacognitive and/or social-emotional) to make the transition to secondary education.
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After the Intermezzo year, a student in principle progresses to the regular HAVO/VWO. This is possible at the Murmellius Gymnasium, but also at other VWO schools.
Students from another partnership are only admitted if there is sufficient space and under certain conditions.
This registration is handled through the consultant of the secondary education partnership Noord-Kennemerland.
For general questions about Intermezzo, parent(s)/guardian(s) and/or schools can contact the coordinator.
Intermezzo Coordinator
Pieter Feenstra