Five boys from the Bremerhaus at Steinmühle took part in a pilot project organized by the Marburg section of the German Alpine Club (DAV) at the Volksbank climbing gym. Habib, Najdat, Ahmad, Jamal, and Mohammad (from left to right) successfully completed a top-rope course under the guidance of Steinmühle instructor Ines Vielhaben over four consecutive Sundays and are now eligible, through the project titled “Integration through Climbing,” one year of free admission and equipment rental upon presentation of their top-rope certificate. In return, the young men volunteer to help organize climbing competitions. The section is extending this offer to other refugees. Those interested can contact the Volksbank Climbing Gym.

Once again this year, a girls’ team from Steinmühle competed in the district school soccer tournament at Georg-Gassmann Stadium for a spot in the regional tournament. At the initiative of Coach Lothar Potthoff (a big thank you for your dedication!), the girls were prepared for the tournament through several training sessions over the past few weeks. Their strong team spirit was evident throughout the tournament, and the team led by the former principal of Ebsdorfergrund Comprehensive School held its own very well on the field as well. Unfortunately, the team lacked the necessary assertiveness up front—not least, according to Lothar Potthoff, because a key player had to withdraw at the last minute due to illness. As a result, after three matches, the team recorded one draw (0–0 against the Europaschule Gladenbach) and two narrow losses (0–1 against the Elisabethschule and 0–2 against the Alfred-Wegener-Schule Kirchhain).

International group of students staged the “Ring Parable” from *Nathan the Wise*

German teacher Dr. Claudia Röder staged the “Ring Parable” from *Nathan the Wise* with 11th-grade students in the advanced math track who are taking German as either a basic or advanced course. This was a challenge in many ways, as the group consists of Syrian, Chinese, Afghan, and German students. Even on its own, the play—which is set in Jerusalem during the Crusades and focuses on humanism and the Enlightenment’s ideals of tolerance—is not easy to perform. Performing in a language other than one’s native tongue presents an additional significant hurdle.

To tackle this as effectively as possible and foster the process of understanding, the international students first read the work in their own native languages. Lessing’s final work, featuring the protagonist Nathan, focuses on exemplary behavior regardless of the situation or religion of those involved—a topic that is both timely and emotional. The actors authentically captured the guidelines—namely, prose language with a style similar to that of modern speech. They also made targeted use of body language as required. The result was a successful and authentically staged production, reported teacher Dr. Claudia Röder. We say: Hats off to this achievement!

Steinmühle aims to provide a new framework for career guidance. “We will place greater emphasis on this area for students from 8th grade through high school,” says Dr. Claudia Röder, the future coordinator of school-based internships.

In 8th grade, the social internship provides students’ first introduction to the world outside of school. It concludes with the writing of a reflective report. As part of a three-week career orientation program, students then work on developing an awareness of their own strengths and weaknesses. Contacting the employment office, writing a resume, and preparing a job application are also on the agenda—after all, the goal is to secure a placement for the workplace internship in 9th grade. When the time comes, this phase also concludes with a report written by the students.

In 10th grade, students have the opportunity to discover their own strengths through a three-month internship. Often, choosing a specific advanced course isn’t that easy—but that’s set to change.

Once students reach 11th grade, they receive a Career Choice Passport. This is where they are supposed to document everything that qualifies them—whether inside or outside of school.

Social Skills Are Important

“It’s not just the hard criteria that qualify a person; it’s also the soft skills—the social skills,” says Dr. Claudia Röder. This context also encompasses the topics of self-assessment, self-reflection, and peer assessment.

In addition to the tutoring sessions, which play an important and central role, a three-hour test is also offered. This test assesses students’ talents and interests and identifies potential career paths that are a good fit for each individual.

Steinmühle also wants to encourage students to take advantage of the regular career counseling sessions offered at school. During Qualification Phase 1, the Rotary Club’s career fair in the school’s forum is another great opportunity to talk with representatives from various professions and ask specific questions. The college exploration days, which also take place during Qualification Phase 1, make university majors and processes more tangible.

The internship in Qualification Phase 2 concludes with the completion of a business research paper, which, according to Dr. Claudia Röder, allows students to become familiar with a selected topic but also requires them to engage deeply with it.