Steinmühle Boarding School: New Furniture in the Westfalenhaus Boosts the Sense of Well-Being

The Steinmühle Boarding School uses the school vacation period for renovations and refurbishments—especially in the summer. That’s when major projects are tackled that aren’t possible during “day-to-day operations”—for example, replacing furniture. Currently, all rooms in the Westfalenhaus are being furnished with new furniture.

After the main building was refurbished during the Easter break, it was now the Westfalenhaus’s turn. The contractors worked around the clock to complete the refurnishing. At the same time, they had to carry out all the usual maintenance work done during the summer break. A total of 26 beds, closets, dressers, desks, and shelves were replaced. Bright, cheerful, mostly white furniture took the place of the old pieces.

Feedback from the student body was positive almost immediately. The residents quickly noticed an increase in their sense of well-being at the boarding school. The furniture is now more modern and tailored to their needs.

The students had been directly involved in the decision-making process regarding the new furnishings. A model room had also been set up in the Westfalenhaus itself for the other buildings. This allowed all residents to take a close look and determine what they liked and what seemed useful.

The next renovation and refurbishment projects at the Steinmühle boarding school have already been scheduled: Next up are the renovation of the administration building’s half-timbered structure, the refurnishing of the Hessenhaus during the fall break, and the mill during the Christmas break.

11. September 2018

The Forest House as a New Weekend Home

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Enrollment at the Steinmühle boarding school has risen significantly. As a result, a regular residential group has been established in the Biohaus, which had previously been used as a weekend cottage.

A solution had to be found for the international students: While German students travel home to their families every 14 days and during school breaks, their international classmates remain in Marburg. But they, too, should be able to enjoy a change of scenery and some free time where they are staying.

To meet this self-imposed standard, the Steinmühle Boarding School decided to rent the Waldhaus, located in the Richtsberg district of Marburg, just a few minutes’ drive from the boarding school. This allows students to continue using the recreational facilities on the boarding school grounds, such as the gym, riding stables, and tennis courts. To facilitate additional on-site activities right at the Waldhaus, a ping-pong table was among the first purchases made. A large garden and the proximity to the edge of the forest give the Waldhaus grounds the feel of a vacation setting.

A Step Toward Self-Employment

At the Waldhaus, the international students prepare their own meals with the support of the teachers. They plan their meals and cook them together. At the start of each weekend, everyone goes shopping together. They usually cook traditional Chinese dishes.

A stay at the Waldhaus can be seen as a step toward independence for the young people. The students who live there on the weekends are 16 years old or older.

Effective September 1, Luisa Völker, who previously served as an assistant in the weekend residential group for international students, has taken over as house director. The previous residence director, Timo Keisers, has left the team after two years to pursue a new career path. Luisa Völker already has extensive experience in working with children and youth groups; she has been an assistant for one year, is familiar with the existing structures, and is looking forward to the challenge.

Our photos show some of the international students during their stay at the Waldhaus, and also capture the preparations for Zhirui Tian’s birthday dinner.

11. September 2018

Lena Tengler joins the teaching staff at Steinmühle Boarding School

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Lena Tengler is a new addition to the teaching staff at Steinmühle Boarding School. The 29-year-old, who hails from the town of Linsengericht in southern Hesse—a place with a melodious name—already brings a wealth of experience to the table. After studying social work and community and religious education in Kassel, she worked for three years in Berlin in youth services, caring for young people struggling with substance abuse. She then spent two years working in addiction counseling in a suburb of Frankfurt am Main. It was an extremely challenging job that demanded her full commitment.

She now wants to devote her energy to Steinmühle Boarding School. There, she serves as house director of the Biohaus, which is home exclusively to new students aged 11 to 16. “I’m looking forward to working with young people, whom I hope to guide and support as they transition into adulthood and navigate their academic careers,” says the Steinmühle educator.

3. September 2018