"So Much More Than a School": The applause was thunderous, and compliments poured in - Steinmühle

“So Much More Than a School”: The applause was thunderous, and compliments poured in

They sing, they dance, they play music, and they perform. And the way they do it looks incredibly professional! Under the title “Revue,” the upper school students at Steinmühle presented artistic, theatrical, and musical performances on the Forum stage for the third year in a row. It was a packed program spread over three consecutive days. For that alone: Hats off to them!

“It’s going to be loud—it’s going to be exciting—it’s going to be spectacular,” the invitation promised. The invitation was addressed to parents, alumni, and students—and on the last day, specifically to students in grades 8 through 10—perhaps as a little hint: This will soon be your show, too.

Surprises, emotions, and spine-tingling moments dominated the 90-minute revue, at which Daniel Sans welcomed the guests.

Samba drum roll

Introduced by Ulrike Wilmsmeyer, the 12-member ensemble from the 11th grade kicked off the program. With its samba drum roll and powerful sound, the ensemble—under the proven direction of Kerstin Itzenhäuser—drew the audience into the moment, earning a long round of applause.

Please mark your calendars: June 24

Hansel and Gretel then took the stage—a drama performance by the 11th-grade class. Announced by Nina Merzenich as the “final rehearsal,” the performance featured brief scenes from a modern production in which the protagonists tossed “candy” into the audience, just like at Carnival. The audience was encouraged to mark June 24 as a “Save the Date,” as that is when the play will be completed.

We’re definitely marking this date on our calendars! Hansel and Gretel at the therapist’s office, at the kebab shop, at the hookah bar—that certainly piques our curiosity.

Impressive without the effort

“A big show with simple means”—that’s how Ulrike Wilmsmeyer introduced the body percussion performance by six 12th-grade students. Thanks to the collaboration with the Sound & Light team and their sophisticated technology, the result was a flawless performance by this sunglasses-wearing sextet.

Ines Vielhaben provided commentary on the diverse “Alice in Wonderland” posters on display in the Atrium’s foyer. They express how young people navigate this world. There will be more to see on this topic on June 24 as well.

This was followed by crystal-clear solo vocals accompanied by a piano. Annica Bartsch and Mio Bender provided yet another example of how a performance doesn’t have to rely on elaborate costumes and show effects. Goosebump moments? There were plenty of them here!

The “Aliens”

In stark contrast, the 12th-grade dance troupe, dressed in matching outfits and performing to Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” under black lights, seemed as if they were from another world.

A real gem is Olaf Roth’s live band, which is always the “icing on the cake” at musical events. Along with the flowers for the teachers, the band’s leader received praise for “… working with us despite our lack of a sense of rhythm.”

The Grand Finale for the graduating class

As he conducted the 120-member high school choir through pieces ranging from “I’m Walking” to “Hollywood Hills,” choir director Daniel Sans could not hide his wistfulness. It was the last time the tenor, conductor, and music teacher at Steinmühle led the Class of 2013 through a public performance. With additional ballads such as “Rolling in the Deep” and “Bohemian Rhapsody,” the revue evening drew to a close.

Daniel Sans also received a heartfelt compliment along with the flowers: “You help make the Steinmühle more than just a school.”

How wonderful—and how fitting. The audience rose to their feet for a standing ovation.

Needless to say, an encore was in order. “Lay All Your Love on Me” by ABBA, 45 years old. And everyone in the hall sang along.

After Principal Björn Gemmer’s words of appreciation and farewell to everyone involved in the evening, the senior class’s contribution came at just the right time. They treated the guests to delicious snacks and refreshing drinks.

13. February 2025

Working with heart, energy, and expertise: Goodbye, dear Janine Küster!

Bilingual Elementary School, Former Students & Alumni, News

With deep gratitude and many heartfelt words, Steinmühle bids farewell to a valued colleague: Janine Küster, principal of the Steinmühle Bilingual Elementary School. Her dedication and passion for the school have left a lasting impression—on both the students and the faculty.

In the run-up to the official farewell ceremony, the elementary school children said, “Goodbye, Janine!” The girls and boys lined up to form a guard of honor as their teacher walked down the stairs. Many of them reached out toward her, trying to shake her hand; some managed to give her a hug or take a selfie, and a few had tears rolling down their cheeks. Some mothers comforted their children. Man, was that hard! A few parents also expressed their appreciation in person. And it became clear: a very beloved teacher is leaving.

Janine Küster, born in 1992, took on the demanding role of director at a remarkably young age. After completing her teaching internship, she began working at Steinmühle, with only a stint abroad in the U.S. in between, which further improved her already excellent English skills.

Shaped and established a bilingual focus

From the very beginning—the 2019–20 school year—she poured her heart and soul into establishing and developing the Steinmühle Bilingual Elementary School. She taught German, math, and music with great enthusiasm and supported the students not only academically but also personally. Her commitment extended far beyond the classroom: She played a key role in shaping and establishing the school’s bilingual program.

Janine Küster also found happiness in her personal life at Steinmühle. She started a family with Fabian Küster, a member of the school’s IT team. About two and a half years ago, she became the mother of her son Lenny, which marked the beginning of a new chapter in her life.

A difficult step

As someone who sets high standards for herself, Janine Küster found it increasingly difficult to balance both roles—principal of an elementary school and mother. It was therefore with a very heavy heart that she decided to step down from her roles as a teacher and principal. Her colleagues, as well as parents, deeply regret her departure and bid her farewell with warm words, affectionate hugs, and the occasional gift.

Thanks and Appreciation

At the farewell party held in the elementary school classrooms, Janine Küster thanked everyone who had helped her over the years with advice and support. She shared examples of particularly funny and memorable moments, explained her decision—which she said she made with mixed feelings—and revealed that the Küsters’ family planning isn’t quite finished yet.

Principal Björn Gemmer, Managing Director Dirk Konnertz, and former principal Bernd Holly, among others, expressed their appreciation for her work in brief remarks. They mentioned that the Steinmühle Bilingual Elementary School—which had been established thanks to the initiative of school association chairman Egon Vaupel—had been significantly shaped and influenced by Janine Küster. The group then raised their glasses together to toast the future and proceeded to enjoy the buffet.

Looking forward to digging up the time capsule

Steinmühle would like to thank Janine Küster for her tireless work, her energy, and her warm personality. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors—both professionally and personally!

Janine Küster is already looking forward to Steinmühle’s high school graduation ceremony in 7 years. That’s when she plans to dig up the time capsule she once buried on the Steinmühle grounds with “her” children.

Words that linger:

“An emotional moment. It was a difficult decision for me. It’s not easy for me to say goodbye” (Janine Küster)

“Working with Hannah (Achenbach) and Lori (Lorraine Herrmann) has been a truly enriching experience for me. We planned, ate, and organized” (Janine Küster)

“Things went pretty well for you today” (A student, speaking to Janine Küster shortly after the bilingual elementary school opened)

“We’ve seen it: She’s energetic, she knows her stuff, and she’s not afraid to take on a challenge. You didn’t just combine the Hessian curriculum and the Cambridge curriculum—you also overcame conflicts and challenges” (Björn Gemmer, principal)

“The Bilingual Elementary School is your brainchild. You have played a crucial role in getting us to where we are today” (Dirk Konnertz, Managing Director)

“You left your heart and tears at school” (Bernd Holly, former principal)

“You’ve accomplished a lot here. You’ll always be a part of us” (Lori Herrmann, former assistant principal of the Bilingual Elementary School) Angela Heinemann

11. February 2025

Live Politics: Direct candidates answered questions from Steinmühlen’s 10th-grade, E-level, and Q4 classes

News, Politics, Business & Responsibility

Foreign policy, the future of the Bundeswehr, economic challenges, energy production, social justice, the migration debate: Local candidates from various political parties addressed a wide range of topics before students in Q4, the E-phase, and 10th grade at Steinmühle. The young people asked plenty of questions, were able to form their own firsthand impressions of the parties and their representatives, and thus gained guidance as future (first-time) voters.

There is a shortage of female politicians

Among the panelists—unfortunately, no women were included—political veterans mingled with young politicians. Philipp Henning (Die Linke), Andreas May (Alliance 90/The Greens), Sören Bartol (SPD, Member of the German Bundestag), Alexander Keller (FDP), Dr. Stefan Heck (CDU, Member of the German Bundestag), and Julian Schmidt (AfD) first took turns commenting on overarching issues. For the most part, they successfully represented their parties’ positions, though in some cases their personal views came through—an element that perhaps contributed to their credibility in the “political circus,” since the seasoned politicians among the elected representatives know exactly which cards to play when the public is watching.

Aside from differences in their positions on the issues, the tone of the panel discussion had remained relatively calm. The final topic—the debate on migration—then heated up the atmosphere. “A disgrace to democracy,” Sören Bartol declared, referring to the far right. At any rate, this comment drew the first and last round of applause of the morning.

Anton and Ben Luis did a good job

The two moderators, Anton Nessler and Ben Luis Peters from the 13th-grade advanced Politics and Economics (PoWi) class, handled their duties with confidence during the two-hour event. As is always the case before elections, PoWi teacher Dr. Claudia Röder had ensured that the students at Steinmühle could get a firsthand impression of the local party representatives without the mediation of the media. Principal Björn Gemmer thanked her for this and expressed his delight that all the politicians had accepted the invitation.

The topics and the answers:

Germany’s Role in Foreign Policy / The Future of the Bundeswehr

We need to talk more about how to spend less. Unfortunately, Trump and Putin are here. No more money should go to NATO or the Bundeswehr (Philipp Henning, Die Linke)

We are against conscription. Our decision: rearmament or addressing issues for the future (Philipp Henning, Die Linke)

The U.S. is no longer a guarantor of peace. We must invest in defense with the goal of never having to use those weapons. We must rethink security (Andreas May, Alliance 90/The Greens)

We are no longer able to defend ourselves. Today, disarmament is no longer a realistic option (Andreas May, Alliance 90/The Greens)

The issue of national defense is back in the spotlight. Conscription is not financially viable. The Bundeswehr must be made more attractive to both men and women (Sören Bartol, SPD)

We need a strong Bundeswehr; that is the only way we can be effective. I am not in favor of conscription. Making the Bundeswehr more attractive must become a central topic of public debate (Alexander Keller, FDP)

Within the European alliance, someone has to take the lead. We need to discuss universal conscription, whether in the Bundeswehr or in civilian sectors such as the fire department, THW, or similar organizations. …Out of 40 tanks, about two are operational. We need to discuss defense cooperation. Soldiers need more social recognition and greater visibility (Dr. Stefan Heck, CDU)

Germany needs a robust foreign policy, a capable military, and a confident stance (Julian Schmidt, AfD)

Every defense minister has new ideas (regarding conscription). This creates a sense of uncertainty. We need a unified, bipartisan approach. Conscription is an important pillar (Julian Schmidt, AfD)

Economic Challenges

From an economic perspective, the question is what to prioritize. There was a global recession, not just in Germany. We need to tap into the wealth tax, capital gains tax, and inheritance tax. Social inequality must be addressed. We need to invest in roads and infrastructure (Philipp Henning, Die Linke)

We are dependent on exports, have seen no growth since 2016/17, and do not have a favorable investment climate. We have tried to balance industry and climate protection. There is a labor shortage and a shortage of skilled workers. We must distinguish between migration and asylum (Andreas May, Alliance 90/The Greens)

We need to keep a close eye on our infrastructure, such as railways and bridges. These are massive investments. The debate over the debt brake needs to be reformed. Local governments are underfunded. People with a lot of money need to contribute more (Sören Bartol, SPD)

There is no clear economic line within the SPD. Yet the economy is the driving force behind everything—it’s the foundation (Alexander Keller, FDP)

Our government has failed to distribute nearly a trillion in tax revenue as it should have (Dr. Stefan Heck, CDU)

We need an affordable energy supply. Social security contributions are too high. Businesses should be relieved of many of their reporting obligations. We are pushing for openness to technology (Julian Schmidt, AfD)

Equal Opportunity

Many people are receiving the basic income; that’s not the right approach. We need to get people into work (Julian Schmidt, AfD)

Education is the key to everything. We should place this sector under federal jurisdiction, because it’s unacceptable that a high school diploma in Bremen is worth less than one in Bavaria. Our state must also seek out talent in underprivileged districts (Alexander Keller, FDP)

When it comes to financing the economy, the focus is solely on growth. We need a minimum wage of 15 euros to increase purchasing power. Rent control is an important issue, including in Marburg (Andreas May, Alliance 90/The Greens)

Our pension system has been ruined. Austrian law provides a better example. Everyone contributes (Philipp Henning/Die Linke)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a New Medium for Retail?

It seems that ship has sailed. First, we would have to create the framework for businesses (Julian Schmidt/AfD)

We would need to collaborate with universities. The question is: Do we have enough electricity? An AI computer requires more electricity than a normal computer. The EU must establish a secure legal framework (Dr. Stefan Heck, CDU)

This should be incorporated into the curriculum at schools and universities (Philipp Henning, Die Linke)

The Future of Nuclear Power

Shutting down the last three nuclear power plants in 2022 was a serious mistake. Now we’re importing nuclear power from France. We’re currently lacking 20 years of experience in nuclear technology. We’ll see what happens after the election (Dr. Stefan Heck, CDU)

It’s dangerous to leave that open (Sören Bartol, SPD)

That would have to be clarified by a committee of inquiry (Alexander Keller, FDP)

There is no going back to nuclear power. It is no longer economically viable. During periods of low sunlight , we make do with imports in addition to renewable energy (Andreas May, Alliance 90/The Greens)

That’s complete madness. I’m not interested in a Chernobyl 2.0 (Philipp Henning, Die Linke)

We should make it possible to return to nuclear power. Given the current state of our technology, the only reason we can live the way we do is because other countries have different policies (Julian Schmidt, AfD)

Declining Interest in Politics

Corporate donations should be banned. There needs to be more transparency in lobbying registries (Philipp Henning, Die Linke)

A major challenge! A matter of trust. Given that there are also corporate donations to The Left and initiatives like “D-Day” within the FDP (Andreas May, Alliance 90/The Greens)

Everyone has the opportunity to cast their vote accordingly (Sören Bartol, SPD)

Decisions are made transparently and are not dependent on large donations (Dr. Stefan Heck, CDU)

That impression is understandable. To be honest, power and money do play a role. I can only encourage everyone to do what they can to change this and join a political party (Julian Schmidt, AfD)

When it comes to issues affecting the public, we should, whenever possible, embrace more direct democracy (Alexander Keller, FDP)

On the Current Debate on Migration

We need to distinguish between asylum and migration. We need skilled workers (Alexander Keller, FDP)

Illegal migration has been haphazard over the past 10 years. We need to resolve individual cases before they even reach the EU (Dr. Stefan Heck, CDU)

Anyone who wants to work here legally is welcome. Anyone seeking protection must integrate and behave appropriately. No asylum for people who don’t need protection (Julian Schmidt, AfD)

It’s also about the nature of the debate. Of course, we have to assess what mistakes were made (Sören Bartol, SPD)

Habeck is planning an “enforcement campaign.” But these are not “deportation tickets” (Andreas May, Alliance 90/The Greens)

The AfD is harming Germany as a business location. It is an escape from realities that we have helped create (Philipp Henning, Die Linke)