A trip to the Emsland region with a brief stop in Groningen

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At the start of each school year, every residential group at the Steinmühle boarding school takes its own trip to a specific destination. This helps the students get to know each other better and allows them to start the new school year off on the right foot together. For this year’s so-called “house trip,” our Bremerhaus group traveled to the Schloss Dankern vacation center in Haren an der Ems.

 

Stopover at the amusement park

“We stayed in vacation homes there and cooked for ourselves,” reports house director Nils Zeller. In addition to a visit to the affiliated amusement park, the itinerary included a trip to the Dutch university city of Groningen. They also took part in a “silent dancing” activity. After enjoying some wonderful days together, the young people returned happily to the Steinmühle.

Start of the New School Year: Welcome to Steinmühle Boarding School!

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Today, 21 young people and their families secured a place in the sun in the schoolyard when they were welcomed and officially admitted to our Steinmühle boarding school this afternoon. We extend a warm welcome to you all! Boarding school director Anke Muszynski, her deputy Philipp Dönges, and the entire teaching staff welcomed the children and teenagers and answered any remaining questions.

As on every Sunday at the start of the school year, the boarding school administration team was on hand to handle all the paperwork for the new residents.

Familiar young faces were also seen around the schoolyard in front of the main building. For them, it was time to move on to the next chapter—the next school year! The reunions with the familiar teaching staff were joyful. It was clear that the young people were happy to return to their “second home” and quickly struck up conversations with their teachers again.

 

Just under 20 different extracurricular club options

One thing that couldn’t be overlooked was signing up for at least one recreational club. With so many options to choose from, it was often hard to decide: rowing? Horseback riding? Bouldering? Or maybe tennis? In total, there are just under 20 options to choose from.

After a light meal and some refreshments, everyone headed straight to their rooms—a familiar journey for many back to their own quarters at the Steinmühle.

Steinmühle Boarding School is starting the 2025–26 school year—which begins tomorrow—with a total of nearly 100 students, who will be joining approximately 750 day students.

We wish you all the best, much success, and above all: Have a great time with us!

 

MINT Campus 2025 – Exciting and Successful Days at Louisenlund

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This year, a delegation from Steinmühle once again made its way to Louisenlund to participate in the STEM Campus and present their projects—despite the summer break in Hesse. This is according to Dr. Jutta Töhl-Borsdorf, STEM coordinator at Steinmühle.

 

Reunited with Old Friends

Fabian Sotonica, Clara Steiner, Maya Fischer, and Anna-Lena Griesler received a warm welcome on Thursday and, following the play *The Visit* staged by the +MINT students from Louisenlund, had the opportunity to meet new people and reconnect with old friends. Afterward, they had the opportunity to take a guided tour of the Learning & Research Center and admire the school’s new observatory, which was set to be inaugurated the following day.

Friday morning began with an interesting presentation on “genetic and epigenetic changes.” This was followed by the main event of the day—the fair, where students presented their projects to the public and a panel of judges and had the opportunity to discuss them with one another.

 

Workshops and a Lecture on Climate Protection

Just like last year, the popular pub quiz took place again that evening. The quiz involved sitting around a table and answering questions on a wide variety of topics, and the relaxed atmosphere made for a very pleasant evening.

The next morning began with workshops on various STEM topics. This was followed by another presentation on climate protection and then the awards ceremony conducted by the jury.

 

Both Steinmühlen teams won in their respective categories

As was the case last year, Steinmühle was extremely successful and secured victory in its respective categories with the projects it entered: The “Boat Project / A-WAVE” in the technology category and “Natural UV Protective Agents” in the chemistry category—as well as the “Orbitals Project,” a collaboration between Steinmühle and Louisenlund, which received the audience award “Winner of the Hearts.”

Afterward, everyone had the afternoon to spend as they pleased. This brought an extremely successful and exciting weekend to a pleasant close, and everyone was able to head home on Sunday morning feeling satisfied. Anna-Lena Griesler

Gojus Kanes Takes Third Place Nationwide in a Prestigious Competition

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Music lovers have surely already seen the young man with dark hair playing the piano at events at the Forum. Gojus Kanes, a boarding student at Steinmühle, loves this instrument—and it shows. Last school year, he took on the challenges of the “Jugend musiziert” competition, first at the regional level, then statewide. He placed third—and anyone familiar with the competition knows that’s no small feat.

 

Three hours of practice a day

Gojus has been at Steinmühle for a good year now. He has made the Steinmühle boarding school in Marburg, Central Hesse, his home and is happy about it: “I like it here.” In public, he tends to keep a low profile and defines himself through his piano playing. He has devoted three hours a day to this art since he was 13.

 

Piano Performance and Presentation at the Competition

At the Steinmühle concerts, a variety of works are performed. One composer he personally admires is Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis from Lithuania. “He’s considered the national composer there,” Gojus explains, describing how he traveled to that country himself, following in Ciurlionis’s footsteps to transcribe his piano music—a task that wasn’t all that easy. Gojus Kanes also dedicated his presentation to Ciurlionis at the “Jugend musiziert” state competition in Schlitz, which required not only a musical performance at the piano but also a verbal presentation before the four-member jury. The student presented his knowledge of the composer on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of his birth, which was all the more interesting given that Ciurlionis left behind not only passionate musical works for posterity but also paintings—from the early days of abstract art—through his concurrent career as a painter.

 

Significant research effort

“You can find practically no works by this artist online,” Gojus had noticed during his research. Untitled pieces, cataloged late, and suppressed in terms of distribution—these were the reasons for the great effort the boarding school student had to expend to obtain information and to be able to dedicate his piano performance and lecture to the Lithuanian national composer Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis.

 

Possible career goal: Something related to music

This makes his outstanding placement in the “Jugend musiziert” competition all the more wonderful and well-deserved. Charlotte Schmidt-Schön from the Marburg Music School had encouraged him to participate; “I’d never done anything like that before,” he says. It remains to be seen whether Gojus will enter other competitions, and his career goals are also still up in the air. He knows that making a living through music is rather difficult. But he doesn’t completely rule out the possibility that the piano could play a role in that.

Angela Heinemann

 

A diverse group from Steinmühlen took part in the Marburg Night Marathon

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With five teams and a total of 13 participants in the half marathon (nine) and marathon (four), Steinmühle took part in the Marburg Night Marathon. The school and boarding school traditionally participate in this well-established event, involving the entire Steinmühle community. Anyone who is interested and feels fit is welcome to join in.

Participants included students, teachers, parents, and support staff. – “All in all, a very diverse group,” reported Marcel Kalb, the school’s athletic director and organizer. – A heartfelt thank you to him and all the participants for their dedication to the night marathon, where having fun together is always more important than running performance.

From Steinmühle Boarding School to Professional Sports: Benedikt Mons Plays American Football

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The annual Super Bowl, the championship game of the U.S. National Football League (NFL), fills the coffers and empties the beverage shelves in supermarkets. Many fans in Europe are also eagerly following the action. Benedikt Mons, who just graduated from Steinmühle Boarding School with his high school diploma in hand, remains one of the biggest fans. His goal: to play in the NFL himself one day.

First Contact as an Eighth-Grader

It’s not just a pipe dream. Benedikt has a plan, and he’s sticking to it. After joining Steinmühle in eighth grade, a classmate took him to a football practice. The sport isn’t exactly gentle. But that didn’t stop him from continuing to train.

 

Important Companions

Benedikt played more and more often and made the U18 Hesse select team. He connected with players from Bad Homburg, joined the Sentinels, and played in the GFL-Juniors—the youth Bundesliga of the American Football Association of Germany (AFVD). He also came to see the team’s coach, Markus Hackenberg, as a mentor: “He helped me develop as a player.” In 2024, Benedikt Mons was named to the U19 national team.

Benedikt Mons must have continued to do something right, because in early 2025, the next step was on the horizon: a move to the Frankfurt Galaxy and the transition to professional sports in the European League of Football. This was a decisive step for the humble Steinmühle student—who took advanced courses in political science and math—who is grateful not only to Steinmühle for supporting his athletic career, but also to others, such as the sports director of his current club, Thomas Kösling. “He motivated me to balance my high school diploma and training”—training four times a week, no less.

 

Reaching Full Potential in the U.S.

Logistically, things will get a little easier for Benedikt now that he has his high school diploma in hand. After the season, he’d ideally like to attend college in the United States. “I definitely want to keep playing, and I want to do it in the U.S. Everything about the sport is much more professional there, from training all the way to the individual support athletes receive. To reach your full potential in this sport, you have to go to the U.S.”

When it comes to this step and his athletic career, Benedikt Mons knows his parents have his back: “They support me.” Whenever possible, they even sit in the stands at his games. The high school senior regularly competes against his brother in sports. But his brother is better at hockey and tennis. “I’d rather stick with football,” Benedikt says with determination.

 

A lot of practice and talent, too

When asked about his career goal, the former boarding school student replies, “To make a living from sports.” Benedikt views being tied to equipment like a helmet and shoulder pads as a temporary phase. “I want to retire in my mid-30s and have made my money in the NFL by then.” Then he could imagine being a good father and helping to make the sport more attractive in Europe: “The market is growing tremendously; there’s a lot of potential.” Until then, however, Benedikt says it will take a lot of courage, a lot of time, a lot of patience, and a lot of training.

You have to run; you have to be fast. “It’s a sport for physical types,” says Benedikt Mons, describing the rough-and-tumble nature of football, while acknowledging that he himself is “genetically blessed—and grateful for it.” He’s ideal for the tight end position in football; the rest he’s earned through hard work.

But he knows that a certain amount of talent is definitely part of it. Angela Heinemann

Follow Benedikt Mons on Instagram: benedikt.mons

Family Day at Steinmühle Boarding School Highlighted the School’s Sports Programs

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For the annual Family Day in mid-June, Steinmühle Boarding School regularly opens its doors to parents and siblings, as well as to anyone who would like to get to know the school. This year, the boarding school’s educational team, led by Anke Muszynski and her deputy Philipp Dönges, worked together with the students to present a variety of sports activities and demonstrate how both new and established sports are integrated into the boarding school’s daily routine. At every Family Day, parents also have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with the boarding school administration to ask questions and discuss individual matters for the coming school year.

 

We’re working toward equestrian competitions

In recent months, Steinmühle has made significant strides in the area of sports facilities. The equestrian program has been taken to a new level, accompanied by a change in personnel managing the equestrian facilities. The equestrian club has reorganized itself accordingly. The goal of these efforts is to create a modern, professionally managed facility that meets all relevant requirements for hosting equestrian competitions.

 

Kickoff for Professional Tennis Training

The same applies to the tennis courts. Thanks to a great deal of hard work by the staff, the existing facility was completely renovated and reopened for play. During Family Day, in collaboration with partner Heiko Hampl, the managing director of “Play The Pro,” it was announced on site that professional tennis training is now available at Steinmühle. Parents were also able to see for themselves just how sports-oriented Steinmühle already is. The young people gave it their all in the beach volleyball tournament and had a blast with water games and bumper balls.

 

The film crew conducted interviews

It certainly didn’t escape many people’s notice that a film crew was on the Steinmühle grounds conducting interviews with certain guests. This took place, among other locations, at the boathouse—the hub of rowing at Steinmühle—where young people, ranging from para-rowers to Olympians, are invited to get into a boat under the guidance of coach Martin Strohmenger and his assistants.

Café Mühle: A Place Where Community Comes Together

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The young people at Steinmühle Boarding School continue to put their hearts and hands into refining the concept for the new “Café Mühle” at the school’s tennis facility. “We want to tailor it as best as possible to our needs,” explain Lennard and Helene, the two main organizers behind the café. The renovated and redesigned gathering spot plays a major role for the students themselves during boarding school weekends. Hot and cold drinks, smoothies, and pastries invite students to gather and socialize. The Pen and Paper Club meets there regularly, reports boarding school counselor Marlon Welsch. Other group activities also take place there.

 

Encounters and Exchange

In the medium term, the goal will be to adjust the café’s hours and offerings to align with the operations at the adjacent tennis facility, so that active athletes can also stop by Café Mühle from time to time. “Above all, the café is meant to be a place where people can meet and build a sense of community,” adds Philipp Dönges, assistant head of the boarding school.

“Café Mühle” is a project run by the Inno-Club of the same name at Steinmühle Boarding School. The Inno-Clubs focus on various topics, such as event planning, the boarding school council, decoration and design, and content creation for social media.

 

Shaping and Expanding Your Own World

Philipp Dönges: “The Inno-Clubs are primarily intended as spaces for participation. Young people should have the opportunity to independently and collaboratively help shape, change, and expand their living environment—in line with their individual abilities and interests, and with the goal of identifying new skills and interests.”

 

Steinmühle—a community on the move: Register for the Marburg Night Marathon

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For this fantastic event, we’ve tweaked our tagline “Steinmühle—a community that supports” slightly: A community that runs! This slogan is the theme of our participation in this year’s 26th Marburg Night Marathon. It starts on Friday, July 4, at 7 p.m.

 

Achievements are not the main focus

The participation of Steinmühle and its entire school and boarding school community is both a tradition and legendary. Students, teachers, educators, parents, and alumni all join in to be part of the event. It’s less about the results and more about having fun, says Principal Björn Gemmer, who is one of the most consistent participants.

 

Marcel Kalb is pulling the strings

Our school athletic director, Marcel Kalb, is in charge of the Steinmühle. Please contact him if you’d like to sign up or have any questions. You can find more information on the poster shown here.

We’re looking forward to an entertaining evening, at the end of which we’re sure to conclude once again: Things are going well for us!

 

The “Appreciation Week” was held at the Steinmühle boarding school for the third year in a row

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Appreciation Week took place for the third time this year. Each day featured various challenges centered on the theme of appreciation: “Give someone a hug,” “Pay someone a compliment,” “Smile at someone,” and much more. Throughout the week, small treats or kind messages can also be placed in a mailbox for all boarding school residents. Affirmations are also posted in various locations.

“The week has now become an integral part of the year, and we hope that it will continue to be just as wonderful in the years to come,” explain boarding school educators Ben Zriki and Michel Hermens, who documented Appreciation Week in words and pictures.

 
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Do you have questions about the school?

School Administration & Management

Björn Gemmer & Dirk Konnertz
Phone: 06421 408-20

schule@steinmuehle.de

Do you have questions about the boarding school?

Boarding School Administration & Management

Anke Muszynski & Dirk Konnertz
Phone: 06421 408-0

internat@steinmuehle.de

Do you have questions about the school?

School Administration & Management

Björn Gemmer & Dirk Konnertz
Phone: 06421 408-20

schule@steinmuehle.de

Do you have questions about the boarding school?

Boarding School Administration & Management

Anke Muszynski & Dirk Konnertz
Phone: 06421 408-0

internat@steinmuehle.de

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