Marie Grosse, a student at Steinmühlen School, won the First Marburg School Slam

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This time, it was the stage instead of the classroom: On Wednesday evening, June 10, the first Marburg School Slam took place at the Steinmühle. Thirteen students from three Marburg high schools took the stage with texts they had written themselves—and faced the traditional slam judging process: The audience decided who would advance to the finals based on their applause.

The premiere was the result of a collaboration between the Elisabethschule (Ute Trautwein), the Gymnasium Philippinum (Christian Steiner), and the Steinmühle (Kristina Sokoli and Björn Wagner), which had initially held a writing workshop at each school. The texts created during those workshops then made their way onto the stage.

 

Bestselling author Leah Weigand explained how poetry slam works

The evening was hosted by Marburg-based spoken word artist and bestselling author Leah Weigand, who began by explaining to the audience how a poetry slam actually works: only original texts, a maximum of 6 minutes, no props—and an audience of about 130 people, who ultimately become the jury by “clapping” for the winner.

In terms of content, the young poets didn’t mince words. Their texts revolved around topics such as respect and equality, mental health, the big questions, and the meaning of life—topics that visibly moved the predominantly young audience. A total of nine artists or teams competed in the preliminary round; during a break, guests had the opportunity to read the texts displayed around the room at their leisure and strike up conversations with one another.

 

Elisabethschule, Philippinum, and Steinmühle Are in the Running

The Elisabethschule was represented by Rou AbdAlrahman, the duo Nikas Schmidt and Leonie Schultz, and the trio Maria Traute, Jara Jahn, and Louis Klöck. The Philippinum sent Mara Dumitru and Louise Malévé into the competition. Competing for the Steinmühle were Christabel Okafor, Marie Grosse, Sophia Hach, and the duo Ida Kraft and Lennard Kröger.

After the preliminary rounds, the audience first selected three finalists, who then gave it their all once again with a second piece. In the end, Marie Grosse came out on top, winning the first Marburg SchoolSlam.

 

Project funded by the HBB

The event ran smoothly thanks to the “Sound&Light” technical team at the Steinmühle. The project was funded by the Office of the Hessian Innovation and Advisory Network for Talent Development (HIBB), which is responsible for promoting talent as part of the Hessian Ministry of Culture, Education, and Opportunity.

Judging by the evening’s applause, it was clear that this first School Slam couldn’t possibly be the end: Marburg’s first School Slam showed just how much courage, eloquence, and open-ended questions young people possess—and that Marburg’s schools are happy to come together to build a stage for them.

(Björn Wagner/Kristina Sokoli)

From Poetry to Slam: A Treasure Waiting to Be Uncovered

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Literary talents from Steinmühle met with the well-known author and spoken-word artist Leah Weigand to prepare for the 1st Marburg School Slam. It is a treasure waiting to be unearthed: the ability to transform one’s own thoughts and experiences into artistic words and to inspire others with them. This goal united the 11th-grade students who met with Leah Weigand at Steinmühle on May 8 to write—in a way that was quite different from how they usually have to write in school.

 

“Respect the poet”

In a pleasantly relaxed and highly motivating atmosphere, the participants gained valuable inspiration through various creative writing exercises. The result was a range of texts, both short and long—sometimes funny, sometimes mundane, occasionally philosophical, thought-provoking, and poetically striking—all guided by the event’s theme: “Respect the poet,” and captured on camera by Björn Wagner.

 

How It All Began

It all started at the poetry slam at KFZ last December. Class 11a attended the event, was very impressed by the artists there, and our colleague Björn Wagner—who also performs as a slammer in his free time—put us in touch with Leah Weigand, who hosted the slam at the KFZ, who is also a bestselling author and a sought-after slam poet in her own right.

 

Cross-School Collaboration

The desire to nurture not only scientific but also artistic and literary talents at Steinmühle has long been a priority, and now the opportunity has arisen to bring a professional woman to our school. But that’s not all. When discussing how to finance this project with the Hessian Innovation and Advisory Network for the Promotion of Gifted Students (HIBB), the idea arose to establish a cross-school collaboration.

 

The project’s highlight on June 10

We were able to recruit a teacher from the Elisabethschule and a teacher from the Philippinum, who also offered poetry workshops at their respective schools. The highlight of this project so far is scheduled to take place on June 10 at 7 p.m., when students from all three schools will compete in a literary contest at the Forum der Steinmühle and celebrate the 1st Marburg School Slam, moderated by Leah Weigand.

We’re really looking forward to it and say: Don’t miss it! Mark your calendars.

(Kristina Sokoli)

 

Diplomacy Up Close: Simulation Game Challenged This Year’s 13th-Grade Class

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Why can’t international conflicts simply be resolved at the negotiating table? The 13th-grade students at Steinmühle once again explored this question. Following the successful premiere two years ago, this year’s collaboration with Philipps University of Marburg once again demonstrated just how challenging diplomatic negotiations actually are. The event was largely facilitated by conflict researcher Dr. Stéphane Voell, who led the simulation and guided the participants through the challenging simulation exercise.

 

Informal discussions as a first step

During the event, the students took on the roles of delegates from various fictional countries. Each with their own interests, political goals, and territorial claims, they first engaged in informal discussions before gathering at a roundtable to try to develop a joint solution to the conflict. To give the simulation as authentic and official a character as possible, the participants were instructed to consistently address one another formally during the negotiations. It quickly became clear how difficult it is to negotiate compromises when national interests, economic interdependencies, and security considerations clash.

 

Caught between conflicting interests

Not every delegation was willing to compromise. Some vigorously defended their positions, while others sought dialogue—a tension that significantly shaped the course of the negotiations. The participants gained firsthand experience of just how challenging international diplomacy can be and why even well-intentioned solutions often fail due to conflicting interests.

 

A Keener Perspective on Real-World Conflicts

During the concluding reflection session, many students described how intensely they had experienced their respective roles. Terms like “frustrating” or “complicated” came up repeatedly, yet it also became clear that these very experiences had sharpened their perspective on real-world political conflicts. Together with Stéphane Voell, the dynamics of the negotiations were analyzed, and the simulation’s framework was finally revealed: The scenario was broadly based on the Transnistria conflict between the Republic of Moldova and the self-proclaimed Transnistrian Republic, with Russia’s involvement.

 

Experience the partnership with the university firsthand

For Bernd Hülsbeck, a subject teacher and head of the social sciences division within the Politics and Economics Department, the event is a successful example of close collaboration between the school and the university. It allows students to experience firsthand the long-standing partnership with Philipps University of Marburg. At the same time, the simulation adds a practical perspective to the 13th-grade curriculum, which is currently covering international relations.

 

A Wide Range of Career Opportunities

The Peace and Conflict Studies program at the University of Marburg offers graduates a wide range of career opportunities—including positions in international organizations such as the United Nations, as well as in the academic analysis and resolution of international conflicts. The simulation, held once again, impressively demonstrated just how complex peace processes are and how important dialogue, negotiation skills, and mutual understanding remain for sustainable solutions.

(Angela Heinemann)

 

 

Social Roles and Aspects of Toxic Masculinity

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When is a man a man? Herbert Grönemeyer asked this very question back in 1984 in his song “Männer.” The topic has lost none of its relevance. Over the weekend, a workshop on “Masculinity & Role Models” took place at the Steinmühle boarding school, led by two guest speakers from ProFamilia.

Overall, the program was very well received by the young men, reports program director Marlon Welsch. Most of them engaged openly and enthusiastically with the content and discussions. In the workshop, they explored societal role models, aspects of toxic masculinity, and their own ideas about relationships and how to shape them.

What makes a man a man?

The discussion about what “makes a man” for them personally was particularly valuable. Many participants were able to take away concrete ideas and food for thought to apply to their daily lives—especially with regard to self-reflection, interacting with one another, and building respectful relationships.

 

The workshop provided a safe space for honest conversations and was generally considered an enriching experience.

 

(Heinm/Photo: KI)

 

Standing Up for Your Own Boundaries: A Course on Self-Assertion at Steinmühle Boarding School

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How do I recognize my own boundaries? How do I stand up for them? These and other topics, such as self-assertion and self-defense, were the focus of a workshop for young women at the Steinmühle boarding school. Through this workshop, the organizing association, Wendo Marburg, actively offers encouragement and support to participants aged 16 and older.

Ten young women participated in the two-day course. Through various exercises, they were able to explore their own boundaries and learn to assert them to others.

 

Coping with Everyday Situations

The exercises focused, for example, on personal presentation—both verbal (using the two-sentence method) and nonverbal—as well as on everyday situations that participants could learn to handle through repetition. A safe space for dialogue was created. At the same time, the focus was on assertiveness and self-defense. Working in pairs and small groups, the young women were able to try out and practice various strategies.

 

Mutual Support

Program Director Anne Gebhardt: “It was especially nice to see that the young women continued to talk to one another even in the days following the workshop and, for example, recommended apps to each other within the group so they could continue to support one another beyond the course.”

(Heinm/Photo: KI)

powiPlus — for anyone who wants more than just regular political science classes

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Starting in the coming semester, Steinmühle will launch the powiPlus project for 9th and 10th graders. Subject teachers Phillip Knaack and Dr. Claudia Röder explain this to the students: “powiPlus is for anyone who wants more than just regular political science classes.”

Contacts in the political arena, visits to parliaments and businesses

This program focuses on real issues that affect you: elections, local politics, the economy, businesses, Europe—and how you can have a say and help shape the future. You’ll debate with politicians, participate in simulation exercises, visit state legislatures and businesses, work in teams on your own projects, and get a hands-on look at how politics and the economy really work. powiPlus is voluntary but requires a commitment—no grades, but you’ll receive a certificate and gain some really valuable experience. It’s ideal if you find politics and economics exciting or plan to take the advanced course later on.”

For more information, visit powiPlus.

Phillip Knaack and Dr. Claudia Röder look forward to your feedback.

(Heinm)

 

 

Four thematic areas—four sessions: Future Day takes root at the Steinmühle

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Before our students graduate with their high school diplomas and head out into the “real” world, they should have a basic understanding of certain everyday topics, because sooner or later they will be confronted with them. This is the view of Steinmühle High School, and above all, Upper School Director Constanze Oestreicher-Gold. That’s why she organizes what’s known as “Future Day” for the 13th-grade class practically every year.

 

Educating People About Taxes, Lease Agreements, and More

As with the annual Career Information Day held in November, experts will come to the Steinmühle and be available in various rooms of the Forum to answer the young people’s questions.

The current topics covered housing, finances, taxes, and starting a career. These broad categories encompass topics such as rental agreements, loans, tax returns, and dual study programs. The young adults had numerous questions on these topics, which were addressed with detailed answers as they delved into each subject.

Steinmühle would like to thank the speakers and the students alike for the interesting discussions and the wealth of important information, which will be of great help to each participant in the near future.

(Heinm)

A Taste of College Life: Introductory Course on Religion Explores the Catholic Seminary in Marburg

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On Tuesday evening, the students in the introductory religion course swapped the classroom for the lecture hall: As part of the student preparatory program, Bene Hohmann’s class visited the Catholic Theological Seminary at the University of Marburg.

The evening offered the Q1 students an exciting look behind the scenes of academic theology. After an initial orientation led by enthusiastic students who guided us through the building and told us about their daily life at the university, the main event of the visit began.

 

From the Biblical Fall to Modern Narcissism: Insights into Theology

The focus was on the lecture by PD Dr. Florian Klug, a professor of dogmatic theology in Marburg and Vienna. He spoke about a topic that is traditionally difficult to grasp: original sin.

Dr. Klug presented original sin not as a historical event, but as a theological attempt to interpret humanity’s inclination toward evil. The connection to the present day was particularly fascinating: Dr. Klug interpreted original sin as a kind of collective narcissism—the constant exaltation of one’s own ego as the cause of separation from goodness. The students took advantage of the opportunity to ask questions, which led to a lively and engaging discussion.

 

A resounding success and a taste of college life

The students were thrilled by this glimpse into university life. The evening was not only relevant in terms of content—it also fit perfectly with our Christology unit in Q1—but it also provided the young adults with valuable guidance.

Conclusion: An all-around successful evening that not only imparted knowledge but also—hopefully—sparked an interest in further academic education among the young adults!

Benedikt Hohmann

 

 
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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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