January 2026 | Ida-Lena Zoglmann
In March 2020, the whole of Germany sat in front of the television and heard the words of then Chancellor Angela Merkel: “It’s serious. Take it seriously too.” This was followed shortly afterwards by lockdown, compulsory masks and far-reaching cuts to everyday life. The school and Schloss Stein boarding school were suddenly faced with completely new challenges.
Despite all the restrictions, Stein managed to keep the school running. As a house community, with close-knit testing and great commitment from the team of educators, it was possible to continue “doing school”. The educators now also accompanied the boarding school pupils in the mornings, sat with them in the classroom and supervised the online lessons while the teachers were connected from home. Rapid tests in the morning, waiting for one or two lines and terms such as PCR test or quarantine station characterized this time. For many international students, Stein became the center of their lives during this phase, as returning home was not possible for a long time. Growing together next level, so to speak. Despite all the external circumstances, Stein remained a place of cohesion. For many, passing through the Stein Gate meant a small piece of normality, while the world outside felt increasingly isolated.
I came to Stein myself in September 2020. Shortly before that, Severin Murea and his wife Gina retired from their role as deputy head of the boarding school. Christian Matyszok, a familiar face to many, returned to Stein and took over the role of Deputy Head of Boarding School alongside Sebastian Ziegler at the start of the school year in September 2020 as a qualified social pedagogue and licensed child and adolescent psychotherapist.
In the years that followed, Stein continued to change – visibly and noticeably in everyday life. Numerous changes and projects were initiated and implemented: Study hours replaced work hours, Saturday classes were abolished, the gym was modernized, the sun deck on the canal was built and the café was renovated – to name just a few.
As the situation slowly eased, shared experiences also returned. A visible sign of this was the first Winter Ball on January 28, 2023, initiated by Christian Matyszok. After months of preparation and dance classes, it became an evening that brought together pupils, parents, teachers, educators and the management – a festive moment that has become firmly anchored in the Steiner calendar.
There is much more that could be said about these years. But those who experienced them themselves can do so most impressively. In the following, you will read personal retrospectives from Steiner students of this time – from boarding school students from Munich to Mexico City, from day school students from Altenmarkt to Freilassing and returnees from the Black Forest. I hope you enjoy reading this book.
“But a very special time arose out of necessity. Especially in the boarding school, the community grew even closer together than it already was. Everyone who was there will remember it for a long time. Some semi-internal pupils came to the boarding school to be allowed to live with other young people. The health authorities allowed us to run the boarding school under strict conditions – making the Steiner the great exception in those years. Being able to experience the community, even if the lessons had to be largely digital, was something special. The exception was my colleagues, who also went to boarding school and will also remember this time as a special experience.”
Sebastian Ziegler | General Manager
“I know my Steiner friends like hardly anyone else. We spent an endless amount of time together and everything we wanted to do outside of school was made possible. I really appreciate Stein for that.”
Johannes Vietmeyer | Baccalaureate 2023
“It was a home where we grew together, laughed and surpassed ourselves.”
Dylan Bauer | Abitur 2020
When I think back to my time at Schule Schloss Stein boarding school, I remember some formative and eventful years.
My first regular week in Stein was the 2015 ski camp – and after this week at the latest, no one could have denied my wish to complete my entire school career here. Right from the start, I was warmly welcomed by my new classmates and schoolmates. The openness, solidarity and social commitment that are conveyed and exemplified in Stein make this place something very special.
I have particularly vivid memories of Thursdays at Gasthof Martini, when we would sit together after the weekly soccer match, completely exhausted but satisfied. These evenings had a unifying effect and strengthened my sense of home.
Equally unforgettable are the annual battles against the other boarding schools – sporting competitions that strengthened team spirit and created a strong sense of cohesion. It was precisely these shared experiences, the togetherness and the sense of togetherness that made my Stone Age something very special.
Being the first Corona graduating class was a challenge all of its own. This time was both exciting and very restrictive: lessons under special conditions, uncertainty, changed procedures and an Abitur that no one had ever experienced before.
This phase bonded us all the more and taught us to be flexible and stand up for each other.
We were all the luckier that we were still able to go on our class trip to Barcelona in Year 11. This trip was a highlight – full of lightness, shared memories and the feeling of spending carefree time together once again. Looking back, this trip was a gift and a special moment in our time at school together.
It was a special time of my life, filled with community, friendships and unforgettable moments – just as my parents had already experienced during their time at this boarding school. Stein was more than just a school: it was a home where we grew together, laughed and surpassed ourselves.
Dylan Bauer | Munich
“My time in Stein showed me how important it is to stand behind your own decisions.”
Moritz Liebl | Abitur 2021
I came to Stein in the middle of 2017. Before that, I went to a secondary school in Traunstein and, to be honest, I was anything but a high-flyer who would have been expected to pass the Abitur.
Nevertheless, I took the entrance exam and spent the first few weeks internally. My roommate was Jan S., who immediately showed me how everything works. That helped me a lot to find my own rhythm.
Of course, everything was new at first and quite a lot at once, but you quickly got used to it over time. I really liked my class, perhaps also because everyone somehow complemented each other. We had a lot of fun – and sure, the lessons weren’t always “awesome”, but we made the best of it.
My favorite subjects were art and geography and, surprisingly, French, even though I had tutoring every day.
From Mr. Ziegler ‘s point of view, I was certainly not an easy student – someone with rough edges, who sometimes questioned the rules and for whom tattoos were a matter of course. Despite our different ideas, we found a tolerant and respectful way of dealing with each other. I particularly remember his final words about me, in which he emphasized how important it was to consistently stand behind your own decisions and to stick to them at all costs. That made me very proud.
In conclusion, I can say that it was an exciting time with highs and lows – but also a time that shaped me and my character.
Thank you for everything I was able to experience.
Moritz Liebl | Freilassing
“Discussions were often more open because you didn’t feel like you were just talking for a grade, but because you were really talking to each other.”
Kilian Reichelt | Abitur 2021
When I think back to my time in Stein today, it’s not a single moment that immediately comes to mind, but this very special feeling of rhythm, closeness and everyday life, which was somehow never just everyday life. Stein had its fixed points and at the same time hardly any week was like the other, because it always lived from the people and the little stories in between.
For me, the week usually started at the main train station, on the bus to Stein. This journey was more than just a route from A to B. You got on, saw familiar faces, and before the bus had even left the city, you were in the middle of the stories from the weekend. This shared arrival into boarding school life always kick-started the week for me.
What I remember most are the afternoons when sport wasn’t just sport, but part of the community. It felt like basketball and soccer were always on, regardless of whether you just wanted to go out for a bit or suddenly ended up in a real game. But a real highlight for me was Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with Mr. Matyszok. It was challenging and at the same time cleared my head. This mixture of concentration, respect and the feeling of getting better together was typical of Stein.
Teaching in Stein was also different in a special way, without it automatically making everything easier. The teachers were simply closer to you, not just in the classroom, but as part of the community. You knew each other, met them all the time in everyday life, and this made many conversations more direct. Discussions were often more open because you didn’t feel like you were just talking for a grade, but because you were really talking to each other. That didn’t always make lessons comfortable, but it often made them more honest and somehow more relevant.
And then there were those evenings that still seem like their own little chapters today. The Steiner Club was such a place where a normal day could turn into something special. Especially the DJing with Max Frauendörfer and even more so the preparation sessions beforehand. Searching for tracks together, trying out transitions, discussing what works and what doesn’t. When it really worked in the end and you realized that all the preparation had paid off, it was a good feeling.
Another fixture was the Thursday evening at Martini. The anticipation was often palpable beforehand. It was less about going out and more about getting together, sitting, talking, laughing and clearing your head.
The excursions are also one of the big highlights for me. Skiing with Mr. Koch was always a little adventure and always brought the group together. The same goes for the swimming trips in summer with Mr. Ziegler, just getting out, sun, water and that feeling that an afternoon can suddenly be much bigger than the hours it consists of.
As wonderful as these individual memories are, what was really special for me was the sense of community. The opportunity to be surrounded by friends at all times, practically and without much planning. In the corridor, at dinner, after sport, in the evening in my room. Stein was therefore not just a place to learn, but a time that shaped me, especially because it’s rare to be so close and so constantly with your people again
– Kilian Reichelt | Icking
“We created memories without knowing how valuable they would be years later.”
Anna Sophia Krutzenbichler | Abitur 2022
When we think back to our school days today, the “Stone Age“ almost feels like a different era. A small world of its own, in which everyday life officially consisted of lessons, exams and timetables – but unofficially of laughter, conversations and community.
We grew together during these years. We laughed a lot, sometimes about the school, sometimes about ourselves – and often about things that probably nobody can understand today.
This period was characterized by rituals that quickly became legendary. First and foremost the infamous Martini evenings: Evenings where people sat together and let the day fade away. And, of course, the three-beer rule – which probably made sense from an educational point of view, but was received with cautious enthusiasm by the students at the time. Today, it mainly makes people smile.
A few weeks ago, I was asked what my favorite memories were. On reflection, I realized that an astonishing number of them took place in stone. And there’s a good reason for that:
Because in Stein, I was able to meet some of the people who play a big role in my life today – including my best friend. Tessa and I were friends from day one and immediately shared everything. I even went to the basketball group for her sake. What initially sounded like a sporting imposition surprisingly turned into real fun. My basketball skills are still… let’s just say they could be improved. Whether my teammates had as much fun with me as a team member as I did, I will leave open at this point. The question remains unanswered to this day.
The class trip to Lisbon in Year 11 in 2021 was without a doubt an absolute highlight. It was actually only a few days – looking back, it feels like an entire chapter in our school history. The impressive thing about it is that we created memories without knowing how valuable they would be years later.
Another not insignificant detail of this Lisbon trip should of course not be missed: Portuguese beer. It accompanied us – shall we say – a little more regularly than originally planned. Always in moderation, of course!
But the most important thing remains: In Stein, I was able to meet people who still give me stability, support and accompany me today. People who have stayed.
I will never forget my time in Stein: as a time of cohesion, friendships and memories that have shaped us and will stay with us for a lifetime.
– Anna Sophia Krutzenbichler | Altenmarkt
“The memories, the close friendships and the feeling of community have remained and it is a great pleasure to return to Stein again and again.”
Brunel Altabba | Abitur 2023
When I was twelve, I came to Stein from Mexico City, from a German school in the middle of a metropolis of millions to a boarding school with a castle, sports facilities and clear structures. In the first few months, I was rather shy and spent a lot of time in my room, mainly studying and practicing the German language. Over time, however, I came to understand and appreciate the opportunities Stein offered me: a special balance between academic learning and sporting and social engagement. It was precisely this balance that I found crucial, not only for my personal development, but also for life and the cohesion of the Stein community.
I was a boarder at Stein from 2018 to 2023 and graduated in 2023. During these five years, Stein became more than just a school: it became a home. When people were looking for me, I was rarely in my room. I was usually out and about, either in the library, in the sports hall, on the tennis court or somewhere on the grounds where people were playing, training or simply spending time together.
For me, sport was always a unifying element of boarding school life. Regardless of year group or language barriers, people came together, played together and got to know each other. It was precisely this that led to encounters and friendships with students with whom you might have had less contact in everyday school life.
I have fond memories of the many projects that I was able to implement together with other Steiners, including very close friends, always with the support of the boarding school. Whether it was the sun deck, renovated gym, refurbished rooms or the café: we were able to contribute ideas, take responsibility and make a visible difference. We quickly realized how important it is not only to do something for ourselves, but also for the Steiner community, and what a lasting impact this commitment can have on boarding school life. The following was also particularly influential Friedrich Hörmannwho was heavily involved in the inclination groups, led numerous projects and was an important part of boarding school life.
The trust and freedom that educators like Mr. Matyszokand the head of the boarding school, Sebastian Ziegler, were something special and enabled us to work independently and grow beyond ourselves.
As I was at Stein for a total of five years, I particularly looked forward to getting to know the new students from Mexico every year. They were always a reminder of home for me and brought with them an open, positive energy that made boarding school life more diverse.
Looking back, I realized how many people at the boarding school and at the school played an important role for me. Everyone brought their own strengths and it was precisely this interaction that made boarding school life so special. Mr. Koch, Mr. Matyszok and Mrs. Levannier were particularly formative for me. Mrs. Levannier. They were always approachable, committed and supportive, both in everyday life and in challenging moments.
The most intense and perhaps also the most fun year for me was year 10 (2020/21). Despite the corona period, we were doubly lucky: firstly, we were allowed to stay together as a boarding school community, which kept everyday life stable and communal. Secondly, personal computers had been introduced for all students shortly beforehand, which made lessons much more technological. This combination made starting school and learning noticeably easier during this special time. As a result, we were able to spend a lot of time together, do sports together, work on projects and build close friendships that still exist today.
Towards the end of my time in Stein, I was very grateful for everything I had experienced, but also ready for the next step. The teachers had often told us that we would only realize later how special this time was. At the time, I somehow couldn’t quite believe that.
Today I know how right they were and how formative this time really was. The memories, the close friendships and the feeling of community have remained and it is a great pleasure to return to Stein again and again.
– Brunel Altabba | Mexico City
“From crossing the Alps to the little everyday moments – all of this made my time in Stein unforgettable.”
Maxim Binder | Abitur 2024
My time at Stein began in 2019 and it was anything but straightforward. In total, I was part of the school community until 2024, with a one-year break in between. This break was necessary because I had suffered a serious back injury and, to be honest, lost interest in school at times. Looking back, this phase was a turning point and at the same time the moment when I really realized what Stein and the people there meant to me.
What still impresses me deeply today is the incredible solidarity at this school. During my injury, not only my closest friends, but also many classmates with whom I had previously had less contact, regularly asked about me. Even in the year that I was no longer at Stein, I was asked again and again when I was coming back. All this despite the fact that I wasn’t exactly known for my exemplary behavior beforehand. For me, that says everything about the “Steiner spirit”.
I originally came to Stein in the 9th grade and was a full boarding school student. My first day was characterized by an extremely open, familiar atmosphere, and since I was already familiar with boarding school life, everything immediately felt right. The proximity to Lake Chiemsee, the wide range of sports on offer and the modern sports hall all contributed to my enthusiasm and curiosity right from the start.
Despite everything, the one-year break from 2021 to 2022 was a very valuable year for me. I fought my way back to sport, got my back pain almost completely under control through consistent muscle building and successfully passed my hunting license at the age of 16 during this time. Shortly before that, I had almost failed my 10th grade exams. Suddenly I had the “green diploma” in my pocket and for the first time I had the feeling that maybe I could do more than I thought I could. That’s exactly why I decided to return to Stein and do my Abitur there.
When I came back with a new enthusiasm for learning, I immediately achieved the best grade in the class in my first test. Although this remained a one-off experience, the fun I had in the following two years with my classmates and – surprisingly – with teachers who had previously found me rather exhausting, was priceless. I particularly remember the humorous chemistry lessons with Mr. Glotzin which the lost championship of FC Bayern Munich was the subject of heated discussions.
Sport has always played a central role for me. I set myself the goal of achieving the “Sportsman of the Year” award at Schule Schloss Stein and was actually able to fulfill this dream last year. I also had unforgettable experiences such as crossing the Alps with the P-Seminar Bike under the guidance of Mr. Kochwhere we pushed ourselves to our limits and grew even closer together as a class.
The teachers also had a strong influence on me. In the earlier years, there was often friction with Mr. Murea, which was difficult for me at the time. After my break, however, I had Mr. Matyszok as an educator who always believed in me and helped me to overcome my doubts about myself. The fact that we are still in contact today means a lot to me. I am just as grateful for the trust that my then principal Theresia Schilling and the head of the boarding school Mr. Ziegler placed in me.
The many small but memorable encounters should not go unmentioned: the entertaining dinners, the annual ice baths on the sun deck and the time spent with the janitors Gerhard and Besim, who always had a light-hearted remark at the ready and enriched everyday life in their own way. A very special highlight was also going hunting with chef Werner Kraus and shooting my graduation roebuck on Lake Chiemsee.
For me, the “Steiner spirit” means one thing above all: cohesion. Only those of us who were there know what we experience in this place, the phases of life we go through together and how much we support each other.
If someone had told me in the past that I would miss my time at Stein – the teachers, the educators, my classmates and all the chaos that I often caused myself – I would have declared them crazy. Today I know that I do exactly that.
Stein has had a positive impact on my life and given me friendships for life.
– Maxim Binder | Black Forest
We would like to thank Dylan, Moritz, Kilian, Anna & Tessa, Brunel and Maxim for sharing their memories and insights with us – and, above all, for taking the time to do so despite exams and work. Your stories give life and authenticity to this review of the years 2020-2024 – and show how strong the bond with Stein has remained even under special circumstances.
