German School of Athens
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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German School of Athens |
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| Established | 1896 |
| Type | Private |
| Chancellor | Dietrich Voss |
| Students | 1,000 |
| Location | Athens, Greece |
| Website | http://www.dsathen.edu.gr/eng/index.htm |
The German School of Athens (GSA), or Deutsche Schule Athen (DSA, in Greek Γερμανική Σχολή Αθηνών or also known Doerpfeld-College-School), is one of the most prestigious and demanding high schools in Greece. Being a coeducational independent educational institution in Athens, the school has been in operation since 1896. Founded by the well-known architect and archeologist Wilhelm Doerpfeld, the GSA stands for the educational elite of Greece.
Since its foundation many of Greece's politicians, people of business and culture, have been graduates of the German School of Athens. Besides that, the school is famous for its MUN conference, its theatrical group, its annual Christmas bazar and rock concert. Well-known are also its Debutante Ball called 'Doerpfeldianer Ball' its and its summer camp.
The German School of Athens can be considered a demanding and very selective school, as children are usually taught both in Greek and German language and have to sit for both Greek and German final exams at the end of the last grade. This enables them both a Greek and German high school diploma (Abitur). Also it should be noted that pupils have to take entry exams in order to become students of the Greek section of Gymnasium.
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[edit] A privileged educational institution
Considered a privileged educational institution of an international level, the German School of Athens does consistently well academically. Education is mainly in German and Greek - following the Greek educational system, and allowing students to sit for Greek university entrance exams -and at the same time prepare students for the German Abitur examinations. Of course its students are also taught the English language at a high level. Every year, students graduate from the German School of Athens to go to a variety of universities in Greece, Germany, the UK, the US and elsewhere.
Upholding the tradition of an environment friendly school, the German School of Athens had Greece's largest solar roof installed for Olympic Games. The project was backed by German Federal Ministry of Economics and Labor (BMWA), the German Energy Agency (dena) and the Greek-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
[edit] DSAMUN (Deutsche Schule Athen Model United Nations) conference
The German School of Athens is particularly famous on national and international level for its DSAMUN[1] conference. Thus it could be considered the most important event of the institution. The DSAMUN is a three-day-long simulation of the work of the United Nations and takes place at the German School of Athens. It is designed for secondary school students and is intended to provide an occasion for the delegates to discuss world issues. It gives them the opportunity to experience the work of the United Nations and to get to know the world of diplomacy. For students from schools where the first language is not English a MUN conference also offers the opportunity to develop and practice their English, as the official language of DSAMUN (preparing resolutions, lobbying, debating) is English.
According to the 2005 presidential board members, Andreas Hermann and Despina Gleitsmann, international conferences such as DSAMUN have a lot to offer. Quoting from the official website of DSAMUN, the two former members say that by participating somebody develops a more global perspective in the way he views international affairs. Also one's personality can be developed through its challenging and thought-provoking discussions. Moreover, MUN promotes an environment of understanding and tolerance.
The delegates should research and prepare draft resolutions and policy statements on the various issues (from the view of the country they represent) and learn to negotiate and debate in the formal way of the United Nations. By attending the DSAMUN, foreign delegates have the opportunity to visit Plaka (the old part of Athens), the National Museum, the Acropolis and all the other places of interest in Athens. In addition, optional excursions to Epidaurus and Nafplion are organized.
[edit] Doerpfeldianer Ball
The Doerpfeldianer Ball (Ball of German School of Athens Graduates) takes place every two years at the Hotel Athenaeum Intercontinental. Considered one of the most impressive balls organized by an educational institution, it draws together people from the fields of politics and international diplomacy, business, journalism, culture and the academic world. Many of them are graduates of the German School of Athens.
The ball involves many surprises like a remarkable exhibition of Tiffany & Co. jewellery brought exclusively from New York in the year 1999. Another surprise is the lottery with its magnificent prizes, the performance of well-know Greek musicians and the "welcome drink" under jazz music.
But undoubtedly the highlight of the Doerpfeldianer Ball is the debut of the debutants (graduating students of the German School of Athens) in dances like walz and polka. The tradition of the debutants signifies the step into adulthood and social life. The dress code is smoking for the boys and white formal dress for the girls.
[edit] Greek Drama Group
The German School of Athens is also famous for its greek [[Theatrical Group. The Group is one of the most prestigious school theatrical groups and is lead by Mr. Stelios Papapetrou. In the year 2005 it celebrated its 25th anniversary. About 370 students, teachers and parents have joined or cooperated with the theatrical group since its foundation. Also 20 former students of the GSA and members of the school theatrical group are nowadays professional actors. Examples are Kostas Sommer and Thalia Matika, both graduates of the school.
[edit] Study Groups at the DSA
A wide-spread offer of about 40 study groups concentrating on fine arts and physical education allows common activities by German and Greek students. Thus there are e.g.:
a Greek drama group
a German drama group
two orchestras
one chamber ensemble
two choirs
25 sports groups, among them dancing, swimming, badminton, table-tennis and all kinds of team sport
[edit] Principles of the German School of Athens
The DSA wishes to set standards by its heavy demands on quality. Therefore everyone involved in the school agrees to the following guiding principles and works on their realisation.
Lessons and education
German and Greek teachers offer modern, high-quality, goal-directed lessons within the scope of integrated education and guarantee individual encouragement. The common goal is a wide range of general knowledge. They want their students to enjoy going to school. They expect and encourage curiosity, performance-oriented outlook, discipline, ability to learn, team spirit and one’s own initiative. Students of the DSA are supposed to later be able to lead a meaningful life and to accept responsibility even in leading positions. The school fulfils highest demands through its extraordinary equipment.
Languages and culture
Students feel at home in both German and Greek areas of language and culture. They achieve both confidence and competence in English. Furthermore, they are offered a variety of other languages to choose from. Main emphasis is put on the early and intensive promotion of languages.
School and its surroundings
With a wide offer of extracurricular activities and public events space for getting together outside the classroom is created. The school, within its surroundings, spreads cultural, social and ecological virtues and sets an example by its educational objectives.
Communication and school community
Transparency in all pedagogical and organisational areas is the foundation of teamwork and mutual trust. All groups commit themselves to collaboration, openness and mutual respect. Further merging of the German and Greek sections is an extremely important aim of the school. The students of the Greek section also sit the German final examinations “Abitur”.
Responsibility and democracy
Through active participation in school life the students of the DSA learn how to treat themselves, other people and the environment with respect and responsibility. This forms the basis for social behaviour and democracy.
Getting together and Europe
The German School of Athens is a centre of intercultural meeting. The understanding and respect of individual and national peculiarities is understood and cultivated. This is the basis for conscious and active integration in Europe.
[edit] Special Events
DSA Open Day
Projects
Model United Nations conferences
are headwords that name activities of the DSA during the previous school years. At the same time there is a regular offer of educational trips, exchange programs and European programs: e.g. student exchange trips to various schools in Germany for the eighth, ninth and tenth (Greek) grades, participation in European activities in the Netherlands and Ireland, educational trips for the sixth, tenth, twelfth and thirteenth grades and skiing courses for all eighth-graders.
[edit] Notable Alumni
- Dora Bakoyannis, Greek Foreign Affairs Minister, outgoing Mayor of Athens and winner of the 2005 World Mayor Award.
- Tassos Giannitsis, Alternate Foreign Minister.
- Giannis Valinakis, Greek Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, former President of Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy organization.
- Giannis Papathanassiou, Greek Deputy Minister of Development.
- Christos Verelis, former Greek Minister for Transport and Communications.
- Niki Goulandris, well-known personality in the field of culture, Deputy President of the The Goulandris Museum of Natural History.
- Giannis Psychopaidis, painter, Professor at the Athens School of Fine Arts.
- Despo Diamantidou, actress.
- Nikos Perrakis, director.
- Evangelos Antonaros, alternate Greek government spokesman.
- Katerina Marneri-Katsambe, Deputy Mayor of Athens.
- Kostas Sommer, Actor.
- Thalia Matika, Greek actress.
- Viky Volioti, greek actress.
- Themis Mallis, reporter and news-broadcaster of the Greek television station Star channel.
- Stavros A. Savidis, Professor and director of the department of soil mechanics at the Technical University of Berlin.
- Antonia Dimitrakopoulou-Strauß, Doctor at the German institute for cancer research in Heidelberg (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum).
- Kalliopi, Pop-rock singer/songwriter from Greece.
- Giorgos Markopouliotis, Head of the EU Commission Representation of Greece, afterwards student at Moraitis School.
- Marianna Toli, well-know Greek singer, director and actress, especially through her participance in the Eurovision Song Contest and Greek National Theatre.
- Marianna Efstratiou, singer and twice contestant at the Eurovision Song Contest.
- Nikos Perrakis, famous film director, director of film hit 'Loufa ke Paralagi'.
- Anna Filini, greek architect and painter.
