The school community was looking forward to the long-planned appointment. The district administrator was warmly welcomed by the 40 students as well as by the headmaster Thorsten Podevin, his deputy Peter Schröer, the class teacher Britta Baschab-Krupp, and Edith Köhne, a teacher of social sciences, in the school cafeteria.
From the question round, one could hear the young people's concern about a possible world war. "Conflicts unfortunately occur repeatedly around the world, but I consider one on such a scale to be unlikely, I am very confident about that," said the district administrator. One student even compared the current political developments in Germany to those before 1939. In addition to many other topics, digitalization also provided material for discussion.
"Digital media should not prevent us from thinking for ourselves. They are tools that, however, do not replace one's own creativity and intelligence. I can only advise being careful with them and indeed questioning what is presented digitally and on social networks," said the district administrator during the one-and-a-half-hour exchange. At the end of the lively lessons, the district administrator suggested that a group from the student body of the Neue Sandrennbahn participate in the next Siebenpfeiffer banquet in January 2025 to, for example, talk about career aspirations or other concerns. In addition, next year the exhibition “75 Years of the Council of Europe,” which is currently on display at the district office, is to be shown at the Neue Sandrennbahn. The exhibition provides information about the work of the Council of Europe in protecting human rights, supporting democracy, and the rule of law in the 46 member states. Furthermore, one learns more about the structure and achievements of the organization. District Administrator Dr. Theophil Gallo looks forward to interest from other schools in borrowing the exhibition.
