German School of Athens
Encyclopedia
The German School of Athens, or Deutsche Schule Athen (GSA / DSA, in Greek
Γερμανική Σχολή Αθηνών, ΓΣΑ or also known Dörpfeld Gymnasium), is a coeducational independent, high school in Greece
. The school has been in operation since 1896. It was founded by architect and archeologist Wilhelm Dörpfeld
.
The German School of Athens is considered a highly selective school, since 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
). Pupils have to take entry exams in order to become students of the Greek section of Gymnasium.
It is one of the oldest and most prestigious private
schools in Greece
, after a very large number of students graduating from the school
has excelled in politics, the arts, science and business.
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. Its students are also taught the English language at a high level.
Upholding the tradition of an environment
friendly school, the German School of Athens had Greece's largest solar
roof installed before the 2004 Olympic Games. The project was backed by German Federal Ministry of Economics and Labor (BMWA), the German Energy Agency and the Greek-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The DSAMUN is a three-day-long simulation of the work of the United Nations
and takes place at the GSA campus. It is designed for secondary school students and is intended to provide an occasion for the participants to discuss world issues. The conference gives them the opportunity to experience the work of the United Nations
and to get to know the world of diplomacy
.
The delegates at the DSAMUN conference are asked to prepare drafts
resolutions
and policy statements on various issues (from the view of the country they represent) and learn to negotiate and debate in a formal way. Foreign students, who attend DSAMUN, have the opportunity to visit Plaka
, the National Museum, the Acropolis
and other places of interest in Athens
. In addition, excursions to Epidaurus
and Nafplion
are organized.
for graduates takes place every two years at the Hotel Athenaeum Intercontinental
. It draws together people from the fields of politics
, diplomacy
, business
, journalism
and the academic world. The highlight of the Dörpfeldianer Ball is the debut of the 'débutante
s' (female graduating students of the school) in dances like waltz
and polka
. The tradition of the débutantes signifies the step into adulthood and social life. The dress code is formal.
. Also 20 former students of the GSA and members of the school theatrical group are nowadays professional actor
s. Examples are Alexandra Pavlidou and Thalia Matika, both graduates of the school. The theatrical group of the German School of Athens has been awarded countless times by many theatre organisations in Greece.
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
Γερμανική Σχολή Αθηνών, ΓΣΑ or also known Dörpfeld Gymnasium), is a coeducational independent, high school in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. The school has been in operation since 1896. It was founded by architect and archeologist Wilhelm Dörpfeld
Wilhelm Dörpfeld
Wilhelm Dörpfeld was a German architect and archaeologist, the pioneer of stratigraphic excavation and precise graphical documentation of archaeological projects...
.
The German School of Athens is considered a highly selective school, since children are usually taught both in Greek and German language
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
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
Abitur
Abitur is a designation used in Germany, Finland and Estonia for final exams that pupils take at the end of their secondary education, usually after 12 or 13 years of schooling, see also for Germany Abitur after twelve years.The Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife, often referred to as...
). Pupils have to take entry exams in order to become students of the Greek section of Gymnasium.
It is one of the oldest and most prestigious private
Private school
Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
schools in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, after a very large number of students graduating from the school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
has excelled in politics, the arts, science and business.
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
Abitur
Abitur is a designation used in Germany, Finland and Estonia for final exams that pupils take at the end of their secondary education, usually after 12 or 13 years of schooling, see also for Germany Abitur after twelve years.The Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife, often referred to as...
examinations. Its students are also taught the English language at a high level.
Upholding the tradition of an environment
Environmentalism
Environmentalism is a broad philosophy, ideology and social movement regarding concerns for environmental conservation and improvement of the health of the environment, particularly as the measure for this health seeks to incorporate the concerns of non-human elements...
friendly school, the German School of Athens had Greece's largest solar
Solar power
Solar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar radiation, along with secondary solar-powered resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass, account for most of the available...
roof installed before the 2004 Olympic Games. The project was backed by German Federal Ministry of Economics and Labor (BMWA), the German Energy Agency and the Greek-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
DSAMUN conference
The German School of Athens is known for its DSAMUN (Deutsche Schule Athen Model United Nations) http://www.dsathen.gr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=136&Itemid=151 conference. The conference is affiliated by THIMUN (The Hague International Model United Nations) and this makes DSAMUN conference one of the best conferences in the World.The DSAMUN is a three-day-long simulation of the work of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
and takes place at the GSA campus. It is designed for secondary school students and is intended to provide an occasion for the participants to discuss world issues. The conference gives them the opportunity to experience the work of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
and to get to know the world of diplomacy
Diplomacy
Diplomacy is the art and practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of groups or states...
.
The delegates at the DSAMUN conference are asked to prepare drafts
Draft document
Drafting is the preliminary stage of a written work in which the author begins to develop a more cohesive product. A also describes the product the writer creates in the initial stages of the writing process.In the drafting stage, the author:...
resolutions
Resolution (law)
A resolution is a written motion adopted by a deliberative body. The substance of the resolution can be anything that can normally be proposed as a motion. For long or important motions, though, it is often better to have them written out so that discussion is easier or so that it can be...
and policy statements on various issues (from the view of the country they represent) and learn to negotiate and debate in a formal way. Foreign students, who attend DSAMUN, have the opportunity to visit Plaka
Plaka
Pláka is the old historical neighborhood of Athens, clustered around the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis, and incorporating labyrinthine streets and neoclassical architecture. Plaka is built on top of the residential areas of the ancient town of Athens...
, the National Museum, the Acropolis
Acropolis
Acropolis means "high city" in Greek, literally city on the extremity and is usually translated into English as Citadel . For purposes of defense, early people naturally chose elevated ground to build a new settlement, frequently a hill with precipitous sides...
and other places of interest in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
. In addition, excursions to Epidaurus
Epidaurus
Epidaurus was a small city in ancient Greece, at the Saronic Gulf. Two modern towns bear the name Epidavros : Palaia Epidavros and Nea Epidavros. Since 2010 they belong to the new municipality of Epidavros, part of the peripheral unit of Argolis...
and Nafplion
Nafplion
Nafplio is a seaport town in the Peloponnese in Greece that has expanded up the hillsides near the north end of the Argolic Gulf. The town was the first capital of modern Greece, from the start of the Greek Revolution in 1821 until 1834. Nafplio is now the capital of the peripheral unit of...
are organized.
Dörpfeldianer Ball
The Dörpfeldianer BallBall (dance)
A ball is a formal dance. The word 'ball' is derived from the Latin word "ballare", meaning 'to dance'; the term also derived into "bailar", which is the Spanish and Portuguese word for dance . In Catalan it is the same word, 'ball', for the dance event.Attendees wear evening attire, which is...
for graduates takes place every two years at the Hotel Athenaeum Intercontinental
Intercontinental
Intercontinental may refer to:* anything spanning several continents* Intercontinental ballistic missile* the InterContinental hotel chain* InterContinental Hotels Group* Intercontinental Cup * Intercontinental Championship...
. It draws together people from the fields of politics
Politics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
, diplomacy
Diplomacy
Diplomacy is the art and practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of groups or states...
, business
Business
A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
, journalism
Journalism
Journalism is the practice of investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience in a timely fashion. Though there are many variations of journalism, the ideal is to inform the intended audience. Along with covering organizations and institutions such as government and...
and the academic world. The highlight of the Dörpfeldianer Ball is the debut of the 'débutante
Debutante
A débutante is a young lady from an aristocratic or upper class family who has reached the age of maturity, and as a new adult, is introduced to society at a formal "début" presentation. It should not be confused with a Debs...
s' (female graduating students of the school) in dances like waltz
Waltz
The waltz is a ballroom and folk dance in time, performed primarily in closed position.- History :There are several references to a sliding or gliding dance,- a waltz, from the 16th century including the representations of the printer H.S. Beheim...
and polka
Polka
The polka is a Central European dance and also a genre of dance music familiar throughout Europe and the Americas. It originated in the middle of the 19th century in Bohemia...
. The tradition of the débutantes signifies the step into adulthood and social life. The dress code is formal.
Greek Drama Group
The German School of Athens has a Greek Theatrical Group. The Group had been led for 30 by Mr. Stelios Papapetrou who passed his experience and knowledge to Mrs. Elena Karakouli, the Group's current leader. In the year 2010 it celebrated its 30th anniversaryAnniversary
An anniversary is a day that commemorates or celebrates a past event that occurred on the same day of the year as the initial event. For example, the first event is the initial occurrence or, if planned, the inaugural of the event. One year later would be the first anniversary of that event...
. Also 20 former students of the GSA and members of the school theatrical group are nowadays professional actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
s. Examples are Alexandra Pavlidou and Thalia Matika, both graduates of the school. The theatrical group of the German School of Athens has been awarded countless times by many theatre organisations in Greece.
Activities
- Greek dramaDramaDrama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
group - German drama group
- Two orchestras
- A chamber ensemble
- Two choirs
- 25 sports groups, among them dancing, swimming, badminton, table-tennis and all kinds of team sport
Special Events
- DSA Open Day
- Projects
- Model United Nations conferences
- European Youth ParliamentEuropean Youth ParliamentThe European Youth Parliament is a politically and religiously unbound non-profit organisation, which encourages European youth to actively engage in citizenship and cultural understanding....
- Educational trips, exchange programs and participation in European educational programs in the NetherlandsNetherlandsThe Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
and IrelandIrelandIreland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
Notable alumni
- Kostas Axelos (Κώστας Αξελός) (1924–2010) Greek philosopher.
- Nikos Themelis, Greek writer
- Panagiotis Pikramenos, President of the State Court (Συμβούλιο Επικρατείας)
- Dora BakoyannisDora BakoyannisDora Bakoyannis , born Theodora Mitsotaki , is a Greek politician. From 2006 to 2009 she was Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, the highest position ever held by a woman in the Cabinet of Greece; she was also Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in...
, Greek Foreign Affairs Minister, outgoing Mayor of AthensAthensAthens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
and winner of the 2005 World MayorWorld MayorWorld Mayor is a biennial award organized by The City Mayors Foundation since 2004. It intends to raise the profile of mayors worldwide, as well as honour those who have served their communities well and who have contributed to the well-being of cities, nationally and internationally...
Award. - Tassos Giannitsis, former Alternate Foreign MinisterForeign ministerA Minister of Foreign Affairs, or foreign minister, is a cabinet minister who helps form the foreign policy of a sovereign state. The foreign minister is often regarded as the most senior ministerial position below that of the head of government . It is often granted to the deputy prime minister in...
. - Giannis ValinakisGiannis ValinakisGiannis Valinakis is a Greek politician and university professor. He is the former Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs....
, former Greek Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, former President of Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign PolicyHellenic Foundation for European and Foreign PolicyHellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy is an independent, non-profit Greek institute that does policy-oriented research and training...
organization. - Giannis Papathanassiou, former Greek Deputy Minister of Development.
- Christos VerelisChristos VerelisChristos Verelis is a Greek politician.Born in Athens, was the Greek Minister for Transport and Communications from 13 April 2000 to 10 March 2004. Graduating from the German School of Athens, Christos Verelis studied chemistry at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and later on completed his...
, former Greek Minister for Transport and Communications. - Niki GoulandrisNiki GoulandrisNiki Goulandris is a Greek philanthropist and an accomplished botanical painter.She is currently vice-president of the Goulandris Natural History Museum and Goulandris Museum of Cycladic Art, former deputy minister for Social Services , honorary deputy president of Hellenic Radio and Television ,...
, Deputy President of the The Goulandris Museum of Natural HistoryThe Goulandris Museum of Natural HistoryGoulandris Museum of Natural History in Athens was founded by Angelos Goulandris and Niki Goulandris in 1965 in order to promote interest in the natural sciences, to raise the awareness of the public, in general, and in particular to call its attention to the need to protect Greece's natural...
. - Giannis Psychopaidis, painter, Professor at the Athens School of Fine ArtsAthens School of Fine ArtsThe Athens School of Fine Arts , is Greece's premier art school whose main objective is to develop the artistic talents of its students.-History:Athens School of Fine Arts was established on 12 January 1837, known as the School for the Arts...
. - Despo Diamantidou, actress.
- Nikos PerakisNikos PerakisNikos Perakis is a Greek writer and film director. He has studied at the Fine Arts Academy of Munich. At that time he worked as a set and costume designer...
, film director, director of film hit 'Loufa ke Paralagi'. - Evangelos Antonaros, former Greek government spokesman.
- Katerina Marneri-Katsambe, Deputy Mayor of Athens.
- Michael Christoforakos, former Siemens Hellas CEO.
- Kostas SommerKostas SommerKostas Sommer is a Greek actor who has appeared in numerous movies and TV shows. In 2005, he appeared in the Hollywood film Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo starring Rob Schneider as the Greek gigolo Assapopoulos Mariolis...
, actor. - Thalia Matika, Greek actress.
- Viky Volioti, Greek actress.
- Themis Mallis, reporter and news-broadcaster of the Greek television station Star ChannelStar ChannelStar Channel is a Greek television network that broadcasts a mix of foreign and Greek programming. It launched in December 1993 and is owned by Nea Tileorasi A.E.. The main news bulletin is called Star Eidiseis, which is currently hosted by Aimilios Liatsos...
. - Stavros A. Savidis, Professor and director of the Department of Soil MechanicsSoil mechanicsSoil mechanics is a branch of engineering mechanics that describes the behavior of soils. It differs from fluid mechanics and solid mechanics in the sense that soils consist of a heterogeneous mixture of fluids and particles but soil may also contain organic solids, liquids, and gasses and other...
at the Technical University of BerlinTechnical University of BerlinThe Technische Universität Berlin is a research university located in Berlin, Germany. Translating the name into English is discouraged by the university, however paraphrasing as Berlin Institute of Technology is recommended by the university if necessary .The TU Berlin was founded...
. - Kalliopi Saratsopoulou, pop-rock singer/songwriter from GreeceGreeceGreece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. - Giorgos Markopouliotis, Head of the EU Commission Representation of Greece, afterwards student at Moraitis School.
- Mariana EfstratiouMariana EfstratiouMarianna Efstratiou is a Greek singer, connected on several occasions with the Eurovision Song Contest. In 1987 she appeared as a backing singer for the duo Bang. Efstratiou won the Greek national song contest in 1989, overcoming Greek superstar Anna Vissi, and represented Greece in Lausanne with...
, singer and twice contestant at the Eurovision Song ContestEurovision Song ContestThe Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
. - Anna Filini, Greek architect and painter.