2026 A-level graduation ceremony

On 27 June, the 2026 A-level cohort celebrated their well-deserved farewell party.
Ironically, in our centenary year of 2025, the Abitur was cancelled due to the switch from G8 to G9. That was, of course, a shame, as this graduating class would surely have remained a special milestone in our school’s history.
However, the Class of 2026 is in no way inferior to that special cohort. Twenty-one A-level graduates celebrated their success and delighted the school management with an average mark of 2.25 – including five results with a ‘1’ before the decimal point – whilst pupil Alina Kraus broke all records with an average of 1.0!

Devotions in the chapel
Starting at 1.30 pm, around 100 guests joined the A-level graduates in enjoying the cool atmosphere during the devotions in the chapel. Michael Schlierbach bid farewell to the young people with words addressing their individual personalities. He drew a comparison with a literary scroll, which conceals much within it, yet cannot be read immediately, as one might an open book. He urged them, as they continue to develop, always to focus on the things that bring them joy, whilst remaining open-minded and curious.
Accompanied by the music of the Schlossensemble’s string quartet, conducted by Christina Rothmayer, the service became a very solemn occasion. It concluded with the presentation of white roses to the A-level graduates and the traditional group photograph.

A-level certificate presentation in the ballroom
Thomas Straßer, Chair of the Foundation’s Board, then welcomed the A-level graduates, guests and staff. This was followed by the programme, featuring music and speeches by Mathis Wilke, Chair of the Board of Trustees; Dr Anna-Karina Mehl, Chair of the Parents’ Council; and Dr Wolfgang Bracker, Deputy Chair of the Friends & Supporters’ Association.

Following a musical interlude, boarding school head Susanne Schörghuber highlighted the special nature of graduation at a boarding school. She paid tribute to this year’s cohort for their wide-ranging social, sporting and artistic involvement and moved on to the honours and awards for the pupils of the Fire Brigade and First Aid Guilds. Bernhard Urschel, head of the Fire Brigade Guild, Julia Mayerl, head of the First Aid Guild, and former pupil Robert Saathoff had many words of praise for these two social services and presented them with certificates from the foundation.

Before the certificates were presented, the two A-level graduates, Anna Lena Lindinger and Lilly Fliegerbauer, gave the speech on behalf of their year group. They spoke very warmly about their time and the many experiences they’d had at Neubeuern Castle, and emphasised their gratitude towards the mentors who had made Neubeuern Castle a home for them, with a second family. Anna Lena had been attending Neubeuern Castle since Year 5 and Lilly since Year 10. Their speech enchanted the entire hall, and they represented their year group with great dignity and emotion.

Following the entertaining anecdotes that senior school coordinator Christina Antholzner shared about all the A-level graduates, the eagerly awaited certificates were finally handed out. Despite the temperature being a good 40 °C, everyone slipped into their gowns and caps, which they tossed into the air for the subsequent photo shoot on the steps of the south terrace. Relief, joy and the pain of saying goodbye all came together in that moment.

In the shade of the chestnut trees, over coffee and cake, the afternoon was rounded off with a chat about what they had just experienced.