In conversation with René Hirsch - June 2025

In conversation with Mr. René Hirsch. René has been deeply connected to the school for 40 years now. Above all, the experience of the teachers believing in him and encouraging him back then was a decisive change that steered his school career in a completely different direction. The friendships he made back then still exist today. René is keen to give something back to the school. That's why he has returned to the board of the Schloss-Schul-Verein and has been the new treasurer since May 2025.

What is the first thing that spontaneously comes to mind when you think of your time at the Schloss-Schule?
(René answers immediately and without thinking) Mr. Buckel! He is actually the first person who comes to mind. He was the first teacher who had confidence in me from the very first moment. I really owe everything to him! He believed in me. That was unlike anything I had experienced at school before. He opened up a new world for me here. Mr. Buckel predicted from the very first meeting that I would do my A-levels in math and that's exactly what happened. Together with my family and friends, he is the most important person in my life!
I spent the sixth form in Kirchberg from 1980 to 1983. The class community was unique and I still consider it a great gift today!

Would you like to tell us something about your time at school before you came to the SK?
I went to elementary school at Silcherschule Fellbach from 1968 to 1972. I then moved to Friedrich-Schiller-Gymnasium, also in Fellbach, from 1972 to 1974. I then went to the Elly-Heuss-Knapp Gymnasium in Stuttgart from 1974 to 1980. That was really bad for me. The science subjects were a disaster. I often had the feeling that I was being treated unfairly. And also simply not being understood. I completely lost motivation and then, of course, poor grades were the logical consequence. That was also the reason I switched to the Schloss-Schule.

What changed in Kirchberg?
My attitude and also my grades changed very quickly in Kirchberg! Somehow, I was offered completely new opportunities and experiences here. That was really great! I discovered the joy of learning for the first time here. The lessons were also completely different, really great, compared to before. At the Schloss-Schule, I was able to follow the school material so well by paying attention in class and doing my homework that I no longer had to study much for exams. I suddenly had good to very good grades and, above all, no more anxiety. The study groups that had formed at the boarding school and with the local students helped me a lot and I found them very effective. The small classes and courses also made a big difference to my learning. The teachers treated us very differently. They saw us as equals and made us feel that we were really important to them and that they were genuinely interested in our success.

What did you find formative? What values, life lessons and other things still stay with you today?
I was able to learn social skills, such as consideration and what real friendship is, at the Schloss-Schule. We were like a family here. And it's really amazing, but that's still the case today. When we meet today, we still know each other so well and are familiar with each other. We still have a very close relationship. Friendship is an absolute core value for me!
My interest in taking on responsibility also started at the Schloss-Schule. After a short time, I was class representative and then even student representative.

What happened after the SK?
At first there was a lot of uncertainty about what would happen next. After a short period of consideration, I decided to do an apprenticeship as an industrial clerk and quickly realized that I got better "jobs" thanks to my English skills. I was a bit ahead of some other apprentices. After my apprenticeship, I studied foreign trade/foreign trade at the University of Applied Sciences in Worms and completed my business administration degree in seven semesters with a great average grade. I then worked in telecommunications sales for 37 years in various companies all over the world. I spent a long time in the USA, England, Africa, the Middle East, ... This also led to many acquaintances and friendships all over the world. I was able to stop working at the end of 2022. Since then, I still support and coach in the sales area. Sometimes I also help young people with their first job applications and give them help and tips on personal development and where they could go professionally.

If you've ever had a class or year reunion, what stories and anecdotes should not be missed?
Oh, I can think of so many things that I can't tell you here (he grins).
But I can tell you one thing. We had a candle and with the dripping wax we formed a really big ball. Later on, we came up with the idea of throwing it at the front door of the headmaster's house. The projectile had become so big and solid that it smashed the door. We took to our heels and, of course, quickly ran away. The next day at lunch, this incident was discussed in the dining room before the meal. We had to pull ourselves together to keep from laughing. In any case, it never came out - maybe not until today!

What are you grateful for?
For my wonderful children and also for my wife and my whole family. I've also had a really great professional life! I've seen so much of the world and often not from a tourist's point of view. A lot of things were very exhausting, but also very enriching! I am also extremely grateful for my many long-standing friendships. They have carried me through life and continue to do so today.
I can say for myself that life has been good to me!

Looking back, what would you do differently today?
After graduating, I didn't do what I enjoyed doing, but instead let myself be guided by the horrendously high salary I was earning at the time when I started my career. I would do things differently today. I would pay more attention to what really fulfills me and what I really want to do. I also have more patience today than I used to. I would have wished for that in the past. And what I notice today is that it's very fulfilling to see what you've achieved in the evening. A job where you can see results seems very satisfying to me. I can now say that you should devote yourself to things that give you pleasure. You automatically become good at what you do!

Would you like to support the school and the current students?
If so, what could you imagine doing?
Yes, I would be happy to do that. I can help with the application process and support the young people during the orientation phase. I've also been back on the board of the Schloss-Schul-Verein since May 2025. My drive and motivation here is that I want to help young people build their own networks. I have learned from my experience that it is unfortunately not always enough to "just" be good. It is extremely helpful to know people and to network and exchange ideas with them. That often really helps you! I can certainly help with this and bring the students together with us alumni. That would give me great pleasure.

What else would you like to share?
I'm looking forward to what's to come...