The first day of the new school year on Monday, 10 August 2026, marked more than just the start of another academic year. For the ten pupils in the first lower secondary class, it was their first day in upper secondary school. In other classes too, a number of pupils – both internal and external – were starting their first day at Stiftsschule Engelberg.

For the two new teachers, Mirjam Balbi (Biology, Nature and Technology) and Stanislav Gora (Computer Science), it was not their very first day: they had already kicked off the new school year at the teachers’ meeting on Friday. Even earlier, Urs von Arb had taken up his post as the new head of school and was now welcoming the pupils, teachers and boarding school staff in the theatre hall.

After a break with fresh bread rolls from the monastery bakery, students and teachers gathered in the monastery church. This year’s opening service was led by Benjamin Ledergerber, head of the school’s pastoral care team. In his sermon on 2 Corinthians, he drew parallels between the young people’s commitment at school and the work involved in sowing and tending seeds. We are eager to see how our pupils will use and develop their talents – and look forward to accompanying and supporting them on this journey.

We wish everyone a happy and successful 2026/27 school year!