2007
Preparations for the establishment of a Polish school in Accrington began in early 2007. On September 15, 2007, the first school year was solemnly inaugurated. The school started with 55 students, who were divided into six classes according to age and ability. In addition to six teachers, the school staff was supported by two additional people: a secretary and a librarian.
Even before the school year began, enrolled students took part in the Hyndburn Mela and Community Festival, presenting songs and costumes of the Cracow region.
In October 2007 the school, in cooperation with the local library, organized an exhibition called "Flavors of Europe," presenting specialties of Polish cuisine.
2008
On April 26, 2008, students from the Polish Saturday School in Accrington participated in the 1st Inter-School History Competition organized by the Polish School in Hull.
In June 2008, students at our school took Polish as a foreign language exams for the first time. Since then, the school has been preparing students for GCSE and A-level exams every year.
2009
On Saturday, May 16, 2009, Accrington Polish Saturday School students Adrianna Bajorek, Karolina Bąk, Martyna Puciato and Julia Trella represented the school at the First Inter-School Recitation Contest organized by the Polish Language Saturday School in Hull.
On June 6, 2009, students of the Polish Saturday School took part in the recording of the film "FORUM" - a documentary about Poles in Lancashire. The children recited the poem "Who Are You?".
Seven students - Adrianna Bajorek, Beata Bajorek, Karolina Bąk, Joanna Falk, Malwina Król, Roksana Kujawa and Katrzyna Pękal - spoke in front of some 500 delegates who came to the GMB Congress, which was held from June 14-17, 2009 at the halls of Winter Gardens in Blackpool. The conges were also attended by guests and exhibitors and visitors from all over the UK. Students of our school welcomed the audience with songs from the repertoire of Majka Jeżowska. At the end, the guests heard "We are the world" sung in two languages - English and Polish. As a reward for their performance, the girls were invited to Blackpool Zoo.
On November 4, 2009, the Polish Saturday School in Accrington took part in an event called Tastes of Hyndburn, organized by the Hyndburn Community Network. The event attracted Hyndburn residents to Town Hall in Accrington, as well as many interested parties from various government, religious and cultural organizations.
2010
At the beginning of 2010, the website of the Polish Saturday School in Accrington was recognized in the competition for the best website of Polish educational institutions in 2009. Thanks to this distinction, the school was awarded the title of CREATING POLISHNESS, and the school library was enriched with teaching aids. At that time, the technical side of our website was supervised by Tadeusz Kaliszewski. The substantive part is handled by Marta Kiedrowicz.
In March 2010, the Polish Saturday School in Accrington began a series of classes-workshops for students of local schools. Two teachers from our school - Monika Oślizło and Marta Kiedrowicz - conducted classes in two elementary schools in our region. During the workshops, students from English schools learned about Kashubian embroidery patterns and Polish folk and national dances: trojak and polonez.
We have received support from the Polish Consulate in Manchester. On Saturday, March 6, 2010, Mr. Vice Consul Szymon Białek, presented us with a photocopying machine for the school. The meeting was also an opportunity to talk about the school, its current needs, problems and the role it plays in our society.
On June 3, 2010, the Polish Saturday School in Accrington took part in Family Day, which was held in the hall of the town hall. At its booth, the Polish school presented what it does. Accrington residents were able to see photos of the school's activities and celebrations, and admire the students' works that were submitted for the "I know who I am and where I come from" contest, which was part of the celebration of the 3rd of May Constitution Day. Postcards with motifs of Kashubian flowers and pencils with Polish flags and the school logo, which students made during art classes, were also distributed as advertisements for the school. Everyone who came to the Town Hall that day could taste Polish cold meats and traditional pickled cucumbers or herring in oil. The school also popularized Polish culture with a presentation of traditional Krakowian costume, which aroused great enthusiasm. Polish Saturday School in Accrington during Family Day was represented by teachers Alina Bajorek, Joanna Musiałowska, Małgorzata Wawrzusiszyn and Marta Kiedrowicz. Antosia Kiedrowicz performed in Krakow costume.
A Harvest Festival organized by the Polish Saturday School in Accrington was held at the Global Conference Center on Saturday, October 9, 2010. The afternoon festivities for families began at 4 pm and ended with a dance party before midnight. The Harvest Festival featured the students of Accrington Polish School, who prepared artistic performances especially for the occasion: recitations of poems, a harvest theater and a traditional Polish dance - Trojak. The performance featured guest appearances by parents dressed in Krakow costumes - Ms. Dorota Napora and Mr. Andrzej Trella, as well as Father Robert Pytel from the Polish parish in Blackburn, who blessed the harvest wreaths made by students from all groups. After the artistic performances, the wreaths were auctioned off at a special auction, which was traditionally led by one of the parents, Mr. Piotr Loboda. During the harvest festival one could eat tasty Polish dishes, Polish pastries and Polish cold cuts. There were also contests - among them a cake contest, which was prepared by the mothers of the students of our school. The winner of the contest was Ms. Justyna Majcher's cake. The Harvest Festival in Accrington was honored with the presence of invited guests: a representative of the Polish Consulate, Mr. Vice Consul Grzegorz Dyk and his wife, the Mayor of Accrington and his wife, a representative of the Asian community Mr. Faz Patal MBE and Father Robert Pytel, parish priest. The band "Polonez" from Manchester performed.
On Friday, November 19, 2010, students of Accrington Polish Saturday School performed at the ongoing "Celebration of All Cultures" at Burnley Youth Theatre. That evening they presented singing, dancing and playing the flute on stage. Songs from the repertoire of Majka Jeżowska were sung by: Adrianna Bajorek, Karolina Bąk, Amanda Chojnacka and Martyna Puciato. Julia Ciechna played "Płynie Wisła, płynie" on the flute, and children from the second and third grades danced "Trojak". At the end, the oldest girls sang the song "We are the world" in English and Polish.
2011
On February 10, 2011, students from the Polish Saturday School in Accrington performed at "Culturefest" at The Hollins Technology College. On stage they presented one of the traditional Silesian dances, Trojak. Girls from the oldest group sang the song "We are the world" in a Polish-English version. The evening was an opportunity to learn about the culture of other countries. Those gathered in the audience saw, among other things, a traditional Sri-Lankan dance and a Bollywood dance, and listened to the choir of The Hyndburn Singers. An interesting highlight of the program were short drama scenes prepared by students of The Hollins School.
The Polish Saturday School in Accrington raised funds to purchase teaching aids. The money came from a fund called the Community Foundation for Lancashire. Thanks to this financial support, we purchased laptops for teachers to use in lessons, a projector with a screen, portable whiteboards for classrooms, and boards to facilitate performances, exhibitions and presentations.
On May 14, 2011, Rev. Jan Wojczynski of Huddersfield was a guest of the Polish School in Accrington. The invitation of the priest was connected with the celebration of the anniversary of the end of World War II. The priest's visit was a "living" history lesson for our students, as the priest was a 5-year-old child when the war broke out. He told the students about those times and answered questions, which the children had a lot of. The priest also spoke about his life in Great Britain, where he arrived 40 years ago. Thanks to such meetings, young Poles have a chance to hear about their native history, which they should know and should be proud of.
In the spring of 2011, the school announced a contest to name the school. Proposals were submitted by students, parents and teachers. By the decision of the Pedagogical Council and the Parents' Council, the Polish Saturday School in Accrington took the name of Mr. Kleks. The proposal was submitted to the competition by students of the third grade. The naming ceremony took place on September 10, 2011, during the start of the fifth school year in the school's history. At that time, the School's Act of Naming was read.
On Saturday, November 26, 2011, the Polish School in Accrington participated in the International Polish Day organized by the Todmorden Polish Club. This year's Polish Day was the sixth organized by the Poles of Todmorden. It was held under the theme of EURO 2012.
In November 2011, the Consulate General announced that it had received additional money from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support Polish schools located in the consular district of the local office. The school's headmaster, Marta Kiedrowicz, applied for the funds for needed equipment and teaching aids for the school. In early December 2011, the Consulate granted a grant of £1,300, thanks to which the school purchased the needed aids: 6 inkjet printers, 10 geographic globes, 16 geographic and historical maps with a stand, and 200 books for the school library.
2012
At the beginning of 2012, the school announced a contest called "My Mr. Kleks." The students' task was to create an artwork depicting the character of Mr. Kleks. In addition to the prizes awarded in four age categories, all the works took part in a contest for the best image of Mr. Kleks for the school logo. Two works qualified for the logo contest: Wiktoria Dabrowska and Kuba Łączynski. In the end, an image of Mr. Kleks made by 6-year-old Kuba was included in the school's logo. The new logo for the school was designed by Mr. Michal Kaluska. The first logo, whose author was Mr. Tadeusz Kaliszewski, the school had had since its inception in 2007, until the school was named after Mr. Kleks in 2011. At that time, it was necessary to change the school's logo due to the name change: from Polish Saturday School in Accrington to Mr. Kleks Polish Saturday School in Accrington.
On Saturday, June 9, 2012, our school for the first time organized a Family Fest, which has become a school tradition and is held every year on the last Saturday of the school year.
As part of the celebration of the year of Janusz Korczak, on Saturday, October 20, 2012, students of our school watched films dedicated to Korczak and his work. On November 17, 2012 a knowledge contest "Janusz Korczak - what do I know about him?" was held. All students of grades II, III, IV, V, junior high and high school participated in it. On the other hand, children from kindergarten groups and first grade took part in the art contest "What did Janusz Korczak look like?".
2013
The year 2013 was the year of Julian Tuwim. Our school joined in the celebration of the year of this well-known and beloved poet. Two contests were announced: an art contest and a knowledge contest on the life and works of the poet.
In December 2013, Mr. Kleks Polish Saturday School in Accrington joined the ranks of those who help others in the SZLACHETNA PACZKA campaign. Teacher Iwona Nowak initiated the collection of gifts for a family in Poland.
2014
On Saturday, March 8, 2014, students of our school took part in the 7th Todmorden Polish Day, which was held at Todmorden Town Hall. The Polish Day was organized by the Todmorden Polish Club, and our school was invited to participate for the second time.
In July 2014, our school began cooperation in the Football Academy. Soccer trainings are held twice a week.
On Sunday, September 28, 2014, the students of the first grade of middle school watched "Revenge." They traveled all the way to London for the theatrical performance, where a theater from the Cultural Center of Racibórz performed in the Jazzcafe hall of the Polish Social and Cultural Center (POSK).
A student of our school has won an award in the "Discover the Legions" contest announced by the Joseph Pilsudski Institute in London. Alicja Matuszewska from Middle School Class 1 was the only one from our school to send her work to the historical competition announced by the Institute in September 2014. Her presentation on the Legions was awarded in the multimedia presentation category.
On Saturday, November 22, 2014, our school was visited by a theater from Poland for the first time. Straight from Nowy Sacz, Pinocchio Theater came with the play "Lies of the Goat."
On Sunday, November 23, 2014, students in grades 4-6 watched a play entitled "Anne of Green Gables" in London. This well-known story about the fate of Anne Shirley, this time directed by Peter Furman. On stage we saw: in the role of Anne - Olga Kalicka, known, among others, from the series "Rodzinka.pl", "Na Wspólnej" or "Ojciec Mateusz", Zuzanna Pawlak, who also starred in "Rodzinka.pl," Eliza Rycembel, who played the lead role in "Promise," and Marysia Witkowska; the role of Maryla was played by Olga Szomanska, a Polish singer, actress, known for her collaboration with Piotr Rubik, among others; Mateusz was played by Marcin Kolaczkowski, a film and theater actor.
At the beginning of the 2014/2015 school year, our school joined a project called "The Polish Homeland of Pope John Paul II," which is authored by the Catholic University of Lublin (Institute of History) and the St. Dominic Guzman Middle and High School in Lublin, founded in 2006 by academics of the Catholic University of Lublin. The project focuses on educating Polish youth in their native subjects, which are Polish language, history, knowledge of modern Poland, religion, native nature and the heritage of Polish culture. The aim of the project is to consolidate knowledge of the Polish language and to consolidate knowledge of Polish history and culture. The assumed effect of the program is to consolidate a sense of Polish identity and national pride. The project will ensure that our students will graduate from Polish middle and high schools through a distance learning system and receive a Polish certificate. In addition to the lectures held at our school, the young people will be able to use materials placed on an e-learning platform. Students will also receive school ID cards of the St. Dominic Guzman Middle and High School in Lublin.
2015
In late January 2015, AQA announced that it would no longer offer students the opportunity to take the A-Level exam (the equivalent of the matriculation exam) in Polish from 2018. The Polish Educational Society opposed this decision and launched a protest action. Our school also joined the action - we collected signatures on a petition, sent letters of support to MPs in our region.
The Polish School in Accrington took part in the 1st Spelling Contest organized by the Polish Home School of Manchester in cooperation with the Polish Language Institute at the University of Silesia and the Polish Consulate in Manchester. The contest was conducted in two stages: school and inter-school. All schools that applied for participation held school eliminations in two age groups: 8-11 years old and 12-16 years old. Our students wrote dictation on Saturday, March 14. Three students from each age group who made the fewest spelling mistakes could qualify for the dictation at the inter-school stage. The competition dictation was prepared by researchers from the Institute of Polish Language at the University of Silesia. One of our students, Bartek Biczkowski, managed to win the honorable 2nd place in the category of younger students.
On Saturday, March 14, 2015, our school was visited for the second time by PINOKIO Puppet Theater, which presented a play entitled "Little Red Riding Hood." It was watched by kindergarteners and students of grades 1-3.
In April 2015, the Polish School in Accrington received several copies of the "Little Pole" game, which the school's management sought from the Office of Public Education of the Institute of National Remembrance.
As part of the project "Poland, the Homeland of John Paul II", from July 2-7, 2015, students of the Mediterranean Middle School from Lublin, along with their teachers Marta Kaminska, MA, Ewa Heromińska-Sokolowska, MA, and Jacek Golębiowski, PhD, professor at the Catholic University of Lublin, stayed in Accrington. For the duration of the inter-school exchange, they stayed with the families of our students and teachers. They participated in an integration meeting with students and parents, as well as in Saturday classes at our Polish school, so they could get to know us better and see what life is like for Poles in exile. They spent a day at English schools, where they were able to test their English language skills. They also explored the local area on trips to Ingleton, Blackpool and Liverpool.
In the September 2015 issue of the youth magazine Together, there was an article on the inter-school exchange that we carried out in July 2015 in cooperation with the Middle and High School of Lublin.
On October 10-11, 2015, our school hosted Ms. Justyna Bolek, the author of the Slavica Dance project, which is a combination of modern fitness forms with the steps of Polish folk dances. On Saturday morning, students in grades 1-6 and middle school met with Justyna Bolek. Each age group spent about 50 minutes in the room, dancing the steps of Polish dances and learning age-appropriate Slavica Dance fitness classes. On Sunday, training in Polish national dances was held for teachers. Adults were also able to learn about Slavica Dance, participating in fitness classes led by Justyna Bolek. This was the first Slavica Dance show in the UK and the first outside of Poland.
On November 21, 2015, our school celebrated World Teddy Bear Day for the first time. Students were able to come to school with their teddy bear, which accompanied them during classes. The idea was also suggested by our teacher, Magdalena Walecka.
In December 2015, the Polish School in Accrington received funding from the "Polish Community" Association. The school's director, Marta Kiedrowicz, submitted an application to the aforementioned association, which implemented a project called "Support for schools teaching Polish language, in Polish and about Poland" in cooperation with the Polish Educational Society on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland. The project was co-financed with funds received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland under the competition for the implementation of the task "Cooperation with the Polish community and Poles abroad in 2015". The amount of the grant was £ 4154.21 and allowed to cover part of the cost of renting rooms in 2015. The "Polish Community" Association also decided to award cash prizes for teachers, in the amount of £90. These awards are all the more valuable for the teaching staff, as they were presented for the first time in the history of our school.
2016
Since January 2016, the Polish School in Accrington has had a student council. The idea of creating a student "council" was brought to the head of the school by one of the middle school students.
At the beginning of January 2016, elections of new representatives to the Parents' Council were held. From now on, each class has its own representative on the Council, making it possible to discuss issues of importance to all age groups during meetings with the school management.
In January 2016, our school was registered on a multimedia educational platform called HISTORY FOR POLONIA, thanks to which we offer students in grades 4-6 and middle school an additional opportunity to learn Polish history in a pleasant and interesting way. Each student received his login, on the platform discusses individual lessons in consultation with the teacher and collects points. The author of the platform is the Children's University of Curious History Foundation, which received funding from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the framework of the competition "Cooperation with Poles and Poles Abroad 2015" for the implementation of the project called Polish History on the Multimedia Educational Platform for Polish children and young people living abroad.
At the end of January 2016. Polish School in Accrignton took part in the SLAVICA DANCE CHALLENGE. The challenge was thrown to us by Justyna Bolek, the creator of the Slavica Dance project, who hosted us in October 2015, promoting her fitness for folk. The challenge was attended by athletes, actors, dancers and everyone who wanted to support the children of the Pomeranian Hospice. A fundraiser for the Pomeranian Hospice for Children was also organized at our school.
From 13.02-21.02.2016, students of our school, together with two teachers, stayed at a winter camp in Zakopane, organized by the travel agency GramyDlaDzieci.com. In addition to children from Accrington, it was attended by students from Polish schools in London. A great attraction for all participants was skiing. The children rode the Gubalowka railroad and walked around Krupowki. Twice they visited thermal pools: Aqua City in Poprad, Slovakia, and Bukovina Thermal Baths in Bukowina Tatrzanska. A great experience was an evening with a highlander band, during which the children learned more about highlander culture, dances and instruments. The organizers also organized a sleigh ride and a bonfire, where everyone roasted sausages.
On Saturday, March 12, 2016, our school, represented by the winners of the school preliminaries, participated in the 2nd Spelling Competition in Manchester. Our students did excellently and took places on the podium. Ania Szlaz, a student of grade 5, who wrote the competition dictation in the 8-11 age group, won 1st place, while a student of grade 6, Bartosz Biczkowski, took 3rd place in the 12-16 age category. Eleven schools took part in the competition: two schools from Manchester, Liverpool, Bradford, Warrington, Grimsby, Blackburn, Preston, Coventry, Hull and Accrington.
During the visit of lecturers from the Catholic University of Lublin within the framework of the project "Poland, the Homeland of John Paul II", a unique event took place on Saturday, March 19, 2016. For the first time in the history of our school, middle school students received certificates of graduation from the first class of the Mediterranean Middle School in Lublin. They were presented by Professor of the Catholic University of Lublin, Dr. Jacek Gołębiowski.
Just before her next arrival in Accrington, Justyna Bolek gave an interview on Polish Radio Four. On April 6, in an interview with Piotr Firan, she talked about her SLAVICA DANCE project: "Since we are returning to our roots, it would be good to stay in them forever, not to forget that we are Poles and have our traditions." The audience also learned about Justyna's first visit to our school and the next one, which is already on April 9 and 10 this year. Justyna herself summed up her stay in Accrington with the words: "I have been to my beloved Polish community in the UK, now on Friday I am flying again!!!".
On Saturday, May 7, 2016, our school was visited by Agnieszka Szczepanska, author of the popular series of children's books titled "Patka and Pepe". "Patka and Pepe". The meeting with the writer was attended by students from kindergarten, grades 1-6 and junior high school. They had the opportunity to watch a multimedia presentation, thanks to which they got to know the characters of all parts of the sensational series for young readers. They also learned how a book is made, where the inspiration comes from, who does the illustrations, how to come up with a title. At the end of the meeting, the children could buy Agnieszka Szczepanska's books with a special dedication.
On Sunday, May 8, 2016, the first review of student talents under the name MY TALENT was held, organized on the occasion of May holidays: the celebration of the Constitution of May 3 and the Holiday of Poles and Poles Abroad on May 2. 15 performances were submitted for the competition, but in the end we watched 13. Our students sang, danced, recited, played instruments and presented their gymnastic skills. The jury composed of: Anna Szymanska and Mariola Szlaz, selected three winners. An Audience Award was also presented during the competition. During the competition, a family knowledge contest about Poland was held.