ABOUT SCHOOL

This school began activity on September 1, 1997. Its history is much longer, however. The “Prezentki” Sisters, who run the school, have dealt with education since 1627. At that time, the first school for girls in Poland was established. It was founded by the Venerable Zofia Czeska and it still exists in Krakow as Gymnasium - a lower secondary and Lyceum – an upper secondary schools. The school in Rzeszów, though co-educational, is the continuation of the educational and formative work of Mother Superior Zofia Czeska.

The school in Rzeszow was established in 1997. In the first year of its existence, it occupied a building belonging to the parish church. Since 1998, it has been based at Ks. Jalowy Street 1, where in 1875 the priest Feliks Dymnicki established a dormitory for boys from poor families.

One of the school's most significant events was the consecration of the lower secondary school flag, which took place on the 20th anniversary of the pontificate of John Paul II in 1998.

The Pope, the new holy patron of the school, invites students to be faithful to the church and country. Students often go on trips or rallies, and take part in religious events such as pilgrimages and retreats. The tradition of our school included pilgrimages to visit the Holy Father and moments spent together with John Paul II are undoubtedly a valuable and unforgettable experience for all.

The distinctive feature of the school is its educational profile. As a Catholic school, which bases its educational principles on the works of Venerable Zofia Czeska, its primary task is to create an educational environment which stimulates the full development of students. Our motto was given us by Pope John Paul II: "We look at school as an extended family home where values important for the whole nation are constantly fostered in present and succeeding generations". We wish our school to be a place where Christian and patriotic values are cherished and where our students become honest and reliable people. Our students are expected to devote a great deal of intellectual effort to their studies.

The school building, which was received in poor condition, has been undergoing considerable changes. A new school gymnasium has been built. The loft and the basement of the old buildings have been adapted for school purposes and now they are being used as model examples of a school library or a computer classroom. The new gymnasium consists not only of a sports hall, but also boasts additional rooms. A chapel, which is one of them, is of crucial importance for our school since it allows each of us to pray earnestly at any time of the day.

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SCHOOL HISTORY

In 1621, Zofia Maciejowska Czeska established the first school for girls in Poland, in Krakow. Poor girls and orphans attended the school. They were taught how to cook, sew, and embroider - how to fulfill the duties of a future housewife. The school in Krakow run by the Congregation of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (“Prezentki”) exists to this day as a gymnasium and lyceum - a lower and upper secondary schools. Since 1 September 2005 formerly all girls’ lower secondary school has become coeducational.

In 1997 a branch of the school was founded in Rzeszow; it was just an upper secondary school at the beginning. Later, to follow the educational reforms, school authorities decided to open a lower secondary school as well.

The headmistress of both schools is Sister Anna Telus. Sisters of the Presentation are a relatively low percentage of the teaching staff. Lay teachers are in the majority.

The school is located at 1 Ks. Jalowego Street. It isn't a large school taking into consideration local conditions. At present, 738 students attend school, there are 23 co-educational classes.

Pope John Paul II - our compatriot - is the patron of the school. He was an extraordinary man. He had been making pilgrimages all over the world for 26 years of his pontificate inspired by love, peace and prayer. His words, prayer and authority have the power to influence not only governments but also ordinary people.

The level of education in our school is high. Teachers share their knowledge with students during the lessons; various clubs are also very popular with the students. High demands guarantee a high level of education which is reflected by good marks, the number of students taking part in various contests and the number of graduates studying at the universities of their dreams.

16th October, 2003 - the 25th anniversary of the pontificate of John Paul II - was the most important date in the history of our school; a new chapel was consecrated at this time and a new gym opened. The mass was co-celebrated by Bishop Kazimierz Gorny, priest Stanislaw Zych, prelate Jozef Sondej and two priests teaching at our school, Dariusz Trojnar and Waclaw Sopel. The ceremony included the consecration of the chapel. Saint Joseph became its patron - he is also the patron of boy students at our school. A performance about John Paul II and the speeches of invited guests - Head Mother of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Presentation, His Excellence Bishop Kazimierz Gorny, the President of the City of Rzeszow, engineers who designed the new gym and other guests completed the celebration.

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THE AIM OF THE SCHOOL

MISSION

The mission of the school was defined by Cardinal Karol Wojtyla in 1977 in a letter to the Order: "We look at school as an extended family home where values important for the whole nation are constantly fostered in present and succeeding generations."

The John Paul II Catholic School follows the Pope's guidelines on providing a stimulating educational enviroment. The school devotes itself to spiritual, moral, intellectual, emotional and physical development while directing close attention to evangelical and patriotic values. On the basis of these moral standards, the graduate is prepared to successfully undertake family, social and professional challenges. This type of education helps students to gain a clear perception of reality and make good choices throughout their lives.

CREATING THE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

Teachers, students and their parents purposefully enter the school community in order to take part in its creation. THE TEACHERS' ROLE IN CREATING THE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

Teachers at our school are Catholics and they educate according to the spirit of our faith. They educate students through their true faith and they make a constant effort to be role models. Each and every teacher is aware of the complexity of their duties and performs them by praying for themselves and the students, and by asking for the Light of the Holy Ghost. They know that the greatest and the only teacher is Jesus Christ and as Venerable Zofia Czeska once said, "The sisters are to be Christ's helpers in the education of girls."

The teachers do their best to follow Christ's example. Being professionals, they are both demanding and thoughtful. On the one hand, they pay special attention to difficult, ongoing work. On the other hand, they are always ready to help in good decision making, and spiritual development. Thus they create an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect.

PARENTS: CO-CREATORS OF THE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

The educational aims of the school are inseparably combined with the educational actions of parents. Parents accept the Catholic profile of the school. They support the educational efforts of teachers with their parental authority. Teachers are always at the ready if any problems should appear. This cooperation builds a demanding but friendly educational environment for students.

STUDENTS CHOOSE OUR SCHOOL TOGETHER WITH THEIR PARENTS

Our school accepts students who have become familiar with the school educational programme and who agree with the objective of this programme. A student is expected to devote personal effort in developing his or her personality in cooperation with parents, teachers and other students.

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STAFF NUMBERS 2006/07

Staff Numbers

 Lay and Religious Staff Numbers

 Teacher Numbers by Subject

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STUDENT NUMBERS 2006/07

Lower Secondary School

Upper Secondary School

Student Numbers by Type of School

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SCHOOL LIFE

	The school in Rzeszow is coeducational. Altogether 738 students attend Gymnasium - lower secondary school (age13-15) and Lyceum – upper secondary school (students at the age of 16 –18).
	October 2005. Maciej Trojnar received a Ministry of Education scholarship award. In addition to him, M. Kusnierz, K. Koczab, J. Zielinska, M. Woloch, T. Szela, M. Jurek, B. Wyskiel competed at the state level of the following competitions: Art, Polish Literature, Geography, Nautical Economy, Human Rights, EU, Poland & World, Catholic Theology Competitions and received titles of a laureate or finalist. In recognition of their success on 18 January 2006 our Lyceum was ranked 17th on the list of the best schools in Poland and 1st in the Podkarpacie region in the south-east of the country.
	The following subjects can be found in the student curriculum: Polish Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, History, Biology, Geography, Art, Music, Social studies, IT, PE and Religious Education.
	All students are required to study two foreign languages, e.g.: English, German, French, Italian or Latin. Languages are taught in a group of about 15 students at different levels according to students’ language abilities.
	In 1999, the Ministry of Education established that the completion of the Assessment Test at the end of lower secondary school would become the requirement for leaving the school. The better the result, the bigger chance to be enrolled in the upper secondary school choice for the student.  The exam is designed to assess the skills that students are expected to have learned across both humanistic subjects and Mathematics & Science.
	All upper secondary school students are required to write the Final Exam in grade 12 and pass the exam to earn the Baccalaureate  Diploma which enables them to enroll in a university.

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AFTER SCHOOL

	Education is the main priority at our school but our students take a lot of pleasure in sport too.
	April, 2005, During open days organised at our school every year students from other schools can join our classes. In the picture our chemistry lab.
	In our school we hold a number of ceremonies to mark important religious and state events. School choir is essential in all of them.

Teachers of Gymnasium and Lyceum who established a religious group called "Uncle's Friends" to follow in the footsteps of Pope John Paul II.
Rev. Dariusz Trojnar leads the Mass in the mountains.
May 2005. A group of "Uncle's Friends" follow the same trails through the Gorce mountains where young Karol Wojtyla used to hike. He also enjoyed skiing, backpacking, and kayaking. Young people called him "an uncle".

	July 2006. Members of the school tourist club in the Tatra Mountains. You need comfortable walking shoes, lots of stamina, good humor and you can set off on a trail. It’s going to take you 12 hours to reach the hostel, where dinner is waiting for you and you have somewhere to sleep.
	8 December, 2005. A performance given on Girls’ Day. Extra activities organised by the vast majority of teachers provide students with comprehensive intellectual, spiritual, emotional and physical development. Those who love literature and poetry can join a drama club.
	27 May, 2006, at Blonie Park in Krakow during Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Poland. Students of our school belong to The Scouting Association of the Republic of Poland.  The educational work of the association, which is based on traditional scouting values, is also supported by Christian ideals.

Sister Anna Telus, our head teacher, is greeting participants of a traditional party organized by upper secondary school students a hundred days before final exams.
Our school gymnasium decorated for the traditional party organized by upper secondary school students a hundred days before final exams. All students are dancing the Polonaise – a stately Polish processional dance
22 June, 2006. A play performed by younger schoolmates during the farewell party for graduates of lower secondary school allows them to fondly remember their own good old schooldays. After graduation students have to choose an upper secondary school to carry on their education.

by Anna Bak & Waldemar Kazak

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