Social:High School No. 1, Bydgoszcz

On 30 September 1817, the school transformed into a six-year classic realschule (high school), whose graduates had the right to study at university campuses. In the spirit of the Prussian education, curriculum favored classical languages and Latin and Greek. This was done, of course, to the detriment of the natural sciences, mathematical and practical classes. After several years of existence, the number of students stabilized at about 250, including 40 students of Polish nationality. Those pupils were descendants of the noble families of the city and surrounding area. Indeed, high tuition fees prevented boys from poor origin to receive Polish education in middle school . As a result, the growing numbers of German families caused the true nature of the Polish school to gradually fade away.

Under the specific rule of the Prussian partition, education was a tool for germanization of society, notion which took over the classic realschule gymnasium pedagogical function. Director of the school was then German citizen Ludwig Müller, and among the teaching staff of eight only three Poles were left. Although initially a compulsory subject of teaching for all students, Polish language ceased to be the language of instruction. Until then, lessons in both languages were given, since only knowledge of both languages allowed to run for official posts in the Grand Duchy of Poznan. But, gradually, compulsory education Polish language underwent more and more restrictions until it was abandoned in 1829. This decision altogether lowered the spirit of the small number of Polish pupils in the city and strengthened the strong germanization in Bydgoszcz and its surrounding area.

Some students of Polish nationality, however, did not give up. In January 1833, Julian Mieczkowski founded a secret society with his student colleagues. Its goal was to develop patriotic feelings by self-learning Polish history and their mother tongue: Polish was still taught as an optional curriculum. In 1843, however, the new director Johann Heinrich Deinhardt put an end to this course. On 11 February 1844, a ministeriam regulation authorized students of Polish nationality to access university, provided they demonstrated a good knowledge of the German.

During the Greater Poland Uprising of 1848, Polish students rushed took part as insurgents to fight for independence.

On August 1, 1878 realschule had an eight-year course, in a new pseudo-Gothic edifice built on Freedom Square. It had a population of about 750 students. In addition, a preparatory grade called "preparandę" was created.

Less than a year before the rebirth of Poland, Bydgoszcz had a student population of 713 in middle school, including 121 Poles. Half a year later (20 October 1919) this number dropped down to 542 students, including 133 Poles, due to the massive outflow of Germans leaving the city, as well as the transfer of the German students to other middle schools.

Development of the school in the years 1920-1939

On 20 January 1920, thanks to the consequences of Treaty of Versailles, Bydgoszcz joined back the sovereign territory of Poland. After many years of captivity the city began a new period of its history and started developing high schools. The challenge was immense: lack of highly qualified teachers, lack of mastery of the mother tongue by the youth. At the end of January 1920, the Classical Grammar School was taken over by the Polish authorities. The newly appointed Polish director, Stanislaw Stóżewski, was welcomed by classes and several professors Polish. The school year ended on 30 March 1920 by a promotion ceremony. For the new school year, the school received the appellation of State Classical High School.

Curriculum included Polish language, Latin, Greek, English, mathematics, physics, history, geography, religion, physical education and singing. Young men exclusively were attending State Classical Grammar School. As soon as school year 1920/1921 started, a great care was put to acquire scientific equipments and class materiels, such as physics furniture or equipment for drawing room. the number labs increased almost every year. Much attention was devoted to re-equip the library collections.

Thanks to the efforts of the National Directorate of Classical High School in Bydgoszcz was built in Kościelisko a recreational facility for students where summer camps were held. Scout (Scouting) activities and rallies played an essential part in the teaching method. In 1934, the scout team won the title of "Team of the Republic". In 1920 Secondary High Rowing Association started its activities within the State High School Classic, organizing boat trips to Fordon, Ostromecko, Grudziądz, Toruń, Gdańsk and even Gdynia. The school taught extra courses, such as Esperanto, philology or drama. There was a school orchestra and choir. The effort required from the director and the teaching staff in this period was demanding. Zygmunt Polakowski was appointed as director in 1930. Between 1920 and 1939, the number of full-time teachers raised from 12 to 19, and the school received 488 graduates.

Occupation 1939-1945

During Nazi occupation, school ceased its activity. In the first days of October 1939, several actions against teachers were carried out by occupying forces: 204 were arrested and underwent torture in the artillery barracks. 56 were shot in the Valley of Death (Bydgoszcz) in Fordon. There died School director Zygmunt Polakowski. As in other sites in Poland, an underground education system was founded in 1939.

Post war period

High School resumed its activity on 4 March 1945 as a Secondary School. Beginning of school year 1948/49, a unified school from primary to high school was established. In 1961, a re-reorganization re-created the High School. The first baccalaureate was held in July 1945 year, graduating 75 students. Since then, High School n°1 in Bydgoszcz have graduated more than 9000 students.

Since October 1978, the school is a member of the UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network, and since October 1994, the school is a member of the Association of Polish Active Schools. High School n°1 in Bydgoszcz maintains close contacts with other high schools in Europe including: IES Monte Castelo, Burela, Spain; Fenix Kunskapscentrum Verner Malmstensväg 1, Vaggeryd, Sweden; Filekpadefiki Eteria - The Arsakeio of Patras, Patras, Greece; Lycée Polyvalent Bellevue, Toulouse, France; Deutsch-polnische Gesellschaft, Mannheim, Germany; as well as Adams' Grammar School, Newport, United Kingdom.

On 1 February 1949 the School was named after Ludwik Waryński. On 24 September 1992, it was renamed after Cyprian Norwid. It is currently the largest school in Kuyavia-Pomerania. From 1 September 2007, the High School became Secondary School No. 1 ("I L.O.") in Bydgoszcz, including High School n°1 "Cyprian Norwid and Classical Grammar School. High School n°1 is the oldest high school in Bydgoszcz. On December 1st, 2015, a ceremony to unveil, beside the entry gate, a plaque in memoriam to Marian Rejewski happened.

Directors since 1945

• Czesław Zgodziński (4.03.1945-30.11.1948)
• Ludwik Kosiński (1.12.1948-15.12.1949)
• Leon Hartman (16.12.1949-31.08.1950)
• Feliks Kaute (1.09.1950-31.08.1968)
• Eugeniusz Wyroda (1.09.1968-31.05.1976)
• Wiesława Dymel (1.06.1976-31.08.1982)
• Jan Szpara (1.09 1982-31.08.2003)
• Jarosław Durszewicz (1.09.2003-31.08.2012)
• Mariola Mańkowska (since 1.09.2012)

High school students gained several titles of winners and finalists of national contests such as the Olympic Games of the Polish language or the International Olympiad in Informatics

Activities

I L.O. takes part to the educational program "Odyssey of the Mind" and performs many foreign exchange with students from schools of Swedish, English, German, Greek and Spanish.

One important in the I L.O. is the National Festival of Artistic Young Talents, whose tradition dates back more than 20 years.

Notable alumni

Marian Rejewski circa 1932

• Marian Rejewski (1905-1980) – mathematiciani cryptologist; in 1932, he solved the plugboard-equipped Enigma machine, the main cipher device used by Germany; graduated in 1923.
• Jerzy Hoffman (1932-) – film director and screenwriter; graduated in 1950.
• Radosław Sikorski (1963-) – politician, former Polish Minister of Defence (2005-2007), since 2007 Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs; graduated in 1981.
• Max Kolonko (1965-) – producer, writer, author, broadcast journalist and U.S. correspondent for several television news organizations; graduated in 1981.
• Piotr Salaber (1966-) – composer, pianist and conductor; graduated in 1984.
• Paweł Olszewski (1979-)– economist and politician, MP since 2005; graduated in 1998.
• Roma Gąsiorowska (1981-) - actress and fashion designer; graduated in 2000.
• Piotr Adamski – model, "Polish plumber"; graduated in 2003.

Gallery

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  View with Fountain Potop on the foreground

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  Detail of the windows of the main hall

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  Main gate adorned with lions' heads

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  View from Plac Wolnosci

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  Plaque in memoriam to Marian Rejewski

See also

• Freedom Square in Bydgoszcz
• Gdańska Street, Bydgoszcz
• St Peter's and St Paul's Church, Bydgoszcz
• Casimir the Great Park
• Freedom Monument, Bydgoszcz
• Tenement at Freedom Square 1, Bydgoszcz

External links

• (in Polish) School website
• Official website for Young Talents