The second meeting of „GAMES”, Erasmus + project was taken place in Poland from 25th to 29th May 2015 in Henryk Sienkiewicz High School in Szydłowiec. The meeting was participated by teachers and pupils of 4 countries. (10 teachers and 39 pupils).
On Sunday 24th May - the day of the arrival - the guests were met and accommodated - some of the students in host families, the others and teachers at the hotel “Lodownia”.
25th May - Our day started with the meeting at Henryk Sienkiewicz High School. The teams were invited to the welcoming ceremony. We could watch the magnificent performance of:
- Polish traditional dance of "POLONEZ"
- Demonstration of premedical firs aid run by the School Society of Emergency Responders
- Demonstration of martial arts by Karate KYOKUSHIN MUSHIN Club in Szydłowiec
- Presentation of Henryk Sienkiewicz High School in Szydłowiec
It was followed by a walk around the school. The school buildings, classrooms and official rooms were shown to the guests.
After that in the common room Polish students presented a Presentation of the “Cooltura” School Club.
It was followed by Presentations of historical background and geographical features of all the partner countries, presented by guest students.
Lunch at the school canteen
After lunch the teams together with the foreign pupils had a guided tour around Szydłowiec. Guides were the Polish students. We listened the stories about the Town Hall, St. Sigismund’s Church, the Castle, Radziwiłłs’ Park.
At the end of our walk we enjoyed a brief symphonic concert in the castle. Students from the city played classical music.
In the evening there was the official dinner at the Piwnica Szydłowiecka restaurant in Szydłowiec which serves dishes made in the local Polish style.
26th May - At 9:00 we met at H. Sienkiewicz High School and went on a trip to the village of Orońsko (sculpture centre). There were organized workshops for students. They were divided in mixed teams and gave names and decorated different statues. We walked around the park and visited the palace of the famous Polish artist Józef Brandt, art gallery with his sculptures and a special contemporary exhibition.
At the Dobrut restaurant we had a chance to try traditional Polish dishes.
We spent the afternoon in Chlewiska "Manor House", where students could take part in various sport activities such as - outdoor gym/ swimming pool/mini golf and billiard. They could also try pottery in the afternoon. The programme was quite successful, especially swimming and billiard were very popular.
Later we visited the Palace of the Odrowąż and the Chlewicki, belongs to one of the oldest gentry residence in Poland and enjoyed listening the legend about this palace.
This day finished with a Bonfire - supper.
27th May - A day excursion to Krakow
A trip to Krakow was organized for all participants. All together we discovered the city’s charms both familiar and unfamiliar, the Wawel Castle, the Old Town, we walked the narrow streets and enjoyed the international and ancient atmosphere of the city. This occasion also served to get know and understand each other better and to identify and solidify ourselves as one big family.
28th May - Sport activities at school and in the town
With the opening ceremony the local representatives set on foot the day of the 9th District Olympic Sports. In this event took part all schools from the district as well the foreign
students participants in the project.
Later started the "School Foreign Languages Day". There were many sketches, songs, dances presented by students. Between the performances there were quizzes for the foreign students.
The foreign colleagues could watch the sport activities and students' performances, which was followed by the project meeting, where the completed and would be tasks were discussed. Later the following meeting in Bari, Italy was discussed.
The Thursday´s afternoon was devoted to orienteering games (students are divided into international groups and have to complete a number of tasks; the winners are those who first find the treasure). The teams enjoyed their competitive spirits and try to win.
Farewell Dinner combined with karaoke and disco at the Lodownia restaurant was organized for both - students and teachers.
Everybody was discussing, enjoying good food, fine athmosphere, the present were exchanged between students from different countries. There were many dances and songs from all the countries.
29th May - Departure of all the groups
The host parents and children were very pleased to regale a foreign child and to practice the language. Children were happy to get to know each-other’s culture and the opportunity of travelling to the partnering countries on the next occasions. Hopefully they will keep in touch. The main increment of this programme is that children and maybe even their parents can gain more motivation to learn English language.
As always in these bittersweet moments, there were moments of emotional good-byes and the desire to meet again soon.
We are looking forward to the next meeting in Italy in October.