Polish School Beginnings

First years after the War

After the end of the 2nd World War in 1945, when the eastern part of Poland was joined with the Soviet Union, Poland became the Polish Peoples Republic governed by Communists sent by Moscow, Poles who served and fought in the Polish Army in the West understood that their return to Poland was blocked. Poles arriving in Great Britain in the beginning were placed in camps and they became oases of Polishness, but after, when the camps started to be closed, and people had to leave them they understood that living in isolation they would quickly "disappear" into the native population and in order to prevent that, and to keep their ethnic identity and culture, their customs and traditions it was necessary to organise. Soon sprang up various clubs, associations, parishes, schools and scout troops.

School beginnings

About the origins of the Polish School in Slough, it is not possible to give exact details of the first years of its existence, because the documents have been lost, and are reconstructed from the memory of Mr. D. Szwajkowskiego, treasurer of the Polish Educational Society and organiser of various initiatives connected with the existence of the school.

In 1952 in Great Bower Wood camp the Polish Educational Society was organised. The organiser was Mr S. Potocki. At this time in Slough there lived just seven, or maybe eight Polish families. At the beginning of the school year of 1952 there were just 5 Polish children, who started the school year in English schools in the local area. For the children of Polish families began Saturday Polish language lessons. Lessons took place in private homes. (at pp. Lunaczyków and Tworków). Teaching were Mr Kamiński and Mr L. Staff. In 1953 we turned to Father K. Święton, to teach our children religion in Polish. At this time Father Święton taught religion at the school in Great Bower Wood and in the camp at Iver, because there had been organised a Saturday school. Because of a lack of time on Saturdays Father Święton proposed that he would take the children from Slough to the camp at Iver to the other school where the children would learn Polish and also religion. In 1954 at Slough a Parents Committee was started. The Chairman of the Comittee was R. Lunaczek, secratary Mrs Filistowicz, and treasurer D. Szwajkowski.

After the Parents Comittee had settled D. Szwajkowski arranged, with the priest of St Anthony's School on the Farnham Road, that our children would, every Saturday, be able to learn at the above mentioned school. At this time 10 children attended the school. Teaching were Mrs Siemianowa and Mr Staff.

Father Karol Świętoń, first school head. Photograph, Silver Jubilee of priesthood 1957.

In the following years Miss Maciejeska (presently Jarosz), Mrs Onyszko and her daughter L. Onyszko (presently Ziętara) joined the teaching staff. In 1955 when the Great Bower Wood camp began to close, with the agreement Main Polish Educational Society (PES) whose chairman was Mr Kański the local PES was transfered to Slough. The first chairman and guardian of the school was Father Świętoń, and D. Szwajkowski took care of the organisation of the whole school. At the last meeting of the Parents Commitee Father Świętoń stayed as patron of the school, Mr Czabrowski the chairman, and the treasurer D. Szwajkowski who also continued with organising the whole school. Later the chairman was Mr.Maciejewski, and then Mr J. Szulc took the next term of office (he was the chariman for a good many years). The teachers were: L. Szkoda, Irzyńska, I. Kwiatkowska, J. Łukasiewicz, K. Skoczek, H. Ostoja-Starzewska, K. Stevenson (wife of an Englishman) and D. Wojciechowicz.

1955 Polish School and nursery in the Bower Wood Camp

Cubs, Scouts and Choir

In 1960 a Cub group was set up. Scout leader L. Szkoda and K. Starczewska looked after the girls.The Scout leader Chudy, who came from London, the boys. Later a Scout troop was organised. The Guides were still looked after by Guide leader L. Szkoda, K. Starczewska and Żbikowska, the Scouts by Scout leader Chudy, and later Kasprzyk.

On the initiative of the late Fr. Świętonia, PES, with the help of J. Szulca and D. Szwajkowskiego organised a Polish mens choir in the name of Stanisława Moniuszki. The conductor, who came from London, was Z. Gedel. Every type of cost was covered with minimal payments by the parents for teaching the children and fund raising events organised bt the PES.

Every year, with financial help form the Polish Club, the St. Nicholas (Santa Klaus) celabrations were arranged. Dwukrotnie u OO. Marianów w Fawley Court zorganizowano kolonie zuchowe. Organizowano również wyjazdy do teatru "Syrena" w Londynie na programy dziecinne. Później chórem zaopiekował się Klub Polski (obecnie Stowarzyszenie Polskie). Następnymi prezesami byli panowie W. Hardej i J. Kotawski. W roku 1966 PMS łącznie z SPK i Klubem Polskim, pod opieką śp. ks. Świętonia, zorganizowała wyjazd na uroczystości milenijne całej Polonii na White City do Londynu, a potem uroczystość lokalną.

Przed rezygnacją z mojej funkcji do szkoły sobotniej uczęszczało ponad 120 dzieci. W roku 1967 swoją funkcję przekazałem pani Gajdus łącznie ze wszystkimi książkami i protokółami z poprzedniej czynności Polskiej Macierzy Szkolnej.

According to my memory, Daniel Szajkowski.

Ceremony in Saint Anthony's school 11-8-1956. Gen. Bor-Komorowski and Premier Dr. T. Bielecki

Head of the Saturday School in Iver, Mr Bukier, 1953.