Katowice

 Poland is a country situated in the centre of Europe. It covers 312,685 thousand square kilometers and its current population is about 38,8 million. There are sixteen provinces in our country and the capital city is Warsaw.  The climate of Poland is moderate with frosty winters and warm summers. The most important rivers are the Vistula and the Odra. Poland borders upon Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, Russia nad the Baltic Sea. (more about our country: )  The largest city and the main financial and commercial centre of Silesia is KATOWICE. The name Katowice is associated with two legends. It may come from Kat- the first settler’s nickname, or from the word „Katy”, which was the name of huts of farmers who used to cut the trees and transport wood to the smithy. (more about our city: )

Xth Paderewski Lyceum School’s patron - I.J. Paderewski Entrance to schoolschool

The school was opened on 21 April 1949 by the President of Katowice - A.Willner. There were 329 pupils: some attended 7 primary and the others - 2 secondary classes. On 1 September 1989 Mr Arkadiusz Mazur became the new head-master of the Xth LO. On 18 November 1993 a new patron of the school was chosen- Ignacy Jan Paderewski, a famous Polish composer and a devoted patriot. The school takes part in international school programs such as: Imuna and Munol. Currently we have nearly 500 pupils studying in 16 classes and taught by 38 teachers who regularly attend training sessions in England, Germany, France, Norway, Belgium and Italy.

Our lyceum offers many ways of education based on students’ interests. Here is a list of class specializations: A – language form: two foreign languages taught intensively possibility of obtaining language certificates possibility of studying one more foreign language language classroom

B – science form:  emphasis on biology, chemistry and ecology  IZOP programme carried out in German  two foreign languages (English and German) biological class

C - science and information technology form: EEmphasis on programming, Internet and hardware EECDL exam TTwo foreign languages (English and Russian or German)  emphasis on Internet, computer graphics and DTP  two foreign languages (English and German or French) F - arts and science form:

D – arts form: two foreign languages (English and French) emphasis on arts, law, journalism, history and philosophy language classroom

E – euro – form: ◊ Emphasis on buisness ◊ Pro-European education ◊ Education on macro and micro economy ◊ Two foreign languages (business English and French or Germany or Russian) geographic class

Everyday’s life In Poland each class has its own timetable and starts school at different time. Classes are also divided into groups so students do not end their lessons at the same time. Students relax during breaks. They meet in the canteen, where it is possible to buy snacks and have a short chat with school mates.

Eguipment: Every single student has his/her own locker. It is big enough to keep books, gym-suits and even jackets there. School Library is not only equipped with all necessary books and magazines but also has a special computer section with free access to the Internet. Computers at the library