The 21st century is a time of worldwide population movement and emigration, especially between European, Asian and North American countries. Europe's relative openness and economic strength encourages people from different cultures to move here. Staunchly Roman Catholic Poland, in recent times something of a religious monolith, has to adapt to this as well and relearn how to integrate people of different cultural and religious traditions. This phenomenon is especially observable in bilingual and international schools.

Religion is not a compulsory subject in the Canadian School of Warsaw. Its students come from various religious backgrounds including Islam, buddhism, Judaism. All are welcome to participate in the religious studies classes, where the focus is placed on teaching religious diversity and tolerance, if their parents wish. Since students come from a wide range of countries, the diversity of various customs is something of a given and hardly surprising. December is spent preparing for the Christmas Presentations show in which all students take part, and to which the parents are also invited.

"During Christmas, parents from various religious backgrounds are invited to present their customs, which is a marvelous opportunity to learn about different cultures and tolerance in general. This is one of the founding concepts of the Canadian School: religious plurality, cultural plurality and drawing joy from the acceptance of what these values bring," says Emilia Fronc, the school's principal.

Warsaw's International School also draws on Canadian values of tolerance for different cultures and religions. In accordance with parents' wishes, its religious studies classes are geared towards the Catholic faith. "If we had students from other religious backgrounds, we would have no problem in providing them with appropriate classes," says Wioletta Kułakowska, a member of the school's board." Those students whose parents have not signed them up for religious studies classes are provided with alternate activities, like computer classes.

Each class in the International School prepares its own Christmas program in relation to the traditions of both Poland and Canada. The artistic program is universal, the children prepare plays based on tales like The Snow Queen or A Christmas Carol. It can also include nativity plays, to tie in with Polish traditions. "This year we had a contest for the best Christmas decorations made from recycled materials, which is why our school is currently graced with a giant sock," says Anna Łysek, another board member. "We also have a School Guinness Book of Records, this year we will be adding the creators of the school's longest Christmas tree chain, which is why the children have been gluing paper rings together for two weeks."

In the German-Polish Willy Brandt Bebegnungsschule, the tradition is a Christmas carol concert. Teachers, parents and other guests gather in one of the most beautiful churches in Warsaw on a December evening to listen to the concert, which the children have been preparing for months. The school has students from many countries and cultures, but their religious beliefs are treated as a private matter. "During the first years, children have religious studies classes, but these are de facto studies of various religions and their coexistence," says Heike Briesemeister, the school's principal. "Later on, students have compulsory classes in ethics. We do not try to propagate any faith, but on Dec. 6 our primary school classes receive a visit from Santa who hands out chocolate versions of himself."

In the European Bilingual Primary School in Warsaw's Ursynów district, children do not have religious studies classes. Poland's Ministry of Education does not require pupils to attend such classes, says Danuta Suska, the school's principal. "However, if a majority of parents wanted them, we would take that into account. Until now, there was no consensus among the parents, some wanted religion, some ethics and others still, nothing of the sort."

The school is open to children of all religions and promulgates full acceptance for religious minorities. christmas is great event for all. "We have had children from different religious backgrounds participating without there being any problems. The parents would decide whether their child took part or not. If not, there was a mutual understanding that the child did not have to attend school that day," says Suska.

Parents are often very happy to have their child take part in the nativity plays or watch plays organized for the occasion by the school. "Parents like to see their children take part in group activities. Besides which our cultural activities are well regarded by parents," continues Suska. "We take great care in our choice of shows and invited guests. Christmas is a magical moment for kids, and for us teachers, a cause for great joy and emotion. The school looks a treat. We put a lot of effort in, so that children associate Christmas with something very positive."

Children attending the bilingual Happy Montessori House pre-school are too young to prepare nativity plays. Shared emotions and integration are the focal point of the festive season's activities. "Children decorate their classrooms with Christmas decorations and motifs, like paper chains and Santa figures, but we do not use any religious motifs," says Urszula Gosik, the owner. "We jointly decorate the Christmas tree and organize a party for the children and their parents. Baking cookies with the parents or grandparents and making the decorations with the children makes it a special occasion for all of us. The children's joy during these activities is hard to describe. As to the question of religious faith, integration and mutual tolerance is our main objective."

Neutrality as to religious faith is one of the priorities of the Baby City nursery in the Sadyba district of Warsaw. The pre-school that will be added to the nursery Sept. 1, 2009, has no plans for religious studies either. "Although pre-school is a place of education, it would be too difficult for children of a young age to grasp the differences between religions, so we have decided to ignore this subject for the time being," says Katarzyna Kosakowska, the director. "We are open to all cultures and religions and we feel that promoting any one of them would make parents doubt our neutrality on the issue," she continues.

Santa Claus, assisted by Snowflake Fairies, visits the nursery each Dec. 6 and gives out presents. "We find Santa, who has an Orthodox origin, acceptable since he is such an international and multicultural figure," Kosakowska adds.

Right before Christmas, there is a "traditional" party jointly organized by children and their parents, which is a great opportunity to mix, sing carols together and talk about the children's progress. The parents who do not celebrate Christmas in this manner on religious grounds can simply choose not to participate.

The syllabus of the reputable British School of Warsaw comprises compulsory classes in religious education devoted to the origins and principles of different religions of the world. "Our school is attended by students from over 50 countries around the globe," said Olga Rasiewicz, the school's admissions and marketing officer. "These statistics obviously translate into a diversity of religions for our students. If parents would like their children to attend classes in Catholic religion, we make this possible for them as part of extra-curricular activities."

Christmas time at the British School of Warsaw is a time of joy, presents and large Christmas trees at both of its school sites. The season's special events include a popular Christmas Fair, Nativity Plays and a Grand Christmas Carol Night by candle light featuring the school choir and attended by parents and friends of the school.

"Regardless of their religious creeds and country of origin, parents always embrace these events," Rasiewicz said. "It all builds a sense of emotion, joy and excitement. These are very powerful community building experiences."

International schools in Warsaw will be the subject of further reports in future issues of The Warsaw Voice.

Agnieszka Krupak


The British School Warsaw, Poland
Early Years Centre
84/90 Jarosława D±browskiego St., 02-571 Warsaw, Poland
T: (0048) 22 646 7777,
F: (0048) 22 646 4666

Primary, Secondary and IB Diploma Programme
15 Limanowskiego St., 02-943 Warsaw, Poland
T: (0048) 22 842 3281
F: (0048) 22 842 3265
british@thebritishschool.pl
www.thebritishschool.pl
A part of Nord Anglia Education LTD



Deutsch-Polnische Begegnungsschule "Willy-Brandt-Schule" in Warschau
Klassen 1-6
2 Wandy Rutkiewicz St., 02-956 Warsaw
tel. 022 642 35 78
fax: 022 642 27 05
Sekretariat2@d-s-w.pl

Klassen 7-12
1A Kolegiacka St., 02-946 Warsaw
tel. 022 885 83 22
Fax 022 885 83 24
Sekretariat1@d-s-w.pl

www.d-s-w.pl
Principal: Heike Briesemeister
Languages: German, Polish, English, French
Tuition fee: 17,000 - 23,000 /year



EUkindergarten & International School
7 Klubowa St., 02-847 Warsaw
Tel./fax: (22) 894 42 00, mobile: 604 944 999
biuro@eukindergarten.pl
www.eukindergarten.pl

International School
2 Jagielska St., 02-886 Warsaw
office@internationalschool.pl
www.internationalschool.pl
Languages: English, Polish, French, Spanish
Tuition fee: from 1600 PLN/month



Canadian School of Warsaw Nr 84
7 Bełska St., 02-638 Warszaw
www.canadian-school.pl
e-mail: secretary@canadian-school.pl

Tel. (22) 646 92 89
Fax (22) 646 92 88

Languages: English, Polish, French, Italian
Tuition fee: 20,000 PLN - 24,000 PLN /year



Happy Montessori House
14 Rumiana St., 02-956 Warsaw
Tel.: (22) 427.37.67
Mobile: 0.697.060.504

Principal: Urszula Gosik
Languages: English, Polish
Tuition fee: 1,100 - 2,080/month



Baby City Active Development Center
Under the patronage of dr. Svietlana Masgutova
42A Zielona St., 02-913 Warsaw
Mobile: +48 519 849 612
www.babycity.com.pl
Day care and activities for children aged 0 - 5



European Bilingual Primary School (EPD)
1 Chłapowskiego St., 02-787 Warsaw
Tel.: (22) 644 15 14
www.epd.waw.pl
e-mail: info@epd.waw.pl
Languages: English, Polish

Tuition fee: 1,400 - 1,500 PLN/month



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