Zespół Szkolno-Przedszkolny nr 12 is a public educational institution. It consists of Szkoła Podstawowa nr 12 (Primary School no. 12) and Przedszkole nr 12 (Preschool no. 12). The institution is located in Zebrzydowice, a district on the outskirts of Rybnik city.

Our school has a very long and interesting history. It was officially open on October 12th, 1908. The following day – October 13th – 125 students began their education in two classes in the new school. Because of the fact that Upper Silesia was a part of the German Empire at that time, the lessons were taught in German. It also is worth noting that during that period Zebrzydowice used to be one of the villages in the neighbourhood of Rybnik.

The historical events and political changes which took place in Poland in the 20th century had a significant impact on the school’s and its workers’ and pupils’ fate. Due to the First World War, the German Empire ceased to exist and after the III Silesian Uprising in 1921 Rybnik was annexed by the Second Polish Republic.

Unfortunately, after just 21 years since the end of World War I, another military conflict broke out in Europe – the Second World War. The German troops entered Polish Silesian soil at the very beginning of September 1939, and a terrible occupation began, which lasted until 1945.

As World War II ended, Rybnik remained within the borders of Poland, which this time was governed by communists. As a result, education was subordinated to the communist ideology and the goals of a communist state, which the People’s Republic of Poland had become.

Despite the adverse circumstances, the school continued to modernise and develop. Even parents were involved with the improvement of the school, for example by creating some of the school equipment themselves and donating tools for the Technology classroom. Thanks to their help, the school’s old roofing was replaced. And today we still can count on the parent’s help and assistance, for instance during the organisation of the many school’s ceremonies or charity events.

In the late 1960s, the lessons were taught in three shifts because of the shortage of space. There was no gym available and the sports classes were taking place in the corridors and the schoolyard. Thus the construction of a new school building was started. For this purpose, the Społeczny Komitet Budowy Szkoły (Capital Committee of School Construction) was created and each resident of Zebrzydowice declared to donate 300 PLN and work for 20 hours building the school. However, due to various reasons, much time had passed before the construction even began.

In January 1973 Zebrzydowice became a district of Rybnik city and the facility was given a name of Szkoła Podstawowa nr 12 w Rybniku (Primary School no. 12 in Rybnik). At last, the construction work started in 1977 and after a year, on the School Feast Day, March 4th 1978, the opening ceremony of the new school building was held, one year earlier than it had been anticipated.

To this day our school is located in this building, while the preschool uses the old one. Children from the immediate vicinity attend these facilities, many in the third generation. Our pupils frequently start their education in the kindergarten at the age of three and graduate the primary school at the age of fifteen. Thanks to that we know both our students and their family environment very well.

Currently, primary school education lasts eight years and is divided into two stages. During the first three years of early education, pupils are taught in an integrated-subject system. Starting with grade four, children begin to learn the distinct subjects: Polish, mathematics, biology, geography, physics, chemistry, history, social studies and two foreign languages – English and German.

However, we do not limit ourselves strictly to the contents of the curriculum. We strive to develop a variety of skills of our students, including social skills, as well as support and encourage them in their pursuit of interests and passions.

Zespół Szkolno-Przedszkolny nr 12 is a public educational institution. It consists of Szkoła Podstawowa nr 12 (Primary School no. 12) and Przedszkole nr 12 (Preschool no. 12). The institution is located in Zebrzydowice, a district on the outskirts of Rybnik city.

Our school has a very long and interesting history. It was officially open on October 12th, 1908. The following day – October 13th – 125 students began their education in two classes in the new school. Because of the fact that Upper Silesia was a part of the German Empire at that time, the lessons were taught in German. It also is worth noting that during that period Zebrzydowice used to be one of the villages in the neighbourhood of Rybnik.

The historical events and political changes which took place in Poland in the 20th century had a significant impact on the school’s and its workers’ and pupils’ fate. Due to the First World War, the German Empire ceased to exist and after the III Silesian Uprising in 1921 Rybnik was annexed by the Second Polish Republic.

Unfortunately, after just 21 years since the end of World War I, another military conflict broke out in Europe – the Second World War. The German troops entered Polish Silesian soil at the very beginning of September 1939, and a terrible occupation began, which lasted until 1945.

As World War II ended, Rybnik remained within the borders of Poland, which this time was governed by communists. As a result, education was subordinated to the communist ideology and the goals of a communist state, which the People’s Republic of Poland had become.

Despite the adverse circumstances, the school continued to modernise and develop. Even parents were involved with the improvement of the school, for example by creating some of the school equipment themselves and donating tools for the Technology classroom. Thanks to their help, the school’s old roofing was replaced. And today we still can count on the parent’s help and assistance, for instance during the organisation of the many school’s ceremonies or charity events.

In the late 1960s, the lessons were taught in three shifts because of the shortage of space. There was no gym available and the sports classes were taking place in the corridors and the schoolyard. Thus the construction of a new school building was started. For this purpose, the Społeczny Komitet Budowy Szkoły (Capital Committee of School Construction) was created and each resident of  Zebrzydowice declared to donate 300 PLN and work for 20 hours building the school. However, due to various reasons, much time had passed before the construction even began.

In January 1973 Zebrzydowice became a district of Rybnik city and the facility was given a name of Szkoła Podstawowa nr 12 w Rybniku (Primary School no. 12 in Rybnik). At last, the construction work started in 1977 and after a year, on the School Feast Day, March 4th 1978, the opening ceremony of the new school building was held, one year earlier than I had been anticipated.

To this day our school is located in this building, while the preschool uses the old one. Children from the immediate vicinity attend these facilities, many in the third generation. Our pupils frequently start their education in the kindergarten at the age of three and graduate the primary school at the age of fifteen. Thanks to that we know both our students and their family environment very well.

Currently, primary school education lasts eight years and is divided into two stages. During the first three years of early education, pupils are taught in an integrated – ubject system. Starting with grade four, children begin to learn the distinct subjects: Polish, mathematics, biology, geography, physics, chemistry, history, social studies and two foreign languages – English and German.

However, we do not limit ourselves strictly to the contents of the curriculum. We strive to develop a variety of skills of our students, including social skills, as well as support and encourage them in their pursuit of interests and passions.

Our everyday work contains organising actions aiming at integrating our community and showing that school is not just about learning, but also about having fun. Our students can show off their creativity, artistic skills and simply have a good time during such special occasions like Teddy Bear Day, Slipper Day, Pyjama Day and Crazy Head Day. Throughout the many schoolyears, numerous celebrations have been, are and will be organised, for example: Skirt Day, World Smile Day, International Mother Language Day, Polish National Flag Day, National Cat Day, National Hugging Day. Moreover, St Nicolas’ Day and St Valentines’ day are celebrated every year.

Voting for a Super Boy on an International Boys day and Miss School on International Women’s Day has become a tradition. There are many categories, for instance: Super Friend, Super Intelligent, Miss Intellect or Miss Elegance. Even the teachers are not overlooked – each year a Super Teacher in various categories is elected, such as Master Teacher or Demanding Teacher.

There is also a Talent Show at our school. On one hand, the students have an opportunity to show their talents, but on the other, they can also learn about their classmates’ talents and skills. What is more, the students get engaged in events organised primarily by teachers, for example in sports competitions during Family Day or in experiments during the Festival of Science, and they are involved in many school ceremonies and celebrations.

Our school often takes part in various charity events, and not only by donating money. A sale of home-ade goods aiming at raising funds to support treatment and rehabilitation of our pupils has been organised a number of times already. Moreover, we always do charity work around Christmas time. Every year we collect food, blankets and towels in aid to the Rybnik’s animal shelter, and we also collect plastic screw cups and waste paper.

Rybnik and Zebrzydowice are not only a part of Poland but also Silesia – a region that has a complicated history and rich traditions. We do not forget about them – we have celebrated Silesian Day in December for many years already. Grandparents and parents of our students are  invited for the traditional Silesian meal and the pupils prepare a performance in the Silesian dialect and present several traditional dances. As a part of regional education, the fourth-graders visit sights, as well as learn about the culture and traditions of our region. We make an effort to ensure that the Silesian dialect is not forgotten.