BSW’s adoption of a Warsaw Uprising memorial in Wilanów helps their students learn from the past while making a community impact. Through projects like “Changemakers” and a student-led memorial video, they foster respect for history and global citizenship, connecting with peers in 87 schools across 24 countries.
Tom McGrath, Principal
Poland, and Warsaw in particular, arranges very thoughtful and moving commemorations, and November is a time when this comes to the fore. One only has to visit Powązki Cemetery at the beginning of the month to see how past generations are remembered and honored. In the UK, the symbol of the poppy has become a key part of honoring past generations, with November 11th being a solemn day of remembrance. In Poland, the same date represents the rebirth of the nation in 1918 after 123 years of partition.
BSW sees remembrance as a key value we wish to transmit to our pupils, where we respect the sacrifices and actions of previous generations to guarantee our freedoms and independence. Thus, when Michael Kelso, Year 3 Teacher and Lower KS2 Phase Leader, proposed taking responsibility for a Warsaw Uprising Memorial Site in Wilanów, the school was delighted to support this initiative.
Michael Kelso-Franczak, Lower KS2 Phase Leader & Class Teacher
Having lived in the Netherlands, I was always moved by the sight of schoolchildren from the Arnhem area commemorating the WWII battle that took place on their doorstep by laying flowers on the graves of fallen British and Polish paratroopers every September—thus gaining an appreciation of the scale of sacrifice, which ultimately allowed them to live in peace, freedom, and prosperity.
I felt that adopting a local site of remembrance—the former grave of 5 insurgents of the ‘Parasol’ Scout Battalion, linked to the Warsaw Uprising—would provide our students with a lasting link to the local community and a better understanding of the history of the city in which they live, and the price it paid for wanting to be free.
A short, student-led film, shot to raise awareness of our patronage, has gained significant traction online, with over 3,500 views across our social media platforms. We hope that with community donations and the support of the ISP Changemakers project, we can renew and maintain the memorial site in perpetuity, as well as fund a number of projects within the school linked to the memory of young people who participated in the Warsaw Uprising.
Adam Leung, Year 9 Pupil
We chose important sites and landmarks in Warsaw that were either destroyed in the Warsaw Uprising or were built later from the rubble. Most of the places were around the Old Town, the site of some of the fiercest fighting; we also show the Palace of Culture, built on the site of the former Warsaw Ghetto. Walking around Warsaw, we are constantly reminded of the casualties of war with plaques marking the sites of executions and murder.
We focused on how children were impacted by this conflict. We learned that children were often the victims in this war, but they were also involved in combat, communication, supplies, and medical support. Our memorial honors some young scouts who died in the opening days of the conflict. We remember their sacrifice.
Andrew Eddles, ILOS Coordinator
The adoption of this Warsaw Uprising memorial site will make a difference in our local community and spread the story of these young people’s ultimate sacrifice around the globe.
Our International Learning Opportunities for Students (ILOS) programme connects ISP students around the world through beyond-the-classroom experiences. Every ILOS programme provides our students with a platform to pursue their interests and practise their global competencies.
The memorial adoption is part of our ‘Changemakers’ programme, which encourages our students to collaborate with their peers to lead impactful projects. This work will be shared with students from 87 ISP schools spread across 24 countries. That is powerful!
British Primary School of Wilanow
ul. Hlonda 12, bsw.com.pl
