Polish Ambassador told of Holocaust stories in local school
Links with Ireland a theme at St Mary’s gathering
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Her Excellency, the Polish Ambassador to Ireland, Anna Sochańska is pictured admiring the BohaterON (In Honour of the Heroes) Gold Award, which was presented to St Mary’s Secondary School teacher Con McGrath last November in Warsaw, Poland, for his work interviewing veterans of the Warsaw Uprising, 1944, which he then uses in class lessons with his students. The BohaterON Award is an ‘Oscar-like figure’ of a Polish resistance fighter standing to attention. It weighs an impressive 3kgs. Only 70 of them have ever been awarded.Image 2 of 3
Her Excellency Anna Sochańska was most keen to meet some of the school students, whom Mr McGrath has worked with in promoting the teaching of the Warsaw Uprising, as well as Polish-Irish connections in history. These students pictured shared with the Ambassador some personal stories relating to their own Polish heritage. Highlights included amazing stories from Nikola Majkowska, Lena Gamon, and Marika Kreft. Two First Year students even had actual historical artifacts to show the Ambassador - Kornelia Kosmicka, who showed a WWII medal, and Amelia Nowakowska, who showed several black and white photos, and brown-coloured letters that were originally penned in a concentration camp. A Second Year student, Malwina Dziewiatka, who is a camogie player on the Tipperary team, showed the Ambassador how to handle a camán. Pictured, left to right, back row: Principal Mr Dineen, Lena Gamon, Julia Leszczynska, Marta Piasecka, Marika Kreft, Gabriela Wesolowska, and Mr McGrath. Front: Ciara Mounsey, Kornelia Kosmicka, Amelia Nowakowska, Ambassador Anna Sochańska, Malwina Dziewiatka, and Nikola Majkowska. PHOTOs: SEAMUS BOURKEImage 3 of 3
Her Excellency, the Polish Ambassador to Ireland, Anna Sochańska planting an oak tree on the grounds of St Mary’s Secondary School.On Thursday, February 2, her Excellency, Polish Ambassador to Ireland Anna Sochańska paid a visit to our school.
All of our students and staff, myself included, were delighted to hear of her visit. When she arrived at the school the Ambassador was met with a Guard of Honour and introduced to staff members, as well as representatives of the Board of Management, Parents Association and Student Representatives Council.
The Ambassador and her Embassy colleague, Piotr Ziebacz, then met some of the school's Polish students to hear stories of their Polish heritage. One student said this of the experience:
“In the prayer room a group of Polish students gathered to tell the Polish ambassador about their family history regarding the Holocaust and WWII. One of the girls even brought photographs, letters and a medal belonging to her family. I was very interested in what they were saying; everyone had a different and unique story; it was amazing.”
After this, a concert was put on in our hall in honour of the Ambassador. Many different students took part to display their various talents. These talented groups consisted of musicians, dancers and singers.
One thing that really stuck out among all of this was when All Ireland Fiddle Champion, Laoise Kennedy, played a piece she composed herself in honour of the Ambassador's visit. I believe we were all very impressed at how well considered her piece was, as in it she incorporated a Mazurka, which is a form of lively Polish folk music.
As well as this, many of our Polish students, along with a few Irish students, took to the stage to give some readings, many of which showing the links between Ireland and Poland. This was a very important part of the event and highlighted the Polish-Irish links, which were a main theme of the gathering. The Ambassador seemed delighted to have such a wonderful event take place for her and of course we were just as delighted to put it on.
After the concert ended, I was lucky enough, along with the other students attending and taking part in the event, to get to meet the Ambassador. I was of course honoured to meet her. She was very kind and took the time to ask every student their name and to take pictures with those who wanted them. Meeting her was definitely a highlight of my time in school so far.
I asked one of the Polish students attending our school, Aleksandra Lasa, how she felt about the event: “It felt really nice to have such a celebration for something Polish. It's never been done in this school before and it felt good to be represented. It was nice to hear traditional Polish music composed by Laoise Kennedy as well.”
Personally, I was honoured to even be given a chance to attend the event and thoroughly enjoyed the celebration of Polish culture and history, and was happy to see something taking place that acknowledges the importance of our Polish students to our school community. So many events took place on this day in honour of the Ambassador and a few more of the highlights included a Zoom call with Basia Berner, a veteran of the Warsaw Uprising. We were all very interested in what she had to say, and she gave some great advice about lifelong learning and how she has come to live such a long and healthy life. I found her to be truly inspiring.
A tree planting ceremony also took place outside our school. The Polish flag flew alongside the Irish tricolour as Her Excellency planted a tree surrounded by staff and students.
This experience is truly one that I and many other students in our school will think of fondly for a long time to come. It was truly an honour for the Ambassador to come and visit our school.
Written by Katie Brett (Fifth Year)