Bartłomiej Nowodworski High School


Bartłomiej Nowodworski High School in Kraków, Poland is one of the oldest secondary schools in Poland. Its current location is on Ul. Na Groblach, just across the Planty from the Kraków Old Town and a few hundred meters from Wawel Castle.

History

The Senate of the Jagiellonian University decided to establish a school preparing students for further education at the university level on 5 May 1586. The school was opened in 1588. Bartłomiej Nowodworski, Polish nobleman, courtier and officer, endowed it in 1617 and 1619, thus enabling its further expansion. In recognition of his contribution, the school became known as Collegium Nowodworskiego, renamed to Liceum św. Anny in 1818, and to c.k. Gimnazjum św.Anny in 1850. In 1898 the school, until then located in the university area, moved to its present building in Plac na Groblach.
Girls were admitted to the school for the first time in 1962.

School's traditions

Nowodworski Choir

In 1986 as the 400th anniversary of the school was coming close many of the old school's traditions were reactivated. One of them was Nowodworski Choir. The first supervisor was Zbigniew Toffel, and since 1992 the conductor has been Ryszard Źróbek.

Nowodworski Nativity Satirical Show

It is an annual tradition, usually just before the Christmas break, that the pupils prepare the "Nowodworian Crib" : a Comedy show showing the school life in a satirical way. The actors parody their teachers and often some memorable school happenings; sometimes you can find allusions to the current political and cultural situation in Poland and in the World. All the students, teachers and former pupils make the audience. It was first shown in 1963, initially as a secret from the teachers, but soon became a yearly tradition looked forward to by students, as well as by teachers.

Famous alumni