The Interesting Drainage Pipe

Is it a snake or is it a dragon? Whatever it is...it is far more interesting than the simple drainage pipe that it really is. This unique feature can be found on High School 1 in the old town. Always pays to look up here in Toruń!

The Colourful Angels

Toruń is famous for its angels. After all it is the angel that is the symbol of the city. These colourful angels can be seen on a mural in the playground of School Number 1 in the old town. At first glance you may think the angels are flying over the panorama of Toruń...but in fact it's a skyline made up of many famous landmarks from around the world. There's the Statue of Liberty, The Pyramids and even Stonehenge. How many others can you spot?

Graduation Season

Both high schools will hold their graduation ceremonies this week. Congratulations to all this year's graduates! May your thirst for knowledge never end.

I am taking a short hiatus while I upgrade my computer system. I hope all goes well.

A Cultural Presentation

Every year, I visit local high schools to give illustrated talks in English. Yesterday, I gave a presentation on the differences between Polish and British culture to about 60 young Poles.

Cultural differences is a great topic to talk about. Poland and the UK are only separated by 900 miles yet there are many subtle differences that divide the 2 nations. British people always queue for things, Polish people simply don't; British people say 'hi' to their friends, Polish guys will always shake hands; Polish people pull their bottom eyelid down when they don't believe you, British people rub their chins...the list is endless and always fascinating!

Back at School

The "Glenn Standish Presentation Roadshow" was back on the road again. This time at a local state school, giving a talk to Polish high school students on New Zealand. If any other schools or organisations are interested in booking an English presentation, please email us!

Poetry 180

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High school students and some of their teachers celebrated National Poetry Month by sharing poems and readings in the community room of the Thomas Crane Library. A few teachers and students had their Poetry 180 books with them. Poetry 180 is an initiative from the Library of Congress to present 180 contemporary poems (one for each day of the school year) for high school students to listen to or to read every day. Why Poetry 180? Hearing a poem every day, especially well-written, contemporary poems that students do not have to analyze, might convince students that poetry can be an understandable, painless and even eye-opening part of their everyday experience. Click here for more information. The library teacher, Ms. Tierney, is totally immersed in her poem here. The world needs more poets and poetry.

Center For Technical Education

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This building will be demolished in about a years time to make way for the second building that will be part of the new Quincy High School and Technical Center. School is in session throughout the construction.

North Quincy High School

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This is the other high school in the city. North Quincy HS was built in 1926 and an addition was added on in 1980.

SAT on Saturday

High School students recently waited outside Quincy High School to take their 4 plus hour College Entrance Exams, better known as the SATs. Better them than me.

Colourful School!

This is the colourful 'graffiti' wall in the playground of High School Number One...which is situated in the centre of the Old Town of Toruń. I wouldn't be surprised if the staff...encouraged some of their own students to paint the wall. The result is very colourful and impressive...and is a good way to allow some of the local graffiti artists to display their fine talents.

Graffiti is a problem in Toruń...especially when you get the ugly signature tags desecrating famous buildings and monuments. However, some graffiti IS very good...and I do like it when local establishments such as High School Number One encourage talented graffiti artists to show how good they really are. More examples of good graffiti talent to come later on here at Toruń Daily Photo!