The history of our school started in February 1947 when the first schoolgirls attended school called "The National School for Housekeeping".

After a few months and years the school changed and grew bigger and bigger. In 1954 it got its new name - "The Technical School number 2". March, 26th 1996 was a special day for our school. On that day the school was given its name : Janek Bytnar "Rudy" in honour of life of this fighting patriot, his against the Nazi and his heroic death at the age of 21 afterwards. Every year - march, 26th is a great school event. Students, together with teachers prepare solemn ceremony at school which is preceded by the mass.

In 2002 the school was given a different name. Now it is called Zespół Szkół Gastronomiczno-Hotelarskich im.Janka Bytnara "Rudego". On 12th October 2002 a great ceremony took place. We celebrated the 55th anniversary of existing. A lot of guests including the media representatives, the headmasters of other schools and the graduates were invited. It was the first such convention in the history of school.

Our school is very popular in Kalisz. The teachers are well qualified and experienced and the students are well prepared to work in different branches of local industry (such as food industry, catering business ...). Now about 900 students attend the school. They study in catering and sewing professional and technical forms.

Our school has :

• four-year technical school which trains in such professions as :
  • hotel technical
  • clothing technology technician
  • feeding and housekeeping technician
• two and three-year vocational school which trains students for such professions as :
  • cook
  • baker
  • butcher
  • confectioner
  • dressmaker/tailor
• three-year technical school after vocational school (daily or evening)

The school has its own rifle-range, sauna, fitness club and community room with two small shops. There is also a computer classroom with access to Internet. Students who are interested in art., films, poems, maths, sports can attend extra classes. We also publish our school news-sheet "Rudy". The school organises great banquets, occasional parties at school and outside it, fashion shows and many more.

Our school co-operates with schools in Slovakia, Holland and Germany. We exchange students within these countries. We send our students to have three-month school practice in the Osteewoge Hotel in Graal-Muritz in Germany. They also go to Zuiderduin Hotel and Bellevue Hotel in Egmond aan Zee in Holland. The third place in Holland where our students have some training is Rijkenberg Chocolade En Suikerwerken (chocolate factory) in Heerhuwaard.

We also made our Polish cuisine famous outside Poland. We have been to Holland, Belgium and Germany where we served our specialities. Our students take part in several contests for the best cook, pastry cook, baker and dressmaker in which they often achieve high positions.

We are very proud of our school and students.

Translator: Beata Irzykowska