A new school in a new country

2:28pm Tuesday 16th September 2008

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Moving to a new country poses many challenges, especially for a nine-year-old girl. DAVID MILLS hears her story.

TWO years ago, a young Polish immigrant who could speak hardly any English, came to live in this country.

Now not only is Marta Dobrowolska's English perfect, but she is doing well in all her subjects at school and performing above the national average for her age.

The nine-year-old Year 5 pupil at Midfield Primary School, Grovelands Road, Orpington, has been nominated in the academic achievement category for the News Shopper's Our Young Stars awards.

She used to live in a town called Skierniewice right in the middle of Poland, now she lives half an hour from central London.

Her teacher Philip Le Conte, who nominated her, said: "It's staggering how she was able to adapt to the country and a new environment, and also achieve so much in a short space of time.

"She has been on a remarkable journey, she's someone who came from a different country where they speak a completely different language, and to do so at such a young age too.

"When she arrived she was petrified, she could not really speak any English, but since then she has blossomed."

He says her performance in class has been excellent.

Mr Le Conte said: "She would be a high achiever in any school, regardless of language.

"She is above average in Maths and English, in both reading and writing, her art work is phenomenal and she has a good science base and some of her poetry is amazing."

Marta's home town Skierniewice, has a population of almost 50,000 and was home to the famous pianist and composer Frédéric Chopin.

Since leaving Poland, Marta has had to learn a new language, adjust to a new climate, new culture and make new friends, which for a nine-year-old, cannot have been easy.

Mr Le Conte says Marta's success is largely due to her supportive parents.

He said: "She got a lot of support not only adapting but in excelling in her school work too, she's probably two years ahead of herself academically.

"Now we take it for granted.

"She's definitely got the potential to go on and do well in her GCSEs and A-levels. "

The school only has a small number of students with English as a second language, and just one other Polish pupil.

But Marta, who lives in Mickleham Road, St Paul's Cray, is a very popular girl with lots of friends.

Mr Le Conte, who was her teacher last year as well as this year, said: "She often talks about Poland, and describes it as a bland place.

"She seems to much prefer living over here."

He added: "She is a very popular student, who is well-liked."