As part of our Holocaust Beacon School, we place a high priority on communicating the lessons from the Holocaust and making sure our students are aware of yesterday’s and todays inequalities and discrimination so they are equipped to raise their voices against such actions in their current and future lives.
As part of our Holocaust Memorial Day work, students were selected to take part in the ‘Lessons from Auschwitz’ project, led by the Holocaust Educational Trust, which explores the universal lessons of the Holocaust and its relevance today. The ‘Lessons from Auschwitz’ Project aims to increase knowledge and understanding of the Holocaust for young people and to clearly highlight what can happen if prejudice and racism become acceptable.
The students (Emily Turner and Aiobh Murray) were chosen based on their exemplary work ethic throughout the two years of study and were excellent students in representing the school at such a prestigious educational project.
The four-part course began with a preparation seminar that gave students an introduction to the focus of the course, as well as allowing them to explore issues relating to the Holocaust.
The second part of the course included the day visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. The students showed just how mature and respectful they were throughout the visit.
The third part of the course included a reflective seminar where students reviewed their experiences, and reflected upon the wider impact of the Holocaust. During the reflection, there was also the experience of listening to a survivor’s testimony.
For the fourth part of the course, students will be producing a presentation to inform their peers on their experiences during the course, and the newfound understanding they have on the Holocaust.
Connor Perry, History teacher and lead on our Holocaust Beacon School Status, said: “As a Beacon School, we pride ourselves in the ability to offer such educational experiences for students and will continue to do so. Our students have paused, reflected and learn from our work and the necessity is to keep this messaging going so that the lessons of history are not forgotten.”
