Over the last two weeks, students have had the opportunity to reflect on the importance of Holocaust Memorial Day in a number of ways. Each year group had an assembly explaining the importance of this day. Included in the assemblies was an account by Izzy Lunn and Eva Buckler (Year 13) of their recent trip to Auschwitz with the Holocaust Memorial Trust. Across the week leading up to Holocaust Memorial Day (27th January), students used tutor time to learn more about the importance of marking the Holocaust, with a particular focus on this year’s theme of ‘ordinary people’, as participants, bystanders and victims. On the 27th, the School came together for a minute’s solemn reflection. A moment to pause and reflect.
Year 9 students in RE and History paused their usual topics across the week, to reflect on these events, as explored through the book After the War, by Tom Palmer.
As well as this, History Club attended a special screening of a film about Anne Frank at New Park Cinema, and had these thoughts:
‘The film was insightful and exciting; an eye-opening and enlightening experience on the experience of Holocaust victims’ - Ollie M
‘An interesting, thought-provoking twist on the classic story of Anne Frank. Well worth a trip’ - Max R
‘I loved the film. I am a big fan of the animation style and the story was well presented’ Theo K.
‘I found the film very informative as it linked the Holocaust to modern persecutions' - Harry K
‘I liked seeing Anne Frank’s diary in animation and the workshop gave us an opportunity to link with our own lives’ Rosie G
Students across all years contributed to a display of their favourite recipes, helping to celebrate our individuality and identity, something which genocides tend to try and erase in the victims of such terrible actions. We hope that these recent events in School all help to ensure that our School community recognises the importance of standing up to injustice, and of celebrating our individual qualities and personalities. We must value life in all its fullness, and help ensure that others aren’t deprived of this right.
Mr J Barnett, Head of Humanities