Two of our year 13 students have recently taken part in the Lessons from Auschwitz online programme. This is a free opportunity offered by the Holocaust Educational Trust and we invite students to apply for the chance to take part. Amber Eyles and Zafran Pervez were selected and completed three live online sessions throughout June.
The Lesson from Auschwitz programme offers students an opportunity to learn more about the history of the Holocaust through a bespoke online learning environment, accessing artefacts, text, film, and virtual explorations of Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum. Students can also explore the individuals whose lives were affected by the Holocaust and the relevance of the Holocaust today.
Both students have found their participation in the programme extremely worthwhile:
“I wanted to take part in the programme to develop a better understanding of what Jews and other minorities went through during the Holocaust. When people think of the Holocaust and World War Two, we often think of the Nazis and what was going on worldwide, so taking part in the programme gave me an insight into what Jews went through personally and how their lives were affected both pre-war and post-war.”Amber Eyles, year 13 student
“I took part in the Lessons from Auschwitz programme to widen my understanding of the Holocaust and to look at its reality by humanising it. I believe that the Holocaust is something that everyone should know about because it is very much relevant today, such as the mass concentration of the Uyghur Muslims in China and the increase in Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, racism and hate which were all the starting point for the atrocities of the Holocaust. We all share a collective responsibility to learn about the Holocaust, so we don’t forget what happened and speak out when we see such acts happening in today’s world. History is so important because it prepares us to make sure an incident as vile and horrific as the Holocaust is never repeated.” Zafran Pervez, year 13 student
“Lessons from Auschwitz offers young people a truly unique learning experience. Although this year’s programme has been different to previous years, the chosen Y13 students have really embraced this opportunity and displayed fantastic commitment, enthusiasm and maturity throughout. I am looking forward to seeing their Next Steps project, where they will pass their learning on to their peers.” Mrs Keene, Lessons from Auschwitz Coordinator for EHC