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Holocaust Memorial Day 2023
27 January is Holocaust Memorial Day
27 January is Holocaust Memorial Day and 2023 marks 78 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Throughout the week all pupils had an assembly focusing on Holocaust Memorial Day and fighting antisemitism. Mr Ferne, Head of Humanities, who led the assemblies was incredibly impressed with the maturity displayed by all year groups as they reflected upon this year's theme of 'ordinary people'.
On Thursday 26 January 2023, over 250 Year 10 and Year 11 GCSE Historians from Deer Park took part in a live webcast. Events are run across the country to remember the victims of the Holocaust and the webcast was run by the Holocaust Education Trust. Over 700 schools and organisations from around the UK took part in this annual event.
"It was a fascinating and deeply moving experience. Incredibly inspiring!" Ed (Year 10)
"An interesting and emotional morning. Ruth's testimony was amazing." Lola (Year 10)
The survivor sharing their story this year was Ruth Posner BEM, who survived the Warsaw ghetto, forced work and the horrors of the Holocaust. Pupils listened intently as Ruth described her harrowing tale of losing all bar one member of her family. The testimony was followed by reflection where the pupils discussed the testimony and this year’s theme of ‘Ordinary People’.
Our pupils were excellent throughout the testimony and engaged effectively with the reflection discussion that followed. They displayed incredible levels of maturity and sensitivity and were a pleasure to work with. The opportunity to hear from a Holocaust survivor is a humbling and awe-inspiring experience and one we hope our pupils will remember for many years to come. As time passes, the numbers of survivors decreases and so for our pupils to be able to hear first-hand experiences is increasingly rare.
“We were incredibly impressed with the maturity and empathy displayed by our Year 11s throughout the testimony. They were a pleasure to work with and we thank the Holocaust Educational Trust for facilitating this phenomenal opportunity.” Mr Ferne, Head of Humanities
Alongside this experience, GCSE History pupils are offered the opportunity to travel to Berlin to support their studies of Nazi Germany and the Cold War. Read about the Berlin Trip in 2022...
27 January, is Holocaust Memorial Day and the theme for 2023 is ‘ordinary people’. The impact of the Nazi genocide and subsequent genocides on generations of people is unquantifiable. From the Holocaust to Cambodia to Darfur, millions around the world have been forced from their homes and millions of families torn apart.
Friday 27 January 2023 marks 78 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, and is an important day of remembering and reflection to ensure that we stand together to challenge prejudice and hatred, and work towards a better future.