Auschwitz Ambassadors

Simone Matthews and Harriet Welch (AL6) have been awarded places on the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Lessons from Auschwitz Project.  They will take part in two afternoon seminars and a one-day visit to the former Nazi extermination camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau in order to then pass on the lessons in their schools and communities.

This is a national scheme for sixth form pupils based on the premise that ‘hearing is not like seeing’.  The course provides the opportunity for pupils to explore the universal lessons of the Holocaust and its relevance today.

The course is split into four key elements;

1)  An orientation seminar where participants meet and prepare for their visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau by hearing a Holocaust Survivor speak of their experiences, and learning about pre-war Jewish life.

2)  A visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp in southern Poland touring authentic sites and museum exhibits, concluding with a commemorative ceremony at the ruins of the gas chambers.

3)  A follow-up seminar in which participants reflect upon their experiences, consider the current relevance of the lessons of the Holocaust, and discuss practical ideas for spreading these lessons.

4)  The pupils complete a follow-up project of their choosing in order to raise awareness of the Holocaust and/or the general issue of genocide within their school and/or the wider community.

Simone and Harriet will be embarking on their trip to Poland later this term and we wish them well for what is sure to be a memorable and touching experience.