Letters from Auschwitz

In March this year, Olivia Brink and Tomasin Delano (L6) took part in the Lessons from Auschwitz Project, a government-sponsored programme which is run by the Holocaust Education Trust.  Based on the premise that 'hearing is not like seeing', this four-part course explores the universal lessons of the Holocaust and its relevance for today. The LFA 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 visits to the former Nazi concentration and death camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau are preceded and followed by half-day seminars in order to ensure an exceptional educational experience.

Olivia and Tomasin spent an emotionally and physically demanding day in Poland, tracing Jewish people and their communities in Krakow and, ultimately, at Auschwitz-Birkenau.  They were supported throughout this experience by HET specialist educators, ultimately developing their plans to deliver Holocaust Education back to their own school community next term, in the form of lectures at both Sherborne Girls and Sherborne Boys School.

Of last year’s participants, Serena Dwerryhouse (U6) has been chosen as a Young Ambassador in Holocaust Education by the HET, which has involved her in activities and conferences outside school and Blanca Rivero (U6) chose to extend her knowledge by opting to join the Sherborne Girls 2016 expedition to Rwanda.