School leads Holocaust Memorial Day tribute

Pupils from Chetwynde School led a moving commemoration for Holocaust Memorial Day to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau this week.

The school’s Anne Frank Trust peer educators led the Cumbrian event speaking of the need to learn from experiences of the past to create a better future.

Guests included Tim Robertson, chief executive of the Anne Frank Trust UK, the Mayor of Barrow Councillor Judith McEwan and representatives from Anti-Racism Cumbria and South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust.

The Year 8 and 9 pupils gave a presentation about historical events outlining the past as an important lesson to learn from.

“Today marks a special day in history, the liberation of a concentration camp. The theme for this year is for a better future – that means learning from what happened in the past and not forgetting the tragedy of what World War II was for many people,” they said.

“We honour their courage, their strength and their grace and vow that their memory will never erase.”

Polly Robson was among those reading a poem she had penned to honour those who died and the pupils led a one minute silence in candlelight observed by everyone in the theatre.

Tim Robertson said he was impressed by how articulate and thought-provoking the pupils were in their presentations.

Chetwynde Headteacher Steve Jefferson said the work the school had been doing with the Anne Frank Trust had a powerful impact on everyone, including a recent visit of Holocaust survivor Dr Martin Stern.

“Of all the pupils in that room every single person wanted to talk to Dr Stern and ask him questions. Today has equally made us all think.

“We hope the values that we teach you in school give you confidence to stand up to prejudice and say that is not right.”

Chetwynde School Teacher Michelle Doolan, who organised the memorial, said the school will welcome second-generation holocaust speaker Stuart Ferster next week to tell his father’s story to Years 9-11 as well as holding a two-day equality workshop.

“We are really honoured that the Anne Frank Trust asked us to host their Cumbrian event, and this is a testament to the hard work and dedication our students have shown throughout our many workshops and events.”

The Anne Frank Trust uses the life and work of Anne Frank as a platform for education about antisemitism and all forms of prejudice.

Through her experiences as a young Jewish girl during the Holocaust allows young people to see the ultimate consequences of antisemitism, and this knowledge helps them to understand the dangers of antisemitism and other forms of prejudice today.

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