Holocaust Memorial Day 2017

On Friday 27th January West Lakes academy celebrated Holocaust Memorial Day and commemorated and remembered the deaths of over 6 million Jewish, Roma and Cinti people. The year 8’s had an off time table day where they took part in a number of holocaust and Jewish related activities to remember the lives that where lost during the genocides.

The day started with an assembly lead by head of humanities, Mrs Fletcher, with the help of the humanities ambassadors. The day stretched across all six periods with four different lessons being given. Mr Walker gave the students a lesson on the Seder meal where they tried different foods that would have been eaten in a traditional Jewish meal. Mr Rush gave a presentation on the horrors of what happened at Darfur, and the struggles that the persecuted had to go through.

The students also watched the live hour long story on the life of Mala Tribich when she told the story of her facing the concentration camp along with her cousin. She answered questions about her experiences.

The last lesson of the day was dedicated to creating a Holocaust Memorial Garden. Students had to choose an appropriate format to create the garden along with explanations to their choices. The gardens had to celebrate and commemorate the lives of the persecuted. There were many entries from all tutor groups, which are displayed on the humanities notice board, outside Mrs Fletcher’s room- S24. However, in the end, just three entries were picked as the winners, which will be created into a real memorial garden in the WLA garden.

The year 8’s learned a lot on Holocaust Memorial Day- about the struggles Jewish, disabled and gay people faced. They all learned an important lesson on the day, to accept people for who they are and to treat other people how you want to be treated.

By Elouise W.