Holocaust Memorial Day was celebrated on 26th January 2018 by Diversity Mark schools. The event themed – The power of words – was held at Thameside theatre. The event was hosted by Stifford Clays Primary and Hathaway Academy. Anthony Peltier -Headteacher of Stifford Clays Primary. opened the event. Students from Stifford Clays and Hathaway Academy read inspiring speeches from World War II.

Students from Warren Primary, Tudor Court, Woodside Academy and Deneholm supported the event. Pupils from each school explored the impact that words had in the Holocaust through propaganda used to incite, through slogans written in resistance, and through memoirs written to record. Pupils from Woodside, Tudor Court and Warren Primary shared Songs of Hope.

Students and parents heard from Susie Barnett, née Frankenberg, a Holocaust survivor who was born in Nazi Germany. She told the story of her family’s life in prewar Germany, including life under the Nazis, and how they escaped. So many parents described the event as ‘inspirational’ and a great way for schools to extend learning beyond the classroom and engage with the community.

Fatima Rodriges Principal of Hathaway Academy (co-hosts) closed the event with moving words from a pupil and some inspiring reflections on the power of words.