At CLS, we believe that coming together in remembrance is not only an act of respect for the Jewish men, women and children murdered during the Holocaust and those who perished under Nazi persecution, , but also a commitment to the values that shape who we are as a school: kindness, understanding, courage and respect for others. Through a series of assemblies and workshops, we reaffirmed the importance of remembering the past in order to shape a more compassionate future.
The week began with our annual visit to the Wiener Holocaust Library, the world’s oldest institution dedicated to the study of the Holocaust and the Nazi era. A group of Fifth Form and Sixth Form pupils took part in a joint workshop focusing on the French context of the Holocaust, gaining insight into both persecution and resistance in wartime France.
Pupils began the visit with an introductory lecture from Education Officer Dr Peter Morgan, who explored themes of occupation, collaboration and the lived experiences of Jewish communities in France. This was followed by a poetry translation workshop led by Miss Manion, Head of French at CLS, in which pupils translated three poems written by women of the French Resistance. Through close engagement with language, voice and historical context, pupils were encouraged to consider how words can bear witness to lived experience.
Multilingual pupils also contributed readings of Holocaust poetry in Hebrew, Ladino and German, bringing a powerful linguistic and cultural dimension to the workshop. Miss Manion, who holds both the Rolf Schild Award and the Holocaust Educational Trust Professional Recognition Award, shared archival materials and insights from her research trips to Poland and Germany, further enriching pupils’ understanding.
The visit concluded with a tour of the Wiener Library archive, where pupils viewed original documents, photographs and artefacts from the Library’s extensive collection. The experience left a strong impression on many who attended.
Reflecting on the day, one pupil commented:
“This was an important experience because it provided authentic stories that deepen understanding and ensure that the voices of those who were affected by the Holocaust are never forgotten.”
The Lower and Upper Assemblies during this week of remembrance, led by Mr McBroom and Mr Gibbs, focused on music in the Holocaust. It explored the complexity of music – on the one hand, providing comfort, promoting solidarity and serving as an act of resistance; on the other, being used a tool of oppression by the Nazi regime. Pupils performed moving pieces and all were reminded of the need for culture to serve humanity not cruelty.
The week concluded with the Holocaust Memorial Ceremony, led by Senior Sixth Form pupils from the Jewish Society. Alongside deeply moving and powerful personal stories, pupils read poetry, recited the El Male Rachamim – Holocaust Memorial Prayer, and lit candles to remember the six million Jewish men, women and children who were murdered, and the millions more murdered under Nazi persecution.
Through these experiences, Holocaust Memorial Day at CLS served as a meaningful reminder of our shared responsibility: to remember those who were lost, to listen to the voices of history, and to carry forward the lessons of the past with compassion and purpose.
