“UNDERSTANDING THE PAST THROUGH REMEMBRANCE”

The children participated in a number of workshops, including the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. This workshop’s focus was on the subjects of equality and fairness, including a 10-minute film. Pupils were asked to explain their thoughts and feelings on the film and to challenge each others perceptions.

Through the examination of different headstones, pupils were encouraged to think about the different cultural, social, religious and ethical diversity of different societies in Britain and around the world. The children also had an opportunity to find out about the effects of the Second World War on children with particular focus on the Home Front covering subject areas such as air raids, evacuation and rationing. A blind, ex-Serviceman, Billy Baxter, who lost his sight in Bosnia shared aspects of his story, as well as looking at the process of rehabilitation after losing his sight in conflict.

The workshop provided the opportunity for the children to connect with a modern-day veteran and learn about his experiences. The day culminated with a Witness Testimony Session by Steven Frank. Steven was a small child in the Netherlands when the Nazis invaded. As part of a Jewish family, his life was turned upside down. He spent the war years with his mother and two brothers in Dutch transit camps, before finally being deported to Theresisenstadt Camp near Prague. He arrived in England in 1945. He has been talking to pupils from the ages of 7 – 18 for over 10 years and uses family photographs and other visuals to illustrate his experiences in an accessible way.

The children had a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable day!