Holocaust memorial day
CTK hosts talks from Holocaust survivors
Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) is marked each year on 27th January – the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration and death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. On this day, schools, communities and faith groups across the UK join together in national and local events to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust and of even more recent genocides.
Deacon Javier, our Lay Chaplin, lead a Holocaust Memorial service at each site which staff and students attended. The service was extremely moving and highlighted the Nazi Persecution and the genocides that followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur, in the hope that there may be One Day in the future with no genocide.
We were privileged to host a talk with two holocaust survivors, Paul Sved and Ivan Shaw, who both have fascinating stories about their experiences as young children living in cities under Nazi control. Both speakers, now in their 80’s, gave up their time to speak to CTK lower sixth students as part of the Sixth Forms 10:10 programme. Their stories were extremely moving and highlighted the sadness in their childhood and their victimisation of Nazi persecution. The pair went on to give a recap of their oppression, the time spent away from their families as young children, the day they finally managed to escape Nazi occupation and how they remarkably went on to lead normal happy lives.
Our students were fascinated by their stories and amazed by the bravery of the survivors. One student said “The testimonies gave me a very harsh yet interesting insight into life during the Holocaust. We’ve heard from historians but not often the survivors and it allowed me to understand the atrocities that were taken upon the people of that time and helped me understand the misfortune they went through. Even with all his discomfort he prevailed and taught a valuable lesson on how two very different views can affect the whole of human history.” – Kanye Cross-Gordon, CTK St Mary’s student.
We would like to say a big thank you to the Holocaust Educational Trust for arranging this session with us and to the incredible guest speakers for sharing their memorable stories with us at this time.
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Tony ST MARY'S Grades achieved: A*A*BA Progressed to: Oxford University Course: A Level Maths, Physics, Fine Art and Further Maths
“CTK has always encouraged me to aim high, which has led me to apply to the University of Oxford and I am so pleased to begin my studies there. ”
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Ella Mae ST MARY'S Grades achieved: A A B A Progressed to: University of Sheffield Course: A Level Law Level Psychology A Level Sociology Extended Project
“What I enjoyed about CTK was meeting students from different backgrounds and sharing a desire to succeed. As an Advanced Graduate Programme student, I was given the motivation and confidence to work to the best of my ability. ”
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Chief ST MARY'S Grades achieved: BBB Progressed to: Queen Mary University Course: A Level Maths, Physics and Chemistry
“I really enjoyed my learning at CTK as lessons were relevant, engaging and challenging, whilst cultivating a warm, dynamic atmosphere.”
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Precious ST MARY'S Grades achieved: D*D*D* Progressed to: City University of London Course: BTEC Level 3 Health and Social Care
“Studying BTEC Health gave me the best opportunity to realise my dream. I’m incredibly appreciative of all the support and assistance I received throughout my course. From the beginning, the staff recognised my ability and didn’t give up on me.”
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Oluwafoluhanmi ST MARY'S Progressed to: University of Hertfordshire Course: A Level Biology, Chemistry and PE
“Although studying A Levels can be challenging, my teachers make my lessons enjoyable and easier to understand. The teachers at CTK are really friendly and are more than happy to help. I hope to go on to study Physiotherapy at University.”
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stmarys@ctksfc.ac.uk
