Pre Sixth Form, Year 9 and Year 10 pupils from King Edward’s Witley met with Holocaust survivor, Rudi Oppenheimer as part of a visit organised by the Holocaust Educational Trust (HET).
Mr Oppenheimer delivered a moving account of his life story, which included details of his harrowing wartime experiences living as a Jew during the Nazi occupation of Holland and Germany. After the talk pupils were able to ask questions to enable them to improve their understanding of the nature of the Holocaust and to explore its lessons in more depth. The visit was part of the Holocaust Educational Trust’s extensive all year round Outreach Programme, which is available to schools across the UK.
Mrs Alison Saunders, Head of History at King Edward’s Witley said “It has been a privilege for us to welcome Rudi Oppenheimer to our school and his testimony will remain a powerful reminder of the horrors so many experienced. We are grateful to the Holocaust Educational Trust for co-ordinating the visit and we hope that by hearing Rudi’s testimony, it will encourage our students to learn from the lessons of the Holocaust and make a positive difference in their own lives.”
Karen Pollock MBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust added:
“The Holocaust Educational Trust educates and engages students from across the UK, from all communities about the Holocaust and there can be no better way than through the first-hand testimony of a survivor. Rudi’s story is one of tremendous courage during horrific circumstances and by hearing his testimony, students will have the opportunity to learn where prejudice and racism can ultimately lead.
“At the Trust, we impart the history of the Holocaust to young people, to ensure that we honour the memory of those whose lives were lost and take forward the lessons taught by those who survived.”