Our Holocaust Beacon School Status flags up our dedication to teaching the significance and lessons from the Holocaust.

This  week sees our Focus Week related to Holocaust Memorial Day which takes place annually on 27 January.

There are a range of activities going on in school this week to commemorate this tragic event but one of them sees students from across the school building up our annual display.

This year’s Holocaust Memorial display stems from the Jewish tradition of leaving a stone on a grave. Within the Jewish faith, it is customary to leave a small stone on the grave. The visitor positions the stone on the grave using his or her left hand. Placing a stone on the grave serves as a sign to others that someone has visited the grave. It also enables visitors to partake in the mitzvah tradition of commemorating the burial and the deceased.

Our Memorial will grow throughout the week to show a sign of respect for those lives lost, not only during the holocaust, but for the lives lost during the genocides of Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, Darfur and Yazidi.

Connor Perry, History teacher and Holocaust Educational Lead, said: “We have lots going on this week, including external speakers, but this project is about respecting culture, commemorating the events, and learning lessons from the past to inform behaviour towards others in the future. We are very proud of our Beacon School Status, it reflects our commitment to respecting other cultures, faiths and identities, as well as teaching our students that no matter what their context they deserve to be valued and respected by everyone around them.”