Holocaust Memorial Day

25 January 2012

The Humanities Faculty is constantly determined to promote equality and to challenge intolerance and prejudice of all types. With this in mind, we are using our Faculty in Focus time to promote Holocaust Memorial Day. Holocaust Memorial Day is on 27th January each year, the date commemorating the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp in 1945.

Every year the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust has a specific theme to mark this commemoration. The theme for 2012 is “Speak Up, Speak Out” and it encourages people to speak out about and highlight the intolerance and prejudice which can lead to situations such as the Holocaust.

Pupils at Deer Park have written poems in response to the Holocaust and in particular their reading of the book 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas' by John Boyne. Their poetry has reflected on the themes in the novel as well as exploring the issue of speaking out against prejudice and intolerance. Chiquita Henson, Head teacher at Cirencester Deer Park School commented "Our pupils’ poetry is reflective and empathetic. They have sensitively engaged in and responded to their reading and demonstrated considerable maturity in their views. We encourage all of our pupils to participate in projects that raise their awareness of issues affecting people across the globe and the positive action they can take to make a difference."

From 21st -28th January examples of the poetry produced by Deer Park pupils will form part of a display of poetry and art at the Parish Church in Cirencester. Everyone is invited to go to the church to see this display which has been produced in collaboration with Rendcomb College, Kingshill School and the Churches Together movement in Cirencester. Around 160 pieces from the different schools will be on show in the church from 10am to 4pm. All are welcome to attend a special National Holocaust Memorial Day service on Friday 27th January at 5pm.

Shaun, Year 8 pupil, said "I am really pleased that my poem will be displayed in the church. I enjoyed reading the novel and my poem was inspired by what it said." History teacher Steve Woodrow "The pupils have reflected on their reading of the Holocaust based novel 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas' by John Boyne and have felt inspired to create works of poetry which demonstrate their views on the need to challenge intolerance and prejudice wherever they exist. They are rightly proud of the work they have produced."

Relevant Links:

• Holocaust Memorial Day

YEAR 8 PUPIL POEMS

But Think... Once, a long time ago, maybe, You had a doll. But think… You love that doll, It’s your friend. But think… What if you lost that doll, You wouldn’t just forget about it, Would you? So think… If that doll was a friend, You would find them. If they were in danger, You would find them. You would fight for them, Stand up for them, Just like many people do, and they stay friends forever. - Evie

This Star Upon My Shoulder. This star upon my shoulder, A symbol of my faith, It promises bad treatment, That I’m frightened and unsafe. This star upon my shoulder, It takes away my speech, And separates me from the world, That’s just beyond my reach. This star upon my shoulder, It shows I’m not the same, It took my family And my home The day the Nazis came. - Eva

The Camp. Through the window is a sea of blue, A sea of white and a sea of huts, The gas chambers stand out like black against white, The people feel sad but the Nazis just laugh. Through the mist I see a terrible scene More Jews being marched away. The wire is sharp, the sky is dull, But life still goes on in their tiny poor souls. - Seb

I Didn't Ask. We moved away from Berlin, I didn’t ask. The fence, lined with barbed wire, I didn’t ask. Out of the windows, farmers? I didn’t ask. The boy wearing his pyjamas, I didn’t ask. His bones sticking out, his face grey I didn’t ask. I went to meet his family, I didn’t ask. I wish I had. - Charlotte