Being chosen for this programme is a remarkable achievement, reflecting the students’ commitment to learning and leadership.

During the one-day visit to the Auschwitz Museum and Memorial in Poland, students toured both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz-Birkenau with guidance from a Holocaust Educational Trust expert and a local historian. They learnt about the experiences of former prisoners, the trauma they endured, and the scale of the atrocities, including the murder of over one million Jewish people across Europe.

In the evening, students took part in a reflective ceremony led by Rabbi Epstein, where Year 12 student Ben read a poem written by a Holocaust victim, and candles were lit to honour those who lost their lives.

Year 12 student Rhianna reflected: “The ceremony was particularly my favourite part - lighting candles to shine light in the darkness of Birkenau is something I'll never forget.”

Following this unforgettable experience, students are now working on their Next Steps project, creating educational resources to share their learning with younger students and raise awareness of the Holocaust.