Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Poignant tribute to Holocaust victims
Service held at school
Caldervale High paid a touching tribute to the victims of the Holocaust during a poignant classroom service.
The Airdrie secondary school’s first and second year reading group The BOOKies organised the gathering to commemorate Holocaust memorial day.
Social subjects teacher Pamela Thomson began proceedings by discussing the “historical and political background” to the Holocaust, before RE teacher Steven Carroll covered the “ethical and moral issues behind persecution”.
L i b r a r ian L esley Ann MacDonald then introduced the theme for this year’s Holocaust memorial day, “The power of words”.
Pupils were able to study a display of materials based on the Holocaust that gave them a thorough understanding of the atrocities committed and why they should never be forgotten.
Second Year BOOKies member Paige Whitehouse had the honour of lighting a candle on behalf of the group and everyone at Caldervale High.
A perfectly observed moment of silence then took place, during which the group were able to pause and reflect on everything they had heard and read.
A Caldervale spokesperson told the Advertiser: “Taking part in Holocaust memorial day is always an important, and poignant, date in the school calendar.
“The moment of silence and lighting of the candle were perfectly observed and conducted by the pupils and staff.
“The BOOKies group did a wonderful job hosting our service and we thank them and the staff involved for their hard work.”
Caldervale’s BOOKies group meet every Friday lunchtime in the school’s library resource centre, and new members are invited to attend.