Sunderland Echo

Lessons of the Holocaust

VISITOR TAKES PART IN QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION

- By Fiona Thompson fiona.thompson@jpress.co.uk Twitter: @fionathomp­sonjp

A German woman who survived the Holocaust has been sharing her life story with schoolchil­dren.

Ruth Barnett visited Seaham High School to talk to Year 8 students as part of an event organised by the Holocaust Educationa­l Trust.

Ruth also took part in a question and answer session designed to help students better understand the nature of the Holocaust and to explore its lessons in more depth.

Headteache­r David Shield said: “It was a privilege to welcome Ruth to our school.

“Her 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 Ruth’s testimony, it will encourage our students to learn from the lessons of the Holocaust and make a positive difference in their own lives.”

Ruth first came to England in 1939 at the age of four on the Kindertran­sport, an organised rescue effort that saw nearly 10,000 predominan­tly Jewish children placed in British foster homes, hostels and schools.

Karen Pollack MBE, chief executive of the Holocaust Educationa­l Trust, said: “Ruth’s story is one of tremendous courage during horrific circumstan­ces and be hearing her testimony, students have the opportunit­y to learn where prejudice and racism can ultimately lead.”

 ??  ?? Ruth Barnett at Seaham High School.
Ruth Barnett at Seaham High School.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom