Trips & EventsVisit To Beth Shalom
A group of year 9 pupils visited the Beth Shalom Holocaust Centre on the 24th June. The centre is a place for pupils to find out about the events of the Holocaust before and during the Second World War. The visit, organised by the Beliefs and Cultures department, lasted all day and was made up of a look round the exhibition, where pupils saw photos and mock ups of the death camps and heard how one man survived the whole experience. The survivor, who spoke on the day, was lucky enough to get out of Germany on the Kindertransport. He spoke about his life before he left the country of his birth and his life since.
In addition to these activities, 2 students, Sophie Sanderson and Adam Lodge, had the chance to interview a different survivor, Simon Winston, about his experiences. They were filmed doing this and the results are due in school in the Autumn. A third student, Sophie Clayton, was also involved in filming because she was asked about her thoughts and reactions to the Centre.
It was a very worthwhile day and all the group benefited from the experience.
"The trip actually started before we got to the centre. Well it did for me. I was informed that I was going to ask questions to Simon Winston, a survivor of the Holocaust. When we arrived, my nerves were tingling as I knew I was going to meet a survivor. Pure excitement also ran though me as I enjoy a challenge. The interview went smoothly and I rather enjoyed it. Overall, I believe the trip was a success and it provided an achievement for me. I was given a book, signed by Simon Winston but it was not this that made me proud, it was the fact that I had conquered my nerves. It was a lovely day and a great experience. It felt amazing to know these new things. Thanks Darton High School for taking me!"
Adam Lodge, Y9
"We set off from school about 9:15 on the coach. We travelled down to Newark and finally arrived at Beth Shalom about 10:30. The whole group got off the coach and made their way inside where we waited in the shop then made our way into the hall to watch the introductory video. Unfortunately, I had to leave a short way through to go and prepare to interview Simon Winston, a Holocaust survivor. Adam and I sat in the cafe and picked the questions we wanted to ask from the ones we had prepared and the ones we were given. Once picked we had to go and say them to the camera in a small, quiet room for filming. We then asked them again to Simon and he answered them. When we had finished filming, we ate our dinner and waited in the cafe for the others. Then we joined the others for a walk around the exhibition and peace garden. Again I had to leave a short way through to go and film my thoughts and views on the day. I then rejoined the others and traveled home. I really enjoyed talking to the survivor and he really gave us inside information of what it was like. He gave us lots of information and it was really detailed."
Sophie Sanderson, Y9