26 History students in Year 11 were recently afforded with a unique and truly inspirational visit to Krakow as part of their study of the Holocaust. Our students stayed for 2 nights and enjoyed 3 action-packed, unforgettable and emotional days in Krakow.
Upon arrival, we visited Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory Museum in Krakow, where our students learnt more about the man who is credited with saving the lives of over 1,000 Jews during the Holocaust. We were able to experience the Second World War from both a Polish and Jewish perspective, whilst also seeing historic rooms like Schindler’s office, which was used as part of the set in the Oscar-winning film, Schindler’s List.
Perhaps the most difficult, yet unbelievably inspiring aspect of the whole trip was our visit to Auschwitz I and Auschwitz-Birkenau on the second morning of the trip. Our guide was incredibly engaging and through her extensive knowledge of this harrowing site, she gripped our students with the stories of over 1 million people who had lost their lives at the camp. The infamous ‘Arbeit Macht Frei’ sign above our student’s heads as they walked through the gates of Auschwitz I was an eerie reminder of the cruel and atrocious nature of the crimes committed against humanity during the Second World War. Ultimately, though incredibly difficult and moving, this tour allowed our young people to remember those who had suffered here. The first tours of the camp when it had re-opened shortly after the end of the war, had been led by survivors themselves. It was their wish and intention that this horrific event could never be forgotten, so that it would never happen again.
We were also incredibly fortunate as we were able to meet with Lidia Maksymowicz, a Jewish lady who survived Auschwitz Birkenau as a child and shared her incredibly moving story with us at the Jewish Galicia Museum in Krakow. We had the pleasure of listening to a private talk with Lidia as she recalled her time within the camp, where she had narrowly avoided death on numerous occasions and was eventually reunited with her mother, over a decade after liberation.
In addition to learning about the Holocaust, our students were also able to experience the history and culture of Krakow itself. We were able to see some of the incredible sights in Krakow’s Old Town, such as the Cloth Hall and the Wawel Royal Castle. Having spoken to students and parents since our return from the visit, I know that this was a truly moving experience for them and that it will stay with them forever.
Myself, Mrs Corfield and Mrs Stewart would like to say a huge thank you to all of our students who took part in the visit. Our students were a true credit to the Academy. Their maturity, behaviour and conduct was impeccable from start to finish. All members of staff on the trip were incredibly proud of the group and it was truly a pleasure to take them on this unforgettable trip.
Mr S Vickers,
Curriculum Leader of History.