Holocaust Memorial Day is marked every year on 27 January, a date chosen to honour the liberation of Auschwitz‑Birkenau and to remember the six million Jewish men, women and children murdered during the Holocaust, along with the millions of others persecuted under Nazi rule. Across the country, schools and communities pause to reflect on these atrocities, and at St John’s Sixth Form in Bishop Auckland, our students have played a meaningful role in this year’s act of remembrance.
Holocaust Memorial Day is far more than a moment of silence. It is a reminder of the dangers of prejudice, discrimination and dehumanisation. It challenges us to confront the consequences of hatred when it goes unchallenged. Most importantly, it encourages us to learn from the past to help create a safer, more inclusive future for all.
Why Holocaust Memorial Day Matters
Every victim of the Holocaust was a real person with a name, a story and a life that mattered. Holocaust Memorial Day gives us the opportunity to honour their memory with dignity and respect. It is a time to think deeply about how intolerance can escalate and how essential it is to stand against injustice in all its forms.
At St John’s Sixth Form, students regularly engage in learning that promotes understanding, compassion and awareness of global human rights. This year’s commemoration forms part of our commitment to ensuring young people not only study history, but also learn from it.
Sixth Form Students Visit Auschwitz‑Birkenau Through the Letters From Auschwitz Programme
In November, a group of St John’s Sixth Form students took part in the Letters from Auschwitz programme — an educational experience designed to deepen understanding of the Holocaust by visiting the site of Auschwitz‑Birkenau.
For the students, the visit was both memorable and deeply thought‑provoking. Walking through the grounds where so many lives were taken encouraged them to reflect on the individuals behind the statistics — people whose dreams, families and futures were stolen.
Many students shared that the experience made them more aware of the freedoms and privileges we often take for granted today. Seeing such an important historical site first-hand strengthened their understanding of why remembrance matters so much.
Student Reflections Shared Across the School
Two students who took part in the visit — Lucy Oswin and Daisy Johnson — prepared a special reflection for all tutor groups to hear on Holocaust Memorial Day. Their thoughtful presentation helped our school community engage more deeply with the day’s meaning and encouraged students to consider how prejudice and discrimination continue to impact people around the world.
Their contribution demonstrated not only maturity, but also a strong commitment to promoting empathy and understanding within St John’s.
Raising Funds for the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust
To further support education and remembrance, Lucy and Daisy organised a sweet stall, raising £104.33 for the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust. Their fundraising will help the charity continue its vital work in ensuring that lessons from the Holocaust remain at the forefront of public understanding and are passed on to future generations.
We are incredibly proud of their efforts, compassion and dedication.
A Community Committed to Remembrance and Education
At St John’s Sixth Form, Holocaust Memorial Day serves as a powerful reminder of our responsibility to challenge prejudice wherever we encounter it. Through learning, reflection and acts of remembrance, our students continue to demonstrate the values of respect, understanding and humanity.
As we look forward, we do so with a commitment to building a community — and a world — where dignity and equality are upheld for everyone.