Pupils from Highfield Leadership Academy heard a first-hand account from a Holocaust survivor on a visit to the secondary school.
Harry Kessler spoke to year 8 and 9 pupils about his experiences fleeing persecution in both Austria and Czecholsovakia during Nazi occupation, and told his inspiring story of adapting to life in England as a refugee.
The visit was organised by the Holocaust Educational Trust (HET), with Harry’s testimony followed by a question and answer session to enable pupils to better understand the nature of the Holocaust and to explore its lessons in more depth.
Born in Vienna in August 1930, Harry escaped persecution from Nazi occupation in both Austria and Czecholsovakia, arriving in England in May 1939 with no knowledge of the language. Some of his family were not so fortunate, including his aunty Elsa who was deported to Auschwitz where she died in 1944. Harry’s overall message to the pupils was that they should be tolerant and accept those around them, despite any differences.
The visit was part of the Holocaust Educational Trust’s extensive all year round Outreach Programme, which is available to schools across the UK.
Anand Patel, interim Principal at Highfield Leadership Academy said:
“It is a privilege for us to welcome Harry Kessler to our school and his 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 hearing Harry’s testimony, will encourage our students to learn from the lessons of the Holocaust and make a positive difference in their own lives.”
Karen Pollock MBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust added:
“The Holocaust Educational Trust educates and engages students from across the UK, from all communities about the Holocaust and there can be no better way than through the first-hand testimony of a survivor. Harry’s story is one of tremendous courage during horrific circumstances and by hearing his testimony, students will have the opportunity to learn where prejudice and racism can ultimately lead.
“At the Trust, we impart the history of the Holocaust to young people, to ensure that we honour the memory of those whose lives were lost and take forward the lessons taught by those who survived.”