Just some of the exciting activities the Vision School Scotland network have been involved in for Holocaust Memorial Day 2021.
Gryffe High School pupils were involved with a ‘Live’ online lesson for all of S1 and S2 pupils (not at the same time!) with tasks to be completed.
i. Week one was on the Holocaust and other historical, pertinent information.
ii. Week two was focusing on the theme of ‘Be the Light in the Darkness’
We created a display to be videod, photographed (link to follow)
Pupils, staff and parents/carers in our school community watch as our pupils here read poems of the holocaust: https://youtu.be/sznQ_O5lTiU
We also created a virtual tour of our installation: https://www.thinglink.com/scene/1410587345006100483?buttonSource=qrcode
Alva Academy’s activities for HMD2021
Despite the different and difficult circumstances we managed to undertake and offer various activities, lessons and experiences with considerable success. We carried out as many tasks over the course of 2 weeks culminating in an online showcase on HMD.
• Pupils in History have been learning about the Holocaust throughout January. They have focused on the escalation of persecution throughout the 1930s, researched and investigated the use of concentration camps and death camps and watched the HET webcast with Eve Kugler BEM. Pupils worked independently to create information slides on concentration camps and write letters to Eve following the webcast. Pupils used new media approaches to create posters and powerpoints illustrating what the world must know.
• Pupils in Music learned about the Auschwitz orchestra and the use of music within. Staff created detailed videos which included first hand experiences from a survivor and the research into the orchestra specifically. We researched specific music from the time and also music used in films since. Pupils were encouraged to think differently and creatively as to how they felt on watching and learning.
• We carried out a school-wide initiative to encourage as many pupils as possible to light a candle for HMD and encouraged them to include families in their learning and tasks. The response was outstanding with many parents and community partners getting involved. A local business created a window message carrying our lyrics and message. We encouraged one S3 piper to select and record a specially chosen piece to accompany a very poignant video of all of the pictures and videos. This was introduced with an explanatory video created by one lead teacher from RMPS. 
. 3 Music pupils in S3 remotely created and sang a specially composed song which we put a video to. This was much publicised on social media with retweets from many relevant and respected Holocaust Education providers as well as David Baddiel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPEymZ0IJn4
“Be the light in the darkness” Alva Academy will always remember. @HMD_UK @HolocaustUK @UCL_Holocaust @VisionSchools @RobbieRinder @Baddiel pic.twitter.com/Eqy8dUVvHq
— Alva Academy (@AlvaAcademy) January 27, 2021
