Author: Miss Conlon

A reflection from S6 pupils Kaitlyn and Jessica:

We were humbled to participate in the Lessons from Auschwitz Project, part of this project was a day visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau. In visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau we saw first-hand the atrocities committed during Hitlers Nazi regime.

Before we arrived, we were given the history of the town. We learned that Auschwitz-Birkenau was in a town with the name Oswiecim. It was only given its infamous name during the reign of the Nazis. On approach to the town, we visited a Jewish Cemetery where we saw many graves desecrated again this was during the Nazi regime when they constructed a road through the centre of the cemetery. Many bodies were left with no headstones or the incorrect headstones. even in the present day the cemetery has to remain under lock and key due to antisemitic attacks.

Walking through the gate into Auschwitz was a very somber experience as we understood that so many Jewish people had walked this path before they were murdered. The most visually horrifying things that we observed were the piles of shoes, hair, pots and pans and suitcases There was 7 tons of hair, over 100,000 adult shoes and 10,000 children’s shoes all found after the camp was liberated. The most upsetting for us was seeing the luggage as you could see people’s names inscribed on some of the suitcases. Also scratches on walls of gas chamber as it emphasised the sheer terror and agony of peoples last moments as they tried to escape the chamber.

In Birkenau, out of the 300 barracks built in the camp only 26 remain. Each barrack was only made to hold 400 people, but in reality the number was well over 600. Birkenau was built to house 125,000 prisoners. The train tracks that lead to the gas chamber were known as the Walk of Death, prisoners were either selected to work or sent to the gas chambers. It was mainly women and children who were sent to gas chambers. After we were shown round Birkenau, we took part in a memorial service which we think was important as we were remembering the individual lives lost, instead of remembering them as just a number.

On the 9^th of October, class 1K1 visited the Bannockburn Visitor Centre as part of their History studies into the Wars of Independence. The pupils had an in-depth tour of the Visitor Centre, including an interactive experience where they saw parts of the battle unfold in front of them. They also took a walk to the Bruce monument and took part in a schiltron formation. They also got the chance to handle some replica weapons and armour, with some pupils being chosen to dress up as a knights, soldier, and archer!

 

In August, our Advanced Higher Historians took a trip to the Mitchell Library in Glasgow for an academic writing workshop. The skills learned will aid them with their studies, particularly when writing their dissertation for the course.

S6 pupils Kaitlyn and Jessica submitted excellent essays on why we should remember the Holocaust to be selected for the Lessons From Auschwitz project ran by the Holocaust Educational Trust. 

Well done girls!

Senior Phase Historians and Higher RMPS students experienced history first hand when holocaust survivor, Tomi Komoly, who was a child in Hungary during the Holocaust, delivered a moving talk on his experiences before taking questions.

#THSCommunityOfCARE #THSSocialSubjects

 

Higher Modern Studies pupils participated in the Fraser of Allander Institute General Election webinar with special guest Professor Sir John Curtice. They heard latest analysis on general election announcements and Professor Sir John Curtice reflected on what the latest polls are telling us about the result. #THSSocialSubjects

 

 

 

As part of our ongoing support for young people during the SQA exam diet, Social Subjects are offering Immersion Days prior to the exam. The Immersion Days may take the format of the following:
• Targeted Revision of course
• Exam Technique
• Past Paper Practice

Geography – 22nd April

Modern Studies – 29th April

History N5 – 17th May (p1-4)

History Higher – 20th May (p6-7)

S2 Modern Studies pupils participated in an online talk with Glasgow-based charity Refuweegee. The charity aims to help support asylum seekers who come to Glasgow and the surrounding areas.

Pupils were given an insight into the numbers of refugees and asylum seekers in Scotland, why they come here and what the charity does to help. Pupils then received a virtual tour of the offices whereby they got to see the classrooms and other spaces available to refugees and asylum seekers.

S5/6 Higher Modern Studies pupils, alongside members of the Rights Respecting Club and Politics Club, participated in a Q&A session with local MP Marion Fellows, representative for the Motherwell and Wishaw constituency.

Marion explained what a typical day in Parliament looks like for her, as well as answering questions on the most challenging parts of her job, whether the House of Lords should be reformed/abolished and whether Scottish Independence is still on the political agenda. She also shared her thoughts on the local issue of the new roads connecting the Ravenscraig area.

S3 Historians recently took part in a trip to New Lanark. They enjoyed a tour of the grounds, Annie McLeod experience, spent time in Robert Owen school building and houses and participated in a slavery workshop. It was a packed day and a great time was had by all!