Terrible testimony
This week IB students heard testimony from Holocaust survivor, Harry Bibring, as part of a visit organized by the
Holocaust Educational Trust (HET). His testimony was followed by a question and answer session enabling students
to gain a better understanding of the nature of the Holocaust. The visit is part of the HET's extensive all year
round Outreach Programme, available to colleges across the UK.
The visit was suggested by two students, 18 year old Arielle Busetto and 17 year old Juan Manuel Correa Caicedo
following a visit to Auschwitz earlier this year.
Arielle said “The whole experience of going to Auschwitz and listening to a holocaust survivor was immensely moving
for me. I wanted to convey these feelings to my friends and peers at college so I suggested that we should bring a
speaker here. The college took my suggestion and we had a whole day when we heard and discussed and learnt
more about the Holocaust and how it relates to us.'
The day's activities included a presentation by Arielle and Juan, the talk and Q&A with Harry Bibring, plus
discussions on genocide in Rwanda, how the arts treat the Holocaust, how can we prevent genocide, anti-Semitism
in the 21st century and Holocaust denial.
Vice Principal,Tom Walsh, who organised the visit said “It is a privilege for us to welcome Harry Bibring to St.
Clare's. His testimony is a powerful reminder of the horrors so many experienced. We are grateful
to the Holocaust Educational Trust for facilitating the visit and we hope that by hearing Harry's testimony, our
students will be encouraged to learn from the lessons of the Holocaust and make a positive difference in their own
lives.”
Juan Manuel Correa Caicedo and Arielle Busetto with Harry Bibring.
Another student, Anna Nurmukhamedove, also shares her impressions - "It's you, your generation who have it in your hands
to stop it. And that's my hope" was Mr Harry Bibring's answer to the question of whether he thought the Holocaust could
happen again. International day on the 13th of June was marked by Mr Bibring, the Holocaust survivor, telling St Clare's
students the fascinating and moving story of his life. It was the story of a happy childhood, then going through one of
the most unfair, horrible and sinister phenomena - the Holocaust. It was the story of separation and watching your parents
perishing in the abhorrent concentration camps. It was the story of regaining happiness through marriage and fatherhood
and then working to promote international understanding. Thunderous applause cascaded down upon Mr Bibring showing our
students' awareness, appreciation and respect with many of them staying behind and chatting with Mr Bibring and looking
at the documents he had brought with him e.g. his tickets for the kindertransport.
The day was also marked with an excellent presentation on their visit to Auschwitz by first year students Juan and Arielle. The
two did a great job – telling us about the history and politics of the 1930s in Europe and how the conditions were created
which made the Holocaust possible. After lunch our students reflected on Mr Bibring's testimony and then participated in a
number of excellent presentations on persecution, genocide and racism conducted by other St. Clare's students.
All in all an excellent day which really supported the mission statement of St. Clare's - to advance international education
and understanding.
June
