A SURVIVOR of the Holocaust visited Felsted to give 90 students a unique insight into his experience and to explore the lessons of the Holocaust in more depth.

Harry Bibring, one of the Jewish xhildren rescued on the Kinderstransports from Vienna whose family sadly perished, gave testimony to the students and then answered questions.

The event was part of a visit organised by the Holocaust Educational Trust’s year-round Outreach Programme, which is available to schools across the UK.

Head of RS and Philosophy at Felsted Steven Winter, said: “It was a privilege for us to welcome Harry Bibring to our school and his testimony will remain a powerful reminder for our students of the horrors so many experienced.

“We hope that 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. We are grateful to the Holocaust Educational Trust for co-ordinating the visit.”

Year Nine pupil Isobel Nicholson commented: “Harry’s traumatic yet, in his eyes, happy life made most of my year group quite emotional, especially as Harry explained it all very well enabling us to have a clear, devastatingly horrible picture in our minds.

“His incredible, moving, astonishing story made me think about how lucky I am and the next time I worry about things in my life all I have to do is think of what Harry has been put through.

“I feel that the most important message of the day is that we have to pass on the facts of the Holocaust to younger ones so that nobody ever forgets, or one day we could find ourselves going through it all again, not knowing how awful it was and how it all ended.” Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust Karen Pollock said: “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 in horrific circumstances and by hearing his testimony, students 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.”