Sixth Form students visit Poland to learn about life in pre and post-war Krakow

Sixth form students from Sir John Talbot’s School and the Marches School, both part of the Marches Academy Trust have recently returned from their study tour to Krakow, Poland. They had a very full programme while away for four days, learning about life in pre and post-war Krakow and how the Holocaust affected the Jewish population who lived there.

Visiting the Schindler’s Museum students saw how life changed for Jewish people as they were forced to leave their homes and live the Krakow ghetto, and then, on the clearance of the ghetto they were forced into death camps such as Plaszow and Auschwitz-Birkenau. Students also found out about Oscar Schindler and how he was awarded the title of “Righteous Amongst the Nations” for saving many Jews as portrayed in the film Schindler’s List.

A highlight of the study tour was a visit to the Galicia Museum to hear the first-hand testimony of Monika Goldwasser, a Holocaust survivor. When Monika was a baby her Jewish parents had to make the heart wrenching decision to give her away to save her life.  Soon after Monika’s parents were rounded up and shot with many other Jewish people by the SS, her mother holding a baby doll close to her chest so the Nazi’s wouldn’t realise she did not have Monika with her!

The day visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau was very moving and thought-provoking, and the students were shocked at the inhumanity which was seen there. However, they all realise how important it was to see it for themselves. The group will now be sharing their knowledge with others as part of a “next steps” project.

The tour was rounded off with a visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, a spectacular attraction where the miners actually carved a Cathedral underground out of the rock salt!

Check out the photo album below: