Commemorating National Holocaust Memorial Day on January 27th, 2007, the 62nd anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz in Poland, two very special assemblies were held in the school.

Thursday, January 25th the theme was 'Same but Different'. Following Mr Grehan's introduction, Natassya Hoyle from Year 11 read an extract from a speech made by Pope John Paul II on a visit to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem.

This was followed by a slideshow accompanied by Mr Mercer on piano and James Mitchell from Year 11 on violin. The pieces they played were 'Tears', based on a poem written by a child in the Terezin Concentration Camp near Prague, followed by the theme from the film 'Schindler's List'.

Josh Brown and Ben Langridge then performed the song 'Wish You Were here' by Pink Floyd as Mr Grehan to reflect on the millions who died during the Jewish Holocaust and have died since because of their percieved differences.

Finally, Mr Grehan read a short prayer that was found on a piece of wrapping paper near to the body of a dead child at Auschwitz.

>> Listen to BBC Radio Lancashire recording of the event here,
which aired on Sat 27th and Sun 28th January
(mp3 audio file - 6.6mb ©BBC Radio Lancashire 2007)
many thanks to BBC Radio Lancashire for permission to use the audio clip.

Friday, January 26th featured a special dance performance choregraphed and led by Danielle Cowles from Year 13.

It told the story of Edith Eger who survived Auschwitz along with her sister Maria because she was a ballerina and entertained the Nazis - amogst them the infamous 'Angel of Death' Dr Josef Mengele.

The dance features:-
Danielle Cowles as Edith Eger,
Clare Stokes as Dr Josef Mengele,
and Nicola Costello and Shirin Mishra as Nazi guards.

watch a video of the dance here >>
(Windows Media Player file - 18.9mb)

get Media Player here >>

The performance was followed by a minute's silence with candles being lit by the oldest andd youngest pupils at school - Bethan Walton from Year 11 and Tom Jackson from Year 7.

Mr Gray read the Kaddish and, to conclude the assembly, Isobel Panton from Year 9 gave a reading.