Holocaust survivor tells her story

MHLC-22-04-13 Survivor Apr66
Campion School has welcomed Holocaust survivor Susi Bechofer ( centre )who has given her testimony and answer pupil's questions.
Pictured, Nick Hawkins - Head of Humanities and Subject Leader (Geography), Julie Gardner -Head of PSRE, Honorata Nawrot - Teacher of Humanities and year Nine pupils . — MHLC-22-04-13 Survivor Apr66 Campion School has welcomed Holocaust survivor Susi Bechofer ( centre )who has given her testimony and answer pupil's questions. Pictured, Nick Hawkins - Head of Humanities and Subject Leader (Geography), Julie Gardner -Head of PSRE, Honorata Nawrot - Teacher of Humanities and year Nine pupils .

Susi Bechhofer and her twin sister were rescued from Nazi Germany during the Kindertransport operation after the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939.

The three-year-old, whose mother was a Jewish domestic servant and father was a member of the Nazi Party, were taken to Britain and adopted by a Baptist minister and his wife and brought up believing she was their biological daughter.

Susi has now re-established her connections with her real family and spends much of her time speaking to pupils in the hope to educate them about the dangers of prejudice and racism.

Nick Hawkins, head of humanities at Campion School, said: “ It was a privilege for us to welcome Susi Bechhofer to the school and her testimony will remain a powerful reminder of the horror so many experienced.

“We are grateful to the Holocaust Educational Trust for co-ordinating the visit and we hope that my hearing Susi’s testimony it will encourage our students to learn from the lessons of the Holocaust and make a positive difference in their own lives.”

Susi’s testimony was followed by a question and answer session to enable the 100 year 9 pupils to better understand the nature of the holocaust and to explore its lessons in more depth.

The visit was part of the Holocaust Educational Trust’s extensive all year round outreach programme, which is available to schools across the UK.

Karen Pollock, chief executive of the trust said: “Susi’s story is one of tremendous courage during horrific circumstances.

“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.”

For more information click here