Students researched the origins of the Jewish community in Thessaloniki, along with the cultural contributions and the wider role this community played in shaping the city’s identity. They also studied the impact of the Holocaust and the importance of remembrance, and how societies can learn from their past.

This experience provided students with a deeper historical awareness of the community’s contributions and the impact of the Holocaust. Students developed empathy by connecting with individual stories and learned about the benefits of multiculturalism and the importance of preserving diverse heritages.

Students created projects based on their own interests. These included researching demographics, creating a timeline of the Jewish community arrival in the 15th century, conducting survivor interviews, writing poetry and stories, and producing artwork and music. A dedicated group edited the materials, resulting in an impactful presentation of the community’s history.

Thanks to the enthusiasm of the students involved, the projects were shared across the school community through a series of presentations of their work. Students will host events for Holocaust Memorial Day on 27th January and their video will be featured on the school’s website and shared with other schools as part of a best practice exchange.