Memory in Action brings history to life at St Cuthbert’s

History was brought vividly to life, when students at St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School in Newcastle heard first-hand accounts of the Holocaust and the Bosnian genocide.

Holocaust survivor Martin Stern, and Smajo Beso, who lived through the genocide in Bosnia, visited the school as part of the Memory in Action project, an educational initiative which sees survivors share their experiences with secondary school students from around the UK.

“Our pupils followed the personal story of Martin Stern, MBE, relating to the Holocaust, and also had the pleasure of listening to Smajo Beso’s account of the Bosnian genocide,” explained St Cuthbert’s Head of History, Ashley Ruscoe, who organised the event.

“The programme also includes the personal stories of survivors from Rwanda, Darfur, and Cambodia, alongside local accounts of individuals in the UK who have helped preserve and share these histories.”

Fourteen Year 9 students participated in the We Are Memory in Action Learning Day at the school.

“Through the programme, students developed an understanding of identity, belonging, and the dangers of prejudice, gaining a powerful insight into the impact of genocide, and the importance of remembering the past,” continued Mr Ruscoe.

“Meeting the survivors had a profound impact on the pupils. Hearing Martin share his experiences of the Holocaust, and listening to Smajo speak movingly about surviving the Bosnian genocide, brought history to life in a way that textbooks alone cannot.

“Their testimonies made the past real and personal, deepening pupils’ understanding and leaving a lasting impression about the importance of remembrance and learning from history.”

Three students also took part in a Memory in Action Conference and Holocaust Memorial Day Ceremony at the Civic Centre, which was attended by around 400 people, including the Mayor of Newcastle, and religious leaders from all faiths.

Jignes Bhandari, Evan Killeen, and Leo Ratcliff spoke about what they had learned from the Memory in Action programme at St Cuthbert’s, and were also interviewed by journalist Julia Barthram for ITV Tyne Tees.

“The students spoke movingly about their experiences and the lessons learned from the Memory in Action programme,” said Mr Ruscoe. “They were also invited by Smajo to take part in an interview with ITV Tyne Tees, where they were questioned about their experiences, and why they felt it was important to participate in programmes such as this.”

“Events such as the We Are Memory in Action programme are of great significance, as they provide pupils with a profound and personal understanding of the realities of genocide, fostering reflection on the enduring lessons of the Holocaust,” he added.

“By engaging with these powerful stories, our pupils are encouraged to consider their own values and responsibilities, helping to form the whole person, and supporting them on their journey of becoming great men.

“Here at St Cuthbert’s, we are striving to form fine, young men of integrity. Activities such as these, put our school ethos into action, embodying the four Cs – men of competence, men of conscience, men of compassion, and men of commitment – while allowing our pupils to apply their learning in meaningful and practical ways.”