On Wednesday, 22 January, All Saints Catholic College had the privilege of hosting the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Live Webcast as part of the Holocaust Memorial Day commemorations. Year 9 and 10 students were joined by Natasha Kaplinsky OBE, who interviewed Mala Tribich MBE, a survivor of the Ravensbrück and later Bergen-Belsen concentration camps.
2025 marks a significant milestone for Holocaust Memorial Day, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. The occasion highlights the importance of educating young people about the Holocaust, and developing an understanding of the catastrophic consequences of hatred and intolerance when left unchallenged.
Natasha sensitively guided Mala through her harrowing yet inspiring story of heartbreak, resilience, and survival. Students in both the live audience and those tuning in online had the chance to ask questions about Mala’s faith, inner strength, and her hopes for the future. Televised to over 20,000 schools, organisations, and individuals across the country, the webcast emphasised the critical importance of hearing survivors’ testimonies first-hand—an opportunity that is becoming increasingly rare as time passes.
The event was an invaluable experience for the students in attendance. Reflecting on the interview, several students shared their thoughts, with one noting:
'As Mala said, we’re now witnesses too, so we can remember and prevent it from ever happening again.'
Photo: Manzur/cbcew.org.uk
