Published on: 15 November 2023



Earlier this term, thirty Year 11 Modern History students travelled to the Holocaust Institute of WA to listen to a presentation and participate in a workshop that explored the rise of the Nazi Party, the tragic events and consequences of the Nazis racial policy towards the Jews between 1933 and 1945 and its relevant lessons for today.

On the seats were the personal records of different Jewish children in countries like Poland and their plight at the hands of the Nazis.

Whilst at the workshop, the students heard the personal testimony of Linda Segel, whose father and uncle were able to escape the horrors of the Holocaust through luck, resilience and the sheer willpower to survive.

At the end of the excursion, the students had the privilege of touring the synagogue at the Perth Hebrew Congregation Centre, with many of the boys asking insightful questions of the symbols and traditions that were presented.

The students came away from the excursion with some reflections:

“Not only did I learn about the horrors thrust upon the Jewish community under the Nazi regime, I learnt about Jewish ideologies, what forced the Jewish people into generational trauma, and how Hitler chose to target the Jewish minority.”- Rory Hart.

“The Holocaust Institute gave a unique insight into the Nazi’s racial policy before and during WWII. While classwork informed us of the crimes committed, the presentation gave a deeper reflection and understanding of what we have been learning.” – Isa Yusoff

“Seeing the effects of the Nazis on second generation survivors that is everlasting was eye-opening in seeing the detriment that the Nazis caused, contrasting the statistics and figures that I usually use to guide my understanding and feelings on the Holocaust in class.” – Haofei Wu