Oulder Hill Community School welcomes holocaust survivor

Teaching and Learning Director of Humanities, Rebecca Tarran, Mayor Peter Rush, Joanna Millan and Headteacher, John-Watson

Holocaust survivor, Joanna Millan visited Oulder Hill Community School on Tuesday 25 to speak to year 9 history students about her life and experiences.

Joanna was sent to Thereseinstadt ghetto in 1943 and was orphaned at the age of two. She was then sent to Britain after World War Two, along with five other orphans.

Joanna spoke to pupils about her experiences in a moving session held at the school's theatre. The session was also attended by Mayor of Rochdale, Peter Rush.

After the talk, students had the opportunity to ask Joanna questions. Staff from the school described the questions as “insightful” and added “they showed a high level of curiosity and enquiry”.

Caroline Slifkin, from the Holocaust Education Trust, led three one hour workshops with year 9 students, giving them the opportunity to reflect on the survivor’s testimony they had just heard.

The overall day was described as “a very moving and memorable experience for all staff and students”.