Year 11 Student Zarwa Takes Part in Inspiring Amsterdam Residential with the Anne Frank Trust

We are incredibly proud of Year 10 student Zarwa, who recently had the opportunity to take part in a very special residential trip to Amsterdam with the Anne Frank Trust, from Sunday 25 to Wednesday 28 October.

Joining just 13 other young people from across the UK, Zarwa spent four days exploring significant historical sites and deepening her understanding of Anne Frank's life, the Holocaust and the importance of challenging prejudice and discrimination.

During the residential, the group visited a number of important memorials and educational sites, including the Stumbling Stones, the Resistance Museum and the National Holocaust Memorial. They also visited Anne Frank's former school and Margot Frank's school, gaining a greater understanding of the lives of the Frank family before they went into hiding.

One of the most moving experiences was visiting the Anne Frank House and the Secret Annex. The opportunity to walk through the very rooms where Anne and her family hid was an incredibly emotional experience. As Zarwa reflected, having the audio stop while walking through the Annex provided a moment of silence and reflection, allowing the group to fully appreciate the significance of what had happened there.

The group was also given the special opportunity to visit Anne Frank's former family home, which was opened specifically for their visit.

Another particularly memorable highlight was meeting Holocaust survivor Max. The young people had the privilege of asking him questions and listening to him share his personal experiences. Hearing first-hand testimony provided an invaluable opportunity to connect with history and understand the lasting impact of the Holocaust.

A Special Opportunity to Represent Young People

Alongside the incredible educational experiences, Zarwa was also selected to take part in an interview for a film being produced by the Anne Frank Trust about the residential.

Out of the 14 young people attending, only four participants were chosen to be interviewed. Zarwa's interview lasted approximately an hour and involved a full filming crew. She was also one of just five participants selected to be filmed more extensively for the final production.

This is a fantastic achievement and a wonderful opportunity for Zarwa to help share the experiences and perspectives of young people, highlighting why Holocaust education, remembrance and challenging prejudice remain so important today.

Making History Meaningful for the Future

Experiences like this residential are invaluable in helping young people develop a deeper understanding of history, empathy and the importance of standing up against discrimination in all its forms.

We would like to congratulate Zarwa on making the most of this incredible opportunity and thank the Anne Frank Trust for providing such a meaningful and memorable experience.

We are very proud of you, Zarwa!