Holocaust Memorial Day was held last month with representatives from Linwood High School making their contributions.

Two assemblies were held to reflect and to remember all those affected by the Holocaust and other genocides that have taken place throughout history.

More than 400 people attended the event at the school including special guest Rabbi Rubin, from Langside Synagouge, who gave a poignant talk about Holocaust survivors he knew, including his own family.

The remembrance event began with a moving video featuring the testimonies of Holocaust survivors then a short introduction by teacher Miss Vikki Semple, who explained the significance of Holocaust Memorial Day.

Miss Setchell, who helped to organise the event, said: “It and was a very touching introduction to the proceedings, allowing the pupils to put a face to the people they were there to memorialise.

“The journey to Holocaust Memorial Day began last year when two senior pupils and myself took part on a trip to Poland to visit Auschwitz and Auschwitz — Birkenau on the Lessons From Auschwitz project, as well as having the honour to meet Kitty Moxon — a Holocaust survivor.

“The two senior pupils, Emma Pender and Kirstyn Cumine, were both deeply affected by both the visit and the meeting with Kitty.

“They took their experience home with them to teach others about the Holocaust in a way only those who have seen the camps can.

“As well as this, the girls created a series of canvases depicting Kitty and her family before the Holocaust, and also prepared a presentation including the photos they had taken while visiting the camps. These were all used in our memorial assemblies.” Pupils who had attended the trip in previous years also created a meaningful display — one that was so impressive it was displayed in the Scottish Parliament, and also in various Scottish museums.

The display included a mural, suitcases and a headstone and was added to the visual display of Linwood High’s assembly.

Finally, a presentation was given by pupils on how their visit to Auschwitz affected them while there and even after they returned home from the site of the former concentration camp.

Miss Setchell continued: “This memorial was very effective, and allowed our young people to take on the responsibility of remembrance in a very meaningful and emotional way.

“With the whole school taking part it gave us a chance to remember the victims on behalf of the people of Linwood and Renfrewshire.

“To commemorate such tragedy and human suffering is difficult and requires a meaningful and reflective process. That is what we attempted to create at Linwood High School.”