College News

Tree Planted for Victims of Genocide and Discrimination

For the past seven years small groups of History students studying at QE, have visited Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland as part of the Lessons from Auschwitz Project. The scheme is organised by the Holocaust Educational Fund and involves students sharing their experiences with their peers.

In the last few years QE students have created displays, given History Club talks, taken part in Darlington Borough Council events and have even invited a Holocaust survivor to visit the College. The four participating students this year – Max Goodall, Jacob Smith, Josh Wakeford and Jack Wray – decided they would like to organise a more permanent memorial and arranged for a cherry tree to be planted in the College grounds which would be dedicated to all of victims of genocide and discrimination.

The tree was planted near the bicycle compound on Abbey Road in a ceremony attended by the Principal, Tim Fisher, staff and students. Gary Darby, Head of History, commented:

‘I am grateful to the four students involved in the Lessons from Auschwitz this year for coming up with the idea and making it happen. It’s seventy years since the end of World War II but genocide and discrimination have not been consigned to the History books. Hopefully, this commemorative tree will be a lasting reminder of the need for toleration, understanding and the necessity of learning the lessons of the past.’