On Thursday, 31st October, our Year 10 and Year 11 students had the privilege of participating in Courage to Care, a program presented by an organisation dedicated to sharing the powerful stories of the Holocaust through the eyes of those who bravely chose to stand up and protect lives at risk. The students were fortunate to hear the personal account of Ernie, a Holocaust survivor who, as a young child in Austria, was nearly deported to a concentration camp. Thanks to the intervention of a compassionate German soldier, Ernie was smuggled to safety, and some of his family members were also spared the tragic fate of so many others.
Following Ernie’s testimony, the students participated in small-group workshops led by knowledgeable and passionate volunteers. The Courage to Care team not only conveyed this history with expertise but also with a deep commitment to empowering young people to stand up against injustice. In the workshops, students discussed the dynamics between perpetrators, victims, and bystanders, with a focus on the power of small actions to shift these dynamics and create positive change.
This experience was both uplifting and impactful, challenging the boys to think deeply about how they can call out injustice, bullying, and harassment in their own lives. We look forward to welcoming Courage to Care back next year to share this meaningful program with other cohorts.
Carmela Wilson
Assistant Principal- Mission & Identity