A group of Sixth Form students at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman visited the infamous Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland during February half term as part of the Holocaust Memorial Programme.

After an early 3am start we left Cardiff Airport at 7 am for our destination Poland.

Firstly, we visited Oswiecim, which like many towns in Poland had at one point been a vibrant Jewish community, which was 15,000 strong in 1939. However, diminished with the outbreak of war where Jews were swiftly rounded up and sent to the camps. Our guide told us that very little, only a hundred, Jews returned after the war, the last Jew died in 2001 along with the Jewish community of the town.

Secondly, we visited Auschwitz 1, and what we did find rather startling was that this concentration camp ,the first part of Auschwitz to be established was not isolated, but in the centre of the town, surrounded by food chains, pizza restaurant and other amenities. It was difficult to comprehend the mass murder which occurred so close to everyday life.

Entering the famous ‘ Arbeit Macht Frei’ Gates ‘Work sets you free.’ We were led on a tour around the camp, the atmosphere was sombre, along with bitterly soaring temperature of -8 degrees accompanied by heavy snow.

Furthermore, we have all heard of the atrocities that occurred during Nazi occupation, and in the concentration camps when observing the possessions of thousands of victims suitcase’s, keys, clothes (prayer shawls) shoes, children’s toys as well as dozens of prosthetic limbs, pans and everyday items, which were brought by the Jews who were under the assumption of starting a new life, which was truly inconceivable.

Following on from Auschwitz 1 we then visited the Birkenau death camp, which was a different story altogether. Furthermore, the vast and isolated camp expands far beyond the eye. Also the infamous train tracks which were used to lead thousands of men, women and children ultimately to their deaths, immediately upon arrival impacted the utter feelings of despair.

Meanwhile the shear enormity of the situation becomes abundantly clear, whilst observing the photographic evidence displaying how prisoners were led into two separate lines not knowing their fate.

However, to summarise the trip and experience of both sites, a memorial service was led by Rabbi Barry Marcus of the central synagogue in London. Finally, after a series of readings by students each holding a lit candle the aim of this visit was to remember those who have suffered and ensure History never repeats itself.

Ros Nicholas, a History teacher who accompanied the four year twelve pupils said “Education is so important in order to work towards a more open tolerant society, which does not discriminate or marginalise against individuals due to their religion and culture.”

Ben Davies, aged 16 from Ysgol Dyffryn Amman said “It was a once in a lifetime trip, and demonstrates both sides of humanity, whereby one side murdered millions and the other suffered inhumanely.”

Pupil Libby James added: “It is hard to comprehend how the Jews survived in these harsh conditions such as lack of food and warmth in this freezing predicament.”

Both Becca Thomas and Jessica Williams agreed that unfortunately genocides are still happening by dehumanising people.