Pupils at schools in East Renfrewshire have been praised for their efforts to ensure the horrors of the Holocaust are not forgotten.

Calderwood Lodge Primary, in Newton Mearns, was one of three schools that were the first to renew their Vision Schools Scotland status at a special event held at the Scottish Parliament.

Eastwood High, in Newton Mearns, and St Ninian’s High, in Giffnock, were also recognised for good practice in Holocaust education after being awarded level one status.

The awards are run by Vision Schools Scotland – a partnership between the University of the West of Scotland and the Holocaust Educational Trust.
,which is funded by the Scottish Government and the UK Department for Levelling-Up, Housing and Communities.

Schools must demonstrate their commitment to the importance of Holocaust education and to developing teacher knowledge to ensure continued expertise in this subject matter.

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Shirley-Anne Somerville, who presented the awards, heaped praise on the winners.

She said: “Teaching young people about the Holocaust means the horrors of the past will, rightly, never be forgotten.”

“It also supports pupils to be compassionate, responsible citizens. 

“I was honoured to congratulate the schools who have been recognised for good practice in embedding Holocaust education across the curriculum. 

“I am certain those involved have gained valuable insights into the importance of tolerance, respect and equality, which I hope they will carry with them for years to come.”

Guest speakers at the event also included journalist and author Chitra Ramaswamy, whose book Homelands tells of the author’s friendship with 97 year-old Holocaust survivor Henry Wuga MBE.

Mr Wuga said: “I arrived at Glasgow Central Station on 5 May 1939 by Kindertransport, fleeing persecution by the Nazis in Germany. As Jews, we were driven out and lost everything. 

“I was just 15 years of age and found a great welcome here in Glasgow. To arrive as a refugee in a new country, different languages and customs are difficult. 

“It is important to welcome a refugee, put your hand out and be friendly. People were welcoming, no one called me a foreigner or German or Jew. I settled in quickly and was happy to be safe in Scotland.”

For more information on the Vision Schools Scotland Programme, visit www.uws.ac.uk/visionschoolsscotland/.