Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration – Newham Council

On Tuesday 27 January 2026, pupils from our school attended Newham Council’s Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration at the Old Town Hall in Stratford. The event brought together Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, council members, local residents and local schools for a moving morning of reflection and remembrance.

This year’s theme, ‘Bridging Generations’, focused on the importance of passing on the stories and lessons of Holocaust and genocide survivors to younger generations. The programme encouraged us to reflect on how we can ensure that these powerful testimonies continue to be heard and understood.

We were privileged to hear from guest speaker Vanessa Holdborne, an experienced journalist and author, who spoke about the importance of sharing real-life stories and preserving voices from the past. Her words highlighted why remembrance remains so important today.

The event was a thoughtful and respectful occasion. Our pupils represented the school beautifully and gained valuable insight into the significance of Holocaust Memorial Day and the responsibility we all share in promoting understanding, tolerance and respect.