禁漫天堂

Our Year 10 students were recently privileged to engage in a deeply meaningful and educational experience through a visit from Courage to Care. This volunteer-led organisation delivers its impactful Upstander Programs across Australia, with the aim of educating young people about the dangers of discrimination, particularly antisemitism, and empowering them to stand up for others through informed, courageous action.

Through the lens of the Holocaust, students were challenged to reflect on the consequences of prejudice, silence, and indifference, while also exploring the powerful role individuals can play in creating positive change. The program highlighted not only the atrocities of this period in history but also the extraordinary acts of courage shown by ordinary people who chose to act in the face of injustice.

A highlight of the session was hearing the personal story of Holocaust survivor Peter Baruch. His testimony provided students with a rare and powerful firsthand account of survival, resilience, and hope. Peter was just 18 months old when he and his parents escaped the Lodz Ghetto in Poland in early 1940. Their journey to safety was long and uncertain, taking 18 months and spanning multiple countries.

After fleeing to Lithuania, Peter鈥檚 family encountered Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara, whose courageous decision to issue visas to Jewish refugees ultimately saved the lives of approximately 6,000 people. Thanks to Sugihara鈥檚 actions, Peter and his family were able to travel to Japan. However, with Japan鈥檚 entry into World War II alongside Nazi Germany, their safety was once again at risk. In an extraordinary turn of events, the family secured visas to New Zealand, a country they had never heard of, and arrived safely in Wellington in October 1941.

In 1984, Chiune Sugihara was posthumously recognised as 鈥淩ighteous Among the Nations鈥� by Yad Vashem, an honour bestowed upon non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jewish people during the Holocaust. His legacy, along with the stories of many others, continues to inspire generations to act with courage and compassion.

Drawing on these real-life examples, the Courage to Care Upstander Program encourages students to consider their own capacity to make a difference. By promoting awareness, empathy, and moral responsibility, the program equips young people with the tools to challenge discrimination and stand up for others in their everyday lives.

This powerful learning experience has left a lasting impression on our Year 10 cohort, reinforcing the importance of integrity, respect, and the courage to act.