Showcasing Student Work

Reading Groups

Last term, some students from years 3-6 participated in small group work with a focus on reading. 

For one group, we read the book 'Hana's Suitcase' based on the real life events of Hana Brady and her family in the context of World War 2. Her story was investigated further by Fumiko Ishioka from the Tokyo Holocaust Education Resource Centre. 

Here are some examples of student text responses. 

A Better Place 

Listen up everyone, I've got  plan

To make the world better for every man.

Whether you're black or white, young or old, 

Everyone has a part, to turn this world back to gold. 

We can treat everyone fairly, no matter their religion, 

And then, just maybe, we can achieve my vision. 

No matter their God, no matter their belief, 

Don't show them disrespect or even any grief. 

Just because we're all not exactly the same, 

Doesn't mean you should bombard them with shame. 

Everyone has a right to believe in what they choose, 

So if you try to stop them, it's you that will lose. 

So are you in or are you out? Let me know, 

Because this plan is taking action tomorrow. 

Composed by Lana 

Diary Entry

Dear diary, 

I’ve never felt this way before; all the pain and  sadness is filling up inside me sometimes I feel like a big ball of burning gas made up of all the sadness and anger I’m being exposed to. I know George isn’t telling me something, he’s always nervous and silent. I wish mum was here-the sound of her loud laugh and beautiful singing voice is the only thing that can let me sleep.

Composed by Drew

Dear diary,

Life is at its worst right now. My mother and father got taken away and now my uncle and  aunty are left to care for both me and George. I just found out the horrible news that mum was killed in the concentration camp. When they came to get dad I saw all the other men in the car and their faces were petrified. I can’t imagine what’s going to happen to dad. What happens if me and George are next to go to a concentration camp? I’m trying so hard not to cry because I don’t want to put more stress on George and my uncle and aunty.

Hana Brady 1941 

Composed by Heidi

Dear Diary, 

George has been sent to Auschwitz and I feel really lonely around here by myself. Ella has been really nice to me and offers me food to keep me healthy. I nearly always reject it, but sometimes I get so hungry so I take it. Grandma’s health is getting worse everyday I'm getting worried about her but sometimes I feel like there’s no more time or space to be worried anymore.

Composed by Isabella

Dear Diary,

Today we saw Papa being taken away. It is very sad but we are mainly worried. With Mama at that Ravensbruck place and Papa God knows where, that leaves us nowhere. Boshka is doing whatever she can to help us and we are hoping that our aunt and uncle will take us in, but we are still scared.

From George

Composed by Darcy

Letter to Tokyo Holocaust Centre

I am 10 years old. I live in Melbourne, Australia. 

I just finished reading Hana's Suitcase in a extension book club at my school. One of the homework options was to draw a picture describing how you could make the world a better place. Here is the drawing that I drew with my interpretation of the question:

I hope you like this picture!

Thank you for for all the work you do related to the holocaust and to bring peace to our world. I'd love to hear back from you!

Written by Poppy