Remembering the Holocaust: A Comprehensive Approach at West Point Grey Academy

As educators, it is our responsibility to ensure that the lessons of history are not forgotten, especially when it comes to the darkest chapters of humanity. At the Senior School, we are committed to teaching our students about the Holocaust in a comprehensive and meaningful way.

Although the requirement to teach the Holocaust officially begins in the 2025 school year, our commitment to Holocaust education predates this mandate. Since the last curriculum update in 2017, all Social Studies 10 classes at WPGA have included the teaching of the Holocaust. Further, in our AP World History course, students explore modern mass atrocities after 1900, with a specific focus on Lemkin and the UN Convention on Genocide.

 

In our 20th Century World History curriculum, the Holocaust is a central part of our study of World War II. We begin by delving into the deep history of anti-Semitism in Europe, laying the groundwork for understanding the social and political climate that allowed for the rise of Nazism in Germany during the 1930s. Students explore the increasing infringements on the civil rights of German Jews, including the enactment of the Nuremberg Race Laws and the horrific events of Kristallnacht.

 

To provide students with a vivid understanding of the diversity of Jewish life in pre-war Germany, we incorporate a film from Yad Vashem into our curriculum. This film offers a glimpse into the vibrant and thriving Jewish communities that existed before the onset of the Holocaust. Additionally, students engage with primary documents collated by the World History Project, allowing them to directly confront the voices and experiences of those affected by the Holocaust.

 

One of the culminating activities of our Holocaust unit is the "Assessing Responsibility and Conscience Activity" developed by the organization Facing History and Ourselves. This activity prompts students to grapple with complex questions about moral responsibility, accountability, and the role of bystanders in the face of injustice. Through thoughtful discussion and reflection, students gain a deeper understanding of the ethical dilemmas inherent in times of crisis.

 

Although the Holocaust is a central focus of our curriculum, we recognize the importance of connecting it to broader themes of genocide and mass atrocities. In our study of the Rwanda Genocide, students are introduced to Raphael Lemkin and his contributions to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. By contextualizing the Holocaust within a broader framework of human rights and international law, students develop a nuanced understanding of the historical and contemporary significance of genocide prevention.

 

As we navigate the complexities of teaching such difficult subject matter, our school relies on educational resources from reputable institutions such as the USC Shoah Foundation, the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, Facing History and Ourselves, and the Vancouver Holocaust Education Center. These resources provide invaluable support in ensuring that our students receive a comprehensive and meaningful education about the Holocaust and its enduring lessons for humanity.

 

At West Point Grey Academy, we are committed to fostering a culture of remembrance and understanding, ensuring that the memory of the Holocaust lives on in the hearts and minds of future generations. Through education, reflection and dialogue, we strive to honour the legacy of those who perished and to build a more just and compassionate world.