Liverpool school welcome inspirational Holocaust survivor

Tomi Komoly (centre) with pupils and staff at St John Plessington Catholic College

St John Plessington Catholic College, in Bebington, welcomed Tomi Komoly, an inspirational Holocaust survivor on Monday.

Tomi works alongside the Holocaust Educational Trust (HET) to educate younger generations on the Holocaust. Tomi shared a detailed account of his story with Year 12 and 13 students, which left a lasting impression on their hearts and minds.

Born in 1936 in Budapest, Tomi survived the Holocaust in hiding with his mother. Post-war, Tomi struggled under Communist rule, leading to his escape to Austria in 1956.

After staying in a refugee camp in Vienna for a few months, Tomi won a Ford Foundation scholarship to study in the UK and arrived in Dover on March 17, 1957.

In 2020, Tomi was awarded a British Empire Medal for his invaluable contributions to Holocaust education.

The visit was organised by Mr Jones, teacher of RE and personal development coordinator, and was planned to support their current studies about the Holocaust.

Later this year, a group of students studying RE will visit Krakow, Poland, to gain a deeper understanding of the Holocaust and the atrocities faced by those who were persecuted for their beliefs.

Mr Jones said: "All our sixth form students are currently learning about the Holocaust and 'heroes of the Holocaust' through our core RE provision. This is a really important part of our students' personal development and enables them to gain a deeper understanding of events that shaped our history."

Throughout the day, students participated in reflections, where they remembered those who tragically lost their lives during the Holocaust.

The school also welcomed ITV, who were keen to speak with Tomi about his important work with the HET and chat with students about their experience in Holocaust education.

One student commented on how the inspiring talk brought to life the real impact of the tragic events. They said: "Tomi's talk brought to life the impact that the holocaust had on ordinary people in Europe, it was a very inspiring session."

While another said: "I was very intrigued and interested to hear Tomi's talk, it made me understand the impact racism can have in the world."

Headteacher at St John Plessington, Mr Peadar McLoughlin, said: "It is a privilege for us to welcome Tomi Kolomy to our school and hear his testimony of the atrocities that so many people endured.

"Tomi's determination to overcome adversary and his experiences have left a lasting impression on our students. It demonstrates the power of determination and how our students can overcome any challenges they may face."

Karen Pollock CBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said: "This year, on Holocaust Memorial Day, we come together to mark 80 years since the liberation of the extermination and concentration camps of Europe. We remember the six million Jewish men, women, and children who were murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators and we honour those who survived and rebuilt their lives after enduring unimaginable horrors.

"As we mark this significant anniversary, the lessons of the Holocaust remain as urgent as ever. With survivors becoming fewer and frailer, and with antisemitism continuing to surge across the world - we must all commit to remembering the six million Jewish victims and must take action to ensure anti-Jewish racism is never again allowed to thrive."