Thinking about the Holocaust

1 And the thinking has been done by Year-4 children in the Meads. They have read about the Rose Blanche group in (southern) Germany, a group which helped Jews to escape capture, a group which was captured itself, a group the leaders of which - what do you think of the construction? - were judicially killed. In the reading they have encountered Nazi party members, anti-Semitism, the round-ups, the camps.

2 They have also considered the roles which Germans discharged. Most were bystanders. Some were resisters. They have thought about these responses to the abuse of power. They have taken account of the power-structures in Germany, of the consequences of aiding those who were declared to be enemies of the state.

2.1 They have recognised the relevance of the framework to the response to bullying in the playground. Whilst there is a case for excusing those Germans, the majority, who chose to be bystanders, there can be no excusal for those who stand aside, who take no action, in the face of bullying.

2.2 An illuminating half-hour with the class teacher. The stuff on the wall is a credit to her and to the children (and to the parents).

3 And the stuff and other such stuff will on on display in the Meridian Hall on 27 June 2009.

4 First assault on the patio today; it looks better already. Tomorrow, a day's cycling with David.

5 I hope that things are going well or better. Keep reading; remember to include Timesonline in your daily routine. (Look at today's Peter Brookes.)

Stayathome