All Year 9, GCSE, and Sixth Form historians had the unique opportunity to hear his testimony first-hand, followed by a question-and-answer session to deepen their understanding of the Holocaust and its lessons for today.

Uri Winterstein was born in Bratislava, Slovakia, in October 1943. His parents, both lawyers, were deeply committed to the welfare of the Jewish community. When Uri was only a month old, his parents placed him in the care of a non-Jewish woman to protect him while they went into hiding, aware of the constant threat of deportation. He was not reunited with his family until he was 19 months old, and during the intervening period, he suffered severe deprivation, eating only a roll dipped in coffee and unable to walk or talk when finally reunited with his parents.

Nine members of Uri’s wider family were deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau, where they were killed. His father had been a member of an underground movement known as the Working Group, which attempted to halt the deportation of Jews from Slovakia by bribing key SS officers and government officials. In autumn 1944, Uri’s father was deported to Terezín, while his mother and sister went into hiding but were eventually captured and sent to Terezín as well. Following the end of the war, Uri’s family eventually relocated to Brazil after the Communist takeover of Czechoslovakia, where he grew up. Today, Uri lives in Chiswick with his wife, two daughters, a son, and five grandchildren. He has been sharing his testimony in schools across the UK with the Holocaust Educational Trust since 2013.

The pupils and staff at St Gabriel’s were deeply moved by Uri’s testimony, hearing directly about his survival, his family’s courage, and the devastating consequences of hatred and antisemitism.

Karen Pollock CBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said:
"The Holocaust Educational Trust educates and engages students from across the UK about the Holocaust, and there can be no better way than through the first-hand testimony of a survivor. Uri Winterstein’s story is one of tremendous courage during horrific circumstances, and by hearing his testimony, students will have the opportunity to learn where antisemitism and hatred can ultimately lead. At the Trust, we impart the history of the Holocaust to young people to ensure that we honour the memory of those whose lives were lost and take forward the lessons taught by those who survived."

Ricki Smith, Principal of St Gabriel's said:

“It is a privilege for us to welcome Uri Winterstein to our school and his testimony will remain a powerful reminder of the horrors so many experienced. We are grateful to the Holocaust Educational Trust for co-ordinating the visit and we hope that by hearing Uri’s testimony, it will encourage our students to learn from the lessons of the Holocaust and make a positive difference in their own lives.”

The visit provided a powerful and unforgettable learning experience for St Gabriel’s students, highlighting the importance of remembering the past and challenging prejudice in all its forms.