Students at a Bordon school have proved that out of darkness, cometh light, by taking part in a national project to mark a grim milestone in European and World history.

Oakmoor School students were asked by the Holocaust Memorial Trust to design a special candle holder to mark 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

The school was one of 80 around the UK that took part in the charity’s “80 candles for 80 years” project with the designs being showcased during a special event on Holocaust Memorial Day.

The project is part of a nationwide arts and education initiative to mark the liberation of the notorious concentration camp in Poland and the six million Jews who were murdered.

The 80 candle holders produced by Year 8 students were inspired by the life of Holocaust survivor, Sam Gardner, who survived transportation between many camps.

His daughter, Maralyn Turgel, spoke last year to Oakmoor students about her father’s experiences with her haunting testimony inspiring drawings, pictures, words and objects that adorn the finished pieces.

The candles were displayed during a well-attended commemorative event at the school on Monday (January 27) which included a minute’s silence.

More than 150 attended with guests including Jennese Alozie, CEO of the University of Chichester Academy Trust.

“Oakmoor is honoured to have been selected to take part in the Holocaust Memorial Trust’s ‘80 Candles for 80 years’ project and we are very proud of our students’ stunning design work,” said headteacher, Nigel Wright.

“We were also very pleased to come together as a school community to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

“Holocaust Memorial Day is a moment not just of reflection on the past, but also of learning for the future, and Oakmoor School is committed to continuing to educate our young people about these tragic events.”