An honour and a privilege: HGS welcomes Dr Agnes Kaposi MBE
On Wednesday 21st of January, the school was honoured to host Dr Agnes Kaposi MBE FREng to deliver sessions exploring the lessons of the Holocaust, her own life and how we can create a better world for those that come after us. These were simply spellbinding and it was a true privilege for all the staff and students present to her talk with such sophistication, passion and verve. HGS was also proud to host students and staff from King Edward’s Handsworth Wood Girl’s Academy and John Henry Newman Catholic College for the first event of the day. This event was one stand of our efforts to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day 2026 and its theme of bridging the generations. We are forever indebted to Dr Kaposi for allowing us to do that.
Please read below for a student’s summary of the session and to hear some particularly moving reflections from year 12 historians.
We were privileged to welcome Dr Agnes Kaposi, who spoke movingly about her life before, during, and after the Second World War. Dr Kaposi shared her personal experiences as a Hungarian Jewish child who survived the Holocaust, offering a powerful insight into the discrimination, hardship, and resilience that defined her early life.
She began by describing the circumstances of her birth, a time when antisemitism was widespread and deeply embedded in everyday life. As a result, she experienced discrimination at school, and her family faced severe financial hardship because Jewish people were often denied employment. Despite these challenges, Dr Kaposi reflected warmly on the close relationships within her family.
Dr Kaposi then spoke about her experiences during the Holocaust, helping students to understand the scale of cruelty and suffering faced by its victims. She described families being separated, the loss of loved ones, and the harsh, unforgiving conditions Hungary’s Jews faced, highlighting the strength and determination required to survive.
Finally, she explained how discrimination continued even after the war had ended, including her own experiences of inequality at a new school. It was fascinating to hear from someone who lived under the tyranny of both Nazism and Stalinism. Dr Kaposi’s visit was both deeply moving and highly educational, helping all attending students to better understand the realities of the Holocaust and its lasting impact on individuals and society.
Rahim Rashid 10 Henry
