‘I can say Putin is an idiot — I have that freedom. In Russia that would be dangerous'
I n life, the teacher says to the tearful teenage crowd, 'you may face a crossroads'. The scene is like every summer graduation in schools across the world: a teacher in the baggy cardigan uniform of every popular young teacher, giving his final energy to a last bit of inspiration. 'Sometimes you will have to choose to do the right thing, and sometimes to express your love you will have to sacrifice everything.'
But there was something beyond ordinary about that day. No one knew that the teacher, Pasha Talankin, was talking to himself, facing his own crossroads, terrified of his own secret plan. Or, rather, talking to every one of us who wonder: what if an accident of history put me, little me, in a situation where I had a moral choice, where to do the right thing risked not just my comfort but my life? I know enough not to flatter myself.
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BBC News
3 hours ago
- BBC News
Holocaust survivor Suzanne Ripton, who escaped Nazis, dies at 88
A Holocaust survivor who escaped the Nazis in 1940s France while still a young child and who later moved to the UK to make a new life has died at the age of Rappaport Ripton, was just six years old when her parents were arrested in 1942 during the Nazi occupation of Paris, but she was saved by a neighbour who hid her for several weeks under her kitchen table. After living with foster families in rural France, Ms Ripton was brought to England after the war by the Red Cross and lived in London and more recently in Phillips, from the Leeds Jewish Housing Association, said Ms Ripton, who was last year awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM), would be "sadly missed". Ms Ripton was awarded the BEM for Services to Holocaust Education and Remembrance after being a founder member of the Holocaust Survivors' Friendship Association, which later became the Holocaust Centre North in story is told in a permanent exhibition at the centre, as well as being preserved in its archive, and it forms part of learning sessions for both primary and secondary schools, including on the BBC Learning Zone. According to the Holocaust Centre North, Ms Ripton was at home in Paris in summer 1942 when French police and the SS came to arrest her parents, Millie and thanks to the courage of a neighbour, Madame Collomb, she was saved, first by being hidden under a kitchen table covered with a tablecloth for several weeks, before being moved to stay with families in the French Ripton never saw her parents again, later learning they had been taken to the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau, and she eventually moved to England, living in both London and January this year, a message by Ms Ripton was read on her behalf at a Holocaust Memorial Day event at the Leeds Jewish Housing Association (LJHA) where she was a resident for 13 her message, she said: "The words I want to say are, 'never forget to remember'. "LJHA and its staff have made me feel as if I belong. I have come home. Thank you." 'Deeply creative' Reacting to news of Ms Ripton's death, Simon Phillips, LJHA community engagement officer, said she "always had a smile whenever we visited her home"."She was so kind to both residents and staff," he said."She was true 'eyshet chayil' - 'woman of worth' - and will be sadly missed."Dr Alessandro Bucci, director of Holocaust Centre North, said: "We will continue to honour Suzanne's memory and the legacy of her testimony. "She loved the arts and nature, and we will ensure these remain part of how we speak about her - as a survivor, and as the remarkable, complex, and deeply creative person she was."Dr Bucci said Ms Ripton was "a woman of extraordinary courage and quiet strength. May her memory be a blessing." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Times
20 hours ago
- Times
‘I can say Putin is an idiot — I have that freedom. In Russia that would be dangerous'
I n life, the teacher says to the tearful teenage crowd, 'you may face a crossroads'. The scene is like every summer graduation in schools across the world: a teacher in the baggy cardigan uniform of every popular young teacher, giving his final energy to a last bit of inspiration. 'Sometimes you will have to choose to do the right thing, and sometimes to express your love you will have to sacrifice everything.' But there was something beyond ordinary about that day. No one knew that the teacher, Pasha Talankin, was talking to himself, facing his own crossroads, terrified of his own secret plan. Or, rather, talking to every one of us who wonder: what if an accident of history put me, little me, in a situation where I had a moral choice, where to do the right thing risked not just my comfort but my life? I know enough not to flatter myself.
BBC News
20 hours ago
- BBC News
Parents accuse council of failing Highland primary school
Parents have accused Highland Council of failing their primary school after inspectors raised significant concerns about how it was Scotland said there were "major weaknesses" in the leadership of Newtonmore also found recruitment issues meant a council official was in the role of acting headteacher and there were no other senior school's parent council said it was "deeply saddened" by the report, and said it had been raising concerns with Highland Council for the past two years. Since the inspection in March the local authority said the school had received additional support from senior education officers. Newtonmore Primary School, which has 107 pupils, provides English and Gaelic medium education (GME).Education Scotland said the school had experienced several changes at senior level after the headteacher and principal teacher left the school in June last described learning, teaching and assessment as "weak".They said lessons did not take into account the needs of individual children, and the pace of learning was too school's work around wellbeing, equality and inclusion, and its ability to raise attainment, were described as "unsatisfactory".Inspectors said it had experienced challenges staffing GME classes, and this had a negative impact on older children's fluency in speaking the Primary School Parent Council said the inspection showed Highland Council's polices and resources to deliver quality education in the community had been ineffective.A spokesperson said: "The inspection results are shocking, and we are angered by the extent to which the children of Newtonmore have been failed. "The areas identified for improvement validate concerns that parents have repeatedly raised, both individually and collectively, with the Highland Council and local representatives over the past two years. "The educational attainment of our children is being jeopardised, and on the current trajectory, many risk failing to reach their full potential." 'Quality environments' Highland Council has been asked for a response to the parents' on the inspection report, the local authority said: "Highland Council is committed to providing quality learning environments, experiences and interactions for our pupils."The authority and the school are aware of the needs of all their children and take their health, safety and welfare extremely seriously. "Improvements at the school in line with the Education Scotland timeframes will continue to be implemented, with improvements already underway."The local authority said challenges around recruiting Gaelic staff were being addressed.
