The Crocus Project

On the 19th November 2009, all Year 8 pupils took part in an International Programme known as The Crocus Project.

In the college grounds, they planted yellow crocus bulbs in memory of the one and a half million children who perished in the Holocaust. The yellow colour was a reminder of the yellow badges which the Jewish children had to wear under Nazi rule. The pupils learned that the children who survived are mostly grandparents today. They have passed on their stories to their children and grandchildren.These stories must never be forgotten.


The bulbs were planted by Year 8, on a warm wet, windy day with the Citizenship teachers , Mrs Gillen, Mr Crutchley and Mrs Walsh supervised the planting. The group are now waiting for the first signs of spring.When the crocuses bloom in the spring, the school community will be reminded of new life and the hope that things will be better than they were before. Planting the flowers was sad for the pupils but is hopeful too.

Mr Crutchley, a Year 8 form teacher explained this was a tangible way to promote awareness and stimulate discussion about diversity and discrimination.

Pupils also heard about the Holocaust at their Friday morning assembly where they reflected on the messages of the poem
“ First they Came”. Later in the year pupils will have the chance to read John Boyne’s powerful novel “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas”.

Mrs Gillen , Head of RE, explained, “When the crocuses bloom at the beginning of Spring, we remember the children who died. But the beautiful flowers also remind us that new life begins again and we can hope that things will be better than they were before. Eventually we hope that children from all over the world will plant yellow crocuses in memory of all the children who died in the Holocaust.”

Domnican pupils will also mark International Holocaust Day on 27th January 2010.

The group are pictured here just after planting the crocus bulbs.