St Albans Girls’ School was privileged to welcome a Holocaust survivor to share her tragic story with Year 9 and 12 students.

Eva Schloss was just fifteen years old when she was imprisoned at Auschwitz concentration camp. As a child, she was the playmate and stepsister of Anne Frank, famous for the diaries she kept while hiding from the Nazis.

During the talk, Eva fondly recalled her memories of living with Anne.

Eva said Anne only ever talked about two subjects, clothes and boys: “We gave her the nickname Mrs Quack Quack, because she talked too much.”

After the war, Eva married fellow refugee, Zvi Schloss. They had three daughters and now have five grand-daughters.

She has written three inspiring books detailing her experiences called Eva’s Story (1988), The Promise (2006), and After Auschwitz (2013).

In 2012, Eva was awarded a member of the British Empire (MBE) by her Majesty the Queen for her services to holocaust education and the Anne Frank Trust UK.

Eva Schloss, who regularly visits schools, universities and other institutions to talk about her experiences during the Holocaust, is passionate about delivering one abiding message: “We are currently going through a frightening period with too many wars, and I want to inspire young people to strive to keep our world in harmony.”

Helen Jenkins, a Year 12 student, found Eva’s story to be moving and thought-provoking: “We are all familiar with the events and consequences of the Holocaust from books and reports, yet it was very different to hear first hand a story from someone who lived through the genocide.”

Natasha Roston, director of learning for Year 9, said: “Eva reflected on the bravery of those who risked their lives to keep others safe. Those who did not just stand by.

“Those who were not silenced. A reminder to us all about our individual responsibility.

“To be strong enough to stand up for what is right.”

Anne Frank’s writings, called The Diary of a Young Girl, are internationally famous and have inspired numerous plays and films.

On Sunday 29 January, she will give a witness testimony talk at the Jewish Museum in London, to mark Holocaust memorial day.