Education

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In 1946, when Sidney was fourteen he began to go back to school at the Bunce Court Boarding School. Sidney knew enough English to follow along and ask questions about what was going on in class. He struggled with schooling at the start because of his lack of education that he did not receive during the war. With the help of many teachers and students, Sidney was able to comprehend what was going on around him at school and not feel ignorant compared to all the other students. Many teachers like Miss Essinger and tutors like Sam and Helen helped Sidney work through all the struggles he had at school. At first, he was reluctant with school but soon came to love Bunce Court Boarding School and began to see it as his home. He began to have a sense of belonging and began to love learning new topics at school. In 1948, at Sidney’s second year at Bunce Court Boarding School, there was a debate with his teachers on whether or not he should take the matriculation exams. These exams where given out by the University of Cambridge to separate the students going to University and the students going into trade. For Sidney to pass he would need to pass all six subjects which included English and Math. Ultimately the decided it would be a good experience for Sidney to learn what it was like. Many students studied day and night for the exam. Sidney was no different during his exam preparations. When the big day came Sidney was nervous for the test, but he remained calm during the exam. He was able to pass all six courses in a short amount of time. All his teachers were proud and impressed that Sidney was able to advance scholastically in such a short amount of time. The school soon had to shut down due to financial reasons. Sidney felt that once again he was losing a home and a sense of family. The school had become a substitute for his family that he lost during the holocaust and it had turned him back into a human being.