At Sidcot, boarding houses are vibrant cultural hubs where traditions from around the globe are shared and celebrated. This month, their focus is on supporting the students within their community who are observing Ramadan. While this group represents a small part of Sidcot’s student body, their experience is a priority for the school. Sidcot is dedicated to providing the bespoke support they need to balance their faith with school life, from extended meal times and quiet prayer spaces to a culture of empathy and inclusion. Boarding students Fesal (Year 11) and Tayna (Year 12) share their personal reflections on observing Ramadan while living at Sidcot School.
Tayna’s Ramadan Experience
My name is Tayna. I am an international student from Germany, and this is my second year at Sidcot School. The boarding community is very supportive, and it is nice to be surrounded by people from many different countries and cultures.
Even though I am not Muslim, I fast during Ramadan. I do this out of respect for my father’s side of the family, who are Muslim, and it helps me feel connected to them during this very important religious time. During Ramadan, I usually wake up at around 4:00am to have breakfast before the fast begins. Luckily, this year Ramadan takes place during the winter months, so the sun sets earlier and the days are shorter. That makes fasting a bit easier compared to the summer. Even so, it is still important to stay hydrated, so I make sure to drink plenty of water in the morning before the fast starts and again in the evening when it ends.
I am very grateful that the boarding staff supports me and makes it possible for me to fast while living at school. Their understanding and flexibility mean a lot to me, and it shows how much the school respects different cultures and traditions. In the evenings, I am very thankful to the kitchen staff for offering filling meals after a long day.
Overall, my experience at Sidcot has been very positive. I feel lucky to be part of such a supportive community where students from different backgrounds can share their cultures, learn from one another, and feel at home. I would 100% recommend Sidcot to Muslim students, as well as students from other cultural or religious backgrounds, as Sidcot is a place where everyone is unconditionally supported and always welcome.
Continue reading Fesal and Tayna’s Ramadan experience here: https://www.sidcot.org.uk/student-news/balancing-faith-and-boarding-life-ramadan-experience-sidcot