Balancing Faith and Boarding Life: The Ramadan Experience at Sidcot

At Sidcot, our boarding houses are vibrant cultural hubs where traditions from around the globe are shared and celebrated. This month, our focus is on supporting the students within our community who are observing Ramadan. While they may be a minority in numbers, their experience is a priority for us. We are 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 school-wide awareness and 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.

Fesal’s Ramadan Experience 

My name is Fesal. I am in my second year at Sidcot School, and I still remember my first day. It was a mix of happiness because everything was new, and a little fear because I was far from home. But making new friends at the school quickly made me feel comfortable.

I wake up before 4:15am during Ramadan to pray, and I have something to eat. Normally, breakfast is my favourite meal of the day because it gives me energy for everything. During Ramadan, I adjust my routine to stay hydrated and make sure I can manage the day without. The school provides halal meat daily, and if it’s not available, the cafeteria always offers me a halal alternative, so I never worry about food options.

James Milne, who is the Housemaster of the Boarding House (Wing House), has helped me a lot and always supports me when I need advice. The boarding staff make life easier, and I feel like I can ask for help whenever I need it. At Wing, every Friday night is our favourite night because Jack Millier (Graduate Assistant) is on duty, and he always organises a lot of fun games for us to spend time together.

I also play sports for the Under-18 team and the boarders. During Ramadan, I take special care to stay hydrated the day before a match and avoid playing long or exhausting games. The teachers and friends are understanding, which helps me stay active without getting tired. The hardest thing in Ramadan is waking up to my 4:00am alarm to eat, drink water, and pray, but I’ve gotten used to it now.

Evenings in the boarding house are my favourite. After prep time, we have quiet time where I can sit and study, then I go to the gym or play some sports. Boarding life at Sidcot teaches independence and helps me manage my time between studying, praying, fasting, and sports.

Being Muslim at Sidcot feels natural and comfortable. I can pray, fast, and eat without worrying, and the school is very supportive. I feel I can truly be myself here. Sidcot is more than just a school; it’s like a second home. After two years, I have grown a lot and would definitely recommend it to other Muslim students. You can balance faith, studies, and hobbies, and still feel part of a warm and welcoming community.

Tayna’s Ramadan Experience 

My name is Tayna. I am an international student from Germany, and this is my second year at Sidcot School. I knew from my first visit that I would love it here, and this excitement definitely did not disappoint. The welcoming atmosphere, the beautiful campus, and the friendly community made me feel at home very quickly.

One very special part of my life here is that I was able to bring my own horse with me to Sidcot School. Having my horse here means a lot to me because it gives me a sense of familiarity and comfort, especially when being away from home. Spending time with my horse helps me relax and balance school life with something I truly enjoy.

I found friends quite quickly, and I am very happy to feel so welcome at this school every time I return after a holiday. 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.