Headteacher’s Weekly Update
Newstead Wood School
Friday 12th May 2017
Thank you to everyone who helped out at last Saturday’s Spruce Up Saturday. The PET Team are busy
preparing a newsletter with before and after photos of the work undertaken. As always, it has really made a
difference and we simply couldn’t have done it without the help of the whole school community. Together we
have transformed I25 and I28, Room 43, Lab B2, the Medical Room, the PE Changing Rooms, the school
garden and bee area, and the SEN Support Room and Reception have been plastered.
Once again, Ramadan coincides with exam season this year. Last year, it did so for the first time since the
1980s – and also saw the longest average fasting hours in the northern hemisphere during its 33-year cycle.
The clash with exams will continue until around 2019/20 as Ramadan shifts backwards by approximately 11
days every year. This year, it is predicted to start around May 27 and to end around June 26. This year,
Ramadan will also coincide with midsummer; the combination of long days, higher temperatures as well as
examinations will put extra pressure on young Muslims, however they decide to observe Ramadan. There is a
wide and diverse range of possible interpretations of Islamic law. Scholars differ in their opinions on what age
Muslims become obliged to fast, how long they should fast for and the legitimate exemptions.
Observing Ramadan may bring many benefits to individuals and communities but also has the potential to
cause the individual temporary hardship through hunger and lack of liquids during fasting hours, which may
impact on physical wellbeing and cognitive performance. Young Muslims and families, particularly those sitting
exams this summer, will need to balance their obligations as Muslims with their studies and the importance of
examinations for their future, noting that the pursuit of education is also a religious and moral duty for Muslims
of both genders. This is also alongside any other relevant factors when deciding how to observe Ramadan this
year
I would ask parents to let us know if their child is fasting. We have a prayer room at Newstead Wood School
and if parents would like a quiet room for their child to eat if they are not fasting, this can be arranged. Please
do let us know.
So what is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. It is a 29-30 day period of prayer, fasting, self-control,
charity-giving and goodwill to others. Ramadan is a time of self-reflection, increased religious devotion and selfcontrol over the need to eat and drink during daylight hours. Fasting during Ramadan (which includes drinking
no water), is one of the Five Pillars (fundamental religious duties) of Islam. Those fasting are recommended to
have one meal (suhur) just before sunrise and an evening meal (iftar) after sunset during Ramadan. Muslims
are encouraged to think of cleansing the whole self, through prayer and reflection throughout the day which
can have a positive impact on individuals, familial and wider social relations.
Ramadan is observed by Muslims across the world. Observing Ramadan has the potential to offer individuals
many benefits as well as the potential to cause temporary physical hardship during the day. Each person will be
affected in different ways, to different degrees and at different times in their lives. Some of the possible
benefits include:
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feeling closer to God
learning to exercise greater self-control
establishing a healthier lifestyle and better habits
greater feelings of peace, tranquillity and self-satisfaction spiritually
the opportunity to establish better relationships with self and others
Ramadan also offers an opportunity to strengthen family and community ties through congregational prayer
and celebration. Alongside these possible benefits, observing the fast and late-night prayers may also create
less desirable consequences for some people, such as tiredness, low energy, dehydration, reduced focus,
memory or concentration. This is of particular concern in the next few years when Ramadan falls in the summer
in the UK, and for Muslim students who are scheduled to sit exams during Ramadan.
Islam, like most major religions, has a pluralist tradition and is composed of a wide range of interpretations.
This plurality is considered a strength and Muslim traditions evolve and can respond to new issues that emerge.
Reasoning is encouraged and this has allowed different schools of Islamic law to flourish. Islam encourages all
Muslims to engage in critical reasoning and to turn to local imams and scholars for further guidance. Achieving
what is good and protecting from what is harmful is an ultimate underpinning philosophy of Islamic law. While
there are key principles on which most Muslims agree, such as the importance of fasting (sawm) and prayers
(Salah), details vary from one school of law to another. This means that when there are competing views, an
individual is at liberty to decide what is best for themselves and their family.
At Newstead Wood School we are a welcoming and inclusive community where we look out for each other and
celebrate the diversity within our community. I know our students will continue to look out for each other,
particularly on hot days if they know members of their peer group are observing Ramadan.
I can be confident of this and I’m finishing this week with an extract from a thank you email from a Year 11
parent:
“Her pleasure and enthusiasm is apparent and as parents, that is such a delight. I am totally convinced that her
attitude, positivity and ability, is a direct result of the comforting atmosphere and constructive education at your
school, imparted via you as skilled teachers.
Furthermore the friendship groups, form unity and total respect for fellows is an amazing achievement that is
rarely visible in other schools.
We wish that more children were able to benefit from such a caring and dedicated educational environment.”
Nick Webb
Upcoming dates for your diary
11th – 12th May – GCSE Drama Exams
11th – 12th May – Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Expeditions
15th May – Public Examinations start
15th – 17th May – Year 9 Ironbridge Trip
24th May – Year 9 Feeding Britain’s Future Programme
26th May – Year 9 Governors Awards
26th May – Half Term
Please do check the school calendar for more upcoming dates
Contact us and keep in touch
General email enquiries [email protected]
Attendance reporting [email protected]
Need to contact a subject? Email the subject name e.g. [email protected]
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@NewsteadWood @NWSchoolFund @NWSGEnglish
@NWSGMaths @NWSGScience @NWSGLangs @NewsteadPE
Volunteer to help
Are you able to give time, expertise or donations to our Providing Excellence Together team? Contact
[email protected]
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Help out when you check out! Support Newstead Wood School Parents’ Association
http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/newsteadwoodschool
Thank you to all of you who are supporting the school through a monthly donation – if you still haven’t
got round to setting this up, forms can be found here. And thank you to all of you who are supporting
the school library through our Amazon Wishlist.