What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is a very important time for Muslims and takes place throughout the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is a religious tradition that is more than 1,400 years old.

 

Millions of Muslims across the globe take part by observing a month-long fast, between sunrise and sunset, as a way to devote themselves to their faith and grow closer to Allah. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam (the others are faith, prayer, charity, and pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca).

 

Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, charity and spending time with family and friends.

 

The exact timing of the beginning and end of Ramadan depends on the lunar calendar, so varies slightly from year to year.

 

What is Eid al-Fitr?

Eid al-Fitr, or Eid, is an important celebration marking the end of the month of fasting. It is also a time to give thanks to Allah for the Qu'ran. 

 

In Muslim countries, Eid al-Fitr is a national holiday. In the UK, Muslims may take the day off work or school to join in the celebrations. 

 

The festival day begins with the first sighting of the new moon at the beginning of the tenth month of the Islamic calendar. This year, this will be either on Monday 2nd May or Tuesday 3rd.

 

Eid al-Fitr is a time for families, friends and neighbours to spend time together and share food.

 

People wear their best clothes, decorate their homes and celebrate with their family and friends.

 

Many people give money to those less fortunate, so they can also enjoy the day.

 

Communal celebration services are held in mosques and a special celebratory meal is eaten - the first daytime meal Muslims will have had in a month.

 

Eid Mubarak to all the members of the Hillcrest community who will be celebrating.

 

Back in May 2019 we had a visit from Jim Gump, who told the children his inspiring story of running 10 k a day with his dog Flo for a whole year. Afterwards, the children joined him for a run outside in the playground.

 

Jim likes nothing better than setting himself a challenge. His latest quest is to cover the equivalent of running around the equator - 25,000 miles!

 

Having clocked up 9,999 miles, he came back to run his 10,000th mile with us in the playground at Hillcrest!

 

BBC Points West were here to cover the event.

 

One of Jim’s main aims is to promote both adults and children getting active. We don’t have to go as far as Jim, just try to get some exercise every day.

 

On the back of Jim’s visit, we plan to reinvigorate our Daily Mile by getting the distance marked out on the playground so that children can tell when they have clocked up a mile.

 

 

It's almost disco time for years 3&4! 
Mark your calendars for the first Friday back after Easter, and book your child's ticket at  Buy tickets for Hillcrest Discomania - Year 3 & 4 Disco at Hillcrest School Hall, Fri 29 Apr 2022 5:45 PM - 7:00 PM

 

Congratulations!

 

Our amazing Hillcrest Hurricanes came third at a netball tournament this week.

 

They played five games - winning one, drawing three and losing one. It was a fantastic effort from the team.

 

Their passing was measured and purposeful; their running off the ball was constant and, when it came to shooting - my goodness - they were ruthless.

 

They really did us proud. So well done to Phoebe, Alba, Stephene, Beth, Mimi, Iona and Ellie. And a big thank you to Miss North for organising.

 

 

Many thanks to all the students of Hillcrest Primary for their amazingly imaginative artwork produced for the Wells Road High Street Gallery this week. Thanks too to all the shops who gave us access to their windows and to the weather gods for being kind to us.

 

John O'Connor