At The Blue Coat School, we want every member of our community to feel that they belong, are valued and are empowered to thrive. Recognising important religious festivals and observances is an important part of that commitment. Our school community is strengthened when we take time to understand the faiths, traditions and experiences of others, and when students feel that their own identity, beliefs and heritage are recognised and respected.

The themes at the heart of Yom Kippur connect strongly with the values we seek to develop in all Blue Coat students: reflection, compassion, personal responsibility and consideration for others. Our school motto, Non Sibi Sed Omnibus – Not for Oneself, But for All, reminds us that being part of a community brings responsibilities as well as opportunities, and that our words and actions should contribute positively to the
lives of those around us.

Later this week, the Jewish community will also begin the festival of Sukkot, starting at sunset on Friday 25 September. Sukkot, sometimes known as the Feast of Booths or Feast of Tabernacles, recalls the Israelites’ journey through the desert and is also associated with the autumn harvest. A distinctive feature of the festival is the sukkah, a temporary outdoor structure in which families may eat, gather and celebrate. The
festival places particular emphasis on gratitude, hospitality and community, themes which also resonate strongly with our Blue Coat values.

Our commitment to inclusion is about more than recognising difference; it is about ensuring that every student and member of staff knows that they are an important part of the Blue Coat community. By learning about occasions such as Yom Kippur and Sukkot, we deepen our understanding of one another and reinforce the culture of mutual respect, curiosity and belonging that we want to see throughout our school. We wish all Jewish members of our Blue Coat community, their families and the wider Jewish community in Liverpool a peaceful and meaningful Yom Kippur and a joyful Sukkot.