Deputy Head Mrs Winchester led yesterday’s assembly on Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement. When she asked if anyone knew which faith celebrated Yom Kippur, the children’s hands quickly went up. The children were keen to share what they already knew and their understanding of Judaism.
Mrs Winchester explained to the children that Yom means “day” in Hebrew and Kippur relates to atonement – recognising when something has gone wrong and thinking about how to put it right. Together, Yom Kippur means the Day of Atonement, a time for reflection and seeking forgiveness.
The children learnt about some of the ways Jewish people observe Yom Kippur, including fasting, prayer and asking for forgiveness. Mrs Winchester shared how families come together after the fast and reflect on the importance of this special time in the Jewish calendar.
The themes of the assembly connected closely with our school’s value for the term: Respect. The children considered how learning about different faiths and traditions helps them to understand the lives and beliefs of others. They recognised that respect goes beyond good manners; it means valuing other people, listening to them and recognising that their beliefs and experiences matter.
There was also an important message about making mistakes. The children reflected on the idea that getting things wrong is part of being human, but what matters is what happens next. There is strength in being able to reflect, to say sorry sincerely, to forgive and to make a different choice next time.
