Habs Girls Sporting Success Newsletter Summer 2026

Sporting Success Summer 2026 1

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A message from the Directors of Sport Miss Lizzie Wright

Miss Lauren Scott

As we come to the end of another successful academic year, this offers a chance to reflect on what has been an exceptional year for sport at the School. Across all year groups, students have embraced the opportunities within our cocurricular programme, demonstrating commitment, resilience and ambition in both training and competition. Whether representing the school in fixtures or striving to improve their own performance, our students have consistently embodied the values of teamwork, respect and excellence that underpin sport at Habs and reflect the principles of ‘The Habs Way’.

This has also been a particularly busy term academically, with exams and assessments taking place across many year groups. We place great value on students continuing to engage in co-curricular sport during these periods, and it has been fantastic to see so many successfully balancing their academic commitments alongside fixtures and training. In doing so, they have demonstrated maturity, responsibility and a clear understanding of how sport supports both wellbeing and academic success.

The summer term has been especially memorable, with students competing across athletics, cricket and tennis and enjoying a full programme of fixtures and training. Participation has remained high, with students embracing new challenges and continuing to improve. A standout moment came at the Habs 7 Athletics Competition in Oxford, where both our U14 and U16 teams finished 1st overall, an outstanding achievement that reflects both individual performance and team strength. In tennis, a defining highlight was the U18A team’s first-ever victory in the Aberdare Cup, securing a dramatic tie-break win over Haileybury, a historic achievement that showcased exceptional composure, resilience and team spirit under pressure. We are also extremely proud of the growing cricket programme. A particular highlight was the girls’ first entry into national cup competitions, with U13, U15 and U18 teams competing confidently against strong opposition such as Berkhamsted and Dame Alice Owen’s.

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A message from the Directors of Sport (continued) Beyond the results, it has been immensely rewarding to see the enthusiasm and character shown by our students throughout the year. They have competed with confidence, shown real resilience, and treated others with respect and kindness, values that are central to our sporting culture at Habs.

Finally, we wish to recognise our Year 13 students and celebrate the outstanding example they have set as role models within our sporting community. Their leadership, resilience, and spirit have left a lasting mark, inspiring those who follow in their footsteps. We warmly welcome them back as Old Girls at future sporting events, and we look forward to seeing all they go on to achieve. Once a Haberdasher, always a Haberdasher.

As we look ahead to the new academic year, we do so with great excitement and optimism. We congratulate all students on their achievements this year and thank them for their contribution to the sporting culture of the School. We wish all members of our community a restful and enjoyable summer and look forward to another great year of sport and our preseason dates in September.

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Scholarship at Habs Sports scholarships are awarded to 11+ and 16+ candidates in recognition of sustained sporting excellence, talent and future potential.

Candidates will be active members of their top ranked school sports teams and are likely to be involved in sporting clubs outside of school with representative experience or its equivalent at county level or above.

Outstanding skill, expertise or potential in any one or several sporting fields will be considered, but candidates are encouraged to show their potential in at least one of the focus sports at Habs.

Award holders will be ambassadors for sport who will make a full contribution to the sporting life of the school. Scholars will be allocated a mentor, who will encourage their sporting participation- in time, sports scholars will become mentors for younger award holders.

The value of a scholarship is usually between 10 to 15% of school fees (but can be up to a maximum of 25% in very exceptional circumstances). Scholarships are held for the duration of a student's time at the school, subject to sustained levels of progress, participation and performance.

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Contents 7. Stats Infographic 8-9. Athletics 10-11. Tennis 12. Cricket 13. Dance 14. Gymnastics 15. Highlight: Gym and Dance Display 2026

16. Skiing and Cheerleading 17-22. Junior School 23. Highlight: Key Stage 1 Sports Day

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Sport - Athletics Miss Lauren Scott reports on a successful season of athletics This summer term has been a busy and highly successful one for our athletics teams, with strong performances and many personal bests achieved across District, County and Regional competitions. It has been particularly encouraging to see such high levels of participation across all year groups.

At the Hertfordshire Schools Track & Field Championships, our athletes delivered some excellent results. Tiffany (11 Ansuz) was crowned County Champion in the U17 Girls’ Triple Jump. Tara (10 Alpha) achieved 2nd place in the Long Jump and 3rd in the 200m, while Eniola (11 Alpha) finished 3rd in the High Jump.

Our Year 7 to 10 athletes also competed in the District Athletics Championships. It was fantastic to see so many students involved, including several representing the school for the first time.

Congratulations to Rio (8 Gillett), Aimee (10 Alpha) and Tara (10 Alpha), who were all crowned District Champions.

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Sport - Athletics We also enjoyed great success at the Habs7Athletics competition, competing against other Haberdashers’ schools from across the country. It was a fantastic occasion, not only to compete at a high level but also to meet and connect with students and staff from the wider Haberdashers’ community. Both ourU14 and U16 teams finished 1st overall, an outstanding team achievement. A special mention goes to Tara (10 Alpha), who set a new 200m record of 25.9 seconds.

Both the U14 and U16 teams also competed in the Track & Field Cup, with the U16 team progressing to the Regional A Final, an excellent accomplishment at ahigh level of competition.

In addition, our U14 and U16 girls’ teams have been competing in the Hertfordshire County League throughout the term. After six matches, the U16 team has qualified for the County Plate Final, taking place on Monday 29th June.

Overall, a fantastic season for our athletes, who should take great pride in their achievements and the teamwork, commitment and resilience they have shown throughout.

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Sport – Tennis A brilliant term of tennis- Miss Anna Mills Tennis has enjoyed another fantastic summer term at Habs, with strong participation across all age groups. Whether through competitive fixtures, friendly matches, club sessions, or informal lunchtime play, the enthusiasm and commitment to tennis across the school have been outstanding.

Habs competed successfully in the FAGE LTA Youth Schools League, with teams across the U13 and U15 age groups performing strongly in a highly competitive environment. A particular highlight came in the Nicola Mabbitt League, where the Year 10 team reached the finals at Radlett Tennis Club and secured an outstanding silver medal after a series of closely contested matches.

The school also made its debut in the School Sports Magazine Tennis Cup. The U14 team, comprising Ruhi (8 Sprules), Amber (8 Millar), Nikita (8 Gilliland) and Jess (8 Powell), enjoyed a strong opening-round victory and showed great determination and team spirit throughout the competition. Meanwhile, the U16 team reached the final stage of the regional rounds following impressive wins over Parmiter’s and Berkhamsted. This outstanding achievement was made possible by the contributions of Sasha (10 Ansuz), Mimi (7 Millar), Tamara (9 Alpha), Amy (10 A), Nyla (10 Ansuz) and Keya (10 Aesc), who performed superbly across all rounds.

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Sport – Tennis Further success came in the Aberdare Cup, where the U18A team of Sasha (10 Ansuz), Mimi (7 Millar), Amy (10 A) and Nyla (10 Ansuz) secured a thrilling tie-break victory over Haileybury. This marked Habs’ first-ever win in the competition, a significant milestone for the school. The team showed exceptional composure, determination and resilience throughout the high-pressure match, earning a memorable and historic result.

In the Hertfordshire County Tournament, Mimi (7 Millar) and Tamara (9 Alpha) finished as runners-up in the U14 competition, adding another silver medal to an excellent term.

As the season concludes, Habs now looks forward to the ISTA Championships at Eton, where teams from the U13, U15 and U18 age groups will compete. From league success and cup runs to county medals and historic victories, it has been an exceptional term for Habs Tennis.

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Sport – Cricket The growth of girls' cricket- Mr Fred Ayre Our girls’ hardball cricket provision has grown significantly this year. With specialist support from Mr Ryan McIntosh, Miss Saskia Horley and Mr Jamie Hewit, our training programme has gone from strength to strength. The girls committed fully to a winter of indoor net sessions, and throughout the summer there has been girls in the nets every day of the school week. Their commitment, energy and enthusiasm have been exceptional, and as a result they have made significant improvements in both their technical skills and overall understanding of the game.

This year, for the first time, we entered national cup competitions. The U13, U15 and U18 squads competed in the National Schools Sports Magazine Cup and The Cricket Paper Cup, performing admirably against strong opposition, including Berkhamsted, Bishops Stortford and Dame Alice Owen’s. These fixtures provided an excellent opportunity for the girls to challenge themselves, apply their training in competitive environments and continue their development as cricketers.

What has impressed us most throughout the season has been the girls’ attitude, commitment, support for one another and desire to improve. They have embraced every challenge, represented the school with pride, and laid strong foundations for the future of girls’ cricket at Habs.

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Sport – Dance Success at the NLCS Dance Competition- Miss Lara Whistler For the first time, our Middle School Dance Company were entered into the NLCS Dance Competition, competing against nine other local schools.

The students performed a contemporary dance piece inspired by Avatar: The Way of Water, which was featured in The Gym and Dance Display earlier this year. On the day, they demonstrated exceptional technique, impressive extension, and captivating performance quality, representing the school with confidence and professionalism.

I am delighted to share that the team achieved an outstanding secondplace finish overall, missing out on first place by just one point. Notably, one of the judges actually awarded our performance the highest score of the competition.

This fantastic result is a testament to the girls’ dedication, commitment, and hard work throughout the year. Congratulations to all the students involved.

This achievement was a wonderful reflection of your efforts and talent, and you should be incredibly proud of what you have accomplished this season.

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Sport – Gymnastics The National Floor and Vault Finals in May- Miss Emily Burman There has been tremendous success in gymnastics throughout the year, and the season culminated in a trip to Stoke for the National Floor and Vault Finals. After a series of excellent performances our U13 team earned their place among some of the best school gymnasts.

Competing against strong national opposition, the girls performed with confidence and determination, showcasing the skills they had worked so hard to develop throughout the season. We are delighted to congratulate the team on an outstanding 4th-place finish. In an incredibly close competition, they narrowly missed out on a podium position, finishing less than one mark behind the bronze medallists.

To finish 4th is a fantastic achievement and reflects the hard work, commitment, and resilience shown by the team throughout the year. We are incredibly proud of all the gymnasts involved for the way they represented the school and for what has been a truly successful season of gymnastics.

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Highlight: Gym and Dance Display 2026 At the End of last term, we celebrated the students' artistic talents with the annual Gym and Dance Showcase. This was a fantastic evening, and it was so wonderful to see even more students getting involved. We are so proud of all their performances, well done to all the girls and boys who took part!

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Sport – Skiing and Cheerleading Skiing: This year, we proudly entered two skiing competitions: the English Schools Ski Championships in April and the Independent Schools Ski Championships in June. Our racers had a fantastic experience competing against highly skilled and experienced opponents, tackling tight turns and adapting their technique to the fast-paced demands of slalom racing. They demonstrated great perseverance in overcoming challenges on the slopes, while embracing both the fun and excitement of the events. The experience has left them eager for more, with a strong appetite to continue developing their skills and pushing to the next level.

Cheerleading: This term saw the launch of cheerleading at Habs for Year 7. We have been running a weekly club and training sessions for the girls, during which they have worked hard to develop and perfect a fantastic routine.

The Year 7s have thoroughly enjoyed taking part and have shown great enthusiasm, teamwork, and commitment throughout the term. It has been wonderful to see their confidence grow week by week as they learn new skills and perform together as a team.

We are excited to continue building on this success and look forward to developing the cheerleading programme further next year.

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Sport – Junior School Miss Jenna McFadzean reports on a busy term for the Junior School Mini Marathon: This year, our Prep and Junior pupils had the incredible opportunity to represent Habs at the Mini London Marathon, an unforgettable experience and a real highlight of the sporting calendar.

After showing determination and enthusiasm in their preparation, the girls travelled to London to take part in one of the most iconic youth sporting events in the country. Running amongst thousands of young people and experiencing the atmosphere of such a prestigious event made for a truly special day.

The most memorable moment came as our runners completed the final mile of the official London Marathon course, crossing the same famous finish line as some of the world’s greatest athletes. For many of the girls, this was a genuine once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and one they embraced with huge smiles, resilience and determination.

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Sport – Junior School Cricket: This summer has been a landmark season for cricket, with the girls demonstrating outstanding commitment, enthusiasm and success across a number of competitions.

One of the highlights of the term was our performance at the IAPS Cricket competition, where the girls competed with confidence and determination against strong opposition. Across the day, the squad showcased excellent batting, disciplined bowling and growing tactical awareness, producing some fantastic individual performances alongside brilliant teamwork.

Finishing second in the plate, narrowly missing out on the trophy finals.

The season has also brought exciting success in the Dynamo Cricket competitions. We are incredibly proud that both our Mixed Dynamo team and Girls’ Dynamo team have successfully qualified for the County Rounds, a fantastic achievement and a reflection of the progress and dedication shown by all involved. Qualifying in both formats demonstrates not only the strength of our players but also the continued growth of cricket across the school.

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Sport – Junior School Dance : After achieving an outstanding 3rd-place podium finish out of 20 schools in a highly competitive regional heat in March, our Junior Dance Team secured a place at the prestigious National Finals of the Great Big Dance Off. Considering this was the first time the school had entered the competition, and for all the girls their first experience of competitive dance, qualifying for the finals was already a remarkable achievement.

Following months of dedication and hard work in rehearsals, the team travelled to the prestigious New Theatre Oxford, a renowned 1,785-seat venue that regularly hosts major touring productions, including Legally Blonde, The Bodyguard, Waitress, and performances by leading ballet and opera companies.

Competing against 30 of the strongest school dance teams from across the country, the girls performed with confidence, energy, and professionalism on one of the biggest stages they have ever experienced. The standard of competition was exceptionally high, with many talented dancers delivering outstanding performances throughout the event.

We are incredibly proud to share that the team finished in an impressive 12th place nationally, placing them comfortably within the top half of all competing schools in the country. This is an extraordinary achievement for a team competing at this level for the very first time and is a testament to their commitment, resilience, and teamwork throughout the year.

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Sport – Junior School Gymnastics: In May, our gymnastics team travelled to Stoke on Trent to compete in the National Floor and Vault Championships, representing the school on one of the biggest stages of the gymnastics calendar.

Having shown tremendous dedication and commitment throughout the year in training sessions, the girls arrived ready to perform against an exceptionally strong field of schools from across the country.

Demonstrating composure, confidence and excellent technique, they produced a series of outstanding performances across both the floor and vault disciplines.

The floor routines showcased creativity, control and precision, whilst the vault performances highlighted power, bravery and technical execution.

Throughout the competition, the team supported one another brilliantly and demonstrated excellent sportsmanship and resilience under pressure.

Following a fantastic day of competition, the girls achieved an incredible result, securing 3rd place nationally. This is an outstanding achievement and reflects not only the talent of the team but also the hard work, perseverance and positive attitude they have shown throughout the season.

To finish on the national podium is a remarkable accomplishment and one that every gymnast should be extremely proud of. Congratulations to all involved on an excellent competition and a fantastic way to celebrate another successful year of gymnastics at Habs.

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Sport – Junior School Tennis: This year has marked an exciting new chapter for tennis, with the school competing in fixtures and tournaments for the very first time and what a debut season it has been.

Our Pathway Tennis Squad have shown exceptional commitment throughout the term, approaching every training session with enthusiasm, determination and a real desire to improve. The girls have worked incredibly hard to develop their technical skills, tactical awareness and confidence on court, embracing the challenge of stepping into a competitive environment for the first time.

A particular highlight of the season came at the IAPS Tennis competition, where four of our girls represented the school superbly against strong opposition from across the country. Their resilience, teamwork and excellent standard of play resulted in an outstanding achievement – finishing 3rd overall in the entire competition and securing 3rd place in the Plate competition.

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Sport – Junior School Swimming: This term has been an incredibly successful and exciting one for our Swimming Squad, with the girl's demonstrating commitment, resilience and excellent performances across a number of prestigious competitions.

At the IAPS Swimming Championships, the squad represented the school with pride, competing against some of the strongest independent schools in the country. The girls achieved excellent individual performances across a range of events, with many swimmers recording personal best times and showing fantastic determination throughout the competition. Alongside these individual achievements, our relay teams worked brilliantly together in the relay, demonstrating outstanding teamwork and securing impressive results.

Our swimmers also enjoyed success at the ESSA Swimming competitions, where the standard of competition was exceptionally high.

The girls continued to build on their training and experience, delivering confident performances and competing with determination and professionalism. Individual swimmers achieved notable results, whilst the team as a whole supported one another superbly and represented the school with enthusiasm and pride.

Division 10 provided another highlight of the season, with the squad showcasing both depth and strength across all age groups. The girls’ commitment at training sessions translated into excellent performances in the pool, with strong individual swims contributing to a successful overall team result. It was fantastic to see swimmers stepping up across events and supporting each other throughout the competition.

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Highlight: Key Stage 1 Sport's Day 2026 On Friday 19th June, we hosted our annual Key Stage 1 Sports Day, bringing together Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 for a fantastic morning of fun, teamwork and celebration. Well done to all the girls who took part!

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Final Thank You A huge thank you to all the amazing staff for their hard work and dedication this term. The sporting successes and fun our students have enjoyed wouldn't be possible without their continued commitment and support.

With massive thanks to: Athletics: Miss Lauren Scott, Mrs Carly Thomas Goodchild, Mr Jason Keys, Dr Kate Bridge Tennis: Miss Anna Mills, Miss Lizzie Wright, Miss Gill Aldcroft, Miss Poppy Mann, Miss Helen Wakefield Cricket: Mr Jamie Hewitt, Mr Ryan McIntosh, Mr Fred Ayre, Miss Saskia Horley, Mr Alex Freeman, Dr Richard Silverman, Mr Peter Wright, Mr Paul Griffin Skiing: Miss Anna Mills Dance: Miss Lara Whistler Trampolining: Mrs Cheryl Brazier Gymnastics: Miss Emily Burman Cheerleading: Miss Charlotte Wright, Miss Lara Whistler Junior School Clubs: Miss Jenna McFadzean, Mrs Claire Gibson, Mrs Catherine Prendergast, Miss Savidya Dharmawardene, Mrs Carly Thomas-Goodchild, Miss Lara Whistler, Miss Poppy Mann and Miss 23 Charlotte Wright

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