Welcome to the Pre-Prep School
Dear Parents, Guardians and new Reception pupils,
We are thrilled to offer our heartfelt welcome as you join the Habs School community this September, embarking on an exciting journey ahead. This guide aims to provide insight into life at Habs and provide essential details to ensure a smooth transition during the initial days at school.
Countless enriching experiences await whether in the classroom, on the sports field, on stage, or amidst nature. At the Pre-Prep, we place great importance on enjoyment, considering it a cornerstone of academic excellence. Our goal is to instill a sense of wonder and curiosity in learning, fostering a desire to delve deeper, forge connections, and broaden horizons.
We are confident you will embrace the spirit of being a Haberdasher wholeheartedly. Should you have any inquiries before or during your first days, please don’t hesitate to reach out—our support is readily available.
Wishing you a splendid summer and we look forward to welcoming you in September.
Dear Parents, Guardians and new Reception pupils,
We are delighted to welcome you and your child to Habs. This is the start of a promising journey through our Pre-Preparatory School.
When you join Habs, you join a mutually inspiring and supportive network for life. We pride ourselves on the strong partnerships that we have with our Pre-Prep parents. Our staff cultivate a family environment where each pupil is supported from their first day. We make it our priority to ensure your child settles quickly into life at Habs, feeling happy, safe and secure in their new surroundings. At Habs, your child will be creatively immersed in their learning, making firm friendships, and enjoying the limitless opportunities we have to offer. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to speak to our Pre-Prep team.
I hope you all have a wonderful summer and I look forward to welcoming you in September.
MRS MICHELLE BEST ACTING HEAD OF PRE-PREP AND PREP SCHOOL
MS VICTORIA HUGGETT HEAD OF PRE-PREP SCHOOL
About the Prep School
As a community, we are made up of over 300 pupils aged 4 to 11 across the Pre-Prep and Prep School. We are eager to embed our values into every aspect of daily school life at the Prep School and aim to bring out the best in every pupil and seek to inspire and encourage curiosity.
Our opportunities for learning are broad and exciting - extending beyond the classroom with our fantastic Forest School, outdoor classroom and co-curricular provision. As a school, we believe in educating our pupils inside and outside the classroom.
We welcome parents’ support for our curriculum and trips, as well as offering parent consultation evenings and drop-in sessions. We also have curriculum evenings at which parents can learn about our approach to certain subject areas.
At Habs, we encourage our pupils to have the courage to try something new. With extensive co- curricular provision on offer, they will continue to develop skills to find new passions.
Ambition is visible in every element of the school. From our newly built Pre-Prep School to the aims and interests of our pupils as they grow – whether it be improving their personal best time in our annual Donkin Cup race or earning themselves a place in a National Final.
Our Values
Our brand values are what we hold dear as a school, the core beliefs that we stand for. They should drive all decisions and actions.
Ambition
We are bold and ambitious – for ourselves, but also for others and for the world. This is underpinned by our altruistic and philanthropic foundation, which drives our values and behaviours. We expect everyone to give their best, to stretch boundaries, and to challenge the status quo.
We believe that ambition can be limitless. When combined with courage, curiosity and community, ambition can be a selfless and powerful lever for change.
Curiosity
We create and use every opportunity to engage with the world around us; we ask questions, challenge assumptions, and express our ideas. Alongside our academic interests and skills, we also love to exercise our imaginations, creativity and spirituality. Our broad and carefully curated curriculum leads us into experiences of awe and wonder – bringing a sense of magic and excitement to learning.
Courage
Exploring beyond our comfort zones enables us to become more self-aware, adventurous, resilient and independent. We aim high, following our dreams, but we cope well if we don’t always succeed. We understand how to balance humility and boldness when speaking out on behalf of ourselves and others. And we are unflinching problemsolvers, continually seeking to change the world for the better.
Community
Habs is one caring, respectful community on one fabulous campus. Our focus is on belonging and inclusivity: celebrating our differences, not in spite of our differences. Beyond our students and staff, this sense of collaborative togetherness extends to our families, alumni, partner schools, and even the world. We’re helping to learn from and empower wider communities – locally, nationally and globally. We bring the world to our door, but we also step through that door into the wider world.
4+ First days
FIRST WEEK AT HABS FOR RECEPTIONMONDAY 9 SEPTEMBER- FRIDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 2024.
We cannot wait to see your child and welcome you and your family to Habs. In order to provide a smooth transition into Reception, the first week will be slightly different to the rest of the academic year.
On Monday 9 September, Andrews and Patricks will join us from 9am to 11am. Davids and Georges will join us from 1pm to 3pm.
On Tuesday 10 September, Davids and Georges will join us from 9am to 11am. Patricks and Andrews will join us 1pm to 3pm.
On Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 September, all pupils will start their school day at 8.30am. Reception children may arrive anytime between 8am and 8.30am where they will receive a very warm welcome at the Pre-Prep playground gate by their class teacher and Year 2 Buddy. They will then stay for lunch and then we ask that you collect them at 1pm from their classroom.
From Friday 13 September, the children will be in for a full day 8.30am to 3.30pm. We welcome parents to join us at 2.30pm in the Pre-Prep hall for tea and biscuits where they will meet members of the Leadership Team. Parents are also invited to stay for a tour and explore their child’s new classroom with them.
How we care
Sections and Houses
The Prep School is formed of two sections. These sections are:
Your child will be in one of the four Houses below.
We hold special charity events on the important dates of the four Patron Saints of our Houses. House points are awarded for kindness, good manners, demonstrating school values, very good work, effort in academic and creative subjects, as well as for Inter House as sporting activities.
Any points gained could help your child’s House win the House Trophy!
Patricks Andrews Georges Davids
Buddies
Your child will be paired up with a Buddy from Year 2 who is in the same House and who will help your child settle into the school. They will have plenty of fun throughout the academic year, taking part in many activities together.
Wellbeing and PSHE
Your child will receive weekly PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education) lessons which are taught in an age-appropriate manner and cover a range of topics which are continually reviewed as different challenges present themselves in our world.
Workshops with specialist speakers are organised for all year groups at different times through the year, focusing on age-appropriate issues.
Our school is a ‘Tooled Up Education’ school. This means, in addition to all that we do at school to help pupils, we also care about supporting parents and families. Please use the link to register your free account and gain access to the digital hub of evidence-based resources covering: mental health, digital life, aspiration, learning, family life and relationships.
Medical Centre information
The school’s medical room is in Aldenham House and is open during term time from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. The Pre-Prep School also has its own medical room and many of our staff hold a pediatric first aid qualification.
PHONE NUMBER: 020 8266 1790
EMAIL ADDRESS: SCHOOLNURSE@HABSBOYS.ORG.UK.
Medical Centre staff
GILL MCGRATH SENIOR SCHOOL NURSE
MARTINA MCGRATH SCHOOL NURSE
MILLIE PITCH SCHOOL NURSE
BRENDAN GRUFFERTY SCHOOL COUNSELLOR
Collection of unwell children from school
Request for school to dispense prescription medicines
It is important that a parent or guardian is always available to collect your child if they are unwell/injured. Please let the PrePrep office know as soon as possible if you will be unavailable for collection and provide an alternative contact number for a suitable guardian who can act on your behalf in case of an emergency.
If your child requires any prescription medicine to be taken at school then please complete the ‘Pre Prep Request for Prescription Medicine Form’ on Firefly and send to the Pre-Prep Office (PrePrepOffice@habsboys.org.uk). You will need to bring the medication to be dispensed.
General health information
Please keep us updated, via Firefly, of any changes to your child’s wellbeing such as hospital admissions, illnesses, or new medication. We are always happy to talk about any existing medical conditions that your child might have and how this could influence our care of them in school, e.g., food allergies/diabetes/asthma/any severe reactions they have had which requires use of an AAI (Adrenaline Auto Injector). Any relevant information will be shared with the appropriate staff members if it is essential to your child’s wellbeing. If your child develops any contagious disease such as chicken pox, measles, etc. then please inform the Medical Centre as soon as possible.
If your child is unwell with a raised temperature, please ensure their temperature has returned to normal before they return to school. If they have episodes of diarrhoea or vomiting, please ensure that they wait 48 hours after the symptoms have stopped before you return to school.
We also ask that you inform us of any significant events such as divorce or bereavement which may affect your child.
Assemblies
Pupils will have regular assemblies throughout the week and a whole school singing assembly.
Celebrations assembly takes place weekly. This is a very special time as we get together to celebrate the successes that have occurred during the week. Being chosen to be in the ‘Golden Book’ is a great privilege in the Pre-Prep. Someone from each class is selected by their class teacher for this accolade each week and they are awarded a certificate in assembly and have their photo displayed on the celebrations wall. At the end of each half term, all the children in the golden book are invited to a special tea party with Ms Huggett and have lots of fun dancing and celebrating their achievements.
The Pre-Prep will often host Prep pupils and the whole school (Reception to Year 6) will come together. The Pre-Prep also attend whole school assemblies at the Prep School.
Student Council
Pupils can be elected to sit on the Student Council from Years 1 to 6. They meet once every half term to discuss any questions raised by their peers.
Academic support
Academic support at Habs is available to all of our Prep School pupils. You or your child can email PrePrepOffice@habsboys.org.uk with any concerns and you’ll be directed to the correct member of staff to provide support.
Mobile phone usage
Click here for our mobile phone policy.
How we stay in touch
Communication
Parents will receive a weekly digital communication, Habs Weekly, which will be available as a link on Firefly. It is a parent/guardian’s responsibility to check Firefly for this communication and collect information relevant to their child. If you have problems accessing Firefly, please contact us. School trips are managed via a system called Evolve. You will be informed by email how to provide consent for your child to attend individual trips and events.
Message book
On the first day of term, your child will be given a message book. This is for you and your child’s class teacher to communicate daily. If you need to urgently contact your child’s class teacher during the school day then please email them directly or call the Pre-Prep Office.
Reporting to parents
We pride ourselves on the positive relationships that we have with our Pre-Prep parents. Our doors are always open to you should you wish to discuss an issue in person.
We have two Parents Evenings per year, one in the Autumn Term and one in the Spring Term. At the end of the Summer Term you will receive a written progress report. Parents will also receive a ‘topic grid’ which shows what your child will cover in each of the areas of learning. Your child’s learning and progress will also be shared on an online platform called Tapestry.
Email practice
To report any absences and for any pastoral matters please email PrePrepOffice@habsboys.org.uk. For all academic enquiries, please email your child’s teacher.
We remind you that any communication via email is neither private nor confidential and can be accessed by various members of staff.
Staff and parents are reminded to use email in a responsible, considerate and lawful manner. We will always ask your permission before forwarding on any confidential information.
Individual needs
Our Individual Needs Policy makes sure that every child at Habs enjoys personal and academic success. We prioritise sustaining a close partnership with parents and providing the appropriate support. The Head of Academic Support co-ordinates a team consisting of our specialist teacher, senior academic and senior pastoral staff.
Support can occur at various levels in school life, e.g through the Class Teacher, Head of House, subject teachers, study support sessions and learning skills programmes. Our Individual Needs policy is available on the school website
It is important to make us aware if your child has any identified specific learning needs (e.g. dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, hypermobility, visual impairments and hearing impairments) so we can provide the best support for them.
Parent voice
The Parent Voice Committee is formed by parent representatives from each class in the Prep and Pre-Prep School. It is a forum where you can share your experiences and offer suggestions.
The Committee meets three times a year and minutes are shared via the Parent Portal.
Early in the term, we will contact you about volunteering to be on the Committee. If there are multiple volunteers, we will organise a vote. The term of office is two years.
If you have any questions, please contact the Prep Office via email PrepOffice@habsboys.org.uk.
Important websites
FIREFLY: HABSELSTREESCHOOLS.FIREFLYCLOUD.NET
Firefly contains a host of important information and is where you can email the school or form tutors regarding absences or any other matter. The portal holds all school reports, progress grades, letters, school timetable, school calendar, school blog, and coach service bookings.
EVOLVE: EVENT BOOKINGS
This website is used for all event and trip bookings, for parents to give consent and pay for events.
TOOLED UP: PARENT RESOURCE TOOLEDUPEDUCATION.COM
Our school is a ‘ Tooled Up Education’ school. This means, in addition to all that we do at school to help pupils, we also care about supporting parents and families.
Attendance
The school must be informed of absence for any reason, either planned or unplanned. Please refer to the Get in Touch page of Firefly. If your child is absent for any reason, work will not be provided.
Unplanned absence
Planned absence
You must contact the school by 8.30am on all days your child is absent from school. You can do this either through Firefly or email PrePrepOffice@habsboys.org.uk.
For planned absences, such as medical appointments or music exams, please advise the school via Firefly with a minimum of two days’ notice for the attention of Ms Victoria Huggett.
Absence requests for extenuating family circumstance
Religious observation
Please advise the school via Firefly at least two weeks in advance. This will then be directed to the Head of the Prep school for authorisation.
If you wish to request absence for religious observance reasons, please complete the Microsoft form on Firefly in the resources section. The absence will automatically be authorised.
School Life
Term dates
All our dates have been agreed and co-ordinated with the Girls’ School.
Click here to view term dates on our website.
Curriculum
Your child’s Habs journey with the Pre-Prep begins in Reception. Here, we look to nurture potential and allow curiosity and courage to flourish.
Our Pre-Prep is full of happy and inquisitive pupils who have a real hunger for learning. We pride ourselves on providing a supportive community and a strong foundation on which all future ambitious learning is built.
Our teaching combines the best elements of the National Curriculum with extension tasks and enhancements. Each child is different and we encourage pupils to be confident and embrace their individuality as they transition into the Prep School at the beginning of Year 3.
The School day
The school day begins at 8.30am and ends at 3:30pm, with the grounds opening from 8am. Children may arrive anytime between 8am and 8.30am where they will be supervised in the Pre-Prep playground. During this time, your child can play in the playground before going to their classroom to register at 8.30am.
At the end of the day, please come and collect your child at 3.30pm from the Pre-Prep building and walk them to where you have parked.
After School Club
Our After School Care Facility (ASCF) is available free of charge, until 4pm. If you would like your child to stay later than 4pm, we offer ASCF from 4pm until 5.30pm which is chargeable at £4.50. Please note that there is a charge of £8 for a late booking (less than 24 hours’ notice).
Reception children may attend our After School Care Facility after October half term with permission granted by their class teachers, on the basis that they have generally settled well into school routines.
Homework
At Habs, homework set is purposeful, with a view to support the education development of our pupils. Research has shown learning from home, linked to classroom work, forms an integral part of learning and tends to be very effective. Independent learning tasks aim to practice skills, apply understanding, enrich learning, help maintain focus independently and develop time management whilst learning at home.
In Reception, homework consists of reading and target words which are sent home during the week. In Year 1 and 2, homework is set twice a week in addition to regular reading practice. Each piece of homework should take no more than 20 minutes to complete.
School timetable
Timetable
PLAYGROUND SUPERVISION 8AM TO 8.30AM
MORNING SESSION 8.30AM TO 12PM
LUNCHTIME 12PM TO 1PM
AFTERNOON SESSION 1PM TO 3.30PM
HOME TIME 3.30PM
FREE AFTER SCHOOL CARE 3.30PM TO 4PM
Rewards
In the Pre-Prep, we are very conscientious in delivering specific praise that focuses on rewarding the process; a child’s journey, ambition and courage to achieve something. Positive praise, stickers and house points are awarded for good work, effort and behaviour.
We have a Celebration Assembly each Friday afternoon to celebrate successes in and out of School. Each week, a student from each class is chosen by their class teacher to be named in The Golden Book. At the end of each half-term, the Students in The Golden Book are invited to a special tea party in the hall.
Catering
Lunchtime
Breakfast club
Snacks
Pupils will have a variety of food options available to them at lunchtime in our Pre-Prep Hall, all provided by our catering services, Holroyd Howe. The catering team are experienced in handling all dietary and allergy needs and pupils only have to ask a member of the team if they need assistance.
Holroyd Howe encourage pupils to try new things and enjoy a balanced diet, offering plenty of different ingredients, cuisines and culinary styles.
Breakfast Club for pupils from both schools is organised and hosted by the Girls’ Junior School from 7.30am each morning. Reception parents can request for their child to attend Breakfast Club with permission granted by their class teachers, on the basis that they have generally settled well into school routines.
During the morning there will be an opportunity for the children to have a healthy snack and a drink of water. Water bottles and snacks are to be provided from home and clearly labelled.
Please find a list below of suitable snacks and note that all snacks must be free from nuts and sesame seeds.
• Any fresh fruit or vegetables (no forks, grapes and olives must be cut in half)
• Dried fruit
Uniform – Reception
Our suppliers, Uniform4Kids, are a local, family-run business and have five stores located nearby and have an online store. Their warehouse, in Centennial Park, Elstree, is five minutes from the school and used as a ‘Click and Collect’ location. There is also a weekly, complimentary drop off service to the school for pre-paid orders, otherwise, orders are dispatched within 24-hours using Parcel Force or can be collected from store.
Returns and exchanges can be done in store, facilitated via the complimentary weekly delivery to school service or via the post.
Click here to view the uniform price list.
Further information
• All uniform must be labelled
• School shoes must be black. Trainers are not permitted
• Trainers for sport can be any colour with non-marking soles
• All pupils require a pair of named wellington boots to be kept at school all year round
• Playtime trainers can be any colour
Uniform list
Reception to Year 2
Uniform
Charcoal trousers, polo shirt with school logo, navy jumper with school logo and charcoal socks (Blazer is from Year 1 only)
Uniform (Shown with school coat, scarf, hat and gloves)
Summer Uniform (Summer Term and first half of Autumn Term only)
Charcoal shorts, polo shirt with school logo, navy jumper with school logo and charcoal socks (Blazer is from Year 1 only)
AND
Backpack – printed with school logo
Art/Science overall
Baseball cap – Navy, printed with school logo
Uniform list
Pictures below are of our PE/Games kits for Reception to Year 2.
PE kit
T-shirt – sublimated, with school logo
Shorts – sublimated, with school logo White socks
Games kit
Reversible rugby jersey sublimated, with school logo
Rugby shorts sublimated, with school logo Socks – navy/blue loops
House tee-shirt with school logo
Midlayer with sublimated piping and school logo
Tracksuit bottoms with sublimated piping and school logo
Boot bag – Navy printed with school logo
Havasak – Navy, printed with school logo
Swim shorts with school logo
Fees
Academic year 2024 /25
Fees are required to be paid by Direct Debit, via our Fees in Advance scheme or via School Fee Plan.
Please click here for information regarding our Fees in Advance Scheme.
Please click here for information regarding out Fees in Advance calculator.
Please click here for information regarding our School Fee Plan.
Fees refund scheme
Please click here for more information on our Fees Refund Scheme.
Insurance cover information
AXA Students Healthcare Scheme
Getting involved
Co-curricular information
We have a selection of clubs available for Reception pupils which are on offer from the Spring Term once the children have settled into Reception. Further details will be shared nearer the time. Lots more co-curricular opportunities become available as they move their way up through the Pre-Prep and Prep School.
Drama
Reception children perform a Nativity show in the Autumn Term and participate in the Pre-Prep summer production Parents and guardians are always warmly invited to come and watch, with the concerts being recorded by the school for those unable to attend.
Music
Sport
Pupils have the chance to participate in curriculum music lessons. Individual Music lessons are not available to pupils in Reception at this time. However they will have plenty of opportunities to get involved in music at school as they move up year groups.
All pupils participate in curriculum sports lessons. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in sport at school in Year 1 and 2.
Travelling to school
Coaches
LittleHabs Chaperoned minibus
service – Reception to Year 2
Click here for more information.
Driving in
At drop off and pick up, there will be a one way system. Please follow the one way system to get to the North Drive car park. Please park there and walk, using the pathway alongside the track field to get to the Pre-Prep building.
Parking
The security barrier on Butterfly Lane is lowered at 5.30pm Monday to Friday. If you need access after 5.30pm then you can still enter via Butterfly Lane. The routine drop-off and pick up point for pupils is the North Drive car park. For evening events, such as parents’ evening or concerts, please park in the North Drive car park.
Introducing our Parents’ Guild
Introducing our Parents’ Guild
Habs Boys’ Parents’ Guild (HBPG) is run by both Prep and Senior School parents. HBPG is a strategic partner for the Boys’ School to enrich and enhance the education of pupils across all year groups and to create opportunities for engagement with the wider school community.
As a parent or guardian of a pupil at Habs Boys, you are automatically a member of the Guild. The Guild is a great way for parents and guardians to get more involved in school life – enabling you to get to know other parents across the year groups and within your child’s class and House.
The school have established a committee of 15 parents, representative of the school community. Alongside this, the Guild have established a network of House reps in the Senior School and we also have an existing network of class reps in the Prep School. The reps across both the Prep and Senior School will communicate most of the Guild’s messages via established class/House WhatsApp groups.
Click here to find out the Parents’ Guild objectives and how they work. We look forward to getting you involved!
School map
Stay connected
/HABSBOYS WWW.HABSBOYS.ORG.UK
@HABSBOYS @HABSBOYSSCHOOL