Welcome to the Junior School
Dear Parents, guardians and all our new pupils,
Welcome to the Junior School of Haberdashers’ Girls’ School. We are excited to have you join our community and for us to start a long lasting relationship. This booklet contains a wealth of practical details for your reference, but should you have any further questions, please see the communications section on page 15.
MRS CLAIRE BROWN HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL
About the Junior School
Habs Junior School is a nurturing learning environment, where everything that we do springs from the four core values of the school; ambition, curiosity, courage and community. With over 300 pupils, aged 4 to 11, the wealth of opportunity is far reaching and extends into all areas of a pupil’s education.
Whenever pupils join the Junior School, we 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 into school regularly and endeavour to work in partnership to support pupils and their learning. Before the start of each academic year, year group expectations and any upcoming changes to the curriculum or school life are shared by class teachers at our Induction Evening event. Specific curriculum overviews are shared each half term through Habs Weekly to give parents a flavour of the topics for the coming term. Family Fridays provide a termly opportunity for your child to share their work with you and are followed by parent information sessions.
At Habs, we want our pupils to have the courage to try something new and with our extensive Co-curricular Programme offer, they have the opportunity to develop an ever-widening range of skills and discover new interests and passions.
Ambition can be experienced in every element of the school, from our new curriculum cricket provision to the expansion of our Forest School programme, thanks to our newly donated Tipi from our Parents’ Guild.
At the Junior School, we want our pupils to feel comfortable and supported in everything they do and we cannot wait to see them grow, succeeding inside and outside the classroom.
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.
First days
We cannot wait to see your child and welcome them and your family to Habs. The first four days will be slightly different to what they will experience for the rest of the academic year.
On Monday 9 September, Aardvarks and Chameleons will join us at 9am to 11am. Puffins and Seahorses will join us at 1pm to 3pm.
On Tuesday 10 September, Puffins and Seahorses will join us at 9am to 11am. Aardvarks and Chameleons will join us at 1pm to 3pm.
On Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 September, all children will start their school day at 8:30am. They will stay for lunch with parents and guardians collecting their child at 1pm.
From Friday 13 September, the children will be on full timetable and we look forward to having parents join us at 2.30pm 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.
For all the above sessions, please park in the visitors car park.
For the Monday to Thursday sessions, please then make your way to the Reception garden. Details of the venue for the Friday tea and biscuits will be communicated at a later date.
First days
YEAR 3
Year 3 is where pupils make a step from one key stage to another. We focus on transition and try to make the move as smooth as possible.
Within the first two weeks of term, pupils have a team building day to help them get to know each other better. We encourage pupils to build skills of independence and we guide them to become more resilient as they embark on their Key Stage 2 learning journey.
Pupils will also be assigned a buddy to support them during their transition period.
On Monday 9 September, pupils should be dropped off between 8am and 8.30am using the drop-off lanes at the front of the school. For the first few days of term, you may want to park in the visitors’ car park and walk your child to the playground, where they will be met by their teacher at 8.30am.
How we care
Phases and Houses
Our school community is made up of four phases:
Each pupil is also a member of one of our four school Houses, each associated with a different colour and animal. Over the course of the school year, pupils participate in a wide range of House competitions and activities, encompassing sport, drama, music and charitable endeavours. These allow our pupils to mix with those from other year groups and foster an atmosphere of team spirit, friendly rivalry and fun!
Buddies
All pupils new to the school are assigned a Buddy to support them as they navigate their first weeks here at Habs. For pupils joining outside of Reception, their Buddy will be a pupil from their own class. Reception pupils will be buddied with Year 5 pupils, who will be there to support them in their first few weeks with us, helping to escort them around the school and ensuring that they are happy as they get used to playing on the playground. They will be introduced to each other in the first few weeks of the Autumn Term.
Wellbeing and PSHE
At Habs, we believe PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education) is crucial in supporting children in their personal development, and underpinning learning in the classroom, school and in the wider community. PSHE education is a subject through which pupils develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to keep themselves healthy, safe and able to form and maintain positive relationships with others. Our PSHE scheme aims to support children to acquire the understanding they need to manage their lives, now and in the future. We aim to encourage mutual respect, resilience, pride, independence and foster selfesteem in a happy and caring atmosphere. As a school, we promote the use of our Cornflower Values, which creates a termly focus and underpins our PSHE curriculum.
Workshops with specialist speakers are organised for all year groups at different times through the year, focusing on age-appropriate issues such as e-safety, physical health, mental health, relationships and anti-bullying. Talks and/or workshops are also delivered to parents.
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
Parents and guardians will be contacted if their child requires liquid paracetamol, ibuprofen or antihistamine during the school day.
Sickness
Emotional wellbeing
Your child should not come into school for 48 hours after any vomiting or diarrhoea episode to avoid contamination.
Please keep your child’s Class Teacher updated on any changes at home which may affect your child’s wellbeing, so that we can provide appropriate pastoral support. We ask that you inform us of any significant events such as divorce or bereavement, which may affect your child emotionally.
Prescribed
and over the counter medications from home
For the administration of medication for your child in school hours, please complete and sign the ‘Prescribed and Over the Counter Medication Permission Form’ which is available on Firefly. All medication must be in the original container, labelled with the pupil’s name, the name of the medicine, the dose and frequency of administration and the expiry date. A separate form is required for each medicine. All medications and accompanying forms must be handed in to the school office by a parent or guardian. Pupils are not to carry medicine on their person during the school day (see over the page for exceptions).
Please note: out of date or unused medication will be returned to parents and guardians for disposal.
Exceptions - medicines pupils can carry
1. Inhalers: Junior School pupils must carry their inhaler and spacer in their school bag which will stay in their cloakroom. If the pupil is away from their school bag, then emergency inhalers are available around the school site for use if required. If a Junior School pupil is having a flare up of their asthma, they will be allowed and encouraged to carry their reliever inhaler and spacer on their person during the school day until the flare up has improved.
2. Adrenaline Auto-Injectors (AAI): Junior School pupils are to carry two AAIs in a waist pouch. Uniformity is expected on this matter to enable staff to easily locate the AAI in an emergency.
This also applies when a pupil is attending a school trip, event or away sports fixture. Pupils will not be permitted to attend without them.
Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring prescribed Adrenaline Auto-Injectors (AAIs) and inhalers are in date and replaced as necessary. In the event of a medical emergency, should your child not be carrying their AAIs or inhaler, we will endeavour seek immediate medical attention. However, we cannot be responsible for the consequences caused by any delay in accessing these medications.
Assemblies
The whole Junior School comes together for assembly on Monday and Friday. On Wednesdays, pupils have assembly in their House or Phase. Friday assemblies are always ‘Celebration Assemblies,’ during which Cornflower Certificates are awarded to children who have evidenced our school values during the preceding week. Once a year, each class will perform an assembly, to which parents will be invited.
Class elections take place at the start of each year for pupils in Years 1 to 6 to join the Student Voice and represent the views and opinions of their class. The team meet regularly to discuss how to improve areas of school life and offer possible suggestions and solutions to any issues that have been identified.
Student Voice Academic support
Year group teaching teams consist of class teachers, LSAs and subject specialists and over the course of the year your child may receive support from these adults in a group or individual basis, as deemed appropriate. This might be to recap and secure knowledge, address misconceptions or provide additional challenge for your child. Additionally, members of our IN (Individual Needs) department may work alongside individuals or groups of pupils in class or run a series of sessions to focus on specific areas of learning. You or your child can speak to Mrs Sarah Summers (ssummers@habselstree.org.uk) for more information.
Mobile phone usage
Click here for our mobile phone policy.
How we stay in touch
Communication
Communication
Should you need to communicate with your child’s class teacher, please do so via email. Due to teaching commitments throughout the day, please be aware that emails may not be read and / or responded to immediately and therefore, if your communication is urgent, please also email the Junior School Office. Please also note that emails will not be responded to over weekends or during holiday periods. The Junior School often utilises X (previously Twitter) and posts comments and pictures which share daily school life. Follow us at @habsgirlsJunior
Full written report
All pupils will receive an annual full written report. For each subject, teachers comment on key strengths and areas for development. Additionally, pupils will receive feedback relating to attainment and approach to learning, and an overall comment from their Class Teacher and Phase Leader. Where it is a pupil’s first or final report in their Junior School journey, a Headteacher comment will be made in place of a Phase Leader comment. For pupils in Years 1 to 6 the report will be shared with parents in the Spring Term. For pupils in Reception, written reports are shared at the end of the Summer Term and assessments are made against the seven areas of learning and development.
Grade sheets
Pupils in Years 1 to 5 will receive a grade sheet in the Summer Term, whereby teachers give feedback on attainment and approach to learning in the core subjects (Maths, English and Science). These statements mirror those in the full written report.
Parents’ evenings
Parents’ evenings take place twice a year and are an opportunity to discuss strengths, areas for development and progress. As well as this, parents with children in Years 1 to 6 will also be offered the opportunity to meet with subject specialist teachers once in the academic year.
Valedictories
In Year 6, pupils will receive a valedictory at the end of the Summer Term which celebrates their individual highlights and successes in the Junior School.
Questions or concerns
Your child’s class teacher should always be your first port of call for any questions or concerns. Class teachers share their email addresses with parents, so do email them directly and, if required, a suitable time for a phone conversation or meeting can be arranged.
For any academic questions, please contact Ms Debs Lansdown (Deputy Head Academic) via email: dlansdown@habselstree.org.uk . For any pastoral matters, please contact Ms Ursula Elliott (Deputy Head Pastoral) via email: uelliott@habselstree.org.uk .
Individual needs
Our Individual Needs Policy supports the needs of all children. We use reasonable adjustments to ensure that all pupils can participate fully in school life and reach their full potential. We work in close partnership with parents and guardians to build high levels of selfesteem and self-advocacy for children with learning differences, helping them to engage and fully participate in learning opportunities.
The Head of Individual Needs co-ordinates a team consisting of two teachers and a learning support assistant. Our Individual Needs Policy is available on the school website here. 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.
Important websites
FIREFLY: HABSELSTREESCHOOLS.FIREFLYCLOUD.NET
The Parent Portal contains a host of important information and is where you can email the school regarding absences or any other matter. The portal holds all annual written reports, grade sheets, letters, school timetable, school calendar and coach service bookings.
SOCS: SOCSCMS.COM/LOGIN/129
This is the website where pupils in Years 1 to 6 sign up for co-curricular clubs.
EVOLVE: PAYING EVENTS
This website is used for all trip bookings, paid for events and for parents to give consent.
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.
Pupils from Year 3 to Year 6 will be given an email account which teachers can email them on. They will receive login in details and further information once they start at Habs. They will also have a Microsoft Teams account.
Attendance
The school must be informed of absence for any reason, either planned or unplanned. If your child is absent for any reason, work will not be provided. We request that absences are kept to a minimum. Please see our Attendance Policy for further information
Unplanned absence
Planned absence
Contact the school by 8.30am on the first day of absence and again if your child is absent for more than three days or over a weekend, either through Firefly or the telephone absence line (0208 266 2400).
For planned absences, such as hospital appointments or music exams, please request permission from the school via Firefly with a minimum of two days’ notice. Planned absence requests should be marked for the attention of the Deputy Head Pastoral. To minimise disruption to your child’s education, we request that non-emergency dental and medical appointments are made outside of school hours, where possible.
Exceptional absence requests
Religious observance
Permission for exceptional absence should be sought from the Head of the Junior School, via Firefly, at least two weeks in advance. The Head of the Junior School will then confirm whether the circumstances meet the definition of ‘exceptional circumstances’ for which leave of absence may be authorised by the School.
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 Boys' School.
Click here to view term dates on our website.
Learning at home
At Habs, we want pupils to maintain a healthy balance between learning and school commitments, relaxing and having down time all while enjoying being a child! Research shows learning at home, linked to classroom work, forms an integral part of learning and tends to be very effective. Independent learning tasks aim to practise skills, apply understanding, enrich learning, help maintain focus independently and develop time management while learning at home. These tasks may include revision for an upcoming assessment or practice of a skill from a learning point that day or week. For our learning from home expectations, please click here.
Foundational skills aim to establish excellent foundations in reading, spelling and arithmetic:
• child reading to an adult
• adult reading to a child
• phonics or spelling practice
• arithmetic practice
Pupils will receive feedback from their teachers in a variety of ways, including (but not limited to) verbal, written, whole class feedback and feedback suitable on a formal assessment. By doing this, we provide pupils with an understanding of how to progress and where they are with their current level of skill/knowledge. It also provides teachers with valuable information to adapt and inform future teaching and learning. Feedback is given regularly, appropriate to the age and stage of the pupils.
Curriculum Vision and Values
At Habs Girls Junior School, we are committed to:
• Providing an outstanding education in which pupils enjoy working hard to fulfil their potential
• Enhancing the ‘whole person’, promoting opportunities for personal development including leadership and key life skills
• Providing a secure and safe environment both physically and emotionally for pupils to thrive
• Respecting the best of the traditional whilst embracing innovation and creativity both within the pupil and staff community
• Encouraging the whole school - pupils and staff - to become a life-long learning community
• Retaining our independence as a Girls’ School whilst also taking advantage of our co-location to maximise opportunities to collaborate with the Boys’ Prep School
• Embedding the core values of Courage, Curiosity, Community and Ambition in our pupils through active participation in daily life and rewarding pupils who display these values through our weekly Cornflower assemblies
School day
Reception
Pupils may be dropped off from 8am and come into the Reception garden. Pupils will enter the classrooms just before 8.35am when the bell is rung. The structure of each day varies and your child will experience a mixture of whole class sessions, adult directed activities (small group learning) and child initiated learning throughout the classroom environment, both inside and outside. Phonics sessions happen daily.
Your child will also have specialist teaching throughout the week.
• PE lessons are taught twice a week by the PE team
• Performing Arts lessons are taught weekly by the Performing Arts team
• Forest School sessions are taught once a week, led by Mrs Usher
• Spanish lessons are taught once a week
• Two introductory swimming sessions will be timetabled in for the Summer Term
Parents can help prepare their child by reinforcing school expectations such as:
• Good manners
• Dressing and undressing independently
• Eating with a knife and fork independently
• Attending to their toilet needs appropriately and by themselves
• Realising mistakes are a learning opportunity
• Sharing
• Initiating their own play
• Tidying up after themselves
School day
Morning drop off
Reception, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 have a designated drop off lane system in front of the Senior School. Pupils will then make their way to the playground under the supervision of staff. Older siblings travelling with younger siblings should follow the protocol for the youngest sibling.
Pupils in Year 4, 5, and 6 should be dropped off in the main car park and walk independently to the playground, using the crossings and walkways.
The school will take responsibility for pupils in the playground from 8am. Please wait at the gates with your child until 8am when staff will supervise the pupils. Any unaccompanied pupils present on the playground before 8am will be taken to breakfast club to ensure their safety, and parents will be charged for their child’s attendance at breakfast club.
When the whistle is blown just before 8.35am, pupils will be met by a member of staff in the playground and pupils in Year 3 upwards will make their own way to their classrooms. Pupils in Reception to Year 2 will be supervised by staff as they head to their classroom.
Registration is at 8.35am, with lessons starting at 8.45am. Pupils arriving after 8.35am should enter through the Junior School Reception and proceed promptly to their classroom. Pupils arriving after 8.45am should report to the Junior School Reception to be signed in.
Breakfast Club
Pupils in Years 1 to 6 can attend Breakfast Club before school, this is run by Junior School staff and our catering team. It takes place in the Dining Hall and children (Junior School girls and boys from the Pre Prep and Prep school) may attend from 7.30am. Children must be dropped off by a parent or carer at the Dining Hall doors at the rear of the building. Those who require a school breakfast must arrive by 7.45am and staff will ensure that pupils eat a suitable amount of breakfast for their age. After breakfast there are a range of fun activities to occupy the children until it is time to leave.
Breakfast Club is a chargeable session, costing £4.50 (or £8 for a late booking which is less than 24 hours’ notice). A booking form is available via Firefly. Please note, Reception pupils can only attend Breakfast Club once parents and the school have agreed they have settled well into their new routines and are ready to manage this addition to their day. This can be discussed with your child’s class teacher.
School day
Break time
After school collection
There is a short mid-morning break (20 minutes).
Parents of pupils in Reception, Years 1, 2 and 3 are requested to complete an online travel form on Firefly outlining collection arrangements and accompanying contact details for their children. These forms are kept for reference by class teachers. Any permanent changes to arrangements should be updated on Firefly. Pupils in Reception must be collected from their classroom door. Students in Key Stage 1 may be collected by a sibling in Year 10 or above. Students in Key Stage 2 may be collected by a sibling in Year 7 or above. Should you wish your child to be collected by a sibling, the sibling must be added as an authorised collector on Firefly.
After School Care
We offer After School Care for all pupils in the Junior School from 3.30-5.30pm, which is supervised by members of Junior School Staff. There is a charge for this service and a booking form is available on Firefly under the Resources section. After School Care from 3.30pm to 4pm is free, with the late After School Care session becoming chargeable at £4.50 from 4pm (parents will be charged £8 for a late booking, with less than 24 hours’ notice).
As with Breakfast Club, parents of pupils in Reception can request for their child to attend After School Care with permission granted by their class teachers, on the basis that they have generally settled well into school routines and will be able to cope with this extension to their school day.
Birthdays and celebrations
We acknowledge that birthdays and other celebrations are special times. However, please note that we do not celebrate birthdays or any other special occasions with the sharing of food or gifts in school.
Breakfast club / after school care timetable
RECEPTION
YEAR 1
YEAR 2
YEAR 3
YEAR 4
YEAR 5
YEAR 6
School timetable
PERIOD
TIMINGS
REG 8.35AM TO 8.45AM
0 8.45AM TO 9.15AM 1A 9.15AM TO 9.45AM
1B 9.45AM TO 10.15AM
BREAK 10.15AM TO 10.35AM
2A 10.35AM TO 11.05AM
2B 11.05AM TO 11.35AM TT 11.35AM TO 11.40AM
3A 11.40AM TO 12.10PM
LUNCH (3B) 12.10PM TO 12.40PM LUNCH 12.40PM TO 1.20PM REG 1.20PM TO 1.25PM 3C 1.25PM TO 1.55PM 4A 1.55PM TO 2.25PM 4B 2.25PM TO 1.55PM TT 2.55PM TO 3PM 5A 3PM TO 3.30PM 5B 3.30PM TO 4PM
Celebrations and Awards
In the Junior School, we celebrate our pupils’ effort and achievement in a number of ways. Depending on their age, pupils may be rewarded with verbal or written praise, stickers or stamps, class points, Star of the Day awards or Golden Time. Children may also be awarded with House points for demonstrating our school values. Updates on House points are announced termly in assembly.
Cornflower Certificates are also awarded in Friday Celebration Assembles to pupils who have shown exceptional commitment to one of our school values during the preceding week. Each pupil will receive a Cornflower Certificate twice during the academic year.
Habs Girls unior School
Cornflower
Award
Catering
Lunchtime
School lunches are included in your child’s termly fees. All Junior School pupils are entitled to school lunch as part of their termly fees and are expected to partake in this.
Holroyd Howe encourage pupils to try new things and enjoy a balanced diet, offering plenty of different ingredients, cuisines and culinary styles. You can discuss the weekly menu options with your child, they are available every Friday, within Habs Weekly.
Parents must inform the school via Firefly of any foods that your child cannot eat for religious or medical reasons, so that our catering team can ensure that their needs are met. It is important that your child is also aware of their own dietary requirements, so that they can make appropriate choices at lunchtime. There is a wristband system in place in Key Stage 1 to support younger children with this. We are able to accommodate the vast majority of dietary requirements and our catering manager is always happy to discuss any concerns. Pupils in Key Stage 2 collect their lunch from the Allergy Counter in the Dining Hall, where they are assisted by a member of our catering team.
Should there be an exceptional circumstance where a child requires a packed lunch, please contact the school to discuss this. We kindly ask parents to note that, in this case, the school lunch costs are non-refundable.
Reception to Year 2 have lunch in the Performance Space while Years 3 to 6 eat in the main Dining Hall. They will eat here regardless of whether they have a packed lunch or a school-provided lunch.
Snacks
Fresh fruit is provided at break times for all pupils. However, if parents prefer, they may provide their child with a snack from home. Please find below a list of permitted snacks, which 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
• Small bag of breadsticks
• Nut-free cereal bars
• Small slice of malt loaf/fruit bread
Please also provide a named, reusable water bottle for your child to bring in daily. These can be carried in the side pocket of the school rucksacks rather than inside them in case of leaks and spills.
Reception allergy wristbands
In Reception, each pupil will be issued with a wristband which shows their dietary requirements:
Red Acute Allergies
Vegetarian
No Beef
Egg or Dairy Allergy
Can eat anything/no specific requirements
Halal meat only
Pupils may have more than one colour wristband.
Pescatarian Green Yellow Blue Orange Pink Purple
Uniform
Our uniform has changed and is available to purchase from Uniform4Kids.
The following year groups will be required to wear the new uniform from September 2024: Reception (2024 entry), Year 3 (current Year 2) and Lower 4/Year 7 (current Year 6) and all students joining as an occasional place.
Our suppliers, Uniform4Kids, are a local, family-run business and have five stores located nearby as well as 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 carried out in store, facilitated via the complimentary weekly delivery to school service or via the post.
Parents can also get uniform from Stevensons, 133-135 Victoria Street, St Albans, Herts.
Click here to view the uniform price list.
Click here to view our Forest School uniform requirements.
Uniform list
Further information
• For our stationery list for Years 3 to 6, click here.
• Long hair must be tied back and kept away form the face with hair slides, bobbles, ribbons or Alice bands. If worn, these must be navy and plain in design
• Scrunchies that echo the stripes of the summer dress may be worn with summer dresses, between the start of the Summer Term up to the October half term break
• No jewellery is permitted except for one, plain gold or silver coloured stud in each earlobe – they must be easily removed independently by pupils for all PE and swimming lessons
• The only exception to this rule is during the six-week period after the date of ear piercing, but earrings must be covered with medical tape (or swimming hat as appropriate) during PE lessons. For this reason, we encourage new piercings to be arranged at the start of the summer holidays
• Jewellery worn for religious reasons needs to be securely taped with micropore tape to ensure safety
• Tape to cover jewellery must be brought from home
• Pupils in Reception are not permitted to wear watches until the Summer Term where they are allowed to wear analogue watches
• Pupils in Years 1 and 2 can wear analogue watches
• Pupils in Years 3 to 6 can wear analogue or digital watches. Please note, digital watches must not have connectivity
• Wellington boots – all pupils require a pair of named Wellington boots to be kept at school all year round
Winter Footwear Guidelines
During the colder months, we recognise the need for children to have appropriate footwear that provides warmth and protection against the weather. To support this, we are pleased to allow winter boots to be worn at school, provided they adhere to the attached guidelines.
Uniform list
Reception to Year 6
Uniform (visual wearing the tunic)
Uniform with coat, scarf and hat (visual wearing trousers)
Blouse – White
V-Neck jumper –
Coat – Navy, embroidered
Overall
Uniform list
Reception to Year 6
Summer dress
Summer shorts and short sleeve blouse
Summer Dress –Navy/White stripe
Short Sleeve Blouse –White revere collar
Uniform list
Sports Kit – Reception to Year 2
Polo shirt, Sweatshirt with jogging bottoms
House T-Shirt with shorts
Polo shirt with shorts
House T – Shirt –printed with school logo
Swimbag – Navy, printed with school logo
Havasak – Navy, printed with school logo
Swimsuit – Navy printed
Sweatshirt – Red, Polo Shirt – Navy, with sublimated piping, embroidered
Shorts – Navy, with sublimated piping, embroidered with school logo
Jogging Bottoms – Red
Uniform list
Sports Kit – Year 3 to Year 6
Polo shirt with shorts
Polo shirt with shorts with inner shorts OR
House top with shorts
Polo shirt with skort (Year 5 & 6)
Polo shirt with baselayer top and leggings
Tracksuit with midlayer and waterproof
OPTIONAL
Holdall – Navy, printed with school logo
Swimsuit – Navy printed
Baselayer Leggings Navy, printed with school logo
Havasak – Navy, printed with school logo
Tracksuit Bottoms – Navy, with sublimated piping
Midlayer – Navy, with sublimated piping, embroidered with school logo
Baselayer Top –Navy, printed with school logo
House T – Shirt – Printed
YEAR 5 & 6
Skort – Navy, with sublimated piping, embroidered with school logo
Shorts – Navy, with sublimated piping, embroidered with school logo
Fees
Academic year 2024 /25
Please click here for information regarding our Fees in Advance Scheme.
Please click here for information regarding our Fees in advance calculator
Please click here for information regarding our School Fee Plan.
Please click here for information regarding our Coach prices.
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
In the Junior School, the ACE (Additional Curriculum Enrichment) programme is designed to offer pupils the opportunity to experience a wide range of activities that complement the curriculum and encompass our values.
Each pupil will have a unique ACE experience and, over the course of a year, is encouraged to develop and pursue existing skills and interests alongside trying new activities. Sessions are led by members of our teaching community as well as specialist coaches and external providers and take place at lunchtimes and after school. Selected activities are run in collaboration with Haberdashers’ Boys’ School.
ACE activities fall into four categories and over the course of any academic year, pupils should aim to take part in at least one activity from each:
Create & Construct Music & Performance
Sport
Think & Speak
Brochures for each year group with full details are sent out termly via Habs weekly with details on how to book activities. Once allocated a place, pupils are expected to attend their allocated activities for the duration of term. For all activities taking place at Habs Girls, pupils should be met in the Junior School playground at the end of their afterschool ACE activities. For all activities taking place at Habs Boys, pupils should be met at the Boys’ Prep School Reception.
ACE Programme - KS1
This is an example ACE programme offering:
Lunchtime ACE
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
Multi-sports Maths Games and Puzzles Act a story Creative fun
Playground Games STEM Singing Gardening Club
Painting by Numbers
Wraparound ACE
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
Drama (LAMDA) Drama (LAMDA) Drama (LAMDA) Drama (LAMDA)
Karate KS1 Ballet* Performing Arts*
*Joint activity with Prep school
Ace Programme - KS2
This is an example ACE programme offering:
Lunchtime ACE
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
Junior School Choir Debating Brass Ensemble Sewing Double Reed
Mad Maths Design and Make Sports Day Skills German Junior Symphony Orchestra
Science Book Club IDEA Typing Skills Guitar Ensemble Cricket
Creative Writing Golden Bones Flamenco Dancing Super Saxes
Recreational Tennis
Wraparound ACE
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
Creative Kid* Fencing* Chamber Strings Swim Squad Water Polo
Chess Gym Squad
Descant Recorders Football Squad
Robotics* Street Dance Year 5 and Year 6 Karate Python Coding*
Climbing Wall* KS2 Ballet
Table Tennis* Mandarin
*Joint activity with Prep school
To ensure pupils have a balance between lunchtime co-curricular opportunities and socialising with their peers in the playground, the number of ACE activities a pupil can participate in each term is as follows:
Music
Sport
Co-curricular music is an important part of the Junior School. Our ACE Programme includes a range of weekly ensembles, choirs and a KS2 orchestra. Pupils in Years 3-6 can attend individual music lessons, which take place weekly, during the school day. A taster session is arranged for Year 2 pupils during the Spring Term to help them decide on their preferred instrument. For more information about music lessons, parents can contact Ms Mea Jenkins (mjenkins@habselstree.org.uk).
Our PE team run squad training alongside recreational activities as part of the ACE programme and there are many different sports available to pupils throughout the year. External coaches provide additional expertise for activities such as Karate, Fencing and Ballet.
Travelling to School
Coaches
The School Transport Manager, Ms Emma Summers, will be pleased to answer any parental questions regarding travelling to and from Habs. Emma and her team can be contacted by email on transport@habselstree.org.uk or on 020 8266 1920.
Parents are responsible for their children until they board the school coach. When travelling by coach, all pupils must have with them a working and in-credit mobile phone.
Coach tickets are available for regular travel or single journeys. Single journey coach tickets can be purchased from the School Office, subject to availability, for the day in question.
Should your child lose an item on the coach and it is found by the coach company, it will be placed in the lost property racks in the Coach Park. If it is of high value, such as a musical instrument or a mobile phone, it will be taken to the Coach Park Office and can be retrieved by asking a member of staff on duty in the Coach Park. There is a Code of Conduct for the Coach Service which all parents, guardians and pupils must follow when using the service.
The coach is available for Year 3 and above only. To book your child's coach seat for September 2024, please read this letter and book here.
LittleHabs Chaperoned minibus service – Reception to Year 2
Click here for more information.
Driving in
Parents can access the school drop off area through Aldenham Road. If approaching from the direction of our coach park, it will be the first turning on your left. If you are approaching from Watford Road, it will be the second turning on your right.
End of day pick up and parking
Pupils in Reception to Year 2 must be collected from the Junior School playground at the end of the day by a parent or guardian. Those in Years 3 to 6 must walk to the student shelter in the car park using the pathways and crossing to meet their parent or guardian. For those pupils using the coach service, they will walk independently to the coach park using the pathways and crossings.
If your child is going home with another adult who is not an authorised collector, a written note or email must be sent in advance to the class teacher and Mrs Walsh, otherwise your child will not be allowed to leave. We cannot allow your child to go with another parent unless you have specifically informed us. In an emergency, please phone the school with your change of arrangements.
Year 3 pupils will be supervised by staff for the first two weeks of the Autumn Term and a Junior School staff member will be in the car park on duty to supervise all pupils until 4.30pm. After this time, any students not collected will be taken to after school care, and parents or guardians will be charged for this. Any pupil who has not been collected from After School Care by 5.30pm, will be taken to the Senior School Reception, and their parent or guardian will be contacted. The child will then wait with a member of the school’s Senior Leadership Team, until they are collected.
Introducing our Parents’ Guild
Introducing our Parents’ Guild
We are excited to introduce to parents and guardians our St Catherine Parents’ Guild. This is the official name of the Parents’ Association at Habs Girls, named after the school’s patron saint, but you will often hear it referred to simply as the Guild. Run by both Junior and Senior School parents, you will automatically become a member of the Guild when your child joins.
The Guild is a great way for parents and guardians to become more involved in school life – enabling you to know other parents across year groups and within your child’s class and year group. There are several social and fundraising events throughout the year organised and run by the Guild, including a Fireworks Extravaganza, Quiz Night, Vintage Tea Party, Junior Disco and a Summer Fun Day. These events are fantastic opportunities to socialise with other parents from across both school communities.
An element of fundraising is also involved, purchasing lovely extras for the pupils. A new outdoor classroom (tipi) has enhanced our outdoor learning provision for which we are most grateful to the Guild.
The Guild also hold outgrown uniform sales several times a year and sell branded items.
Committee meetings are open to all parents every half term, so please do come along to hear the latest news about events and how you can help. You can also share any ideas or hidden talents with us.
If would like any further information, including more details about the half termly meetings, please do not hesitate to contact the Guild by emailing stcatherineparentsguild@gmail.com.
School map
Stay connected
HABSGIRLSSCHOOL WWW.HABSGIRLS.ORG.UK
@HABSGIRLSSCHOOL @HABSGIRLSJUNIOR @HABSGIRLSSCHOOL
