Pre-Prep and Prep Weekly Bulletin - 23 June 2023

Head of Prep School’s Message

Ms Kate Umpleby

I hope you are all well and have had the opportunity to enjoy the lovely sunshine over the last week or so. We have been trying to ensure we move learning outside as much as possible and make the most of the fantastic facilities we have access to. I particularly enjoyed covering a Forest School lesson last week where the students learnt how sundials work due to the rotation of the Earth and then put their learning into practice by making sundials and tracking the shadows through time. Lots of fun, but also a lot of inter-disciplinary learning – maths, science and even a little geography.

It’s been a super week at the Prep School. The weather was ideal for the Pre-Prep Sports morning yesterday. The students pulled out all the stops, throwing, jumping and running to the very best of their ability. Lots of smiles, lots of laughter and a dash of healthy competition from students, parents and teachers. However, what stood out to me was the support and encouragement that the students were showing each other. Cheering for their friends as they crossed the finish line and congratulating them on their efforts as they returned after a throw or jump. It was heart-warming to see the epitome of our school’s value - Community.

Yesterday was also the day that many of our Year 3 to 6 students had been looking forward to and working towards for much of the summer term - the famous Battle of the Bands Finals. I have heard how fantastic this event has been on many an occasion since arriving in September, so was also rather excited to see it for myself. I was not disappointed. The bands rocked, popped and jammed to an audience of enthusiastic and adoring fans, parents, students and teachers. They were magnificent exemplifying our values of Courage and Ambition with performances from Coldplay to Bon Jovi, One Direction to Eminem. I know that a lot of time was spent at home rehearsing and preparing ahead of the performances, so thank you, parents, for your patience and support. I can imagine it was rather loud at times!

As we look ahead to the final two weeks of the year, there are a myriad of special events still to look forward to: Prep Sports Day, Parents’ Guild Summer Fair, Year 6 Commendation Celebration and of course the Summer Concert. If you can, please join us as we come together as a community to have fun and celebrate a fantastic year at the Prep School.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Reception to Year 6 Information

Lunch Menus WEEK COMMENCING 26 JUNE

Click here to view the Pre-Prep lunch menu.

Click here to view the Prep lunch menu.

After School Care Facility BOOKING LINK

Please click here to book your child into After School Care.

Summer Reading Challenges

The Prep Library is running two summer reading challenges for the pupils. All pupils in Years 2 to 5 are invited to read for our Reading Bingo, please click here, writing the title of the book that fits the description in the correct box, after they have finished reading. To complete all boxes, the pupils could be reading up to 20 books over the summer. They should bring their named, completed bingo sheets back to the library at the start of the autumn term.

Pupils in Years 4 and 5 have also been invited to create their own Reading Rivers for a display that will be going up in September. They have been shown an example of this in library lessons and should use their creative skills imaginatively, as well as incorporating as many ‘reads’ as possible on their river journey. Lastly, there is a national Summer Reading Challenge run online

and in local libraries, in which children set a reading goal and collect reading rewards. We strongly encourage the children to sign up.

The important thing is for all the pupils to keep reading books they enjoy over the summer holidays. This will stand them in good stead for continuing their learning in the autumn term.

New!

Poetry Recital

THURSDAY 6 JULY

The Reception to Year 6 Poetry Recital will be taking place on Thursday 6 July. Please select a poem and learn it off by heart, it should be no longer than 2 minutes and it is not compulsory for students to take part. You will need to upload your poem recording via this link. House Leaders will select one student per house, per phase to perform to the school. Be creative with your choice!

Habs Boys Summer Fair

SATURDAY 1 JULY

Please click here to view information about the upcoming Habs Boys Summer Fair.

Habs Boys Summer Fair – an Update!

Thank you to all those who have brought in their filled pots for the tombola. They look absolutely fantastic. If you have your pot still at home, we are collecting as many as possible so please encourage your child to fill them up and bring them in to reception. If your pot never made it home (or was broken) you can use any plastic pot you have and we will try to leave some extra ones at Prep reception next week. On the day of the fair, all these pots will be prizes on our tombola.

Separately, we will very shortly be collecting any books (in good condition) that you would like to pass on for our second hand book stall and also any used sports equipment for our second hand sports equipment stall. If you have used tennis rackets, footballs, rugby balls, cricket bats, hockey sticks, etc, keep them for the Guild and we will announce where to drop them off shortly. Thank you to Years 3 to 6 for helping us run some stalls on the day of the Fair. Your class reps are pulling together a list and we are truly grateful for all your support. If you have registered your interest via the Guild email address to help, we will be in touch with you very shortly.

Finally, tickets for the inflatables and stalls will be on sale shortly, alongside raffle tickets and our silent auction.

Year 3 to Year 6 Information

iPads

IMPORTANT REMINDER

Please note, as per the information provided in the newsletter dated Friday 19 May, staff will be collecting all iPads on Monday 26 June. Please ensure your child has their iPad, including their keyboard, stylus pen and charger with them in school on this day. Whilst we understand natural wear and tear is expected, any items that are lost or damaged need to be replaced at your cost. You will be contacted should this be the case.

Years 3 to 6 Sports Day

IMPORTANT REMINDER - WEDNESDAY 28 JUNE

Please click here to view the running order of events on sports day. Parking will be available on Pitch 5. Please make your way over to the field behind the Pennes changing rooms.

Coach Service on Sports Day

IMPORTANT REMINDER

Please click here to view an important reminder about coach services on Sports Day.

Warm Weather

With the weather forecast continuing to look increasingly warm over the next few weeks, please do provide your child with a water bottle during the school day. They can fill their water bottle up at school once it is empty. Please also provide your child with suncream and a hat as appropriate that they can wear during break time. The suncream will need to be applied at home before the start of the school day as required and can be topped up at school. If you have any concerns, then please do contact your child’s form tutor.

Wednesday 5 July 2023

2pm to 3pm, Bourne Hall

Summer Concert

Years 3 to 6

We are delighted to welcome parents and guardians to attend the Years 3 to 6 Summer Concert on Wednesday 5 July from 2pm to 3pm in the Bourne Hall. Refreshments will be available from 1.30pm. Please park on Pitch 5 on arrival.

Reception

Pre-Prep Summer Production

FRIDAY 30 JUNE

We warmly invite you to our Pre-Prep Summer Production on Friday 30 June at 2pm in the Seldon Hall. Doors will open and refreshments will be served from 1.30pm in the Seldon Hall foyer. Please do not arrive before 1.30pm. Due to limited hall capacity seats are limited to two per child.

Year

1

Pre-Prep Summer Production

FRIDAY 30 JUNE

We warmly invite you to our Pre-Prep Summer Production on Friday 30 June at 2pm in the Seldon Hall. Doors will open and refreshments will be served from 1.30pm in the Seldon Hall foyer. Please do not arrive before 1.30pm. Due to limited hall capacity seats are limited to two per child.

Year 2

Pre-Prep Summer Production

FRIDAY 30 JUNE

We warmly invite you to our Pre-Prep Summer Production on Friday 30 June at 2pm in the Seldon Hall. Doors will open and refreshments will be served from 1.30pm in the Seldon Hall foyer. Please do not arrive before 1.30pm. Due to limited hall capacity seats are limited to two per child.

Year 3

MESSAGES THIS WEEK.

Year 4

Year 5 Induction Evening

THURSDAY 29 JUNE

Please click here for information regarding the Year 5 Induction Evening on Thursday 29 June.

Year 5

Joint Year 5 Performance Group Showcase Reminder

THURSDAY 29 JUNE

Parents and guardians of those attending the Joint Year 5 Performance Group are welcome to attend the Showcase which will take place on Thursday 29 June at 4.15pm in the Girls School Prevett Hall.

Year 6

6SA Class Assembly

FRIDAY 30 JUNE

We are delighted to extend an invite to you to attend 6SA’s Class Assembly on Friday 30 June. Please arrive at the Prep School Reception at 1.25pm to sign in in time for the start of the assembly which will begin at 1.30pm. We anticipate the assembly will last approximately 30 minutes and should finish by 2pm. Parking will be available via the Butterfly Lane entrance on Pitch 5. We look forward to welcoming you on the day.

New!

PREP SPORTS FIXTURES

MONDAY 26 JUNE Year 5 Cricket v Radlett (Away)

TUESDAY 27 JUNE Year 4 Cricket v Radlett (Away)

WEDNESDAY 28 JUNE Years 3 to 6 Sports Day

THURSDAY 29 JUNE Year 3 Cricket v St Johns (Away)

FRIDAY 30 JUNE Year 6 Cricket and Tennis v Highgate (Away)

MONDAY 3 JULY * Year 5 Tennis Tournament

* Selected pupils will be invited to participate via Evolve

For further dates, please refer to the school calendar on Firefly.

PRE-PREP CALENDAR DATES

THURSDAY 29 JUNE

Summer Production Rehearsals

FRIDAY 30 JUNE

Summer Production (Seldon Hall)

THURSDAY 6 JULY

Summer Term Ends

PREP CALENDAR DATES

WEDNESDAY 28 JUNE Years 3 to 6 Sports Day

THURSDAY 29 JUNE Year 4 Induction Evening into Year 5

SATURDAY 1 JULY Habs Boys Summer Fair

WEDNESDAY 5 JULY Year 6 Commendation and Prize Giving (10am to 12pm) Year 3 to Year 6 Summer Concert (2pm to 3pm)

THURSDAY 6 JULY Summer Term Ends

For further dates, please refer to the school calendar on Firefly.