Junior School Weekly - 16 June 2023

Habs

Weekly Junior School edition

Friday 16 June Summer Term

Junior School’s Message

Ms D Lansdown (Acting Head of Junior School)

As we approach the end of the summer term and eagerly anticipate the new academic year, next week brings an exciting time for Rainbow to Year 5 Junior School pupils as they discover their teachers and classes for September 2023. It promises to be a week where our school values of courage and community shine brightly. Our Year 6 pupils transitioning into the senior school will have to wait just one more day for their Welcome to Lower 4 day on Thursday 22 June. Transition periods like these are full of potential for growth, learning and new experiences. We encourage you to join forces with your child to embrace this opportunity with an open mind, curiosity and a positive attitude. Remind them that they are not alone in this journey; their family, class peers, teachers and our entire school community are here to support them as they progress into their new year group.

Transitioning to a new class is a significant milestone for our students, and we strive to make this experience as smooth and positive as possible. We believe that creating a sense of familiarity and fostering new connections are crucial for a successful transition. Here is what you and your child can expect next week:

Class Changeover Day: On Wednesday June 21, we will share the exciting news of the upcoming academic year's class teacher with the pupils. Each student will have the opportunity to spend time with their new teacher and classmates in their new classroom environment. The details of class lists, class teachers and timetables will be shared with parents at around lunchtime on the same day.

In year groups with newly formed classes, Years 1, 3 and 5, we have carefully considered each child's academic, social and emotional needs to create two new, balanced class groups. We look forward to welcoming all parents to the induction event on the evening of Wednesday 21 June. In addition to sharing year groupspecific information with you, staff will be available to address any queries you may have, ensuring a seamless transition for your child into their new class.

We understand that some students may experience a mix of excitement and apprehension, and as a staff team, we are here to provide guidance and reassurance. For those pupils who may be feeling a little uncertain about next week's events, there is a helpful resource to be found on Tooled Up, which parents may find useful to read and then look at with their child(ren). Please click here for the resource. Once you are logged in please search for 'junior wobble sheet'.

Cornflower Assembly

Friday 9 June

Friday afternoon assemblies are always a time of joy and celebration in the Junior School. Our weekly Cornflower Assembly celebrates individuals who have particularly demonstrated ways in which they have embodied our school values: Courage, Curiosity, Community and Ambition. We cherish our Cornflower Assemblies and hope that you enjoy celebrating weekly with us too.

Ambition

Aarya (Rainbow Blue)

Ivy (Rainbow Red)

Rachel (1 Green)

Anaiya (2A)

Siyanna (2 Alpha)

Juhi (3A)

Alayna (3 Alpha)

Lucy (4 Aesc)

Saffia (4 Aleph)

Trisha (5 Aesc)

Annie-Selin (5 Aleph)

Anara (5 Aleph)

Courage

Eva (1 Orange)

Adeyeni (1 Orange)

Dora (6 Aesc)

Community

Leila (4 Aesc)

Sienna (6 Aleph)

Curiosity

Ayla (Rainbow Red)

Sia (3A)

Aleesha (3 Alpha)

Anya (4 Aleph)

Anaiya (5 Aleph)

Rainbow to Year 6 Information

Lunch Menus

WEEK COMMENCING 19 JUNE

Click here to view our Rainbow and KS1 lunch menu.

Click here to view our KS2 lunch menu.

Wraparound Care

BOOKING LINK

Please click here to book your child into Wraparound Care.

New Uniform Update

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Please click here to view information on the new uniform phasing plans.

Sports Day

THURSDAY 29 JUNE

You are warmly welcome to come and support your child in their Sports Day which is taking place on Thursday 29 June on the Habs Girls playing fields.

• 10am to 11.30am - Foundation Phase Sports Day

• 1pm to 3.30pm - Middle and Upper Phase Sports Day

Attending parents must park on the field in Zone 3, the current pick up area for Junior School.

Reminder for pupils:

• Full PE skirt/shorts, house t shirt, white socks and trainers

• School sun hat

• Applied suncream at home in the morning

• A full bottle of water

On this occasion, pupils in Years 2 to 6 travelling home by car may go home in their PE kits. KS2 pupils using the coach service are required to change into school uniform before leaving the school site.

Junior School Summer Concert

WEDNESDAY 5 JULY

We warmly invite you to our Summer Concert on Wednesday 5 July at 7pm in the Prevett Hall. The concert will feature the following ensembles:

• Junior School Choir

• Junior Symphony Orchestra

• Super Saxes

• Year 3 Recorders

• Descant Recorders

• Golden Bones

• Junior Chamber Strings

• Junior String Quartet

• Guitar Ensemble

• Junior Brass Ensemble

• Double Reed Ensemble

• Year 6 Chorus (comprising all students from Year 6)

There will also be solo items interspersed in the programme, performed by pupils in Years 5 and 6. Pupils in the ensembles and the Year 5 and 6 soloists will need to bring their instruments in for a rehearsal on the day of the concert (Wednesday 5 July).

For the concert itself, instrumentalists should arrive at the Prevett Hall no later than 6.15pm. The rest of the pupils who are taking part should arrive at 6.30pm.

Pre-concert drinks will be available for the audience from 6.30pm at the Prevett Hall entrance. We expect the concert to end by 8.30pm. Concert dress is school uniform (summer or winter).

Please click here to reserve tickets for the performance. Bookings will open on Friday 30 June at 9pm and close at 8am on Wednesday 5 July. There is no charge for tickets, but they will be limited to two per family. Pupils taking part in the concert do not need tickets.

If your child does not attend any of the listed ensembles yet, but you would like to attend, we warmly invite you to book tickets.

Attending parents must park on the field in Zone 3, where the current pick-up area is for Junior School, and then walk down to the Prevett Hall entrance, where they will be signed in from 6.30pm.

Family Fridays

PARENT INFORMATION TALKS IN THE NEXT ACADEMIC YEAR

We have enjoyed welcoming many of you into the Junior School for Family Fridays again over the last three terms, for both time in classrooms and for parent information talks. Next year, we plan to continue offering parent information talks alongside our Family Fridays and it would be useful to have your input on these ahead of shaping the programme for the next academic year. If you can share any thoughts and ideas you have for helpful and relevant topics, please may we ask that you complete this form and share with us by Monday 3 July.

Sun Protection

We hope the sun will be making more of an appearance this half of the summer term and we would like to remind parents to review the weather forecast and apply suncream before school when required and bring in a sun hat. Pupils may bring in suncream to reapply later in the day. This will be kept in their school bag during the day. Pupils must be able to apply this independently as staff are not permitted to do this.

Nivea sun protection products should not be brought in as some of them contain almond oil.

Unfortunately, the branded white bucket hats and caps are now out of stock. For this half term only, we kindly ask that if you do not have the branded hat/cap, you provide your child with a plain white hat/cap to wear. We would also like to remind parents that all pupils must bring in their own reusable water bottle into school daily.

Summer Uniform Reminder

All pupils in Rainbow to Year 4 should be wearing summer uniform this half term. This consists of the school summer dress, jumper if needed, white ankle or long socks (no tights) and school shoes. Alternatively, pupils may wear a short sleeved, green shirt with the black tailored shorts, as per the uniform list. Pupils in Years 5 and 6 continue to have the choice between winter and summer uniform.

Celebrating Achievements

As a school, we are pleased to celebrate pupil achievements, whether these are school based successes or from activities which take place outside of school time. These will be celebrated either within the class setting during the week or in a Cornflower Assembly on a Friday. If your child has an achievement that they would like to share in school, please can parents email the details of this along with a relevant photo to their child’s class teacher. We will then decide on the most appropriate venue to celebrate the achievement

Summer 2 Curriculum Maps

As we return from the half term break, there is lots of new learning to look forward to. The curriculum overviews below for Years 1 to 6 outline the topics that will be covered in class during the second half of the summer term:

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

Year 4 Year 5

Year 6

Learning in Rainbow will continue to be led by the children’s interests and key events.

Information about Habs Girls' Car Park

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Thank you for your cooperation and forbearance with the changes to Junior School drop off and pick up arrangements this week, as the car park redevelopment has got underway. The drop off and pick up systems have worked smoothly and safely. Having reviewed the processes and taken feedback from across the staff team in the first few days, please will all families note the following:

Drop-off: Please follow the direction of the Estates staff at all times, to ensure a swift operation and staff/pupil safety.

Pick up: Please remain either with your vehicle or in the pick up area behind the orange fencing, where the gazebos are, at all times. Adults should not leave this specified area, as the school is in full operation; it is of utmost importance that all safeguarding protocols are maintained. Walking around the grounds or seeking other areas to sit are strictly forbidden. Please also remember that all the grass areas where vehicles park up is effectively live roadway and all children should be closely supervised when walking to or from the pick up area. The speed limit on campus is 10mph and should be observed at all times. We appreciate your full cooperation in this matter.

Please click here to view information on the Habs Girls' car park redevelopment. Please also refer to the more detailed communication from Miss Jane Lemon, sent on Tuesday 23 May to all parents, giving further details of the drop off and pick up arrangements for Junior School pupils.

Family Friday

FRIDAY 23 JUNE

Our final Family Friday will take place on Friday 23 June from 8am to 8.30am for Rainbow, Years 2, 4 and 6.

We will be continuing our series of Parent Information Talks following the Family Friday sessions on the topics below:

• Phonics teaching: Rainbow and Year 1

• Developing your child’s love for reading

• Maths: using manipulatives to keep arithmetic and learning at home fun

• Helping your child negotiate friendships successfully These talks will take place from 8.30am to 9am. Please click here to book your place at one of these sessions.

St Catherine Parents’ Guild - Summer Fun Day

SATURDAY 24 JUNE

It is only a month until the Guild’s Fun Day event takes place on Saturday 24 June from 12pm until 3pm. Please click here to view more information.

Fun activities include a helter skelter, tea cup ride, inflatables, stalls, games and special guests. There will be a terrific selection of food vans serving a variety of hot and cold foods alongside refreshing drinks for both adults and children at our Summer Bar! The event's success largely depends upon the number of parents volunteering to help. No special skills or experience are required to volunteer. Tasks include collecting payment tokens, setting up games or helping manage a queue. There will be clear instructions to follow and there will be lots of help at hand to support. We have allocated stalls and activities to each class and we are asking parents to volunteer for an hour.

Please contact your class rep to volunteer or stcatherineparentsguild@gmail.com and help this year’s Fun Day be a fantastic success.

Rainbow to Year 5 Information

Induction Evening

WEDNESDAY 21 JUNE

Induction evenings will take place for new Years 1 to 6 classes on Wednesday 21 June following changeover morning for the pupils earlier in the day. We have done our best to accommodate families with siblings and invite parents to join us in the Junior School at the following times:

• Years 1, 4 and 5: 6.15pm to 7pm

• Years 2, 3 and 6: 7.30pm to 8.15pm

You should be attending the Year Group talk for the year group that your child will be entering in September 2023.

Refreshments (all year groups): 7pm to 7.30pm in the Philosopher’s Garden.

Attending parents must park on the field in Zone 3, where the current pick-up area is for Junior School, and walk down towards the zebra crossing/traffic light entrance doors, where you will be registered by Mrs Lovejoy.

Year 3 to Year 6 Information

Junior School Team Photos

New!

Photographs of the Junior School teams are now available to order in A4 (12x8) for £10 each. Please click here to view the photos available for purchase.

Multiple photographs are charged at discounted rates:

• Two photographs - £9 each

• Three photographs - £8 each

• Four photographs - £7 each

• Five or six photographs - £6 each

All purchased photographs come with a complimentary A5 (9x6) informal version. If you wish to order, please complete this form by 8pm Friday 23 June.

Rainbow

Rainbow Red Assembly

MONDAY 19 JUNE

Rainbow Red will be delivering their class assembly on Monday 19 June at 8.45am to 9.15am in the Performance Space, which parents and guardians are warmly invited to.

Attending parents must follow the current morning drop off arrangements but as you exit the drop off lanes (Zone 2), please take a left turn to park in the Zone 3 afternoon pick up area on the field, from where you can make your way down to the Dining Hall doors where you will be registered from 8.30am and directed into the Performance Space.

Year 1

No new notices specifically for Year 1.

Year 2

Habs Choristers Auditions

Habs Choristers is an auditioned choir that sings three services a year outside of school, as well as at school events. Potential choristers do not need to be taking voice lessons and, although being able to read musical notation would be an advantage, it is not a requirement – the choir is open to all who enjoy singing to a high standard.

This year the Habs Choristers has performed at Barnet Church and St Alban’s Cathedral and, in a week’s time, will sing at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. For our services outside of school, the group is joined by professional musicians and at Cambridge next week will be joined by choral scholars from St John’s College.

Please click here to access audition material and more information.

Year 2 Visit to London Wetlands Centre

MONDAY 26 JUNE

Thank you to those that have already indicated their child’s packed lunch arrangements; for those that haven’t yet indicated please can we ask you to do so as soon as possible via this link. The deadline has been extended to 9am, Monday 19 June. After this deadline, please note that for those who have not indicated a preference, your child will be provided a cheese sandwich.

For further information, please refer to the correspondence you will have been sent earlier via Evolve.

Year 2 Playstrings Performances

TUESDAY 4 JULY

Parents and guardians are warmly invited to their child’s Playstrings performance below:

• 2A - 9.15am to 10.15am

• 2 Alpha - 1.55pm to 2.55pm

Attending parents please park in Zone 3 (please reference the car park details letter you received on Tuesday 23 May), walk towards the senior school and follow signage to the Sime Hall where you will be signed in.

Year 3

Habs Choristers Auditions

Habs Choristers is an auditioned choir that sings three services a year outside of school, as well as at school events. Potential choristers do not need to be taking voice lessons and, although being able to read musical notation would be an advantage, it is not a requirement – the choir is open to all who enjoy singing to a high standard.

This year the Habs Choristers has performed at Barnet Church and St Alban’s Cathedral and, in a week’s time, will sing at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. For our services outside of school, the group is joined by professional musicians and at Cambridge next week will be joined by choral scholars from St John’s College.

Please click here to access audition material and more information.

Coach Usage on Sports Day

THURSDAY 29 JUNE

On Thursday 29 June, both the Girls’ Senior School and Boys’ Senior School will be at StoneX Stadium for our second Joint Senior School Sports Day. They will be using the normal coach service, with the final stop at StoneX Stadium rather than school. A special coach service will be in operation on Thursday 29 June to ensure that all Junior and Prep students can still travel to school by coach. Parents of coach users must ensure they have read the letter sent by Ms Emma Summers (Transport Manager) on Friday 19 May at 5pm.

Any bookings or enquiries regarding coaches on 29 June should be sent to the Transport Manager at transportmanager@habsboys.org.uk.

ACE - Morning Chess

After careful consideration, please note this change to the drop off arrangements for those attending Morning Chess on Wednesday mornings only. Please arrive between 7.40am to 8am and use the drop off lanes in Zone 1, as detailed in the car parking information, park in the available spaces, walk to Junior School reception and drop your child off with Mrs Walsh. If you arrive after 8am please use the Junior School drop off in front of senior school.

Summer Reads

With the summer holidays nearly upon us, we would like to remind you of our recommended reading lists. We have recently updated our suggested reading lists for the KS2 year groups and hope there are plenty of books that our pupils will be keen to read over the holidays.

Click on the links below to view the lists online:

• Year 3 Reading List

• Year 4 Reading List

• Year 5 Reading List

• Year 6 Reading List

• Non-Fiction Reading List

Year 4

Habs Choristers Auditions

Habs Choristers is an auditioned choir that sings three services a year outside of school, as well as at school events. Potential choristers do not need to be taking voice lessons and, although being able to read musical notation would be an advantage, it is not a requirement – the choir is open to all who enjoy singing to a high standard.

This year the Habs Choristers has performed at Barnet Church and St Alban’s Cathedral and, in a week’s time, will sing at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. For our services outside of school, the group is joined by professional musicians and at Cambridge next week will be joined by choral scholars from St John’s College.

Please click here to access audition material and more information.

Year 4 Visit to British Schools Museum

TUESDAY 27 JUNE

In History, Year 4 are learning about childhood in Victorian times. To enhance and support the topic, arrangements have been made for Year 4 to visit the British Schools Museum in Hitchin on Tuesday 27 June. The pupils will gain an understanding of life in Victorian times and will have a session in a Victorian classroom.

If you haven’t indicated your child’s packed lunch arrangements yet, please do so as soon as possible via this link, otherwise a cheese sandwich will be provided.

Please refer to the correspondence you will have been sent earlier via Evolve for further detailed information, payment processes and to give consent.

Coach Usage on Sports Day

THURSDAY 29 JUNE

On Thursday 29 June, both the Girls’ Senior School and Boys’ Senior School will be at StoneX Stadium for our second Joint Senior School Sports Day. They will be using the normal coach service, with the final stop at StoneX Stadium rather than school. A special coach service will be in operation on Thursday 29 June to ensure that all Junior and Prep students can still travel to school by coach. Parents of coach users must ensure they have read the letter sent by Ms Emma Summers (Transport Manager) on Friday 19 May at 5pm.

Any bookings or enquiries regarding coaches on 29 June should be sent to the Transport Manager at transportmanager@habsboys.org.uk.

Summer Reads

With the summer holidays nearly upon us, we would like to remind you of our recommended reading lists. We have recently updated our suggested reading lists for the KS2 year groups and hope there are plenty of books that our pupils will be keen to read over the holidays.

Click on the links below to view the lists online:

• Year 3 Reading List

• Year 4 Reading List

• Year 5 Reading List

• Year 6 Reading List

• Non-Fiction Reading List

Year 5

5 Aleph Assembly

MONDAY 26 JUNE

5 Aleph will be delivering their class assembly on Monday 26 June at 8.45am to 9.15am in the Performance Space, to which parents and guardians are warmly invited.

Attending parents must follow the current morning drop off arrangements but as you exit the drop off lanes (Zone 2), please take a left turn to park in the Zone 3 (afternoon pick up area on the field) to park, from where you can make your way down to the Dining Hall doors. You will be registered from 8.30am and directed into the Performance Space.

Coach Usage on Sports Day

THURSDAY 29 JUNE

On Thursday 29 June, both the Girls’ Senior School and Boys’ Senior School will be at StoneX Stadium for our second Joint Senior School Sports Day. They will be using the normal coach service, with the final stop at StoneX Stadium rather than school. A special coach service will be in operation on Thursday 29 June to ensure that all Junior and Prep students can still travel to school by coach. Parents of coach users must ensure they have read the letter sent by Ms Emma Summers (Transport Manager) on Friday 19 May at 5pm.

Any bookings or enquiries regarding coaches on 29 June should be sent to the Transport Manager at transportmanager@habsboys.org.uk.

Summer Reads

With the summer holidays nearly upon us, we would like to remind you of our recommended reading lists. We have recently updated our suggested reading lists for the KS2 year groups, and hope there are plenty of books that our pupils will be keen to read over the holidays.

Click on the links below to view the lists online:

• Year 3 Reading List

• Year 4 Reading List

• Year 5 Reading List

• Year 6 Reading List

• Non-Fiction Reading List

Year 6

New Lower 4 Welcome to Habs Day

THURSDAY 22 JUNE

To date, 16 responses have been received out of the year group of 46 pupils. Gold stars to these 16 families.

Please can we politely ask that all remaining families complete this form by close of play on Tuesday 20 June. This is so that the school has a clear understanding of your child’s movements on this day.

Coach Usage on Sports Day

THURSDAY 29 JUNE

On Thursday 29 June, both the Girls’ Senior School and Boys’ Senior School will be at StoneX Stadium for our second Joint Senior School Sports Day. They will be using the normal coach service, with the final stop at StoneX Stadium rather than school. A special coach service will be in operation on Thursday 29 June to ensure that all Junior and Prep students can still travel to school by coach. Parents of coach users must ensure they have read the letter sent by Ms Emma Summers (Transport Manager) on Friday 19 May at 5pm.

Any bookings or enquiries regarding coaches on 29 June should be sent to the Transport Manager at transportmanager@habsboys.org.uk.

Year 6 Beauty and The Beast Junior Play

Photographs taken at the dress rehearsal are available to view here. Please use this order form to purchase photos. All proceeds from the sale of the photographs will be donated to the St Catherine Parents' Guild. A recording of the production is available to view here.

Summer Recitals

Our informal Summer Recitals are a great opportunity for pupils who take instrumental or singing lessons in or out of school to perform in front of an audience, especially if they are preparing for an exam. Parents (two per performer) are warmly invited to attend the next recital, which takes place in the Sime Hall from 2.30pm to 4pm.

• Year 6 Musical Recital - Friday 23 June, 2.30pm to 4pm, Sime Hall

ACE Robotics

CHANGE OF PICK UP TIME

Attending parents please park in Zone 3, Junior School pick up area, (please reference the car park details letter you received on the 23 May), and walk towards the senior school, following signage to the Sime Hall where you will be signed in.

Summer Reads

With the summer holidays nearly upon us, we would like to remind you of our recommended reading lists. We have recently updated our suggested reading lists for the KS2 year groups and hope there are plenty of books that our pupils will be keen to read over the holidays.

Click on the links below to view the lists online:

• Year 3 Reading List

• Year 4 Reading List

• Year 5 Reading List

• Year 6 Reading List

• Non-Fiction Reading List

JUNIOR SCHOOL SPORTS FIXTURES SUMMER TERM

SATURDAY 17 JUNE

*Year 6 ESSA Relay Finals (Away)

THURSDAY 22 JUNE

*Year 3 and Year 4 NLCS Swimming Gala (Home)

* Selected pupils will be invited to participate via Evolve

JUNIOR SCHOOL CALENDAR DATES

MONDAY 19 JUNE

Rainbow Red Class Assembly

WEDNESDAY 21 JUNE

Class Changeover Day

NEW: Years 1 to 6 Induction Evening

THURSDAY 22 JUNE

New Lower 4 Welcome to Habs Day Cancelled - Swimming Squad

FRIDAY 23 JUNE

Family Friday followed by Parent Talks (Rainbow and Years 2, 4 and 6) Year 6 Music Recital

SATURDAY 24 JUNE

St Catherine Parents' Guild Summer Fun Day

Habs Choristers: Evensong at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge (4pm)

MONDAY 26 JUNE

Year 2 London Wetlands Centre Trip 5 Aleph Class Assembly

TUESDAY 27 JUNE Year 4 British School Museum Trip

THURSDAY 29 JUNE

Sports Day

Joint Year 5 Performance Group

Showcase (*ACE pupil parents only)

JUNIOR SCHOOL CALENDAR DATES

MONDAY 3 JULY

Year 6 Leavers’ Assembly and Party

TUESDAY 4 JULY

Year 2 Playstrings Performance

WEDNESDAY 5 JULY

Rainbow Aldenham Country Park Trip Junior School Summer Concert

THURSDAY 6 JULY End of Summer Term

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

* Selected pupils will be invited to participate via Evolve