Junior School Weekly - 30 June 2023

Habs

Weekly Junior School edition

Friday 30 June Summer Term

Junior School’s Message

Mrs Kathy Ede (Director of Studies)

It was a pleasure to witness the enthusiasm and sportsmanship displayed by pupils in the Junior School Sports Days this week. The weather kept us on our toes and allowed for parents to support in the afternoon but thwarted us for the morning Foundation Phase event. Nonetheless, the pupils all had a wonderful time, whether in the Sports Hall or out on the field.

Sports Day holds a special place in our school calendar as it not only promotes physical activity but also fosters a sense of camaraderie, healthy competition and team spirit among our pupils. As well as showcasing their skills, determination and hard work, it allows us to join as a community to celebrate personal achievements, regardless of sporting ability.

Of course, Sports Day is only part of our PE programme in the Junior School and the wide range of sports and activities on offer is essential for the holistic development of our pupils. All pupils have benefited this term from the expertise of Coach Mickey, as we have embraced cricket into the timetabled curriculum. In addition, the collaborative sports festivals held earlier in the year were exciting and rewarding for all who participated.

Through our varied sports programme, we aim to nurture the physical, mental and emotional well-being of our students. Passions and talents unearthed through childhood sports often carry far beyond the school years. Exposure to different sports provides our pupils with opportunities to find their niche and pursue activities they truly enjoy. This can lead to lifelong interests, hobbies and even potential career paths.

We encourage you to support your child to participate in different sports and activities, as it will undoubtedly contribute to their personal growth and development. This could be through encouraging your child to try something new when registering interest in Autumn Term ACE or engaging in physical activity as a family over the upcoming break.

It is hard to believe that we have reached the end of our final full week of term in the Junior School, but I look forward to welcoming many of you back into school in the next week as we prepare to wrap up this academic year.

Cornflower Assembly

Friday 23 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

Imaan (Rainbow Blue)

Reya (Rainbow Blue)

Ziyana-Fatema (1 Green)

Ari (4 Aesc)

Alice (4 Aleph)

Isla (5 Aesc)

Charlotte (6 Aleph)

Community

Emilia (2A)

Ariyana (2A)

Emma (5 Aleph)

Curiosity

Roshni (1 Orange)

Lottie (1 Orange)

Aggie (5 Aleph)

Courage

Avaleen (2 Alpha)

Kaashvi (4 Aleph)

Rainbow to Year 6 Information

Lunch Menus

WEEK COMMENCING 3 JULY

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.

Snacks

IMPORTANT REMINDER

Please kindly remember that, in line with government guidance, grapes or olives should be cut in half and cherries should be de-stoned if these foods are brought in for snacks.

Class Photos 2023

New!

As per last week’s communication, to confirm for those that haven’t returned their class photographs to Mrs Walsh today, a charge of £10 will be applied to your Autumn 2023 or Spring term 2024 bill. All proceeds from the sale of the photographs will be donated to the St Catherine Parents' Guild.

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 Years 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.

ACE activities will be running as usual on Wednesday 5 July, with the exception of Karate. If your child is unable to attend, please ensure that you notify Mrs Karaolou so that registers can be updated.

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.

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.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Information about Habs Girls' Car Park

Thank you for your ongoing cooperation and forbearance with the changes to Junior School drop off and pick up arrangements. The drop off and pick up systems continue to work smoothly and safely. Please continue to 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.

Sun Protection

We would like to remind parents to review the weather forecast and apply suncream before school when required and ensure that their child brings 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.

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.

Rainbow to Year 5 ACE Autumn Term

ACE - Autumn Term

Looking ahead to next academic year, there will once again be the opportunity for students in Years 1 to 6 to embark on a wide range of co-curricular activities through our ACE programme. To view the activities on offer for the Autumn Term, please refer to the relevant year group booklet using the links below:

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

Year 4 Year 5 Year 6

These booklets contain key information about registering interest, allocation of places and attendance as well as year group specific details and costs for individual activities. Please take time to look through the available activities and discuss everything that is on offer with your child, encouraging them to pursue both existing interests and new pursuits.

Register of interest - Wraparound ACE

Registering interest for wraparound ACE can be done using the electronic forms contained within the ACE booklets, in the section titled Wraparound ACE Key Information. You should refer to the booklet for the year group that your child will be joining in September.

Links to the forms for expression of interest are also below:

Year 1 (current Rainbow) Year 2 (current Year 1) Year 3 (current Year 2)

Year 4 (current Year 3)

Year 5 (current Year 4) Year 6 (current Year 5)

Please take time to review the activities on offer with your child and express your interest for the relevant activities by 12pm on Monday 3 July. Please note that by adding an activity you are expressing interest and this does not guarantee your child a space if the maximum number of students is reached.

You will be notified if your child is unsuccessful in securing a place for the activities that you have selected by Monday 10 July.

Register of interest - Lunchtime ACE

Pupils will register interest in lunchtime ACE activities at school during the first week back in September. Please take time to review the activities on offer with your child before this date.

Once places have been confirmed, should there be any remaining spaces for any of the activities, these will be shared in the first Habs Weekly of the Autumn term, together with details of how to sign up.

Key Dates

Friday 23 June ACE booklets shared in the newsletter

Friday 23 June Wraparound ACE available to register interest (from home)

Monday 3 July 12pm deadline for registering interest for wraparound ACE, using electronic form

Monday 10 July Emails sent where places have not been allocated

W/C Monday 11 September Register interest for lunchtime ACE (at school)

Friday 15 September All ACE activities confirmed on SOCS

W/C Monday 18 September All ACE activities begin

Rainbow

Rainbow Aldenham Country Park Trip

WEDNESDAY 5 JULY

We are excited that Rainbow pupils will visit Aldenham Country Park on Wednesday 5 July as a part of their learning about animals. They will be taking part in a variety of activities, all fully supervised, including visiting the farm, the Hundred Acre Wood and playing team games. We will walk to Aldenham Country Park and will return to school by 3.30pm.

For those that haven’t indicate your child’s packed lunch requirements the form is now closed, and a cheese sandwich option will be provided.

For further information please review the letter you will have received via Evolve.

Year 1

ACE Year 2 Joint Choir Autumn Term 2023

Please be aware that Joint Choir will run from 3.45pm to 4.15pm at the Prep School; the Year 2 ACE booklet has been updated to reflect this change.

ACE Karate

Please be reminded that Karate has now finished for this term. Mr Patel looks forward to seeing many of his pupils again after the summer break.

ACE KS1 Ballet - Performance

WEDNESDAY 5 JULY

Parents are invited to watch the final ballet session, which will take place on Wednesday 5 July. If you would like to attend, please park in Zone 3, the Junior School pick up area and walk down to Junior School Reception, where you will be signed in and escorted to the Performance Space. Please arrive at 3.25pm.

Year 2

Morning Group Sessions

Pupils who attend our morning group sessions at 8.10am in the computer suite, please be advised that there will be no group sessions next week, the last week of term.

Coach Service for 2023/24

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Please click here to read a letter regarding the coach services for the next academic year.

Autumn Term Squad Trials

At the start of next academic year, squad trials will be held on the following dates and times:

Squad Year Groups (From September 2023

Drama (LAMDA)

Trial Dates

Squad begins for selected pupils

After school sessions will be for KS1. If your child has attended LAMDA in Year 2 and wishes to continue and work towards an exam in Year 3, Mrs Kaye will offer the opportunity through a lunchtime club. Priority will be given to pupils already attending LAMDA and those new to Habs.

We have been exploring ways for pupils to take LAMDA exams at Habs and this will be a possibility next academic year. Full details of the process will be added to Habs Weekly in September.

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 last Saturday, sang Evensong at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. For our services outside of school, the group is joined by professional musicians and in Cambridge, they were joined by choral scholars from St John’s College.

Please click here to access audition material and more information.

ACE Karate

Please be reminded that Karate has now finished for this term. Mr Patel looks forward to seeing many of his pupils again after the summer break.

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.

ACE KS1 Ballet - Performance

WEDNESDAY 5 JULY

Parents are invited to watch the final ballet session, which will take place on Wednesday 5 July. If you would like to attend, please park in Zone 3, the Junior School pick up area and walk down to Junior School Reception, where you will be signed in and escorted to the Performance Space. Please arrive at 3.25pm.

Year 3

Autumn ACE – Chess and Karate

New!

There have been some enquiries about running a Year 4 morning chess session next year. As the programme currently stands, Year 4 chess will take place on Mondays after school. If there are any changes to this, it will be communicated through Habs Weekly in September.

Chess and Karate in Year 4 are both scheduled to take place on Monday after school. If your child would like to take part in both activities, it may be possible for them to attend Karate on Wednesdays.

Please email Mrs Ede (kede@habsgirls.org.uk) if this is the case for your child.

Autumn Term Squad Trials

New!

At the start of next academic year, squad trials will be held on the following dates and times:

Squad Year Groups (From September 2023

Gym Year 5 and 6

Gym Year 3 and 4

Trial Dates

Friday 8 September 12.35pm to 1.10pm

Wednesday 13 September 12.35pm to 1.10pm

Friday 22 September and

Squad begins for selected pupils

Tuesday 12 September 4pm to 5.15pm

Tuesday 19 September 4pm to 5.15pm

Football Year 5 and 6

Friday 29 September 4pm to 5pm

Friday 6 October 4pm to 5pm

Swimming Year 6

Swimming Year 5

Morning Group Sessions

Thursday 21 September 4pm to 5pm

Thursday 28 September 4pm to 5pm

New!

Thursday 5 October 4pm to 5pm

Thursday 5 October 4pm to 5pm

Pupils who attend our morning group sessions at 8.10am in the computer suite, please be advised that there will be no group sessions next week, the last week of term.

Coach Service for 2023/24

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Please click here to read a letter regarding the coach services for the next academic year.

Junior School Team Photos

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 7 July and note you will not receive photos until September 2023. All proceeds from the sale of the photographs will be donated to the St Catherine Parents' Guild.

ACE - Morning Chess

The last morning chess will be Wednesday 5 July. Please arrive between 7.40am to 8am and use the drop off lanes in Zone 1, as detailed in the car parking information. Please park in the available spaces and walk to the Junior School reception to drop your child off with Mrs Walsh. If you arrive after 8am please use the Junior School drop off in front of the 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

Autumn Term Squad Trials

New!

At the start of next academic year, squad trials will be held on the following dates and times:

Squad Year Groups (From September 2023

Gym Year 5 and 6

Gym Year 3 and 4

Trial Dates

Friday 8 September 12.35pm to 1.10pm

Wednesday 13 September 12.35pm to 1.10pm

Squad begins for selected pupils

Tuesday 12 September 4pm to 5.15pm

Tuesday 19 September 4pm to 5.15pm

Football Year 5 and 6

Friday 22 September and Friday 29 September 4pm to 5pm

Friday 6 October 4pm to 5pm

Swimming Year 6

Swimming Year 5

Morning Group Sessions

Thursday 21 September 4pm to 5pm

Thursday 28 September 4pm to 5pm

Thursday 5 October 4pm to 5pm

Thursday 5 October 4pm to 5pm

Pupils who attend our morning group sessions at 8.10am in the computer suite, please be advised that there will be no group sessions next week, the last week of term.

Coach Service for 2023/24

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Please click here to read a letter regarding the coach services for the next academic year

ACE Karate

Please be reminded that Karate has now finished for this term. Mr Patel looks forward to seeing many of his pupils again after the summer break.

Junior School Team Photos

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 7 July and note you will not receive photos until September 2023. All proceeds from the sale of the photographs will be donated to the St Catherine Parents' Guild.

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

Autumn Term Squad Trials

New!

At the start of next academic year, squad trials will be held on the following dates and times:

Squad Year Groups (From September 2023

Gym Year 5 and 6

Gym Year 3 and 4

Trial Dates

Friday 8 September 12.35pm to 1.10pm

Wednesday 13 September 12.35pm to 1.10pm

Squad begins for selected pupils

Tuesday 12 September 4pm to 5.15pm

Tuesday 19 September 4pm to 5.15pm

Football Year 5 and 6

Friday 22 September and Friday 29 September 4pm to 5pm

Friday 6 October 4pm to 5pm

Swimming Year 6

Swimming Year 5

Morning Group Sessions

Thursday 21 September 4pm to 5pm

Thursday 28 September 4pm to 5pm

Thursday 5 October 4pm to 5pm

Thursday 5 October 4pm to 5pm

Pupils who attend our morning group sessions at 8.10am in the computer suite, please be advised that there will be no group sessions next week, the last week of term.

Coach Service for 2023/24

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Please click here to read a letter regarding the coach services for the next academic year

ACE Karate

Please be reminded that Karate has now finished for this term. Mr Patel looks forward to seeing many of his pupils again after the summer break.

Junior School Team Photos

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 7 July and note you will not receive photos until September 2023. All proceeds from the sale of the photographs will be donated to the St Catherine Parents' Guild.

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

Morning Group Sessions

New!

Pupils who attend our morning group sessions at 8.10am in the computer suite, please be advised that there will be no group sessions next week, the last week of term.

ACE Karate

Please be reminded that Karate has now finished for this term. Mr Patel looks forward to seeing many of his pupils again after the summer break.

Junior School Team Photos

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 7 July and note you will not receive photos until September 2023. All proceeds from the sale of the photographs will be donated to the St Catherine Parents' Guild.

Year 6 Leavers Party

MONDAY 3 JULY

Year 6 will have their Leavers' Party in the Performance Space. It will begin at 2pm and the pupils are invited to bring appropriate party attire to change into after lunch.

Parents are warmly invited to the last 30 minutes of this event which will take place from 3.30pm to 4pm in the Performance Space. Attending parents will need to park in Zone 3, Junior School pick-up area, and proceed to the Dining Hall doors where they will be signed in by a member of Habs staff and directed to the Performance Space. You may then take your child home when you are ready after they have signed out with a member of staff. For those parents not attending, normal going home arrangements will apply.

Leavers Assembly

MONDAY 3 JULY

We are delighted to invite you to the Year 6 leavers’ assembly! As your child approaches the end of their time at the Junior School, we want to celebrate with them and bid you farewell in a memorable way and present them with their valedictories. The assembly will be held on Monday 3 July at 8.45am in the Performance Space.

Once you have dropped off your child using the drop-off lanes in Zone 2, please proceed to Zone 3 to park your car. You are kindly asked to enter the school via the Dining Hall doors from 8.30am, where you will be met by a member of staff. There will be space for each Year 6 pupil to have a maximum of two guests at the assembly.

To make this occasion even more special, refreshments will be served in the Philosopher’s Garden until 9.45am. We look forward to seeing you at the Year 6 leavers’ assembly and celebrating this significant milestone together.

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 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