Habs Weekly
Pre-Prep and Prep School edition
Friday 1 March Spring Term
Head of Prep School’s message
A palpable buzz of excitement swept through the Reception shared area on Monday afternoon with the arrival of an empty cage, swiftly followed by an intriguing platform which emitted a soft, enchanting glow and exuded a delightful warmth. What mysteries lay behind the purpose of the cage and the strange platform?And why did whatever was destined for the cage require such equipment?
Shortly thereafter, five eggs were delivered, each bearing its own unique size and shape. The anticipation mounted as questions swirled: What creature would emerge from these eggs? Would it be a bird? Perhaps a reptile? Certainly not a mammal – a fact the boys were confident of.
Providing our students with stimulating provocations, ones that ignite their curiosity and connects to their existing knowledge and experiences, are an exceptional way of building engagement in a new topic, such as lifecycles.
As fate would have it, the boys didn't have to wait long for answers. Wednesday morning brought the jubilant celebrations at the arrival of our first duckling, swiftly followed by three others (at the time of writing we are keeping our fingers crossed for duckling number 5). These delightful ducklings not only captivated the boys ahead of their new Understanding the World topic but also brought immense joy to the staff, who revelled in cuddling the ducklings throughout the week – great for student and staff wellbeing.
Warm wishes,
Ms K Umpleby Head of Prep & Pre-PrepReception to Year 6 Information
Lunch Menu
Please click here to view the Pre-Prep lunch menu. Please click here to view the Prep lunch menu.
International Day Poetry Competition IMPORTANT INFORMATION
To celebrate our school’s rich cultural and linguistic diversity, we are running a ‘Mother Tongue, Other Tongue’ poetry competition. Children from all year groups are invited to submit an entry by Friday 22 March with winners being announced during our International Day celebrations on Wednesday 27 March. The winners will have an opportunity to perform their poem to an audience.
Competition Rules:
Write an original poem of any kind in a language other than English.
Provide a line-by-line translation of the poem in English
Include an explanation of your poem and what it means to you. This can of course be scribed for our youngest students.
The poem, translation and explanation may be handwritten or typed, and you may choose to decorate your entry or accompany it with some original artwork.
Submission Deadline: Friday 22 March 2024
The judging panel will choose winners based on both the poem and the explanation.
WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 4 MARCH
NEW NEW
RECEPTION TO YEAR 6 INFORMATION
Wrap-around Care Facility
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
In order to ensure the safety of the students in After School Care, it is important that all students are booked in, in advance using the link below. Please note that if your child is not booked into After School Care, we may not be able to accommodate them. This includes if your son is attending for a short period of time, either before or after another after school club. Should a club be cancelled, and your son is to attend After School Care, you will not be charged.
For any late on the day bookings, please contact the school office directly to ensure your son is booked in. Please be advised, a late charge of £8.00 will be incurred in these cases. Please ensure you fill out the form for all After School Care bookings. Please click here to book your child into After School Care.
Recycling of unwanted items
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
We would like your assistance to support the school by collecting several items that you may want to offload as you are no longer using. This may be useful if you are about to undergo a “Spring clean” and would be a valuable learning resource at school. This is to help recycle as many things as possible in support of the environment. Any of the following items would be welcomed;
Matchbox cars
Small rubber/plastic animals
Large colourful buttons
Hula hoops – large and small
Skipping ropes
Any small balls – tennis, fun, play
Frisbees
Plastic food items from kids' kitchen sets
Large bangles
If you have any of these items, please can these be brought in and handed to your son’s Form tutor marked for the attention of Mrs Tailor. Thank you for your support.
Year 3-6 Information
Tupperware for Grab and Go GUIDANCE FOR PARENTS
As part of our ongoing efforts to become more environmentally friendly, we are encouraging students to bring their own Tupperware containers for sandwiches. By using reusable containers instead of single-use plastic bags or cling wrap, we can significantly reduce the amount of waste generated during lunchtime. Therefore, we kindly request your support in this endeavour. We encourage you to provide your child with a suitable Tupperware container should they wish to choose a sandwich from the Bates dining room Grab and Go section. Thank you for your continued support.
MorningArrival at the Prep School
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please be reminded that morning drop off at the Prep School is from 8am. Pupils should not be arriving to school earlier than this time as they will not be supervised in the playground or in the classroom. We appreciate your support regarding this. Should you wish to drop your son earlier than this time, Breakfast Club is available from 7.30am in the Girls School.
DT Recycling Project
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Introducing our exciting new DT Recycling Project! We are on a mission to make a positive impact on the environment, and we need your help. We are calling on everyone to gather up those old cotton t-shirts and milk bottle tops that might be lying around. Instead of letting them go to waste, we are turning them into something incredible. By collecting these materials, you are not just cleaning out your closets; you are contributing to a sustainable future. Boys can bring in any old t-shirts and bottle tops to our designated collection point after the half-term break and let us transfer them into new products. By the end of the Spring term, boys will hold a charity sale to sell their products and raise money for charity. Together, we can make a difference and create a greener, cleaner world for generations to come!
NEW
Reception Information
Reception Curriculum Workshops
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Thank you so much for your attendance at our third and final instalment of our Reception curriculum workshops. We hope you found the literacy information shared last week informative and useful. Please click here to view the presentation. If you wish to discuss anything further, please do not hesitate to speak to your child’s class teacher. Thank you for your continued support.
Snacks
IMPORTANT REMINDER
Please may we remind you that only fruit and vegetables are permitted at snack time. Grapes are a good healthy fruit snack but if you include grapes in your child’s snack box, please remember to always cut them lengthwise first to avoid choking.
Reception Parents Evening (Online)
TUESDAY 12 MARCH AND THURSDAY 21 MARCH
(Please note due to teacher availability Parents Evening for Reception will now be held on the above dates from 4pm to 7pm).
Parent Consultations for this term will be held online using ‘School Cloud’. 15-minute appointments are available on a first come, first served basis, to discuss your child’s progress. We encourage both parents to attend where possible. Please click here to book. The booking system will open at 9am on Monday 5 February and will close on Friday 8 March at 5pm.
NEW
Year 1 Information
Roald Dahl Children’s Gallery Trip
FRIDAY 22 MARCH
Please click here further information regarding the Year 1 Trip to the Roald Dahl Children’s Gallery on Friday 22 March. Payment and consent is to be provided via Evolve. In preparation for the trip, please encourage the children to read any of the Roald Dahl stories.
Year 1 Parents Evening (Online)
TUESDAY 12 MARCH AND THURSDAY 14 MARCH
Parent Consultations for this term will be held online using ‘School Cloud’. 15-minute appointments are available on a first come, first served basis, to discuss your child’s progress. We encourage both parents to attend where possible. Please click here to book. The booking system will open at 9am on Monday 5 February and will close on Friday 8 March at 5pm.
Mother’s Day Celebrations
FRIDAY 8 MARCH, SELDON HALL, 2PM
We are excited to invite you to our Mother’s Day Celebrations on Friday 8 March! Taking place in the Seldon Hall at 2pm, the children are looking forward to entertaining you. Refreshments will be provided after the concert in the Pre-Prep Hall. The booking form for seating allocation closed on 19 February and seating has now been finalised. We are also creating a PowerPoint to accompany a song during the celebrations, please could you send one picture of your child with their mother to their class teacher (stables_s@habsboys.org.uk/patel_n@habsboys.org.uk).
Year 2 Information
Cuffley Camp Trip
WEDNESDAY 6 MARCH
Please click here for further information regarding the Year 2 Trip to Cuffley Camp on Tuesday 23 April. Payment and consent is to be provided via Evolve.
Year 2 Parents Evening (Online)
TUESDAY 12 MARCH AND THURSDAY 14 MARCH
Parent Consultations for this term will be held online using ‘School Cloud’. 15-minute appointments are available on a first come, first served basis, to discuss your child’s progress. We encourage both parents to attend where possible. Please click here to book. The booking system will open at 9am on Monday 5 February and will close on Friday 8 March at 5pm.
Year 2Ancient Egypt Day
WEDNESDAY 6 MARCH
To enrich our history topic on Ancient Egypt, we have arranged for ‘History off the Page’ to spend the day with us on Wednesday 6 March. The children will take part in a range of cross curricular activities using authentic tools. We would like the children to dress up as an Ancient Egyptian. Costumes do not need to be complicated:
Tunic: This can be made from a simple white oversized t-shirt, pillowcase or even an old sheet folded in half, stitched and a hole in the top for your head with a sash or belt over it. Sandals: (Optional) Simple leather sandals are good (school shoes must also be bought to school for playtimes)
Collar: A collar is not essential but can be easily made from a circular piece of cardboard with a hole cut into it for your head. You can decorate it with an Egyptian-style pattern.
NEW
Year 3 Information
No new notices for this week.
Year 4 Information
Year 4 Natural History Museum Trip
MONDAY 11 MARCH
Please click here for further information regarding the Year 4 trip to the Natural History Museum. Payment and consent is to be provided via Evolve.
Year 4Aylmerton Residential IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please click here for further information regarding the Year 4 Residential to Aylmerton. Payment and consent is to be provided via Evolve.
Year 5 Information
Jazz Summer School 2024
SUNDAY 11 TO SUNDAY 25 AUGUST 2024
Please click here for further information and to apply for the Jazz Summer School 2024 which is open to musicians Grade 3 +. Applications close on Monday 25 March.
Habs Indian Music Course 2024
MONDAY 26 TO SUNDAY 29 AUGUST 2024
Please click here for further information and to apply for the brand new summer music course at Habs Elstree. The course is open to anyone playing an instrument in this style.
Year 6 Information
Jazz Summer School 2024
SUNDAY 11 TO SUNDAY 25 AUGUST 2024
Please click here for further information and to apply for the Jazz Summer School 2024 which is open to musicians Grade 3 +. Applications close on Monday 25 March.
Habs Indian Music Course 2024
MONDAY 26 TO SUNDAY 29 AUGUST 2024
Please click here for further information and to apply for the brand-new summer music course at Habs Elstree. The course is open to anyone playing an instrument in this style.
Tuesday 19 March Prep Hall, 8am to 9am
Neurodiversity Parent Group Coffee MorningReception toYear 6
On Tuesday 19 March the Individual Needs teams across the Girls’ Junior and Boys’Prep schools will be hosting a coffee morning from 8am to 9am in the Boys’Prep Hall. This is the first of a series of coffee mornings that we will be running that aim to share good ideas and strategies for supporting children with learning differences.Anyone who has an interest in neurodiversity is welcome to come along.
In this initial meeting we will be telling you a little bit more about how we support pupils through our departments as well as sharing the resources we use and directing you to the website Tooled Up via a video that Kathy Weston has prepared for us signposting useful materials Home - Tooled Up Education. We also hope that this will be an opportunity for you to meet other parents. If you would like to attend this meeting, Please click here to register
Habs Giving Day 2024 Tuesday 5 March
MiniDash – Reminder to Register Book Now!
It’s almost time to dig out those silly hats and lace up your trainers for a morning filled with laughter and joy.
Join your children for the annual MiniDash in support of Habs Giving Day. Secure your spot NOW to participate in the fun alongside your children. Take a peek at last year’s MiniDash magic here with over 300 parents joining the fun.
By dashing, jogging or strolling with us, you will unlock extra cash from our generous challenge donors and every runner wearing a silly hat or headgear will unlock an additional £10 meaning more funding for Bursaries and Habs Community Partnerships, the schools’top priorities this year.
Habs Giving Day is a celebration of community philanthropy and taking part. More details to follow.
Book Now!
Questions? Feel free to reach out to Sonal Dhadphale at foundation@habselstree.org.uk or telephone 0208 266 1907
Co-Commercial Partnership Spring Camps &Activities
Reception to Year 6
Limited time offer!
Quote HABS24 at checkout and get 20% off when you book this Easter with Camp Beaumont . With over 50 activities on offer Camp Beaumont can guarantee that this Easter holiday at Haberdashers’Boys’School will be truly unforgettable! Offer valid until Monday 18 March, Please click here to book your place now !
Please click here for further information regarding our CoCommercial spring term camps on offer at Habs Elstree Schools. For all weekday activities that are available, Please click here.
PREP SPORTS FIXTURES
MONDAY 4 MARCH
Y5 v Highgate (Home, Pavilion, 2.30pm to 4pm)
TUESDAY 5 MARCH
Y4 v Radlett (Home, Pavilion, 2.30pm to 4pm)
FRIDAY 8 MARCH
*Y6 ISFA Football Cup St Johns (invite only) 8.45am to 3.30pm Y5/6 (ABC) Hockey v St Martins Home 2.30pm to 4pm
SATURDAY 9 MARCH
THURSDAY 14 MARCH
*Y6 (A) Belmont Football Festival, Away (invite only) 9.00am to 1.00pm
Y3 v UCS (Home, Pavilion, 2.30pm to 4.00pm)
FRIDAY 15 MARCH
Y6 Quad (Home, Pavilion 2.30pm to 4.00pm)
MONDAY 18 MARCH
Y5 v Radlett (Radlett, 1.45pm to 4.00pm)
THURSDAY 21 MARCH
*Y5/Y6 Table Tennis v Belmont/Highgate, Medburn (invite only) 4pm to 5.15pm
* Selected pupils will be invited to participate via SOCS
PRE-PREP
CALENDAR DATES
WEDNESDAY 6 MARCH
Year 2 Life in Ancient Egypt Day
THURSDAY 7 MARCH
World Book Day Celebration
FRIDAY 8 MARCH
Year 1 Mother’s Day Concert, 2pm
TUESDAY 12 MARCH
Parent Consultation Evening -Online
THURSDAY 14 MARCH
Parent Consultation Evening -Online
FRIDAY 15 MARCH
Year 1 Pirate Treasure Hunt Dress Up Rec to Year 6 Donkin Cup
FRIDAY 22 MARCH
Year 1 Roald Dahl Trip Reception World Maths Day
WEDNESDAY 27 MARCH
International Day
Term ends for students, 3.30pm
For further information, please refer to the school calendar on Firefly.
PREP CALENDAR DATES
TUESDAY 5 MARCH
Parent Consultation EveningOnline
THURSDAY 7 MARCH
World Book Day
Parent Consultation EveningOnline
MONDAY 11 MARCH
Year 4 Natural History Museum
TUESDAY 12 MARCH
Parent Consultation EveningOnline
THURSDAY 14 MARCH
Parent Consultation EveningOnline
FRIDAY 15 MARCH
Rec to Year 6 Donkin Cup
MONDAY 18 MARCH
Year 5 Residential Information Evening, Prep Hall, 7pm
TUESDAY 19 MARCH
Year 5 Tower of London
WEDNESDAY 20 MARCH
Year 3 Residential Information Evening, Prep Hall, 7pm
THURSDAY 21 MARCH
Year 6 National Gallery
FRIDAY 22 MARCH
Year 5 Planetarium Visit
WEDNESDAY 27 MARCH
International Day Term ends for pupils, 4pm
For further information, please refer to the school calendar on Firefly.