Pre-Prep and Prep School edition
Friday 28 June Summer Term
Head of Prep School’s message
I hope this newsletter finds you well. This week, I am writing to inform you of some changes to staffing with effect from September 2024.
After joining Habs as a Teaching Assistant in October 2022, Mrs Kemmett-Brooks has decided to leave at the end of the summer term. For those who may not know, Mrs Kemmett-Brooks is a qualified Art teacher and has been a valuable member of the Pre-Prep team. In her role with Year 1, she has utilised her extensive teaching experience and artistic skills to help our students excel, stepping in for teachers as needed and leading some Year 1 Art lessons. Her artistic talent has been a tremendous asset, demonstrating her passion for the subject. Additionally, she has created impressive displays around the school, showcasing the students' talents and achievements.
Mrs Pieri, a cherished member of our school community for many years, has decided to embark on a new adventure and will be retiring at the end of the term. She began her journey with us in September 2007 as a volunteer. After a few years, she left to work at First Place Nursery and continued her education by obtaining further qualifications. Following this, Mrs Pieri worked at Habs Girls on maternity cover before returning to Habs Boys in 2014, where she has since been employed as a full-time Teaching Assistant. We are grateful for her dedication and contributions to our school and wish her all the best in her future endeavours.
Mrs Barber began her journey with Habs on 1 September 2006 and has dedicated over two decades of service to our community! As the longest-standing member of our Pre-Prep staff, she has been an integral part of our team.After working for a year at Habs, Mrs Barber moved to the Pre-Prep site at Hazel Road when it opened. She has taken charge of all things medical, overseeing first aid and ensuring the well-being of our students.Additionally, she has been responsible for ordering all books and stationary supplies each year, ensuring our classrooms are well-equipped and prepared for learning. Her contributions have been invaluable, and she will be greatly missed.
Lastly, after seven years of service, Miss Gemma Caplan, Assistant Head – Co-Curricular, Timetables & Data, has decided to embark on a new journey and will be leaving Habs Boys’ Prep School at the end of this academic year. She moves forward into a new role as Director of Junior Sport at North London Collegiate School. Miss Caplan has been an integral part of our school family since joining us in 2017. Over the years, she has not only demonstrated an exceptional commitment to her varied roles whilst in the Prep School but also impacted the lives of our students and the broader school community. Her dedication to fostering a nurturing and intellectually stimulating learning environment has been deeply appreciated by colleagues, parents, and students alike.
Some of the notable contributions Miss Caplan has made during her tenure include:
• Leading on delivering an ambitious Science curriculum
• Leading an exceptional co-curricular provision, with increased opportunities for collaboration with the Girls’ School , in addition to day-to-day management of the Prep School to ensure its smooth operations
While we are saddened to see Mrs Kemmett-Brooks, Mrs Pieri, Mrs Barber and Miss Caplan leave, we are also excited as they all embark on new adventures. Please join me in expressing our heartfelt gratitude for their service and in wishing them all the best in their future endeavours.
If you have any questions or would like to share your own well wishes, feel free to reach out to Mrs Vig at Vig_n@habsboys.org.uk
Thank you for your continued support of Habs and for being an integral part of our community.
Mrs M Best
Acting Head of Prep and Pre-Prep
Reception to Year 6 Information
Lunch Menu
WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 1 JULY
Please click here to view the Pre-Prep and Prep School lunch menu.
Co-Curricular Programme Autumn Term
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please click here for information regarding the Co-Curricular programme for Prep and PrePrep for the Autumn term.
Last Day of Summer Term
FRIDAY 5 JULY 11:45AM FINISH
Please note school finishes for all pupils at 11:45am on Friday 5 July. Pupils will need to either be collected by an authorised collector or catch the 12pm coach and Little Habs services.
Habs Weekly Newsletter
IMPORTANT UPDATE
The Girls’ Junior School will be trialling Firefly for their weekly newsletter from Friday 28 June. Please note, we will be resuming with our usual format until the end of the academic year and will provide you with a further update in September.
Summer Reading Challenges
GUIDANCE FOR PARENTS
The Prep Library is running two summer reading challenges for the boys. All pupils Years 2-5 are invited to take a challenge bookmark and fill in each title read or colour the blocks for each book they read. To complete all boxes, the boys could be reading up to 20 books over the summer.
Boys in Years 4-5 have also been invited to create their own Reading Identity Posters 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 thinking skills and creative skills imaginatively. 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 boys to sign up.
The important thing is for all the boys 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.
Wrap-around Care Facility
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please click here to book your child into After School Care.
Please note that if your child is not booked into After School Care, we may not be able to accommodate them. 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.
Year 3-6 Information
Last Day of Summer Term
FRIDAY 5 JULY 11:45AM FINISH
Please be advised that school finishes for all pupils at 11:45am on Friday 5 July. Pupils will need to either be collected by an authorised collector or catch the 12pm coach and Little Habs services.
Reception Information
Warm Weather
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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 son 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 by your son at school. If you have any concerns, then please contact your son’s Form tutor.
Wrap-around Care Facility
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please click here to book your child into After School Care.
Please note that if your child is not booked into After School Care, we may not be able to accommodate them. 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.
Year 1 Information
Y1 Knebworth House Visit
MONDAY
1 JULY
We are looking forward to visiting Knebworth House and Gardens with Year 1 on Monday 1 July. Please click here for further information
Warm Weather
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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 son 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 by your son at school. If you have any concerns, then please contact your son’s Form tutor.
Year 2 Information
Wrap-around Care Facility
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please click here to book your child into After School Care.
Please note that if your child is not booked into After School Care, we may not be able to accommodate them. 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.
Warm Weather
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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 son 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 by your son at school. If you have any concerns, then please contact your son’s Form tutor.
Year 3 Information
Warm Weather
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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 son 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 contact your son’s Form tutor.
Year 4 Information
Warm Weather
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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 son 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 contact your son’s Form tutor.
Year 5 Information
Warm Weather
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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 son 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 contact your son’s Form tutor.
Year 6 Information
Instrumental Lessons in Year 7
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please be advised, pupils who currently have music instrumental lessons will continue those lessons going into Year 7 unless you have requested otherwise, and with due notice. We are excited to work with your children in the senior school, and confident we have many fantastic evenings of music ahead.
Warm Weather
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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 son 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 contact your son’s Form tutor.
Wednesday 3 July Bourne Hall, 2pm
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 3 July from 2pm in the Bourne Hall. Refreshments will be available from 1.30pm. Please park as directed on arrival.
Summer Programme
MUSIC Indian Music
Open to current Year 4 to Year 12, grade 4+
26 to 29 August, 10am to 4pm
This brand-new course is an opportunity for students to immerse themselves in Indian music. Guided by our expert team of tutors, students will work together in large and small ensembles towards a memorable final performance for family and friends. Indian music has been one of the most exciting areas of development at Habs in recent years, this course promises to be a fantastic new opportunity for any who are interested in getting involved.
Tabla & Vocalists – open to players of any current Year 4 to Year 12 Instrumentalists – grade 3+ standard current Year 4 to Year 12
£250. Book HERE
MUSIC Summer Programme Jazz
Open to current Year 4 to Year 12, grade 4+
11 to 15 August (intermediate), 10am to 4pm 19 to 23 and 25 August (by invite/audition only) 10am to 4pm
The Jazz Summer School is an established course, open to all instrumentalists of grade 4 and above. Led by our renowned team of jazz educators, students will be placed in an ensemble, preparing towards a final performance for family and friends. Jazz is a fantastic platform for exploring ensemble skills and improvisation, encouraging students to be courageous in the moment, to take risks, and be playful with their music-making. These courses are a highlight of the calendar, not to be missed for any budding young musician.
£350/£375. Book HERE
Open to students who will be in Year 5 to Upper Sixth in September 2024
PRE-PREP CALENDAR DATES
MONDAY 1 JULY Year 1 Knebworth House and Gardens Visit
FRIDAY 5 JULY
End of term for students
For further information, please refer to the school calendar on Firefly.
PREP CALENDAR DATES
WEDNESDAY 3 JULY
Y6 Commendations Ceremony Prep Summer Concert, 2pm Bourne Hall
FRIDAY 5 JULY
End of term for students
For further information, please refer to the school calendar on Firefly.