Habs Weekly
Junior School Edition
Friday 26April Summer Term 2024
Friday 26April Summer Term 2024
Over the Summer Term, we will be trialling a new Habs Weekly feature, ‘Inside the Classroom’. Every week we will be sharing a glimpse of what has been happening inside the Junior School. The following three pages kickstart this new feature – please enjoy.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
Mrs Claire Brown Head of Junior SchoolWEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 29 APRIL
Please click here to view our Rainbow and KS1 lunch menu.
Please click here to view our KS2 lunch menu.
IMPORTANT REMINDER
Please take some time to look at the menu with your child, in advance. If your child has any food intolerances, please ensure they understand the food choices for each day. Pupils have been reminded that there are always Allergy Champions in the serveries who they can speak to if they are unsure about appropriate food choices for them.
IMPORTANT REMINDER
Following the letter sent on Wednesday 17 April, please be reminded that there will be no kosher sandwiches available in the Dining Hall between Monday 22 April and Tuesday 30 April. This is due to the external catering supplier being closed for Passover.
Normal supply will be resumed on Wednesday 1 May.
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. A full list of permitted breaktime snacks can be found in the Parent Information Booklet
RECORDING FROM TUESDAY 19 MARCH
We are delighted to share a recording of last term's Junior Performing Arts Evening. All the performers did incredibly well, and we hope you enjoy watching the performance back.
Please click here to view.
RAINBOW TO YEAR 6 INFORMATION CONTINUED
REMINDER - RAINBOW TO YEAR 3
If you use the drop off lane in the morning, please refrain from queuing at the entrance barrier before 8am; this will ensure that staff and delivery vehicles can enter without obstruction or delay.
If you do arrive on the school site before 8am, please drive into the car park and proceed to the barrier from 8am.
We kindly ask that parents and guardians are respectful to our staff, who work hard to ensure everyone's safety and an efficient flow of vehicles round the site.
TUESDAY 30 APRIL
On Tuesday 30 April, Year 6 will be running a charity fundraising event in support of Herts Young Homeless (HYH). HYH is a charity which helps young people aged 16-24 who are either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, as well as offering support to those whose families may be at risk of relationship breakdown.
Please note this event is only open to Year 3, 4 and 5, details of which are shared on the Year group pages in this newsletter.
Summer uniform may be worn throughout this term.
In the first half of this term and the first half of autumn term, this is optional for all year groups. However, for Rainbow to Year 4 this becomes compulsory during the second half of the summer term, after the May half term holiday.
The summer uniform options are:
• a summer dress worn with short or long white socks (not tights) and school jumper
• a short sleeve, revere collar shirt with tailored shorts and school jumper, worn with short or long white socks (not tights). If wearing the green uniform, this is a green shirt and black tailored shorts. For the navy uniform, this is a white shirt with navy tailored shorts.
Please be reminded the Parent Information Booklet has detailed information about uniform on pages 34-39.
Please click here to review the information about the new uniform phasing in plans.
IMPORTANT REMINDER
Please click here to review updated Attendance Policy shared with parents on Monday 11 March.
RAINBOW TO YEAR 6 INFORMATION CONTINUED
Please click here to book your daughter into Wraparound Care.
Please click here to review the Parent Information Booklet for 2023/24.
SPACES AVAILABLE
Spaces remain on the following activities:
If you would like your child to participate in any of these activities, please email Miss Sultana directly on rsultana@habsgirls.org.uk
These remaining spaces will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
* = Indicates a joint session with the boys’ school.
SUMMER TERM
This term all the pupils in Rainbow will take part in water familiarisation sessions as part of our PE provision. Each Rainbow class will have three sessions in the swimming pool. The Rainbow swimming lessons will take place on the following dates:
Monday 29 April
Monday 13 May
Monday 20 May
Monday 10 June
Monday 17 June
Rainbow Red
Rainbow Red
Rainbow Blue
Rainbow Blue
Rainbow Blue
The main objective of these sessions is to build up the pupils’ confidence with being in the swimming pool facility – including getting into the water in small groups.
Your child should come to school on these days in her school uniform and will change into her swimming costume before the session. Please send your child to school with a one-piece swimming costume and towel in a waterproof bag. All items should be named. Additionally, your child will need a swimming hat, which can be purchased from Mrs Walsh for £5.
SUMMER TERM
NEW
It has been an exciting week this week in Rainbow as we have welcomed some chicks to Habs. The girls have been looking after them well and we have watched them hatch from their eggs. All students will have the opportunity over the two weeks that we have them in school, to pay the chicks a visit whilst they are living in Rainbow.
NEW
To link in with our Foundation Stage focus on the environment, we are thinking about reusing and recycling. As a phase, we have decided to do a book swap, which will be held on Thursday 16 May. We would like your daughter to bring in two books that she has already read and no longer needs. Your daughter will then receive two tokens and will be able to use them to choose 2 books from the selection brought in by her class.
Books will need to brought in on any date up to Monday 13 May. We hope this will be a great opportunity for the girls to restock their bookshelves with some new and exciting texts in a sustainable way!
SUMMER TERM
The dates for Rainbow Family Fridays for the Summer Term are as follows:
Friday 3 May
Friday 24 May
Friday 21 June
3pm to 3.30pm
8am to 8.30am
8am to 8.30am
Please note that on Friday 3 May, you will be able to take your child home from the classroom. On Friday 24 May and Friday 21 June, there will be the opportunity for you to sign up to a variety of teacher-led workshops that will run from 8.30am to 9am.
In line with our safeguarding policy, taking photos or filming will not be permitted during any ‘Family Friday’ sessions.
We hope that you will enjoy this opportunity to spend some time with your child in their learning environment.
MONDAY 29 APRIL
1 Purple will be delivering their class assembly on Monday 29 April from 8.45am to 9.15am in the changed location of the Performance Space. Parents and guardians are warmly invited. Attending parents should park in the visitor's car park and walk to the Dining Hall entrance doors, where you will be registered from 8.30am. We kindly ask attendees to wait outside until a member of Junior School staff arrives to welcome you in.
MONDAY 13 MAY
1 Orange will be delivering their class assembly on Monday 13 May from 8.45am to 9.15am in the Performance Space, which parents and carers are warmly invited to. Attending parents should park in the visitor's car park and walk around to the Dining Hall doors, where you will be registered from 8.30am. We kindly ask attendees to wait outside until a member of Junior School staff arrives to welcome you in.
THURSDAY 16 MAY
To link in with our Foundation Stage focus on the environment, we are thinking about reusing and recycling. As a phase, we have decided to do a book swap, which will be held on Thursday 16 May. We would like your daughter to bring in two books that she has already read and no longer needs. Your daughter will then receive two tokens and will be able to use them to choose 2 books from the selection brought in by her class.
Books will need to brought in on any date up to Monday 13 May. We hope this will be a great opportunity for the girls to restock their bookshelves with some new and exciting texts in a sustainable way!
IMPORTANT – DEADLINE FRIDAY 3 MAY
As part of the annual data review for Year 2, we would like to check the languages your child has been exposed to in development.
Please can you complete this EAL Form by Friday 3 May.
TUESDAY 14 MAY, 1.30 TO 3.30PM
On Tuesday 14 May, we will be holding an informal demonstration concert and try-out session for all Year 2 girls. Some of our Visiting Music Teachers and older students will play a variety of instruments for them and explain the instrumental families. This will be followed immediately by a 'come and have a go' session when the Year 2 students, accompanied by parents, will be given the opportunity to try out the instruments they are interested in and talk to the instrumental teachers. This is in preparation for the girls being able to begin instrumental lessons at school once they start Year 3. A letter, with further details, will be sent nearer the date.
SUNDAY 9 JUNE
Please click here to view the letter from Mr D'Costa regarding an exciting chess competition on Sunday 9 June. Please contact Mr D’Costa directly for more information lorin@eagleidechess.com
SATURDAY 27 APRIL 5PM
Tomorrow, Habs Choristers will sing Evensong at the prestigious London church of All Saints, which is located in London’s West End, just to the north of Oxford Circus.
Since their formation in January 2022, Habs Choristers have led services at both Barnet Church and Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, and are joined by six professional singers for each service. The group will visit Cambridge again on Saturday 22 June, this time singing at Sidney Sussex College. Evensong consists of readings and music and, whilst a Christian service, all are very much welcome to attend.
Auditions for next year’s Habs Choristers for current Year 3 and Year 4 pupils will take place towards the end of this term and for current Year 2 pupils at the beginning of the new school year. More information to follow.
TUESDAY 30 APRIL
On Tuesday 30 April, Year 6 will be running a charity fundraising event in support of Herts Young Homeless (HYH). HYH is a charity which helps young people aged 16-24 who are either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, as well as offering support to those whose families may be at risk of relationship breakdown.
Our Year 6 pupils have been diligently preparing lots of games and activities for pupils in Years 3, 4 and 5 to keep them entertained. These games include Hoopla, Throw the Bean Bag in the Basket and Splat the Rat, to name but a few!
To raise money for this worthy cause, we would be grateful if your daughter could bring in up to £5 in small change in a named purse or envelope on Tuesday 30 April.
We believe that this event presents a great opportunity for pupils to have fun, while also actively supporting those who are less fortunate than themselves. By participating, they will actively contribute to making a positive difference to the lives of others.
Should you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact Ms Tersigni (stersigni@habsgirls.org.uk) or Mr Bloch (rbloch@habsgirls.org.uk), Year 6 class teachers.
SUNDAY 9 JUNE
Please click here to view the letter from Mr D'Costa regarding an exciting chess competition on Sunday 9 June. Please contact Mr D’Costa directly for more information lorin@eagleidechess.com
SATURDAY 27 APRIL 5PM
Tomorrow, Habs Choristers will sing Evensong at the prestigious London church of All Saints, which is located in London’s West End, just to the north of Oxford Circus.
Since their formation in January 2022, Habs Choristers have led services at both Barnet Church and Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, and are joined by six professional singers for each service. The group will visit Cambridge again on Saturday 22 June, this time singing at Sidney Sussex College. Evensong consists of readings and music and, whilst a Christian service, all are very much welcome to attend.
Auditions for next year’s Habs Choristers for current Year 3 and Year 4 pupils will take place towards the end of this term and for current Year 2 pupils at the beginning of the new school year. More information to follow.
TUESDAY 30 APRIL
On Tuesday 30 April, Year 6 will be running a charity fundraising event in support of Herts Young Homeless (HYH). HYH is a charity which helps young people aged 16-24 who are either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, as well as offering support to those whose families may be at risk of relationship breakdown.
Our Year 6 pupils have been diligently preparing lots of games and activities for pupils in Years 3, 4 and 5 to keep them entertained. These games include Hoopla, Throw the Bean Bag in the Basket and Splat the Rat, to name but a few!
To raise money for this worthy cause, we would be grateful if your daughter could bring in up to £5 in small change in a named purse or envelope on Tuesday 30 April.
We believe that this event presents a great opportunity for pupils to have fun, while also actively supporting those who are less fortunate than themselves. By participating, they will actively contribute to making a positive difference to the lives of others.
Should you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact Ms Tersigni (stersigni@habsgirls.org.uk) or Mr Bloch (rbloch@habsgirls.org.uk), Year 6 class teachers.
We are very pleased to share with you that all the Key Stage 2 classes will continue to enjoy a Forest School experience during the Summer term. Forest School provides a valuable opportunity for children to connect to nature and understand more about the world around them. Research has shown that it helps to foster teamwork, problem solving, risk taking, independent thinking and creativity alongside developing practical skills.
We will be outside for two hours whatever the weather so please could your child wear the following for the session, making sure that the clothes provided are suitable for outdoors and for getting slightly muddy:
• Durable, full-length trousers (not onesies)
• Long sleeved top and jumper
• Coat
• Wellington boots
Please check the weather forecast for your daughter’s timetabled session (see dates below). If it is due to rain, please provide your daughter with a waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers. Please ensure that your she has enough suitable layers if the weather is due to be cold; this may include, a hat, scarf and gloves. If it likely to be hot weather, please ensure sunscreen is applied before school and that a sun hat is bought in to school. Your daughter should wear their Forest School clothes and trainers to school on the day bringing in wellington boots if not already at school, extra layers, or waterproofs if needed. If the forecast is rain it might be advisable to bring in their PE kits as extra clothes in case they need to change after the session.
4 Aesc
4 Aleph
Friday 3 May (1.25pm to 3.25pm)
Friday 10 May (1.25pm to 3.25pm)
Finally, please ensure that your daughter’s allergy, intolerances, or specific dietary information on the Parent Portal is up to date two weeks prior to your child’s session as we will be cooking and eating as part of the experience.
Please email Mrs Gibson (cgibson@habsgirls.org.uk) if you have any further questions. We are looking forward to these sessions and we hope that your daughter will greatly enjoy and benefit from this experience.
Please click here to view the letter from Mr D'Costa regarding an exciting chess competition on Sunday 9 June. Please contact Mr D’Costa directly for more information lorin@eagleidechess.com
SATURDAY 27 APRIL 5PM
Tomorrow, Habs Choristers will sing Evensong at the prestigious London church of All Saints, which is located in London’s West End, just to the north of Oxford Circus.
Since their formation in January 2022, Habs Choristers have led services at both Barnet Church and Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, and are joined by six professional singers for each service. The group will visit Cambridge again on Saturday 22 June, this time singing at Sidney Sussex College. Evensong consists of readings and music and, whilst a Christian service, all are very much welcome to attend.
Auditions for next year’s Habs Choristers for current Year 3 and Year 4 pupils will take place towards the end of this term and for current Year 2 pupils at the beginning of the new school year. More information to follow.
TUESDAY 30 APRIL
On Tuesday 30 April, Year 6 will be running a charity fundraising event in support of Herts Young Homeless (HYH). HYH is a charity which helps young people aged 16-24 who are either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, as well as offering support to those whose families may be at risk of relationship breakdown.
Our Year 6 pupils have been diligently preparing lots of games and activities for pupils in Years 3, 4 and 5 to keep them entertained. These games include Hoopla, Throw the Bean Bag in the Basket and Splat the Rat, to name but a few!
To raise money for this worthy cause, we would be grateful if your daughter could bring in up to £5 in small change in a named purse or envelope on Tuesday 30 April.
We believe that this event presents a great opportunity for pupils to have fun, while also actively supporting those who are less fortunate than themselves. By participating, they will actively contribute to making a positive difference to the lives of others.
Should you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact Ms Tersigni (stersigni@habsgirls.org.uk) or Mr Bloch (rbloch@habsgirls.org.uk), Year 6 class teachers.
SUNDAY
Please click here to view the letter from Mr D'Costa regarding an exciting chess competition on Sunday 9 June. Please contact Mr D’Costa directly for more information lorin@eagleidechess.com
Evensong atAll Saints, Margaret Street
SATURDAY 27 APRIL 5PM
Tomorrow, Habs Choristers will sing Evensong at the prestigious London church of All Saints, which is located in London’s West End, just to the north of Oxford Circus.
Since their formation in January 2022, Habs Choristers have led services at both Barnet Church and Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, and are joined by six professional singers for each service. The group will visit Cambridge again on Saturday 22 June, this time singing at Sidney Sussex College. Evensong consists of readings and music and, whilst a Christian service, all are very much welcome to attend.
Auditions for next year’s Habs Choristers for current Year 3 and Year 4 pupils will take place towards the end of this term and for current Year 2 pupils at the beginning of the new school year. More information to follow.
FRIDAY 7 JUNE AT 8.45AM
With the transition to the Senior School on the horizon, we understand that this can be an exciting yet anxious time for both students and parents alike. To assist in this transition process, we are delighted to invite you to an informal parent coffee morning on Friday 7 June.
The event will start at 8.45am, lasting around an hour, and we encourage all parents and guardians of students joining Habs Senior School in Year 7 to attend. The event is open both to parents of new joiners and Junior School parents, and we hope that it will provide valuable insights and support, as your children embark on this new chapter of their educational journey.
As part of the morning's program, you will have the opportunity to hear from current Year 7 and Year 8 students who have already experienced the transition into Senior School. They will be sharing their firsthand experiences, offering invaluable advice, and answering any questions you may have. Our current students will provide a glimpse into the daily life of a Senior School student and offer practical tips on how to support your child during this transition period. Following the presentation, over coffee, parents will have the opportunity to engage with current Senior School students from a range of year groups, allowing you to gain further insights and perspectives. You will also be able to meet with other parents with children joining in September, as well as parents from within our existing parent community.
We sincerely hope that you will be able to join us for this event. Please could you indicate on the Microsoft Form here by Friday 31 May, if you would like to attend.
We look forward to seeing many of you at the parent coffee morning and working together to support your child’s transition into the Senior School.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
We are excited to begin rehearsals for our Year 6 production of Disney’s ‘Mary Poppins Jr.’ It is important all pupils read the whole script, so that they have an understanding of the storyline and the characters, and how their role fits into the production as a whole. It is also important that they continue to listen to the songs at home. The music in Mary Poppins is challenging, and being familiar with it will enable them to get the most out of our rehearsals.
The songs can be accessed via this link
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Thank you to those of you who completed the form confirming your daughter’s availability to attend a planned rehearsal on Sunday 9 June. We have decided to schedule a full day rehearsal, which will run from 10am to 3pm with a break for lunch. Girls who can attend only a morning or an afternoon rehearsal will be able to join when they can. More information will follow soon.
NEW
Please click here to view the letter from Mr D'Costa regarding an exciting chess competition on Sunday 9 June. Please contact Mr D’Costa directly for more information lorin@eagleidechess.com
The Habs’ Elstree Schools’ Foundation is delighted to invite you to Habs in Conversation: An Evening with Ashley Blaker (OH 1993) on Tuesday 7 May. The event will be held from 7 to 9:30pm in theBourne Hall, Habs Boys School.
Ashley is an acclaimed stand-up comedian, writer, and TV and radio performer, as well as a long-time friend and collaborator with Matt Lucas (OH 1994) on projects including Little Britain.
He is the author of a new memoir entitled Normal Schmormal: My Occasionally Helpful Guide to Parenting Kids with Special Needs. Ashley and his wife are parents to six kids, half of whom have special needs ranging from autism to Down's syndrome. In newspaper interviews and podcasts he doesn't just sound cheerful about it all – he can make you feel downright jealous of his family life.
Ashley will be on stage with Executive Principal Gus Lock (OH 1994), who will chat with him about his family, his new standup tour, life at and after Habs, and more.
The evening will begin with a drink's reception at 7pm. The on-stage conversation is expected to start at 8pm, followed by a Q&A session with the audience. The event is free, but booking is required. Please reserve your space here
Habs in Conversation is an occasional series of on-stage interviews with prominent members of the Habs community. Highlights of our Habs in Conversation with John Vincent (OH 1990 and Katie Derham) are available here
We are delighted to invite you to our Quiz Night on Thursday 23 May. Doors will open at 6.45pm with the quiz starting promptly at 8pm in the Dining Hall. The event is open to all, so please bring along family and friends.
The ticket price includes supper which will be available from 7.15pm until 7.45pm and will include vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Dessert will be available during the quiz break around 8.45pm. There will also be bar serving drinks throughout the evening and a raffle (cash and cards accepted).
As ever, this is proving to be a very popular event and tickets have been selling fast! Online booking is still open via the school Box Office for the remaining tickets, which cost £22 per adult; these will be available to book until Monday 20 May or until sold out. Please note tickets will not be available on the door.
We would encourage teams of six to be formed. When booking, please ensure you coordinate with your team to ensure you are all seated at the same table.Alternatively, you are more than welcome to book individual places at any of the available tables and take the opportunity to meet other parents from other year groups.
Raffle tickets will be on sale for a chance to win some fantastic prizes which have been generously donated by local businesses and parents at the school. If you have any prizes you would like to donate, we would love to hear from you.
We look forward to welcoming you to the quiz; in the meantime, if you have any questions, want to make a donation or wish to volunteer at the event, please email the Guild at stcatherineparentsguild@gmail.com
Habs’ Girls’ Junior and Boys' Prep School would like to invite your child to take part in our Collaborative Softball Cricket Festival.
The aim of the festival is for pupils to take part in a variety of cricket activities and games in a carousel. Years 3 and 4 will be from 9am until 10.30am and Years 5 and 6 will be from 10.45 until 12.15pm.
Due to the organisation of teams on the day, please only register your child if they are committing to attending this event. The registration form (linked below) will close at 9am on Friday 3 May 2024, and unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate any enquiries after this deadline. Your child will need to arrive at their year group’s start time at Habs’ Boys’ AstroTurf wearing their PE/Cricket kit, with a full water bottle. If your child has carries or uses any inhalers or AAIs, they will need to have these with them to take part in the event.
If you would like to register your child's attendance this event, please fill in and submit this form. Please submit a separate form for each child attending. Cancellation of the festival may occur if the weather is thought to affect your child’s safety. You will be notified on the day if the festival is cancelled.
We encourage parents to stay and support; there will be refreshments throughout the event.
Sunday 30 June
12pm to 4pm
Please click here for more information from Habs Boys Parents’ Guild.
Monday 29 April
Wednesday 1 May
Thursday 2 May
Tuesday 7 May
Thursday 9 May
Friday 10 May
Wednesday 15 May
Year 4
Inter House Cricket
Year 6
Inter House Cricket
Year 5
Inter House Cricket
*Years 4 & 6
Divisional 10 Swimming Finals (AWAY)
*Years 3 & 4
Friendly Swimming Gala v Prep Boys’ (Habs’ Boys’ School)
Year 3
Inter House Cross-Country
*Year 6
Cricket v Edge Grove (AWAY)
*Invite only via Evolve
Wednesday 5 June
Saturday 8 June
Monday 10 June (amended from last Habs Weekly)
Monday 17 June
*Years 3, 4 & 5
Athletics v RMS (AWAY)
Years 3, 4, 5 & 6
Collaborative Cricket Festival
This event will be rescheduled at a later date
Year 5
Inter House Cricket
Wednesday 19 June
Year 6
Inter House Cricket
Thursday 20 June
*Years 3, 4, 5 & 6
Friendly Swimming Gala v NLCS
Monday 24 June
Years 3 & 4
Inter House Swimming Gala
Thursday 27 June
Junior School Sports Day
(More details to follow at a later date)
*Invite only via Evolve
MONDAY 29 APRIL
1 Purple Class Assembly
FRIDAY 3 MAY
4 Aesc Forest School
MONDAY 6 MAY Bank Holiday
(No Pupils In School)
TUESDAY 7 MAY
Habs In Conversation:An Evening with Ashley Blaker
TUESDAY 7 TO FRIDAY 10 MAY
Year 5 Skern Lodge Residential
MONDAY 13 MAY
1 Orange Class Assembly
WEDNESDAY 15 TO FRIDAY 17 MAY
Year 4 PGL Marchants Hill
THURSDAY 16 TO FRIDAY 17 MAY
Year 3 Camp Night & Roman Workshop
MONDAY 20 TO FRIDAY 24 MAY
Year 6 PGL Osmington Bay
THURSDAY 23 MAY
St Catherine Parents’ Guild Quiz Night
The reminder dates above cover the next four school weeks, if you require further information beyond this time frame, please refer to the school calendar on Firefly.