Prep Habs weekly newsletter

Habs Weekly Pre-Prep and Prep School Edition Friday 3 November Autumn Term

Head of Prep School’s Message I hope you all had a lovely half-term break. It was wonderful to see the students back in school on Monday, full of beans and excited about the events to come this half-term.

As we approach the end of Neurodiversity Week, we reflect upon a week in which we celebrate the beautiful tapestry of minds that make our school community so unique. This week, we have embraced and celebrated the differences that make each one of us special and recognize the importance of neurodiversity in our society.

You may have seen our "Umbrella of Minds” display outside of the Prep School, with each different coloured umbrella representing the different ways we think. It symbolizes the diverse strengths and perspectives that our students bring to the table and reminds us of the beauty of our differences.

Mrs Grossman organized an assembly, Mrs Kahn launched competitions and students completed a variety of activities during form time as well as having some lessons linked to Neurodiversity. We continue to encourage students to learn more about neurodiversity, fostering understanding and empathy.

We hope that you will join us in celebrating Neurodiversity Week by engaging in conversations at home, exploring the importance of inclusion and acceptance, and supporting your child's journey as they discover their own unique strengths and abilities.

Together, we can make our school a place where every child can thrive, knowing they are accepted and celebrated for who they are.

Ms K Umpleby Head of Prep and Pre-Prep

Reception to Year 6 Information Tooled Up

New!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION As we continue to support many members of our community through difficult times, we would like to share some resources that you may find helpful when talking to your children at home: YoungMinds | Mental Health Charity For Children And Young People | YoungMinds How to talk to children about conflict | British Red Cross This webinar is specifically aimed at parents titled Making Sense of the World Members Tooled Up Education, it is run by Dr Dennis Ougrin and Anna Tarasenko who are both stated as being experts on parenting in times of war. There is also a recording of a webinar (which took place on 19 Oct) titled Supporting Students Following a Potentially Traumatic Event Members - Tooled Up Education. The webinar is aimed at teachers, parents, carers who feel that a young person in their care may have experienced a traumatic event or a traumatic death.

You can log in or register at – Tooled Up Education 1.

2.

Enter your details Where it asks for a PIN, enter: HABS7725

To support your sons, the school is offering a number of weekly wellbeing drop in sessions.

These sessions are being hosted by Mr Swindell and the House Leaders. During these sessions, your sons will be able to attend on an ad hoc basis to discuss issues that might be troubling them, including the current situation taking place in Gaza and Israel.

Prep School Closed

New!

FRIDAY 24 NOVEMBER Please be reminded that the Prep School will be closed for students in Years 3-6 on Friday 24 November, due to the 7+ admissions process taking place. Students will receive online provision that day. Further details to follow.

Flu Immunisations Catch Up Clinics

New!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Please click here for further information regarding the catch up clinics for flu immunisations.

RECEPTION TO YEAR 6 INFORMATION

Guild Festive Drinks and Challah Bake

New!

SUNDAY 10 DECEMBER The Guild are delighted to announce the first whole school Festive Drinks and Challah Bake on Sunday 10 December from 4:30pm-6:30pm in the Bourne Hall. The Challah Bake will be led by Habs Boys’ Parent and OH Allegra Benitah, a professional challah maker. Each paying ticket holder will receive drinks (mulled wine, spiced apple drink, hot chocolate) and a Christmas cupcake or Chanukah donut. There will be Christmas and Chanukah photo backdrops with props for your family to take pictures and some games for your children to play. For more details Please click here. Tickets can be booked from 9am Sunday morning (5 November) on the following link click here

Harvest Contributions

New!

THANK YOU We would to extend our sincere thanks to all parents and guardians for your wonderful harvest collection this year. We are most grateful for your support and can confirm that we have collected 369.45kg of food between the Pre-Prep and Prep Schools. This in value equates to £875 worth of food donations. This will certainly go a long way to help us look after the needs of the local people in our community. Thank you for your support.

Remembrance Poppies

New!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Poppies are now available for sale until Friday 10 November. Should your son wish to purchase one, please can he bring his donation to Pre-Prep and Prep School Reception.

Parent and Staff Choir

New!

THURSDAY 7 DECEMBER, BOURNE HALL Please click here for further information on how to sign up to being involved in the Parent and

Staff Choir.

REC TO 6 INFORMATION

Children in Need

New!

FRIDAY 17 NOVEMBER On Friday 17 November we will be fundraising for Children in Need. Please come to school dressed in your best spotty outfits or bright clothes with a £1 donation to support this fantastic cause. Thank you in advance for your support.

BICS Annual Art Competition Diwali

New!

SATURDAY 25 NOVEMBER On the occasion of Diwali – the festival of light- Borehamwood Indian Cultural Society (BICS) invites children from local schools and communities to participate and showcase their talent in the ‘Annual BICS Children Art Competition’ organized by the society. Please click here for information regarding how to enter. The deadline for all entries is 15 November.

Wrap-around Care Facility BOOKING LINK Please click here to book your child into After School Care.

WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 6 NOVEMBER Please click here to view the Pre-Prep lunch menu.

Please click here to view the Prep lunch menu.

Years 3 to Year 6 Information Away Fixtures and Match Tea Procedure

New!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION We are thrilled to share that our boys have made an incredible start to the school rugby fixtures this term, embodying the spirit of Habs in a truly positive way. It is great to see their dedication and sportsmanship. We would like to kindly remind parents about the procedure for away school fixtures. If you plan to pick up your son from the away venue, please take note of the following: Your son is required to stay for the match tea.

Your son must sign out with the teacher in charge of their team.

Only after completing these steps can you take your son from the fixture.

Your cooperation in following these procedures helps ensure the safety of all our students during away fixtures.

House Coloured T Shirts

New!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Please can your son ensure brings into school his House-coloured t-shirt as part of his sports kit, which he can conveniently keep in his bag from now on. This will make it easier to organise house sports events throughout the term.

Lunchtime Live Auditions TUESDAY 21 NOVEMBER Boys in Years 2-6 are welcome to audition for our next Lunchtime Live concert on Tuesday 21 November at 12.30pm in the Seldon Hall. Please click here to add your audition video (by clicking on the plus sign at the bottom right of the page to add the media file) and those who will be performing will be contacted soon after the deadline for posting which is Monday 13 November. Families of those performing are warmly invited to attend the recital.

YEARS 3 TO 6 INFORMATION

Birthday Books IMPORTANT INFORMATION We are very excited to introduce ‘Birthday Books’ to Habs Prep to further encourage reading for pleasure throughout the school. We have created Amazon wish lists for each year group and would like to invite you to purchase one birthday book from these lists for your sons’ when it is their birthday. The book should be brought into school and handed in to the librarian, Mrs Zinkin, who will insert a personalised bookplate into the book, and present the book to your son in assembly. Then the book will go into his class library for at least a term, before being reshelved in the Prep Library. We hope this will further stimulate the boys’ reading and create enthusiasm around a dynamic and wide-ranging collection of new children’s books.

Please click here for the Year 3 and 4 Amazon link Please click here for the Year 5 and 6 Amazon link.

Reception Tapestry

New!

UPDATED INFORMATION We are excited to launch our online learning journal, Tapestry, after the half-term break.

Tapestry is used to document your child’s milestones and learning opportunities during Reception. In order to access Tapestry, please read and agree to the terms by following this link. Please note – the deadline for this is Monday 6 November

Reception Nativity Play FRIDAY 1 DECEMBER We warmly invite you to our Reception Nativity Play on Friday 1 December at 9am in the PrePrep Hall. Please drop your son off as usual in the playground and then make your way to the main reception. Doors will open and refreshments will be served from 8.15am. Please note that due to limited hall capacity, seats are limited to two per child.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION We are very excited to introduce ‘Birthday Books’ to Habs Pre-Prep to further encourage reading for pleasure throughout the school. We have created an Amazon wish list and would like to invite you to purchase one birthday book from this list for your sons’ when it is their birthday. The book should be brought into school and handed in to their form teacher for a personalised bookplate to be inserted into the book. The book will be presented in assembly and then go into your son’s class library for at least a term, before being reshelved in the PrePrep library. We hope this will further stimulate the boys’ reading and create enthusiasm around a dynamic and wide-ranging collection of new children’s books.

Please click here for the Pre-Prep Amazon link.

Year 1 Eco-Council 2023

New!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Would your son like to be part of the School Eco-Council? Please click here for further information.

Pre-Prep Winter Concert Year 1 and 2 FRIDAY 1 DECEMBER We warmly invite you to our Year 1 and Year 2 Winter Concert on Friday 1 December at 2pm in the Seldon Hall. Doors will open and refreshments will be served from 1.30pm in the Seldon Hall Foyer. Please do not arrive before 1.30pm. Due to limited hall capacity seats are limited to two per child.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION We are very excited to introduce ‘Birthday Books’ to Habs Pre-Prep to further encourage reading for pleasure throughout the school. We have created an Amazon wish list and would like to invite you to purchase one birthday book from this list for your sons’ when it is their birthday. The book should be brought into school and handed in to their form teacher for a personalised bookplate to be inserted into the book. The book will be presented in assembly and then go into your son’s class library for at least a term, before being reshelved in the PrePrep library. We hope this will further stimulate the boys’ reading and create enthusiasm around a dynamic and wide-ranging collection of new children’s books.

Please click here for the Pre-Prep Amazon link.

Year 2 Eco-Council 2023

New!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Would your son like to be part of the School Eco-Council? Please click here for further information.

Lunchtime Live Auditions TUESDAY 21 NOVEMBER Boys in Years 2-6 are welcome to audition for our next Lunchtime Live concert on Tuesday 21 November at 12.30pm in the Seldon Hall. Please click here to add your audition video (by clicking on the plus sign at the bottom right of the page to add the media file) and those who will be performing will be contacted soon after the deadline for posting which is Monday 13 November. Families of those performing are warmly invited to attend the recital.

Pre-Prep Winter Concert Year 1 and 2 FRIDAY 1 DECEMBER We warmly invite you to our Year 1 and Year 2 Winter Concert on Friday 1 December at 2pm in the Seldon Hall. Doors will open and refreshments will be served from 1.30pm in the Seldon Hall Foyer. Please do not arrive before 1.30pm. Due to limited hall capacity seats are limited to two per child .

YEAR 2

IMPORTANT INFORMATION We are very excited to introduce ‘Birthday Books’ to Habs Pre-Prep to further encourage reading for pleasure throughout the school. We have created an Amazon wish list and would like to invite you to purchase one birthday book from this list for your sons’ when it is their birthday. The book should be brought into school and handed in to their form teacher for a personalised bookplate to be inserted into the book. The book will be presented in assembly and then go into your son’s class library for at least a term, before being reshelved in the PrePrep library. We hope this will further stimulate the boys’ reading and create enthusiasm around a dynamic and wide-ranging collection of new children’s books.

Please click here for the Pre-Prep Amazon link.

Year 3 No new notices for this week.

Year 4 Y4 Medieval Workshop WEDNESDAY 8 NOVEMBER Please click here for costume ideas regarding the Y4 Medieval Workshop.

Year 5 Ciannon Smart Author Workshop WEDNESDAY 29 NOVEMBER Local author Ciannon Smart will be holding an author workshop for Y5 on Wednesday 29 November. She will be talking about her brand-new series Rayleigh Mann in the Company of Monsters. It’s a fantasy adventure for ages 9+, inspired by Caribbean myths and growing up in London.

When notorious troublemaker Rayleigh Mann sneaks out to go trick-or-treating on Halloween, he gets more than he bargained for - in the form of a monster straight out of his nana's stories.

The weirdest thing though? The monster tells Rayleigh that the father he never knew is actually the Bogey Mann, the most terrifying of all monsters, the Supreme Scarer himself.

And there's more - Bogey is missing and Rayleigh is the only one who can find him. But to do so, Rayleigh must travel to Bogey's world, Below London... There Rayleigh's penchant for tricks might just help him survive an adventure straight out of his wildest dreams - or perhaps his most terrifying nightmares.

Please click here to pre-order the book, (the link will be live from

Monday 6 and close Monday 20 November).

Ciannon will sign and dedicate books to your child during her visit.

British Basketball League Playoff Finals O2 Arena SUNDAY 19 MAY 2024 The Habs Prep PE Department would like to offer your son a great opportunity to experience top level basketball at this year's BBL Play-Off Final at the O2 arena in London on Sunday 19 May 2024. We will leave at 1pm from the Habs Coach Park and return at 7.30pm. Further information will be shared via EVOLVE with instructions on how to purchase a ticket which includes entry to the arena and return travel by coach after the October half term.

Year 6 British Basketball League Playoff Finals O2 Arena SUNDAY 19 MAY 2024 The Habs Prep PE Department would like to offer your son a great opportunity to experience top level basketball at this year's BBL Play-Off Final at the O2 arena in London on Sunday 19 May 2024. We will leave at 1pm from the Habs Coach Park and return at 7.30pm. Further information will be shared via EVOLVE with instructions on how to purchase a ticket which includes entry to the arena and return travel by coach after the October half term.

Year 6 Remembrance Day IMPORTANT INFORMATION On Remembrance Sunday we will be taking part in the Radlett Remembrance Parade. This is a wonderful opportunity for Year 6 pupils from both the Prep and Junior Schools to march alongside other people in the community, in remembrance of the service and sacrifice of all those that have defended our freedoms and protected our way of life. Together, the two schools will lay a wreath at the Radlett Memorial.

Year 6 parents - if your child is able to join us to represent the school at the parade, please complete the consent form that has been sent via Evolve.

Participating pupils will need to wear full winter uniform; school coats are permitted but hats and scarves may not be worn. Your child should also wear a poppy.

Pupils should meet staff at 10.10am on Sunday 12 November outside Christ Church St John's, Radlett, from where they will march to the war memorial. The service will then begin at 10.45am. Collection of pupils will be from outside Radlett Library at the end of the service.

PREP SPORTS FIXTURES THURSDAY 9 NOVEMBER FRIDAY 10 NOVEMBER

SATURDAY 11 NOVEMBER SATURDAY 18 NOVEMBER TUESDAY 21 NOVEMBER SATURDAY 25 NOVEMBER WEDNESDAY 29 NOVEMBER

THURSDAY 30 NOVEMBER

U11 IAPS Rugby Festival (Brentwood School, 8.30am to 5.30pm) U11 v Chesham (Chesham School 1.30pm to 4.30pm) U10A/B and U9AB (UCS, 9.30am to 11am) U11A and B Under 10 A and B (Berkhamsted, 9.30am to 11am U9 Quad v Beacon, Davenies and Gayhurst Top Pitch (Habs), 2.30pm to 4pm) Habs U9 A Rugby Festival Top Pitch (Habs) , 9.00am to 12.30pm) U10 A, B and C (Chesham Prep 1.30pm to 4.45pm) U8s v Belmont

(Belmont, Mill Hill, Prep School, 1.30pm to 4.30pm)

* Selected pupils will be invited to participate via SOCS

PRE - PREP CALENDAR DATES

MONDAY 30 OCTOBER Pre-Prep Flu Immunisations (Prep Hall) FRIDAY 17 NOVEMBER Reception Diwali Morning Children in Need (non-uniform) Year 1 Collaboration Afternoon (Prep/Junior School) TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER Reception Christmas Craft morning (8.45am—10am)

FRIDAY 1 DECEMBER Reception Nativity Performance (9am, Pre-Prep Hall) Year 1 and Year 2 Winter Concert (2pm, Seldon Hall) WEDNESDAY 6 DECEMBER Pre-Prep Pantomime Visit Beauty and the Beast (Radlett Centre) THURSDAY 7 NOVEMBER Rec to Y2 Wellbeing Day FRIDAY 8 DECEMBER TERM ENDS (Reception to Year2)

For further information, please refer to the school calendar on Firefly.

PREP CALENDAR DATES

TUESDAY 7 NOVEMBER

FRIDAY 24 NOVEMBER

Y3 to Y6 Parents Evening

School Closed for Prep Pupils

(in person)

(7+ Round 1)

(4.30pm-7pm, Prep Hall) MONDAY 27 NOVEMBER WEDNESDAY 8 NOVEMBER

Y1 to Y6 Instrumental Concert

Y4 Medieval Workshop

(Seldon Hall)

FRIDAY 10 NOVEMBER

TUESDAY 5 DECEMBER

Y2 to Y6 Remembrance Service

Winter Choral Concert

(Prep/Junior School collaboration)

(2.30pm-3.30pm, Bourne Hall)

THURSDAY 16 NOVEMBER

WEDNESDAY 13 DECEMBER

Y3 to Y6 Parents Evening

End of Term for Students

(in person)

4pm

(4.30pm-7pm, Prep Hall) FRIDAY 17 NOVEMBER

Children in Need (non uniform) TUESDAY 24 NOVEMBER Lunchtime Live (12.30pm—1.20pm, Seldon)

For further information, please refer to the school calendar on Firefly.