Welcome to the Pre-Preparatory School Year 1 Booklet - 2021
Welcome to the Pre-Preparatory School Dear Parents, It is a pleasure to welcome you and your child into Year 1 and to the beginning of what promises to be an exciting journey through the Pre-Preparatory School. We pride ourselves on the strong partnerships that we have with our Pre-Prep parents and cannot emphasise enough just how important it is that we work closely together. Now that you and your child are part of the Haberdashers’ family, we look forward to ensuring that your child enjoys a happy and fulfilling time with us. Our Pre-Prep School is full of children creatively immersed in their learning, making firm friendships and enjoying being carefree and happy. Without doubt, a happy child will thrive and reach their full potential and we are committed to achieving that aim. Please rest assured that we will do our utmost to ensure that your child settles quickly into their Year 1 class and that they feel happy and secure in their new surroundings. Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to ask one of the Pre-Prep team. Have a wonderful summer and I look forward to welcoming our new Year 1 cohort to School in September. With my very best wishes,
Ms Victoria Huggett
Head of Pre-Preparatory School
Pre-Preparatory School Staff 2021/22 Pre-Preparatory and Preparatory Leadership Team Ms Victoria Huggett Mr Matteo Rossetti
Head of Pre-Preparatory School Head of Preparatory and Pre-Preparatory School
Year 1 Form Teachers Miss Nippa Patel Miss Sophie Stables
1NP 1SS
Year 2 Form Teachers Mrs Jana Percival Mrs Natalie Young
2JP 2NY
Teaching assistants Mrs Julie Barber Mrs Helen Pieri Mrs Helen Elliott
Specialist Teachers Mr Gareth Thomas Miss Ellen Flynn Mr Ed Barnett Mrs Helen Pritchard Mrs Tessa Grossman
Pre-Prep and Prep School Deputy Head (Pastoral) / ICT Teacher Head of English at Pre-Prep and Prep School Head of PE and Games at Pre-Prep and Prep School Music teacher (part time) Drama Teacher (part time)
Support Staff Miss Louise Edwards Ms Sharon Thompson Ms Samantha Eaglesfield Mrs Carly Morris Mrs Pawana Porter
School Secretary Catering supervisor Catering assistant Catering assistant Lunchtime assistant
Contact Details The Pre-Preparatory office is open Monday to Friday, between 8am and 4.30pm Telephone
0208 266 1950
PrePrepOffice@habsboys.org.uk
Preparatory School Office (at the Elstree site)
0208 266 1779
Senior School Office (at the Elstree site)
0208 266 1700
Pastoral Information In the Prep and Pre-Prep School, we take pride in providing individualised care to our pupils. We offer them a breadth of opportunities, encourage them, support them and celebrate their successes whenever we see them. The pastoral role of all our members of staff is of paramount importance to them, and is anchored in fostering the students’ curiosity, courage and kindness. Our aim is to nurture your children as members of the Haberdashers’ family, offering a safe and secure environment for their learning and play. The development of strong character traits is key, and pupils are actively encouraged to attend the many extra-curricular clubs and activities that are available at lunchtimes and after school. As a vital part of their social development, new friendships are formed across the year groups and a sense of “community” emerges. The House system plays a very important role in each child’s pastoral progression. House meetings are held regularly to celebrate pupil achievements. House Leaders retain an oversight of the pastoral progression of your child throughout his time with us and act as a consistent point of contact for you as parents. We view your child’s education as a partnership. Should you feel there is a reason to inform us about a particular circumstance affecting your child then, in the first instance, please contact your child’s Form Teacher. This may be by email or telephone. These vital and open lines of communication ensure your child’s happiness and welfare are fully met. I am aware that some issues may be of a delicate or personal matter and in these instances please contact Ms Victoria Huggett directly (huggett_v@habsboys.org.uk). I look forward to meeting you in person soon.
Mr G Thomas Prep Deputy Head (Pastoral)
Houses and Sections Pupils are split into four Houses. The Pre-Preparatory and Preparatory School Houses are:
Andrews Pre-Prep House Leader: Miss Patel Pre-Prep Deputy House Leader: Mrs Barber
Georges Pre-Prep House Leader: Mrs Young Pre-Prep Deputy House Leader: Mrs Elliott
Davids Pre-Prep House Leader: Miss Stables Pre-Prep Deputy House Leader: Mrs Pieri
Patricks Pre-Prep House Leader: Mrs Percival Pre-Prep Deputy House Leader: Miss Edwards
We have a House point system which your child can receive House points for being polite, changing quickly, for work or for sport.
Communications The message book is for you and your child’s Form Teacher to communicate daily. Should you wish to get a message to the Form Teacher during the day please telephone via Miss Edwards in the School Office on 0208 266 1950 or email PrePrepOffice@habsboys.org.uk. In the event of an emergency e.g. if the School should close due to adverse weather or any other reason, we will post a pop-up message on the School website (www.habsboys.org.uk), we will operate an emergency SMS alert, and we will email all parents directly on the School’s iSAMS system, therefore it is important that you alert us of any changes to your contact telephone numbers or email.
Reporting to Parents There are two parent evenings per year in the Autumn and Spring Terms. A written report is sent home at the end of the Summer Term.
Email Practice Parents and staff should be aware that an email is not private or confidential; it is a formal, recorded communication to which a number of people might have legitimate access. Emails should not be sent directly to teachers. Please use PrePrepOffice@habsboys.org.uk to communicate with the School. Email is a business communication tool and users (staff and parents) are obliged to use this tool in a responsible, effective and lawful manner. Confidential information may not be forwarded without the permission of the originator.
Parent Voice Committee The Parent Voice Committee is formed by parent representatives from each class in the Prep and Pre-Prep School. It is a forum where parents can share their experiences of the Prep and Pre-Prep School, share suggestions and where the School can gather parents’ thoughts on any initiative. The Committee meets three times a year and minutes are shared via the Parent Portal. Early in the term, the School will contact parents about volunteering and if there are multiple volunteers, the School will organise a vote. The term of office is two years. If you have any questions, please contact the Prep Office via email PrepOffice@habsboys.org.uk.
Medical Information In order to best support and care for your children, it is imperative that we have accurate and up-to-date information on our School system. This would include anything that might affect them in lessons such as hearing difficulties or colour blindness. You can view the medical information that the School holds for your child on the Parent Portal. Please check this site to ensure that we hold the most up-to-date information on your child’s medical condition and any medication they have been prescribed. If you wish to make any changes, please do so on the Portal. Relevant information will be shared with appropriate staff if essential to your child’s wellbeing. If your child develops any contagious disease (chicken pox, measles etc.) please inform the School as soon as possible. If your child is unwell, e.g. has a raised temperature, has episodes of diarrhoea or vomiting, please ensure that you wait 48 hours after the symptoms have stopped before they return to School.
Dispensing Prescription Medication If your child requires any prescription medicine to be taken at School, please fill in the form on the Parent Portal and print or email it to us on PrePrepOffice@habsboys.org.uk. Either you or your child should bring it to the School Office along with the medication to be dispensed in its original labelled bottle. The School Office will keep a supply of Calpol and Piriton, for emergency purposes only. Should your child need Calpol or Piriton and we have your consent on file (the separate School Medical Questionnaire which is available to complete on the Parent Portal), the School Secretary will telephone you to inform you that your child has been given the correct dosage.
AAI (Adrenaline Auto Injector) If your child has been prescribed an AAI, please ensure they have all the required medication in School with them and that it is in date. Should your child require an AAI or Asthma Inhaler at School, please ensure that they are named and taken into the School Office where they will be stored safely. We require one to be kept in the School Office and the other in your child’s classroom, so please ensure you send two AAIs into School. It is your responsibility to update these as necessary. Your child will not be able to attend any trips or off-site activities without their two AAIs and any other required medication.
Sickness at School If your child is feeling unwell, they will be sent to the School Office. Their teacher, in conjunction with the First Aider, will decide if you need to be contacted and whether you need to collect your child and take him home to recover. Our qualified First Aiders at the Pre-Prep are Miss Edwards, Mrs Barber, Mrs Pieri and Mrs Elliott.
General Information Absences We strongly advise you not to request leave of absence for your child, as this can interfere with their progress and full participation in lessons or School events. Our School policy on Leave of Absence is detailed below:
Leave of Absence (for non-religious reasons) Leave of Absence is only granted in exceptional circumstances and requires a written request to the Head of Pre-Preparatory School via Ms Huggett (PrePrepOffice@habsboys.org.uk) before any firm arrangements are made. Please note our School policy clearly states: “There is no right to leave of absence for parental holidays in term time. In very exceptional circumstances the Headteacher is prepared to consider a request made in writing before any commitment or booking is made”. Please try to avoid absences except on account of illness or religious observance. Absences can only be reported by a parent and must be sent by email. This is to maintain a written record of authorised absences for illness or other reasons. In the Pre-Prep, emails should be sent to PrePrepOffice@habsboys.org.uk. Absences must be reported each and every day a child is absent by 8.50am. If your child is not present in School and we have not received any communication, we will call parents by 9.30am to ascertain the whereabouts of your child and ask you to report the absence by email. Absence will only be authorised by those emails. We would also ask that if you are away from home for any length of time, and your child is staying elsewhere, please inform us, in writing, of the name, telephone number and address of the person(s) who is caring for your child in your absence. This is very important as if your child becomes ill at School or there was an emergency we would need to contact the designated person who would be acting on your behalf.
Leave of Absence (for religious reasons) Students will be granted a leave of absence for religious purposes but must make a request in writing to the Head of Pre-Prep (PrepPrepOffice@habsboys.org.uk). Parents are requested to provide the School with five days notice for Leave of Absence for religious reasons.
The School Day Supervision begins at 08.20am. Please ensure your child does NOT arrive at the premises before that time. 8.00am to 8.20am
Early Club
8.20am to 8.50am
Playground Supervision
8.50am to 9am
Registration
9am to 10.15am
Lesson Time
10.15am to 10.30am
Break
10.30am to 12pm
Lesson Time
12pm to 1pm
Lunch
1pm to 2pm
Lesson Time
2pm to 2.15pm
Break
2.15pm to 3.15pm
Lesson Time
3.15pm
School ends
3.15pm to 4pm
After School Care facility at Pre-Prep
Lunch Hot school lunches are provided every day. There is a choice of either a vegetarian or meat dish. Should you have any queries regarding lunches or would like to discuss your child’s dietary requirements, please contact Ms Sharon Thompson, Catering Supervisor on 0208 266 1791. (Nut allergies – we do have some boys with allergies so please do not send any food into School which contains nuts or nut traces)
Individual Needs Policy The School’s Individual Needs Policy aims to ensure that each pupil at Haberdashers’ enjoys personal and academic success. We hope to achieve this by sustaining a close partnership with parents and offering access to relevant support as your son progresses through the School. The Head of Academic Support co-ordinates a team consisting of the specialist teacher and senior academic and pastoral staff. Support can occur at various levels in School life e.g. through the Form Tutor, Head of House and Deputy Head of House, subject teachers, study support sessions and learning skills programmes. The School’s Individual Needs policy is available on the School website.
Uniform Information Uniform4Kids The Boys’ School uniform is be provided by Uniform4Kids, a family run business consisting of five school uniform and sportswear retail stores. The stores are complemented by their online uniform shop www.uniform4kids.com. The warehouse in Centennial Park, Elstree, is five minutes from the School, and is often used as a ‘Click and Collect’ location. The stores are well positioned to service families who travel from a variety of locations and our school coaches currently stop outside two of the stores. There is a weekly, complimentary drop off service to the School for pre-paid orders placed on the telephone or online. The delivery is packaged and labelled with the child’s name, class, and parent’s contact number. Other orders are dispatched within 24 hours using Parcel Force, their next day courier, or can be collected from the store. Returns and Exchanges can be carried out in store, facilitated via the complimentary weekly delivery to school service or via the post.
School uniform • Polo shirt - sky blue with Habs crest • V-neck jumper - navy • Blazer - navy with sky blue trim and Habs crest • Trousers - charcoal • Shorts - charcoal (no cargo pockets) • Socks - banded (with shorts) • Socks - charcoal • Coat - navy with Habs crest • Lightweigh waterproof Mac • Art overall - navy • Scarf - navy fleece • Hat and gloves - navy, knitted • School cap - navy with Habs crest • Legionnaire cap - sky blue with Habs crest • Habs House Colour rucksack
Pupils are only permitted to wear charcoal grey trousers and not light grey/grey.
* trousers or shorts
Games kit • • • • • • • • • • • •
PE t-shirt - white with Habs crest PE Shorts - white with Habs crest PE socks - white Swimming trunks - navy Swim hat - light blue Base layer - navy Football shorts - navy/sky with Habs crest Football shirt - navy/sky with Habs crest Football socks - navy/sky hooped Football boots - Velcro/moulded sole Tracksuit - navy/sky with Habs crest PE bag - navy with Habs crest
PE kit
Please ensure all items are clearly named with name tapes sewed on.
Coach Information We offer a chaperoned Shuttle service which runs between the Prep School on Butterfly Lane and the Pre-Prep School on Hazel Road. In the morning, you may drop your child off with the chaperone from 8.15am in the North Drive Car Park for a prompt departure at 8.30am. In the afternoon, the Shuttle departs the Pre-Prep School at the end of the School day. Parents collecting their children at the end of the day must be parked in North Drive Car Park five minutes before the anticipated arrival time of 3.30pm. Children using the Shuttle for connection with the After School Club will be collected from the Shuttle by a member of staff and taken directly to the Club. Our Transport Operator for this service is South Mimms Travel, they have transported children for our School for many years and they will be providing a small coach, driver, and chaperone. Please note there is a charge for this service. For further information please contact Ms Emma Summers, Transport Manager either by email transportmanager@habsboys.org.uk or call on 020 8266 1705.
School Policies All our school policies are updated regularly and are available to read on the School website. You may request any of the information in hard copy by contacting the School. The Chairman of the Aske Board is Mr Simon Cartmell OBE, the Chairman of the Boys’ School Advisory Group is Mr Julian Gregory. Both can be contacted at the address of our Trustees, The Worshipful Company of Haberdashers: Haberdashers’ Hall 18 West Smithfield London EC1A 9HQ Tel. 020 7246 9988
Term Dates 2021 Autumn Term begins Half Term holiday Autumn Term ends
Thursday 9 September Monday 18 – Friday 29 October Wednesday 15 December
2022 Spring Term begins (Years 1 and above) Half Term holiday Spring Term ends (Prep and Pre-Prep School) Spring Term ends (Senior School)
Monday 10 January 2022 Monday 14 – Friday 18 February Thursday 31 March Friday 1 April (11.45am)
Summer Term begins Bank Holiday Half Term holiday
Wednesday 20 April Monday 2 May Monday 30 May – Friday 3 June
Summer Term ends (Prep and Pre-Prep School) Summer Term ends (Senior School)
Thursday 7 July
Autumn Term starts
Friday 9 September
Friday 8 July (11.45am)
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