Habs Weekly - Pre-Prep and Prep edition - Friday 30 September

Head of Prep School’s Message

Ms K Umpleby

I hope you have all had a fantastic week. For our Jewish families – I hope you had a lovely Rosh Hashanah and for our Hindu families – wishing you a joyous Navaratri.

Ms Huggett and I had the pleasure of touring the new Pre-Prep building this week and it is looking fantastic; things are progressing well. We are still hoping that the Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 pupils will be able to begin the new term in January in their new classrooms. The spaces are large, bright and we know that your child is going to love their new learning environments, inside and out. The Reggio Emilio educational philosophy believes that a child’s learning environment is their third teacher (alongside the adults at school and home) - and I could not agree more. The physical environment in which a child is learning needs to be educationally stimulating, without being overwhelming. It must be accessible, purposeful, and motivational. A balance of supporting current learning and celebrating previous successes. However, the social and emotional environment that children learn in is just as important. Relationships are the key – we aim to build an environment where students feel confident, safe and respected. When we get the physical and emotional environment right, the students are in the best possible position to learn, and the new Pre-Prep building, paired with the existing Pre-Prep team is going to be just that. There are exciting times ahead.

This week also saw the launch of a collaborative co-curricular climbing club with the Girls’ School and the Prep School’s first external fixture of the academic year. Our Year 5 students played St Benedict’s at home and despite the wind and rain, everyone showed fantastic resilience and pragmatism – well done Year 5. This week also saw the launch of Lunchtime Live 2022/23.12 students, from Year 3 to Year 6, playing five different instruments and performing pieces from Bach to Tom Grennan, and even one self-composition, filled the Seldon Hall on Thursday lunchtime. It was a true delight to listen to, and so lovely to see so many of the performers’ friends supporting them and enjoying the music during their lunchbreak. What a special community we have at the Prep School.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

Pre-Prep School Looking ahead...

Reception to Y2

Parent Consultation Evenings – Autumn Term 2022

WEDNESDAY 12 AND THURSDAY 13 OCTOBER

Our Pre-Prep School Parent Consultations for the Autumn Term will be held in person on the following dates:

Wednesday 12 October from 3.45pm to 7pm Thursday 13 October from 3.45pm to 7pm.

We would like to offer you a 15-minute booked appointment time for you to meet your child’s Form Teacher. Please note we do feel it is beneficial for both parents to attend if possible. Bookings for both consultation evenings will be live from Monday 3 October at midday and will close on Monday 10 October at 10am. Click here to book.

The appointments are offered on a first come first served basis, you may choose either date. Please email Miss Edwards in the school office if you require any assistance with this process.

Topic Grids

RECEPTION

Click here for your child’s Topic Grids for the Autumn Term.

Pre-Prep School Reminders...

Whole school

Harvest Assembly

WEDNESDAY 12 OCTOBER

We will be conducting a Harvest Assembly for the children at the Pre-Prep on Wednesday 12 October.

We will be donating food to Keech Hospice which provides care for children and adults with life limiting illnesses. If you would like to contribute, please kindly send in any non-perishable food items e.g tins, pasta, cereal or biscuits, by Monday 10 October.

Snacks

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.

After School Care POLITE REMINDER

A polite reminder that the school day ends at 3.30pm. If you would like to book your child into After School Care until 4pm you must notify the Pre-Prep office in advance.

Prep School Looking ahead...

Whole school

Harvest Festival

DONATIONS

This year we will be supporting The Trussell Trust Borehamwood Foodbank. If you wish to contribute, please bring your donations into school from Monday 3 October in preparation for our Harvest Assembly on Wednesday 12 October at 2pm in the Bourne Hall. Blue crates per year group will be provided at the front of the Prep school for each child to drop off their donated items. Please click here for items required.

Please note, refreshments will be served in the Bourne Hall Foyer once the Service finishes and before the Drop-In sessions at 3.15pm.

Drop-in session

WEDNESDAY 12 OCTOBER

Please click here to read a letter about our drop-in session for Years 3 to 6.

Open Day arrangements

SATURDAY 8 OCTOBER

Please click here to read about the arrangements for pupils on Open Day.

Progress Grades INFORMATION

Please click here to read an update regarding Progress Grades.

Prep School Looking ahead...

Christmas Card Competition

DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY 12 OCTOBER

Please click here to read a letter about the Hertsmere Borough Council’s Christmas card design competition.

Year 4 Rugby: Away fixture

TUESDAY 4 OCTOBER

All the pupils in Year 4 are playing Rugby against Gayhurst, Davenies and Chesham at Gayhurst Prep School, Bull Lane, Chalfont St Peter, Gerrards Cross SL9 8RJ on Tuesday 4 October.

The matches will start at 2.30pm and parents and guardians are welcome to come along and support. There is no parking at Gayhurst so you will have to park on the streets nearby.

Please can you make sure your child knows how they are getting home and that they write one of the following three options in their homework diary:

1. Pick up from Gayhurst Prep at 3.45pm

2. Pick up from Habs Prep at 5pm

3. Coach home from Habs Prep at 5.30pm

Prep School Reminders...

Whole school

Donkin Cup

FRIDAY 14 OCTOBER

Please click here to read a letter about the upcoming Donkin Cup in October.

Gardening Club CANCELLATION - WEDNESDAY 5 OCTOBER

Please note there will be NO Gardening Club on Wednesday 5 October due to planned staff absence. Apologies in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.

Year 3 Roman Day

THURSDAY 6 OCTOBER

Please click here to read a letter regarding the upcoming Year 3 Roman Day workshop.

Open Day 2022

AUTUMN TERM

Please click here to read a letter regarding our upcoming Open Day and the support required from Year 4 pupils.

Prep School Reminders...

Open Day 2022 AUTUMN TERM

Please click here to read a letter regarding our upcoming Open Day and the support required from Year 5 and 6 pupils.

Senior School Scholarships

INFORMATION

Please click here to read a letter regarding the application of Senior School scholarships.

Prep School

Reminders...

Parental Information Evening

MARILYN HAWES

Please click here to read a letter regarding an upcoming parental information evening on the safety of young people both online and offline. This will take place on Thursday 6 October and will be on Zoom. This is a Senior School talk that we believe is of relevance to Year 6 parents and those who have older children.

Pre-Prep and Prep Reminders...

Breakfast and After School Care

BOOKING INFORMATION

Click here to book your child into the breakfast club or After School Care (ASCF) the week commencing Monday 10 October. Prearranged bookings can be made up until 12pm the Friday before.

After this time, please email ascf@habsboys.org.uk for Prep pupil bookings and preprepoffice@habsboys.org.uk for Pre-Prep pupil bookings.

Please note, there may be a small charge for ASCF after 4pm.

Lunch Menu

WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 3 OCTOBER

Please click here to view the Pre-Prep lunch menu.

Please click here to view the Prep lunch menu.

Lunchtime clubs

HOT LUNCHES AND TAKEAWAY BOXES

If your child is participating in a club at lunchtime and they would like to have a hot meal rather than a Grab and Go, we request you provide your child with a Tupperware/takeaway box and plastic cutlery so that they are able to have a hot option after their club has finished.

Tooled Up

INFORMATION

When children are learning, they should ideally feel challenged, but not overwhelmed. It’s important to help them recognise how different types of tasks make them feel, what aspects of their learning they might need to challenge themselves further with, and also what kinds of things they find hard to approach, which could make them feel out of control or panicky, potentially reducing their levels of motivation.

• Challenge levels for children - Tooled Up Education

Helping children to reframe challenges is an important part of building their resilience. When they come up against a difficult situation, they might focus on the negatives and feel despondent, sad, or angry. This quick and simple activity can help them to acknowledge how they feel, whilst encouraging them to look for any positives and consider the proactive things that they could do to make themselves feel happier.

• Dealing with challenging situations for children - Tooled Up Education

School Community

Pre-Prep get surprise visit by Herts Police

Blue lights flashed and sirens sounded as Reception and Year 1 were treated to a surprise visit by Herts Police. The police officers helped the Pre-Prep team to deliver a message about the importance of being kind to each other. The highlight of the visit was when the pupils got the chance to stand next to the police car and hold real police shields and try on the police jackets and police caps. It was a very exciting morning indeed and the children’s curiosity shone through as they thought of some fantastic questions to ask.

Successful charity fundraising run

Following on from last week’s newsletter, we are delighted to confirm that Neil along with William and Aaron have all successfully completed the run. The event was a great success, with money raised for the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre. We are very proud of their achievement.

PRE-PREP CALENDAR DATES

FRIDAY 7 OCTOBER School photographs for Reception and Year 1 (individual and group)

SATURDAY 8 OCTOBER Open Day for prospective parents

WEDNESDAY 12 OCTOBER Harvest Festival Assembly (Pre-Prep Hall) Parent Consultations (3.30pm to 7pm)

THURSDAY 13 OCTOBER Parent Consultations (3.30pm to 7pm)

FRIDAY 14 OCTOBER Donkin Cup (9am to 12pm)

MONDAY 17 TO FRIDAY 28 OCTOBER Half Term

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

Please note the Pre-Prep School will remain open for the staff development days on Monday 6 June

PREP CALENDAR DATES

MONDAY 3 OCTOBER

* Year 3 to 6 Cross-Country (Away: 4.15pm)

TUESDAY 4 OCTOBER

Year 4 Rugby fixture (Away: 2.30pm)

THURSDAY 6 OCTOBER

Year 3 Roman Day

* Division 10 Swimming (Home: 4pm)

* School Council meeting (4.15pm to 5pm)

FRIDAY 7 OCTOBER

Year 6 Rugby (Home: 2.30pm)

SATURDAY 8 OCTOBER

Open Day for prospective parents

MONDAY 10 OCTOBER

Year 5 Rugby (Home: 2.30pm)

TUESDAY 11 OCTOBER

Mini marathon with Girls’ School

Year 4 Rugby (Home: 2.30pm)

* Selected pupils will be invited to participate via Evolve

PREP CALENDAR DATES

WEDNESDAY 12 OCTOBER Harvest Service (Bourne Hall: 2pm to 3pm)

Drop-in Session (Prep School: 3.15pm to 4pm)

Informal chat with Mrs K Umpleby (Prep Hall: 4pm to 4.45pm)

* BPSFA Football Festival (Away)

THURSDAY 13 OCTOBER

11+ Open Morning at Senior School (Aske Hall: 9am to 11am)

Year 3 Rugby (Away: 2.30pm)

FRIDAY 14 OCTOBER

Donkin Cup (9am to 12pm)

MONDAY 17 TO FRIDAY 28 OCTOBER Half Term

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