Habs Weekly - Junior School edition - Friday 14 October

Head of Junior School’s Message

Mrs L Flynn

I can hardly believe that I am sitting down to write the final newsletter of this half term, but time really does fly when you are having fun! As Head of the Junior School, it is joy to watch our school values in action, day in day out, and two events this week have really demonstrated the importance of these values and why we hold them so dear.

On Tuesday, all pupils in Years 3 to 6 across the Junior and Prep Schools took part in the official ‘Mini-Marathon’, a national event celebrated by schools across the UK. The morning started with some nerves and apprehension for what lay ahead, but once across the start line, courage and ambition took hold, in spades. Every pupil, whether they ran, walked or hopped, pushed themselves to achieve and complete the course, some surpassing their own expectations; the sense of pride felt by all was palpable.

The image that will forever last in my mind was of pupils who had finished, lining the route to cheer on their peers, encouraging them to dig deep and find that extra burst of speed to cross the finish line.

The week ended with Family Friday for Rainbow, Year 1, Year 3 and Year 5. Family Friday is always a joyous event, with students taking such pride in sharing their work and achievements with family members. Parents have commented so positively on this experience, being able to share their pride in our community. We held our first set of parent talks following time in the classrooms, sharing information about our oracy programme, enrichment opportunities and charity strategy, members of SLT also enjoyed speaking to parents over a cup of coffee.

I would like to wish every member of our community a wonderful and restful half term break and look forward to seeing many of you at events next half term.

Looking ahead

Whole school

Odd Socks Day

MONDAY 14 NOVEMBER

Every November schools throughout the United Kingdom take part in AntiBullying Week. This is an opportunity to spotlight bullying and consider the steps we can take together to stop it.

Anti-Bullying Week 2022 will be taking place from Monday 14 to Friday 18 November, with the theme ‘Reach Out’.

Bullying affects millions of lives and can leave us feeling hopeless. But if we challenge it, we can change it. And it starts by reaching out. Our vision is for all children to grow up in supportive communities safe from bullying and harm. We want to spread a positive message that it’s always possible to reach out and ask for help if you’re worried about bullying and celebrate what makes us all unique.

Odd Socks Day is an opportunity to have fun, be yourself and spread awareness of the core values Anti-Bullying Week promotes. We are all unique and that should be viewed as a wonderful thing and never be a reason for someone to be bullied.

In school, we will be helping the children to identify, prevent and respond to negative and harmful behaviour. We will continue to teach about the dangers online and how they can keep themselves safe. We will also be celebrating our individual differences and to support this, we invite all children, staff and parents to wear odd socks on Monday 14 November.

Year 6 Parental Information Evening Dr Aric Sigman

TUESDAY 15 NOVEMBER

Please click here to read a letter regarding a Parental Information Evening with Dr Aric Sigman on Tuesday 15 November at 7pm.

Curriculum documents

A new half term

exciting new learning across the whole of the Junior School

in store in the second half of the Autumn term. The curriculum overviews

we look forward

Years 1 to 6, linked below, outline the topics that will be covered in class when we return after the holidays.

Y2

Year 2 Great Fire of London workshop

THURSDAY 17 NOVEMBER

On Thursday 17 November, Year 2 will be taking part in a Great Fire of London workshop, to enhance their enjoyment and understanding of the topic.

The workshop will take place at school, within the normal school day. It will be delivered by an external company who specialise in providing practical, hands-on living history workshops for primary schools. Using a combination of practical activities, role-play and drama, the pupils will learn about the past by experiencing it first-hand.

As part of the day, children are invited to come into school dressed in costume as a Stuart child. Suggested costume ideas can be found here. Costumes really help the children to immerse themselves in the fun of the day, but they do not need to be expensive or elaborate.

The cost of the workshop will be approximately £14.25. Please refer to the Evolve invite you received, to make payment and to give consent to your child to take part in this activity.

Y3 to 6

Junior School and Prep School ice breaker sessions

TUESDAY 1 AND TUESDAY 8 NOVEMBER

After half term, all pupils in Years 3 to 6 across both the Junior School and the Prep School will be taking part in a joint half day session, where they will be able to work collaboratively with their counterparts and get to know them better, picking up on the momentum generated at the very successful Mini Marathon and lunch event this week.

Years 3 and 4 will have their sessions on Tuesday 1 November and Years 5 and 6 on Tuesday 8 November.

All pupils should wear their House t-shirt with PE kit for the entire day of their session.

Y6

Year 6 Remembrance Day

SUNDAY 13 NOVEMBER

On Remembrance Sunday we will be taking part in the Radlett Remembrance Parade. This is a wonderful opportunity for Year 6 pupils from both 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 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 Sunday13 November outside Radlett Library, from where they will march to the war memorial, for a 10.45am start. Collection of pupils will be from outside of Radlett Library at the end of the service.

Year 6 Mini Police Assembly to parents and pupils

WEDNESDAY 16 NOVEMBER

As part of our PSHE curriculum, Year 6 pupils have been involved in the Hertfordshire Police Force’s Mini Police Programme. This programme aims to help young people establish an interest and understanding in policing and community safety. Each week the programme involves discussing and finding out about different aspects of the role of the police force and emergency services.

In celebration of the pupils completing and passing the Mini Police programme, we would like to invite Year 6 parents to an assembly taking place on Wednesday 16 November, at 9.45am, where the Year 6 pupils will present some of what they have learned to the rest of the Junior School community.

We very much hope you will be able to join us.

Reminders

Whole school

Please click here to

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menu.

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Reporting Review

IMPORTANT LINK

Last year, the Junior School undertook a reporting review and we are grateful for the input from both parent and staff working groups, representing a wide cross-section of our community. Together, we looked at the purpose, format and timings of our reporting cycle, which have informed the reporting schedule for this academic year.

Click here to see the new reporting schedule.

Wraparound Care INFORMATION

Information about our Wraparound Care provision can be found in the resources section on Firefly and in the Parent Handbook. Please use this link for quick booking access.

Snacks INFORMATION

Our snacks list remains the same as last year and as published in the Parent Handbook. Please note that we are a nut and sesame free school; it is imperative no food containing nuts or sesame seeds is brought on site. Student Voice will be surveying our whole community regarding snacks in the coming weeks, and any changes will be published accordingly.

House Poetry

One of the school’s key areas of focus is to develop pupils’ mastery of oracy and the spoken word. Later this term, we will be holding our first poetry forum at the Junior School. We would like to invite all pupils to have a go at learning one poem. This is an opportunity for the pupils to have some fun as well as challenging themselves at the same time!

Pupils are at liberty to choose any published poem, but we ask that it takes a maximum of two minutes to perform. Click this link for some suggestions.

During half term, pupils are being asked to learn their chosen poem off by heart. Please can you listen to your child performing their poem and encourage them to bring it to life, making it their own.

As part of St Catherine’s Day, on Friday 25 November, the pupils will be split into their House families and will have an opportunity to perform their poems to each other. House captains and leaders will then choose one pupil from each house to perform their poem in front of the Junior School as part of the celebrations.

We are sure that this will be a very exciting and enriching learning experience for everyone. Good luck and have fun!

Clare Balding, CBE visit

MONDAY 21 NOVEMBER

We are very excited to announce that the Junior School will be hosting a visit from Clare Balding, CBE on Monday 21 November 2022.

Writer, broadcaster, animal lover and sports fan, Clare is also the best-selling, award-winning author of numerous books and children’s novels and an ardent campaigner for better coverage of women’s sport.

During the visit Clare will talk about her passion for books, animals and sport, and share her experiences of being a writer. You can read more about Clare and her books on her website Clare Balding Books. Clare will also conduct a book signing whilst she is with us. The titles available are:

• The Racehorse Who Learned to Dance : £6.40 (RRP £7.99)

• The Racehorse Who Wouldn’t Gallop : £5.60 (RRP £6.99)

• The Racehorse Who Disappeared : £5.60 (RRP £6.99)

• Fall Off, Get Back On, Keep Going: 10 ways to be at the top of your game : £8 (RRP £9.99)

To order, fill in this form by 9am Friday 11 November indicating which titles you would like to buy. This cost will be added to your end of term bill.

If you already have any of Clare’s books and you would like her to sign them, please bring them in on the morning of the visit and leave them with the class teacher. Ensure the books are clearly labelled with your child’s name and class.

We are very much looking forward to hosting Clare, and hope that the pupils will have a very enjoyable day.

Y1 to 6

Parents’ Evening BOOKING INFORMATION

We look forward to welcoming parents of students in Years 1 to 6 into school for parents’ evenings on either Monday 31 October or Wednesday 9 November. Booking appointments has now closed however if you need to amend your appointment time, please contact Mrs Karaolou in the Junior School office on 0208 266 2425 after half term.

Y3 to 6

Poems for Carol Service

Every year, pupils from Years 3 to 6 deliver readings as part of our annual Carol Service. This year, we are inviting pupils in Years 4 and 5 to write their own poems on the theme of friendship or kindness. Pupils in Years 3 and 6 will be delivering a reading from a published anthology of poetry or prose.

The deadline for submission of poems for Years 4 and 5 is Monday 31 October. Pupils in Year 4 should send their poems to Miss Sultana (rsultana@habsgirls.org.uk) and pupils in Year 5 should send them to Mr Bloch (rbloch@habsgirls.org.uk).

After half term, pupils will be auditioned by their class teachers and the successful pupils will be selected to read a poem as part of the Service.

Assembly DATE

4 Aleph: Class assembly has been re-scheduled, due to the original date coinciding with Rosh Hashanah; it will now take place on Monday 21 November, 8.45am to 9.15am, in the Performance Space.

Y5

Open Morning

TUESDAY 1 NOVEMBER

On Tuesday 1 November, we will be holding an open morning for Year 5 parents and children for you to gain a greater understanding of what life is like in the Senior School. This session is an important marker on your child’s journey from the Junior to the Senior School and is an opportunity for you to visit and to ask questions.

Parents should park in the visitor car park and walk up to school with their child – pupils will go into their classrooms as normal for registration. From 8.30am please sign in at Junior School reception before making your way to the Performance Space via the DT doors, where refreshments will be available. At 8.45am we will hold a question and answer session, at which the following members of staff will join to talk about Senior School life and the transition from the Junior School:

• Mrs Rose Hardy – Headmistress

• Mrs Sarah Wright – Principal Deputy Head

• Mr Daniel Sabato – Deputy Head (Academic)

• Mr Tim Scott – Deputy Head (Admissions, Co-Curricular and Events)

• Mrs Anna Saunders – Head of Middle School

After the question and answer session, you will be joined by your child for a tour of the Senior School, led by two Upper 4 (Year 8) students. The morning will finish by 10am.

We look forward to meeting you, but in the meantime please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Rana, Admissions Registrar (arana@habsgirls.org.uk) if you have any further queries.

Tooled Up

There are many different communities to which we all belong, and over the course of this half term alone we have celebrated that in many different shapes: new classes, new Phases, Houses and House Families, and our wider community links through charity, including Akshaya Patra and the Islington Migrant Centre who we supported through our Harvest Festival donations (for which, many thanks).

But as we come to the start of our half term holidays, it is important to remember the ways in which we can all serve one another within our family communities. We hope that the below links on chores for children is both timely and appreciated!

Encouraging young people to do jobs around the house doesn’t only benefit family life and the running of the home. It also helps to develop their confidence, teaches useful life skills and promotes a sense of responsibility. Research shows that giving children small chores around the home supports the development of their executive functions, which includes the ability to plan, prioritise, focus and remember instructions.

• Involving Children and Teens in Household Chores - Tooled Up Education

• Chores List for Primary Aged Children - Tooled Up Education

• Dr Weston Talks with Professor Adele Diamond: Executive FunctionsTooled Up Education

Year 1 Lego club

Year 1 Lego is one of our Create and Construct clubs, and every week brings new and exciting discoveries. Whether working together or on their own, the children can either follow instructions or create something using their imagination. Sometimes a crocodile made by one pupil then becomes part of a museum made by another. Sometimes (as you will see from the quotes) some aspects of the creation require great levels of imagination, or the knowledge that they haven’t yet been made and are invisible!

We have a book of ideas which we use to inspire us, and occasionally have a theme, but mostly it is the children’s creativity and resourcefulness that dictates the shape of each week’s models.

“I’ve made a museum. My favourite thing in it is the flag I made because it’s golden.” - Soha

“This is a mouse house. There are two houses and this bit separates them, because otherwise it wouldn’t be like proper houses. Now I’m going to make more so it’s flats.” - Talia

“We are making a crystal hotel with rainbows.” - Bella

“I got the idea from my head. My favourite thing about Lego Club is the little world of tiny things.” - Amarachi

Cornflower Assembly

Friday 7 October

Friday afternoon assemblies are always a time of joy and celebration in the Junior School. Our weekly Cornflower Assembly celebrates individuals who have particularly demonstrated ways in which they have embodied our school values: Courage, Curiosity, Community and Ambition. Without fail, the pupils in our school community celebrate the successes of their peers, as well as take time to reflect on the ways in which they have, themselves, taken risks, wondered why, supported others and aimed high. We cherish our Cornflower Assemblies, and hope that you enjoy celebrating weekly with us too.

Ambition

Ayushi (Rainbow Blue) Ella (Rainbow Blue)

Charlotte (1 Orange) Soraiya (1 Green) Olivia (2A)

Anoushka (2 Alpha)

Taneya (3A) Niamh (4 Aesc) Charlotte (5 Aesc) Serena (5 Aleph)

Qaya (5 Aleph) Eva (6 Aleph)

Community Charlotte (Rainbow Red) Bo (1 Orange) Amia (1 Purple) Neha (3A)

Demira (3 Alpha) Maryam-Azza (4 Aleph) Sienna (5 Aesc) Jessica (6 Aesc)

Courage Curiosity

Izabella (1 Purple) Nirvani (3 Alpha) Lucy (4 Aesc) Sophie (2A)

Ivy (Rainbow Red) Raina (2 Alpha) Gia (6 Aesc)

Charlotte (6 Aleph)

Over the last three weeks, Charlotte has had several swimming galas, including her club championships. She has swam 25 races from 50 freestyle to 200 individual medley. She won 20 golds, three silver and two bronze. She also achieved county qualifying times in every event, and is currently ranked fastest for 100 fly for the whole of the East of England (and 18th in the country).

During this time, she has continued to work hard at school, alongside learning the trumpet. Charlotte also represents Habs in cross-country, football and netball.

Values in Action

Alexa (6 Aesc) and Eva (6 Aleph)

Our value of community is demonstrated in a multitude of ways throughout each and every week. One particular aspect of school life that embodies this value so well is the group of pupils in Student Voice.

Eva and Alexa are the Student Voice prefects and lead the group; they Year 1 to 5, where they discuss items raised through the suggestion boxes that reside in each of the classrooms. This is what they had to say about their roles:

We enjoy holding this position of responsibility, where we can help our entire school community. Not everyone in the school can find the courage to speak out about the things that matter to them and we like the fact that the suggestion box system gives them a chance to make their voices heard. We have both been at Habs since Rainbow, so we really understand the pupils’ point of view across all year groups. We want to make a difference, show that change can happen, find solutions and resolve issues and benefit everyone in the school community.

Harvest Festival assembly

Complete with actions from both Junior and Senior pupils, “broad beans sleeping in their blankety bed” resounded jubilantly in the Prevett Hall and started this week with joy and a true spirit of community. Thank you also to our Year 6 Charity Prefects who, along with their counterparts in the Senior School, set up the stage with all of the Harvest donations last week, in readiness for our whole school assembly.

News stories

Joint Mini Marathon

On Tuesday 11 October, pupils from Habs Girls and Habs Boys in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 took part in the Habs Mini Marathon. This was an opportunity for all the pupils to take part in a challenge to run, jog or walk around the Habs Mini Marathon course which stretched across both school sites. All the pupils completed this event with energy, 100% effort, enthusiasm and determination. All pupils should be exceptionally proud of their own personal achievements as well as the achievements of the whole school community.

The Mini Marathon was an extremely enjoyable collaborative event for all the pupils and staff involved. Congratulations to everyone!

Chess competition report

Two teams took part in the Girls’ Schools U11 National semi-final which was played at St Catherine’s School in Bramley, on Sunday 9 October.

Our A team: Gia (Year 6), Henrietta and Trisha (Year 5)

Our B team: Myra, Elise, Maanya (Year 4)

About 30 schools/teams participated and the A team did amazingly well, finishing in joint 4th place and qualifying for the National Final, which will be played in 2023 in Nottingham. Only eight teams/schools qualify for the final.

The B team performed very well as well winning a couple of matches and many of their individual games. Congratulations to all who took part and represented the school so well, at this challenging, competitive event.

Year 5 Netball

The Year 5 netball squad enjoyed their first away match of the season. We travelled by coach to Berkhamsted where six teams enjoyed playing against a variety of teams. The matches were in the format of the All England Netball initiative, Bee Netball. Bee Netball is England Netball’s fun and nurturing programme for children at the beginning of their team sport journey. It is designed to introduce children to netball skills: throwing, catching, footwork and shooting. More importantly, the programme is designed to support every child’s personal development on and beyond the court.

This was displayed throughout all the matches where each player experienced a variety of positions. There was a huge amount of learning taking place but most importantly all netball players had an enormous smile on their faces. We were particularly impressed with the sportsmanship and team work that was shown. We look forward to seeing each pupil progress over the season. Well done to all the teams.

Year 6 Netball against NLCS

On Saturday 8 October, the Year 6 A and B Netball teams competed at the NLCS netball tournament. In the preliminary round both teams qualified for the Cup Competition, playing four teams each.

The following eight matches were extremely competitive and fast flowing with all the players really enjoying the morning of action packed netball. MVP’s went to Zoe and Jessica. We look forward to more matches after half term.

Well done to all who took part.

BPSFA Girls’ 7-a-side football tournament

On Tuesday 11 October, our football squad were excited to take part in the BPSFA Girls’ 7-a-side football tournament at Radlett Prep. In perfect football conditions, the squad played matches against four other schools, each lasting eight minutes.

As a newly formed football team, the squad gelled quickly and we focussed on shape and not crowding the ball. This paid off with us winning matches against Cowley Hill, courtesy of goals from Carrie Lyons, Emily Sykes and Chloe Kennedy, and Monksmead, when Mihika Gupte netted two.

The other two games, against St Helen’s and Radlett Prep, ended as goalless draws. Our solid performances resulted in us reaching the final, where we played Radlett Prep once more. Despite a superb afternoon in goal from Saana Singh and a strong team performance, Radlett scored three in the final to celebrate a well-deserved win and Habs were delighted to finish in second place.

Emily Sykes (Football Captain)

Senior School highlights

Senior Lacrosse victorious against Berkhamsted

Our Senior Lacrosse 1st Team won the Hertfordshire Counties Lacrosse Tournament on Thursday evening. We were victorious in the Finals against our rivals Berkhamsted, winning in overtime 3-2.

The team has worked so hard, with years and years of training together; their ambition and courage has finally brought home the cup!

A reminder to our budding Year 6 sport pupils, we have sport scholarships on offer moving into Year 7, read more information on our website.

JUNIOR SCHOOL CALENDAR DATES

MONDAY 17 TO FRIDAY 28 OCTOBER Half Term

MONDAY 31 OCTOBER Return to school

Year 1 to 6 Parents’ Evening 1

TUESDAY 1 NOVEMBER

Year 3 and 4 Junior and Prep School ice breaker session Year 5 School In Action WEDNESDAY 2 NOVEMBER 2 Alpha trip to Heath House Care Home

FRIDAY 4 NOVEMBER Rainbow Family Friday

TUESDAY 8 NOVEMBER

Year 5 and 6 Junior and Prep School ice breaker session Year 6 Arts Award Radlett Centre Trip

WEDNESDAY 9 NOVEMBER

Years 1 to 6 Parents’ Evening 2

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