Habs Weekly - Junior School edition - Friday 30 September

Head of Junior School’s Message

Mrs L Flynn

It is hard to believe that we have reached the last day of September already, although the crisper mornings and sudden swelling of coats and jumpers in lost property cer tainly gives an indication that Autumn has arrived. By the end of September, we are well and truly into the rhythm of school life which provides opportunity to step back and reflect on the many, varied and inspiring events that are the make-up of a usual week in the Junior School.

In Rainbow, pupils have been dancing like Rainbow Fish with Mrs Liddelow, Year 1 have plotted the school and their home locations on a map, working out distances to and from school. Year 2 pupils were very excited to share with me their knowledge of ascending and descending numbers. Further up the school, Year 3 and Year 5 have been out on school trips whilst Year 4 are busy preparing for their class assemblies. Pupils in Year 6 took part in their first academic enrichment course this week, in joint groups with pupils from Year 7, expanding their horizons beyond the traditional curriculum.

Across the school, football and swimming trials are underway, student voice held their first meeting of the academic year and eco council have been busy looking at ways to raise awareness of issues and create an eco-friendlier Junior School. In Monday’s assembly we were treated to an inspirational talk about one of our Harvest charities, Akshaya Patra, by Ananya in Upper Sixth, whilst during Wednesday’s Phase assem blies, house poetry was launched to much excitement.

Through our ACE programme, pupils have taken part in clubs including climbing, parkour, coding, debating, chess, mandarin, Lego, STEM, quilling, country dancing, play

ground games, football, cross country, netball, lacrosse, gymnastics, not to mention the many ensembles on offer such as wind band, super saxes, choristers, junior choir and orchestra. Dare I mention that I may have heard some Christmas music whilst walking past one of these rehearsals!

Reading about the range of opportunities on offer for the pupils on a weekly basis, I am always struck by the dedication shown by my amazing colleagues which ensures that life here in the Junior School is so rich and varied, sparking joy for our pupils. As one pupil in Year 1 said to their class teacher this week, “I can’t decide what I like, I just love everything!”

Family Friday

DATES

We welcomed Rainbow parents into school last week for the first Family Friday of the academic year followed by a session on phonics and supporting reading. Rainbow Family Fridays will continue to take place each week and the dates for other year groups are below:

Date Time

Friday 14 October Years 1, 3 and 5

Friday 18 November Years 2, 4 and 6

Click here for more information.

PARENT TALKS

Over the past year, we have shared information on the curriculum, Junior School developments and philosophies through a series of talks for parents. Following feedback on the timings and format of these talks, we are offering a range of short parent talks which parents can choose to attend. They will take place between 8.30am and 9am, straight after Family Friday for Years 1 to 6. Rainbow parents are also invited to attend should they wish. Talks on 14 October will be repeated on November 18. For the Autumn Term, parents may choose from the following talks:

Charities This year, we have expanded our charitable engagement, coordinating with our assembly and form time programmes. Mrs Millman will be sharing more about how and why we have developed this across the school and academic year, and the ways in which we hope this will provide meaningful opportunities for the pupils to engage personally, in year groups and in Houses.

Oracy Being ambitious in oracy skills is fundamental to our pupils’ communication and expression. Mr Bloch will be speaking about the importance of oracy, in particular, how to support pupils in their communication with each other, both formally and informally. Enrichment Mrs Ede will be speaking about the value of enrichment opportunities across the Junior school, the co-curricular nature of the activities and the philosophy behind the ACE programme. Coffee with Senior Leadership Team

Opportunity to meet and chat with members of the senior leadership team of the school

So that we can organise appropriate venues, please complete this form to indicate which session, if any you would like to attend. Please complete by 9am on Friday 7 October.

Whole school Looking ahead...

Harvest Festival

INFORMATION

On Monday, Ananya Dhadphale (Upper Sixth) came to speak to the Junior School assembly to share her experiences as a volunteer at Akshaya Patra, and to talk about the work that they do. We all thought about how we feel when we are feeling hungry, and how that impacts our learning, behaviour to one another and ability to play (in the playground or PE), and therefore how essential it is that all school children have a decent lunch every day.

As you will have seen in the letter from Mr Scott and Mrs Hayes last week, this year we will be celebrating Harvest Festival as a whole school community, and collecting contributions for both Akshaya Patra and also Islington Migrant Centre. Thank you in advance for all the ways in which you contribute to our Harvest collection. Donations are being collected by Mrs Walsh’s desk in the Junior School Reception.

Click here to read more about the chosen charities.

Head Teacher Awards - Art competition

FRIDAY 14 OCTOBER

Mrs Flynn would like to invite all students to enter a competition to design a cover for her Head Teacher Awards folder.

If you would like to enter, you should create a design on A4 paper, using any art materials you like. It should include the text – ‘Head Teacher Awards.’

Entries should be brought to school and handed to Mrs Walsh or your class teacher by Friday 14 October.

Looking ahead...

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.

Looking ahead...

Parents’ Evening BOOKING INFORMATION

Parents of students in Years 1 to 6 are invited to make an appointment to meet with their child’s class teacher to discuss progress and how they have settled into they’ve settle into their new year groups on Monday 31 October or Thursday 9 November, between 4pm and 8pm. Each appointment will be 10 minutes long and these will take place in person, in Prevett Hall. Click here to see how to book.

1 Green appointments: Mrs Mack will be available for appointments on Monday 31 October and Tuesday 8 November , within her classroom, between 4pm and 8pm.

for Lower 4 (Year

Reminders

Whole school

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.

Click here to see the new reporting schedule.

Parent Handbook

IMPORTANT LINK

The Parent Handbook for this academic year is available on Firefly and via this link.

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.

Reminders

Lunch Menu

WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 3 OCTOBER

Please click here to view our EYFS and KS1 menu.

Please click here to view our KS2 menu.

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.

Looking ahead

Assemblies

DATES

4 Aesc: We are excited to invite 4 Aesc parents to our class assembly on Monday 3 October, 8.45am to 9.15am, in the Performance Space. Please enter through the DT doors, located beyond the Junior School playground. We are all looking forward to you joining us for this event.

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.

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.

Year 6 School in Action Morning

SENIOR SCHOOL TASTER LESSONS

As part of the transition process, from Junior to Senior School, we have planned an exciting opportunity this term for Year 6 to sample life in the Senior School.

The pupils will take part in one of four special ‘taster’ lessons with some of our Senior School staff. Parents are also warmly invited to hear talks from key members of the Senior Leadership Team whilst lessons are taking place. This School in Action event will take place in the morning of Tuesday 4 October, for more information please refer to the letter you received on 22 September.

Tooled Up

INFORMATION

Following Ananya Dhadphale’s (Year 13 student) assembly on Monday preparing us for our Harvest Festival, we have been thinking about charity, and how we can best engage with the variety of charities that we support which, in turn, support different people in our community. Whether it is through engaging specifically with your child’s year group charity, whole school charitable engagement, or charitable endeavours that are personal to your family, here are some resources on Tooled Up that may spark your interest and conversation.

• 35 Fundraising Ideas for Families - Tooled Up Education

• Dr Weston Talks with Jen Gale: Making Sustainable(ish) Changes to Our Lives - Tooled Up Education

• Books Featuring Characters with ‘Diffabilities’ - Tooled Up Education

• Dr Weston Talks with Professor Christia Spears Brown: Why Biases Matter and How to Reduce Them - Tooled Up Education

• Gender Equality and Books - Tooled Up Education

ACE Programme

FOCUS ON MANDARIN

We have welcomed Karen Chang to the Junior School this year and she is running Mandarin sessions for Year 3 at lunchtime and the Upper Phase after school each Wednesday. This falls within the ACE strand of ‘Think and Speak’ and gives pupils the opportunity to do just that as they gain confidence in speaking and writing the language as well as an insight into the culture behind it.

Anthea in Year 3, who attends the lunchtime Mandarin sessions, says, “The thing I have enjoyed most so far is learning the numbers, using a song, and finding out about the moon festival – moon cakes sound delicious, and I definitely would love to try one!”

There are still some spaces available in the Mandarin sessions both at lunchtime and after school. If your child is in KS2 and would like to attend please contact Mrs Karaolou in the Junior School office on 0208 266 2425.

As well as providing Mandarin as part of our ACE programme, Karen is also delivering the timetabled Mandarin session to Rainbow and Key Stage 1.

Cornflower Assembly

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

We set our sights high in terms of what we want to achieve as individuals and as a community, in and outside the classroom, aspiring to achieve our full potential in whatever we put our minds to.

Sophia (Rainbow Blue)

Shanaya (Rainbow Blue)

Alyssa (1 Orange) Talia (1 Green)

Courage

Eena (1 Purple)

Aarya (4 Aesc)

Georgia (5 Aleph) Aanya (6 Aesc)

We believe in the courage to face challenge, embrace opportunity and step out of our comfort zones to grow and become our best selves, whilst also having courage in our conviction, remaining true to our moral compass and what we believe is the right thing to do.

Leah (Rainbow Red)

Bella (1 Orange)

Melina (2A)

Sophia (2 Alpha) Esha (4 Aleph) Siya (4 Aleph)

Community

Since we were founded, we have had an inherent responsibility to our diverse internal and wider community and continue to dedicate ourselves to nurturing it and supporting each other to be our best selves.

Khushi (1 Green) Matilda (1 Purple) Amba (5 Aesc) Leela (5 Aesc)

Isabel (5 Aleph) Chloe (6 Aleph)

Curiosity

In a diverse world, we believe that growth comes from not standing still. We are driven by an unending desire to learn and improve, not standing still and having an open and enquiring mind to anything we face.

Myla (Rainbow Red)

Sophie (2A) Romi (2 Alpha)

Values in Action

Cressida (3 Alpha)

‘I did a painting when I was 5, and I entered it into the Royal Academy of Arts. And I got in! So it was displayed there! Because they liked it so much they made it into a card and every time someone bought one, I got some money. Now they’ve made it into a little stuffed animal to put them on a Christmas tree!

I feel very happy and proud of myself that I did it and that people like to buy it.’ – Cressida

Cressida was both ambitious and courageous in submitting her painting to such a prestigious institution, demonstrating that no matter the outcome of her submission, she was willing to have a go and put herself and her creation into the mix of work to be considered.

Whether or not the Royal Academy recognised her work, she demonstrated the values of ambition and courage that run through so much of what we do as a school, day by day, week by week.

Well done to Cressida being such a fantastic ambassador for these values!

School Community

Year 3 trip

Last Friday, Year 3 experienced life for the day as Stone Age Hunter Gatherers! Pupils built their own woodland shelters, viewed stone age tools, watched how to make flint, tracked a mammoth and became Stone Age traders! The day brought Prehistory to life through hands on activities and an amazing day was had by all!

Year 5 Team Building

On Thursday 15 September, Year 5 took part in a wonderful afternoon of Team Building, in order to get to know others in their new class. They built hoop huts, manoeuvred a giant maze, skipped as a group, built towers and travelled along a moveable platform, helping each other all the way.

JUNIOR SCHOOL CALENDAR DATES

MONDAY 3 OCTOBER

4 Aesc Class Assembly (Performance Space)

Rainbow Parents’ Evening 1

TUESDAY 4 OCTOBER Year 6 School in Action

THURSDAY 6 OCTOBER

Rainbow Parents’ Evening 2 PSHCE Marilyn Hawes Information Evening

FRIDAY 7 OCTOBER

Rainbow Family Friday

THURSDAY 13 OCTOBER Outgrown Uniform Sale

FRIDAY 14 OCTOBER

Family Friday – Rainbow, Y1, Y3 and Y5

MONDAY 31 OCTOBER

Year 1 to 6 Parents’ Evening 1

TUESDAY 1 NOVEMBER Year 5 School In Action

FRIDAY 4 NOVEMBER

Rainbow Family Friday

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