Rainbow Induction Information 2022/23
Contents O U R VA L U E S
03
WELCOME
04-06
K E Y I N F O R M AT I O N
Books Snacks Lunch Medicines Absence Learning journeys Uniform Forest School Forest School uniform Tooled up
08 09 10 11 13 14 15 16 17-18 19-21
CURRICULUM
23-28
Timetables
29-30
SCHOOL MAP
33
Our values Our brand values are what we hold dear as a school, the core beliefs that we stand for. They should drive all decisions and actions.
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.
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 inquiring mind to anything we face.
Courage
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.
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.
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W E L C O M E
Welcome to Rainbow
We are delighted to be welcoming your child into our Rainbow Blue/Red class this year.
Rainbow Blue
Rainbow Red
CLASS TEACHER:
CLASS TEACHER:
M R S L I N D A PAT E L L PAT E L @ H A B S G I R L S . O R G . U K
MISS REBECCA NUTKINS RNUTKINS@HABSGIRLS.ORG.UK
L E A R N I N G S U P P O R T A S S I S TA N T / E A R LY Y E A R S P R A C T I T I O N E R :
L E A R N I N G S U P P O R T A S S I S TA N T / E A R LY Y E A R S P R A C T I T I O N E R :
MRS NEETU CHOPRA
M R S A B E E R S AYA
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W E L C O M E
Daily structure C U R R I C U L U M
I N F O R M A T I O N
Pupils may be dropped off from 8.00am and come into the Rainbow garden. Pupils will enter the classrooms just before 8.35am when the whistle is blown. Registration is at 8.35am. The structure of each day varies and we have included a copy of the weekly timetable at the end of this document. Your child will experience a mixture of whole class sessions, adult directed activities (small group learning) and child initiated learning throughout the classroom environment, both inside and outside. Phonics sessions happen daily. Your child will also have specialist teaching throughout the week:
• • • • •
PE lessons are taught three times a week by the P.E. team Performing Arts lessons are taught weekly by Mrs Whiteley and Mrs Rockley Forest School sessions are once a week, led by Mrs Usher and Mrs Kemp Mandarin lessons once a week Two introductory swimming sessions will be timetabled in for the Summer term
5
W E L C O M E
Daily structure Please help prepare your child for school by: • • • • •
Ensuring they have good routines established including a regular, reasonable bedtime Ensuring they eat a filling, nutritious breakfast Having a safe and calm journey time to school Sharing books EVERY evening; an important part of your day together Reinforcing school expectations such as: •
GOOD MANNERS
•
SHARING
•
D R E S S I N G A N D U N D R E S S I N G I N D E P E N D E N T LY
•
I N I T I AT I N G T H E I R O W N P L AY
•
E AT I N G W I T H A K N I F E A N D F O R K I N D E P E N D E N T LY
•
T I D Y I N G U P A F T E R T H E M S E LV E S
•
AT T E N D I N G TO T H E I R TO I L E T N E E D S A P P R O P R I AT E LY A N D B Y T H E M S E LV E S
•
R E A L I S I N G M ISTAKES ARE A L EARNING OPPOR TU N ITY
A great deal of important information is shared weekly through a digital Junior School Newsletter – please use this to keep up to date with what is going on in school on a weekly basis and for important diary dates.
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Key Information
K E Y
I N F O R M A T I O N
Books Pupils visit the Junior Library every week and borrow two books each. These need to be returned before the following week’s visit. Please note that there will be a charge for any books not returned. The children will also choose a book from our class library weekly. In addition to this, reading books will also be issued once a week; there will be a separate communication in September to explain this in more detail.
Wellington boots Your child requires a pair of named wellington boots to be kept at school.
Communication Your child’s message book offers an opportunity for you to communicate any changes of transport or pick up arrangements and ask questions relevant to you and your child. For more serious matters, you may email your child’s class teacher but please understand that teachers cannot answer emails by return, so communication directly at drop off/pick up or by using the message book is the most effective way to relay information. Please check your child’s book bag each day for other occasional notes, books and incidental items they may have to share.
Travel list Using the Parent Portal, please provide the names and contact details of adults who will collect or drop your child off to school on a regular basis (authorised collectors). These arrangements must be updated on the Portal, as necessary. Occasional changes to these arrangements, including play dates, should be included in the message book for the day in question. Urgent changes should be forwarded to Mrs Walsh, Junior School receptionist, by email mwalsh@habsgirls.org. uk or telephone (0208 266 2400) prior to collection time. We will only release your child into the care of an adult authorised by you.
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K E Y
I N F O R M A T I O N
Snacks Rainbow pupils will be provided with a snack of fruit or vegetables during the morning and it will be their choice whether they want to have that snack. Please note that we are a nut and seed free school. Should you wish, snacks, only from agreed list below, may be brought in from home as alternatives. •
Any fresh fruit or vegetables (no forks please). Grapes or olives should be cut in half.
• • • •
Dried fruit. Small bag of breadsticks. Nut-free cereal bar. Small slice of malt loaf/fruit bread.
Snacks should be brought to school in a small, named container. Please also provide a named, reusable water bottle for your child to bring in daily. We recommend that these are carried in the side pocket of the school backpacks, rather than inside, in case of leaks and spills.
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K E Y
I N F O R M A T I O N
Lunch Please talk about the weekly menu options for each forthcoming week with your child so they may anticipate their choices. These are available to view from links shared on the weekly Junior School newsletter. You must ensure that you have provided up to date information about allergies, intolerances or specific dietary requirements on the Parent Portal prior to your child starting school; please also ensure that your child knows what they should not eat for health, cultural or religious reasons.
Allergies Each pupil will be issued with a lunchtime wristband which denotes their dietary requirements:
Red
Acute Allergies
Green
Vegetarian
Yellow
No Beef
Blue Orange Pink
Egg or Dairy Allergy Can eat anything/no specific requirements Pescatarian
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K E Y
I N F O R M A T I O N
Medicines Any medicines which need to be administered at school (prescribed or over the counter) must be presented in the original container, with the child’s name clearly visible on the prescription label, if prescribed from a doctor. The medicine must be in date. Parents must also provide a fully completed and signed copy of the school’s ‘Administration of Medication From’ (found on the Parent Portal). Pupils are not to carry medicine on their person or in their bag (see below for exceptions); medicines should be handed in to the Junior School reception on arrival at school. Medicines will then be stored in the medical room in a locked cupboard or fridge as necessary.
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K E Y
I N F O R M A T I O N
Exceptions Inhalers
If prescribed, a reliever inhaler must be brought to school by your child; they should carry their inhaler in a pouch on a belt around their waist at all times. There is a generic spare inhaler stored in the medical room as emergency back-up.
Adrenaline Auto-Injectors (AAI)
Pupils must carry two named, in date AAIs in a pouch on a belt around their waist at all times. Uniformity is expected on this matter to enable staff to easily locate the AAI in an emergency. This also applies when a pupil is attending a school trip or event, or an away sports fixture. Pupils will not be permitted to attend without them.
In the event of a medical emergency, should your child not be carrying their AAIs or inhaler, we would endeavour to seek immediate medical attention but cannot be responsible for the consequences caused by any delay in accessing these medications.
Sickness Your child should not come into school for 48 hours after any vomiting or diarrhoea episode to avoid contamination.
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K E Y
I N F O R M A T I O N
Absence The school must be informed of absence for any reason, either planned or unplanned. Please refer to the ‘Get in Touch’ page of the Parent Portal. •
Unplanned absence: contact the school by 8.30am on the first day of
absence and again if your child is absent for more than 3 days or over a weekend, either through the Parent Portal or the telephone absence line (0208 266 2400)
•
Planned absence requests (e.g. dentist or music exams): email Mrs Hayes (shayes@habsgirls.org.uk) with your request, a minimum of two days’ notice
•
Absence requests for extenuating family circumstances: email Mrs Flynn (lflynn@habsgirls.org.uk) at least two weeks in advance.
Birthdays We celebrate birthdays in class and assemblies but not with food or sweets. However, we invite you to donate a class reading book of your choice to the Rainbow class library, including a birthday message, if you wish.
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K E Y
I N F O R M A T I O N
Learning journeys and observations We will be making observations of the pupils’ learning through the digital platform, Tapestry. This allows observations of your child to be communicated directly with you on the day that they are made; it also has facility for parents to add comments to their child’s observation. These observations help inform next steps for planning. Log in details will be shared with you at the start of the Autumn term.
We will also regularly Tweet snippets of our learning in Rainbow. Please follow our Junior School Twitter page, Habs Girls Junior: @habsgirlsJunior.
Parents’ evenings We hold parents’ evenings in the Autumn and Spring terms. In the Summer term, you will receive a full written report for your child, after which there will be an opportunity for further discussion, should this be required.
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K E Y
I N F O R M A T I O N
Uniform •
Jewellery: Apart from plain gold studs in the ear lobes, no jewellery is allowed (unless worn for religious reasons). Please ensure that studs are be covered with micropore tape or are removed on days when your child has PE lessons and any religious jewellery is also covered securely.
•
Hair: Hair must be tied back. Ribbons, hair bands and hair slides, if worn, must be black or bottle green and of plain design. ‘Scrunchies’ that match stripes in the summer dress may be worn in the summer months.
•
Shoes: Black leather, lace ups, velcro or buckled (no trainers, ballet pumps, slip-on boots or footwear with ankle support).
•
Watches: Not to be worn until Year 1
T H E F U L L U N I F O R M L I S T I S AVA I L A B L E O N T H E PA R E N T P O R TA L A N D O N O U R W E B S I T E
HERE
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K E Y
I N F O R M A T I O N
Forest School
Mrs Usher and Mrs Kemp will lead Rainbow pupils in Forest School activities on a weekly basis (please see your child’s class timetable for the day that they will be participating in Forest School). These include opportunities to take on new challenges, explore their environment and work as a team. This uniform will need to be brought into school in the first week of September in readiness for your child’s first session. Please be aware that Forest School attire will remain at school but will be sent home every half term or when a wash is required. During some Forest School sessions your child will have the opportunity to drink hot drinks such as hot chocolate or peppermint tea. Each term we will have a cooking session and your child will have the opportunity to prepare and taste food. All ingredients used will be checked against the allergies, intolerances, or specific dietary requirements / information you have provided in advance of these activities taking place. Please ensure that the information you have provided on the Parent Portal is current and that you inform the school via support@habsgirls.org.uk when any changes occur.
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K E Y
I N F O R M A T I O N
Uniform Requirements for Forest School 2022/23 – Rainbow, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 A part of the ethos of Forest School is “There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing”. The idea is that if enough comfortable and appropriate clothing is provided all children can enjoy the Forest School experience in all weathers.
REQUIREMENTS FOR EVERY SESSION THROUGHOUT YEAR:
•
Red haversack sports bag
•
Waterproof all-in-one suit or waterproof top and trousers (we recommend Hippychick Waterproof Fleeced Lined All-in-One Suit in Red/Green)
•
Wellington boots – to be kept at school throughout the year
•
Long sleeved top (to protect from scratches, bites and sunburn)
•
Jumper or fleece
•
Long, durable trousers – jogging bottoms or corduroy trousers or trekking trousers NOT leggings or jeans (to protect from scratches, bites and sunburn)
•
Socks
A LT E R N AT I V E R E C O M M E N D AT I O N S F O R WAT E R P R O O F A L L I N O N E S U I T S O R WAT E R P R O O F TOP AND TROUSERS:
Muddy Puddles Little Trekkers Regatta (Insulated All-in-one Suits, fleece lined body and hood)
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K E Y
I N F O R M A T I O N
SEASONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Autumn / Winter conditions: •
Extra pair of thick socks
•
Extra top layer for warmth
•
Woolly hat
•
Scarf
•
Gloves / Waterproof gloves
Summer conditions (may include early autumn or late spring): •
Sun hat
•
Light waterproof jacket
•
All day sun cream applied before school
•
Water bottle
•
Long sleeved t-shirt (to protect from scratches and bites)
•
Please ensure that all items are named clearly If an item is taken home to be washed please ensure it is returned to school in time for the next session If a child forgets their Forest School clothing or do not have all the suitable layers required, they may have to utilise their school uniform and school coat. However, depending on the weather forecast, please be aware that they may not be able to attend that week’s session.
• •
All pupils will need to be able to dress and undress themselves.
If you have any further queries, please contact Mrs Gibson or Mrs Usher.
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K E Y
I N F O R M A T I O N
Habs has partnered with Tooled Up is a digital resource whose mission statement is to give every parent and teacher the tools they need to develop children into young adults who are: • • •
Self-confident, self-sufficient and full of self-worth Curious about the world and passionate about learning Digitally skilled and digitally resilient
There are many resources which relate to transition points in children’s lives, one of which your child is about to be facing as she moves from Nursery to Habs. We encourage you to explore the resources via the website: there is a diverse range of podcasts, interviews, webinars, activities and articles, all based on research carried out by Dr Kathy Weston. Dr Weston who holds a Masters and Doctorate in Social Science (Criminology) from the University of Cambridge, has worked for many years as a policy researcher and research fellow in education. Please use the school PIN of HGJ2009 to create an account from the Tooled Up Home page www.tooledupeducation.com
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Curriculum
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C U R R I C U L U M
The EYFS & learning through play The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the stage of education for children from birth to the end of the Reception year. It is based on the recognition that children learn best through play and active learning. This is a very important stage as it helps your child get ready for Year 1 as well as preparing them for their future learning and successes. From when your child is born up until the age of 5, their early years’ experience should be happy, active, exciting, fun and secure and support their development, care and learning needs.
Why is play important? Play is the way in which children learn. Children’s learning becomes meaningful when they are free to learn at their own pace and in their own way. Play based, child-initiated learning does not mean that children just do what they like all day. They will have time in whole class and group sessions, alongside periods of uninterrupted play time, which we call ‘Learn and Explore’. Our emphasis is on the pupils ‘exploring’ and being ‘busy.’ During this ‘Learn and Explore’ time pupils will have the opportunity to follow their own interests. They are encouraged to initiate activities and be self-directed with the support of the adults in the setting. Our aim is to provide an environment and support system which helps your child to become an independent learner. We hope they will be able to use their initiative and have the confidence to take risks, knowing there is no right or wrong way. Open ended, play based learning approaches focus on the process and not the product. It is the learning which is taking place that is key.
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C U R R I C U L U M
EYFS Framework It is statutory for independent schools to follow the national EYFS Framework. This framework exists to support all professionals working in the EYFS and ensure that your child will develop and learn well and are kept healthy and safe. A new EYFS framework was published in March 2021 and was implemented from September 2021. One of the main changes that has been made to the EYFS framework is the focus on improving outcomes at age 5, particularly in early language and literacy. Another area which has seen changes in the new framework concerns children’s welfare, with a new requirement to promote the good oral health of children. A key element remaining unchanged is an emphasis on promoting effective learning. You cannot teach a child unless they know how to learn. We will be working to encourage your child’s ability to problem solve, to develop intrinsic motivation to engage in and take charge of their own learning.
Characteristics of effective learning PLAY AND EXPLORING – ENGAGEMENT
ACTIVE LEARNING – MOTIVATION
CREATING AND THINKING CRITICALLY – THINKING
FINDING OUT AND EXPLORING
BEING INVOLVED AND
HAVING THEIR OWN IDEAS
PLAYING WITH WHAT THEY
CONCENTRATING
MAKING LINKS
KNOW
TO KEEP TRYING
CHOOSING WAYS TO DO
BEING WILLING TO ‘HAVE A GO’
ENJOYING ACHIEVING WHAT
THINGS
THEY SET OUT TO DO
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C U R R I C U L U M
Areas of Learning and Development Your child will be learning skills, acquiring new knowledge, and demonstrating their understanding through seven areas of Learning and Development.
AREA OF LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
ASPECT
PRIME AREAS BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
SELF-CONFIDENCE AND SELF-REGULATION MANAGING FEELINGS AND BEHAVIOUR HEALTH AND SELF-CARE (INCLUDING THE ABILITY TO DRESS INDEPENDENTLY) GROSS MOTOR SKILLS; MOVING ENERGETICALLY AND DEMON-
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
STRATING STRENGTH, BALANCE AND CO-ORDINATION FINE MOTOR SKILLS; USE A RANGE OF SMALL TOOLS AND A TRIPOD GRIP WHEN WRITING LISTENING AND ATTENTION
COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGE
UNDERSTANDING SPEAKING
SPECIFIC AREAS READING LITERACY
COMPREHENSION WRITING
MATHEMATICS
NUMBERS (SUBITISING) NUMERICAL PATTERNS PAST AND PRESENT
UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD
PEOPLE, CULTURE AND COMMUNITIES THE NATURAL WORLD
EXPRESSIVE ARTS AND DESIGN
EXPLORING AND CREATING WITH MATERIALS BEING IMAGINATIVE AND EXPRESSIVE
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C U R R I C U L U M
Observations Each of the seven areas of learning has its own set of Early Learning Goals which determine what most children are expected to achieve by the end of Reception. The full written report for your child will be based on these seven areas. We observe and evaluate your child as they interact in their play, as well as during everyday activities and planned group activities. This informs our planning and helps us consider the next steps for each individual child in order to help shape and extend their learning.
Personal, social and emotional development “A positive sense of self is the most powerful tool for all learning.” We focus heavily on this area the sense of self during the first term. Children need to be happy and feel secure in order to have the capacity to learn. We concentrate on building friendships and creating a class identity. Pupils will be learning about feelings and how to manage them, as well as learning how to negotiate with others, using words to help them.
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C U R R I C U L U M
Mathematics We teach and use maths on a daily basis in short, whole class sessions. The pupils have further opportunity to practise and extend their learning in adult led groups and within their independent learning time. We provide pupils with a wide range of practical and fun activities to embed their learning.
Writing and reading In Rainbow, pupils are given writing and reading experiences every day. We teach and model writing and reading skills in whole class and group literacy sessions, alongside fun Read, Write, Inc. Phonics sessions. This includes teaching early writing and pre-reading skills enabling every child to progress with a firm foundation. Pupils can choose to write inside and outdoors during their independent ‘Learn and Explore’ time, as well as spend time in the book corner. •
Books for sharing as a family will be available to take home from our Junior School library and our class library.
•
Books that practise developing reading skills will begin to be sent home once the children are familiar with our specific phonics programme.
•
Every child develops and learns differently. It is the same with reading. To that end, we assess and provide for each reader individually. Our teaching commitment is to ensure all children will assert they CAN read, want to read, and know they have the strategies in place to read.
•
We expect pupils and parents to share reading together at home four times a week as a minimum.
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C U R R I C U L U M
Handwriting – physical development Young children need to be able to make large shoulder movements and have well developed gross motor skills before they can master the fine motor skills required for handwriting. In Rainbow, pupils are given lots of opportunity to develop their gross and fine motor skills on a daily basis, by, for example, manipulating play dough, operating construction toys and participating in bat and ball activities. When teaching letter formation, we teach using the Read, Write, Inc. letter formation programme with simple rhymes to help the children remember how to form their letters. From September, your child will bring home a small Read, Write, Inc. sound book daily. This has each sound and the letter formation rhyme in it for further practice at home (we recommend no more than 5 minutes at a time, for a minimum of four times per week). Please see the attached letter formation sheet which shows where each letter should start. The main body of letter should be formed without lifting the pencil from the paper (exceptions are f, i, j, t, x).
Please remember - If you have any concerns or questions, please speak to school staff who will always be happy to help you.
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C U R R I C U L U M
Timetable Rainbow Red Start Time
End Time
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
REG
08:35
08:45
0
08:45
09:15
A S S E M B LY
SINGING A S S E M B LY
PHONICS
PHONICS
PHONICS
1A
09:15
09:45
PHONICS
PHONICS
FOREST
COMPUTING
M AT H S PHASE/HOUSE A S S E M B LY
1B
09:45
10:15
BREAK
10:15
10:35
2A
10:35
11:05
GYM
2B
11:05
11:35
GYM
TT
11:35
11:40
3A
11:40
12:10
Lunch (3B)
12:10
12:40
Lunch
12:40
13:20
REG
13:20
13:25
3C
13:25
13:55
4A
13:55
14:25
4B
14:25
14:55
TT
14:55
15:00
PSHE
5A
15:00
15:30
PSHE
PE
MANDARIN
SCHOOL
M AT H S
A S S E M B LY GAMES
M AT H S
COMPUTING
L I B R A RY
PSHE
PERFORMING ARTS PERFORMING ARTS
Empty slots are reserved for pupils to learn and explore
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C U R R I C U L U M
Timetable Rainbow Blue Start Time
End Time
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
REG
08:35
08:45
0
08:45
09:15
A S S E M B LY
SINGING A S S E M B LY
PHONICS
PHONICS
PHONICS
1A
09:15
09:45
PHONICS
PHONICS
M AT H S PHASE/HOUSE A S S E M B LY
L I B R A RY
FOREST
GYM
COMPUTING
SCHOOL
GYM
COMPUTING
PERFORMING ARTS PERFORMING ARTS
M AT H S
MANDARIN
GAMES
A S S E M B LY
1B
09:45
10:15
BREAK
10:15
10:35
2A
10:35
11:05
2B
11:05
11:35
TT
11:35
11:40
3A
11:40
12:10
Lunch (3B)
12:10
12:40
Lunch
12:40
13:20
REG
13:20
13:25
3C
13:25
13:55
4A
13:55
14:25
4B
14:25
14:55
PSHE
TT
14:55
15:00
PSHE
5A
15:00
15:30
PSHE
M AT H S
PE
Empty slots are reserved for pupils to learn and explore
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Stay Connected W W W. H A B S G I R L S . O R G . U K
/Haberdashers’ Girls’ School
@habsgirlsJunior
@ habsgirlsschool
