Habs Weekly - Pre-Prep and Prep edition - Friday 2 December

Head of Prep School’s Message

Ms K Umpleby

As we approach the last full week of a very busy term, I thought it would be an opportune chance to talk about resilience. With so much going on – this week alone we have had the Reception and Year 1 Winter Concert, Years 1 and 2 Pantomime Trip, St Andrew’s Day celebrations, Year 5 trip to Tower of London and Years 3, 5 and 6 Rugby fixtures. And all of that is on top of rehearsals for the Years 2 to 6 Winter Concert, Years 2 to 6 Carol Service and don’t forget all the lessons! During busy times resilience becomes key, but this is also when everyone is at their most tired, and resilience can begin to wobble.

Resilience is defined as an individual’s ability to properly adapt to stress and adversity, we can show and build mental resilience, physical resilience, and emotional resilience. Stress and adversity can come in many different forms and as adults, it pops up for all of us at some time or another. It is no different for children. Children may feel stressed about something they are finding challenging in a lesson at school, for not scoring at a rugby match, not being selected for a musical performance or simply about where they need to go and what they need to do that day. Every child is unique and no two children will find exactly the same things challenging, or respond in the same way to these challenges.

As adults at home and school, there are lots of things we can do to help children develop their resilience.

Containing Thinking - ‘Don’t let this spoil everything’. This is a good strategy for children who feel overwhelmed, have experienced rejection or are perfectionists.

Distraction – ‘Let’s take a break.’ This is good when children have busy lives and are at risk of getting overwhelmed.

Seeking Help – ‘Who have you spoken to about this?’ A general all-rounder and shows children that asking for help is ok.

Offering Hope – ‘I know it looks bad now, but you will get through this.’ This is a good one for children experiencing loss, struggling with friendships change or disappointment.

Positive Reframing – ‘What can you learn so it doesn’t happen next time?’ This helps children realise that making mistakes is ok if we learn from them.

Maintaining Perspective – ‘This isn’t the end of the world’. Helpful for students who blow things out of proportion.

Flexible Thinking – ‘You could be right, but have you thought about…?’ Particularly useful for those that tend to exaggerate or have extreme feelings.

One final thought to finish on – if we allow doubt to take hold, it can be selffulfilling. Resilience starts with a growth-mindset. It’s not that you can’t do it, or it won’t happen, you just can’t do it yet, and it hasn’t happened yet.

Pre-Prep reminders

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

Whole school Reception

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.

Pantomime visit

MONDAY 5 DECEMBER

Reception&Y1

Christmas Cards

INFORMATION

Our Christmas postbox is now in the reception area. The last day for posting cards is Monday 5 December.

Nasal Flu Immunisations

WEDNESDAY 7 DECEMBER

Please click here for information regarding the upcoming Nasal Flu Immunisation The Immunisation is at the Pre-Prep School on Wednesday 7 December for Reception and Year 1.

In the letter is an online link where you can submit your consent. The electronic link will close at 3.45pm on Tuesday 6 December 2022. Please note the form will not work on some mobile phones and tablets.

In the meantime, if you need any more information, please do not hesitate to contact the Vaccination team on 01462 427008

Christmas Lunch

FRIDAY 9 DECEMBER

Reception and Year 1 will be having Christmas Lunch on Friday 9 December. To get into the Christmas spirit we would like the pupils to wear a festive or brightly coloured jumper on this day. We would also like the pupils to make a festive hat to wear for the lunch. The hat can be as simple or elaborate as you wish. Please make sure your child brings their party hat to school on Wednesday 7 December.

Drop off

IMPORTANT NOTICE

When you arrive at school in the morning to drop off your child, the Prep and Senior Schools operate a one-way system from Butterfly Lane.

Starting from Monday 21 November, Year 2 parents have the choice to either park in the North Drive car park and walk their child over to the Prep School or alternatively, parents may drive around the Astro-turf pitches and park up next to the blue cones behind the Aske Hall so that your child can hop out of the car ‘airport style’.

Members of Prep staff will be present during the first few days at the Aske Hall drop off, to direct the pupils safely to the Prep before they become fully accustomed to the route. If you do choose to use the Aske Hall, drop off, then we would ask that your child is sat on the lefthand side of the car to allow them to hop out safely and easily.

All pupils should be dropped off at school between 8am and 8.30am

Prep looking ahead

Whole school

After School Care and Python Coding

FRIDAY 9 DECEMBER

After school care and Python Coding Club will run as usual on Friday 9 December following the Carol Service.

Y3

Hazard Alley Safety Centre trip

THURSDAY 12 JANUARY 2023

Year 3 will be visiting Hazard Alley Safety Centre on Thursday 12 January 2023. Please click here for further information. Payment and consent for the trip will need to be make via the Evolve payment and consent link.

Hampton Court Palace trip

WEDNESDAY 18 JANUARY 2023

Year 5 will be visiting Hampton Court Palace on Wednesday 18 January 2023. Please click here for further information. Payment and consent for the trip will need to be make via the Evolve payment and consent link.

Prep reminders

Whole School

Swimming

Please be reminded of the school policy regarding absence from Swimming lessons - which are a compulsory aspect of the National Curriculum. If a child is well enough to be in school, they must be well enough to be participate in the full timetable, which includes Swimming, Forest School, and PE. If your child cannot swim due to injury or any other reason, we ask that you submit a doctor’s note stating such. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Pupils wearing hoodies

Prep pupils are allowed to wear school hoodies during days in which they have PE or Games. They may also wear them during Games lessons if they so wish. Pupils must also be wearing their school blazer every day to school, including on PE and Games days, as this is a key component of their school uniform.

Gardening Club

CANCELLATION

Please note, gardening club will not be running on Wednesday 7 December, due to the Winter Concert taking place.

Morning arrival at Prep School

REMINDER

A gentle reminder that morning drop off is from 8am. Pupils should not be arriving earlier than this time as they will not be supervised in the playground or in the classroom. Breakfast club is available from 7.30am at the Girls’ School.

Swimming lesson updates

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Please click here for a letter regarding swimming lesson changes on Thursday 8 and Tuesday 13 December.

Matilda The Musical trip

We are excited to inform you that we have booked tickets to see the award-winning Matilda the Musical for the Spring Term. Please provide consent and payment via Evolve. Click below to find out more details for your child’s year group.

Pre-Prep & Prep looking ahead

Whole School

Stellar Strings video

FINAL CONCERT RECORDING

Click here to read a letter with a link to the Stellar Strings Final Concert.

Carol Service rehearsal

WEDNESDAY 7 DECEMBER, 4PM TO 5.15PM

Please note all Prep students in the Carol Service must attend the rehearsal on Wednesday 7 December, 4pm to 5.15pm. This will be immediately after the Prep Winter concert.

Y2 to 6

Christmas Jumper Day

MONDAY 12 DECEMBER

Years 2 to 6 will be having Christmas lunch on Monday 12 December. To celebrate, we would like all pupils to wear a Christmas themed festive jumper or t-shirt on top of their school uniform.

Outgrown Uniform Sale Prep and Pre-Prep

Click and Collect service order online and have delivered to your child’s peg!

Click here for more information and to order online.

Year 2 to 6 Winter Concert

WEDNESDAY 7

DECEMBER,

2PM BOURNE HALL, HABS BOYS

Refreshments will be available from 1.30pm. The concert will commence at 2pm. We anticipate it to finish by 3.45pm in time for those pupils who may be catching the 4.15pm coaches. Parents who attend the concert are welcome to collect their child from outside of their classrooms after it ends.

Pre-Prep & Prep reminders

Pre-Prep & Prep looking ahead

Car parking and safety

HIGHLY IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ

Click here to read a letter regarding car parking and safety from our Chief Operating Officer, Mr Rob Dunn.

Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) report

INFORMATION

As a result of introducing the new Reception cohort in September, ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate) were required to complete a Material Change Inspection, in order to check that our systems, policies and facilities met their standards for Early Years. We are delighted to inform you that we passed with flying colours.

Please click here to see the updated version of our ISI Report.

Lunch Menu

WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 5 DECEMBER

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

Please click here to view the Prep lunch menu.

ABRSM application

MONDAY 12 AND TUESDAY 13 DECEMBER

Please click here to read a letter with information regarding the December session of ABRSM music examinations.

Gifts to staff

GUIDANCE FOR PARENTS

Please click here to about guidance for parents regarding gifts for staff.

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 5 December. 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. Please be reminded that After School Care finishes at 5.30pm. Please arrange to collect your child from the Prep School reception by that time.

Important safety notice

PLEASE READ

Please be reminded that parents and students should not be using the bridge on North Drive for pedestrian access. This is for health and safety reasons, particularly, as the mornings and afternoons are getting darker, and the road is in constant use.

If you are walking from the North Drive to the Prep School, please walk on the new path, via the pitches which is lit. If accessing the main campus, please access the footpath near the MFL car park.

Please also note, that at the beginning or end of the school day, vehicles should not be parking or picking up from the service road outside the Prep building. Please use the designated pick-up areas on Pitch 5 or the North Drive Car Park for drop off and collection.

Co-Curricular Timetable

SPRING TERM

Please click here to view the Spring Term Prep and Pre-Prep Co-Curricular timetable. Please take some time to go through this with your child. We advise pupils to sign up to at least three of the clubs offered. Pupils will have the opportunity to sign up on SOCS for the clubs they would like to participate in during the last week of term.

Chess Club

SPRING TERM

Please

Tooled Up

Tooled Up has a host of resources about neurodiversity and the ways in which we towards creating a safe and accepting world for neurodivergent people. Their Wednesday Wisdom, last week, focused on this topic. Tooled Up also has interviews and presentations with experts on various aspects of neurodiversity, including its potential impact on siblings, pathological demand avoidance, dyslexia, dyscalculia and tic disorders. It’s also important to provide children with access to literature that features strong neurodivergent characters - this list of books will be helpful.

As always, if you have any questions about neurodiversity, then please do get in touch with Mrs Kahn who would be happy to help.

Pre-Prep & Prep School news stories

Year 1 and 2 Panto trip

Year 1 and Year 2 had a wonderful day out at the pantomime this week. There was lots of laughter and dancing, the childrens’ faces were a real picture and an absolute joy to see! As always, the children were fantastic ambassadors for our school, we were all extremely proud of them. Hopefully, they were inspired by the performance and are excited to perform themselves in our Winter Concert.

Year 2 to 6 St Andrews Day

The Prep pupils celebrated Loud Shirt Day in style on Wednesday and filled the school with colourful clothes. Loud Shirt Day was part of the St Andrews Day celebrations and the members of Andrews House chose to support the charity AVUK- Auditory Verbal UK.

AVUK supports deaf children, when they are very young, to learn to listen and speak. Orson Grimer, an Andrews House member, benefitted hugely from taking part in the Auditory Verbal programme when he was younger. As well as wearing colourful clothes, there was also a successful cake sale and a visit from Charlotte Shepherd, a representative from the charity who addressed the school, alongside Orson, about his recent visit to the House of Commons where he spoke to MPs about the importance of providing this programme to many more deaf children.

We raised an incredible amount of just over £830! If you and your child would like to learn more about AVUK or make further donations, please visit the website Auditory Verbal (avuk.org) A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to the event, especially the parents and members of Andrews House for the fabulous cakes!

St Andrews Day

As part of the St Andrew’s Day celebrations, the children in Andrews House came to school dressed in the national colours of blue and white. They learnt lots of facts about St Andrew and had the chance to sample some Scottish delicacies whilst listening to Scottish music. Some of the children really got into the spirit of things and tried on traditional highland dress and attempted Scottish dancing. Lots of fun and laughter was had by all!

Gardening Club

Well done to all the pupils who have taken part in gardening club this term.

The broad beans and peas that they planted a few weeks ago are beginning to come through and will overwinter under the protection of the fleece they have placed over them.

The carrots planted in the Spring have also been harvested - a superb crop! Excellent effort!

Hertsmere Seasonal Card Competition

Last Friday at the Borehamwood Council offices the Hertsmere Seasonal card competition prize giving took place. Habs Prep are delighted to announce that Luca (Year 3) was presented with a Bronze certificate for his outstanding Christmas Card design. He was delighted to received not only a voucher but an A3 version, with 20 printed cards to give to family and friends. Congratulations on such a wonderful achievement.

Reception and Year 1 Winter Concert 2022

We hope you had as much fun at the Reception and Year 1 Winter Concert as we did! The recording is now available, please click here.

Staff News

As many of you already know, Mrs Sanghrajka will be going on Maternity Leave at the end of the term, and we wish her all the best with the adventure ahead. Mr Rossington has been in school this week, getting to know the 4DS students and getting used to the routines of a Prep School day.

We are also very pleased to announce that after a rigorous and challenging process Ms Grossman (3NG Form Teacher) will be taking the role of Acting Year 3 and 4 Phase Leader for the time that Mrs Sanghrajka is away.

WEDNESDAY

MONDAY

PREP CALENDAR DATES

WEDNESDAY