Here is some information which we hope you will find useful as you and your daughter prepare for the beginning of an exciting new year at Howell’s Junior School.

The first day

When then the new term will begins we would ask that the girls in the Junior School arrive by 8:35am, for registration.  Please enter via Mews Lane, using the new main gates into the Junior School playgrounds.  Please then wait in the playground by Hazelwood; your daughter’s class teacher will come out to welcome you.  At the end of the school day, at 3:15pm, your daughter will be escorted to the Hazelwood playground for you to collect.

What to wear

At the beginning of the Autumn Term, your daughter may wear either her summer or her winter uniform, depending on the weather.  If your daughter’s hair is shoulder-length or longer, please ensure that it is tied back and that any hair bands worn are either pink (summer) or blue (winter) - hair accessories are available from the School Uniform shop.  Earrings and jewellery, other than a watch, are not permitted.

What to bring

Your daughter will need to bring her school bag and reading pack each day.  School bags are available from the School Uniform shop which is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 2-5pm.  It is also open on Monday 6th July, our Induction afternoon. In her bag, your daughter will need to bring a small healthy snack for morning break –  a piece of fruit or a plain biscuit would be ideal, and a re-sealable bottle containing plain, still water. 

Equipment

It would be very much appreciated if your daughter could bring with her:

HB pencils      Ink corrector pen Pritt stick         Art overall

30cm ruler        Coloured pencils Felt pens          Recorder            

Fountain pen    Eraser                      Homework file   Protractor

Blue cartridges  Scissors (labelled)      Calculator      A children’s dictionary and thesaurus

The First Week

Timetables

During her first few days in school your daughter will receive information about her timetable, including which days she will need to bring in her P.E. and swimming kit.  We would ask that art overalls remain in school throughout the half term.

Clubs

In September, you will receive information and a timetable listing the lunchtime and after school activities available to the girls in Year 6 classes, so that she may choose which clubs she would like to join. Several clubs are organised internally by the teachers in Howell’s School and others, such as French, are led by external tutors.

Homework

Each day, your daughter will bring home a reading book to share with you, in order to develop her skills and confidence through a variety of different genre. These include fiction, non-fiction, poetry, plays, myths and legends and classic books. 

Each week, your daughter will bring home Numeracy, Literacy and Science homework tasks which should be returned by the following week. These tasks should usually be completed independently and provide an opportunity for your daughter to consolidate her understanding of topics she has been learning in school.  Some activities may require your involvement and input and these may include the playing of a game, research work and questionnaires.  All homework tasks provide an opportunity for your daughter to share her developing skills with you. 

Spelling test words are also given out each week. Further information regarding this area of learning will be given out at the beginning of term.

If you have any enquiries or need to contact the school during the day, please telephone our school secretary, Mrs. Thomas by dialling                                        

02920 562 019 and select option 2 to be transferred to the

Junior School.  Alternatively, you could e-mail the Junior School on

juniorsec@how.gdst.net
 

Breakfast Club or After School Care

Breakfast club starts at 8am and we also offer After School Care until 6pm every day. 

Communication

Keeping in touch

We recognise that effective communication between parents and teachers is vital.  Your daughter’s reading record book or

homework diary that will be issued at the beginning of term, will provide a useful way of keeping in touch on a daily basis.  Should you have any queries at any time, please communicate these in the reading record book, the homework diary, by letter, or make an

appointment to talk to your daughter’s class teacher.

In addition, a weekly newsletter is sent via email from Mrs Ashill and this is also available on the website.

You will receive a detailed curriculum letter on the first Friday of every term, which explains what will be covered throughout that term.  If you have any initial queries about the year ahead, your daughter’s class teacher will answer any questions that you may have.