Pastoral

We offer an exceptional co-curricular programme and it is our Sixth Form students who play leading roles in our many societies’ committees, in clubs and in organising events. There is rarely a lunchtime, evening or weekend without a myriad of activities to be involved in: writing and directing plays; editing one of our many publications; mentoring younger students; hosting high profile speakers, running MUN and charity events. This is where important memories are made, characters formed and confidence instilled for life. 

There are also many opportunities for leadership in the day-to-day management of the school. Our elected prefect body and Student Council provide key, high-profile leaders within the whole school community. All of our Sixth Formers contribute to the school community by taking on duties and responsibilities. 

The House system lies at the heart of pastoral life at Habs. Every student is placed in one of the six Houses, becoming and remaining a member throughout and beyond his time at the school. Every member of staff is assigned to a House ensuring Heads of House are working with small teams of Tutors. Each of our six Houses - Calverts, Hendersons, Joblings, Meadows, Russells and Strouts - is named after the original Head of House. Whilst every House celebrates its own unique brand, pastoral care of the individual student is a universal priority. 

The system provides vertical continuity, as Head of House, Deputy Head of House and Form Tutors build a relationship with each boy which begins on ‘Induction Day’ before the start of Year 7 and lasts until the day a student leaves the School, Founder’s Day. House Tutor Groups are supportive environments in which students develop friendships and learn core values. 

PSHCEE consists of five components:  Personal , Social, Health, Citizenship, and Economic Education. 

The school values are embedded throughout the curriculum, with explicit teaching of the values in the Lower School. As well as being informative, the PSHCEE course has been designed to be skills-focused. Key skills of critical thinking, decision making and communication are integrated into the course. 

All students in Years 7 to 11 receive a weekly PSHCEE lesson with their Form Tutors during morning tutor time. In addition to this, workshops with specialist speakers are organised for all year groups at different times throughout the year. These focus on specific age-appropriate issues such as anxiety, e-safety, drugs and alcohol, safe driving, and healthy relationships. Information evenings are also delivered to parents. PSHCEE is an integral part of school life, rooted in the school ethos. When students leave Habs, we expect that they will be equipped with the knowledge, skills and attributes to become morally responsible and valued citizens. 

Available to all students, staff and visitors, the Medical Centre is open every day during term time from 8am to 5.30pm. First Aid cover is also provided on a Saturday for home fixtures by a School Nurse or First Aider. Alongside the two qualified nurses who run the Medical Centre, there are several staff members who are trained in First Aid. 

As well as dealing with the unexpected onset of illness or injury, our nurses assist and monitor any student who have chronic conditions. They also organise health checks and immunisations where appropriate. They work closely with other professionals to ensure that our students achieve the best health possible to enable them to participate fully in all areas of school life. 

Our counselling service forms an integral part of the pastoral care provided for students at the School. The School Counsellor is available to all students to talk about troubles and concerns, regardless of whether they have arisen within or outside of the School environment. 

Students can make an appointment directly via email, or if preferred with support from their Form Tutor,  Head of House, Head of Section, School Nurse, a teacher or parents. Where appropriate, the School Counsellor works closely with the rest of the pastoral team and with parents to support the mental health and wellbeing of all students at the school. 

Assemblies are an important way of building community and the primary context in which we explore and embed the values which underpin the life of the school as a whole. 

Assemblies provide opportunity for reflection on the place of individuals within the community and the place of the school community within the wider world. They are occasions when we look both outwards and inwards, when we both affirm and challenge, when we hope to motivate and inspire, all with the overall purpose of developing good character and the ability to live wisely. 

Section assemblies 

Section assemblies are held every fortnight. 

 

Religious Assemblies 

On Friday mornings, students have a unique opportunity to attend one of our Faith Assemblies. These are led by specially trained senior students drawn from the faith traditions represented in the School at any one time and may include Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh  assemblies. 

These assemblies are intended primarily to allow students from a particular faith background to gather together, reflect and worship in ways appropriate to their own traditions. Students often visit assemblies of traditions other than their own and thus Friday mornings become an important arena in which we develop mutual respect and greater understanding of difference. Students may also choose to attend a secular assembly on Friday mornings if they so wish. 

 

House Assemblies

All students attend a House assembly with their Head of House and Deputy Head of House every three weeks.. A valuable way to develop a sense of community within Houses, these assemblies are often led by senior students. 

Whilst there is significant flexibility with regard to content, they will often relate to the values which the school adheres to. They also afford a timely opportunity to celebrate recent successes in the House and to anticipate upcoming events. 

Full House Assemblies are held on a termly basis, at which time outstanding contributions to the House are celebrated through the presentation of House Ties, Cups and Shields.