SIMON BALLE
CONNECT-ED
LETTER FROM THE HEAD:
Alison Saunders writes about the importance of Simon Balle’s Alumni.
It is with deep pride, that I write these words for this, our Alumni newsletter. The message is that Simon Balle goes from strength to strength! As Head I often wonder about what happens to our students once they leave us. The school will soon be 60 years old, and it is frightening to think of how many students bearing the Simon Balle hallmark have gone out into the wider world in the mere 16 years since I took up post! Every so often, however, we meet them, hear from them, or our paths cross. A number of past students work in the school; some of them are now parents of students at school; others work locally or write in. So the natural step was to set up an “Alumni or Friends” site to allow us to keep in contact with those people, and hopefully once more share our talents and skills for the greater good of the community. A few years ago, we spent a lot of time trying to capture our vision and values. Of course, we started our thoughts with the students – yes, you! We put into words what the community already knows about the school and how we see our role as developing “whole people” and not just acting as an exam factory. What fills me with great pride is that when I look at the Alumni list and see what you are all doing now,
I see you represent our visions and values so well. A great deal of you are building upon the interests and skills that you showed at school and using them to make a real difference to the communities around you.Lawyers, doctors, nurses, teachers, IT consultants, designers, event managers, journalists, lecturers, musicians, artists, therapists,managers and leaders - the list is endless.
Simon Balle students will be confident but not arrogant, have a sense of self worth and feel empowered to make decisions and be self-managers.” Please come and actively join us! Every little helps! I look forward to hearing from you!!
“Students were keen to make a difference” - OFSTED During our recent Ofsted Inspection , Inspectors spoke of how “Students were keen to make a difference” to the world around them. As a school we want our students to be successful in every way and we believe that our past students have something very special that they can do to help to make that happen.
PAGE 3: What might have happened to the three storey block during our first term?
We need you if we are to get nearer to achieving our vision. We do hope that as you read this you will recognize something very close to your own experiences! “The Simon Balle Student is a young person who when they leave will have had a fantastic educational experience. They will have achieved the highest possible grades and will be able to go out into the global world with the skills, attributes and behaviours for successful twenty-first century living. Our students will be resourceful, resilient, and able to accept others for who they are. They will be happy people; creative in their thinking, respectful and responsible in their actions.
PAGE 3: Read about our first annual open morning.