Dear Families
10th September 2015
I would like to wish you a warm welcome back as we now start the academic year 2015- 2016. This is a very special time for us as we particularly welcome our very first “Reception “ students, and thus become an All through School. I have now for many years spoken of the educational advantages of working across the age phases and stages, and to this end have always looked for opportunities to work together with our local primaries. Staff and students at Simon Balle will continue to work with many local primaries; members of our MFL, Music and PE teams regularly work with primary colleagues and students. Our IT outreach team provides technical support to many Hertford and Ware schools. We are once again embarking on educational research with our four local primaries , looking at “teacher –talk” and its impact in classrooms and on achievement. All of this and more will continue. However what will be different is that we now have our very own young learners. During the coming years, I hope that everyone will come to appreciate and understand the concept of the All through School. We do not have “a primary wing”. This is not separate- it is one school. It is early days to see the benefits of All through schooling but these will come as primary children gain access to specialist teachers, meet with older students and can use specialist accommodation. Transition eases and relationships with families is obviously strengthened. All of this will come. We are delighted with our new building, the Larch Centre. The building is spacious and light, energy sustainable and purpose built. Visitors have been struck by the detail to finish and the contemporary feel. Whilst providing classrooms and wrap around care for our reception learners, we shall be using the rooms for other school activities and functions.
Examination Results I am sure that you have read of the excellent examination results both at GCSE and at A Level. We are particularly proud of our Year 11 students who achieved very impressive GCSE scores, with 75% of the cohort, achieving 5+ A*-C in English and Maths. Science results both at GCSE
THIS ISSUE: Welcome Autumn Dates Examination Results New Staff Governors PSA Move Week Archeche Summer School Music Tour Music News PE Extra Curricular Programme Data Protection
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY: Term Dates: Autumn Term : 1st Sep to 18th Dec Half term : 26th-30th Oct Occasional Days : 26th and 27th Nov INSET Days : 28th Sep September Thurs 10th 6.30-8.30pm Thurs 17th 9.00am
Sports presentation evening Reception Parents Coffee morning
6.30pm
Reception Parents Coffee Evening
Fri 25th
Early Finish
Sat 26th
Open Morning
Mon 28th
Inset Day