11th September 2017
Dear Families A warm welcome back after our summer break and especially to our new families, new year 7s and reception children. Whilst hopefully we have all enjoyed some kind of break and rest, Simon Balle has not stood still. A big thank you to the hard work of the Premises and IT teams for the work they have done in preparing the campus for us as we come back. Some of our students also have enjoyed being part of the Simon Balle community, with a successful summer school and a brilliant music tour to the Ghent Music Festival. The “window walling� refurbishment continues to make good progress, although a little delayed following building regulation checks post Grenfell Tower. We hope that the majority of work will be completed by our important Open Morning (September 23) During the summer many of our students received their examination results and I am pleased to report that results were pleasingly high. All schools had expressed concerns with the uncertainty of the new exams, but here at Simon Balle more of our students achieved the highest levels and in particular level 9 (English, Maths) than nationally. Whilst it is very difficult to make comparisons this year with last, our results are equally strong. We are currently analysing performance and asking for re-marks for some students who missed a grade by 1 mark. Already some of these appeals have been successful. A level grades were equally pleasing and this has allowed those students wanting to pursue their academic studies at their chosen university to do so. Well done to students, the hard work of our teachers and of course parents. The term has started well and thank you for enforcing our uniform and behaviour code. I am delighted to inform you that the school is full staffed and we are taking this opportunity to let you know our new staff. In addition to the list provided, I am delighted to inform you that James Pooley has been promoted to the position of Assistant Headteacher and is our lead on attendance and all data. James also takes on other whole school duties. Please see below his message about attendance.
Staffing news We would like to welcome the following staff to our school and hope that they quickly settle into their new roles. Lilli Canham
Science Technician
Edmund Church
Teacher
Jennier Ciraolo
Teacher/TA
Beth Cornelius
TA Primary
Edward Coy
Head of Sixth Form
Emma Davey
Teacher of MFL
Holly Dear
Music department assistant
Joanna Dodd
Sixth Form Administrator
Mike Duncan
Teacher of Computer Science
Andrew Hay
Lead Teacher of English
David Kelleway
Science Teacher
Emma Kelleway
PE Teacher
Henry Mead
TA Primary
Megan Mee
TA SEN
Sophie Pearce
Primary Teacher
Mala Pettengell
TA Maths
Alicia Sledge
One to One Intervention
Melanie Timpson
Teaching Assistant
Chris Townsend
Maths Teacher
Joseph Vinton
Gap year student
Rebecca Watkins
PE Teacher
Charlie Webber
History Teacher
Claire Young
Science Teacher
Some of you may be aware that Mr Woodcock, Design and Technology teacher suffered a cardiac arrest on the 18th July on his way to school. He received life-saving attention at the scene and was admitted to the Lister hospital. After a successful operation Mr Woodcock is now at how recuperating and is making good progress. He is keen to get back to work but is sensibly following medical advice and will not be returning until after half term. We all wish Mr Woodcock a full and speedy recovery.
Term Dates May we remind you of our term dates- please can you circulate them to relatives (they are on the website) as I am frequently told that other family members are booking holidays and not aware of our term dates. Autumn half term
23rd to 27th October
Christmas
21st December to 3rd January (early finish on the 20th)
Spring half term
12th to 16th February
Easter
Friday 30th March (Good Friday) to Friday 13th April
Summer half term
28th May to Friday 1st June
End of term
Friday 20th July
Term starts for students
Tuesday 4th September
Inset
Monday 25th September
Inset
Friday 9th February
Occasional day
Friday 24th November
Occasional day
Monday 27th November
Saturday 23rd September - Simon Balle Open Morning This is a key date in our calendar and most parents will have visited us either for an Open Morning (this will be our 5th year!) or an Open Evening. It is well known why we swapped to a morning and we do expect ALL students to attend and those who have a legitimate reason why they can not come should email their Heads of Year as soon as possible. In recognition for this commitment, an additional occasional day is granted to the Simon Balle community by Governors. A letter with instructions will be issued nearer the time. For Year 7 parents this is an advance notice that school will end early at 1.10pm Monday 25th September- Staff training day- school closed for students Tuesday 26th September
Simon Balle All through School Fun Run James Pooley will be speaking to all students next week about this and a letter will be sent out to parents. As a school we unusually do not set an annual school fund. However the Fun Run is a way of raising funds for specific projects within school. This year, working with our PSA we are trying to raise monies to refurbish the swimming pool. It is unusual for Hertfordshire schools to have their own swimming pool and in particular an indoor one. Most schools have got closed theirs as financially they are very demanding. However we have committed to keeping ours open as we believe that it is vital that all young people learn to swim and feel safe in the water. Already our very youngest children have enjoyed lessons. We also hire out the pool and we have a regular number of community hirers. We do need funds as the liner will need to be replaced at a cost of over ÂŁ25,000. The letter which you receive will set a minimum suggested donation but we are eager to promote wider donations of sponsorship. All students talk enthusiastically of the annual community event so please look out for this letter. We look forward to your generous support.
Dates For Your Diary 11th September 14th September 18th September 19th September 20th September 26th September 27th – 29th September 29th September 3rd October 4th – 6th October 16th October 19th October Parents evenings 16th November -Y8 13th December -Y9 18th January -Y11 21st February-Y10 13th March -Y13 19th April - Y7 1st May -Y12
Larch centre annual parents evening Y7 information evening including Phasels Wood trip Y12 parents information evening Y10 parents information evening Y13 meet the team and UCAS evening Y12 geography trip information evening Whole school fun run First Phasels Wood trip (Y7) Non-uniform day – sister school in Gambia Y9 parents information evening Second Phasels Wood trip (Y7) PSA AGM Y11 parents information evening
“Shake Youth Club”This youth club is held weekly on a Tuesday straight after school (until 5.30) and is held at St Andrews Church for Years 7-9. “Shake” provides a safe and welcoming space for friends to meet, play games and talk. Snacks are offered and it is supervised by adults. All are welcome.
Mobile phones It is already illegal to use mobile phones whilst driving and on a number of occasions parents have been seen using their mobiles whilst driving on school premises. This is not only illegal but completely unacceptable.
A request from the Business Studies Department I am looking for Guest speakers for Year 13 Business Studies as we are about to start a Project Management Unit of work. The unit of work focuses on the opening of a sports shop in a Leisure centre complex. If you or any one you know would be available to speak to the Y13 Business students to explain what the job entails and the type of person and characteristics you need to be a good project manager please email Amanda McCarthy on mccarthya@simonballe.herts.sch.uk
A request from the Business Studies Department I am looking for Guest speakers for Year 13 Business Studies as we are about to start a Project Management Unit of work. The unit of work focuses on the opening of a sports shop in a Leisure centre complex. If you or any one you know would be available to speak to the Y13 Business students to explain what the job entails and the type of person and characteristics you need to be a good project manager please email Amanda McCarthy mccarthya@simonballe.herts.sch.uk