THIS ISSUE:
17th December 2014 Update on the Expansion Over the past few weeks we have held a number of coffee mornings to explain to potential parents of Simon Balle, our vision and how this will soon become a reality for the youngest members of our communities, as we welcome our reception children in September 2015. In addition we met with representatives of the many residents associations in the Mangrove Road area, explaining and discussing with them the time-plan of events. We informed them of the relentless campaign we are driving for our own students to walk to school and our work with other local groups to secure funding for improvements to footpaths and underpasses. Feedback following the meeting has been highly favourable; residents are thankful for an opportunity for genuine dialogue and praised the school for the sensitivity and thoughtfulness in the way in which it was dealing with the expansion. We shall meet again in the spring to look at how the work is progressing.
Traffic on site Ever since I have been at Simon Balle, in fact over 17 years, traffic on site has been an issue. I recall how I was quizzed all those years ago by enthusiastic sixth formers as to how I could increase parking so that they could park on site! Despite increased space, this has never and never shall be a reality or indeed a priority. We know that around 60% of students walk to school and that Simon Balle is essentially a Hertford school. However many parents still continue to use the site, rather then other areas to drop and pick up. Please, especially now with work on site, I ask parents to re-consider usual patterns and think if they can use other facilities.
TRAFFIC REMINDER Would you please remember that we now operate a ONE WAY system on site. All vehicles should enter using the first gate (on the left going up Mangrove Road) and exit using the old entrance. It is important that everyone follows these instructions. Thank you for your co-operation.
Updates Traffic Reminder Non Uniform Days Year 13 English Trip Year 11 Visit Percy Smith Exhibition Year 8 Cheerleading Competition Library and English News PSA House Events Term Summary PE Update Simon Balle Choir Free School Meals ….Final word
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY: 16th Dec : Simon Balle Carol Concert at All Saints Church, doors open at 6.30pm—concert commences at 7pm 17th Dec : Year 7, 8 and 12 Carol Concert 17th Dec : Christmas Lunch Year 7,8,9 and 10 18th Dec : Sixth Form Christmas Lunch 19th Dec : Christmas Jumper Day 19th Dec ; End of term, finish times per year group. Year 12 and 13 Year 10 Year 9 Year 7 and 8
12.05pm 12.45pm 12.50pm 12.55pm
5th Jan ; Inset Day 6th Jan : Students back to school