19th December 2016 The Christmas season is now under way for all of us here at Simon Balle. Mock exams are now over and a big “well done” to Year 11 for all their hard work and commitment. We wish them a welldeserved rest before they get their results and then more effort and resilience is needed as they continue to prepare for the summer. Meanwhile, our youngest members of the community have been well immersed with the Christmas story. We enjoyed watching the reception children in their nativity play and the Year 1’s in their Christmas play. It never ceases to amaze us all how the children delight in learning their lines, songs and show such confidence. Well done to them and a thank you to their families and staff who prepared them so well for their parts. Once again we are holding our traditional Carol Service at All Saints Church tonight (19 ). The event is for parents, families, friends and alumni. On Tuesday morning, all of our younger students will walk down and enjoy the music and readings. This will be followed by the whole school Christmas lunch where this year 600 students plus staff will sit and eat their traditional Christmas meal. The halls and tables will be decorated (with boughs of holly), staff serve the food, music is played and everyone really feels part of the community. A sort of “Hogwarts” moment! Something most other schools would never attempt! th
Sometimes amongst all of the commercialisation, we forget about the message of Christmas and it is important for us to make sure we build in time for everyone here at Simon Balle to do so. Those families of faith (not necessarily Christian) and those of none, as part of the wider community uphold certain values. Perhaps this year more than most, we should be reflecting upon others and their needs, promoting unity rather then discord. Genuinely saying and meaning “thank you” can never be under valued and I am so grateful to so many people here. Firstly, thank you to our parents who this term have volunteered and worked so hard. We are extremely thankful for the generosity in fundraising (Fun Run, Pamper Night, Frost Fair), which will make a great difference in terms of what we do. The aim this year is to enrich and improve our outdoor facilities- using the grant awarded last year from Tesco Bags and some of our other funds, we are developing an “outdoor” classroom with a pond and natural learning areas. We continue to fund raise for a “trim trail” at the Larch Centre so that our youngest children can develop their strength and agility. We want to increase seating and other areas but still need to further fund raise.
Thank you too for the support you as parents give academically. We know that children whose parents engage with their children in learning are more highly successful. Parents who talk with children, encourage them to participate in clubs, take up new hobbies and generally do things with them, help promote well rounded wellbeing individuals. We have so many of these children at Simon Balle. Thank you to the staff here. Our staff work incredibly hard and many of you talk about how they go the extra mile for your children. Getting the right staff is key and we work very hard to ensure that this happens and that they feel part of the community. In time of acute staff shortage, we are so fortunate. Our staff make a difference to the lives of so many young people. Our Governors play a key role in our school and I want to say a big thank you to them. As two highly valued Governors step down after years of service, I was thrilled that we were able to recruit a wonderful set of people with important skill sets. Firstly though a big thank you to Caroline Brown for her years of service. She has brought such great and valued experience as a primary school Chair of Governors. Leah Cooper meanwhile has given so much to the Governing Body with her deep and highly reflective thinking coupled with her experience of a different educational setting. Thank you to Leah. We say goodbye and thank you to two highly valued members of staff who have given so much over the years. Mary Haines was a student here and then joined us in our Finance Team. Mary has really developed her skills and now is leaving for a promoted post in another Hertfordshire school. Meanwhile Andy Grantham joined Simon Balle 23 years ago as a Business/ Economics teacher and having been a head of department, head of year then was promoted to Assistant Head. Andy leaves us to go to a school in Salford, Manchester as Vice Principle. Andy you will be greatly missed. Thank you to our students- perhaps this is the biggest thank you! You work hard. You genuinely care for others. You listen. You want to learn. Yes, of course there are days‌ but for all of us. And some students need to be reminded more than others. But, some of you have a lot to cope with in your lives and we understand that. Thank you because you know you are part of our community and that together we work for the common good, wanting happiness and unity. Preparing us all to make the world a better place- creating tomorrows’ citizens today. Happy Christmas!
We return to school on Thursday January 5th, a normal school day.
End of Term Dismissal Times (Wednesday 21st December) Year 7— 12.50pm Year 8—12.50pm Year 9— 12.45pm Year 10—12.45pm Year 12 and 13—12.05pm
Aluminium Cans The science department request donations of aluminium cans for science lessons. These are to be normal coke size cans (not beer or other alcohol) and they must not be crushed Poetry Festival The English department would like to invite you to the poetry Festival on the 25th January 2017. Students at Simon Balle, whilst performing very well in English overall, often struggle with Poetry. The English team therefore are working hard to promote poetry and as you know, we have already held a Haiku Competition to celebrate National Poetry Day. We are also exploring more creative and engaging ways of delivering poetry throughout the English curriculum and particularly at KS3 we want to build students' confidence and creativity through writing and sharing more of their own poetry - hence a Poetry Festival! We are planning an exciting evening event for students, parents and staff and we really hope as many staff as possible will show their support by attending or even get involved! If you would like to read / perform a poem (either a favourite or one you have written) please get in touch! Date - 25th January 2016 Time - Doors open at 6.30pm (event will last approx 1 1/12 hours, including a
15 minute interval with refreshments) Venue - Main hall
More details to follow
Overall Results for Interhouse Rugby, Hockey and Volleyball Yrs7 –10
37 33 32 28 19 19
ASHBOURNE NEW BEANE LEA MIMRAM RIB
iPad Scheme We would like to remind all parents/carers to pay for this year’s iPad scheme contribution. There is a payment item available on ParentPay called “iPad Scheme Contribution 2016/17”. If you have any queries please contact us at finance@simonballe.herts.sch.uk Many thanks!
ParentPay We would really like to encourage all parents to use our online payment system, www.parentpay.com Dinner money, music lessons, school trips and other items can all be paid for online quickly and securely. It also allows for prompt refunds. If you have not yet activated your account or require a login, please email finance@simonballe.herts.sch.uk or phone 01992 410400 and ask for the Finance Office.
Put It Away Campaign The Hertfordshire Road Safety Partnership is launching a new campaign to ‘put it away’ as many drivers are continuing to use their handheld mobile phone while driving. However good your driving is, checking a text, browsing, scrolling through your music means you not paying attention to the road, things happen that you cannot react in time to. Remove the temptation and put your mobile away in a bag, in the gloves compartment, out of reach – it is just not worth the risk. www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/putitaway Soon the penalties for using a handheld mobile phone while driving are doubling to £200 fine and six points on your licence – an immediate ban for new drivers. Thank you for your support #putitaway – follow on social media
Is there enough childcare available in Hertfordshire? Hertfordshire County Council have a statutory duty to ensure there are enough childcare places for children of all ages. We would like parents feedback on the childcare options for their family. Their support in completing the survey will assist Hertfordshire County Council in the planning of childcare places throughout the county. Please could you complete the following survey surveys.hertfordshire.gov.uk/s/Sufficiencyparentsurvey/ The survey will close on 23rd December 2016.