19th October 2017
Dear Parents and Carers Perhaps in school we are aware of the passing of the year more than most. We are fast approaching the half term and October always signals the drawing in of the evenings, the change in weather and the trees changing in the school grounds. The summer seems a long way away now and the routines of the school term are well established. Firstly it is a number of ‘thank you’ messages to staff, students and parents. Our annual fun run, to raise money for our swimming pool (which is so greatly used by the community) achieved the sum of £9000. This sum along with funds raised by our incredible PSA during the coming months will truly help. The latest government academic tables have now been published. Once again Simon Balle has out-performed many local and national schools at GCSE level. The new indicator of ‘Progress 8’ - the measure of the progress the students make from their starting point of key stage 2 results—has also been published for all schools. The results of the children last summer has once again put us in the top 5% of schools nationally. Our ’value added’ in Hertfordshire placed us 6th, with no other schools in East Herts. Well done to staff, students and parents. We continue to love to hear from past students and also anyone who is a teacher looking for work, or wants to train to teach. The recruitment crisis is still acute, but thank you for your help last term and also with regard to solutions for staff sickness.
Alison Saunders
Dates for your Diary 19th October - Y11 Parents Information Evening 23rd-27th October – Half Term 14th November - Autumn Concert 16th November - Y8 Parents Evening 17th November – Non Uniform Day ( in aid of Children in Need) 18th November - PSA Quiz Night 21st November - 6th Form Open Evening 22nd November - House Plays 24th November - Hertford Christmas Lights (performance from Big Band) 2nd December - Larch Centre Frost Fair 13th December - Y9 Parents Evening 18th December - Carol Service (All Saints) 19th December - Christmas Lunch 20th December - End of Term (Early finish, details to follow)
Bag2School The Bag2School scheme has raised an impressive ÂŁ272 for the PSA. Thank you to anyone who brought in bags.
Second Hand Uniform The PSA require any used good quality uniform (primary and secondary) to sell at Parents Evenings and Transition days. Please bring it to the reception.
Raffle Prize Donation The PSA are once again on the look-out for raffle prize donations for Parents Evening raffles.
HAND News - October edition now published - free online newsletter for parents, carers, professionals. Parent workshops, epilepsy service, LGBT friendship groups for people with learning disabilities and much more. Read all about it in the October edition of HAND News, the online newsletter from Hertfordshire Additional Needs Database: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/handnews
You are invited to the Simon Balle PSA Quiz Night on Saturday 18th November 2017 at 7:30pm in the Main School Hall. Have some fun and raise funds for your children's school. Tickets cost ÂŁ6.00 per person. Teams of 8 (individuals welcome and we can put you in a team). There will be a licensed bar, raffle and prizes. You are welcome to bring your own snacks but please purchase drinks from our bar. Please see the link below to purchase tickets online. Alternatively tickets are available at Main School and Primary School Reception, and on the door. (Tickets will be on sale by the end of the week.) Please email the PSA for more information. psa@simonballepsa.org.uk
http://www.simonballepsa.org.uk/ Many thanks SBS PSA
Phasels Wood Trips 2017 Phasels Wood was a huge success this year. The year 7 students were outstanding, and a pleasure to take away and represent Simon Balle School. The students were put into mixed groups of students from different forms and friendships. They then completed various activities throughout the day, such as abseiling, potholing and crate stacking, where they overcame fears and encouraged each other. Furthermore, the sessions such as team building and bushcraft, allowed the students to be creative, support each other and meet new people. The evening activities were also great fun and ranged from carting, tobogganing and ambush to our own very successful talent show around the campfire. Lots of volunteers entered the talent show with various acts like singing, repeat after me chants, stories and riddles. It was wonderful to see so many students having the confidence to perform in front of the year group. The Simon Balle staff really enjoyed getting involved in the activities, and this helped some students to relax and enjoy themselves even more. I am sure the students are missing their music wakeup call every morning, and dancing around in their tents. Everyone was comfortable working with new people together as a team, sitting with different people at dinner, having different people in tents/groups and by the end the trip students didn’t want to leave their outdoor adventures behind. The Wild Child staff were very impressed with our students, their behaviour was impeccable and their enthusiasm was great. Please see the following page to see a few pictures of the fantastic trip.
Emily Robinson Head of Year 7
Simon Balle All Through School
19/10/2017