Thursday 16th November 2017 Dear Families, We are now back into the rhythm of the term, enjoying the late sunshine before the busy Christmas events hit us all! Firstly, a thank you again to parents and friends for their response from the last newsletter regarding staffing issues. We have successfully recruited a cover supervisor and are interviewing soon for a part-time temporary primary teacher. This will help enormously. Mrs Moreno is covering for Mrs Davey whilst recovering from an operation, she is a Spanish and linguistics graduate, well qualified. Please work with us as we put place arrangements to cover Mr Church’s lessons, who left for personal reasons. Mr Townsend (maths) will increase his classes and we are moving other commitments so that these classes can benefit from specialised teaching. However, at any time, please get in touch if you know of anyone or yourselves are interested in any kind of employment here, or wish to know more about training as a teacher. Simon Balle is very much at the heart of Hertford’s community and this has been proved to me one again as I take a group of students to participate in the “Senior” Golden Lunches at the Baptist Church each month. Also, by the number of ex students who either contact or visit us and by the number who send their own children here both in the primary or secondary settings. Our Primary open mornings (Monday 20th November and Friday 24th November 10am) and evening (Wednesday 6th December 6:30pm) are just about to commence . Information regarding this can be found on our website, so please do let any neighbours, friends and family, who may be interested know. Within our strong community, music for many is a passion and purpose. I enjoyed our first ‘major’ concert this week when we returned to Broxbourne. Equally, I am looking forward our very special event on Thursday 7th December (pm) whereby our Yr7 musicians (instrument and voice) join with our youngest musicians to produce high quality music. I am thrilled to report that 70% of our Y2 are learning to play either the violin or cello, supported by our strings teachers and sixth formers. Mark Taylor and I, along with expert input, have written a music strategy for the all-through school—what musical education looks likes for a student from reception to Y13. This has been extremely exciting!
As we move into this new stage we are now looking to acquire a piano for the Larch centre. Therefore if you either; know of anyone who has a piano, and no longer has a home/need for it can donate money towards buying one can get part funding from your employer, please let Mark or myself know. What better gift than cultivating a lifelong love of music to our youngest children? Nationally there is current research projects whereby children from very challenging backgrounds are being given musical opportunities daily to improve concentration, motivation, brain power, cultural identity and awareness. Thank you, this would be a very special ‘Christmas’ present! And finally, as I check my diary again, it is our eldest students that I want to mention. Ed Coy, our newly-appointed Head of Sixth, attended a recent governors’ meeting and a Senior Team meeting—outlining his vision and direction. Mr Coy has already made a real difference here. Our Sixth formers are on a variety of programmes, contribute widely to both our school and local community and are engaging in enriching sport and cultural events. Destinations are varied (apprenticeships, employment, university, gaps years) however, the students come back and tell us how much they really enjoyed being at Simon Balle, how they are equipped well to respond to these new challenges and how they still meet with Simon Balle, lifelong, friends. Our Sixth Form Open Evening this year is on Tuesday 21st November and we welcome both our own Year 11 and also any students choosing Sixth Form education for September 2018. We are now offering a range of both A-Level and technical courses, coupled with a wide enrichment programme. My presentations this coming fortnight for both reception parents and for those entering into the last two years of formal education, will be similar. Our community is strong, our values are clear and we do indeed prepare tomorrows citizen today, be they aged 5 at the start of their journey or aged 16. The culture and flavour here is the same with that emphasis placed upon the value and uniqueness of the individual and the desire to develop their character and academic skills. I have recently come across a phrase which I think sums its up– schools for human flourishing! Something which the community wants and needs for all its young people! Alison Saunders
Dates for your Diary:
16th November - Y8 Parents Evening 17th November – Non Uniform Day (in aid of Children in Need) 18th November - PSA Quiz Night (tickets available on PSA website and school office) 21st November - 6th Form Open Evening 24th November – Occasional day : school closed (24th November - Hertford Christmas Lights: performance from Big Band) 27th November – Occasional day : school closed 29th November – House Plays (please note change of date) 2nd December - Larch Centre Frost Fair (1pm to 4pm) 13th December - Y9 Parents Evening 16th December – Take Note choir at St Andrews Church (7.30pm) 18th December - Carol Service (All Saints) 19th December - Christmas Lunch 20th December - End of Term (Early finish, details to follow)
Update on Renewable Energy at Simon Balle As some of you may know, over the last three years we have installed two solar panel arrays on the roofs of the Science Block and the Larch Centre to provide renewable electricity to the school and reduce our carbon footprint. In this time we have reduced our reliance on the National Grid significantly and over the course of a year we now generate about 13% of our own electricity. (For the more techie types among you, we have an 80kW system consisting of 315 panels) The solar panels will continue to benefit us for at least 20 years and provide huge cost savings as the price of energy continues to rise, but we are always looking to improve our energy efficiency. Other projects we are working on include: · Replacement of lighting for newer LED technology · Replacement of swimming pool heating plant and machinery · Monitoring of all electricity usage in the school to see where we can reduce our consumption · Replacing the window walling of all our buildings to improve thermal efficiency Some of our year 10 students have also used data from the solar panels in reaching the national final of the Big Bang Science Fair which will be held in March 2018, we wish them the best of luck. If you’d like to put any ideas forward for how we might be even more energy efficient then please do get in touch at finance@simonballe.herts.sch.uk
Y12 Geography Trip Last week the year 12 geographers visited Manchester to investigate urban regeneration. The field trip began with a walk around Salford Quays and Media City where they tried out a range of fieldwork techniques. The students then went into the Lowry to see how cultural institutions can also play a role in regeneration. After dinner we were visited by Mr Grantham and Miss Baynham who have both moved to the city recently. They gave the students a talk about changes that have taken place in Manchester over the past 30 years, and the current challenges facing the city. The following day involved an extensive tour of the city by tram and on foot. In the morning the students had a tour of the Etihad stadium and a talk on sports-led regeneration. This was then followed by more data collection in the City Centre and Northern Quarter, where the students were able to explore some of the recently regenerated retail and entertainment areas of the city. In the evening the students learnt about a statistical technique that they will be using in their coursework later in the year, and there was an opportunity to consolidate the learning from the previous two days. On Friday the students walked to Hulme to see the effect that the opening of a new university campus has had on the area. Our students were given a one-to-one tour of the area by the trainee geography teachers from MMU, and then they talked us through their ideas for geography fieldwork after which they shared their ideas for coursework investigations. This kind of fieldwork gives the students a valuable insight into contemporary geographical issues facing our cities, as well as giving them some ideas for their own independent geographical investigations that they will be carrying out next summer. Mr Ayres
PE NEWS Football Update In Round 2 of the National cup the Y7 boys beat Onslow St. Audreys school 5-2 with a hat-trick from Keane Leng and two goals from Charlie Ciuffa. On Friday last in Round 3, the boys lost narrowly to Riddlestown College from Croyden who have an excellent pedigree in this competition having reached the national final last year. The game finished 1-1 after extra-time with a great goal from Ollie Bentley. The penalty shoot went right into sudden death and such was the quality of penalties that the boys lost out 8-9 in the end. An excellent performance by all, the boys now look towards the District cup which takes place from January onwards. The Y8 Football Team have had a successful start to the season progressing to the 4th round of the national cup and narrowly losing in extra time to Queens in the County Cup. In Round 3 against Robert Bloomfield Academy, the boys showed great resilience coming back twice to take the game into penalties, which we won 3-1. A special mention to Alex Greaves who has scored 8 goals in 3 games and to goal keeper Max Pitman who has made some outstanding saves. We travel to Northampton school for Boys in Round 4 in the national cup. The Year 11 boys have again performed very well in all cup competitions so far this year. In the County cup, after having a bye into the round of 32, the boys came up against a strong Dame Alice Owens team. Trailing 2-1 at half time, the boys came back strongly in the second half only to lose out 3-2 in the end, however the boys performed very well and were on top for the majority of the game but struggled to take their opportunities. In the national cup the boys have beaten Burnt Mill School 5-2 in round 2. In Round 3 the boys beat a very strong St. Martins school from Essex 3-2. As a result of those fantastic performances the boys are now into the last 128 teams in the country and now play Bishop Challoner from Tower Hamlets on Thursday 23rd November.
Rugby News In Rugby News, Saturday Rugby fixtures are up and running with block fixtures against Leventhorpe and Birchwood schools over the past couple of Saturdays. The boys have performed well with wins from the Y7 and Y9 teams. Our remaining boys’ rugby Saturday fixtures are as follows; Sat 18th Nov: Y7 – 10 teams play Samuel Ryder Academy. Sat 2nd Dec: Y7 – 10 teams play Broxbourne School. Saturday football fixtures will then begin in January. Congratulations to Jean and Albert Nwahba who have been selected for U16 County rugby trials, these are currently taking place and the boys should know soon whether they have been selected. Good luck to both boys. The 1st XV rugby team have been performing well of late, winning convincingly last week against Levanthorpe School. The boys now are due to play Freman College in the next few weeks along with a County Shield fixture. Well done to all the boys involved.
Girls Rugby The Y9/10 girls rugby team played in a development festival up at Hertford Rugby Club at the beginning of October. The girls improved throughout the afternoon winning 3 out of their 5 games and showing some great skill and pace to score some brilliant tries.
Hockey News A friendly hockey match on Monday 13th November saw a combination of Y9, 10 & 11 students represent Simon Balle against Birchwood School. The girls had a tough start getting used to the very different 4G surface. Within the first 5 minutes Aimee Kelly found the back of the goal following a good touch from Elsa Barnfather to put Simon Balle in the lead. This was closely followed by a second goal when Niamh Hartnett made a perfectly timed cross to Elsa Barnfather who found the net. Kathryn Rollins scored the third goal for Simon Balle with a powerful shot into the corner. Just before the half-time whistle, Birchwood had a breakaway opportunity. Despite some good saves from Tilly Day, Birchwoods’ determination gave them a goal to bring the score to 3-1. Simon Balle began to get into a better rhythm in the second half giving the Birchwood keeper lots to do. Eventually Niamh Harriett found the back board with a fantastic finish. A last minute goal for Birchwood put the final score at 4-2. A good start to the hockey season for the girls with lots of fixtures coming up before Christmas including two U15 county hockey games. Our Year 7’s have also started the season with fixtures against Leventhorpe, with the girls below performing well.
Careers Education at Simon Balle. Thank you to all parents who have recently completed the careers education survey as well as contributing to ‘A Day in the Life of’. As a result of your feedback and student feedback we are planning the following changes to this year’s careers programme;
Website review -Subject links which will guide you to related careers -Careers Policy to be clearly signposted Changes to whole school career days Closer links with parents Clearer information on Local Market Information (LMI). A termly careers newsletter to parents, students and governor’s.
Over the next few months as a school we are hoping to secure the Quality in Careers Standard which is a nationally recognised award. There are 3 stages to securing this award and at Simon Balle we have already passed stages 1 & 2 over the past 12 months. We now hope to complete stage 3 by January 2018.
CHRISTMAS LUNCH TUESDAY 19th DECEMBER TICKET ÂŁ3.75
The lunch will be a traditional two course Christmas lunch. A vegetarian option is also available. Tickets must be bought in advance from the dining room (cash or smart card). They will be available from: Tuesday 28th November to Wednesday 13th December. We look forward to seeing all our students (Reception to Year 13) there. Please note that there will be no other food served and no food at break. Please note that students who currently do not pay for lunch do not need to buy a ticket.
Tickets £6 available online at www.simonballepsa.org.uk or at Main Reception / Larch Centre Reception Teams of up to 8 – all welcome
Licensed Bar (BYO snacks)
Simon Balle PSA Registered Charity No: 281561