27th April 2016 Welcome back to the summer term. Nearly two weeks in and we have already held: concerts (thank you to so many families for the amazing comments and praise), Yr 7 parents evening (almost 100% turn out and again so many positives about the transition from primary school), public art exams, assemblies plus all the lessons and extra-curricular activities that we offer. And yet the weather hasn’t appeared to move on – as yesterday’s hail storm showed! Although much of staff leadership and governor time is being spent planning ahead, we must remember to enjoy what is to come in the near future. This is an opportunity to remind you of the importance of children being at school and also of our insistence on correct uniform (particularly at the moment with shoes – uniform does not include trainers or boots). I look forward to meeting many more parents as this term progresses. Alison Saunders - Headteacher
Dates for your diary Monday 2nd May Tuesday 3rd May Wednesday 4th May Friday 6th May Thursday 12th May Monday 16th May Friday 27th May
BANK HOLIDAY INSET Start of Y10 internal exams Non uniform day Singing evening Start of public exams 6th form ball
Monday 30th May to Friday 3rd June
HALF TERM
Monday 20th June Thursday 23rd June Friday 11th June Monday 27th June Wednesday 29th June Saturday 2nd July Monday 4th July Friday 8th July Wednesday 13th July Thursday 14th July
Sports afternoon Careers Fair in hall Y11 celebration evening in hall Sports afternoon (Larch Centre) Art exhibition ‘As Yet Untitled’ Y8 trip to Globe theatre INSET Transition evening for new Y7 parents Transition day Awards ceremony Music tour leaves Stevensons (uniform supplier) in 3pm—7pm Stevensons in 3pm—6pm END OF TERM
Saturday 16th July Monday 18th July Tuesday 19th July Friday 22nd July
Supporting Simon Balle PSA
Have you signed up to Give as you Live yet? You could raise a free donation for us every time you shop online at places like Argos, Amazon and Debenhams. It's easy to sign up and every purchase, however small really makes a difference https://www.giveasyoulive.com/join/simonballepsa
Date for the diary: 18th Nov 2016 The PSA will be holding a Ladies Pamper Evening in the Autumn term. Come along, relax and let our therapy experts do all the hard work ! More details to follow on facebook nearer the time https://www.facebook.com/simonballepsa/
We've got a great new way for you to help us and raise up to 6% in free donations whenever you buy or top up a gift card at @Give as you Live's new store. There's cards for Starbucks, M&S, Cineworld, Caffè Nero, & loads more! https://cardsforcauses.giveasyouliv .c m/ch …/simonballepsa
The PSA hold a stock of good quality second hand uniform for sale at Parents evenings. Items are priced from £1 to £2 - Outside these times, if you'd like to buy any uniform please email psa@simonballepsa.org.uk with details we can check if we have the size in stock. All donations of good quality uniform greatly received
The PSA are always looking for new members to get onboard and help with our fundraising. If you'd like to find out more come along to our next meeting on 7th June 2016 @ 19:00 in IT2 (opposite the coffee shop) or drop us an email at psa@simonballepsa.org.uk
Save The Date – Saturday 2nd July ‘As Yet Untitled’…. Did this heading in ‘Dates For Your Diary’ intrigue you? Please watch this space in future newsletters nd for details of a school summer extravaganza and put Saturday 2 July 3pm-6pm in your diaries. It will be an event for the whole family! Planning is underway and we hope to release the details shortly. ‘The Planning Committee’
Year 10 news Three of our students represented the school and came runners-up in the Hertfordshire Golf Team competition. The competition was huge with many private schools also entering teams. They go on to compete in the National Championship in July. This is a first for Simon Balle and congratulations to Joe Fenton, Ben Sullivan and Louis Monk. Forty-five Y10 Students have submitted an application letter to be a prefect – the quality of the letters was high. Many spoke about the wonderful opportunities they have been given and what an amazing school community they are part of and what they want to give back. It is clear that they really appreciate the amazing teachers we have here. James Pooley – Head of Year
Sportshall Success Congratulations to year 9 student Jean Nwahba who represented Hertfordshire at the UK SPORTSHALL FINALS recently. Jean was competing in the U15 age-group where the Herts team finished 4th overall in the UK. Jean had a great competition coming 3rd in the Shot Putt (12.59m) as well as 6th in the Standing Long jump (2.69m). As an individual athlete Jean was placed 8th in the UK, a phenomenal achievement! Jean now looks forward to the outdoor season where he will be competing in the Shot Putt and 400m. Daire Brennan – Head of PE
Musical Theatre Results - March 2016 NAME Rachael Janes Elspeth McClymont-Cornell Martha Munro
YEAR 13 13 13
GRADE 8 8 8
RESULT Distinction Distinction Distinction
Trinity Exam Results – Spring 2016 NAME Ben Kenway Rose Shepherd Katie Gresty Clare Spooner Josh Bradford Emily O’Brien Hannah-May Smith Sam Pratt Shona Waters Olivia Veale Joshua Green Molly Nesbitt-Larking Caitlin Stewart Kitty Voss Lizzie Pickup Luke Davis Natalia Fernandez-Vinson Sam Willis Sammy Medway-Smith Finn Wright Tom Thornton
YEAR 9 11 12 12 13 12 12 7 13 10 8 10 11 11 11 13 13 9 8 7 12
INSTRUMENT BASSOON BASSOON CLARINET CLARINET FLUTE FLUTE FLUTE GUITAR PERCUSSION PIANO JAZZ SAX SAXOPHONE SAXOPHONE JAZZ SAX SAXOPHONE JAZZ SAX SAXOPHONE TROMBONE TRUMPET TRUMPET VIOLIN
GRADE 3 6 8 8 7 7 8 1 8 3 5 5 5 5 6 8 8 2 1 2 6
RESULT DISTINCTION PASS PASS PASS PASS DISTINCTION PASS PASS DISTINCTION DISTINCTION DISTINCTION MERIT PASS PASS DISTINCTION PASS DISTINCTION PASS MERIT PASS PASS