31st January 2017 I think most of us are eager for this “gloomy, very cold” spell to end but I am pleased to say that there have been many events recently, which have lightened up this feeling. The “Poetry Evening” was one such event. A new venture, it was a joy to see so many young people reciting poems they had written on a variety of subjects ranging from old age, politics, seasons and identity. Some members of staff read favourites, including a powerful rendition from Dr Nwahba on a childhood favourite about Africa. Various musical interludes performed by other students helped the evening along. The special guest appearance fro the poet Keith Jarret was a great treat. A thank you, to Mrs Gibberd and her team. Year 9 spent a whole day reflecting upon and learning about aspects of the Holocaust and this resulted in powerful studies evolving. Please see the webpost http://www.simonballe.herts.sch.uk/holocaust-memorial-day-2017 for more information about their day. Meanwhile I continue to visit lessons and talk to students about their learning. This is a real privilege as I am able to see passionate teachers enthuse students. This week I have been welcomed in maths, psychology and English lessons. I even went with the year 1 children to All Saints Church as part of their religious education lessons. On Tuesday Mike Moss (deputy), Paul Connelly (Chair of Governors) and myself will be attending a celebratory event organized by the Department for Education for those schools who achieved the highest progress 8 scores at GCSE in 2016. It will be a great honour to attend and represent the hard work of those students, staff and the great support from parents which made this happen. We are very proud of this success nationally at Simon Balle.
31st January 2017 Dates this Term Monday 6 February Drugs Education workshop for parents Tuesday 7 February Year 9 Options evening Battlefields trip parents information evening Strings recital Wednesday 8 February Drums recital Monday 13 to Friday 17 February- half term Tuesday 21 February Iceland trip parents information evening Sports tour parents information evening Thursday 23 February First Battlefield trip leaves Wednesday 1st March Year 13 Parents consultation Thursday 2nd March Second Battlefield trip leaves Friday 3rd March Big Band Evening Saturday 11th March An evening of singing & strings – All Saints Church Tuesday 14th March Year 12 Parents consultation Wednesday 15th March Larch centre parents evening Rock gig – Corn Exchange th Thursday 16 March Larch centre parents evening Saturday 11th March An evening of singing & strings – All Saints Church Tuesday 14th March Year 12 Parents consultation Wednesday 15th March Larch centre parents evening Rock gig – Corn Exchange Thursday 16th March Larch centre parents evening Thursday 23rd March Brass recital Friday 24th March Non uniform day – Red Nose Monday 27th March Stevenson’s uniform sale 3pm to 5.30pm Mon, 27 March – Thu, 30 March Y10 Sheringham Geography Field Trip Monday 30th & 31st March School Play Easter Holidays- Monday 3rd to Wednesday 19th April (18th April is an INSET day; school closed for students) Monday 10th - Friday 14th April - Sports Tour Thursday 20th April –Y7 Parents Evening Friday 21st—Sunday 23rd April –Haworth –A-Level English Trip th
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31st January 2017
Fantastic Final Products from Key Stage 3 Textiles Key Stage 3 students have been working really hard in Textiles demonstrating their creativity and improving their technical skills to create some fantastic final products. Our new projects aim to provide students with the skills and experience necessary to prepare them for our new GCSE course in Art and Design: Textiles Design. This exciting new course will allow our students to explore a variety of different techniques including; fashion design, digital textiles, dyed fabrics, printed fabrics, soft furnishings and embellishment. This qualification is now available for our current year 9 students to start studying in September 2017, any year 9 students who would like to see more examples of the work they could be creating for this course please see Miss Fish for more information.
31st January 2017
New House Newsletter. New have had a very successful start to the academic year and have already had a number of significant noteworthy achievements. Year 7 have made a great start and have been involved in music through the junior wind band as well as sports. A number of 7N students achieving “student of the week” for house points, and a special mention goes to Willow Hamilton-Hill for achieving “student of the month” in October for KS3. 7N are also third so far in the Accelerated Reader competition. Mr Brennan’s Year 8 form have made a great contribution to some of New’s successes. Katy Szymanska won “best model” in the Volcano Day competition. On top of this, many of the Year 8’s have been regularly attending art club, run by one of our Year 13 students, earning house points for their commitment and efforts. Year 10 have seen success in English, with Oliver Scorey winning the year’s Haiku competition. Outside of school, Jacob Broadwood has impressively performed in a theatre production at Gordon Craig Theatre. Year 12 have begun their first year of A-Levels and have worked very hard in making the house play competition a huge success for New - congratulations to Rose Shepherd and Kitty Voss for directing the house’s entry of “Jack and the Beanstalk” and winning the overall competition! It was a great effort from all of the performers and it was great to see so many new Year 7s contributing to the school already. A special mention should be given to Dawa Karko in 7N for receiving the best newcomer award. A big thank you also to the students supporting the performers on the evening. Year 13 are very busy with their final year of A Levels and applying to university, and 13N have had a number of very positive offers from top universities including Leeds, Southampton and Nottingham. Aside from this, Gwilym Turner has been very active as Music Ambassador and worked very hard to organise and promote the recent Rock School concert. We wish them the best of luck in their future endeavours. We have all gone into the “New” Year ready for another great term and ready to climb back up the house points table. New House Captains
Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Parent Support Group Dear Parents/Carers, The mental health and emotional wellbeing is an ever increasing aspect of children's lives that are impacting on them in so many ways. I am working with a range of agencies, who are at their maximum capacity in terms of referrals. Much of my work with students is focused primarily on a wide range of mental health related problems and I have seen a considerable rise in concerns from parents and carers. This can be anything from having an understanding of some of the underlying problems or being able communicate with professionals. It is with this in mind that I am planning to set up a parental help group, which will meet on a fortnightly basis throughout the school year. I am still in the early stages of planning but would be keen to share my thoughts with parents and shape the support group around their needs. I plan to have an initial meeting after half term, when I would like to meet with interested parties to plan how we go forward. I feel this is a great opportunity for us to work collaboratively on a key area of impacting on the development of our children. Please could email deardsl@simonballe.herts.sch.uk by Friday 10th February if you feel you would like to be part of the group and attend the first initial planning meeting on Wednesday 1st March. The group will meet on a Wednesday evening, between 6pm and 7.30pm. I look forward to hearing from interested parents and carers. Leon Brown Director of Care and Wellbeing Designated Senior Person For Child Protection
Parental Drug Awareness Workshop Concerned that your knowledge about drugs and alcohol is limited or out of date? Then we would like to invite you to our Drug Awareness Workshop specially designed for parents / carers at Simon Balle on Monday 6th February from 18:00 – 19:30 in the Larch Centre (primary phase building) The workshop aims to:
Provide relevant, up-to-date information about alcohol, cannabis and legal highs in a safe and familiar environment
Offer strategies for parents to have open conversations with their children about drug and alcohol misuse
Promote ways parents can help children make positive, healthy choices.
As well as an interactive presentation and informal learning tasks, there will be an opportunity to ask questions and find out where to go for more information and support. Please let us know if you are coming by emailing smithj@simonballe.herts.sch.uk stating your child’s name and year group as well as the name of anyone attending. We look forward to welcoming you. Please note this workshop is for parents/Carers only no student should be in attendance. Leon Brown Director of Care and Wellbeing Designated Senior Person For Child Protection
Spare time to help older people? Assist with shopping, cleaning, laundry and other domestic tasks.
• work locally • casual hours • £7.85 per hour • holiday pay
Help older people remain independent and living in their own homes.
01707 386068 www.ageuk.org.uk/hertfordshire
Registered charity number 1116662
HERTFORD Quaker Meeting House Mondays 10.20 WARE Ware Arts Centre Wednesdays 10.30