Headlines Welcome to our new look newsletter. This is a pilot and we would value your comments. The newsletter will come out more regularly (every 2 weeks on a Tuesday) and contain more general news, future dates, summaries of sports results and information about House Events. We have decided to trial this as we are finding that there is a great deal of repetition in the stories which are on the website and those in the newsletter and this simply, is at best, confusing and, at worst, increasing workload. Often gathering in these articles was delaying the publication and we know that there is a place for quick soundbites of news and events. In addition, our primary parents are receiving weekly updates from Ruth Oakenfull and so again, something different is needed. Head Teacher’s news Welcome back to the second half of this Autumn Term, when in fact it really does feel like Autumn! Reflecting back on the past 8 weeks, it has been good to see how well our new students have settled in, both with regard to Year 7 and also our reception children. Coming back in November the “newness” disappears and this is also true for Years 10 and Years 12 who by now have fully understood the requirements and demands of their examination courses. It is also a time to look forward, as the nights draw in and we prepare for various events. This term will see our first major concert of this school year. If you have never attended one of these you are in for a great treat as our concerts are not like any other school concert!! Do get your tickets as soon as possible otherwise you will be disappointed. The PSA is running their winter quiz night on Saturday 14th November; a great evening to bring friends and raise money for the school. Tickets are £6 adults £4 students and can be purchased from the Larch Centre or main school offices or online via the PSA (www.simonballepsa.org.uk) Just as year 6 parents finish making their choices for secondary school, year 11 and also pre school parents are now making their decisions. Our great reputation is well known in the wider community and last year we were the sixth most over subscribed school for year 7 choices in Hertfordshire. We have therefore arranged several events for these parents to come and visit. Our sixth form open evening is on November 19th. This is aimed at both our own students and any other year 11s from Hertfordshire schools. This year we will be extending the range of our courses; with compulsory education now until the age of 18 (and the legality of studying English and Maths until 18 or to achieve a C grade or above) we hope that most of our own Year 11s will want to pursue their studies here at Simon Balle. Do come along as we know that we can offer something very special. We also offer a series of open events for our pre school parents, with a choice of several mornings and an evening meeting. They will be given a tour of the new building, visit classrooms and listen to the vision of our All-through provision.
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