Simon Balle All-through School Larch Newsletter SPRING TERM
28.3.19
Message from the Headteacher The season has definitely changed now and as the clocks “spring forward” this coming weekend and we celebrate “Mothering Sunday” the end of this term is now upon us. We will be finishing unusually at 12.00 (Larch) and 12.15 (secondary), as all staff will be carrying out safeguarding training. I do hope that you have all been enjoying the weather and the signs of growth. We too speak of growth within our own students - growth of learning and also personal growth. As a school we ensure that there are so many opportunities for all of our young people to grow and flourish in so many ways. Over the past few weeks my senior colleagues or myself have watched a number of sports matches, attended musical events, GCSE drama productions and visited lessons to see how our students thrive. Before the end of this term, more opportunities abound - house plays, assemblies to name a few more.
Inside this issue:
Thank you again for your wonderful support this term; whether it is by attending parents evenings to work with us to ensure that your child makes the very best progress, clearing up in the garden area of the Larch centre, taking your child to sports fixtures or nagging them to practice their instrument. Thank you. May I wish you a restful and enjoyable Easter, with Year 11s and 13 studiously revising for their exams.
Attendance
2
Values Awards
2
Notices from
3
Dates for the Diary
3
From the library
4&5
PSA News
6&7
Other Notices
8
School re-starts on Tuesday April 23rd, at the normal time.
SPRING TERM
SIMON BALLE ALL-THROUGH SCHOOL
Attendance Over the last two weeks we have had excellent attendance: Hedgehogs:
99%
Foxes:
95%
Squirrels:
95%
Deer:
95%
Rabbits:
100%
Wrens:
99%
Badgers:
94%
Robins:
96%
Please ensure your child attends school and is punctual every day.
Values Awards
Reception
Year Two
Hedgehogs
Foxes
Ayla & Iasbella
Oliver & Max
Squirrels
Deer
Dorothea & Isabelle
Seraphina & Oliver
Year One
Year Three
Rabbits
Wrens
Isla B & Lucas
Heidi, Harry O & James
Badgers
Robins
Beatrice, Rosey & Henry
Oliver, Simba & Bea
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Notices from the Primary Phase Windsor Castle Trip - Children will need to be in uniform and with a suitable coat. No bookbags will be needed on the day. Please bring a packed lunch & drink in a throw away bag (please remember no nuts.) Can you please be at school by 8:30am prompt on the 4th. We will be back around 3:30pm. Clubs - Please note that art, running, performance and round the world clubs finish this week. So these clubs will not be on after school next week. Choir and karate will be on as normal, please see your communication from BHPPA regarding football dates Door buttons - We have installed an improved access system in the Larch centre. To enter you need to push the green button and push the door at the same time. It is the same procedure to exit. We have introduced this to increase our security and safeguarding. They will be activated after the Easter Break. Walk to School week - We will be joining Hertfordshire schools again this year in May celebrating walk to school week. There will be a week of different activities all to do while walking to school. There will be further details nearer the time, watch this space! Playground - We have noticed an increasing number of parents and children staying in the playground and playing with the equipment after school finishes. The gate will now be shut at approx. 3:30pm so can you please make your way home before then.
Dates for your diary Friday 29 March
Reception & KS1 Disco
Saturday 30 March
Green Fingers tidy up of the Larch Garden 9-11am Quiz Night 7pm
Tuesday 2 April
Year 2 Strings project performance 5:30pm
Thursday 4 April
Y2 Windsor Castle Trip
Thursday 4 April
Y1 phonics meeting and parents assembly 2pm please note change of time
Friday 5 April
End of term (12pm finish)
Tuesday 23 April
Term starts
Saturday 27 April
Wind & Brass Concert
Tuesday 30 April
Reception Trip to Paradise Wildlife Park
Monday 6 May
Bank Holiday
Tuesday 7 May
Inset Day
W/C 20 May
Walk to School Week
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SIMON BALLE ALL-THROUGH SCHOOL
From the Library…
EASTER READING ADVENTURE FOR PRIMARY STUDENTS
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From the Library…
SIMON BALLE ALL-THROUGH SCHOOL
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SIMON BALLE ALL-THROUGH SCHOOL
PSA News Slice of Summer - we need 100 people!! We are looking for 100 supporters wiling to help promote the Slice of Summer. Kings Estate Agents are offering Simon Balle PSA £10 per board. If you are able to support us in this way, please visit simonballepsa.org.uk where you can register your address. One lucky address will be drawn at random and will win a £25 John Lewis gift voucher. Planning for the 2019 summer fair has started. We would like to offer stalls to families of Simon Balle before releasing pitches to external stallholders. If you are interested in taking a pitch, please express your interest by 5/5/9 to stallbooking@simonballepsa.org.ukwith a brief description of what you would like to offer. Quiz Night - Saturday 30th March, 7pm During the evening of Saturday 30th March, the PSA will be hosting a Quiz Night at Simon Balle. This is always a fun event where teams of upto 8 can compete. Tickets are £6 and available from simonballepsa.org.uk You are welcome to bring your own snacks but we kindly request drinks are purchased via the licensed bar. This event is open to parents of both primary and secondary phase and you are welcome to bring friends and family. Next PSA Meeting, Monday 29th April, 7pm Our next general meeting will take place during the evening of Monday 29th at 7pm in the ICT suite. Everybody is welcome at attend and we are especially keen to hear of any fundraising suggestions. If you are unable to attend but would like to share an idea, please email it to psa@simonballepsa.org.uk My Nametags The lost property box needs an upgrade to accommodate all the lost items that are building up (do go and check it)!! My Nametags offer customisable sticky name labels. For those who haven't used them before, they stay where they are stuck and can be used on snack boxes, clothing, shoes.... you name it. You can choose the background colour/pattern, the font style, what you want the text to say and personalise with an image. When you place your order, if you enter our school ID 37273 (on the page where you Input your personal details), My Nametags will give us a small amount of commission. This is a great way to help support fundraising efforts and reduce the number of items that go missing. One sheet of 56 stickers costs £11.95 plus £1 p&p (you can often get a discount code by doing a quick Google search). School ID: 37273 We will not receive commission unless this number is entered on your order form.
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SIMON BALLE ALL-THROUGH SCHOOL
PSA News This year, the Saturdads and Supermums project on April 27 (9am-12pm) will be focussing on creating the allotment garden which is being implemented in conjunction with Groundworks. They are supplying raised beds, compost and seeds and our children will embark on an inter school Vegfest competition to grow the juiciest tomato! The scheme aims to teach healthy living skills, including where food comes from and how to grow it. We will need helpers on March 30 to weed and clear and April 27 to build the allotment and get the veggies growing. There will of course be other projects to get involved in, including painting, renovating, planting, and digging so please put the dates in your diaries, bring your children along and join this fabulous annual event. If you are unable to attend and would like to make a contribution, we are accepting:
outdoor plants**
compost
sunflower seedlings (pre-planted at home)
small world toys (vehicles and figurines etc)
unwanted pots and pans
metal kitchen utensils ** Contrary to what you may have strictly no bean plants or lupins please due to allergies. There is also a Green Fingers option to donate money of any amount on ParentPay. This will go towards resources for the day and going forward. Thank you.
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SIMON BALLE ALL-THROUGH SCHOOL
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SIMON BALLE ALL-THROUGH SCHOOL