Simon Balle All-through School Newsletter Spring term
04/02/2019
Message from the Headteacher Dear Families With less than two weeks to go to half term, thank you again for all your support with so many aspects of school life. Already we have welcomed so many parents to parents’ evenings, concerts, sporting events and information evenings. Despite the challenges of the weather last week, school ran incredibly smoothly, thanks to everyone’s patience. Two reminders before we do break up: Non uniform day (£2) on Thursday 14 February to support The Shaw Trust (details to follow) and Friday 15th February is a staff training day, so students are not required to attend school. We return to normal routines on Monday 25th February.
Inside this issue:
Message from the Headteacher
1-2
Emergency School Closure Notification
3
Careers Day
3
PSA News
4
Quiz Night
4
Dates for you Diary 5
For the past few weeks we have been spending considerable time recruiting teachers and support staff, the majority of whom will join us in September. I am delighted to be able to inform you that in most cases this has been incredibly successful and we have been able to appoint some high calibre colleagues. We shall shortly be advertising again for other posts including primary teachers, and additional support staff, so do keep an eye on either “Teach in Herts” or our own website. I am delighted to be able to inform you that we have appointed an exceptional colleague to lead our Primary Phase. Rachel Kirk was Head teacher at Alban Wood Primary School (North Watford) and led the school from good to outstanding. Her reputation and ability was noticed and Rachel then went on to support another Hertfordshire school as Executive Head. For the past two years, Rachel has been working with Herts for Learning as one of the area school improvement partners, again supporting and challenging schools to ensure that all children receive the very best education.
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Living in Hertford, and knowing the school so well, Rachel is totally committed to the vision and ethos of Simon Balle All-through School and I have no doubt at all that she will make an incredible difference both to primary and secondary students. Although not taking up the permanent post until September, Rachel, Mike Moss and myself will be working closely together during the summer term to ensure a planned induction and transition.
Important reminder If you have to drive onto the school site you must turn right and park in a suitably marked parking bay. Please do not turn left or go straight on to park – this area is for visitors only. We would also ask you not to stop on the crossings to pick up your child and if you are parked turn your engine off. Thank you for your co-operation.
Important Notice We have been asked by police to advise parents and students to take extra care when walking through Hartham Common in the dark.
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SIMON BALLE ALL-THROUGH SCHOOL
Emergency School Closure Notification We would like to remind parents and carers about the school closure system we use. HCC has a School Closure Notification System in place that lets parents know when school will be closed in severe weather conditions. To receive these messages by SMS or email, parents need to register at the following link: https:// member.everbridge.net/index/892807736725489. This link will direct you to the “Sign Up” page where you should click on the “sign up” button located at the top right hand side of the page on the grey strip and from there follow the instructions. It should take no more than 5 minutes to register and you can edit your information at any time should you change your mobile number or email address. Each contact within the system can have 2 devices added for each communication type if they wish to – this means that in addition to adding your own mobile number and email address, you could include the mobile number and email address of a partner or a grandparent in your registration process. They too would then receive any messages in relation to the school’s closure. Alternatively, interested parties could register themselves separately. If you have children at more than one school you can register for those schools too in a single registration process by selecting all schools at which you have children. Once signed up you will receive messages relating to the status of your child’s school.
Careers Day On Tuesday we held a Year 9 Get Work Ready Day, supported and run by ELSA (Education Learning Skills and Achievements.) Students spent the day learning about how to present themselves at an interview, how to promote their strengths, the importance of employability skills, as well as many other activities. We were very fortunate to have a variety of companies involved such as Volker, Waitrose and Computacentre. Our students really enjoyed the day with many now pursuing more information from the companies who attended. Our next Careers event will be the Year 10/12 Careers Fair which takes place on the 4th April.
SPRING TERM
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PSA News PSA Meeting - Monday 25th February, 7pm, IT2 We are always looking for new ideas and suggestions, please come alone to our next meeting if you have anything you’d like to share and to hear about what we have planned for the year ahead. My Nametags Lost property is an on-going issue, and with many items un-named it becomes very hard to return items to students. 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 add a cute picture. 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. It all helps - just wanted to make you aware of the company as these stickers have been a life saver plus now the bonus of commission!! One sheet of 56 stickers costs £11.95 plus £1 p&p (but you can often get a discount code by doing a quick Google). School ID: 37273 We will not receive commission unless this number is entered on your order form. www.mynametags.com Upcoming Events Provided / Supported by PSA 13/02 Uniform Sale and raffle at Year 13 Parents Eve 5.00 - 7:30pm, Main Hall. 9/3 Licensed Bar, soft drinks and snacks at Big Band Evening on Saturday eve, approx. 6.00 - 10pm, Main Hall. 12/3 Uniform Sale and raffle at Year 10 Parents Eve. 5 - 7.30pm 23/03 Licensed Bar, soft drinks and snacks at Strings and Singing Concert on Saturday eve. Approx. 6 - 10pm. Main Hall. 30/03 PSA Quiz Night, Secondary School Hall. Approx. 6.30 to 10pm. 2/04 Uniform Sale and raffle at Year 7 Parents Eve. 5. - 7.30pm. 27/04 Licensed Bar, soft drinks and snacks at Wind and Brass Concert. If anyone, can help us with set up or running, or shadow (or even organise) these events, please contact us by email at psa@simonballepsa.org.uk
Dates for your diary Tuesday 5th February - Safer internet day Tuesday 12th February - Y10 Exam prep talk Wednesday 13th February - Y13 Parents Evening Thursday 14th February - Non-uniform day Friday 15th February - INSET Day 18th - 22nd February - Half Term Thursday 28th - Friday 1st March - First Battlefield Trip Friday 1st March—Sixth Form Aim High Trip Wednesday 6th March—Y13 Art Trip Thursday 7th - Friday 8th March - Second Battlefield Trip Monday 11th March - Y10 Whitechapel Trip Tuesday 12th March - 6th Form Careers Trip Wednesday 13th - Saturday 16th March—Iceland Trip (Y12/13)