Friday 12th July

Co-headteachers’ welcome

As we approach the final week of this busy and exciting summer term, and indeed the end of the first year of our co-headship, we would like to reach out to thank everybody within our special Simon Balle All-through School community. 

This week alone has seen highlights including Saffron Sounds on Saturday, our formal Awards ceremony on Monday, Sports Presentation Evening on Wednesday, Transition day and EPQ presentations on Thursday, Larch sports day today and we look forward to a Slice of Summer tomorrow! The all-through art exhibition is being busily prepared as I write and trips out next week include the Year 6 cohort off to Sheringham for geography fieldwork, our D of E bronze students out on expedition, and the annual music tour off to Ghent. There is no doubt at all that our community is thriving at this time! 

We were delighted to be able to publish our Outstanding Ofsted report yesterday, and, in this final newsletter of the year, it is fitting to be able to quote from our report in order to thank your wonderful young people for all they bring to Simon Balle. 

‘Pupils thrive within the impressive positive ethos of this school. They are well equipped to become, ‘tomorrow’s citizens today.’ 

‘Pupils take great pride in demonstrating school values, such as compassion, kindness, respect and patience.’

‘[Pupils] sustain their concentration and focus on learning exceptionally well … Pupils work hard to learn and achieve. This helps them to reach the school’s high expectations.’

‘Pupils benefit from the school’s excellent enrichment provision.’

‘Pupils behave exceptionally well. They are pleasant, polite and caring young people.’

With so much news to share and celebrate in this newsletter (guest edited by Y4), all that remains is for us to thank you for your ongoing support within our school community, and for us to put our young people at the centre: they are exceptional and it is them that continue to allow Simon Balle to be a place where all can flourish. 

When we get there, we wish you all a wonderful summer. We look forward to welcoming our Year 11 and Year 13 students in for results days, and our new Year 7s back for summer school. After a very well-deserved rest for all, we look forward to a new academic year as we know that 2024-2025 will bring enriching experiences a-plenty and abundant opportunities  to sustain all that is offered at our Outstanding All-through School.

Art exhibition and Slice of Summer

Don’t forget that the Art Exhibition and the PSA’s Slice of Summer event are both taking place tomorrow (Saturday 13th July). We hope to see as many of you there as possible.  

Please visit the London road subway to see examples of our students’ GCSE and A-level art and design work. This work had been selected by Hertfordshire County Council to be displayed within our community. Yesterday, along with other local schools  we were invited to see the work being unveiled. The art is of such a high standard and we are very proud of all that our students have achieved.

We’d also like to draw your attention to the fundraising page for our Art Development Fund. Donations will go directly towards inspiring current and future students through celebrating their creative work and contributing to the inspiring learning environment.

Saffron Hall

Last weekend’s Saffron Sounds event was another resounding success. You can read more here.

Mock election

After two weeks of campaigns and a hustings in both the Larch and secondary school, we held our own mock election on Thursday 4th July. All students from year 3 to year 12 were invited to a polling station to vote for the political party whose ideas they liked the best. The results were announced at break time the next day for the Simon Balle All-through School mock election constituency:

• Conservative Party 43  (4.4%)
• Green Party 151 (15.5%)
• Labour Party 484 (49.4%)
• Liberal Democrat Party 123 (12.6%)
• Reform UK 170 (17.4%)

Well done to all the sixth formers who worked so hard to represent the views of the different political parties and to create so many conversations between students about who they may vote for.  We have been really impressed by the willingness of everyone to get involved in the whole electoral process from the campaigning to the hustings to voting on election day. We hope the habit of voting will stay with our students for a lifetime.  

Year 12 Politics and History students visit Parliament

We had a fantastic trip to the Houses of Parliament and the Supreme Court this week. We were lucky enough to see the Speaker’s Procession in the House of Commons as well as visit the viewing gallery to see new MPs taking their oath of allegiance. We also crossed Parliament Square to visit an exhibition in the Supreme Court. An empty Courtroom meant that students were able to sit in the Justices chairs and hold an impromptu debate on whether 16 and 17 year olds should be given the vote!

Larch student leadership

It’s a new and exciting time for the Larch Student Leadership Team for 2024/25 with a brand new structure to allow more students to be a part of the team.

Huge congratulations go to our newly elected Larch Student Leadership Team. Lead by our fantastic new Larch presidents Oscar G, Romilly P-S, Valentina M:

We look forward to celebrating their achievements further next week with an invitation to the Co-Headteacher’s to mark the start of their leadership journey! Watch this space for more to come in the new academic year!

Year 8 Science Trip: Colchester Zoo:

On Monday the 1st July 170 Year 8 Science students visited Colchester zoo to listen to talks on the importance of Conservation. Students were able to continue their Science work beyond the classroom by observing their chosen animal up close, learning key facts and enriching their understanding. An excellent day and fantastic opportunity for our students.

Y4 Newspaper articles

Year 4 have been writing newspaper reports about their play. Year 3 and 4 will be acting and singing in their performance of Who’s Your Mummy? on Monday night. The purpose of the article is to inform the reader about the play. Keep your eyes on social media for photos from the performance!

Drama Enrichment

Students from years 6, 7 and 8 got creative to complement their exploration of myths and legends in drama enrichment.

After performing scenes based on Pandora’s Box and Beowulf, the students made props and costumes based on the myths and legends they had explored in their drama enrichment sessions. Creations included: Grendel’s arm, a storm of evil, Pandora’s Box and a series of masks.

Exciting new theatrical opportunity for September

The Company of Players is an amateur theatre company that’s been performing in Hertford since 1962, with their own intimate little theatre in Bengeo that seats just 63. 

From September CoPS will be re-launching their Youth Group, working in partnership with Hertfordshire based Mimic Theatre Company, to offer weekly drama-focused workshops for young people aged 13-18. Students will develop their acting skills and technique through script work, improvisation, devising and much more. They’ll build confidence, meet new people with a shared interest and learn to work together, all in a fun and supportive space led by experienced theatre practitioners. Unlike many other youth theatre provisions, CoPs Youth Group won’t include any song or dance skills, so it’s perfect for those students who prefer drama to musical theatre, and can be a great route into joining us on stage in adult productions too.  Thanks to funding from the Arts in East Herts Showcase, CoPS are thrilled to be able to offer the first half term without any fees, so students can try for free!

CoPs Youth Group in partnership with Mimic Theatre Company, weekly from 13 September. Fridays 6.30-8.30pm at 3rd Hertford Scout Hut, Port Vale, Hertford SG14 3AF

The usual cost (after the first half term) will be £60 per six-week half term (during term time only) and includes refreshments, and student membership of the Company of Players is also included. More info about CoPs can be found at www.cops.org.uk and any interested students, parents or carers can email us at info@cops.org.uk to get a reminder of the first session nearer the time, or for further information or questions

Y12 Film students visit to Warner Brothers Studio, the making of Harry Potter

Magical secrets were revealed, and we won’t look at quidditch the same way again! With a focus on the career opportunities within the British film industry, Y12 enjoyed the tour of the Harry Potter sets as they saw how the magic of the books was brought to life through the various departments which are responsible for creating what we see on screen. There was “no foolish wand waving or silly incantations” (to quote Professor Snape), however there was butterbeer and much admiration of the merchandise in the gift shop!

Larch academic data

Further, more detailed, analysis will be shared on our website in due course but we are delighted to share with you the headline outcomes from our KS2 SATs this academic year demonstrating we are significantly above national average in all areas!

A fantastic set of results that are testament to the outstanding commitment from students, staff and parents across the Larch! Well done, Year 6 – we are all so proud of you!

Y10 exams

A big congratulations to the Year 10’s who have successfully completed their “End of year” exams. The year group conducted themselves well and coped admirable with the exam procedures. All of them now have a much better understanding of how the real GCSE’s will run, what equipment is required and how and when to use their study leave or revision room option.  Results and feedback are being given out to students during lessons as and when appropriate, so please do encourage them to discuss this with you at home.

Well done Year 10 – from a very proud Ms Green

Please click here for our latest careers blog

SEND

If you would like to speak to a member of the SEND team you can book a virtual appointment of up to 15 minutes with a member of the SEND team using the following booking link: Booking link

Sports Hall

Please remember that construction of the new sports hall will start on Monday 15th July. Access to the car park will be significantly restricted, with students needing to be dropped off and collected elsewhere (the Old London Road car park is the most suitable place for this). We will be posting updates to the sports hall page of the website.

Sports News

It’s been another busy few weeks in Sport at Simon Balle which culminated in our Sports Presentation Evening on Wednesday night. Parents, carers and students all showed up to provide a fantastic atmosphere on the night. There were many award winners as well as nominees for a wide range of sports and main awards. The evening began with a review of the year and a celebration of our District Athletics winners, it was then onto our awards. Our 4 key main award winners were as follows;

• Sportswoman of the Year – Naomi P
• Sportsman of the Year – Ellis D 
• Larch Sportswoman of the Year – Grace P 
• Larch Sportsman of the Year – Louis B

We will add a more detailed report in our end of year monthly sports round up next week. 

In other Sports news, our Year 8 Rounders team became District Champions this week beating Chauncy in the final. In Cricket the Year 10 Boys are due to play Parmiters in a County final on Tuesday 16th July. Both Year 7 & 8 Boys are still to play District semi-finals, with more updates to follow on their progress next week. 

In Athletics over the past few weeks we have competed at the Nicky Morris and Bruce Longden Girls and Boys Invitational events. Winners from the Nicky Morris Girls event were as follows;

• Georgina B – Y7 Shot Putt
• Emily P – Y8/9 Discus
• Cora N – Y8/9 800m
• Naomi P – Y10/11 400m

At the Bruce Longden Boys event, Rex T-W was the star performer winning the Year 7 Hurdles, standing Triple Jump and was also part of the victorious 4 x 100m relay team. Rex was also awarded the Sally Gunnell award for up and coming hurdlers. Mason K won the Year 7 100m and alongside Marley H and Max F was part of the winning relay team too. Barney W-B won the senior 800m. 

More information will follow in next week’s monthly Sports Round-up. 

School Nursing Team

Please take a minute to read the Summer Term newsletter from the school nursing team.

PHN Newsletter teen Summer2024 11

Safeguarding

Please spend a moment reading the most recent issue of ‘what parents need to know’.

what-parents-need-to-know-about-sharing-intimate-images

Library news

Sports Diary Entry Writing Competition

Well done to everyone who entered the Sports Diary Entry Writing Competition! All entries were judged anonymously by the author Alice Hemming and Miss Iles. Congratulations to the winners and runners-up:

Runners-up

• Renae (year 6, Eagles)
• Emily (7R)
• Cherry (7R)

Winners (you can read their entries by clicking on the names below)

• Isshi (7L)
• Isla (year 6, Owls)
• Holly (8R)

Foreign Language Friday Food Fiesta

For our last Foreign Language Friday of the year we celebrated in style with the Food Fiesta in the library on Friday 28th June.

Students had the opportunity to practise speaking in a variety of languages whilst trying foods from different countries.

School for Nature

We were delighted to receive a certificate from David Attenborough in recognition of the work we have done for the environment. Well done to all those involved. 

Reminder

Y10 and Y11 students wear a maroon jumper. These can be purchased through Stevensons.  The PSA will also have some available for purchase at the Slice of Summer on Saturday 13th July, subject to availability.  

Please could we ask for any donations of clean, good condition uniform, especially green jumpers.  These can be dropped off at the Secondary Reception.  Thank you. 

Dates for your diary

A full calendar of events can be viewed on the school website.

• Sat 13th July: Slice of Summer and Art and Design All-through Exhibition 12-4pm
• Monday 15th July: Year 3 and 4 School Production 5.30pm – 7pm
• Monday 15th – Wednesday 17th: Year 6 School Journey to Sheringham
• Wednesday 17th: Phase 1 and 2 Open Afternoon 3.15pm – 4.15pm
• Wednesday 17th: Year 2 Celebration Event (parents invited)
• Friday 19th: Year 6 Leavers Assembly 8.50am (parents invited). Will be held in the secondary hall.
• Fri 19th: early finish – 1200 Larch, 1210 Secondary

New term

• Mon 2nd Sep: INSET (no students in school)
• Tues 3rd Sep: Reception in school (morning), Y7 and Y12 in school all day
• Wed 4th Sep: all students in (normal school day)
• Wed 4th Sep: group photos Y7, 11 and 13
• Thurs 5th Sep: individual photos Y7, 9, 11 and new Y12s

We hope you have a wonderful summer holiday

Yours sincerely,

Mrs Rachel Kirk and Mr Michael Moss (Co-headteachers)

Friday 28th June

Co-headteachers’ welcome

The second half of the summer term is always exceptionally busy, but reminds us all as staff that we do genuinely have the best jobs in the world. At this time we are privileged to see almost every aspect of education lived out in the daily lives of our wonderful all-through students. 

Whilst we have already written about public examinations, it is so important to note that students in every year group (all the way from Reception up) are showing such wisdom and responsibility with internal assessments at this time, and we are proud of each and every one of them. Whilst our approach is always age-appropriate, our message is the same to all – ‘please show us your best, and we look forward to supporting you with what is next.’ As many sets of results filter in, we look forward to celebrating these with you, both individually and as a collective community. 

We pride ourselves on our work to support with transition at Simon Balle. Sometimes this is just as important at interim points from year to year as it is for the big milestones across key stages or even schools. In all, our ‘why’ is to ensure that ‘nothing is left to chance’ and to lead with commitment in our communication across students, parents/carers, feeder schools and more. It is with great delight that we are visiting nursery settings and Year 6 in primary schools, hosting induction days (please see sixth form induction below) with Year 7 soon to follow, and spending time with so many to ensure high support and high expectations in equal measure. Much more to come in the next four weeks!

It is a great problem to have, but where do I start with celebrating how pastoral and personal development enrichment experiences are supporting students across our all-through school in this fortnight?! To provide a flavour, I am keen to share:

• Sports. District athletics on Wednesday (secondary) and Thursday (primary) this week – just so many achievements to share, as well as being the overall district athletics champions at both Primary and Secondary levels. It is a joy to see skills, honed through careful practice; determination, built over time; and just such community spirit in support of one another.
• Politics. If you thought the nation were gripped you should zoom in further to all that is taking place at Simon Balle. We are so proud of our sixth form politics students who are passionate and knowledgeable, as well as gaining their own experiences of all that is required to be compelling politicians, aiming to inform and persuade. Do keep an eye on our social media for more!
• Music. At the time of writing, a phenomenal (and hot!) rock gig is underway. Thank you already for so many parent comments of support in relation to both the musicality, independence and autonomy shown in such sophisticated music making. No concert must overshadow another at this time of year, and the Year 2 strings showcase is also to be very much looked forward to: the numbers and quality are a delight! Saffron Hall – the time is nearing – please keep students committed to rehearsals- please see our website for FAQs – and we look forward to welcoming you all. You can read more about all these events in June’s Musical News post.
• STEM. From the Big Bang Fair in Birmingham (which included innovation from deterring seagulls from our school site to designing and building a low-cost laptop using a 3D printer and a mobile phone as the CPU) to the Year 9 industrial cadets celebration at Glaxo, Ware, where innovation and teamwork were celebrated in winning both events!

And finally, what a community we are! It is a great time of year to celebrate this and we welcome you into school and to so many events from our Awards Ceremony to Sports Presentation Evening, and from our music concerts to Larch transition opportunities. Please do check dates and invites here and in email communications to all. Finally, an enormous plea to support us at A Slice of Summer. All details are below, but we literally cannot continue to offer all that we do as an outstanding academic school, with amazing and enriching experiences, without your support. We thank you in anticipation for all that you can offer, and we look forward to the fortnight ahead.

District Athletics Champions (Primary and Secondary Level!)

• Y3 first place
• Y4 first place
• Y5 first place
• Y6 joint first place

We only have these headlines at the moment (the news was breaking as we were going to press), so we’ll have a full report for you in next week’s Sports News https://www.simonballe.herts.sch.uk/category/sports-news/

Sixth Form Induction Day – A Glimpse into the Future

On Monday, 24th June, our school welcomed soon-to-be sixth formers for an engaging and insightful Induction Day. This event provided students with a valuable opportunity to experience subject lessons, participate in team-building activities, and immerse themselves in the vibrant life of a sixth former.

The day began with students attending a series of subject lessons, designed to give them a taste of the diverse and challenging curriculum that awaits them in September. From the complexities of further mathematics to the creative freedom of art and design, the sessions were tailored to ignite curiosity and enthusiasm. Students appreciated the chance to meet their future teachers, ask questions, and get a feel for the academic expectations of sixth form.

In addition to the subject lessons, the induction day featured a variety of team-building activities. These exercises were not only fun and engaging but also essential in helping students build strong relationships with their peers. By working together to solve problems and complete tasks, students developed trust and camaraderie, laying the foundation for a supportive and cohesive sixth form community.

The sense of community is a cornerstone of our sixth form. Throughout the day, the importance of fostering a supportive and inclusive environment was emphasised. Whether through academic collaboration, social events, or peer mentoring, students were encouraged to contribute positively to the sixth form community. The induction day highlighted how a strong community can enhance the overall educational experience, providing a network of support and encouragement.

As students look forward to starting sixth form in September, the induction day serves as another crucial source of support. The experience equips them with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions about their subject choices and future pathways.

Slice of Summer and Art exhibition

Don’t forget that the Art Exhibition and the PSA’s Slice of Summer event are both taking place on Saturday 13th July. We hope to see as many of you there as possible.  Please also see the PSA section at the end of this week’s newsletter.

Youth Sports Trust – Gold!

We are delighted to share that we have again achieved the Gold award in the School Games Mark. This is a significant accomplishment and a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students, staff, and the entire school community.

Our commitment to promoting a healthy and active lifestyle among our students is at the heart of what we do, and this recognition highlights the importance of our efforts. 

We look forward to continuing to build on this success in the future as we head towards earning the Platinum award.

Assessment in the Larch

Following the completion of Year 6’s SATs in early May, there have been a number of other exciting opportunities where students across the Larch have been able to showcase their academic progress and attainment. 

In EYFS, the team has worked alongside students to complete the EYFS Profile which has now been successfully submitted and will be shared with parents in their child’s end of year reports. Headlines for the cohort’s data include 82% of students meeting the Literacy early learning goal, 89% meeting in Communication and Language, 90% meeting in Personal, Social and Emotional Development and 95% in Physical Development.

We’re delighted to share that 95.2% of our Year 1 students have passed their Year 1 Phonics Screener. This is significantly above last year’s national average of 81% and gives our students the best possible grounding as they develop as life-long readers.

This week in Year 2, in readiness for their transition to Year 3, students have completed the optional SATs. Every student has risen to the challenge of their assessments and there is much to celebrate! We look forward to sharing each individual’s outcomes with their parents in due course.

Year 4 have worked incredibly hard across the year to master their times table facts and across two weeks in June have completed their Multiplication Tables Check. The average score for our Year 4 cohort is an impressive 23.1 out of 25 with 59% of students securing 25 out of 25. These figures are both above last year’s national averages of 20.1 out of 25 and 31%.

All the while, alongside the usual end of year assessments happening in each year group in addition to those mentioned here, we have completed a cross-school writing moderation process with Millmead Primary School to standardise our judgements from EYFS to Year 6 in writing. 

We look forward to sharing your child’s end of year data with you all before the end of the academic year and celebrating their impressive progress since September!

Please click here for our latest careers blog, including information about a fantastic virtual event opportunity with Lloyds Banking Group for Y10 – 12 students

Industrial Cadets Bronze Award

A group of Year 9 students attended the Industrial Cadets Bronze Award Celebration event at Glaxo, Ware. For the last 12 weeks students have been working on engineering projects, investing 20 hours of study. 

At the event, students presented their projects to a panel of industry professionals, competing against other local schools.There were two awards at stake: the Innovation Award and the Teamwork Award. We are pleased to announce that our students managed to win both awards, which are already on show in the trophy cabinet!

The Big Bang Fair

Following the success of the Year 9 Industrial Cadets, three students represented our school as finalists at the Big Bang Fair in Birmingham last week.

Sam and Daniel (Year 12) experimented methods of deterring seagulls from the school site, modifying a drone by attaching a model falcon to it. Bors (Year 10) designed and built a low-cost laptop using a 3D printer and a mobile phone as the CPU.

All three students did an amazing job in qualifying as finalists, competing against other students nationally. Bors finished runner-up in his category, which is a fantastic achievement.

UK Maths Trust Junior Maths Challenge invitation-only follow on round

Congratulations to Year 8 students Oliver H and Eva W for being invited to take part in the UK Maths Trust Junior Kangaroo competition. This invite-only event is open to those that have achieved highly in the Junior Maths Challenge. Just been invited puts these students into the top 0.25% in the country. Both did extremely well, narrowly missing out on merit status by a few marks.  Congratulations both.

Open events 2024

We are looking forward to holding our annual open day on Saturday 21st September. We expect all secondary students to attend school on the morning to act as guides or helpers in departments. We also invite all Year 5 (current Y4) students to be on site. Students will either be conducting parent tours in the Larch, or helping in Larch classrooms. Some children will additionally be involved in music or sport – we will write to you separately if this is the case. We will send a Google Form in September to confirm if your child is available to support.

Full details will be sent out early in September.

Our full calendar of open events in the autumn term is as follows:

• Saturday 21st September 0830-1230: All-through Open Morning
• Wednesday 2nd October 1730-1930 – Sixth Form Open Evening
• Wednesday 27th November 0900-1015- Primary Open Morning

Transition – Year 6 into Year 7

We are really looking forward to welcoming our new cohort of Year 7s that will start with us in September. The transition process is well under way and new Head of Year 7 Mr Gordon, along with other staff, have conducted primary visits to our feeder schools to meet with every new student. This process was also completed in the Larch too with our Year 6 classes as we look to get to know the students even better. There is a real sense of excitement about moving on to the next step in the educational journey, as well as a few nerves! Mr Gordon is now working on the form lists for next year and there are some key dates coming up:

• Wednesday 3rd July – Parents Transition Evening – Secondary Hall – 5.50 arrival for a 6pm start (this is a parents-only event)
• Thursday 11th July – Transition Day – All Year 6’s to arrive in school at 8.20am
• Wednesday 28th-Friday 30th August – Summer School 

Summer School Sign Up Link

Food hygiene rating

Congratulations to our catering team for achieving the highest possible rating of 5/5 during the recent inspection by East Herts District Council. This is a fantastic achievement and testament to their hard work and dedication.

Student Presidents

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of six exceptional Year 12 students as our new Student Presidents. This year, the selection process was more competitive than ever, reflecting the outstanding calibre of our student body.

The journey to becoming a Student President was rigorous. Candidates underwent a comprehensive application process that included written submissions, interviews, and delivered a talk on the importance of student leadership. They all demonstrated a profound commitment to our school community and commitment to the role.

Meet Our New Student Presidents:

• Grace Swaffield
• Isabel Pullara
• Jesse Davies
• India O’Sullivan
• Taylor Arm
• Zoe Gollop

These students have shown that they possess the qualities necessary to lead our school with integrity, creativity, and passion. They are not only exemplary students but also role models who embody the values we strive to instil in all our students.

As they step into their new roles, we are confident that Grace, Zoe, India, Isabel, Taylor and Jesse will continue to inspire their peers and contribute significantly to the school’s growth and success. We look forward to seeing the positive impact they will undoubtedly make in the coming year.

Please join us in congratulating our new Student Presidents and supporting them as they embark on this exciting journey!

A reminder that your child can sign up for the summer reading challenge either online or in person at your local library. The challenge runs from July 6th in England, welcoming children aged 4-11. Participants can read any books they like (really – anything!)  and earn rewards for their efforts. This year’s theme, “Marvellous Makers,” celebrates creativity in various forms, from dance and drawing to music and junk modelling.

You can read more about the summer reading challenge on their dedicated website.

Summer reading letter to parents and carers: Summer Reading Challenge 2024

Nominate your school to win £1,000 for the library

This summer, our big schools prize is back to give five schools the chance to win £1,000 in National Book Tokens and a year’s free membership to the School Library Association; PLUS one overall winner will receive £500 to help them create a fun and welcoming library space for all.

Nominate a school and if yours is one of the five winning entries, you’ll also receive a £100 National Book Tokens gift card to spend in your favourite bookshop.

Click here to nominate a school
This competition will close after 31/07/2024.

Drama Club Performance

Students from years 7-10, who have been attending our weekly drama club, presented their first play to years 3 and 4 on Thursday 20th June. 

Jamie in the Land of Dinnersphere is an educational play promoting the importance of healthy eating. Jamie travels to the land of Dinnersphere on a mission to defeat the evil dinner witches who have taken control over school dinners…for the worse! With the help of the audience, Jamie and his new friends ensure that children in  British schools eat well so they live healthy, happy lives.

The performers have shown outstanding commitment getting the piece ready and consistently demonstrated our values of community, courage and aspiration. They also had a great time

A special thank you to Martha Hursey in year 10 for her prop making skills – robot dude and a giant key brought the story to life for both cast and audience.

Parent Staff Association

Slice of Summer final countdown!

Final plea for volunteers. Can you spare just an hour on 13th July, and support your year group at this year’s Slice of Summer? Student signups will be entered into a draw to win a £20 Amazon voucher. Sign up now!

5th July – Larch Character Spoon Competition. Win a voucher from The Entertainer.

W/C 8th July – Year 7 and 8 Hampers. Prize for the forms with the best hamper.

Wednesday 10th July – Larch Summer Accessory Day (donate a bottle)

Friday 12th July – All-through Summer Bake Off. Drop names entries to the staff room.  £20 Amazon voucher goes to the winning bake.

Summer Raffle reminder – please return your purchased or unwanted tickets promptly. Don’t miss out on your chance to win a two night stay for up to 6 people in a beautiful Whitstable holiday home!

By 10th July – If you are able to donate any soft toys that are in good, clean condition, these will support the Year 2 Teddy Tombola area at the Slice of Summer. Please drop donations to the office by 10th July.

Bar and Refreshment support needed

The PSA are happy to be supporting the Year 8 Celebration Evening on 9th July and the Sports Presentation Evening on 10th July.

Are you able to lend a hand with these events? Help is needed with serving refreshments.  You will not be alone but we do need more offers of help.

Please see the sign up sheet for information on timings and to sign up.  Thank you in advance.

Sports Hall construction begins on Monday 15th July

We are excited to announce that work will be starting on the Sports Hall before the end of term. The contractors will be arriving on site on Monday 15th July and will begin erecting the compound that will enclose the works.

As previously communicated, the building works will cause considerable disruption to the front of the school, particularly the car park. We will send more detailed plans in the next two weeks, but students who travel by car should make alternative arrangements for dropping off and collection: the London Road car park is an 11 minute walk, has ample space and is far easier to enter and exit than the school site.

A full calendar of events can be viewed on the school website.

• Wed 3rd July: Year 2 Deer Class Development Day and Y6 into Y7 transition evening (parents-only)
• Sat 6th July: Saffron Sounds
• Mon 8th July: Year 2 Rapid Fire Cricket and Awards evening 6-7pm (Invitations to follow)
• w/c 8th July: Year 7 and 8 Hamper competition
• Weds 10th July: Sports Presentation Evening (Invitations to follow)
• Weds 10th July: Larch Summer Accessory Day
• Weds 10th July: Phase 3 Open Afternoon 3.15pm – 4.15pm
• Thursday 11th July: New Reception Parents Morning
• Thursday 11th July: Larch Transition Day
• Fri 12th July: Larch Sports Day (more details to follow in due course)
• Fri 12th July: Year 3 and Year 4 Dress Rehearsal
• Fri 12th July: All-through Summer Bake Off
• Sat 13th July: Slice of Summer and Art and Design All-through Exhibition 12-4pm
• Monday 15th July: Year 3 and 4 School Production 5.30pm – 7pm
• Monday 15th – Wednesday 17th: Year 6 School Journey to Sherringham
• Wednesday 17th: Phase 1 and 2 Open Afternoon 3.15pm – 4.15pm
• Wednesday 17th: Year 2 Celebration Event (parents invited)
• Friday 19th: Year 6 Leavers Assembly 8.50am (parents invited). Will be held in the secondary hall.

Wishing everyone in our community a positive and fulfilling fortnight ahead.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs Rachel Kirk and Mr Michael Moss (Co-headteachers)

Friday 14th June

Co-headteachers’ welcome

I am always astonished at how quickly the school year goes by. We are already moving quickly through June but there are so many events coming up for our All-through school. For example, you may be scheduling your calendar around the Olympic Games but Simon Balle’s own talent is firmly in the spotlight with the annual sports day coming up on the 28th June for the secondary and 12th July for the primary phase.  On the music front we can also see all that practice and dedication being displayed in the Saffron Sounds all-through music extravaganza! 

As the nation gears up for the upcoming general election on the 4th July 2024, high-profile figures, such as Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak are actively engaging in TV debates, presenting their visions for the future and vying for the public’s support. This exciting period of democratic engagement serves as a fitting backdrop to our own school event and activity this term. We are thrilled to announce that our school will be hosting student hustings and conducting our very own general election across Key Stages 2, 3, 4, and 5. This initiative aims to engage our students in the democratic process, allowing them to experience firsthand the excitement and responsibility of voting and standing for election. During the hustings, student candidates will present their platforms, debate key issues, and share their visions for positive change within our school community. This event not only enhances their understanding of political processes but also develops essential skills such as public speaking, critical thinking, and respectful discourse.

Following the hustings, students across all key stages will then have the opportunity to cast their votes in a school-wide general election. This immersive experience is designed to teach students the importance of participation in democracy and the impact of their voices in decision-making processes. By simulating real-world elections, we hope to inspire a lifelong interest in civic engagement and empower our students to become informed and active citizens. We look forward to seeing the enthusiasm and thoughtful discussions this event will undoubtedly generate, and we encourage all students to participate fully in this unique educational opportunity.

Please look at the school calendar as there is so much to support and for students to participate in. Finally I would like to say how proud we are of our students who are participating in external or internal exams.  Our public exams are past the halfway mark and the Key Stage 2 exams are finished, but we know how much effort students put in and our key values shine through.

Finally, we would like to thank our whole Simon Balle community for coming together over the last few days for our final Ofsted visit. Once again, students were phenomenal in every way with student voice, visits to lessons, work scrutiny and the way that they daily demonstrate our Simon Balle values. With many thanks for parental support, governor dedication and, of course, our incredible staff team. We look forward to sharing the Ofsted report with you in the coming weeks.

SBAS X MCMULLEN’S BREWERY

Educational trips are not only about having fun outside the classroom; they also offer valuable insights into potential career paths for students. Recently, our year 8 students embarked on an exciting journey to McMullen’s Brewery, where they got a taste of the brewing industry and learned about the various career opportunities it offers, showcasing the symbiotic relationship between educational institutions and industry. This experience not only enriched their understanding of the brewing process but also connected them with potential career paths. By opening their doors to our students, McMullen’s were able to showcase their operations, foster interest in their industry, and highlight career opportunities. For employers, this translates into early access to potential candidates who have already shown an interest in their field.

At McMullen’s Brewery, located in Hertford town centre, students were greeted by enthusiastic professionals eager to share their knowledge and experiences of the hospitality industry. The tour began with an overview of the brewing process, from sourcing ingredients to packaging the final product. Students witnessed first-hand the meticulous steps involved in creating different types of beers, from traditional ales to innovative craft brews. The visit highlighted the importance of teamwork and collaboration, as each department played a vital role in ensuring the success of the company. This trip also exemplified how educational experiences can support the Gatsby Benchmarks, which outline best practices for career guidance in schools. By providing encounters with employers and employees, our students gained valuable insights into the world of work. By providing encounters with the world of work, employers directly support students in making informed decisions about their future careers – a crucial aspect of career development.

Visits to employers such as McMullen’s play a crucial role in career education by offering students first hand exposure to various industries and professions. These experiences allow students to explore different career paths, discover their interests, and develop a deeper understanding of the skills and qualifications required in the workforce. By engaging with professionals in real-world settings, students gain valuable insights into potential careers and the pathways to achieve their goals.

Our visit to McMullen’s Brewery was not just a field trip; it was a journey of exploration and discovery. By immersing themselves in the world of brewing and hospitality, our year 8 students gained valuable insights into potential career paths and learned how their interests and skills align with various roles within the industry. Through experiences like these, we strive to empower our students to make informed decisions about their future careers.

Please click here for our latest careers blog

SEND

If you would like to speak to a member of the SEND team you can book a virtual appointment of up to 15 minutes with a member of the SEND team, please use the following booking link: Booking link

Year 10 National Scientific Thinking Challenge Awards

Year 10 took part in the National Scientific Thinking Challenge on Thursday 25th April, period 5. The challenge lasted 50 minutes and involved a series of multiple choice questions, which students had to complete online using their Chromebooks. The questions did not require recall of taught material. Students had to look at data, graphs and text and make deductions, spot trends, suggest hypotheses and identify anomalous results. Congratulations to the following students, who achieved awards in the Challenge.

Bronze

10H: Benjamin, Louise, Jenna, Ellie, Enzo, James; 10A Tatiana, Jakub, Mateusz, Emma, Laurel, Zara; 10C Evie, Nicoly, Evie, Ewan, Elliott; 10D Eloise, Carolina, Allan.

Silver

10H Eva-Mae, Isabella, Robin; 10A Lucas, Mitchell, Samuel, Robert; 10C Chloe, Adam, Charlie, Dominic; 10D Bobby.

Gold

10H: Bors; 10A Ryan, Isobel, 10A Bethany; 10C Naomi, Thomas; 10D: Charlie, Reubin, Leon, Lorenzo, Sophie, Keo.

Art exhibition

Primary art ambassadors have been over in the secondary school learning different printing processes. They have had great fun creating hanging installations for the art exhibition (Saturday 13th July at the Slice of Summer event). Well done to all, they look amazing!

Calculators wanted

For any students leaving, businesses or families at home that may have any unused calculators going spare, any donations would be very much appreciated in school. Please hand in to reception. Thank you!

Safeguarding

Please spend a moment reading these two guides to keep you and your children safe online.

What parents need to know about friendly-competition

What parents need to know about Palworld

Young Carers

Library news

Sports Writing Workshop with Alice Hemming

On Tuesday 4th June the author Alice Hemming held a Sports Writing Workshop and launched the Sports Diary Entry writing competition to celebrate National Writing Day and the Paris 2024 Olympics. 

In preparation for the writing competition, we looked at lots of different Olympic and Paralympic sports and shared our ideas on how the athletes might be feeling using all the senses and emotions. There were lots of creative ideas.

Upcoming events – click on the images below to find out more

Congratulations

Well done to Mr Pooley for being named coach of the season for all his hard work with Hemel Aces FC Under 9 Lions. He tends to keep this kind of news to himself, so make sure you ask him all about it when you see him…

Reminder about parking

Please remember to be courteous to our neighbours and other road users when accessing the school site. We have had reports from both the cricket club and local residents about parents becoming abusive when asked to move their vehicles. In all but the most exceptional circumstances there should be no need to drive to the school site.  If a student needs collecting by car they should walk down to the London Road car park and be collected there. Thank you for your support on this matter. Local residents are a valuable part of our school community and we want to maintain our fantastic relationship.

PSA news

Frozen Friday and Slice of Summer – Volunteers needed!

We currently do not have enough helpers to offer Frozen Fridays, especially on 5th and 19th July.

If you are able to support your year group Frozen Friday sale after school, please sign up to a slot.  Stock will be purchased each week, we simply need help running the sales.

• 21st June – Year 4
• 28th June – Year 3
• 5th July – Year 2
• 12th July – Year 1
• 19th July Reception

All funds raised from the Slice of Summer will go towards a shade and shelter project for students in both phases of the school.

Please support your year group at the summer fair, by taking a volunteer slot. Sign up today! 

Student sign ups will receive house points and will be entered into a draw to win a £20 Amazon voucher, once they have completed their slots. 

Let’s work together to make this year’s summer fair a success. 

• Year 9, 10, 11 + 6th Form – Prize table
• Year 8 – Inflatable Archery
• Year 7 – Ice Cream
• Year 6 – Human Fruit Machine
• Year 5 – Nerf Fruit Splat
• Year 4 – Lucky Lollies/Win a Stanley Cup
• Year 3 – Splat-the-rat
• Year 2 – Teddy Tombola
• Year 1 – Buried Treasure
• Reception – Hook-a-duck

In addition, other areas that need volunteer cover include: Bar, BBQ Serving, Inflatables, Candy Floss, Admissions, Shortbread Decorating, Bottle Tombola, Pre-loved Uniform.

Summer Raffle. Tickets now on sale.

With a top prize of a two night stay in a Whitstable holiday home (kindly donated by a Larch family) for up to six people, don’t miss out on this year’s Summer Raffle! You can now pay for Summer Raffle tickets via the PSA website where you can also view the most up to date prize list. Secondary online orders can be collected from the office, once marked dispatched. Primary students have received a pack.  Just remember to then return completed counterfoils to either school office by 12th July!

Summer All-through Bake Off – 12th July

Drop off your nut-free Summer bakes for the Slice of Summer on Friday 12th July, to the staff room (secondary) or Larch office (primary) between 8am and 8.35am in a sealed, named container. Come to the Slice of Summer on 13th July to enjoy an afternoon of games, Summer fun, candy floss and cakes! Vote for your favourite bake online. The winning bake wins a £20 Amazon voucher!

Larch Summer Accessory Day – 10th July

Wear a summer accessory with your uniform to school on Wednesday 10th July and bring in a bottle donation to support the Slice of Summer. Bottles can be dropped off at Larch reception, or into the playground crates.

Ideas: Own shorts OR shirt. Own skirt OR t-shirt. Flower garland. Hair accessory. Non uniform sun hat. Summer shoes (not flip flops or sliders). Beach bag instead of book bag.

Family Magic Show – Save the date!

Amigo’s Magic will be visiting Simon Balle on Friday 18th October, offering two family shows after school. Early bird tickets will be released in July; be sure to take advantage of the discounted rate.  This is an event for the entire family to enjoy.  More information to follow.

Dates for your diary

A full calendar of events can be viewed on the school website.

• w/b 17th June: Y7 assessment week
• w/b 17th June: Y10 Mock exams
• Mon 24th June: Sixth Form Induction
• Mon 24th June: Year 6 Ultimate Frisbee Festival at Sele School
• Weds 26th June: District Athletics Championships
• Thurs 27th June: KS2 District Athletics
• Friday 28th June: Foreign Language Friday Food Fiesta
• Fri 28th June: Secondary Sports Day
• w/b 1st July: Silver DofE expedition departs
• Wed 3rd July: Year 2 Deer Class Development Day 
• Mon 8th July: All-through Awards Evening
• Mon 8th July: Year 2 Rapid Fire Cricket
• Weds 10th July: Sports Presentation Evening (Invitations to follow)
• Weds 10th July: Larch Summer Accessory Day
• Fri 12th July: Larch Sports Day (more details to follow in due course)
• Friday 12th July: Doughies and All-through Summer Bake Off
• Sat 13th July: Slice of Summer 12-4pm

Wishing everyone in our community a positive and fulfilling fortnight ahead.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs Rachel Kirk and Mr Michael Moss (Co-headteachers)