Friday 31st January
Co-headteachers’ welcome
As the cold and wet weather continues to remind us that winter is well and truly here, it’s heartening to see the energy and enthusiasm shining through in our all-through school. Despite the grey skies outside, our students and staff have been busy with a wealth of exciting activities and exceptional learning taking place in every corner of the school. From creative projects and inspiring lessons to extracurricular opportunities and community events, the atmosphere across our school remains vibrant and full of promise. It’s a reminder that even during the chilliest months, there’s so much warmth and positivity to celebrate in our school community.
Our new sports hall is taking shape beautifully and remains on schedule for completion. Last week, we had the privilege of visiting the site, donning our hard hats and high-vis jackets. Stepping inside, we were struck by just how spacious it felt. The framework for the reception, office space, and storage areas is already in place, and the sports hall itself is even more expansive than we imagined. Standing there, it was easy to picture the wide variety of sports that will take place, including netball, basketball, badminton, cricket, circuit training, and more.
This facility promises to be a top-quality venue for exercise, competition, and, most importantly, enjoyment for our students and the wider community. As headteachers, we feel incredibly fortunate to be leading our school during such an exciting period of growth and progress. This new sports hall will be a hub of activity, promoting physical well-being and community spirit for years to come.
Following our recent mock exams, students across our all-through school are now receiving their papers back. This is an important opportunity for reflection, as it allows them to identify their strengths and pinpoint areas where they can focus their efforts. As the philosopher Plutarch wisely said, “To make no mistakes is not in the power of man; but from their errors and mistakes the wise and good learn wisdom for the future.” Just as in sport, music, art, and drama, there is no shortcut to improvement—progress requires a combination of expert guidance from our dedicated teachers and the commitment of hard work from our students.
With summer exams on the horizon, every student is aiming for significant improvement, whether that’s moving from a Key Stage 2 score of 100 to 105, achieving a jump from a Grade 5 to 7 at GCSE, or progressing from a B to an A* at A-Level. To support this journey, we strongly encourage students to take full advantage of the incredible resources available, including our lunch and after-school revision sessions, as well as the focused booster programmes in Year 6. These opportunities provide invaluable support to ensure all students are fully prepared and confident for the challenges ahead. We also recognise the important role parents play in creating a positive and focused home environment for revision and home learning. Encouraging consistent routines, providing a quiet space, and offering gentle guidance can make a significant difference in how students engage with their studies. Your involvement, whether through discussing topics, helping with time management, or simply offering words of encouragement, fosters confidence and a love of learning. Thank you for your ongoing partnership in your child’s education!
Continuing with the theme of resilience and positivity during these colder weeks, our assemblies last week focused on the idea of ‘Setting the Standard.’ This theme challenged students to push beyond their perceived limits in learning, to uphold our core values in all areas of school life, and to demonstrate exemplary conduct within the wider community. Time and again, our students amaze us with their commitment, kindness, and the way they carry themselves every day. They truly embody the high standards we set as a school, making us proud of the incredible young people they are becoming.
Click here for our latest Careers opportunity blog, including:
- Dunelm Apprenticeships – Now open
- Generation Welwyn Careers Fair
Musical News – January 2025
A fantastic month of music to kick off 2025 with so many exciting events coming up this term! Please read all about the Woodwind Starters’ Celebration, Piano Recital, Music Medal success and all of the upcoming events here: https://www.simonballe.herts.sch.uk/musical-news-january-2025/
Enrichment timetable
Click here for the latest enrichment clubs on offer at Simon Balle All-through School
Sport and PE
Sport in the Larch
With the evenings gradually becoming lighter the Hope Cup football and Evans Trophy for netball competitions have begun. Last Thursday the footballers played Priors Wood Primary School in the Hope Cup competition winning 5-1 and as a result getting through to the next round. The children showed all of our school’s values and showed so much sportsmanship working as a team. We were also delighted to have two children from Year 9 who started playing football themselves in the Larch referee the match showing how they have continued their sporting and leadership journeys. Well done to all that were involved! The netball competition will start next week with the first match against St John the Baptist and the football will continue with the next match against Ponsbourne.
Wodson Park Badminton Offer
Badminton coaching offer: Wodson Park £10 x 4 Weeks
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, please use the following Booking link
DSPL3 (Delivering Specialist Provision Locally):
The DSPL newsletter for parents can be found here DSPL3 Newsletter for Parents – January.pdf
A note from DSPL3:
We held our first ever DSPL3 Parent Coffee Morning on 13th November at Priors Wood School in Ware. It was open to all parents/carers of children with SEND (with or without diagnosis). We had a great turnout with over 25 people in attendance which was a mix of parents and professionals
It was a relaxed and friendly space where people could come for advice, support and a listening ear over a drink and a cake.
Our next dates are as follows (Venues yet to be confirmed)
- Wednesday 19th March 2025 (10-11:30am)
- Wednesday 11th June 2025 (10-11:30am)
Thank you to all those who attended, we can’t wait to chat again soon.
Science
One of our Sixth form Biology students took part in the Cambridge Biology Challenge, and her essay was recognised as highly commended. She focused on “The Winter Microbiome” and examined how seasonal changes impact gut health. Through her research, she discovered the remarkable adaptability of the gut microbiome – a complex community of billions of microorganisms that play a crucial role in digestion, immunity, and overall health. She found that reintroducing traditional winter diets, which are rich in prebiotics and probiotics, could enhance resilience and tackle modern health challenges such as autoimmune diseases. This investigation not only deepened her appreciation for the microbial world but also sparked an interest in developing innovative solutions for health and sustainability in the future. We, in the Science department, are very proud of her.
You can read the essay by clicking here
Young Science Writer Award 2025
Students in Year 10 and 11 are invited to enter the Young Science Writer Award 2025, an exciting opportunity for all budding writers and science enthusiasts! Information has been emailed to all students in these year groups.
For more information please visit: https://www.absw.org.uk/pages/yswa-2024-apply
Larch Pastoral Provision roundup – What’s on offer in the Larch?
With Children’s Mental Health week being celebrated across the All-through next week, this is a great opportunity to share the many interventions, clubs, therapies and activities the children take part in across the Larch all week to ensure they are looking after themselves and their mental health. From nurture clubs, wellbeing clubs, to Lego therapies and drawing therapies, PSHE learning and regulation support in classes. We are creating a safe and understanding environment for our pupils to continue to thrive and develop. These are one to one, whole class, small group and are changing and adapting to suit the individual needs of our pupils.
We are very fortunate to have the support of the Mental Health Service Team visiting the Larch each Tuesday to work with a large group of pupils completing different activities that support them in developing self esteem, self confidence and self belief. The children have responded so positively to this that staff are offering nurture clubs at lunchtimes for children. This is a place for children to come and further develop an understanding of themselves and their emotions in a safe and secure environment, through activities that are focused and inviting.
The East Herts Mental Health Support Team (MHST) will be delivering a ‘Parent Online Safety Workshop’ at Hollybush Primary School. You can read more about it here: Holly Bush Online Safety parents info.docx
Library News
The Big Schools’ Birdwatch
On Tuesday 21st January, a team of secondary school students took part in the Big Schools’ Birdwatch which is a nationwide research project that helps the RSPB to monitor how British wildlife is doing throughout the country.
We observed the wildlife on the school playground, school field and woodland. We saw a great variety of species including some more unusual birds such as a great spotted woodpecker, a kestrel, and some redwing.
Our results have been submitted to the RSPB to add to their national data. Well done to the birdwatching team!
Hertfordshire’s Families First
Please find attached information from both Family Lives and Families First regarding workshops, groups and helpful advice and support.
www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/familiesfirst
Families First A4 Website Poster (003) Spring Term 2025 Groups (2) Spring 2025 Workshops
PSA
Rescheduled AGM
Our Annual General Meeting will take place on Tuesday 4th February, 7pm for a 7.15pm start.If you are able to spare half an hour, please do call in. You are not committing to anything by attending, we simply need a good turn out in order to go ahead with the AGM. Our scheduled AGM was previously cancelled as we did not have enough attendees to meet quorum.
After the AGM, we will continue with a committee meeting. At this point, you are welcome to stay or leave.
Please use this link to indicate if you can attend the AGM.
You can also use the same link to sign up to other events, such as bar support for music events in March.
Your PSA needs you: We are looking for a new Chair – or two people to be Co-chairs!
The Chair holds a unique position overseeing the PSA. It does not mean that you have to organise or attend events (although you can!). The Chair role involves activities such as liaising with school, working with the PSA Treasurer and Secretary, managing the constitution and Charity Commission obligations, and so on.
If this role interests you, please contact us on psa@simonballepsa.org.uk expressing your interest and sharing your contact details. We will arrange for you to meet the current co-Chairs and learn more about the role. And if you decide to get involved, the current co-Chairs will be on hand to support you as much or as little as you want them to.
The PSA raises thousands of pounds each year for our school. Everyone parent/guardian is automatically a member of the PSA and is welcome to attend meetings and get involved as much or as little as they wish. We cannot function long-term without a Chair so please, please consider getting involved.
Thank you
The PSA Committee
Slice of Summer – Save the date!
The Slice of Summer will take place on Saturday 12th July, 12-4pm.
We are looking for someone to help us organise the bar this year. Are you able to apply for the bar license and be present throughout the event? Can you set up the bar area on the day? Please get in touch before half term if this is something that you can help with.
psa@simonballepsa.org.uk
Please save the date and watch out for more information and volunteering opportunities.
Dates for your diary
A full calendar of events can be viewed on the school website.
- Mon 3rd Feb: Y8 assessments start
- Wed 5th Feb: Sixth form experience day for Y11
- Wed 5th Feb: Y9 Preferences Evening
- Thurs 6th Feb: Y11 Performance Clinic
- Friday 7th: Y10 ELSA careers day
- Tues 11th and Thurs 13th Feb: Y11 Sixth Form pathways meetings
- Thurs 13th Feb: Y13 Performance Clinic
- Friday 14th Feb: Library trip to Bishop’s Stortford College
- Friday 14th Feb: Ski trip departs
- Monday 24th Feb: start of Spring 2 term
Wishing you all the best for the week ahead
Mrs Rachel Kirk and Mr Michael Moss (Co-headteachers)
