SIMON BALLE HIGHLIGHT #20
Reception celebrated their "When I Grow Up, I Want to Be..." dress up day in style. From doctors and firefighters to teachers and rock stars, the classroom was filled with big dreams, imagination and endless ambition.

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SEVEN YEARS, SO MANY MEMORIES
After seven years at Simon Balle, our School President, Kayla, is getting ready to take her next step. As she looks back on her journey, she reflects on the experiences, opportunities and people that have helped shape her into the person she is today.

From... finding her confidence and stepping outside her comfort zone to taking on roles including House Leader and School President, Kayla has made the most of every opportunity and left her mark on our school community.

Here, she shares a few words about her Simon Balle journey:

"It’s been such a pleasure to be a part of Simon Balle over the last 7 years.

This school has truly shaped me into the person I am today. It has taught me confidence and discipline, and pushed me out of my comfort zone.

Especially in the last years of secondary school, going into Sixth Form, I wanted to make a name for myself and break out of my shell, whether this was through making new friends, pushing myself academically or jumping into many different opportunities. I think that within Sixth Form, I successfully managed this through engaging in opportunities such as Model UN, Bar Mock Trial, House Leader and School President. These experiences have given me some of my favourite memories from Sixth Form and have taught me the importance of putting yourself out there and making the most of every opportunity.

Most importantly, I have to credit my journey in Sixth Form to the massive support I received along the way from the most wonderful teachers and Sixth Form team, who made it so incredibly easy to come to them for advice and guidance. Although Sixth Form was a blast, filled with so many fun experiences, there were also times when support was needed, whether that was through exams, UCAS or other difficult periods. The teachers and Sixth Form team were always there to help out and make things that little bit easier, making sure you never felt alone during these times.

Ultimately, it is devastating that this experience has come to an end, but I am forever grateful for all the school has taught me, and all the memories it has given me will stay with me forever."

Many thanks,
Kayla

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THANK YOU, SIMON BALLE
As we say goodbye to another incredible year group, School President, Vladyslava, wanted to share a few words as she reflects on her time at Simon Balle.

Vlada has made a lasting contribution to our school community. Her words beautifully capture what Simon Balle... has meant to her, the people who have supported her and the memories she will take with her.

"It is with great sadness that my time at Simon Balle has come to an end.

I joined the school in Year 9, after moving to the UK when the war in Ukraine began. At a time when everything in my life had been turned upside down, Simon Balle quickly became the second family I had been missing so much.

Over the years, I have become a more confident person, and Simon Balle has played such a huge part in that. From being a Science Prefect to becoming School President, I have been given so many opportunities to develop, challenge myself and represent our school community.

What I will always be most grateful for is the sense of safety and support I felt here. I always knew that if I had a question, a worry or needed advice, I could speak to any member of staff and they would always be willing to help.

I would like to say an absolutely huge thank you to all our teachers for the incredible work they do every single day. There are so many little moments and memories that have made my time here so special. I will miss the sound of Mrs Sparks’s iconic heels coming down the corridor before science. I will always remember Mrs Cook complimenting my outfits, even though she is a true fashion icon herself. I will always remember how much Miss Rhodes, and then Miss Ahmet, cared for our whole year group. I will always be grateful to Mr Prendergast for reading my personal statement for what must have felt like the billionth time whenever I asked him to.

Of course, I would also like to say a massive thank you to Mr Ford for capturing so many of the happy moments we have shared at school. We will cherish those photographs forever.

Thank you, Simon Balle, for helping me grow, for believing in me, and for giving me a place where I felt I belonged.

With love and gratitude,

Vlada
School President 2025–2026"

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SIMON BALLE HIGHLIGHT #19
Secondary Sports Day was another unforgettable event, with students from five year groups competing proudly for their houses. The day also featured the first ever Simon Balle staff inflatable race, which proved to be a huge hit.

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CONGRATULATIONS YEAR 13
We are incredibly proud of our Year 13 students, whose hard work, resilience and determination have been rewarded with another excellent set of A-Level and vocational results.

Early indications show an average A-Level grade of around a B, with vocational ...qualifications averaging a Distinction. These outstanding outcomes reflect the commitment of our students, the expertise of our staff and the unwavering support of families throughout their educational journey.

Today is about far more than grades. It is about celebrating the individual journeys, perseverance and personal growth of every student as they take their next steps. We are delighted to see students progressing to a wide range of ambitious destinations, including universities, apprenticeships and employment.

Congratulations to our Year 13 students. We wish you every success for the future and look forward to sharing more of the inspiring individual stories behind today's achievements over the coming days.

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SIMON BALLE HIGHLIGHT #18
Year 3 Egyptian Day was a huge success, with students and staff making an incredible effort with their costumes and fully embracing the excitement of the day. A fantastic way to bring history to life.

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