Welcome back newsletter secondary sept 2019

1. Welcome Back Newsletter
As we come to the end of our first week back after a long summer holiday, may I
welcome our new families - those whose children have joined us in Reception at the
start of their educational journey, in Year 7 or towards the end in Year 12. I am sure
that you will quickly discover how friendly and helpful everyone is and how important
your child’s education is to us. We want them to settle and flourish and so I urge you
to talk about this new experience at home and also to encourage them to join
activities and take up opportunities.
It has been a very busy summer at Simon Balle All-through school. In the main
campus, two of our outdoor areas have been transformed so that our students can sit
more comfortably at break times. In the Larch, our new nursery and KS1 wraparound
provider, Busy Lizzies have created an inspiring nursery room for our youngest
children. We welcome them and look forward to working in partnership.
This summer’s academic achievements in all phases, has been particularly strong.
Obviously these will be published in national papers. At GCSE, our students’ results
were the best for several years and this has led to an increased number staying onto
sixth form. They have been joined by 27 external students who should be equally
proud of their achievements this summer.
A level results were equally pleasing with many of our Year 13s going on to
prestigious university courses and high level apprenticeships. This year students went
on to study medicine and also languages at Cambridge alongside a number of other
top universities.
We hope that these stories will inspire our next generations to love their studies,
work hard and really thrive as part of this exciting community.
Welcome to new staff – Secondary
We would like to warmly welcome the following staff to our school. Although the
following started before the summer break we would like to welcome to their official
roles.
Mr Cheale Science
Mrs Turner Science
Miss Newman PE
Mr Maloney Computer science
Miss Lunn MFL
Mr Wells Maths
Mr East PE
Mr Moses PE
Staff joining us this term
Mrs Kirk Vice principal Larch
Mrs Jones History
Mr Davison Head of Science

2. Miss Nelson Health and Social Care
Mrs Scarrott PE
Mrs Rowland Geography
Mrs Nunn Music
Miss Morgan Gap year student
Miss Nesbitt-Larking Gap year student
Miss Bedford Gap year student
Mr Sawyer Specialist TA
Mrs Goddard SEN TA
Miss Burdick TA science
Miss Pierre TA science
Mr Hughes TA maths
Mrs Hudson TA English
News in our community
Our staff on maternity leave all had their babies during the summer break. All had
boys and so we welcome Tristan, Anthony and Finn. We hope that they staff enjoy
and make the most of their maternity leave.
Calendar
A reminder that parents will find it extremely useful to check the school calendar,
easily found on our website.
Wednesday 11th September Y7,11 and 13 group photos
Monday 16th September HPVI injection for Y8
PSA AGM 7pm – all welcome
Tuesday 17th September Y12 parents information evening
Wednesday 18th September Y7 parents information evening
Monday 23rd September Fun Run information will be sent out next week
Tuesday 24th September Battlefields information evening
Wednesday 25th September Y12 Learn to Live, Hertford theatre
Thursday 3rd October Y11 expectations evening
Thursday 10th October Battlefields 1 (return 11th)
Saturday 12th October PSA quiz night
Thursday 17th October Battlefields 2 (return 18th)
Piano teatime concert 6pm
Tuesday 22nd October Y13 field trip (return 25th)
Thursday 24th October Drums teatime concert 6pm
Monday 28th October Half term
Open morning SATURDAY 28th SEPTEMBER – all students Y7 to Y13 to attend
Sixth Form Open Evening: Wednesday 27th November from 6pm
Open sessions for Reception intake 2020: Tuesday 19th November, Thursday 28th

3. Newsletters
Rachel Kirk, our new Vice Principal- Primary, and I are currently planning on the
format and the frequency of newsletters. As an all- through school we think it is
important for us to work closely together for our parent body.
Parent and Staff Association (PSA) AGM, followed by meeting
Monday 16th September
6.45 for 7pm in the Larch centre
Do come along and meet us, hear about our fundraising and support to the school
from last year and what we plan for this year. Being involved with the PSA is a great
way to help build the Simon Balle All-through School community, meet parents and
staff, have some fun and raise money for your child’s benefit all at the same time.
Everyone welcome and refreshments and nibbles available.
If you have any questions or want a quick chat before the meeting, email us at
psa@simonballe.herts.sch.uk