Friday 26th September

Co-headteachers’ welcome

Our Simon Balle All-through Open Day is, quite simply, an absolute highlight of the year. Not only is it a wonderful opportunity for us to be able to share what is so special and distinctive about Simon Balle for prospective families looking to begin with us in either Reception or Year 7, but also a great day to feel collective pride in our community as a whole. Saturday was a day in which we saw so, so many students giving back to our community. Whether in classrooms representing departments, in the sports hall or on the astro, playing music at multiple places around the site, or simply helping prepare the site on Friday, we value every contribution made. Our tour guides – both in the Larch and the secondary phase – demonstrated so brilliantly what Simon Balle can offer, academically and within our curriculum, and in our wide-ranging enrichment offer from clubs to trips and more. Parental feedback about our tour guides was so positive, both as families left site and through many emails received today: we heard, time and again, that students are proud to belong to Simon Balle, that they model our values in their interactions with all, and that they, quite literally, ‘sell’ the school in the way they describe their experiences. There were genuine tears from parents on Saturday as they would love their child to join us here. One parent said, 

“Visiting today truly brought your school values to life – our student guide was confident, respectful, and clearly proud to be part of such a warm and inspiring community. We left feeling extremely excited about the future here.” 

And so, a real moment for all of us so committed to Simon Balle – students, parents, staff, governors and trustees – to feel proud and to build from here as the year proceeds. A huge thank you to everyone. Our ‘open’ events continue with sixth form open evening on Wednesday 8th October and secondary and Larch tours to follow. 

Our home/school partnership, for every year group from Reception – Year 13, is so important at this early stage of the year. We thank you for engaging with us, in attending information evenings across so many year groups, where we aim, as ever, to ensure a clarity of information and a warm welcome. Slides are always subsequently shared, so please do not hesitate to be in touch with us with any questions at all (initially through class teacher or form tutor email addresses). Please remember that now is the perfect time to build great habits for the term and year ahead: whether this be the daily reading expectations which can be nurtured and celebrated or the organisational expectations for using google classroom to check and complete home learning, we thank you for supporting our students to thrive. In older year groups we are proud to see that investment and commitment to learning on a daily basis – with independent work and revision always celebrated here. 

Finally for this newsletter introduction, we simply had to mention enrichment, as it has been quite some start to the year! As students begin Year 7, they have attended a ‘University Fresher’s Fair’ style event, where they see for themselves the huge range of clubs and opportunities on offer. They have signed up with excitement, making friends, and discovering passions. Time and again, we continue to see the spark of curiosity ignited in these moments. Across year groups, across the all-through, a learning walk before school, at lunchtime and after school shows every department showcasing opportunities and students engaging and benefiting from all on offer. There are just too many to mention individually but every department in every phase is connecting with our young people and inviting them to join – we know that when students belong, they will demonstrate happiness, excellent attendance and thrive. Please do ask your children this weekend what clubs they are committing to, and encourage them to sign up if they have not already. We are here to ensure that 100% of our community is receiving an enriched curriculum offer, one which we have been proud to celebrate with all this fortnight.

Sixth Form Open Evening – Wednesday 8th October

We are delighted to invite all Year 11 students and their families to our Sixth Form Open Evening on Wednesday 8th October, from 5.30pm – 7.30pm.

This important evening is an opportunity to:

• Explore the wide range of subjects available in our Sixth Form.
  
• Meet teachers and current Sixth Form students.
  
• Hear about the ethos, opportunities, and successes of Simon Balle Sixth Form.

There will be two main presentations in the Hall, at 5.45pm and 6.45pm, giving families the chance to choose a time that suits them.

Further details about life in the Sixth Form can also be found on the Sixth Form section of the school website: Sixth Form at Simon Balle.

Please click here for our latest Careers Opportunities blog, which includes: 

• STEM Careers Events for Students

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.The DSPL3 Newsletter for Parents – Autumn 1.pdf has details about courses and coffee morning organised by DSPL3.

Click here to read about Spark Squad: Sparksquadflyer

Click below to read about free autumn term parenting groups:

Science, Chemistry

Outstanding Success in National Cambridge Chemistry Challenge

The Science Department is proud to announce that several of our students have earned awards in a prestigious national Chemistry competition designed to stretch and inspire the most enthusiastic young scientists.

Set by a team of experienced teachers and university chemists, the competition is aimed at Year 12 students and takes them significantly beyond the A-level syllabus. It encourages participants to think about Chemistry in the way they would at university: analytically, creatively, and with a deep curiosity.

This year, the competition was particularly demanding, with only 9.8% of entries achieving a Gold award, 22.4% earning Silver, and 28% receiving Bronze. We are therefore especially proud of our students for performing so strongly on a national scale.

We would like to congratulate the following students on their fantastic achievements:

• Soham D – Gold
• Finley H – Silver
• Isabel W – Silver
• Isla N-S – Copper
• Charlie H – Copper

Well done to all who took part, you have demonstrated exceptional talent, commitment, and a real passion for science.

Parents and Carers Connections and Key Dates

It has been fantastic to see so many of you attending the various information, connection, and curriculum evenings during the first few weeks of term. Building strong connections and working in partnership with you is something we are especially proud of.

To support this collaboration, we have planned a range of sessions throughout the year, which will be delivered both internally and externally. We will share individual sign-up details closer to each event, but we wanted to give you advance notice of the key dates so you can plan ahead.

Autumn Term 

• Supporting links
  • Online delivery ‘Managing difficult conversations’ KS3 
  • Monday 20th October 7.15pm to 8.15pm.
• Building healthy relationships 
  • Mr Brown delivering Connections 
  • KS2 Monday 24th November 9-10am 
• MHST Coffee mornings 
  • Focus on Anxiety and Mental Health (Primary) TBC 

Spring Term 

• Building healthy relationships 
  • Mr Brown delivering Connections 
  • Y6,7&8 
  • 26th Jan (Hall)
• Supporting links
  • Face to Face delivery ‘Understanding ASD / ADDD’ 
  • Monday 2nd March 7pm to 9.30pm
• Building healthy – relationships
  • Mr Brown delivering Y9,10,11 
  • 9th March (Hall)

Summer Term 

• Supporting links
  • Face to Face delivery ‘Understanding the Teenage brain 
  • Monday 18th May 7pm to 9.30pm
• Building healthy relationships
  • Mr Brown delivering All through
  • 29th June (Hall)  

Involve – new tool for booking student consultation evening appointments

Families that have been with us for some time will be aware that we have experimented with a number of online platforms over the years. There is a continual need to balance user-friendliness and effectiveness with the financial cost of the services offered. Involve, the system currently used by the Music department for parents and students to keep track of performances and instrumental lessons will soon be expanded to include PE department fixtures and clubs. Involve will also be used for booking appointment slots for student consultation evenings. Those of you who have not used Involve for either Music or PE will receive login details and instructions ahead of the student consultation evening for your year group (you will log in with the same email address you currently use for logging into Arbor).

Hertford, Ware & District Foodbank

We will be partnering with Hertford, ware & District Foodbank to support their Harvest Festival Appeal. The wishlist is attached below.

The number of people facing crisis within our local community is still high. During the last year, the Hertford, Ware & District Foodbank provided over 3110 emergency food parcels to people who couldn’t afford the essentials, over 1100 of these went to children.

If you are able to donate any of the items on the list, there will be collection points at the main reception desk (Elm Sports Centre), the Student Services area (secondary) and the Larch office.

Harvest Appeal Wish List Pdf

Poetry Workshop – Hertford Library

Please see the attached flyer from Hertford Library

Hannah Copley Workshop YP

936 (Hertford & Ware) Air Cadets – Open Evening

Aged 12 – 17, in at least year 8? Interested in adventure, flying, and making new friends? Come along to our Open Evening on Monday 30th September, 19:30hrs at 936 Squadron HQ.

You’ll hear a short presentation, meet our cadets, and see what we get up to – from flying, shooting and fieldcraft to sports, DofE, camps, leadership, and more.

Come and find out what life as an Royal Air Force Air Cadet is really like – we’d love to see you there!

Dates for your diary

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

• Thurs 2nd – Fri 3rd Oct: Y9 Battlefields trip (ABL)
• Sat 4th Oct: Circus
• Tues 7th Oct: Y13 Geography trip information meeting (1800-1830)
• Wed 8th Oct: Sixth Form Open Evening (1730-1930)
• Thurs 9th – Fri 10th Oct: Y9 Battlefields trip (MNR)
• Mon 13th Oct: Larch Harvest Festival
• Mon 13th-Tues 14th Oct: Y13 English trip
• Tues 14th and Wed 15th Oct: Larch student consultation evening (face to face)
• Wed 15th Oct: Y10 student consultation evening (virtual – booking via Involve, details to follow)

Wishing you all the best for the week ahead

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

Friday 12th September

Co-headteachers’ welcome

We hope everyone had a wonderful summer break, a chance to rest, recuperate and spend valuable time with friends and family. The start of term is always a special moment, particularly as our Year 11 and Year 13 students joined us in August to collect their exam results. It was wonderful to share in the excitement of so many students, proud to celebrate their achievements with friends, teachers and loved ones, while also looking ahead with confidence to the next stage of their journey. Just before the summer, our fantastic Year 6 pupils also received excellent outcomes, giving them a strong foundation as they now begin their secondary education with us. These successes, from EYFS through to Sixth Form, highlight the strength of our all-through journey and how we live out our strapline of “creating tomorrow’s citizens today.”

As we begin the new academic year, we know that many students, and indeed staff, feel a mix of nerves and excitement about what lies ahead. We look forward to supporting one another, ensuring that the year ahead is successful, rewarding, and filled with opportunity. We are immensely proud to see the hard work and dedication of our students rewarded in this year’s formal examinations. Their achievements reflect not only individual perseverance but also the shared commitment of our school community to high expectations, resilience, and success.

Building on this success, we see our older students as shining examples of “creating tomorrow’s citizens today”, demonstrating both academic excellence and the wider values we strive to instill across the school. Our Sixth Form provision remains a significant strength, with outcomes continuing to exceed national averages. This year, 61% of A-Level grades were awarded at A*–B, with 41% at A*–A or Distinction*- Distinction. Impressively, 21% of students attained the highly valued benchmark of AAB or higher, with our average A-Level grade being a B and our vocational outcomes at Distinction-. Our value-added score of +0.49 demonstrates outstanding progress, equivalent to half a grade above national expectations. These results mark a three-year upward trajectory, underlining the ambition, consistency and quality of our Sixth Form. Destinations remain excellent, with 85% securing their first-choice university, 46% moving on to Russell Group institutions, three students gaining Oxbridge places and three embarking on degree apprenticeships.

Beyond exam results, we are committed to providing more than simply educational outcomes. Our Sixth Form enrichment programme continues to thrive, encouraging students to balance hard work with wider opportunities through sport, mentoring, community engagement and independent projects. EPQ results were particularly impressive, with 69% achieving A*- A grades, showcasing the depth of research, independence and aspiration our learners demonstrate. This year we have also created a new social area in the Sixth Form, helping to provide the right balance of study and down time as our students prepare to be “more than just great A levels.” For our current Year 11 families, a date for the diary is our Sixth Form Open Evening on Wednesday 8th October – a fantastic opportunity to explore how our provision can support the next stage of learning.

At Key Stage 4 (GCSE), outcomes this year are equally exceptional and reflect the strength and consistency of teaching and learning across the school. While there are no official Progress 8 scores nationally this year due to the absence of Key Stage 2 exams during Covid, our own calculations using baseline testing from Year 7 show that students made excellent progress. Attainment 8 has again risen and remains significantly above the national average, with a large proportion of students securing the very highest grades. We are so proud of these outstanding results, which not only reflect our historic standards but also demonstrate a clear three-year improving trend, reaffirming Simon Balle’s reputation for both high attainment and exceptional progress. Together, these achievements underline our deep commitment to supporting every learner and ensuring all students reach their full potential.

Looking ahead, we are excited to welcome prospective families to our Open Morning on Sat20th September, where future Reception and Year 7 students will be able to see first-hand the strength of our provision and the opportunities that lie ahead at Simon Balle. This event is always a great celebration of our school, as our whole community comes together to showcase the amazing learning, enrichment and culture that make Simon Balle so special.

So to conclude, it has been a joy to welcome students back this September. They have returned with high aspirations, smartly presented and ready to learn. Across our all-through school, we are proud to see students experiencing a rich, ambitious curriculum alongside an engaging enrichment offer – proof that academic excellence and a love of wider learning go hand in hand. Our staff INSET at the start of term focused on the 3Cs – Culture, Collaborate and Celebrate, which will guide us in the months ahead as we nurture a positive environment, work together to achieve the very best for our students, and take time to recognise success along the way. The year ahead promises to be busy and exciting, and we thank you, as always, for your continued support in ensuring our students thrive.

Home learning

At Simon Balle All-through School, we are proud to guide students on a continuous journey from age four through to eighteen. We believe education is transformational – equipping young people with the knowledge, skills and character to thrive and make a positive contribution to society.

Our broad and progressive curriculum reflects this vision, and home learning plays an important role in supporting it. Home learning extends learning beyond the classroom, helping students to develop focus, self-discipline and resilience. It encourages them to think critically, embrace challenges with a growth mindset and build the persistence needed to succeed both at school and in the future.

Most importantly, home learning directly supports academic progress by consolidating knowledge, deepening understanding and fostering independent study skills.

With this in mind, we wanted to draw parents’ attention to our recently updated Home Learning Policy which has been amended to ensure it continues to reflect our values and to provide students with the best possible foundation for success.

Open Morning

We are looking forward to holding our annual open day on Saturday 20th 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 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. 

• Saturday 20th September 0830-1230: All-through Open Morning 
• Wednesday 8th October 1730-1930 – Sixth Form Open Evening
• Wednesday 26th November 0900-1015- Primary Open Morning

Simon Balle All-through School Mini Farm

Over the summer holidays, the mini farm underwent a huge transformation. A heartfelt thank you goes out to our amazing site team, Miss Ponder, Mrs Kirk, and all the parent volunteers and students who joined our working party. Your hard work has helped create a truly special space for our school community.

As part of these changes, our beloved chickens have been rehomed to create a new calming space that is accessible for all. While we will certainly miss them, we’re pleased to share that they are thriving in their new home, and we look forward to receiving regular updates on how they’re doing.

The area that once housed the chickens has been thoughtfully refreshed — now featuring a new green space, purpose-built enclosures, and a layout that supports the wellbeing of all our animals and students. This redesign also allows for a safe and enriching space for Pippin and paves the way for some exciting additions, including a delivery of new outdoor furniture.

With the new school year underway and so many exciting changes to the farm, we’re delighted to welcome our new Year 5 Farm Leaders: Suguna, Grace, Rebecca, Iris, Skylar, Rosa, Toby, Ben, George and Izaak. They have already shown fantastic dedication, helping to settle in our new animals while demonstrating many of our school values, including responsibility and kindness. We are so proud of the way they’ve stepped into their new roles with such enthusiasm and care.

Perhaps the most exciting news for our students is the arrival of our newest farm friends: two adorable lop rabbits and two curious guinea pigs. The children are eager to get to know them, and we look forward to seeing this revitalised space bring joy, learning, and connection to all.

Stay tuned for more farm news throughout the term!

Simon Balle’s Careers Programme is more than just guidance – it’s a journey. From early curriculum integration to tailored post-18 support, our comprehensive CEIAG framework equips students with the knowledge, confidence, and resilience to pursue meaningful futures. We’re proud holders of the Quality in Careers Standard and committed to meeting the highest benchmarks in career education. Discover how this transformative programme supports each year group and shapes tomorrow’s citizens today.

Learn more at: Simon Balle Careers

Explore year-by-year activities: Careers Programme by Year Group

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.

The Hertfordshire SEND Local Offer lets parents and young people know what special educational needs and disabilities services are available in Hertfordshire and who can access them.

Information and signposting is also available via DSPL3. Developing Special Provision Locally (DSPL) 3 – Families and they have a Facebook page which is updated with information on events locally. 

Please see the attached flyer for Super 1s cricket – a weekly offering of free of charge cricket session for young people with special educational needs and disabilities giving them the chance to be active, meet new people and learn new skills. We also run lifestyle workshops throughout the year. Super 1s All Hubs WINTER

Safeguarding

Two important updates from #WakeupWednesday: What Parents & Educators Need to Know about VPNs and Top Tips for Recognising and Managing Stress

PE at Simon Balle – 2025/26

We are really excited about the year ahead in PE at Simon Balle. One of our main aims is to inspire every student to enjoy the benefits of being active. Regular physical activity has so many positives: it helps to improve physical health and fitness, supports good mental wellbeing, reduces stress, and builds confidence. Just as importantly, PE is about enjoyment, teamwork and having the chance to try new activities in a safe and supportive environment. This year, we encourage all students to get involved – whether it’s through lessons, clubs, or simply being more active day to day.

Alongside promoting healthy, active lifestyles, we are also committed to supporting performance sport. Our new sports hall, which has recently been completed, provides an excellent venue for both training and competition. This facility will allow us to host more fixtures than ever before and give our students the chance to test themselves against other schools. We are proud to provide pathways for those who want to push their performance further, whilst continuing to welcome everyone to participate, no matter their level of experience.

A special welcome goes to our new Year 7 students. This is the perfect time to get involved and try out something new. Our wide range of clubs will begin in the week commencing Monday 8th September, and we would love to see as many students as possible taking part. The sport extra curricular timetable can be found via this link: https://www.simonballe.herts.sch.uk/sport/secondary-sport/

Enrichment

We are proud to offer a wide range of clubs and activities to suit every age group, from Key Stage 1 right through to Sixth Form. Whether pupils are interested in sports, music, drama, art, STEM, drama, or exploring new hobbies, there is something for everyone to enjoy. These clubs provide fantastic opportunities for students to develop new skills, build friendships, and pursue their passions outside the classroom. By taking part, students can grow in confidence, discover hidden talents, and make the most of their time at school.

The range of clubs we offer across the all-through are available to view here:

https://www.simonballe.herts.sch.uk/whats-on/extra-curricular-provision/

Library news

There’s lots happening in the library this month. Please click on the links below to find out more.

Absences

All holiday requests must be sent through Leave of absence request

Absences or lateness for the Larch Centre  – notify or call at L Simon Balle

Absences or lateness for the secondary – notify or call S Admin

Privacy notices

Please take the time to read our privacy notices for parents/carers and students.

Catering

It has been a brilliant start to this autumn term and academic year for our catering partners, Accent, with whom we are proud to work. During the summer holidays, Accent invested in making fantastic improvements to all areas of our all-through school: from the Little Kitchen in the Larch to the main canteen in the secondary phase and to the sixth form and staff cafe. Not only have all areas had brilliant makeovers so that food continues to be presented in highly appetising ways, but the newly installed screens in each area ensure that menu choices are clear and that allergen information is easily accessible. Please visit our website here to view all new menus, including our popular meal deals.

Exciting times continue in the next fortnight as a brand new pod is being installed in the main secondary phase playground, providing further choice and reducing queues for all. We continue to receive highly positive feedback from our students of all ages in relation to Accent meals, and we were struck by this particularly last week with the return to school and with so many new students joining us in Reception, Year 7 and Year 12.

We continue to value student voice, and our all-through parliament will have an important focus on reviewing these changes and improvements in the coming weeks. Thank you to Accent – we are looking forward to the term and year ahead.

Involve – new tool for booking student consultation evening appointments

Families that have been with us for some time will be aware that we have experimented with a number of online platforms over the years. There is a continual need to balance user-friendliness and effectiveness with the financial cost of the services offered. Involve, the system currently used by the Music department for parents and students to keep track of performances and instrumental lessons will soon be expanded to include PE department fixtures and clubs. Involve will also be used for booking appointment slots for student consultation evenings. Those of you who have not used Involve for either Music or PE will receive login details and instructions ahead of the student consultation evening for your year group (you will log in with the same email address you currently use for logging into Arbor).

Hertford, Ware & District Foodbank

We will be partnering with Hertford, ware & District Foodbank to support their Harvest Festival Appeal. The wishlist is attached below.

The number of people facing crisis within our local community is still high. During the last year, the Hertford, Ware & District Foodbank provided over 3110 emergency food parcels to people who couldn’t afford the essentials, over 1100 of these went to children.

If you are able to donate any of the items on the list, there will be collection points at the main reception desk (Elm Sports Centre), the Student Services area (secondary) and the Larch office.

Harvest Appeal Wish List Pdf

Get Your Old Bikes Rolling Again!

Community Bike Drop Returns to Hertford Rugby Club on Sunday 14th September.

Nearly three years ago, something amazing happened at Hertford Rugby Club. Our brilliant local community came together and donated a whopping 165 bikes. Thanks to the fantastic team at Herts Disability Sports Foundation (HDSF), those bikes were lovingly refurbished and rehomed across Hertfordshire.

Some became a child’s very first taste of cycling freedom. Others helped adults commute to work, reducing car use and giving our planet a well-deserved break. The impact? Healthier people, a greener environment, and a stronger, more connected community.

Now, we’re doing it again and we need you. Got an old bike gathering dust in your shed, garage or garden? Don’t let it rust away, let it ride again. Join us on Sunday 14th September, from 9am to 1pm, at Hertford Rugby Club, Hoe Lane, Ware SG12 9NZ for our second Big Community Bike Drop. Every bike donated will be refurbished and given a second life – whether it’s helping a child learn to pedal or helping someone get to work.
So dust off those wheels, pump up those tyres (if you can), and bring them along. Let’s make this another two-wheeled triumph!

For further information please contact Lucy Hunter: lucy_hunter38@yahoo.co.uk

Together, let’s keep our community rolling.

Parent Staff Association

Volunteer Register and Class/Year group Reps

Simon Balle PSA can not function without a good number of helpers from both phases of the school, to support our all-through events.  Please consider registering to be an occasional volunteer and we will reach out when help is needed.

We value each and every volunteer and are always grateful for any help.

Volunteer Register

We are looking for a number of people to help us share information with classes and yeargroups.  This role is suitable to all, but especially to those who wish to offer support but can not necessarily commit to volunteering at events.

If you are interested in becoming a Representative, we would love to hear from you.

Visit our Reps sign up link and we will be in touch.

Happy’s Circus – 4th October

We are very excited to share that Happy’s Circus will be visiting Simon Balle on Saturday 4th October.  Tickets will soon be made available to the wider community and with over half sold already, we encourage Simon Balle families to secure theirs as soon as they can.

Gates will open at midday and visitors are invited to browse the external stallholder offering, grab something from the bar and BBQ then soak up the pre-show atmosphere.

More information can be found on our website, click on the link below.

Buy your tickets today!

Volunteers needed, sign up here!

Joules Outlet Sale – 7th November

Save the date!  On Friday 7th November, the Joules Outlet team will set up a pop up shop at Simon Balle.  This is a fantastic opportunity to start your Christmas shopping, all at bargain prices with up to 70% off high street prices. Sale preview tickets are £8 and will allow early entry at 6pm into the sale room.  General sale tickets are just £5, doors open at 6.30pm.

Watch this space for more information.

Volunteers needed, sign up here!

John Williams Candlelight Concert – 18th October

Join us at All Saints Church, Hertford, on Saturday 18th October for an enchanting candlelit evening of John Williams favourites, performed by a string trio. Music includes: Jurassic Park movie theme, hits from Star Wars including Cantina Band and Imperial March, E.T theme, Indiana Jones theme and more!

1st Sitting: Doors open at 4.15pm, concert starts at 5pm. 2nd Sitting: Doors open at 6.30pm, concert starts at 7pm.

Book via our link and £2 of each ticket sold will generate us commission.

Dates for your diary

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

• Mon 15th Sep: Y8 expectations evening
• Wed 17th Sep: Y1 Y3 Y5 curriculum meetings
• Wed 17th Sep: Y9 expectations and Battlefields trip information evening
• Thurs 18th Sep: Y13 expectations evening
• Fri 19th Sep: Early finish (secondary) for those helping on open morning
• Sat 20th Sep 0830-1230: All-through Open Morning
• Wed 24th Sep: Y7 welcome evening
• Wed 24th and Thurs 25th Sep: Y11 performance clinics
• Thurs 25th Sep: NCY trip information evening

Wishing you all the best for the week ahead

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

Friday 11th July

Co-headteachers’ welcome

In this final newsletter of the academic year, it is a great privilege to reflect upon an exceptionally positive year at Simon Balle. We are so grateful to every single one of our students and parents/carers for all that you have done to contribute to our community, academically and holistically. As Co-headteachers it has been brilliant to lead and to attend just so many events at this time in which our young people truly shine – from sports presentation evening to Larch and secondary sports days; from the Saffron hall music extravaganza to transition parent events at Year 7 and Reception. At the time of writing we eagerly look forward to the Slice of Summer on Saturday, our all-through Art exhibition across the weekend, and our formal awards ceremony on Monday 14th July. From class celebrations to assemblies and within all of these events, our aim is that every student ends the year with a great sense of pride and achievement. 

Student outcomes at every key stage will be celebrated at appropriate points from here, with the primary phase outcomes released first. And what a week it has been with the release of our KS2 SATs results, which are exceptional. Our web page will be updated in due course with all details, but some highlights are shared here: 

• The percentage of students achieving at age-related expectations in reading, writing and mathematics combined is 84% (the national average was 61% last year)
• The percentage of students achieving at greater depth in reading, writing and mathematics combined is 31% (the national average was 8% last year)
• The average scaled score achieved at Simon Balle this year is 110 in maths and 110 in reading (the national average was 104 in maths and 105 in reading last year) – this means that our average achievement is at a greater depth level
• In maths, 96.9% of students achieved age-related expectations, with 42.2% achieving at greater depth
• In reading, 90.6% of students achieved age-related expectations, with 54.7% achieving at greater depth

A huge well done to all of our Year 6 students who are receiving their SATs results this week. We all look forward to celebrating with, and supporting, our students receiving GCSE and A level results this summer. 

All that remains is for Mr Moss and I to wish you all a wonderful summer break when we get there. As exciting a year as this has been, we recognise the need for our whole community to rest, spend time with loved ones and recharge, ready to go again in September 2025! As ever, we must thank you all for your continued support and partnership. 

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

A note from the Governors and the Trust

As we come to the end of another busy year, it has been wonderful to witness the tremendous amount of work happening at Simon Balle. In our roles it is a privilege to understand the profound impact that Simon Balle has on so many young people. The Trust and Governing Body are always impressed by the numerous initiatives and the extra effort made to ensure our curriculum is accessible to all, and that there is something here for every student.

The Trust and Governing Body closely monitor the progress students make across various categories, and we are pleased to report that student data continues to be strong. This success is not possible without your support, for which we are extremely grateful!

Maintaining existing spaces fit for purpose for school life is a constant challenge. There is much to do in keeping everything shipshape, and this couldn’t happen without the dedicated efforts of Michael Tweed and the site team. It has been fantastic this year to see the new, long-awaited sports hall come to life in the form of the Elm Sports Centre. This facility has received great community feedback and will be an asset for the school and wider community for many years to come. 

Given the recent news about the funding challenges faced by schools, we want to reassure you that, although we face similar challenges, we are managing the school (and wider trust) within the limits of the funding we receive. We are reassured by the student progress data, information on interventions and impact, student voice, parent voice, and incidental conversations within the community that the school represents fantastic value for money. To put this in context, we receive very roughly 30% of what a fee-paying school would (stressing this is NOT our aspiration), yet the school delivers exceptional results, pastoral support, and extracurricular enrichment. Attention is given to ensure that each and every child can engage in school life and thrive here.

As the year closes, we are excited to embark on a new chapter by welcoming Mill Mead School into the Trust at the beginning of next year. This offers advantages to both schools in terms of curriculum breadth and the ability to make our funding go further.

As we look forward to the new academic year, we remain committed to providing the best possible education and support for all our students. Thank you once again for your continued support, invaluable to our school community. We wish you all a restful and enjoyable summer break.

Mrs Jo Brown (Chair of Trustees), Mr Adam Cooper (Chair of Simon Balle governing body) and Mr Will Davies (Vice chair of both the Trust Board and Simon Balle governing body)

Welcome to Year 7: ​ready to ​grow, ​ready to ​belong, ​ready to ​shine.

As always, it has been a real joy to engage in the Year 6 into Year 7 transition process as we prepare to welcome the latest cohort into our secondary community. Our transition programme is both thorough and personal with every feeder primary visited and staff taking time to speak with each student to ensure we fully understand the needs, passions and strengths of everyone.  For us, transition is not a day, a week, or even a month – it’s an 18-month launchpad for the next seven years and beyond. 

As you can tell, we take great pride in ensuring we do our very best at such a significant milestone in their educational journey, and it has been especially exciting to see the strong sporting interest, deep reading culture and musical talent already shining through. Indeed, the enthusiasm, curiosity, and kindness already shown by the students have been heartening and we are confident they will thrive in their new environment. This warm welcome extends to our families too – we were delighted to see such a strong turnout at the Welcome Evening last week. It was a wonderful sign of the commitment from home, and we know just how vital that home-school partnership is in supporting every child’s success. 

​With transition day yesterday and over 90% of ​students signed up for our summer school, engagement is already incredibly high​ and there is plenty on offer before September. ​​This includes the range of activities on our transition webpage, which includes key information for parents and a wide range of resources to support a smooth and positive start. 

​We​ are proud to walk alongside our new students and families as they begin this exciting new chapter​ and look forward to welcoming you all fully in September.

Welcoming our youngest new children to begin their 14 year journey!

We were delighted to welcome our new Reception children and their families to our school community during our recent Transition Day. It was a joy to see the children exploring their new environment with curiosity and enthusiasm, meeting their teachers, and beginning to build relationships with their new classmates. The day was carefully planned to help the children feel safe, supported, and excited about starting school, and their smiles and laughter throughout the visit were a wonderful sign of things to come.

We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the parents and carers who attended the reception welcome information meeting. Family involvement and interest play a vital role in helping children settle into school life, and we greatly value the home school partnership. We’ve received lots of positive feedback, with many parents commenting on the warm, welcoming atmosphere and how confident their children felt after the visit. We’re so pleased with how smoothly the transition has begun and look forward to an exciting and successful year ahead as we begin this journey together.

Sports Presentation Evening

Our Sports Presentation Evening was a fantastic occasion to come together and celebrate the outstanding sporting achievements of our students over the past academic year. The evening was a true reflection of the passion, dedication, and talent that runs throughout Simon Balle as an all-through school.

From individual accomplishments to team successes, we recognised students who have not only excelled in performance but also shown commitment, leadership, and sportsmanship throughout the year. The variety of sports represented on the evening highlights the diverse opportunities available at Simon Balle, and the breadth of talent we are fortunate to have across all age groups.

With participation in a wide range of leagues and competitions, our students have continually risen to the challenge and represented the school with pride. Their success is a credit to their hard work and the continued support from staff, families, and our wider school community.

Thank you to everyone who made the evening such a memorable event. We are excited to see what the next year of sport will bring.

Please scan this QR code to read our Sport Review of the year

Year 12 history and politics trip to Berlin

The recent Year 12 trip to Berlin was an enriching and memorable experience for all involved, offering students an unparalleled insight into Germany’s complex political and historical landscape. Over four days, students explored key sites as part of a curated and expert-led tour that deepened their understanding of the country’s 20th-century history.

Highlights included a thought-provoking visit to the Stasi Prison, where students learned about life under East Germany’s secret police and the chilling extent of state surveillance. At the East Side Gallery, Checkpoint Charlie and the documentation centre on Bernauer Straße, they saw the extent and impact of the Berlin Wall, the symbol of a divided city, country and continent for almost three decades.

The group also toured the Reichstag, seat of the German parliament, gaining an appreciation for modern German democracy while standing in a building steeped in historical significance. The virtual reality experience at the Fernsehturm offered an immersive perspective on Berlin’s transformation, past and present, and a guided tour around Sachsenhausen concentration camp brought home the cruelty and savagery of crimes committed during the Third Reich.

Throughout the trip, students engaged with the key themes of German history—from the democratic experiments of the Weimar Republic, through the horrors of the Nazi regime, to the tensions and tragedies of the Cold War. Our tour guide Frank was able to take students to lesser-known sites as well as infamous landmarks of historical significance, forcing them to think deeply about the nature of totalitarianism, democracy, and the physical and psychological impact of a century of turmoil on a city and its inhabitants.

Y6 Sheringham trip

Year 6 recently enjoyed an exciting and enriching residential trip to Sheringham, where they deepened their understanding of coastal geography in a hands-on and memorable way. The trip, closely tied to their Geography curriculum, began with an engaging coastal management lesson delivered by our very own resident Geographer, Mr Ayres. Pupils then put their knowledge into action through a creative longshore drift sand art competition and an imaginative sandcastle building challenge, incorporating real-world coastal defence features.

We were particularly impressed by the high standard of field sketching on the first day, as well as the teamwork and enthusiasm shown when measuring groynes along the shoreline and competing in the evening quiz. It was a fantastic way to celebrate their final weeks in Year 6 – full of learning, laughter, and lasting memories.

Y3 Gaudi mosaic workshop

Year 3 were very excited about the prospect of their Gaudi work being on display well after they leave Simon Balle in year 13. Wrens and Robins really enjoyed their workshop creating our collaborative piece for the Gaudi garden that they worked out will take over 10 years to complete. Reminiscent of Sagrada Familia, each mosaic piece being completed by year 3 students will create.

Catering Update and Summer Works

Thank you very much to everyone who has already responded to the catering questionnaire. Your feedback is extremely important and conversations have begun in earnest on how we can adjust our service to implement as many of your suggestions as possible. If you haven’t completed the questionnaire yet and would like your voice to be heard, the Google form is still open and can be accessed on the link at the bottom of this segment.

We are very excited to announce that during the summer holidays over £100,000 will be invested in the all-through school’s catering infrastructure: from new ovens to deliver a wider menu, to a complete refurbishment of the secondary canteen and cafe, to a brand new outdoor catering kiosk. All of the improvements and renovations are based on requests from parents and students and we can’t wait to re-open in September.

This is only the first step in the transformation of the catering provision at Simon Balle and we will continue to liaise with students, parents and staff in the new year through questionnaires and working groups to further refine and finesse the offer and ensure the continual improvement of the provision.

Link to the parent questionnaire

Please click here for our latest Careers Blog

Apprenticeship Information Evening – Year 12

On Tuesday evening, we welcomed students and parents to our Apprenticeship Information Evening – a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the wide range of apprenticeship options available after sixth form.

The evening began with a presentation covering what apprenticeships are, the different levels on offer, how they compare to university, and how to search and apply. We were also delighted to welcome a parent of a former student currently completing a degree apprenticeship, who gave invaluable insight into how families can support their children through the process.

In the second half of the evening, four of our amazing alumni returned to share their experiences of life on a higher or degree apprenticeship. From engineering to finance and digital roles, they spoke honestly about their journeys and answered questions from current students and parents. The evening also featured a mini apprenticeship fair, giving attendees the chance to talk one-to-one with the alumni and gain first-hand advice.

The event was incredibly well received, and we are proud to be supporting students in exploring all their options and taking confident steps towards their futures.

Year 9 Team Building with the Royal Navy Attract Team – Wednesday, 9 July

On Wednesday 9 July, Year 9 welcomed the Royal Navy Attract Team for some, hour‑long team‑building workshops. After a lively icebreaker to warm everyone up, students were grouped into teams of 3–5 and challenged to build a tower using a kit—to meet some fixed criteria (6 foot tall, free standing and the wheels at the top).

It was brilliant to see the students working together with the variety of towers that emerged, some wobbling, others impressively stable.

This activity brought the Royal Navy’s core values of communication, respect, discipline, and teamwork into sharp focus:

• Effective communication – each plan had to be shared clearly and adapted to finish the build in time.
• Respect for every idea – the importance of listening and adapting not just shouting down other peoples ideas.
• Discipline and problem‑solving came into play when towers began to wobble, requiring quick thinking and change in design.

All the students stayed fully engaged throughout, visibly supporting one another and showing encouraging teamwork. Beyond the fun and competition, participants gained a stronger understanding of how the Royal Navy operates in the contemporary world—revealing that leadership isn’t just about command, but also about collaboration, adaptability, and valuing diverse perspectives.

Well done to everyone involved—and special thanks to the Royal Navy Attract Team for bringing these valuable skills to life!

Slice of Summer and Art Exhibition tomorrow

The wait is over! Tomorrow (Saturday 12th July) is our annual summer fundraising event and art exhibition.

National Schools Chess Championships

On 24th June, Mr. Gregory and Mrs. Glover accompanied four children from the Larch – Angus, Oscar, Orson and Alec to the Primary Team Chess Challenge 2024/25 (part of the National Schools Chess Championships). The team qualified for this National Final, held at Nottingham University, having won a regional tournament hosted at SBAS back in March.

The standard of chess at the tournament was astonishing – there were teams from many of the top schools in the country, with players who had reached the finals of the individual British Championships, one team with a FIDE Master, another coached by weekly visits from a Grandmaster etc. etc.! The children competed brilliantly and gave their very best, gaining a few well-earned wins and always modelling incredible sportsmanship, respect and resilience. A unique and memorable experience we hope they will treasure.

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 using the following Booking link.

Have your say on SEND in Hertfordshire – a message from the Hertfordshire SEND Partnership:

Hertfordshire’s SEND Summit is taking place this September, and we want to ensure that the voices of families are at the heart of it. Your experiences and ideas will help shape the event and our future SEND Strategy.

The survey includes questions about your experiences of SEND – both to highlight what is working and what requires further improvement, what you think should be discussed at the summit, and what changes would make the biggest difference to your family.

Please take a few minutes to complete this short survey and share your views.

Your feedback will help us improve support for children and young people with SEND across the county. Thank you for being part of this important conversation.”

Library News

Results of the Short Story Writing Competition

Well done to everyone who entered the writing competition. We received an excellent number of entries and we were very impressed with everyone’s imagination and creativity! All entries were marked anonymously.

Well done to the runners-up: 

• Rafael 7B
• Charlotte 8A

Congratulations to the winners: 

• Noah G 7N
• Megan  7M
• Charlie 5 Mallards
• Isla 7A

Author visit

The author, Stewart Foster, came to visit years 6, 7, 8 and 9 on Wednesday 2nd July and he spoke about his inspiration behind the stories in his books including some unexpected and rewarding friendships along the way.

Speakers’ Corner

Well done to Lorcan, Bowen, Rafael, Alex, Austin and Yuko for finishing off the term with your entertaining and informative Speakers’ Corner presentations on Dr Who, ducks, and Star Wars.

Foreign Language Friday Food Fiesta

For the last Foreign Language Friday of the year we held our celebratory food fiesta. Students had the opportunity to try different food from Italy, France, Spain, Germany and Japan and they ordered the food in the 5 different languages. Mrs Everett’s delicious homemade Italian pasta salad was a particular highlight!

Larch staffing changes

As we come to the end of a fantastic academic year, we would like to make you aware of some changes. Mrs Brewer will be leaving us to pursue an exciting new career, and Miss Ross is off to university in September – we thank them both for everything they have done and wish them the very best of luck in their new adventures. Looking ahead to September, we’re delighted that Miss Preshous will be joining our new Badgers class as a full-time Teaching Assistant. She has already spent time getting to know the children and will be a wonderful addition to the team. Miss Muir will also be joining us in the office and will be supporting in Rabbits class at times as well. Although Mr Leonard will no longer be part of our KS2 Explorers team, he will begin his teacher training to become a PE teacher right here at our school, and Mrs Pedder will also be starting her teacher training with us in September. We’re very excited to support them both as they begin their journeys into teaching.

Open morning

We are looking forward to holding our annual open day on Saturday 20th 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.

• Saturday 20th September 0830-1230: All-through Open Morning 
• Wednesday 8th October 1730-1930 – Sixth Form Open Evening
• Wednesday 26th November 0900-1015- Primary Open Morning

Summer Holiday Workshops at the Herts Haven Cafe

Dates for your diary

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

• Sat 12th July: Slice of Summer
• Tues 15th July: House reward trip
• Wed 16th July: Y7 PRE and Y12 Parliament trips
• Thurs 17th July: Music tour departs
• Fri 18th July: last day of term (early finish – 1210)
• Thurs 14th Aug: KS5 results day
• Thurs 21st Aug: KS4 results day
• Tues 2nd Sep: First day for reception (half day), Y7 and Y12 (new applicants). Academic review day for Y13
• Wed 27th – Fri 29th Aug: Summer school
• Wed 3rd Sep: All years in school. Individual photos for Y7, 9, 11 and new Y12
• Thurs 4th Sep: group photos for Y7, 11 and 13
• Fri 5th Sep: individual photos for Larch
• Wed 10th Sep: Y12 expectations evening
• Wed 10th – Fri 12th Sep: Y5 trip
• Sat 20th Sep 0830-1230: All-through Open Morning

Wishing you all the best for the summer holidays

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

Friday 20th June

Co-headteachers’ welcome

In a world where uncertainty and challenge seem ever-present, from global instability to the rising cost of living here at home, it is more important than ever to hold fast to the values that guide us. At our school, we remain deeply committed to building a community rooted in kindness, respect, wisdom, and above all, hope. These values are not only spoken but lived each day through the way we support one another, challenge ourselves, and strive for excellence. They form the heart of our work as we continue to educate the whole student, nurturing character, ambition, and resilience alongside academic achievement.This means not only striving for academic excellence but also equipping our young people with the character, resilience and employability skills they need to thrive in an ever-changing world. Enrichment plays a key part in this, and we are proud of the many opportunities we offer to develop students beyond the classroom.

In the coming weeks, students will be engaged in a wide variety of experiences that reflect this ethos. Our Duke of Edinburgh Silver expedition sets off on 30th June, with the Bronze award group following on 11th July, both offering young people the chance to build independence, teamwork and determination in a truly memorable way. There really is something for everyone: from our vibrant Art Exhibition to a competitive chess competition in the Larch, and a musical treat for Year 5 who attended a concert at the Barbican. Year 2 are enjoying a cultural adventure of their own with a trip to Windsor Castle, while our athletes are preparing for the district finals – the Larch competing on 26th June and our secondary phase following on 27th. What a fantastic and varied run-in to the end of term we have in store!

As mentioned in our last newsletter, our transition programme is now in full swing, and we are proud of the thoughtful, inclusive approach we take to welcoming new students and families into our community. In early years, nursery visits and one-to-one meetings with parents are already underway. These meetings are a vital part of our transition process, they allow us to begin building strong, trusting relationships with families from the very start and to ensure we understand each child’s individual needs and strengths. It also gives us the opportunity to share our high expectations and the nurturing support we offer, helping every child feel confident, secure and excited about starting their learning journey with us.

For our incoming Year 7s, preparations have been extensive and purposeful. We have already visited all of our feeder primary schools, provided tailored group tours, and hosted a SEND parent coffee morning, all designed to support both students and families through this important step. On 2nd July, we are delighted to be welcoming our new Year 7 parents into school for an evening of information and connection. While these transition activities take considerable time and coordination, the long-term value is immeasurable: students arrive in September already feeling part of the school, ready to engage and succeed from day one. It’s all part of our commitment to ensuring that every student feels known, supported, and set up to thrive.

We have also launched our Year 12 transition programme, beginning with a dynamic taster day for our future sixth formers. Students had the opportunity to sample A Level and BTEC lessons in their chosen subjects, meet their new teachers, and hear more about our outstanding enrichment programme. They also got a first look at our exciting plans to enhance the sixth form area, a space designed to balance focused study with opportunities to socialise, relax and collaborate. Our vision is clear: to create a sixth form experience where students are inspired to work hard, play hard, and leave us not only with excellent academic outcomes but also with the confidence, independence and ambition to take their next steps with pride.

And finally, please make sure our two much-loved community events are firmly in your diary. Saffron Sounds promises to be a truly uplifting celebration of our all-through musical talent, featuring performances from students across all phases as well as our exceptional adult choir, a showcase of creativity, collaboration and sheer talent. Hot on its heels is our Slice of Summer fête on the 12th July, a vibrant and joyful occasion that’s always superbly organised and warmly attended by families, friends and staff. Both events are a testament to the strength of our school community and a perfect way to mark the final stretch of what has been an inspiring and successful academic year.

Message to year 11 students

Dear Year 11 Students,

Congratulations on completing your GCSE exams!!!!! Wow, what a significant milestone you’ve reached! Over the past few months, I have watched you face the challenges of revision, the pressure of exams, and the determination to succeed with great pride. Your resilience and hard work have truly been inspiring. I couldn’t be more proud.

As you move on, I want to take a moment to say goodbye and to wish each of you the very best for your future. Whether you are continuing your education at Simon Balle or somewhere new, starting an apprenticeship, or exploring new paths, remember that this is just the beginning of many exciting opportunities ahead.

Thank you for all the effort, energy, and positivity you have brought to Year 11. You have been a remarkable year group, and I am confident you will continue to achieve great things.

Be kind to yourselves and others and embrace whatever comes next with confidence.

Good luck and take care.

Miss Green, Head of Year 11

Year 5 Barbican Trip

On Thursday 19th June, Year 5 ventured into central London and attended a school’s concert presented by the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican Centre.  The concert taught the children about the genre of the concerto and how this was a musical conversation between a soloist and the orchestra.  The presenter explained this in detail, with many examples from the musicians and we also heard from an amazing young pianist who performed as soloist.

The children had learned two participation songs in preparation and it was incredible to see them all singing in full voice along with a professional orchestra.  Other than the fact that all trains back to Hertford East were cancelled upon our arrival at Liverpool Street Station(!), the day went smoothly and the children represented the school outstandingly throughout.

Online Safety

This week’s free #WakeUpWednesday guide explores the Nintendo Switch 2, covering how its new features – from GameChat to a plug-in camera – could affect children’s privacy, spending, and screen time: guide to nintendo-switch-2

Y4 Hokusai mixed media Art workshop

The art and Design Team had a great time teaching year 4 monoprinting inspired by Hokusai ‘The Great wave’   . We created some beautiful monoprints which will then be added to a cardboard relief sculpture.  These will be on display at the Art and Design exhibition at the slice of summer.

Library News

Author visit

The author John Patrick Green came to visit years 2, 3, 4 and 5 on Friday 20th June and he spoke about his inspirational journey to becoming a graphic novel writer which started when he was in school, age 9. He then gave a master class on how to draw cartoons including his very own alligator characters from his InvestiGators series. 

Before his talk, John Patrick Green met Ollie, year 8, and presented him with a trophy to congratulate him for his winning an author visit to the school when he entered the book review writing competition last year.

Thank you to the Book Nook bookshop in Ware for helping to make John’s visit happen.

Year 6 visit to the secondary school library

Year 6 students have recently visited the secondary school library to learn about all the library clubs and activities they can get involved in and all the ways in which they can get rewarded for reading when they start secondary school in September. Well done to Samuel and Banu in year 8 and Lorcan and Alex in year 7 for your excellent presentations to the year 6 classes!

Speakers’ Corner

We have already had many fantastic Speakers’ Corner presentations this term and we have more lined up before the end of term. Well done to Henry, Vivienne, Alice, Kieran, Eva, Nadia, Jake and Lorcan for your engaging presentations.

Thank you also to Mr Poley who did a really informative presentation on the Cold War and the race to the moon.

Speakers’ Corner takes place in the secondary library at lunchtime on Thursdays. If you would like to do a Speakers’ Corner next term, please speak to Miss Iles.

Y5 Victoria Villasana Art Textiles workshop

Year 5 had great fun during an Art Textiles workshop this week. We started off with a photo shoot and then used the photos to heat transfer our head shots onto bags. Mrs Fish taught us different embroidery techniques, and we used Victoria Villasana as inspiration to embroider into the images on our bags.

Please click here for our latest Career Opportunity blog

A FANTASTIC SIXTH FORM INDUCTION DAY!

It was wonderful to see so many students ready to embrace the challenges ahead, eager to get involved in the wide range of opportunities on offer and committed to growing into the next stage of their academic journey.

Throughout the day, students explored the ethos and culture of Simon Balle Sixth Form, attended taster lessons in their chosen subjects, and spent time in our dedicated Sixth Form Learning Centre with current students, who provided tours and answered questions.

After break, teamwork challenges set by the Sixth Form team brought students together, and it was inspiring to see how quickly those from different schools felt welcomed by our community and threw themselves into the enrichment activities.

We can’t wait to celebrate your success on GCSE Results Day in August. Thank you for your enthusiasm, energy and brilliance today – we’re excited to work with you all in September.

Y3 Egyptian Day

Year 3 had a fantastic time during our Egyptian Day, diving into the wonders of Ancient Egypt with a range of hands-on activities. Thank you to Lisa from History Off The Page for making the day so memorable. Pupils made their own perfume and designed beautiful cartouches as well as many other practical tasks. A huge thank you to our amazing parent helpers and all of the Year 3 families for the children’s amazing costumes. In the afternoon, the children showcased their acting talents by performing Egyptian myths, including the story of Isis and Osiris and the thrilling tale of the wax crocodile. A truly unforgettable day of history, creativity and fun!

Donations wanted

If your child (Y11 or Y13) has come to the end of their exams, please could we ask that if they have any revision guides for any of their subjects that they no longer need, that they please bring them into school. There is a box in The Elm reception area  for them to put any revision guides they wish to donate.  Later we will offer these to current students to help them prepare for their exams next year.  We have found in the past that students really appreciate this support. 

We are also looking for any old items of primary or secondary school uniform that can be reused by other families. This can also be left at the Elm reception area.

SEND

If you would like to speak to a member of the SEND team, please schedule a virtual appointment of up to 15 minutes by using the following link: Virtual SEND Team Appointments.

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust Newsletters

Please find attached the Summer Term newsletters from the school nursing team:

Newsletter Primary 2025 29.05.25 SUMMER

Newsletter 2025 Teen 29.05.25 SUMMER

Supporting Links – Parent & Carer support

This term we have held two face to face workshops for our parents and carers, which have been well attended and appreciated. A huge thank you to supporting links for the fantastic delivery and for the engagement of our parents and carers. Please can I remind you that if you book on these sessions, it is so important you attend or give notice if you are unable too. We had long waiting lists for both sessions and a number of parents / carers did not attend or cancelled last minute. We will look to put on more sessions in the next academic year but in the meantime please see attached the workshops that are on offer online in the Autumn term. 

Thanks 

Mr Pooley

Supporting Links Course Brochure Autumn 25

Y3 Gaudi mosaic workshop

We are looking forward to working with year 3 next week on the final part of their Gaudi workshop. Following on from their stained glass resin windows we will be adding to our Gaudi garden. This is currently an uninviting space within the Creative Arts area that could be used as a learning environment. We would like this area to become a wash of glass mosaics that will stand a lifetime of learning alongside natural forms of plants and shrubs that our students can use for observational drawing and photography. 

If you would like to support this project or have connections with garden design, planting or artificial grass we would welcome your support.  If you would like to make a small donation towards the long standing Gaudi garden please donate here https://www.goodhub.com/go/simon-balle-art-development

Art and Design Exhibition

We are always in awe of the incredible talent our students show throughout the year in our all- through school. To celebrate all our students’ achievements we will be hosting our summer exhibition again this year and we welcome you to visit on the 12th July 12-4 alongside the Slice of Summer. Students will also have the opportunity to visit the exhibition on Monday 14th July during the school day.

Travel to school

We have updated the Travel Plan section of our website to include information relating to public transport. There are links to local transport operators and information about cost-effective tickets that you can purchase. Please see also this information from Arriva: Direct Debit Student poster

Parent Staff Association

Experience Fleetwood Mac by Candlelight!

Join us for a magical evening with Lumos Live and enjoy a Fleetwood Mac candlelight concert at the beautiful All Saints Church, Hertford on Saturday 28th June. Choose from two performance times: 7–8pm or 9–10pm.

By purchasing your tickets through our affiliate link, you’ll be supporting fundraising for the PSA, at no extra cost to you!

Get your tickets here.

Don’t miss this unforgettable night of music and atmosphere!

Larch Frozen Friday

The summer term welcomes the return of Frozen Fridays. After school each Friday, kind volunteers set up a pop up ice cream shop in the Larch playground.  All items are £1. This year, proceeds will go towards supporting the Larch Computing fundraising initiative.  Please support Frozen Fridays if you can, by purchasing an ice cream or filing a volunteer slot. https://volunteersignup.org/WT7KY

Here’s the list of dates and which year group will be running each sale:

• 27th June – Year 3. (Full)
• 4th July – Year 2. (Full)
• 11th July – Year 1. (Full)
• 17th July – (Thursday) Reception. 1 volunteer needed.

Thank you so much for your support — we can’t wait for a summer of Frozen Fridays!

Slice of Summer – Saturday 12th July, 12-4pm – Volunteers Needed!

We have filled 71 of 174 volunteer slots and need your help to fill more!

We’re looking for enthusiastic helpers from both phases of the school to support the Slice of Summer on Saturday 12th July (12–4pm). Whether you can spare an hour or more, we’d love your help running stalls, setting up, clearing away, or simply keeping the fun flowing. No experience needed, just a willingness to get involved and be part of our fantastic day.

To help with planning, choirs and dance groups from both phases will be performing at 1.15pm and 2.15pm.

Thank you for your support. volunteersignup.org/EQRA7

Inflatables offer

This year, we are offering £10 wristbands that give the user unlimited use of the inflatables during the Slice of Summer.  We have a limited number of wristbands available.  To purchase, or find out more, please visit the PSA website.

Dates for your diary

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

• Mon 23rd June: Sixth form induction day
• Mon 23rd June: Y12 History trip to Berlin
• Fri 27th June: District Athletics
• Fri 27th June: Foreign Language Friday Food Fiesta
• Wed 2nd July:  Author visit with Stewart Foster in the secondary library
• Sun 6th July: Saffron Hall
• Fri 11th July: Larch Summer Accessory Day
• Sat 12th July: Slice of Summer

Wishing you all the best for the week ahead

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