Friday 2nd May

Co-headteachers’ welcome

Welcome back to the summer term at Simon Balle All-Through School. We hope you all had a restful, sunny and enjoyable break. Whether your child is continuing their journey with us in Reception, preparing for their final steps in Sixth Form, or any year in between, we are excited to begin this new term together. As ever, a new term brings fresh opportunities, renewed energy, and the chance to continue building on the brilliant progress we’ve made so far this year, academically and holistically. And what a first fortnight we have had!

The Elm Sports Centre at Simon Balle All-through School 

We are thrilled to announce the official opening of our brand-new sports hall—a milestone that has been decades in the making! This incredible facility reflects the ambition, patience, and dedication of our entire school community. 

At our official opening ceremony for Simon Balle on Wednesday, we extended heartfelt thanks to everyone involved: from the leadership of our CFO Haydn Walsh to our site and finance teams, our Edutech and marketing staff, our professional partners – architects and builders – and of course our dedicated staff and wonderful students. More than just a building, this space represents our belief in young people and our commitment to investing in their future: here, we are truly creating tomorrow’s citizens today. 

Our ribbon-cutting ceremony was both moving and motivating as excited students gathered both outside our new building and in classrooms across the all-through school – with a live-stream ensuring that 1600 students and 200 staff could take part. The atmosphere was magical as everyone joined, both for the speeches and for the symbolic moment of the opening itself. As students saw the sports hall itself for the very first time, staff were struck by their incredible awe and wonder. 

At the time of writing we cannot wait to share this space with you all – parents/carers, interested hirers, people of Hertford and more – at our community open evening. Exciting times ahead for certain! 

Please do keep an eye our social media channels for updates and information a-plenty, as well the dedicated pages on our Simon Balle website. 

However, for now, we’d like to leave you with a summary of speeches made in our opening ceremony by our wonderful PE leaders, Miss Newman and Mrs Riddle, who, together with their teams, have such an inspirational vision for the Elm Sports Centre and our students across the all-through at Simon Balle. 

Speaking as Head of PE- this space is more than just a new building. This is an exciting opportunity to enhance the school’s PE curriculum, develop our extra-curricular provision, raise the standard of sports at Simon Balle as well as providing the opportunity for student personal growth. The Elm Sports Centre will be a place where students will try new sports, build confidence, and maybe discover a talent or passion they didn’t even know they had. Whether it’s handball, badminton, basketball, or something completely new – this sports hall opens up so many more opportunities for everyone. We want all our students to enjoy being active, to challenge themselves, and to have fun doing it. We also want to raise the profile of sport – to push performance, build strong teams and individuals, and show the district, county and national leagues what Simon Balle can do in sport. My vision is that sport and physical activity will be the heartbeat of Simon Balle. From lessons to clubs to fixtures, this sports hall will be buzzing with energy, ambition, and team spirit. I can not wait to see what we can achieve. 

This space is for all of you, whether you’re here to try something new, make new friends, or simply enjoy moving your body. We’ve designed it to be a place where everyone feels included, where every child can thrive no matter their ability or background. Sport teaches us so many important lessons, teamwork, perseverance, and the joy of achieving something together. We hope that this sports hall will inspire you to keep pushing your limits, supporting each other, and having fun. In the Larch we also believe the Elm Sports Centre will be a place for inspiration. Perhaps one day, a future Olympian will say it all began right here in our sports hall. Or maybe, more quietly, but just as powerfully, one of you will discover the joy of being part of a team, the thrill of doing something you never thought you could do, or the quiet pride in setting a goal and reaching it. Let’s celebrate this wonderful new chapter, and remember, this is your space. Make it your own and enjoy every moment!

A spotlight on learning

It seems important to begin any new term with a simple focus on the joy of learning in the classroom. After all, it is this way that our 1600 students spend 5 hours a day, 25 hours a week. It is always hard as a parent/carer to imagine just how this looks, so we will try to provide a window into just a few examples here … 

• Reception are enjoying their important outdoor learning in this wonderful weather. At the time of my visit, the trim trail was providing the perfect vehicle for children to practise and perfect their gross motor skills – from balancing to strengthening their core muscles on the monkey bars. We know that refined gross motor skills lead to controlled fine motor skills so all of this feeds into writing and drawing back in the classroom, as well as the great fun being had!
• In Year 2, the quality of art work, with a focus on Henri Rousseau’s tiger, is off the scale! With no two pieces the same, creativity and expression in abundance and developed skills shown in sketching and work with colour, Year 2 are rightly proud of their outcomes. 
• Year 4 are rapidly approaching their statutory multiplication tables check. When I visited the ethos of high expectations and pride from the students was tangible. The data will, we have no doubt, speak for itself as each child’s progress is just so evident. Talking to our mathematics colleagues across the all-through, there is no underestimating the importance of rapid recall for number facts – our students are building a firm foundation from which they can spring forward. Thank you for your continued parental support, not just in Year 4 but in year groups across the Larch, with TTRS, numbots, arithmetic practice and more!
• Whilst Year 6 are, of course, very busy preparing for their important SATs, at the time of my visit I was greeted with energy and enthusiasm for their computing curriculum where they are currently learning how to code using micro:bits. The students’ technical proficiency is impressive, and we are delighted that the breadth and enjoyment of our curriculum continues – it is, quite deliberately, never narrowed. 
• I visited Year 8 lessons, ready with my ‘good news’ notes to celebrate both dedication to revision – including within PRE for their Hinduism Dharma unit – and ongoing ambition in reading within Accelerated Reader. I was struck by the way that all students were taking such responsibility for their learning, developing metacognitive skills and using time effectively and productively.
• It is always a privilege to visit students of all ages within lessons within our art rotation. Whether in textiles, photography, art or Design Technology, what is striking is the calm ethos where each individual is pleased to share their learning journey. During this visit, a number of Year 12 students took their time to take me through their thinking, explaining their vision and plans for current projects with excitement. I am always in awe of their creativity and dedication. 
• And finally, Year 11 are, of course, at the beginning of their important public exams. When I visited them in science, they were having great fun with bingo – recalling important vocabulary linked to electrical circuits, checking on definitions, showing discipline in their studies yet in an active and engaging way. We wish all of our students the very best as they navigate this exam season – we continue to be here to support them all, every step of the way.

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

The Hertfordshire SEND Local Offer provides information about services and support that are available within Hertfordshire.

Simon Balle’s Got Talent 2025

Over 40 students from the Secondary phase took part in our second ever talent show. We had the pleasure of seeing dance, drama, different musical acts and comedy. It was a pleasure and a joy to see students stepping out of their comfort zones and performing. It took much deliberation from our judges to decide on who would win!

• 1st place – The Y9 singing trio – Orla, Erin and Lola
• 2nd place – Y12 rock band – Lucy, Luca, Ben, Lewis and Merry
• 3rd place – Y10 drama – Martina, Sylvie, Elizabeth and Aidan
• Prize for courage and originality – Kieran (Y9, comedy) and Lottie (Y9 singer/pianist)
• Audience vote – Y9 rock band ‘The Fishmongers’ – Jude, Alfie, Tymon, Josh and Lachlan

Congratulations to all of the winners and for all of the entrants!

Please click here for our latest Careers Opportunities blog

Science

The Science department is pleased to announce that Bors from Y11 has been selected as a finalist in the prestigious Big Bang Competition for his exceptional project on Bloom AI. We are extremely proud of his achievement and we wish him every success in the upcoming finals.

Walk to School Week 19th – 23rd May 2025

We are excited to be taking part in Walk to School Week this May.

We all know the health benefits of walking so please help us this week to reduce congestion by supporting children in being more active and help reduce lower carbon emissions during this Walk to School Week.

We would like to encourage all our pupils to try and walk, cycle or scoot to school during this week. If it’s not possible to walk all the way, then it would be great if you could park 10 minutes away from school and walk or scoot the last part of your journey.

Each class will have a poster of featuring a map of Hertfordshire and aim take a‘virtual’ walk around Hertfordshire. Every time a pupil travels sustainably, adot can be coloured in.

Following on from Walk to School Week, we will be supporting Clean Air Day on Thursday 19th June 2025, more information closer to the date.

This #WakeUpWednesday safety-on-the-road guide contains some excellent advice and reminders for students, and is particularly relevant to the those younger ones getting to ready to start walking on their own.

Car Park and entrance to the school

With the work on the sports hall and car park now complete, we will be reinstating the barriers at the entrance to the school site. As with the majority of schools in the country, we have restricted vehicle access to our car park in order to keep students safe.

The barriers will close at 0810 and remain closed until 1545. Parents are welcome to drive through and drop students before 0810, but please remember that this is on a no-waiting basis. Between 0810 and 1545 only those with special access passes will be permitted to enter the car park.

Unless a special access pass has been granted, students should not be driven to or from the school site. To avoid accidents, congestion and inconvenience to our neighbours, we ask that parents do not drop students outside the gates, on Mangrove Road itself or in neighbouring streets. The Old London Road car park beside the fire station is an 11 minute walk and is a far more appropriate location for dropping and collecting.

If you are visiting the school for any reason, please note that the secondary reception is moving to the sports hall.

Parent Staff Association

Larch Frozen Friday

We’re excited to announce that Frozen Fridays will be returning to Larch soon. To make sure the sales can go ahead each week, we’ll need 4 volunteers each Friday.  While the sale is open to all of Larch, we kindly ask that families help out when it’s their year group’s turn to run the sale. Of course, if you’re happy to volunteer for other year groups as well, that would be wonderful too!  Here’s the list of dates and which year group will be running each sale:

https://volunteersignup.org/WT7KY

• 6th June – Year 6
• 13th June – Year 5
• 20th June – Year 4
• 27th June – Year 3
• 4th July – Year 2
• 11th July – Year 1
• 18th July – Reception @ 12pm, last day of school year

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!

Calling all Larch families. We need just 4 volunteers per year group to run games this year. Can you help? Our VolunteerSignUp link is now open!

• Reception Game, Hook-a-duck – (FULL)
• Year 1 Game, Captain Hook’s Rings – (1 of 3 filled)
• Year 2 Game, Buried Treasure – (2 of 3 filled)
• Year 3 Game, Teddy Tombola – (FULL)
• Year 4 Game, Splat-the-rat – (1 of 4 filled)
• Year 5 Game, Human Fruit Machine (1 of 4 filled)
• Year 6 Game, Nerf Fruit Splat (0 of 4 filled)

Secondary families, we need you too! Can you help run the bar, candy floss, admissions desk?

Secondary students, can you help to serve ice cream or run the Boba Bar or inflatable archery?

Sign up to a volunteer slot BEFORE Friday 2nd May to benefit from FREE entry and FREE tokens to redeem anywhere at the fair, on PSA operated areas. 1 token per volunteer, per slot.

This offer is open to all staff, parents, carers and students of the all-through community.

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 5th May: Bank Holiday
• Tues 6th May: Y8 assessments start
• Wed 7th May: Public exams start
• Mon 19th May: Walk to School Week
• Mon 2nd June: Y5 BMX day
• Thurs 5th June: Reception trip to Hertfordshire Zoo

Wishing you all the best for the week ahead

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

Friday 4th April

Co-headteachers’ welcome

As we reach the end of the spring term, the sunshine and warmer days are a welcome sign of the season ahead. It has been a dynamic and enriching term across our all-through school, filled with learning, adventure, and memorable experiences. From the excitement of the Year 5/6 sports hall finals to the incredible talent on display at Big Band Evening, from UCAS Evening in Year 12 to Year 3’s hands-on visit to Pizza Express, and from intense chess tournaments to the GCSE geography field trip to Walton-on-the-Naze, there has been no shortage of opportunities for our students to shine. Alongside these, a multitude of consultation evenings have provided invaluable moments for reflection and growth. It has truly been a term to celebrate and enjoy!

Among the many highlights, I was fortunate to attend the Model United Nations at Haileybury College, where our Sixth Form students showcased their diplomacy, critical thinking and public speaking skills on a global stage. In international politics, the ability to listen, compromise, and show compassion is essential for fostering meaningful dialogue and resolving global challenges, skills our students demonstrated with confidence and maturity. Engaging in thoughtful debates on pressing global issues, they impressed with their ability to collaborate, negotiate, and present well-reasoned arguments. This prestigious event allowed them to challenge themselves, broaden their perspectives, and gain invaluable experience in leadership and diplomacy. We are immensely proud of their enthusiasm, commitment, and the confidence they displayed in representing our school. Well done to all involved!

At school level, our Year 12 students took part in the selection process for our school presidents, demonstrating their leadership qualities in an inspiring and thoughtful way. As part of this, they were asked to present an object that represented the values and ethos of our school. Their choices were both creative and deeply symbolic, ranging from a bouquet, a controller to a friendship bracelet, a printer, and even a jigsaw piece, each carrying a meaningful message. This was followed by interviews, where their confidence, depth of insight, and leadership skills truly shone, a proud moment for all involved.

As we look ahead, our Year 6, Year 11, and Year 13 students are preparing for their public exams, an important milestone in their academic journey. These assessments are not just a measure of knowledge but also a test of independence, motivation, and self-discipline. While our staff provide expert guidance, challenge, and support, success ultimately rests in each student’s hands. Their dedication, responsibility, and willingness to engage in revision sessions and independent study will be key. With families playing a vital role in creating a supportive environment, this is a time for students to take ownership of their future, drawing on the resilience and wisdom they have developed throughout their school years.

Finally, we want to take a moment to thank our students, staff, and families for their dedication and hard work throughout this busy and rewarding term. The energy, enthusiasm, and commitment shown across all year groups have been truly inspiring, and it has been wonderful to see our school community thrive in so many different areas. As well as this, excitement builds for the summer term, which promises new opportunities and experiences, and perhaps most significantly, the grand opening of our state-of-the-art, multi-million pound sports centre. If you’re intending to join us for the community event (4-6pm, Thursday 1st May), please let us know by completing this short Google Form. You can support our ongoing  fundraising by participating in the Buy a Brick campaign, or by contributing to our charity giving page.

We hope that the upcoming break provides everyone with a well-deserved opportunity to rest, recharge, and spend time with loved ones. Whether revising for exams, pursuing personal interests, or simply enjoying the longer days, we encourage all our students to find a balance between productivity and relaxation. Wishing you all a happy, restful, and enjoyable Easter break!

Changes to the front of the school, and a reminder about punctuality

As we near the completion of the building work on the sports centre we wanted to highlight some important information relating to both the opening of the building, and some changes that will occur as a result.

• The main school reception will be moving to the sports centre. Visitors to the site will enter here, rather than buzzing in at the canteen gate and walking through the playground.
• The car park barriers will be back in action: they will close at 0810 and open again at 1545. After 0810 students should be dropped elsewhere and should walk up to the school.
• The road by the swimming pool will continue to be a one-way route from the car park to the staff-only car park and back out onto Mangrove Road
• Students must be on site by 0835. At this time the pedestrian gates and the rear gates will be locked. Students arriving after 0835 must enter through the new reception area, where they will be recorded as arriving late
• If a student is late through no fault of their own their parent/carer should email the office to absolve them of responsibility

Y10 Geography field trip

The sun was shining, the ranging poles and clipboards were packed, ready for the annual GCSE Geography field trip to Walton-on-the-Naze! Last week, 90 GCSE geography students completed their compulsory fieldwork which they will be examined on in their final summer exams. The students completed coastal fieldwork techniques such as beach profiles, groyne surveys and field sketches to assess whether or not the coastal management is successful in preventing coastal erosion. After being refuelled by lunch, the geographers embarked on their urban fieldwork looking at how the quality of life varies around Walton-on-the-Naze. The students completed a traffic count and an environmental quality survey at 10 different sites so that they can compare their results back at school. All the students worked incredibly hard, speaking like geographers and demonstrating geography in action!

Football

This year has been an outstanding one for football across all year groups, with every team showing great commitment, teamwork, and sportsmanship throughout the season. We’re incredibly proud of the progress and achievements made across the board – well done to all players and coaches involved!

Special Congratulations to the Year 5/6, Year 8 and Year 11!

Our Year 5/6 team has done incredibly well to reach the Hope Cup Final – a fantastic achievement that reflects their hard work and passion for the game. We can’t wait to see them in action!

• Thursday 24th April with a 4pm kick of time at Richard Hale

A big well done to our Year 8 team who have made it all the way to the County Plate Final! The details are as follows:

• Thursday 24th April at 5:15pm, with the match taking place at Harvesters FC.

Not to be outdone, our Year 11 team has had an exceptional season, reaching two finals:

• District Cup Final on Tuesday 29th April at 3:00pm at Hertford Town FC
• County Plate Final on Wednesday 7th May kicking off at 7:30pm at Harpenden Town FC

Please come and support the teams if you can.

Music News!

Enjoy our latest news here from Incredible exam results, to videos of amazing events and much more!

Pizza Express trip

On Thursday, Robins class had an exciting visit to the Pizza Express kitchens. During this immersive learning opportunity, they explored the fundamental ingredients used in pizza making before getting hands-on with crafting their own pizzas.

A very big thank you to the Pizza Express Hertford team for providing such a wonderful experience, it was certainly a day to remember for Robins!

Model United Nations

Last week, twenty three Simon Balle students attended the Haileybury Model United Nations conference.  Below is Kayla’s account of the conference:

This weekend, I had the incredible opportunity to attend one of the largest Model United Nations conferences in the country, with about 900 participants.

I was assigned to represent the Maldives in the Human Rights II Committee. Each committee had a set of topics to research in depth and I chose to research freedom of speech in conflict zones.  After months of preparation and research, I developed a resolution proposing measures to protect journalists, artists, and scholars from targeted killings, which have increased in recent years. This process strengthened my ability to conduct independent research and draw well-supported conclusions.

The first day of MUN consisted of both informal and formal lobbying within our committees to gain signatories for our resolutions. This experience helped me develop negotiation skills, as I had to persuade delegates to support my resolution. On the second day, each delegation presented its policy statement, providing insight into their stance on the topics. We then moved into debating resolutions, where selected delegates presented their proposals. I delivered a two-minute speech in favor of a resolution, highlighting key areas that were well thought out and effectively addressed. This experience helped me develop my public speaking skills and boosted my confidence in articulating my thoughts and ideas.

Overall, this event was fantastic and I hope to participate in Haileybury MUN 2026.

Computing in the Larch

As the Larch has developed and grown, so has the Computing curriculum. We are lucky at Simon Balle to have access to a wide range of technology such as Chromebooks, iPads, and Beebots, kept up to date and in great condition with the support from our Edutech team. 

Through a range of activities, children develop their digital skills and understanding of technology,  exploring coding, programming and problem-solving in interactive ways. Alongside this, they take part in unplugged activities to deepen their understanding of key computing concepts without screens. They also learn about important topics such as how the school network works, all following the Teach Computing curriculum resources. These lessons help build confidence, creativity and critical thinking in the digital world. 

In addition to our Computing curriculum, the chromebooks are used widely throughout the Larch with children researching different topics, typing work in written lessons, practising their times tables on websites such as Times Tables Rockstar, filling in questionnaires or having a go at interactive quizzes. Every time they enter the digital world, we see them applying their Computing skills across the curriculum.

8R Visit to McMullen’s Brewery

On Thursday 27th March it was the turn for 8R to visit McMullen’s as part of our careers program. They were given a tour of the brewery from two of McMullen’s brewers who explained the brewing process as they went round. Starting with the dry area where the students could taste different malted barleys and smell the hops. They moved on to the laboratory and mill room where students learned more about the science that comes into brewing. In the ‘Brewhouse’ they saw the large stainless steel vessels used in the brewing, with explanations of the use of each and the effect on the flavours of the beer. The last stage is the area where the casks and kegs are returned, washed and filled for transportation to the McMullen Pubs.

The other half of the visit students have a presentation on the hospitality industry from the Training and Development Chefs. They learned about the vast range of opportunities in this sector and about some roles they may not have even thought about and how skills learned can be useful in life (such as cooking) as well as the portability of the skills to anywhere in the world. All the students were a credit to Simon Balle in their engagement and behaviour.

Blog

Please click here for our latest Careers Opportunities blog which has a range of opportunities for parents/carers Y11/12 and 13 students, including:

• Choices Magazine for Parents/ Carers of children who are wishing to pursue an apprenticeship
• Virtual work experience in law and accounting

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

The DSPL3 (Delivering Specialist Provision Locally) parent newsletter is attached here: DSPL3 Newsletter for Parents – Spring 2.pdf

Details of additional support for neurodiversity can be found on the Local Offer using the following link. Neurodiversity Support 

‘Introduction to the SEND Local Offer website’ – Local Authority webinar

The Local Offer website lets parents, young people and professionals know what special educational needs and disabilities services are available in Hertfordshire, and who can access them. There is so much more than that, too.

A friendly face from the Local Offer team will take you through what’s on the website and how you can use it to find the right services and support.

www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/localoffer

Tuesday 29 April 8pm – 9pm Register to join this webinar

TCS Mini Marathon

At the end of April Mr Joyce and Miss Davison will be taking on the iconic London Marathon. To celebrate and promote the marathon, TCS Mini Marathon in schools encourages thousands of children to run, jog, walk or wheel the 2 miles. We have signed up as a school and will be hosting our own mini marathon on Thursday 24th April across the All Through School.Year 8, 9 and 10 will be taking part outside of their normal PE lessons, therefore will need to attend school in their Simon Balle PE Kit. Year 5, 7 and 11 will be taking part during their PE lessons so will be expected to come into school in their school uniform and get changed into the Simon Balle PE kit during their PE lesson as normal. We would welcome your support with this by encouraging all students to take part with enthusiasm and excitement, it is a great opportunity to be active with friends and staff.

Y11 Drama GCSE Scripted Performance exam

The Year 11 Drama students did a fantastic job presenting their GCSE scripted exam performances on Tuesday 25th March. The visiting examiner and a 30 strong audience were treated to a mature, intense and powerful interpretation from the play “My Mother said I never should” as well as a comedic and ‘spiritual’ performance of Noel Coward’s “Blithe Spirit”.   A third performance of two contrasting extracts from Willy Russell’s “Blood brothers” encapsulated both a comedic, energetic and playful presentation of Mickey Johnstone and Edward Lyons age 7, followed by an intense confrontation 20 years later where the brothers’ connection comes to an abrupt end.

The students did so well and should be as proud of themselves as we are of them.

Miss Green & Mrs Rooke

Library News

National Reading Champions Quiz

On Monday 31st March, the following 8 students represented the school in the Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire regional heat of the National Reading Champions Quiz. They were competing against 18 other teams from schools across the county. They did a brilliant job and won the participation prize (a £25 book voucher to spend on books for the library). Well done team Simon Balle! 

• Zoe – year 9 
• Lucas – year 8 
• Isabella – year 8 
• Samuel – year 8 
• David – year 7 
• Alice – year 7 
• Dominic – year 6 
• Isabella – year 6

Rewards Trip

Well done to Dany, Aaron, Harrison, Santi, Noah, James, Archie, Renae, Seraphina, Alison, James, Toby, Oliver, James, Samuel and Connor who were selected to go to the Festival of Literature at Bishop’s Stortford College as a reward for their efforts with Accelerated Reader and Get Rewarded for Reading. On the trip we met the author Lucy Strange.

Simon Balle’s Got Talent 2025

We are pleased to inform you that tickets for Simon Balle’s Got Talent 2025 are now available for purchase on the parent portal. The show is on Monday 28th April between 6-8pm in the secondary hall. The tickets are £3, and all proceeds will be donated to the charity Herts Mind. Please come along and support our students who are performing! To purchase tickets, go to the parent portal, go to Make a Booking, then Music Events. Please select SBAS Talent Show. You will receive an email confirmation of your purchased tickets. Many thanks!

Parent Staff Association

My Nametags

Lost property is constantly being found from both phases of the school.  Items that are named are more likely to be returned to their owner. When you order name labels via My Nametags and enter our school ID (37273), My Nametags will pay the PSA commission.  This is a great way to minimise lost property while fundraising at the same time!

Spring Meeting – Tuesday 29th April, 7pm

Join us for our first meeting as a new committee. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.  Head to the secondary library for 7pm where we will be reviewing recent fundraisers and discussing upcoming events such as the Slice of Summer and exciting plans for the autumn term. We look forward to meeting you.  Register your attendance via this link: volunteersignup.org/WT7KY

Slice of Summer

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.

Volunteers

Calling all Larch families  we need just 4 volunteers per year group to run games this year. Can you help? Our VolunteerSignUp link is now open!

• Reception Game, Hook-a-duck
• Year 1 Game, Captain Hook’s Rings
• Year 2 Game, Buried Treasure
• Year 3 Game, Teddy Tombola (watch out for a donation request!)
• Year 4 Game, Splat-the-rat
• Year 5 Game, Human Fruit Machine
• Year 6 Game, Nerf Fruit Splat

Secondary students, can you help to serve ice cream or run the Boba Bar or inflatable archery?

Secondary families, we need you too! Can you help run the bar, candy floss, bottle tombola or admissions desk?

Sign up to a volunteer slot BEFORE Friday 2nd May to benefit from FREE entry and FREE tokens to redeem anywhere at the fair, on PSA operated areas. 1 token per volunteer, per slot.

This offer is open to all staff, parents, carers and students of the all-through community. Housepoints will be rewarded for sign ups and completion of your volunteering slot.

Raffle

We are still looking for raffle prize donations.  Can you help?  Have you a star prize ready to donate? Last year, our star prize was a Whitstable Holiday Home stay!

If you have any unwanted gifts or new items that you would be happy to donate, we would be incredibly grateful. Or, if you run a business and would like to contribute a product or service, we would love to showcase your generosity!

Every donation helps us raise valuable funds for the school, and we truly appreciate your support.

We are aiming to open our Summer Raffle ticket sales via our website after the Easter break.

psa@simonballepsa.org.uk

Stallholders

If you are interested in taking a pitch at this year’s summer fair, please register on our Stallholder Register and we will be in touch if you can offer something that we do not already have.

All Saints Church Easter Trail

Restaurants, Pubs and Cafes where kids can eat free during the various UK 2025 school holidays.

Legends Tennis offer

https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/LegendsTennisCentre/Coaching/Book/0fd82ff4-8575-4458-8f0d-1ced8b6a48bf

Dates for your diary

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

• Tues 22nd April: INSET day (no students on site)
• Wed 23rd Apr: Summer term starts
• Thurs 24th Apr: Mini Marathon
• Mon 28th Apr: SBAS talent show
• Mon 28th Apr: Y7 assessments start
• Thurs 1st May: Elm Sport Centre community event, 4-6pm
• Tues 6th May: Y8 assessments start
• Wed 7th May: Public exams start

Wishing you all the best for the week ahead

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

Friday 21st March

Co-headteachers’ welcome

It has, quite simply, been a magnificent and magical March to date! Whilst our classrooms from Reception to Year 13 remain a-buzz with the joy of learning across our broad and ambitious curriculum, it is our privilege and pleasure to be writing to you in this newsletter with a spotlight on three subjects: science, music and PE. Please do look forward to future newsletters placing a similar spotlight on other areas – we have so much that we are proud to share with you all. 

Last week was British Science Week, and, at Simon Balle All-through School, it was a week full of enrichment and experiences to remember. Whether your passion is chemistry, biology or physics, or all three, there was so much to engage our budding scientists. To give just a flavour, the explosive nature of ‘Fizz Whizz Bang’ inspired all; rat dissections were both informative and intriguing for many; the Great Science Bake off added a fantastic twist to enrich student experiences; and Bernoulli’s principle was simply off the scale (you will have to ask the students and/or google for yourself!). Quizzes and species hunts, amidst the usual busy and thriving science department lessons, made this a week to remember. Particular thanks are offered to our science ambassadors in the sixth form: they had a starring role in generating engagement and interest across Simon Balle, including excellent work supporting Year 6-8 enrichment after school on Wednesday. How fortunate we are to be a part of an all-through school where STEM is prioritised, where academic achievements in science are simply outstanding, and where enrichment in weeks like this ensure that science is fun, relevant and meaningful for every student. Thank you team science!

It is tricky to do justice in words to the exceptional opportunities and experiences in Team Music this fortnight (and always). Their musical newsletter is linked below and we encourage you to visit this for not only more information, but also recordings, videos, sound-bites, photographs and a great window into music at Simon Balle All-through School. We are so proud of our musical community which is thriving, inclusive and always innovative. An incredible ⅓ of our whole school are learning an instrument; statistics like this exceed the national comparison by an unbelievable margin. Recent highlights include our Larch celebration concert on Wednesday with 130 Larch musicians involved. 130! We are so appreciative of parental support which leads to committed musicians (from strings to wind/brass to large choirs of every age) so clearly enjoying music-making at such a high standard. We must never take this for granted! Our unique all-through school of course leads to experiences and concerts a-plenty where young look up to older peers. Many, many students and their families will attest to the joy of the concert in school last Saturday. Inspired by a disco prom at the Royal Albert Hall last summer (yes, you read that right!), team music reached standards arguably higher than ever before! A transformation of the secondary hall with professional lighting and disco balls inspired musicians to perform a concert off the scale from ambition, vision and collaboration – strings, singing, rhythm section and wind/brass. At Simon Balle, Mr Taylor and his team are always seeking new ideas and new ways to inspire – we are so appreciative and know that this is just so unique! We are looking forward next to the Celebration of Wind and Brass – entitled ‘Postcards – Travels from across the world’, and we wish good luck to the 56 musicians who have a music exam in 2 weeks time. All of the above is achieved through commitment – staff, young people, and you all as their families – please keep ‘nagging’ for practice as, with this, great things happen here, every day.

You will not have missed the excitement building as our sports hall nears completion. The Elm Sports Centre at Simon Balle All-through School will open very soon, and the state of the art facilities will benefit every one of our young people from Reception – Year 13. Please look out for communication related to the experiences on offer as we launch and build. In the meantime, PE at Simon Balle All-through School is alive and thriving! We cannot do justice to the breadth of sports nor student achievements in just a summary here but daily opportunities are leading to students representing Simon Balle with pride, demonstrating our values, and showcasing advanced sports skills. Just a flavour includes Year 7 district netball success; Year 11 footballers securing a spot in the district finals; Year 8 through to the semi-final football county plate and netballers winning in their district netball tournament; Years 5/6 footballers on Wednesday went through to the final of the Hope Cup for the third year in a row whilst simultaneously the Year 7 team were victorious in their semis heading into the final too; and amongst this all we have had Years 3 – 6 athletes at district athletics, preparing for Larch cross country, and all following incredible secondary trips out following the Years 8 and 9 sports tour in Spain and the ski trip at half term! Wow!

Exciting Learning Across the Larch!

Our students have been engaged in fantastic learning experiences this term! Year 6 has been working hard on their mock SATs, putting their knowledge to the test, while Year 5 has continued their inspiring careers talks, welcoming parents from our community to share their experiences. Year 4 has been learning about apartheid with guest speakers, linked to Journey to Jo’burg, and aiming high for a perfect 25/25 in their times tables. Year 3 has been busy with food technology at Pizza Express and honing their journalism skills by reporting on The Iron Man, who has been spotted munching on the village’s cars! Year 2 is focused on improving their reading, eager to explore new texts, and Year 1 has been out and about searching for signs of spring as part of their science lessons—enjoying welly walks in the sunshine. Meanwhile, Reception has been getting creative, exploring How to Catch a Star and coming up with their own beautifully illustrated “how-to” books. So much to celebrate!

On the pastoral side, we’re excited to introduce new Drawing and Talking Therapy sessions, helping students explore and understand their emotions in a supportive setting.

And finally, our dedicated staff have also been working hard on progress reports, ready to celebrate the fantastic achievements of our students with parents as we wrap up the Spring term!

Thank you Simon Balle. To students, families, staff, and governors/trustees, we are proud to lead this exceptionally positive school with an environment and ethos where a sense of belonging is shown above and whereby great things happen each and every day. 

Music

We are delighted to share our Music Newsletter with you, featuring Big Band Evening, incredible exam results & much much more! 

Please click Team Music to read!

Year 8 MFL Trip to Málaga and Granada

Our Year 8 students had an unforgettable time on their trip to Málaga and Granada, where they immersed themselves in Spanish language and culture. Highlights of the visit included a paella cooking class, a language lesson, and a guided tour of the breathtaking Alhambra Palace and the historic city of Granada. Students also enjoyed an energetic flamenco lesson, embracing the rhythm and passion of this traditional dance. Despite a few rain showers, they made the most of every opportunity to practise their Spanish in real-life situations. They were a credit to the school, demonstrating enthusiasm, curiosity, and excellent behaviour throughout the trip. ¡Bien hecho, Year 8!

Sports Tour 2025 Malaga

The PE department took 105 students on a Sports Tour to Malaga at the beginning of March. We had 4 boys football teams, 2 girls football teams and 3 netball teams. The football teams received training sessions delivered by Malaga FC Academy coaches and Netball training was delivered by a professional coach. 

Netball

The netball squad put on an excellent display during the sports tour, showing great skill, resilience, and sportsmanship throughout. From the first training session, the coach was impressed by the girls’ attitude and work ethic, highlighting their politeness and dedication. The focus was on ball skills and moving onto the ball, followed by team practice for the evening matches.

That evening, we traveled to Gibraltar to face strong local teams. The B and C teams showed outstanding determination, developing as a squad, while the A team narrowly lost by one goal, fueling their motivation for the next day. Despite the rain disrupting our schedule, the team adapted brilliantly, taking part in a gym session and recovery swim (which felt like an ice bath!). They also bonded through team-building activities, creating their own team names and netball chants.

Returning to Gibraltar for the final matches, the teams displayed tenacity and versatility, implementing tactics and strategies effectively. Competing against established club teams was a challenge, especially with limited time together, but the players stepped up in both attack and defense. The A team finished with a fantastic win by five goals.

Every player was a credit to the school, demonstrating teamwork, resilience, and a passion for the game. Well done to all!

Football

The sports tour was an unforgettable experience for our 82 footballers, providing them with the opportunity to test themselves against strong Spanish club sides. The trip commenced with a visit to a top-tier training venue, where each team was introduced to their professional coach, who would lead their training sessions throughout their stay in Marbella. During an intensive two-hour coaching masterclass, players honed their skills in isolated drills, semi-competitive scenarios, and fully competitive match situations.

On the first evening, each team faced their Spanish counterparts at various high-quality pitches—some of the finest the students had ever played on, with many remarking, “These are the nicest pitches I have ever seen.” The matches provided a valuable learning experience, demonstrating the physical and tactical demands of Spanish football. Despite the challenge, all teams showcased resilience and adaptability, with the Year 9A team securing our first international victory with a well-earned 3-1 win.

Day two saw us return to the training venue, where each pro coach had tailored personalized training programs based on their team’s performance from the previous night’s matches. This strategic approach played a key role in improving each team’s performance in their second round of games. As the teams grew in confidence, their teamwork flourished, resulting in excellent linking play and well-placed goals—even against opponents significantly larger than them. A standout moment came from the Girls’ B team, whose determination and grit held their Spanish opponents to a 1-1 draw before securing victory in a tense penalty shootout, marking our second international win.

Overall, the tour was a remarkable experience, fostering skill development, teamwork, and resilience. The players returned home with valuable lessons, unforgettable memories, and a sense of pride in their achievements on the international stage.

We also had the chance to visit Marbella town for some shopping and explored the local area including the beach. We also went on a Dolphin Cruise in Gibraltar on which we were very lucky to see dolphins swimming in their natural environment! We also had some fun bowling and enjoyed a Sports Tour Presentation Ceremony during our last evening in which we celebrated lots of success across the week. 

We would like to say how proud we were of all of our students and how behaviour was impeccable throughout the week. I’d also like to extend a huge thank you to the staff who helped to make the tour a memorable one for our students. These are: Miss Newman, Miss Baker, Miss Quinton, Mrs Dovey, Mr Moses, Mr Morgan, Mr Rouse, Mr Goodwin, Mr Dear and Mr King. 

Mrs Castle – Tour Leader

Please click here for our latest Careers Opportunity blog which includes opportunities for:

Science

Year 7L created amazing models of specialised cells as part of their unit on Cells.  There was a lovely variety from both plant and animal cells being made! Students were tasked with this for homework and to use materials at home along with information such as adaptations and functions for their specialised cell.

Larch Spurs coaching session

We are delighted to be welcoming Tottenham Hotspur Football Club to run some sessions with children in KS1 and KS2 in the next coming weeks and to inspire our children. Spurs have asked us to send out the below leaflets ahead of the sessions with them.

Next Gen Spurs info flyer

Library News

Simon Balle’s Got Talent 2025 – auditions and date of the show

Mr Dear, Miss Rooke and Ms Cannon are holding auditions for students between years 7-12 to audition for the talent show – the auditions will be held in Mr Dear’s classroom (Q1) on Wednesday 26th March. All are welcome to audition!

The new date for the talent show is Monday 28th April – more details to follow!

SEND

Virtual Appointments

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

SEND – Exams & Revision

For additional information, support and guidance for students in preparation for exams and during exams – please click on the Youngminds link below:

Youngminds – SEND Exam/Revision Tips

Courses for Parents and Carers

Details of courses that may be of interest to parents can be found here Courses & Training Parents – Mar.docx

Parent Staff Association

Spring Meeting – Tuesday 29th April, 7pm

Join us for our first meeting as a new committee.  Get to know our new team: Co-chairs – Leah Wood and Chloe Merrick,  Treasurer – Mike Cohen and interim Secretary – Hayley Fairbrother. 

Everyone is welcome, you do not have to be a committee member to attend.

Head to the secondary library for 7pm where we will be reviewing recent fundraisers and discussing upcoming events such as the Slice of Summer and exciting autumn plans. We look forward to meeting you.

Register your attendance via this link: volunteersignup.org/WT7KY

Spring Meet 

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

Volunteers

Our all-through VolunteerSignUp link is now open!

Each Larch year group is being invited to run a game, that’s only four volunteers per year!

Secondary phase students and families – we need your help too.  Take a look to see how you can get involved.

Sign up to a volunteer slot BEFORE Friday 2nd May to benefit from FREE entry and FREE tokens to redeem anywhere at the fair, on a PSA operated area. 1 token per volunteer, per slot.

This offer is open to all staff, parents, carers and students of the all-through community.

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.

Raffle

We need your help to make our Raffle a big success! 

If you have any unwanted gifts or new items that you would be happy to donate, we would be incredibly grateful. Or, if you run a business and would like to contribute a product or service, we would love to showcase your generosity!

Every donation helps us raise valuable funds for the school, and we truly appreciate your support.

We are aiming to open our Summer Raffle ticket sales via our website after the Easter break.

psa@simonballepsa.org.uk

Dates for your diary

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

• Fri 21st – Sun 23rd Mar: Model United Nations conference
• Tues 25th Mar: Y12 UCAS trip
• Wed 26th Mar: Rock Gig
• Thurs 27th Mar: Y7 student consultation evening
• Tuesday 1st Apr: Y8 student consultation evening
• Wed 2nd – Fri 4th Apr: Y7 Bawdsey Manor trip
• Friday 4th April term ends (normal school day)
• Tues 22nd April: INSET day (no students on site)
• Wed 23rd Apr: Summer term starts
• Mon 28th Apr: SBAS talent show

Wishing you all the best for the week ahead

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

Friday 7th March

Co-headteachers’ welcome

We hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing half-term break. It is wonderful to hear stories of progress from the slopes as students and staff return from the half-term ski trip, with many making in just one week the kind of progress that would take me five! This week, our students embarked on the sports tour, and next week, Year 8 will head to Spain to practice their Spanish language skills and immerse themselves in the local culture. This week too we welcomed Year 7 parents to prepare for the ever-popular PGL trip to Bawdsey Manor; exciting times for all. We take great pride in the wide range of opportunities we provide, from sport, art, music, and drama to enriching academic experiences, such as our Year 13 Psychology students visiting a mental health hospital and museum, where they engaged with two excellent speakers.

Beyond these experiences, it is the voice of our students that truly shapes our school. The primary phase held a fantastic book swap this week, and it was truly uplifting to hear the excitement as students carefully chose their books, discussed ones they had already read, and eagerly recommended favourites to each other. The buzz and passion for reading were incredible, reflecting exactly the kind of enthusiasm we hope to inspire in all our students. This same enthusiasm extends to the way our students influence and help shape their school environment.

At Simon Balle All-through School, students are at the heart of everything we do, and their voices play a crucial role in shaping our agenda and future direction. We are passionate about ensuring that the student voice is meaningful and results in real change. Recent consultations have included:

• A wellbeing survey focusing on resilience and mental health, working in collaboration with the Mental Health Support Team (MHST).
• School Parliament discussions on artificial intelligence, computing in the curriculum, and lunchtime club offerings.
• A previous School Parliament decision to remove Generation Juice in favour of bottled drinks, alongside the introduction of an Ecovend bottle recycling bank.
• A counter-bullying survey conducted across all year groups.
• A safeguarding health check, reviewing key areas such as staff-student relationships, corridors, unstructured time, queues, changing rooms, and toilets.
• The promotion of our ‘Tell Us’ app in response to student feedback, leading to posters around the school and a dedicated assembly.
• Ongoing discussions with our primary students about their rewards system in the primary phase.
• MCR Volunteering & Mentoring Scheme: 76 students are actively involved in our MCR (volunteering mentoring scheme). Student Feedback showed:
  • 95% of students felt their mentor improved their confidence.
  • 98% of students reported that their mentor encouraged them to be the best version of themselves.

These examples highlight the power of student voice in shaping our school community. From the experiences they have outside the classroom to the changes they influence within it, our students play an active role in shaping their school experience. Their voice is not only heard but acted upon, reinforcing our commitment to ensuring that every student feels valued and empowered.

It is a testament to our students, staff, and school community that we continue to be a top choice for those moving from Year 6 to Year 7. This year, not only did we have 653 students apply for a place at our school, but 100% of those who were allocated had Simon Balle All-through School as their first choice. This reflects the strong reputation of our school, the exceptional opportunities we provide, and the inspiring environment our students help create every day.

Ski Trip

An Unforgettable Ski Trip!

Our recent ski trip was nothing short of spectacular! From the moment we arrived in the breathtaking mountains of Bormio in Italy , our students embraced every challenge with enthusiasm, determination, and a fantastic attitude. Whether they were beginners finding their balance on the slopes or advanced skiers pushing themselves to conquer steeper runs, each student demonstrated remarkable resilience and courage. It was inspiring to see them embody our school values, supporting one another, stepping out of their comfort zones, and celebrating their progress along the way.

We were also incredibly fortunate with the conditions—crisp mountain air, bright blue skies, and perfectly groomed slopes made for an unforgettable experience. The stunning scenery and excellent snow created the ideal environment for learning and fun. Beyond skiing, students showed teamwork and camaraderie, making new friendships and creating lasting memories. It was a week filled with achievement, adventure, and plenty of laughter. Well done to all the students for their fantastic efforts—you made the school proud!

Anyone who is interested in next year’s trip please keep an eye out for the information that will be sent in the next few weeks.

Please click here for our latest Careers Opportunity blog which includes opportunities for:

• Lloyds Banking Group
• Insight into BDO (world’s 5th largest accountancy firm)
• Samsung live virtual careers lesson

Step into the NHS Competition

We are excited to share that Simon Balle All-through School will be taking part in the Step into the NHS competition for KS2 and KS3 pupils! This fun and inspiring challenge will encourage the students to discover the wide range of careers within the NHS, helping them discover jobs they might not have considered before. National winners will receive prizes, and their work will be showcased in their local community. Further details for KS2 and KS3 competitions will be emailed to parents.

Attendance Update

We want to thank parents and carers for ensuring that students attend school as much as possible. Whilst there will always be illnesses which will require time off, building up resilience in our young people is so important. We know the strong links to both increased attainment and wellbeing that strong attendance can have. There has been a small drop off in attendance since Christmas but hopefully in line with the better weather recently we will see this rise again as we head towards the summer term. 

Please see the following table for an update on attendance across our all-through school.

Please note that there has been a small amendment to the attendance policy so that we fall in line with DfE guidance of submitting fixed penalty notices for persistently absent students. Our rate of persistent absence (students who attend less than 90% of the time) is significantly stronger than the national average with 10% compared to national averages of 18.6% and we hope to move towards single figures in the next term.

World Book Day

The recent Book Swap and Paired Reading initiatives for World Book Day were a resounding success, fostering a deeper sense of community and enthusiasm for reading throughout the school. The Book Swap, which saw students from Reception to Year 6 exchanging books, was a hit as children eagerly brought in their favorite stories to share and discover new ones. It was heartwarming to see so many books being donated and enjoyed by others, giving students a chance to refresh their reading collections while encouraging a love for literature. The event not only allowed for a fun exchange of books but also promoted sustainability by reusing and recycling literature within the school.

In addition, the Paired Reading sessions between different year groups were incredibly beneficial for all involved. The older students took on the role of mentors, reading with and to their younger peers, helping to boost their confidence and reading skills. These sessions also helped to create lasting bonds between different year groups, fostering a supportive and collaborative environment across the school. Both initiatives have proven to be excellent ways of encouraging reading, building relationships, and creating a vibrant school community, and we look forward to seeing even more success in the future!

Library News

Science

The Science department is thrilled to announce a special competition category focused on improving the health of indoor air!

The scientists from UCL need your creativity and insight! We invite you to come up with a new idea or invention aimed at enhancing air quality in indoor public spaces – like classrooms, libraries, cafés, or cinemas. Consider whether the air in your chosen space is healthy and clean. What changes can you propose to make it better?

Further details have been emailed to all students in year 7-13.

Music

We are delighted to share our Music Newsletter with you! Please click Team Music to read!

Primary Uniform

Thank you for your continued support with children coming into school with the correct uniform. Some reminders:

• Jewellery: One pair of stud earrings only
• Plain black school shoes- no trainers. 
• Bottle green hair accessories only- no other colour
• Plain green tights or plain green or white socks
• Moderate hairstyles, e.g. no shaved lines

Further uniform information on our website

Writing in the Larch

The recent changes to our writing curriculum, particularly the introduction of new literary canon texts, have sparked a renewed enthusiasm for writing across all year groups. By incorporating a diverse range of classic and contemporary texts, students are not only gaining exposure to rich, high-quality literature, but they are also drawing inspiration from these works to improve their own writing. The texts have prompted deeper discussions in class, encouraging critical thinking and enhancing vocabulary, while sparking creativity in student writing. As a result, we’ve seen significant improvements in both the quality and originality of students’ work. The enthusiasm for storytelling and self-expression is more evident than ever, with students showing greater confidence in crafting their own pieces and a growing appreciation for the power of language. The impact of these changes has been incredibly positive, with many students demonstrating impressive progress in their writing skills.

SEND

Virtual Appointments

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

SEND – Exams & Revision

For additional information, support and guidance for students in preparation for exams and during exams – please click on the Youngminds link below:

Youngminds – SEND Exam/Revision Tips

Hertfordshire County Council SEND News

Please use the link below for information on Hertfordshire’s Local Offer, events and News

Hertfordshire’s Local Offer – SEND News

DSPL3 News

DSPL3 have collated a list of upcoming courses for parents and carers.  

Courses & Training Parents – Feb

Hertfordshire County Council is creating a new plan to support children and young people over the next 5 years. By answering the questions in this survey, you can tell HCC what you think is important to help them decide what to focus on.

Complete the survey – open until 16 March. 

If you have any questions or need the survey in an alternative format please contact: p&d.team@hertfordshire.

Parent Staff Association

Spring Meeting – Wednesday 29th April, 7pm

When you attend a Simon Balle Parent Staff Association (PSA) meeting, you can expect a warm welcome and a friendly atmosphere. It’s a great opportunity to meet the new committee, hear about upcoming events, and share ideas on how we can support the school community. Whether you’re a regular attendee or new to the PSA, this is the perfect time to get involved! It’s also a fantastic way to build a relationship with the school, meet other parents and staff, and gain insight into the day-to-day operations of Simon Balle. No commitment is required—just come along, see what we do, and find out how you can help in whichever way suits you. Head to the secondary library for 7pm. We look forward to meeting you!

Register your attendance via this link: volunteersignup.org/WT7KY

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

Can your company sponsor our summer fair? We would love to hear from you.

Are you able to donate a star prize to our Summer Raffle? Please get in touch!

Would you like to be a stallholder? Register your interest via our Stallholder Register.

Are you keen for this event to be a success? Join our Volunteer Database and we will be in touch with an opportunity.

Have you got an idea?  Tell us more!

sliceofsummer@simonballepsa.org.uk

Thank you

We recently supported the Music Department’s incredible Big Band night.  We would like to extend our thanks to Leah, Lou, Kate, Sarah and Alix for giving up their time to organise and run the bar.

Can you support the bar at an upcoming music event? Volunteer today!

Dates for your diary

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

• Mon 10th Mar: Y11 core mocks start
• Mon 10th Mar: Y9 assessments start
• Mon 10th Mar: Y8 MFL trip to spain departs
• Mon 10th Mar: Y12 work experience week starts
• Wed 12th Mar: Y12 performance clinic
• Sat 15th Mar: Singing and Strings event
• Wed 19th and Thurs 20th Mar: Y10 Geog field trips
• Fri 21st – Sun 23rd Mar: Model United Nations conference
• Mon 24th Mar: SBAS talent show
• Tues 25th Mar: Y12 UCAS trip
• Wed 26th Mar: Rock Gig
• Thurs 27th Mar: Y7 student consultation evening

Wishing you all the best for the week ahead

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