Friday 20th March

Co-headteachers’ welcome

As we begin to move into spring, it is a pleasure to see the subtle but unmistakable changes in the world around us, the days growing longer, bulbs beginning to bloom, and buds appearing on the trees. It is a season of renewal and transition, and the same can certainly be said for our school community at this time of year.

One of the great joys of this term is receiving confirmation of the new students who will be joining us from a wide range of local primary schools. We are absolutely delighted that 100% of places have been offered to families who selected us as their first choice. This reflects the strength of our community and the trust placed in us by families. However, this is something we must never take for granted, and we remain fully committed to continually reflecting on and improving all that we do.

Our transition work from Year 6 to Year 7 is already well underway to ensure that our new students feel confident, prepared, and warmly welcomed into our school community. Information booklets have been shared, preparations for our summer school are in full swing, and we are beginning our important liaison work with our feeder primary schools.

Similarly, in our Reception classes, we are preparing to visit feeder nurseries, taking the first steps in getting to know our youngest new students and their families. These early connections are invaluable in building strong relationships and ensuring a smooth and happy start to school life.

At the other end of the school, our Year 11 students are making important decisions about their post-16 pathways. It is always inspiring to hear about their ambitions, aspirations, and the thoughtful consideration they are giving to their futures as they take their next steps beyond compulsory education.

Our Year 13 students are also navigating significant transitions. Many have received offers from universities, others are pursuing apprenticeships or employment opportunities, and we are particularly proud that several students have secured offers from Oxbridge. Their achievements reflect not only their hard work and determination but also the support and guidance they have received along the way.

Transition is not only something that happens at key entry and exit points; it is woven throughout school life. Within the school, I am currently reading Year 2 reports and reflecting on the progress, development, and values of our students as they continue their journey through our all-through setting. Meanwhile, our Year 9 students are in the process of finalising their GCSE options, making choices that will shape the next stage of their education.

This moment in the school year brings to mind the Roman god Janus, often associated with transitions, beginnings, and endings. Depicted with two faces, Janus looks both to the past and to the future. This is very much where we find ourselves as a school, reflecting on how far our students have come, while also looking ahead with optimism and ambition to what lies ahead.

It is a source of enormous pride to see our students grow in confidence, develop their character, and flourish as individuals at every stage of their journey with us. Spring reminds us that growth is constant, and we look forward to continuing to support every student as they take their next steps.

Secondary House Spring Bake off

A massive thank you to all of the students who entered the House bake off. We had over 15 bakes to choose from – here is a selection to feast your eyes on!

Library News

All year groups can take part in Get Rewarded for Reading and it’s never too late to start!

Y10 Geography field trip

Strive & Thrive and Aspire & Achieve home learning support sessions

As part of our ongoing commitment to providing the best support for our students, we are continuing to offer our home learning support sessions in the form of ‘Strive & Thrive’ for our students in Years 7-9 and our ‘Aspire & Achieve’ for students in years 10 and 11.

These sessions offer fantastic opportunities for our students to complete revision or home learning in a calm environment in order to build confidence, develop positive study habits and encourage independent organisation skills. This can be done individually or why not bring a friend along!

Strive & Thrive (years 7-9) takes place Monday to Thursday 3:15pm – 4:15pm in G1.

Aspire & Achieve (years 10 and 11) takes place Wednesdays 3:15pm – 4:15pm in the 6th form learning centre.

All students who attend will be recognised with house points and we are looking to celebrate those students who are building positive study habits and attending regularly in the weeks ahead. Attendance at these sessions is growing by the week and we very much hope to see continuing through the remainder of this term.

SEND

If you would like to speak to a member of the SEND team, and your child currently attends Simon Balle all through School, you can book a virtual appointment of up to 15 minutes with a member of the SEND team, please use the following booking link: Booking link

A link to the latest DSPL3 newsletter can be found here.

SEND Transition coffee morning

It was wonderful to welcome so many parents, carers, and our SEND governors to our recent Year 6 into Year 7 Transition Coffee Morning. This was promoted via our local feeder schools. The event was well-attended by parents eager to engage early with the secondary school transition process. The SEND team used this opportunity to introduce themselves as well as outline enhanced transition plans, answer questions, and begin building home-school partnerships ahead of September.

Early finish for Easter holidays

In case you missed it, we have reinstated the early finish for the Easter holidays. This brings us into back line with other schools in the area. Students will have normal lessons P1-3 and be dismissed at the end of P3 (12.15pm) by their class teachers. The canteen will be serving food as normal at break time.

Sport notices

Simon Balle Table Tennis Competition

To give students the opportunity to apply the skills they have been developing in lessons and clubs in a competitive environment, we will be running a Secondary Table Tennis Competition for students from Year 7–13, as well as a staff competition.

These events are designed to encourage engagement, enjoyment and healthy participation with friends, while giving players the chance to test their table tennis skills and put what they have learned in lessons and clubs into practice. Everyone who enters will receive a house point, and there will be Easter egg prizes for the winners.

All students and staff are welcome to take part. Please sign up in pairs by completing the Google Form sent by Miss Newman.

Competition Dates

• Year 7: Thursday 19th March
• Year 8: Wednesday 25th March
• Year 9 & 10: Tuesday 24th March
• Staff & Sixth Form: Thursday 26th March

We look forward to seeing lots of pairs getting involved and enjoying the competition!

 

Dates for your diary

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

• Fri 20th Mar: Model United Nations Conference
• w/b Mon 23rd Mar: Music exams (Y4-13)
• Wed 25th-Thur 26th Mar: GCSE (Y11) Art and Photography practicals
• Fri 27th Mar: end of term (early finish – 12.15pm)
• Sat 28th Mar: Ski trip departs
• Mon 13th Apr: INSET day – no students in school
• Tues 14th Apr: First day of summer term
• Tues 14th Apr: Y7 assessment period begins
• Tues 14th Apr: GCSE (Y11) 3D Design practicals start
• w/b 20th Apr: GCSE (Y11) MFL speaking exams
• Thur 23rd Apr: Y2 Castle trip

Wishing you all the best for the week ahead 

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