Friday 5th December
Co-headteachers’ welcome
After our traditional Simon Balle long weekend, we do hope that all are a little rested as we embrace all that December has to offer! It is a month where so much takes place in our community. Firstly, academically, we are so proud of Year 9, Year 7, and year groups across the Larch, with assessment windows being completed as I write. We are deeply proud of the ways in which our students show wisdom and resilience – of every age! Equally we continue to be proud of our home-school partnership, which we value so greatly. Year 9 parents will have now received summary reports (via Arbor); and with each assessment window we work hard to communicate with parents/carers in relation to attainment (the raw score achieved), progress (in relation to targets set from starting points) and attitudes to learning (the most crucial indicator for success!). At the time of writing, we wish Year 11 every success in their mock exams. We recognise their unwavering commitment as a year group to attending revision sessions across this term, and their aspiration at our recent Experience Day as they prepare for sixth form studies. Good luck!
In every month of our school year, it is our privilege as co-headteachers to view school life holistically. Sometimes it is a challenge with so much taking place! From the perspective of enrichment, it has been a fortnight to recognise, truly, the breadth and depth of what our students are not only offered, but from which they engage and thrive. In the Sixth Form, we know that our enrichment offer of ‘more than just great A levels’ is quite unique, and the mock interviews that took place for all last week provided invaluable experiences, thanks to our wider Simon Balle parent and local community as expert volunteers. Equally, our Year 6 students performing Macbeth at BEAM was an incredible achievement across the year group: the professionalism in managing such a stage; the collaboration across all; the skills in language, oracy, music and drama; the learning which is almost impossible to quantify related to not just confidence but also English and therefore the whole curriculum!
Please do continue to visit our Simon Balle webpages and social media in relation to both music and sport. We are delighted that both participation levels and a myriad of achievements would make it impossible to adequately summarise these here. Where we are absolutely clear is that there is a direct link, proven in national research, between the highest possible levels of student attendance; together with belonging in enrichment (in any form from any sport or music or art or drama or chess or reading or STEM or more!); which leads in turn to happiness and achievement. Please do stay very closely in touch with our pastoral leads – class teachers and form tutors – as we aspire for 100% of our students to belong to our special community.
As I wrote above, December promises so much. Our Frost Fair on Saturday 6th December will be an afternoon of community celebration. We are so grateful to our PSA for their tireless work to raise crucial funds for our school whilst putting the community at the heart of all that we do – choirs, stalls, Christmas fun for all ages, our business students in KS4/5 showcasing their learning, and much, much more. Please do join us and support us! Christmas events beyond this are reflective of our wonderful community and we look forward to sharing these with you – whether your involvement is in a child participating in our Reception Nativity; to reading or performing in one (or more) of our four Carol Services; to our events to fundraise on Christmas jumper day; to our local charitable giving with Year 4 and Year 12 combined in our annual tradition with a Santa dash, contributions to local food banks … and more – thank you!
This special season represents so much for us at Simon Balle. Wisdom in learning remains central to all that we do, and our staff are focussed here in every lesson to ensure that excellent teaching and learning are the core of what we offer. Yet through the above we hope we have given just a small insight into how we shape ‘Creating tomorrow’s citizens today’ – giving, committing to school life and embracing opportunities.
Although it feels a little early to do so, this newsletter will be the last of this calendar year – therefore may we take this opportunity to wish you all a peaceful and happy Christmas, together with a joyful New Year in which we hope to continue to provide every young person with an education in which they can achieve and thrive. We thank you, each and every one of you, for your partnership in our educational journey.
Christmas is coming…
Christmas Dinner 2025
This year’s Christmas Dinner will be on Tuesday 16th December for secondary students, and Wednesday 17th December for primary students. The window for purchasing tickets has now closed. Secondary students will not be able to purchase any other food or drink at break or lunch on Tuesday 16th December, so students not having Christmas lunch will need to bring food with them (they will be able to sit with their friends in the hall at lunch). All students will need to bring a drink or bottle with them.
Carol Services 2025
Don’t forget the upcoming Carol Services – details can be found here:
Save the Children Christmas Jumper Day
- We’re taking part in Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day on Thursday 11th December! By pulling on our Christmassy knits and donating, we’ll be supporting children in the UK and around the world to keep safe, healthy, and learning. We’ll be helping them fight for the future they deserve. Just click here to donate £2 (or more if you’re feeling generous…) and it will go straight to Save the Children. The money we raise could go towards some amazing things like:
- £2 could buy a packet of seeds for a family in Kenya to grow their own food, after drought has killed their crops.
- £8 could buy a blanket to keep a child in Ukraine warm through winter.
- £15 could pay for two weeks of super-powered peanut paste to help a child beat hunger.
- £20 could buy enough supermarket vouchers for two children in the UK.
- £40 could provide a family in Gaza with a Baby Kit to give them the items they need to provide basic care to their infant.
Book Flood
Sixth Form Christmas Appeal – Donations for Hertford, Ware & District Food Bank
As we approach the festive season, Year 12 students and the Sixth Form team are launching our annual Christmas Appeal in support of the Hertford, Ware and District Food Bank. Christmas is a time traditionally associated with warmth, generosity and community; however, for many families it can also be a period of additional financial pressure and uncertainty. By donating, we can help ensure that local individuals and families facing hardship are supported with essential food and household items during this particularly challenging time.
Your contributions—whether big or small—will make a genuine difference. The food bank provides vital support to those experiencing food insecurity, helping to alleviate immediate need and offering families some comfort during the holiday season.
How to Donate
Students can donate by bringing items into school and placing them in the designated Food Bank Collection Boxes located in:
- The Sixth Form Learning Centre
- The Secondary Student Reception
- The Larch Main Reception
We warmly encourage every member of our school community to take part in this meaningful initiative. Your support will help us provide a brighter Christmas for local families who may otherwise struggle at this time of year.
The final collection date is Tuesday 16th December, after which the donations will be delivered to the Hertford, Ware and District Food Bank.
Thank you for your generosity and for helping us make a positive difference in our community.
If you or someone you know is struggling and would like a referral to the Hertford and District Foodbank, please see the flyer, or contact contact Tania Noxon on noxont@simonballe.herts.sch.uk or 01992 410400 ext 236.:
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 this Booking link.
Musical News
There is so much to celebrate – fabulous concerts, student exam success, assembly performances and more! Please read all about it here
Team Music
United Against Bullying survey
As previously communicated we are proud to have signed up to the UAB programme through the Anti-Bullying Alliance. As part of this programme, we will be gathering stakeholder feedback. Please could I ask you to complete this short survey (7 questions) by Friday, 12th December.parent & carer questionnaire link is here.
Science
We’re pleased to share that Dominic, Year 12, has been offered a place on the Cambridge Higher Aspirations Scheme (CHAS) for 2025–2026. Following a highly competitive selection process, with nearly 1,500 applicants for just over 300 spots, Dominic secured a position on the programme and will be undertaking a series of supervisions in Natural Sciences.
Congratulations to Dominic on this outstanding achievement!
Digital Dialogue
Year 12 student Grace: A-level Politics students recently had our first chance to interact with people involved in the US political system through the Digital Dialogue programme. We had the opportunity to participate in an online session with two ex-members of Congress (one Republican and one Democrat), learning from their valuable thoughts and experiences and enriching our understanding of the US political system.
Visit from Liberal Democrat secretary
The proposal to lower the voting age in general elections to 16 has made it even more important to ensure our young people are well-informed and engaged citizens. To that end, Freddie Jewitt, secretary of the East Hertfordshire Liberal Democrat Party, came into school in November to deliver a thorough and interactive session which gave all Year 12 students an overview of local and national politics. The session covered topics such as the democratic process, what local politics is responsible for and how this linked to the bigger picture nationally, and gave students an opportunity to ask questions about issues that mattered to them.
Politics conference
To round off a busy month for our Sixth Form politics students, 25 Year 12 and 13s attended the PolEconUK conference in Westminster in late November, with a range of high-profile speakers that included Green Party leader Zack Polanski and Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle. The conference gave students an opportunity to listen and ask questions to prominent political figures, some of whom had served at the heart of government in recent years, and showcased a range of views about contemporary issues.
English Literature A Level trip to ‘Othello’
The English Department were very fortunate to get secure tickets for the performance of Year 13 set text ‘Othello’, starring a celebrated cast of David Harewood, Toby Jones and Caitlin Fitzgerald at The Theatre Royal in Haymarket. The performances and directorial choices generated a lot of discussion, raising questions about the interpretation of the text and some highly controversial cutting of the play at the end.
It is always helpful to see as many productions as possible and this reading of the text, with older characters playing the lead roles, put a whole fresh slant on how we might interpret the tragedy of ‘Othello’. As always, it was a privilege to spend time with our students whose behaviour and engagement are unfailingly impeccable.
Travel to school
Can we once again remind parents to respect the signage relating to parking both on the school site and in the surrounding roads. East Herts District council are happy for students to be dropped at the London Road car park (next to the fire station), and have a free permit system in place for parents/carers of younger students who could not walk unaccompanied. Dropping and collecting from London Road is faster for parents/carers as you avoid the congestion in Mangrove Road, and by reducing the volume of traffic you are making it safer for students walking to and from the school.
There are several roads and estates in the immediate area (such as Balls Park) which are private and enforce residents-only restrictions. The yellow lines, zigzags and no entry signs on the White Lodge entrance are in place to make the roads and pavements safe for all users. We would expect parents and carers to exhibit the same Simon Balle values that we ask of the students when interacting with our neighbours.
Changes to National Rail timetables
For those students who travel into Hertford North or Hertford East, please be aware that the timetables are changing on Sunday 14th December. Please check https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/journey-planner/ for details as some of the changes are significant – you won’t want to miss your train on Monday 15th December!
Parent Staff Association
6th December – Frost Fair, 1.30-5.30pm
We are looking forward to welcoming you to tomorrow’s Frost Fair and wish to thank you for supporting this wonderful event. From bottle donations, volunteering, purchasing raffle tickets, signing up to a King’s Group sponsorship board, teaching and learning songs and dances – we couldn’t do it without you.
We are looking to offer something a little different next winter – watch this space!
Carol Services – helpers needed
Traditionally, the PSA hand out hot mulled wine, mince pies and shortbread at the primary and secondary Carol Concert. If you are able to help serve, please sign up here.
We also feature at the Music Department’s concerts throughout the year, where we offer a licensed bar. These are ticketed events but volunteers receive complimentary entry. If you are able to help – please take a look at the upcoming concerts and sign up to slot, or two!
Dates for your diary
A full calendar of events can be viewed on the school website.
- Sat 6th Dec: Frost Fair
- Thurs 11th Dec: Christmas jumper day
- Mon 15th Dec: Secondary Carol Service
- Tues 16th Dec: Secondary Christmas lunch
- Tues 16th Dec: Larch Carol Service
- Wed 17th Dec: Larch Christmas lunch
- Fri 19th Dec: early finish for all students (12.15pm)
- Mon 5th Jan: INSET day – no students in school
- Tues 6th Jan: all students return to school
- Tues 6th Jan: Y13 mock exams start
- Wed 14th Jan: Y12 student consultation evening (virtual)
- Wed 21st Jan: Y11 student consultation evening (face to face)
Wishing you all the best for the festive period
Mrs Rachel Kirk and Mr Michael Moss (Co-headteachers)
