newsbytes 12th January 2018 Welcome back to everyone and a very Happy New Year. Just a few days in and we seem to be back into the normal routines and high expectations for all. Year 11 have returned with a clear focus and their important parents evening is on Thursday 18th January. For other parents to understand, this is a critical evening whereby teachers focus upon how to improve performance with clarity and precision. Further mocks in English and maths will be held in March and we now start again a series of performance clinics for students and parents, supported by a vast array of interventions. This is obviously a somewhat abridged newsletter as we start the new term, with only 5 weeks until half term (school finishes for students on Thursday 8th February, with staff training on February 9th) and then a further 6 weeks until Easter (school finishes for all on Maundy Thursday, which this year is on 29 th March. We will finish at lunchtime). Having commented upon the brevity of the term there are important milestones for all students: years 11 and 13 will need to have a clear and disciplined approach to their studies, Year 10 need now to have demonstrated the right work habits and expected outcomes and Year 9 will be exploring option subject preferences. Other year groups will have numerous opportunities to thrive and enjoy their learning. Also during this term, the local year 6 families learn which secondary school they will be allocated a place to. Once again we were the chosen school of so many families with almost 900 preferences. I believe now that there is a greater understanding within the community that there should be no tension in our drive to be able to deliver both academic rigour as well as promoting the wellbeing of students. Indeed, a good education should always promote life in all its fullness. We therefore look forward to working in strong positive partnerships with you over the coming term. Vacancy We are currently advertising for a Business and Economics teacher. Please visit http://www.simonballe.herts.sch.uk/ vacancies/ for full details. If you know of anyone who may be interested please pass this information to them. We are also looking for someone to join our Edutech (Network) department working to support students, staff and some of our local primary schools. Again please use the link above for further information. Promoting reading! I am certain that you are all ware that as a school we place great emphasis upon reading in its entirety. Our highly enjoyable and successful Annual Authors week has a great impact in promoting both reading and writing. A big thank you especially to all those parents who have recently brought in donations of books to our library. Do keep them coming! In fact we can often make use of lots of things that you might want to discard! Do check with us if you have anything unwanted that you think we might be able to make use of!!
Parking Can we please remind everyone to switch off their engines if they are parked on or off the school site. An idling engine can produce up to twice as many exhaust emissions as an engine in motion. Exhaust emissions contain a range of air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter. These can affect the air quality of the surrounding environment and the air we breathe. Thank you for your co-operation. Non- Uniform day Our non -uniform day for this half term will be held on Thursday 8 th February in aid of the charity Young Minds. More information will be sent out nearer the time. Global Safer internet day Tuesday 6 th February On Tuesday 6th February we will be taking part in Safer Internet Day 2018. This year s theme is "Create, Connect and Share Respect" and will involve a number of activities throughout the day in which all our students will be involved. Students Being Collected We would like to remind parents and carers that if you are contacted by the front office regarding an unwell child that needs to go home, they must be collected by a responsible adult, they are not allowed to walk home by themselves.
Dates for your Diary Thursday 18th January Y11 Parents Evening Wednesday 24th January Sports Tour Information Evening Thursday 25th January Careers Day Y9 Monday 5th February Y7 Maths trip to Bletchley Park 9th-14th February Football Tour to Valencia Friday 9th February INSET Day 12th-16th February Half Term Wednesday 21st February Y10 Parents Evening
PSA News Simon Balle All-through parents association do an amazing job and raise substantial funds which most of your children really benefit from. For example, the maintenance costs of one minibus is covered from fundraising. This year they are supporting us in trying to maintain and develop the swimming pool with some major technical works. Alongside this fundraising we have submitted a bid to the EFA (government Funding) to enable us to do further work. We will hear as to whether we have been successful towards late spring. However the PSA currently are trying to get more parents involved. Contrary to popular belief, your responsibilities and help are needed even when your children reach secondary school. Sometimes this is a one off event where help is needed or part of a planning group who drive a larger event. Please contact the school office if you are able to help in anyway. PSA LADIES PAMPER NIGHT For a bit of fun and funds the PSA are considering running a Ladies Pamper Night again. As with all events of this kind, they can only take place if there are enough volunteers to help before, during and after the event. We particularly need a few people who have computer / excel spread sheet knowledge to record bookings for a wide range of treatments for (hopefully) a lot of guests all at varying times. To help us establish if you can support us and your school in running a Pamper Night, either as a guest or helper, we would be grateful if you would answer a very quick questionnaire on this link. There is space to comment if you can help. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/z7pczv3 Many hands make light work! And money for your children's education. Parents Evening Raffle Prizes If you have any items you would be able to donate to the PSA to create the lovely prizes that are raffled at parents evenings please bring them to the front office.
Term Date info is available on the school website via the 'About SBAS' tab or via this direct link (http://www.simonballe.herts.sch.uk/ term-dates/) 2018-19 Autumn Term 2018 INSET 1: Monday 3rd September INSET 2: Tuesday 4th September Whole school in on Wednesday 5th September Open Morning: Saturday 22nd September Monday 24th September school starts at 9:45 HALF TERM: Monday 29th Friday 2nd November Occasional Day 1: Friday 23rd November Occasional Day 2: Monday 26th November End of Autumn Term: Friday 21st December (early finish time TBC) Spring Term 2019 Term starts: Monday 7th January INSET 3: Friday 15th February HALF TERM: Monday 18th Friday 22nd February End of Spring Term: Friday 5th April (early finish time TBC) (Easter Weekend: Friday 19th Monday 22nd April) Summer Term 2019 Term starts: Tuesday 23rd April May Bank Holiday: Monday 6th May INSET 4: Tuesday 7th May HALF TERM Monday 27th Friday 31st May Secondary Transfer Day: Thursday 11th July End of school year: Tuesday 23rd July (early finish time TBC) INSET 5: (Non-attending for staff) Wednesday 24th July