Dear Families

Welcome to our first edition of Headlines for the academic year 2009- 2010 and especially to those new parents whose children have joined either year 7 or year 12 (and other year groups).

 

'Headlines' comes out every two weeks, with some editions longer than others when particular events have taken place. This week’s will be fairly brief as its purpose is to provide information about the term ahead. Usually there are two ways in which you can access the newsletter as parents have informed us that they prefer electronic versions. As this is the first edition for the year we are printing paper copies as well as electronic- access through the website or as an email. However, we do need to tell parents that we are currently experiencing difficulties with our website provider and anticipate further problems. Therefore the ideal solution for getting future newsletters is to sign up with parent mail. Please ring the office for details.

 

We welcome the following staff:

James Pooley            Head of Year 7   (PE)

Sarah Pope               Head of Mathematics

Beth Wilkerson        Art and Photography

Sophie Wigmore       Science

Luke Hill                   Mathematics and Psychology

Jonnie Allard            History

Elise Nwahba            French and Spanish

Laura Jones              PE

Jackie Moss              Science and Maths

 

Jackie Munoz            Citizenship and Psychology

John James               PE

Lauren Kennedy         Technology (Textiles)

 

Tony Parkhouse         Science technician

Jake Mayhew            Administrator    (Gap Year Student)

Ryan Ferry                Administrator    (Gap Year student)

Rachel Southall          Project Manager

 

Many of you may be aware that schools are no longer 'islands' and that more and more schools are working together on school improvement projects. We were approached by the Local Authority as to whether we could support Goffs School in Cheshunt with their improvement strategies. This is a great opportunity for our school as it creates opportunities for us to share good practice and also learn from others. In order to ensure that there is capacity and our school does not over stretch itself, two senior colleagues have 'stepped up' and taken on additional responsibilities. Leon Brown will be leading on our 'care and well-being' agenda, whilst Mike Moss will become an Associate Deputy Head.

 

 

 

A big thank you to all our year 7 parents and their fantastic support so far this term. We have already held two workshops as part of our induction programme. The first session looked at the curriculum and timetable- how and what is taught. Parent’s feedback how much they enjoyed walking around the buildings and looking at the classrooms. Alan Henshall (Deputy Head) explained to parents our new emphasis upon 'building learning power' (see below) and the opportunities the New Year 7 will have. The second session focused upon creating a safe and healthy environment for young people.

Fifty year 7 parents arrived before the main session to buy a school dinner! Not only did this show how good the school food is but created an opportunity to meet with other new parents. Each session was attended by over 75 parents, with some just able to attend one. Thank you- parental interest and support are key to success.

Thank you too to all those parents who joined us for the sixth form parents evening last week. It is such a great pleasure to welcome both those parents who have been loyal supporters since year 7 and also those new parents who have transferred from other schools. This year we have ……. Students in year 12, with …… new students. We trust that they will not only enjoy their time at Simon Balle (albeit brief) but really feel part of our special community. We wish them every happiness and the highest success in their studies.

 

Many parents will have heard at our various 'Expectations Evenings' just how well year 11 did in their summer exams. For the first time we achieved 82% 5 A*- C grades overall, with a cohort who entered Simon Balle, with an average score that was lower than normal for our intake. This along, with the 62% with English and Maths meant that we hit the challenging targets set (for those “in the know¿, FFT D) including the average point score. We therefore congratulate again all those students and their parents and wish them every success in their next steps, whether at Simon Balle or at college.

 

It is perhaps more difficult to talk about the AS and A2 results as the calculations are far more complicated. Parents are aware that for many years we have been perhaps far too generous on whom we have allowed to study A levels and some of the students have struggled either academically or simply with the amount of work. Results dipped in 2007 and the Governing Body with the School Leadership Team began to look again at this. Following our Ofsted Inspection earlier this year, where our efforts to change provision were applauded, we have been working with Villiers Park (an Education Trust) to reflect upon teaching styles, suitability of courses, creating independent learners (see BLP section) and entry requirements. Whilst we do not see ourselves as an elite sixth form and will not be asking for GCSE A grades in subjects taken we do need to ensure that students do have the right skills and subject knowledge to be able to cope with the rigorous demands of A level.

 

The results this year were pleasing, with most students achieving either on line with or above predictions. In year 13 this meant that they all were successful in achieving their university places.

 

I will get Steve Preshous, Director of Sixth Form (and Assistant Head) to inform you of some of the work that we are doing in our sixth form, in a later edition of Headlines.

 

 

 

As a school we are committed to the implementation of the new secondary curriculum. An integral part of this curriculum are the Personal Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTS). We want to create students who are;

This is especially true in the Sixth Form, where independence of learning and creative thinking help prepare students for university. Our recent OFSTED report praised us for our tracking of students, but pointed out that at Key Stage 5 students needed to be a little better at independent learning despite 'an excellent curriculum that is taught well'. We believe that the next step in our improvement is to increase the skills our students need to become highly effective learners who achieve their potential. Our students need to be resilient, independent learners who realise that learning can be hard work and that solutions often require getting stuck and working through problems.   

 

In order to do this, we will be using the ideas of Professor Guy Claxton, who believes that 'learning muscles' are strengthened through access to high quality opportunities which allow students to develop their skills.

 

If these opportunities are created, then students will typically be reporting that they are 'getting stuck' and working through problems more regularly, working harder and listening to teachers less. Please support us in these changes by asking your sons or daughters to be persistent in working hard at homework and letting us know when work is too challenging or done with insufficient understanding.

 

 

Following on from successful national pilots, we would like to inform parents that we now offer our 6th form students the opportunity to undertake an Extended Project Qualification.  The qualification allows learners to develop excellent insight into a topic of their choosing.  Extended Project students develop analytical and communication skills that will enhance their preparation for future study in further education. 

 

All students who have successfully enrolled on the course are currently linking up with their supervisors (members of Simon Balle staff) who will be able to help guide students as they carry out and synthesise their research.  As part of the Extended Project taught element, students will be visiting the University of Hertfordshire to attend seminars given by university staff, they will be allowed access to university resources and they will forge links with subject specialists.

 

Everyone involved with the Extended Project is very excited about the enriched experience it will offer our 6th form students.  I will keep you posted with developments and we hope to offer this qualification to even more students in the future.

 

 Dining room roof

Parents will be pleased to hear that the work to replace the roof and ceiling above the kitchens and dining room has now commenced. As we are a 'community school' the Local Authority continues to be our landlord and as such have certain duties, one of which is to pay for the replacement of any roofs. With buildings that were built over 50 years ago, they continue to be a constant source of both worry and internal finance. As parents know we do our best and do not leave things. Projects this academic year will be remodelling the school library and improving the environment of the Hall. More of this in later newsletters; the PSA have pledged fundraising for both of these projects, for which we are most grateful.

 

Can we please remind everyone not to drive their cars into the playground immediately in front of the school office. This area is used throughout the day, both at break and during lessons.

Sixth formers should not park on the school site unless they have received permission from the Sixth Form Manager.

All parents and visitors please park in the spaces provided.

Thank you for your support in this Health and Safety matter.