Dear all,

On Sunday 1st February, I, alongside two of my fellow Heads of Year at Simon Balle All-Through School, Mr East and Ms Ahmet, will be taking on the mighty Watford Half Marathon in aid of the fabulous Hertfordshire Mind Network.

This will be 13.1 miles of running, sweating, questioning our pacing decisions, mocking Mr East's socks and reminding ourselves that, as well as raising lots of money for a cracking charity, we are also saving Mr Pooley (one of our Deputy Head Teachers and Chief Marathon coach at SBAS) and his knees from having to reignite his running career.

Why are we doing this?

To challenge ourselves ✔️

To prove that Heads of Year can move faster than a brisk corridor walk✔️

And, of course, to raise money for a very important cause ✔️

All joking aside, as Heads of Year and Pastoral Leaders, we know, only too well, the importance of the work that Hertfordshire Mind Network carries out and we have seen first-hand the positive impact their work has in our community and for our young people. It goes without saying that, as a charity, they can only continue this invaluable work with your support.

Training is… ongoing, if slightly hampered by festive turkey, cheese and chocolate consumption, not to mention frozen roads! Spirits are high and confidence may or may not be misplaced.

Any sponsorship you can offer us would be very much appreciated.