2 minute read
Staff Profile
STAFF PROFILE Simon Ball
Ijoined The Perse in 2003 as the Head of Physical Education, after previously working at Mount Kelly College in Devon and Pangbourne College in Berkshire.
David Baker retired at the end of 2006 and I was given the role of Director of Sport. I feel so privileged to have been given this position and we worked incredibly hard to change the perception of sport across the whole school and on the school circuit. I thank all the staff and pupils who played such an important part in rebranding the perception of Perse Sport and parents for their support. We are now considered one of the schools to beat on our circuit!
As Director of Sport at The Perse I was fortunate to be able to work with many departments including PE & games staff, academic staff, grounds, catering, maintenance, caretakers, development, school nurses and the bursary. There was not a member staff of those departments where I did not know their name and I was always able to thank them for their contributions.
Serving just over eleven years as Director of Sport, my main goal has always been for children to have the confidence to play and enjoy sport. It brings me so much happiness to see and to hear that so many OPs are still playing, coaching and/or officiating sport. The number of OPs that attend the annual OP Sports Festival is always impressive.
I was ready for a change in focus in my work and sport needed to move on to keep up with the constant changing times. In 2017 I changed direction and was appointed Head of Middle School. The pastoral team are amazingly talented and unified. It has been a real pleasure to work with them all. The quality of pastoral care since I joined the School to the present day is unrecognisable but it will keep on changing and improving as the demands and pressures placed on young teenagers, sadly, increase.
A big thank you to those who have left me messages of thanks and best wishes. Eighteen years at The Perse have flown by, but I can say that every day I laughed, it was always a pupil that would make me chuckle. I always wanted to teach children – it is one of the most rewarding jobs.
Now I move on to a new career in France with my wife, Anastasia, and my children, Charlotte and Henri. We are looking to invest into several holiday sites close to Sarlat-la-Caneda, Dordogne, France. If you fancy knowing more or even wish to book with us, please contact the Development Office for our contact details.
NAME: Simon Ball JOINED THE PERSE: 2003 SUBJECT: Games ALSO KNOWN FOR: Inspiring his students to find their sporting passion, whatever that may have been.
