Dear Parents and Carers
As another academic year at St Nicholas draws to a close, there is, as always, much to reflect upon and much to celebrate.
Our senior students are now enjoying their well-earned summer holiday following an intensive few months of study, revision and of course external examinations. We offer them every good wish and blessing for their forthcoming results days when the fruits of their labours will be revealed.
The Pentecost Term has been another exceptionally busy time for staff, students and I’m sure parents and carers alike! Our Annual Prize Night saw us welcome Jenna Downing as our guest of honour. Jenna shared her inspirational journey to becoming world champion with humility, passion and enthusiasm offering a clear message of determination to succeed to all present. During the evening she presented over 250 awards to many deserving students in the school hall and we were treated throughout the evening to numerous musical items from both students as well as the Staff Choir.
Our new Year 7 students for September have recently taken part in their transition days here at school and are now well on the way to becoming fully fledged members of the St Nicholas community – they participated in a variety of lessons, met their Form Tutors and many of them came to the Year 6 Disco supported by the St Nicholas PTFA. Following feedback from our visits to our partner primary schools we also hosted our first Information Evening for New Parents on 26th June. This event was very well attended and allowed parents to ask questions of both staff and students in preparation for September.
Sports Day was, once again, a fantastic experience for the whole St Nicholas community as every student took part in their five chosen events throughout the day and the day ending with the relay races and of course the staff race. Students have also recently participated in our ‘Race for Life’ event in memory and support of family and friends touched by cancer.
Alongside our academic studies in the classroom, enrichment and extra-curricular opportunities continue to flourish. Year 8 have recently participated in their Retreat Day here at school supported by the Diocesan Youth Ministry Team and the Message Trust and they have also taken part in their RSE day together. Year 10 students have taken part in our two residential retreats to Savio House in Bollington and Soli Retreat Centre near Alton. A Level students have visited Oxford University and have taken part in our Duke of Edinburgh Silver and Gold training expeditions.
In addition, our Year 11 students returned after the close of their GCSE examinations for their Sixth Form Welcome Day and Year 10 have also taken part in a Sixth Form ‘Taster Day’ to sample A Level lessons and to experience life as a member of our Sixth Form for a day.
Before the end of term, students from Years 8 to 10 will have taken part in the Opal Coast trip organised by the MFL team, the History department will be taking students to Berlin and Sixth Form students will be embarking on their expedition to Borneo.
Mrs Julie Robertson retires this year after fourteen years as a teacher here at St Nicholas. Mrs Robertson joined the school as a teacher of Modern Foreign Languages and for the last two years has taken on the role as Subject Leader for both French and Spanish. She has been an outstanding and most humble servant to our students, parents and the staff within our school community and we offer her every good wish and blessing for her retirement.
St Nicholas will close for students at 1pm on Tuesday 24th July and will re-open for the 2018-19 academic year on Wednesday 5th September, when the usual exemplary standards of uniform are expected.
In closing, I would like to thank you on behalf of the governors and all the staff here at St Nicholas for the continued support you offer and I wish you all a restful and relaxing summer holiday amongst the company of family and friends.
Yours sincerely,
Richard Woods
Headteacher
