Newsletter 05.05.23

Newsletter 05.05.23

Message from Headteacher Mr C Burns
Dear Parents and Carers,
I hope that you and your families are well.  It has been another exciting week at St Nicholas and it has been a privilege to meet more students and staff as I continue to learn more about this wonderful school.  I am blessed to lead a school where our young people want to make a difference to their community and to the world, as well as colleagues who enjoy working here.  
This week, I have enjoyed meeting members of our committed PTFA team and hear all about their great work to make a difference for our young people.  There are some exciting future plans, and these will be shared with you in due course.  
Although every day at St Nicholas brings so many positive experiences with our students, one of the highlights of my week was joining Year 11 at our Celebration Mass on Thursday evening.  It was a special evening, one that moved many of us and encouraged us to reflect on the many personal achievements of our young people, as well as look ahead to an exciting future.  The students’ contributions were simply outstanding, particularly the musical performances which provided everyone with some time for reflection and remember those who are no longer with us.  I would like to thank Fr. Paul and Fr. Peter, as well as the staff who made the evening so memorable and special in whatever role they played.   I look forward to joining Year 13 at their Celebration Mass next week as they reflect on their seven years at St Nicholas.
Today, I have also enjoyed having a Coronation Afternoon Tea in our ARC – the students and staff did a fabulous job of everything.
Please keep our Year 11 and Year 13 students in your prayers as they enter their examination period.  After a very challenging time in education, they have continued to work hard, and they deserve every success and happiness.  
A prayer for you and your families to share this weekend:
Dear Lord,
Help us to follow you and have complete faith in you,
for you are the Way, the Truth and the Life.
Help us to see your face in the people we encounter each day. 
Have a lovely weekend.  
Best wishes,
Mr C Burns
Headteacher
Message from our Chaplain Mairie
Year 11 Mass 
 
It was lovely to celebrate with Year 11 at their Celebration Mass this week, especially as we were able to celebrate with parents, family and staff to be part of this special moment in their school year. We were grateful and blessed, to have the school choir with us. Thanks to Fr Peter and Fr Paul  and to everyone who came and who helped to make it a special occasion for our students.
The students acknowledged their friend and schoolmate, who sadly died in Year 7, with a very moving version of ‘Let it be’, recognising that we are all part of the St Nicholas family. 
Fr Peter spoke to the students about how important it is to make the most of this time and to make the most of themselves, inviting God to be part of their lives in all they do. He also reminded us that we are never ‘too young or too old’.
Thanks to the PTFA for providing refreshments so that families could have a good catch up after all this time. Continuing prayers and best wishes to Year 11. 
Confirmation
Confirmation 
St Joseph’s  (Winsford) & St Mary’s RC Church (Middlewich) are again joining together to deliver a Confirmation programme this year. Anyone who will be in Yr 9 (or older) when they go back to school in September 2023, who have been Baptised and want to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, please send an email to stmarysmiddlewichevents@gmail.com to receive details on how to enroll. Requests are needed ASAP. If you know of anyone please pass this information onto them.
Sporting Success – Winnington Park – U14 girls
Winnington  Park Rugby FC u14s girls performed in a tough tournament this weekend and did really well
Having had a very early start Saturday morning to head down to Twickenham to cheer on the Red Roses in their amazing grand slam win against France,  they played some amazing rugby in a huge tournament (70 teams) on Sunday.
They won their pool and went on to lose by just one try in a really close semi-final, to the ultimate tournament winners.
All the girls gave it their all….. and then some! Special mention though to the four who attend St Nicolas though; Niamh Whittaker, Orla Gerraty and Bella and Evie Sayle.
Winnington Park Rugby Family Festival
Family Festival
On 20th May the club is organising a Family Festival for anyone who is interested in trying rugby. Free entry and everyone welcome.
Chess Club
Chess club and the first St Nick’s Chess Championship
Chess club has been growing week by week and thanks to support from the PTFA and Northwich Chess Club we now have more boards and clocks to play with. Next week will see the quarter finals of the first St Nick’s Chess Championship – good luck to all those taking part – and for those who didn’t join or who have been knocked out there will be a ‘Swiss’ style tournament (not knockout) next half term. Chess club is Thursday lunchtimes in M5, and all abilities are encouraged to come and have a game.
Chess coaching
Richard Betts from Northwich Chess Club will be coming in next week for the first chess coaching session. This will be on Thursday after school until 4.30pm in M5. This week we are focussing on ‘pattern spotting’ in chess. All year groups and abilities are welcome, there is no charge. If you want to play more chess then Northwich Junior Chess Club meet on Saturday mornings from 9.30 until 11am at Victoria Road Primary School in Northwich. New members are always welcome. See www.northwichchessclub.com or contact richard@northwichchessclub.com for more details.

Please contact Mr Martin – j.martin@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk – with any questions.

PTFA News
Thank you to everyone who came along to our Car Boot fundraiser last Saturday morning – we really appreciate it.

Your school lottery
This week’s jackpot winning number is: 957014  – one of our supporters won £12.60 in the draw! 😀 🎉

If you haven’t signed up yet visit our lottery: https://www.yourschoollottery.co.uk/lottery/school/st-nicholas-catholic-high-school 

Library and Literacy
Meet the 2023 Carnegie Shortlist and get involved.
This year’s shortlist boasts a selection of diverse and exciting fiction titles ranging from a heart-breaking re-telling of the Greek myth of Medusa, to a dangerous death-loop story described by Waterstones as, “A powerful takedown of misogyny and toxic masculinity“.
 
Yoto Carnegies 2023 Shortlists Announced :: NEWS
 
Our Book Club have completed the Cheshire Schools’ Book Award books and will now be shadowing the Carnegie shortlist. All students and parents are welcome to read along with the book club, regardless of whether they attend the week 1 Wednesday lunch sessions. 
 
If you want to get involved, please check out the library’s Carnegie page https://uk.accessit.online/stn16/#!dashboard
 
Follow the links for each book to find out more or to submit a review or piece of artwork. Submissions are open to all students. There will be prizes for the best reviews and artwork at the end of June. I look forward to seeing everyone’s contributions.
100% Attendance Awards

Congratulations to the following students who have won the random draw of student who have a 100% attendance record in the previous week.

Well done and keep up the good work!

Year 10
Sienna D
Year 9
Federico and Bethany R
Belle B and Sinead G
Year 7
Oli H and Jack K
Ellie B and Oscar G

Hayfever tablets

If your child suffers from hayfever, please ensure that they take their antihistamine tablets in the morning before school.

Unfortunately the school is unable to supply hayfever tablets.

Train strike

Due to industrial action by ASLEF and RMT unions there will be disruption to train services across three weeks in May and early June. In summary the impact will be as follows:

  • No Northern services will operate on Friday 12 May, Wednesday 31 May and Saturday 3 June.
  • There will be very limited Northern services on Saturday 13 May. Some Northern stations will have no service, trains that run will be busy and finish earlier.
  • Disruption is also expected on 15 – 20 May, and on 1 June, Check with other train operators before travelling

We will be advising customers to ‘check before travelling’ during this entire period of industrial action, with more severe warnings for days heavily affected by strikes. A summary graphic is provided below and our website is up to date with the changes: northernrailway.co.uk/travel/strikes

Holiday dates 2023-24
Click here to download 2023-24 Holiday Dates

 

Industrial Action

Thank you for your support during the Industrial Action on Tuesday.

A huge thank you and well done to all our students. Your participation and hard work has not gone unnoticed.

Parent Carer Forum – Cheshire West and Chester

Click here to read the newsletter.

PTFA News

Thank you to all our helpers who served refreshments at the Year 11 Mass last night.

The next PTFA meeting is Monday 19th June.

Thank you to everyone who is supporting the school by taking part in Your School Lottery.
This week’s jackpot winning number is: 553453 – one of our supporters won £12.90 in the draw! 😀 🎉

If you haven’t signed up yet visit our lottery here – https://www.yourschoollottery.co.uk/lottery/school/st-nicholas-catholic-high-school 

Vacancy – Student Support Administrator
Due to an internal promotion we are looking to appoint a brilliant Student Support Administrator to join our helpful, positive and energetic team.
Strong communication skills, sense of humour and an ability to multi-task is key.
Click here for details
Boys’ and Girls’ After School Sports
Tuesday 9th May
Tennis
Wednesday 10th May
Mid-Cheshire Athletic Competition at Victoria Park, Warrington. Students from Years 8-11 involved leaving school at 2pm and returning 7.30pm.
Thursday 11th May
Boys Cricket, Tennis & Rounders
Friday 12th May
Girls Cricket 
Lunchtime and after school clubs

Monday lunch – Year 8 Technology Club in T3Monday lunch – Woodwind Ensemble in 1MMonday lunch – Art Club in A1Monday lunch – Year 7 & 8 Badminton/Table Tennis in Sports Hall (NJS/JC)Monday lunch – iMedia Support for Year 11 in C2Tuesday lunch – Computing Club in C3Tuesday lunch – Science Club (for KS3) S5Tuesday lunch – Art Club in A1
Tuesday lunch –  Y11 GCSE Chemistry revision in S4
Tuesday lunch – Lunchtime Mass in the ChapelTuesday lunch or Thursday after school – KS4/5 Spanish Film Club in L5Tuesday lunch – Year 9 Badminton/Table Tennis in Sports Hall (LF)Tuesday lunch- Year 11 GCSE PE Revision in PE1 (NJS)Tuesday after school 3.15 – 4.30 – Performing Arts Club in DS1Tuesday lunch – iMedia Support for Year 11 in C2Wednesday lunch – Dungeons and Dragons Club in B2Wednesday 3.15pm-4.15pm Dungeons and Dragons Club in B1Wednesday lunch – week 1 – Book Club in the LibraryWednesday 3.15-5pm Chamber Choir in the HallWednesday 3.15-4.15 GCSE Spanish Speaking Revision Club in L1Wednesday lunch – Year 10 Badminton/Table Tennis in Sports Hall (MA)Wednesday lunch – lunch – iMedia Support for Year 11 in C2Thursday lunch – String Group in 1MThursday lunch – Chess Club in M5Thursday lunch – Art Club in A2Thursday lunch – Year 11 Badminton/Table Tennis in Sports Hall (NJS/JC)Thursday lunch – Programming revision for Year 11 in C2Thursday 3.15-4.15 – Orchestra
Friday Lunch – Easy As Pi Maths Club in M1
Friday Lunch ‘Everyone Aloud’ 1MFriday lunch – Art Club in A2Friday lunch – iMedia Support for Year 11 in C2Friday lunch- 6th Form Football in Sports Hall (NJS/MA)

Upcoming Dates

Monday 8th May – BANK HOLIDAY
Friday 26th May – SCHOOL CLOSES

June

Monday 5th June –  SCHOOL REOPENS
Friday 23rd June – INSET DAY

July
Thursday 20th July – SCHOOL CLOSES

For future dates click here

Click here to download 2023-24 Holiday Dates

Attendance

Everyone matters – so attendance matters

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