Newsletter 06.01.23

Newsletter 06.01.23

Message from our Chaplain Mairie
Feast of the Epiphany

These ‘wise’ travellers may well have been considered foolish to follow a star and a prophecy in hopeThey were prepared to stake reputation; to leave family; to risk the dangers of travel; to risk the hospitality of strangers. To follow more than a star and for more than two weeks – they arrive at the house, not at the stable and Mary has a child, not a baby. The Magi knelt at the feet of a child, a toddler. 

The passage, in Matthew’s gospel, has fired the imagination of artists, writers, poets as well as people of faith for two thousand years.  The blessing of the Magi has also become a blessing of the home in many countries, and we celebrated that in school this week. 

During our Inset Day we read a poem by Howard Thurman. We are encouraged to take all that is good about the Christmas season into the new year.

When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among others,
To make music in the heart.

Howard Thurman

Foodbank

Again, our thanks for your generous donations of food, toiletries, pet food and baby goods. We managed to completely fill the Mid-Cheshire van with goods, as well as sending over 30 hampers out into the parish communities. In these difficult times, we are really grateful to you all for your generosity. 

Message from Mr Heffernan, Acting Headteacher

A very warm welcome back to a new and exciting term at St Nicholas. I hope you and your families enjoyed a peaceful Christmas.

As this is my first letter to you in my capacity as Acting Headteacher for the Lent Term, I want to take the opportunity to state how honoured I was to be asked by Governors to lead the school for this period. Having served our wonderful St Nicholas community for nearly 10 years, I have been regularly humbled to witness the amazing outcomes, in all spheres of school life, which result from the combined effort of students, staff and families.
St Nicholas Catholic High School is a truly unique and inspiring environment. I can assure you that the foundations of our considerable success as a school in recent years will continue to be strengthened and developed during this crucial term ahead and I very much look forward to working with you to continue our fulfilling learning journey together.

Click here to read the full letter

Library and Reading News
20 Reading Resolutions for 2023
Have your family set their reading resolutions for 2023?
Instead of resolving to “read more books”, why not try some of the following instead?
    1. Read a book that takes place in the past 
    2. Read a book that takes place in the future 
    3. Read a book that takes place in a fantasy world 
    4. Read every book in a series 
    5. Read my best friend’s favourite book 
    6. Read a book of poetry or a book written in verse 
    7. Read a non-fiction book about someone I admire 
    8. Read a graphic novel or comic book 
    9. Challenge a friend or family member to read a book I like 
    10. Read a book to someone younger than me
    11. Read a play 
    12. Read a recipe aloud to somebody cooking
    13. Read a poem until I have it memorised
    14. Read under the covers with a torch 
    15. Read a book with a mystery
    16. Read a book that became a film I like
    17. Read a book in one sitting 
    18. Go to a book signing/reading and have the author sign my copy of the book 
    19. Do a book swap with a friend or neighbour 
    20. Read a picture book, regardless of my age
Don’t forget the most important resolution of all is to ENJOY what you read. 
Physical Education
A reminder that students should come to PE lessons dressed for all weathers.
Due to exams taking place in the sports hall, all PE lessons take place outside next week.

Students must ensure they are appropriately dressed. They are allowed to wear skins, black or navy leggings under shorts or skorts or unbranded black or navy joggers. Plain hats and gloves can be worn, and black or navy sweatshirts or fleeces are also allowed – however hoodies are not permitted.

Please put names in all items.

MFL Competition Winners
The Language Department ran various competitions in KS3 last term. We had some fabulous entries to the Christmas card competition – thank you to all who took part. Other draws were based on effort and behaviour shown in lessons.
Christmas Card competition  
Lily Donnelly (8T) 
Year 7 prize draw (based on teacher nomination)
Ben Yeates (7K)
Year 8 Memrise competition
Daniel Dziobak (8V) – top scorer
Jose Martinho Fernandes Garcia (8K) – prize draw winner from all participants
Year 9 Prize Draw  (this was from all students that were awarded a 4 in MFL lessons in the last two weeks of the Advent Term)
Grace Bird (9J)
 
Well done! See Mrs McAleenan for prizes. 
Music Success
A massive congratulations to Charlie Larkin in Year 9 who alongside representing the school in Chamber Choir, Orchestra and Woodwind Ensemble in 5 performances at the end of term also passed his Grade 4 clarinet!
A wonderful achievement – well done Charlie!
Youth Parliament

Cheshire West and Chester UK Youth Parliament Elections 2023

We will be electing one Member of Youth Parliament and one Deputy Member of Youth Parliament. The elected MYP and DMYP will begin their terms on 1st March 2023, holding their position until 1st March 2025.

In Cheshire West and Chester, we have the following positions:

2 Members of Youth Parliament and 2 Deputy Members of Youth Parliament:

  • A Member of Youth Parliament (MYP), is an individual aged between 11 and 18 elected by young people to represent their local area on the UK Youth Parliament. There are currently around 300 MYPs across the UK.
  • There are two MYP’s for Cheshire West and Chester. The MYP’s are currently elected on an annual basis one per year so the MYP who has been in post for longer can support the newly elected MYP.

What happens if I get elected? How much time do I need to commit? What skills will I develop?

Click here for further information

Message from the PTFA
Dear Parents & Carers,
We hope you & your families enjoyed the festive season & we wish you a very happy, healthy & peaceful new year.
Staff will be sending us their ‘wish list’ very soon & we hope that we can have a wonderful year of fundraising.
Our next meeting is in school at 6pm on Monday, 9th January – everyone is welcome.
Thank you as ever for your continued support.
Kind regards,
Your PTFA
Your School Lottery

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

This month you can win a years subscription to Hello Fresh

Nasal Flu Vaccination

The NHS nurses will be in school on Tuesday 24th January.

Years 7, 8 and 9 will be offered the vaccine. Please give your consent by clicking on the link in the letter or here. The school code is CP111450 

Revision Guides for GCSE

Macbeth revision guides available for year 11 students to purchase at £3.10 on Parent Pay

A Christmas Carol revision guides available for year 10 students to purchase via Parent Pay for £3.60

Duke of Edinburgh
Current Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Candidates
All current Bronze DofE candidates who completed their expedition in October, please ensure to submit all evidence and assessor’s reports on eDofE as soon as possible. The sooner all 3 sections are completed, the sooner you will receive your award. If you have any issues with eDofE, please see Miss Forsey in school or email the following email address l.forsey@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk
Aspiring Duke of Edinburgh Candidates
We are pleased to announce that St Nicholas pupils will have the opportunity to participate in all three Duke of Edinburgh awards this year. The DofE is a great chance for your child to broaden their horizons, discover new interests and talents, have fun with friends, develop essential skills for their future and achieve an internationally renowned Award.
Bronze DofE award 2023
For current Year 9, the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh award will be on offer. For all details, please see the letter on ParentPay.
Training dates: Saturday 9th September 2023 (in school), and Sunday 10th September 2023 (Delamere)
Expedition dates: Saturday 7th October – Sunday 8th October 2023 (Whitchurch, Cheshire) 
Total cost: £210.00
Deposit due: Friday 17th February 2023
Silver DofE award 2023
For current Year 11, the Silver Duke of Edinburgh award will be on offer. For all details, please see the letter on ParentPay.
Training dates:  Friday 17th March 2023 – Sunday 19th March 2023 (Llangollen)
Expedition dates: Thursday 6th April 2023 – Saturday 8th April 2023 (Snowdonia)
Total cost: £354.00
Deposit due: Friday 20th January 2023
 
Gold DofE award 2023
For current Year 12, the Gold Duke of Edinburgh award will be on offer. For all details, please see the letter on ParentPay.
Training dates:  Friday 17th March 2023 – Sunday 19th March 2023 (Llangollen)
Expedition dates: Thursday 6th April 2023 – Sunday 9th April 2023 (Snowdonia)
Total cost: £417.00
Deposit due: Friday 20th January 2023
 
Any questions for any of the aforementioned awards, please contact Miss Forsey directly at l.forsey@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk

Accessing the Foodbank and Food Distribution Centre, Greenbank

So that we may support our St Nicholas family, we have registered as a referral organisation for the Foodbank. If you would like to have this support, we are able to process an on-line referral and arrange an appointment for you to collect a five-day food package from an agreed centre. 

Please do get in touch if we can be of help in this manner. Our chaplain is the point of contact –  Mairie Gelling at m.gelling@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk .  As always, our conversation and any information that we need to pass on to the Foodbank will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. For alternative access, you can also contact the local Citizens Advice in the Community on 07894 238963

For local families, a new Food Distribution Centre has now opened at Christchurch in Greenbank. The church is located at the Greenbank station car park. Open 12.15 – 12.45 every Wednesday.
Vacancies at St Nicholas

Leisure Assistant

We are looking to appoint a reliable, independent, and enthusiastic individual to undertake this new role, supervising the hire of the school facilities including the sports hall during weekday evenings and weekends. This includes opening and locking up.
Part time casual contract.
Hours between 5.00-10.00pm Monday to Friday and potentially weekends.
Hours to be agreed in advance on a termly basis.
Grade 3 – £10.60 per hour
Click here for further information

Scarlet Fever

Please click here to read a letter from the UK Health Security Agency regarding scarlet fever.

Boys’ and Girls’ After School Sports

Tuesday 10th January
Football All Years, boys and girls – 3.15-4.15pm

Wednesday 11th January
Netball – All years 3.15pm-4.15pm

Rugby – All Years 3.15pm-4.15pm
Thursday 12th January
GCSE PE Coursework and Practical – 3.15-4.15pm
KS4 Rugby with DJ – 3.15-4.15pm
Friday 13th January
Run Club 3.15-4.15pm

Ski Fit 3.15-4.15pm

Fixtures
Year 7 Girls Cheshire 5-a-side Final on Tuesday 10th Jan away at Rudheath.
Year 10 Boys Cup match v Hartford High School

Music in school
Monday 9th January
Lunchtime : woodwind ensemble and auditions for Chamber Choir
Tuesday 10th January
Lunchtime : auditions for Chamber choir
Wednesday 11th January
Lunchtime : GCSE composition
Chamber choir 3.15-4.15
Thursday 12th January
Lunchtime : string ensemble
After school : NO Orchestra THIS WEEK
Lunchtime and after school clubs

Monday lunch – Year 8 Technology Club in T3
Monday lunch – Jazz Band in 1M
Monday lunch – Art Club in A1
Monday lunch – Year 7 & 8 Badminton/Table Tennis in Sports Hall (NJS/JC)
Monday lunch – Jazz Band in 1M
Monday lunch – Art Club in A1
Tuesday lunch – Computing Club in C3
Tuesday lunch –  Glee Club (All Years) in 1M
Tuesday lunch – Science Club (for KS3) S5
Tuesday lunch – Art Club in A1
Tuesday lunch – Lunchtime Mass in the Chapel
Tuesday lunch or Thursday after school – KS4/5 Spanish Film Club in L5
Tuesday 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 DS1
Wednesday lunch – Woodwind Group in 1M
Wednesday lunch – Dungeons and Dragons Club in B2
Wednesday lunch – week 1 – Book Club in the Library
Wednesday 3.15-5pm Chamber Choir in the Hall
Wednesday 3.15-4.15 GCSE Spanish Speaking Revision Club in L1Wednesday lunch – Year 10 Badminton/Table Tennis in Sports Hall (MA)
Thursday lunch – String Group in 1MThursday 3.15-4.15pm Orchestra in the Hall
Thursday lunch – Chess Club in M5
Thursday lunch – Art Club in A2
Thursdays at 3.30 – KS4/5 Spanish Film Club in L5
Thursday lunch – Year 11 Badminton/Table Tennis in Sports Hall (NJS/JC)
Friday Lunch – Easy As Pi Maths Club in M1
Friday lunch – Art Club in A2
Friday lunch- 6th Form Football in Sports Hall (NJS/MA)

Upcoming Dates

Monday 9th January – PTFA Meeting 6.00 – 7.00pm
Wednesday 18th January – Year 7 residential
Tuesday 24th January – Nasal flu vaccination Years 7,8,9

Thursday 26th January – Mission Day
Wednesday 1st February – Parent Focus Meeting 6-7pm
Thursday 16th February – Year 11 Parents’ Evening

For future dates click here

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