Newsletter 06.10.2025 – St Nicholas Catholic High School

A prayer to share

And the Lord said,

‘If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed,

you could say to this mulberry tree,

“Be uprooted and planted in the sea”,

and it would obey you.

Luke 17

Heavenly Father,
As we begin this new week,

we come before You with hearts full of hope and faith.

Remind us that no challenge is too big when we trust in You.

Help us to see beyond the obstacles

and believe in the power of Your presence in our lives.

Amen

A Message from our Chaplain, Mairie

Year 7 REtreat and Welcome Mass

It was a wonderful opportunity to take year 7 students to St Wilfrid’s parish church and parish centre this week. The students were able to spend some time finding out about the elements that make up a Catholic church, getting to know each other a little more, and joining together for hymn practice with Mrs McKenna in readiness for their own Welcome Mass. We then celebrated Mass in the church with Fr Paul. As Mr Burns had said to them, their participation was excellent and the whole year group sang beautifully. They were fully prepared for their own Welcome Mass in school with their families. Thanks to everyone who made the day so special for the students and also a lovely way to welcome our new associate teachers.

We are now looking forward to the Welcome Mass for Year 7. Invitations have been sent out and we look forward to, what is always, a wonderfully, blessed event.

Student Leadership Project – Love in a Box

Our student leaders have taken on a number of targets this year and one is charity. After last year’s success we would like to invite students to, once again, take part in a Christmas Shoebox appeal. We are aiming to send items through Teams4U who will be travelling to Eastern Europe. If you are able to put together a shoebox – it would be a very welcome gift for those who have very little at this time. There will be more information next week but perhaps look out for a suitable box.

Sixth Form Open Evening – Tuesday 21st October

We look forward to welcoming all future Sixth Formers to our open evening – Tuesday 21st October 6-8pm

Year 7 RE-treat to St Wilfrid’s Church

Last week our year 7 cohort visited St Wilfred’s in Northwich. They marked the start of our 60th Jubilee year by spending time reflecting on their gifts and talents as well as having a tour of the church and learning about the history of it. Father Paul celebrated Mass which we all shared; it was a time for everyone to consider what and who we are thankful for. The students were fantastic and demonstrated our gospel values throughout the day; we’re very proud of all of them.

Here are some of the comments from the year 7 reflections.

I liked it because it is our jubilee year and I also like doing the little art piece I also made a new friend.

I enjoyed talking to new people over the day. I liked singing during the mass. I really liked was the light bulb activity because we got to share our features that we are most proud of with our friends.

I enjoyed singing hymns with everybody also enjoyed learning new things about the church. It was fun being together with friends and all the year 7 in conclusion over year 7 retreat day was a blast and was fun.

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European Day of Languages – 26th September

Last week we celebrated the annual European Day of Languages, a fantastic opportunity to enjoy and value the many languages spoken across our school and beyond.

The day began in Sacred Space, where we reflected on the importance of languages and listened to some of the St Nicholas community read the Lord’s Prayer in different languages. During form time, students also took part in creative activities – writing or drawing their own designs linked to the day – and had fun testing their knowledge in a lively Disney music quiz.

Across subject lessons, teachers used language-based starters to bring a European flavour into their classrooms. Throughout the day, staff and students challenged themselves to use foreign languages as much as possible around school. Pupils also cast their votes for the teacher who made the best effort – with a prize for the winner! This year, first place went to Mrs Senior! Congratulations!

In MFL lessons, students enjoyed a special quiz, while KS3 competitions ran on Teams, encouraging even more engagement and creativity.

We are delighted to announce the winners of the poster competition:

1st place: Sofia Alkac
2nd place: Ava-Rose Lunt
3rd place: Lauren Collier

Congratulations to them, and well done to everyone who took part in celebrating languages!

Race for life

We’re excited to be holding our annual Race for Life on Tuesday 7th October 2025! This whole-school event is a fantastic chance for students and staff to come together, get active, and raise money for cancer charities. Students will run or walk a fun 5km course during a lesson (usually PE) and should arrive in full PE kit, with the option to wear pink accessories. A £1 donation is encouraged—let’s make a difference together!

Music News

Amazing Alumni

Will Roberts

Having achieved full marks in his A level compositions in 2020 Will Roberts won Birmingham University Music Composition prize in 2024. The world premiere of his recently published song ‘Ave Maris Stella’ will take place on 22^nd November 2025. Fantastic achievement Will!

Luca Gasparini

Luca Gasparini achieved an A in his music A level in the summer and then continued to work hard on his performance skills achieving Grade 8 with distinction in August, before he left to study in Italy!!

Imogen Cooke

Imogen Cooke in Year 13 was successful in applying for and attending a Rodolfus Choral course in the summer break, which took place at Cambridge University.

Last week Radio 3 played a recording of the Evensong service which Imogen took part in. Here is the link to hear this fantastic choir!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002jtfb

Tatton Park Christmas Concert

St Nicholas Choir gets a mention on the BBC website. Join us in December for our Tatton Park performance Selection of north west Christmas events for your diary – BBC News

Library and Literacy

Has your child signed up for the 16 before 16 Reading Challenge yet?

This new initiative encourages students to read 16 books before their 16th birthday, choosing from a specially curated list of books which will be available both in the school library and on Sora (our digital reading platform).

-How It Works

Sign Up at the Library: Once students sign up, they’ll be added to the 16 Before 16 Teams group where they’ll get access to the official book list and the digital app to log their reading progress.

Read and Log

Students can start reading books from the 16 Before 16 list and log each one in the app. It doesn’t matter how fast they read—what matters is enjoying the books and growing as a readers.

Earn Rewards

For every 3 books read, they’ll unlock a milestone badge—a fun way to track progress and stay motivated.

Once they finish all 16 books, they’ll receive a special voucher as a reward for their hard work and commitment.

-Why Take the 16 Before 16 Challenge?

Reading is about more than just finishing a book, it’s about opening doors. Here’s how taking this challenge can benefit your child:

Stronger Thinking Skills: Reading regularly improves focus, critical thinking, and vocabulary.

Better School Performance: Students who read more often tend to do better in all subjects, not just English.

More Confidence: When you read widely, you gain knowledge and perspectives that help you express yourself clearly and confidently.

Stress Relief: Reading is a great escape from the everyday pressures of school and life.

A Sense of Achievement: Finishing 16 books is a real accomplishment—and it feels great to say you did it!

-Get Started Today!

If your child is in years 7 – 10, please encourage them to head to the library and sign up for the 16 Before 16 Reading Challenge. They can join a community of teen readers, discover amazing books, earn rewards, and most of all—fall in love with reading.

Sporting Success

Swimming Relay Championships

On Thursday this strong swimming team represented St Nicholas at the North West Secondary Schools’ Relay Championships held in Blackpool. The students all compete outside of school for local swimming clubs and we are proud that they chose to represent their school. All swimmers raced well and we now wait to see whether our times on the night were good enough to qualify for the English Schools’ Championships in November. Fingers crossed!

Sporting Success

Cheshire Schools Football

Freya Hunt and Seren Thompson represented Cheshire Schools yesterday in a 9-1 win against The New Saints in Ormskirk , Freya made 3 assists and scored a goal of her own .
They are both due to play against Manchester City this upcoming Wednesday at the Manchester City Women’s ground which will be exciting for them.

Cheshire Hike 2025

Congratulations to all our amazing students who took part in the Cheshire Hike 2025. It is a tough challenge and you all did extremely well.

If you would like your name to go in the next newsletter, please let us know here by Friday 10th October

Mental Health

Young Minds

A mental health charity for children, young people and their parents providing advice and information to support mental health. https://www.youngminds.org.uk/

MyMind

MyMind is for young people, parents and families across Cheshire and Wirral. Here you can find information on how to look after your mental health, how to access help and support, and details of support services in your local area.

https://www.mymind.org.uk/

The Mix

An organisation providing advice, connection and a listening ear to children and young people to support their mental health. This includes discussion forums, support groups and counselling online. https://www.themix.org.uk/

Kooth

A free online mental health service providing self-help resources, discussion forums and access to Emotional Wellbeing Practitioners and Counsellors at your fingertips

https://www.kooth.com/

Flu Vaccination in school

Year 7-11 will have their flu vaccination on 23rd October 2025
Fill in the consent form using the link by 16th October 2025: https://nhsImms.azurewebsites.net/session/35a07b63
If you do not want your child to have the flu vaccine, please let us know using the same link.
If we have not received a consent form your child may be asked if they want to give their own consent for the vaccine.
For further details and local contact information click here

PTFA News

Please note that our next meeting is the AGM, on 10th November – please consider coming along as we would love new members in order to keep our PTFA running. Everyone is welcome.

Thank you as ever.

Your PTFA

PTFA Lottery

Our latest jackpot winning numbers are:
495219 & 238252

Our supporters have won: £13.50 & £22.80 in the draw!

Please consider joining our school lottery if you’ve not already done so as it helps raise funds for school. Thank you for your support as always.

https://www.yourschoollottery.co.uk/

Spending in the canteen

Following a review of catering sales at break and lunchtimes during the first month of term we are increasing the daily spending limit to £6.00. If any parent/carer, wishes this to remain at £5.00, please contact us. For information, the daily limit for students eligible for Free School Meals is £3.00.

Careers

Balfour Beatty apprenticeships

University Experience Week | University of Chester

University Experience Week, Health, Medicine and Society – taking place between Monday 27th and Friday 31st October.

NHS Virtual work experience

Community notices

Winnington Park Rugby Camp

October half term

U15 Rugby Players wanted

Join Winnington Rugby Team.

Parents and Carers Forum

Car wash

19th October – Hartford Scouts – many of whom are St Nicholas Students – are hosting a car wash.

U15 Football Players wanted

1874 Northwich are looking for new players

Study in style at Sandiway Library

Looking for somewhere relaxing to do your homework, print out your study notes, or work online? If so, come along to Sandiway Library.

We have sofas, comfortable seating and desks where you can study on your own or with friends. Whilst you are here, you can enjoy free tea, coffee and juice – and of course lots of fantastic free books, graphic novels, dyslexia-friendly reads, e-books and audio books, free wifi, printing and opportunity to borrow and iPad.

Parent courses

Attendance

Everyone matters – so attendance matters

Lunchtime and after school clubs

PE Co-Curricular Timetable

Fixtures: (week commencing 6th October)

Tuesday
Year 7 Boys Football Festival @ Winsford
Year 8 & 9 Netball v Hartford HOME
Year 3/4 Mixed Football

Wednesday
Year 9 Boys Football Festival @HHS
Year 8 & 9 Netball v CHSL AWAY

Clubs:

Monday
Lunch (12:45 – 1:05pm): Year 7
After school (3:15 – 4:15pm): Meetings
Tuesday
Lunch: Year 8
After school: GCSE PE Practical, Table Tennis Club (All Years)
Wednesday
Lunch: Years 9 & 10
After school: Netball (Girls & Boys), GCSE PE Revision
Thursday
Lunch: Year 11
After school: Football (Girls & Boys, All Years)
Friday
Lunch: Sixth Form
After school: Run Club (All Years)

(All activities open to everyone – correct kit must be worn – Trainers to be worn at lunchtime.)

Music Co-Curricular

W/C 6th October

Monday
Lunch: Keyboard Club (2M)

Tuesday

Lunch: FRANCE TRIP CHOIR

After school: GCSE Composing Workshops

Wednesday

Lunch: Woodwind Ensemble
After school: Choir (3:15 – 5:00pm), GCSE Composing Workshops.

Thursday

Lunch: String Ensemble
After school: Orchestra( 3.15-4.15)

Friday

After school: GCSE Composing Workshops

Please see Mrs McKenna or Mr Reid to arrange rehearsal space/time for band practices

Lunchtime Clubs

Monday lunchtime : Musical Mondays – watch musicals in H1 – bring your lunch

Tuesday lunchtime 12.45 Science Club S5 – all years

Tuesday lunchtime Chess Club in M5 – all years
Tuesday lunchtime Mass/Prayer in the Chapel – all years

Friday lunchtime – Dance Club DS1 – 12.35 – 1.10 – Lunch passes available – bring lunch with you.

Friday lunchtime – Year 11 GCSE Computer Science revision in C2.

After School Clubs

Tuesday After School – Performing Arts Club DS1 3.15 – 4.30

Tuesday After School – GCSE DT ‘catch up’ session on Tuesdays 3.15 – 4.15 in T3

Wednesdays after school – Dungeons & Dragons – 3.15 to 4.30pm (Open to all year groups) In the Library.

Upcoming dates

Thursday 9th October : Senior Maths Challenge Years 12 and 13 / Year 7 Information Evening (Form Tutors only) 4.15pm / Year 7 Parents’ Information Evening for Residential (5pm & 5.45pm)
Monday 13th October : Year 7 Welcome Mass 5.30pm
Thursday 16th October : Opal Coast trip departs
Sunday 19th October : Opal Coast trip returns
Monday 20th October : MFL Mock Orals 1 commence
Tuesday 21st October : Food Preparation & Nutrition Practical Mock Exam / Sixth Form Open Evening 6–8pm
Wednesday 22nd October : Food Preparation & Nutrition Practical Mock Exam
Friday 24th October : MFL Mock Orals finish / SCHOOL CLOSES

Click here for future dates

Click here to download 2025-26 Holiday Dates

Click here to download 2026-27 Holiday Dates