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Newsletter 09.02.2026

A prayer to share

Prayer for Mental Health Awareness Week
Loving God,
You know each of us by name
and you know what we carry in our hearts.
We pray today for anyone who is feeling overwhelmed or tired.
Remind us that it’s okay to ask for help
and that we don’t have to face things on our own.
Help us to be kind to ourselves
and patient with one another.
Give us the courage to speak when we are struggling
and the compassion to listen when others do.
May our school be a place of safety, understanding, and hope,
where everyone feels seen, valued, and supported.
Amen.

A Message from our Chaplain, Mairie

Celebrating 60 Years of St Nicholas Catholic High School –Jubilee Afternoon Tea on Thursday, 26th March at 4.30.
This year marks a wonderful milestone for our Catholic community as St Nicholas’ celebrates its 60th anniversary. For six decades, the school has been a place where young people have grown in faith, friendship, and learning—supported by dedicated staff, loving families, and the prayers of all our parishes. To mark this special occasion, we warmly invite past pupils, former staff, governors, and friends of the school to join us  to come and see how the school has grown and changed over the years. There will be guided tours, displays of old photographs, and refreshments. It will be a wonderful chance to reminisce and reconnect.
We ask that people  sign up so that we have an idea of numbers.  Please email the address below.
We would also love to hear from past students and staff so we are also inviting people to write or email their memories of St Nicholas’ over the years.
Please email alumni@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk to send your memories or book a place for Afternoon Tea.

Public Speaking

Public Speaking competition
Congratulations to Ashwin Nair, who competed in the Catenians’ Public Speaking competition on Sunday 1st February.  Speaking to a live audience, and competing against 16 other students from Catholic 6th forms in the North West, Ashwin spoke with confidence and flair on the topic ‘the more we communicate, the less we really say’.  Ashwin wrote a compelling speech where his audience was encouraged to put down their electronic devices and give more quality time to meaningful conversations with others – advice we can all take note of!  He prepared and practised for a number of weeks before and proudly represented the school in the competition.
Well done, Ashwin!

Scouting

Scouting 

Hazel Harford in Year 8 is a proud member of the scouting movement and would like to share some of her experiences with the school community:

From Squirrels to Explorers, scouting is a wonderful organisation made up of volunteers who give up their evenings to help young people learn important skills.

Scouting is not just for brave and bold boys, as some people might think; it’s for everyone, no matter who they are! Throughout Scouting you’ll learn not only knots, but valuable life, teamwork and leadership skills. Through fun, hands on activities, such as camping, first-aid, navigation and community service, you will build confidence and self-reliance for life. Scouting develops responsibility, initiative and has a huge positive impact on many lives. We go hiking, swimming, abseiling, cycling and canoeing, but we also get to hang out with our friends each week – having fun and playing games, working in a team and taking on new challenges. 

“As a Scout, I enjoy being a patrol leader, which has helped to build my confidence and responsibility.” 

“I enjoy camps because we sleep in tents and even hammocks sometimes. We have campfires and cook our own food, and the activities are really fun!” 

“I love seeing all my friends every week at the fun sessions we have!” 

“I like doing the promise and doing fun challenges for badges.” 

Library and Literacy

 

National Storytelling Week 
When we think of storytelling, it’s easy to picture picture books and bedtime routines. But storytelling doesn’t stop being powerful once children reach secondary school. National Storytelling Week reminds us that stories remain one of the most effective ways to support reading, comprehension, and confidence for teenagers.
Why storytelling still matters in secondary school.
At secondary level, reading becomes more complex. Students are expected to:
Storytelling supports all of this. When young people hear, tell, and discuss stories, they strengthen the same skills they need for reading: sequencing, understanding character motivation, predicting outcomes, and making connections.
Importantly, storytelling can also reduce pressure. Some teenagers who feel anxious about reading or who don’t see themselves as “readers” are often much more willing to engage with stories in spoken form.
You don’t have to read aloud from a book.
Storytelling at home doesn’t mean sitting down with a novel and performing it cover to cover. In fact, some of the most effective storytelling is informal and spontaneous.
Here are a few easy ways to build storytelling into everyday life:
Share your own stories: You could talk about a mistake you made at work, something funny that happened when you were their age or a family memory or local story. This helps teenagers understand how stories are structured and shows them that everyone has stories worth telling.
Invite them to tell stories: Ask open questions such as, “What was the most dramatic part of your day?”, or “If today were a chapter in a book, what would it be called?” By doing this you’re encouraging them to organise events, choose details, and explain cause and effect (key reading skills).
Connect stories across formats: Films, TV series, podcasts, audiobooks, and games all rely on narrative. Discussing these helps build the same comprehension skills used in reading.
Audiobooks, in particular, are a powerful tool for teenagers. Listening to stories improves vocabulary and understanding, and it still “counts” as engaging with literature.
Keep it relaxed and pressure-free
Perhaps most importantly, storytelling should feel enjoyable, not like extra homework. Short conversations, car journeys, mealtimes, or walks are perfect opportunities. You’re not testing them. You’re sharing ideas.
During National Storytelling Week, remember: every family already tells stories. By valuing those moments and talking about them, you’re quietly strengthening your child’s reading skills and helping them see stories as something that belongs to them.
Jeffrey Boakye Workshop
To celebrate National Storytelling week in school, Bookclub took part in an online storytelling workshop led by Jeffrey Boakye. We learned how to use our own experiences to create engaging stories to share.
Students can re-watch the workshop via the link below:
https://youtu.be/RuX35OMPoLo?feature=shared

Year 13 Mock Assessment Centre Trip

Year 13 Mock Assessment Centre Trip

Last Wednesday was a really productive and valuable day at the mock assessment centre at Crewe Alexandra with Year 13. Students experienced mock interviews with feedback, a group task creating a marble run, and a presentation task. Thank you to The Pledge and all employers taking part including Bentley, Wates, Balfour Beatty, NW Fuels and Everybody Leisure. Students were an absolute credit to the school, developing their employability skills and networking.

Valentine’s Disco

Valentine’s Disco

Our amazing Sixth Formers are hosting a Valentine’s Disco on Friday 13th February 6.30pm – 8pm in the assembly hall.

All Year 7s and Year 8s are invited. Tickets will be available to buy during form time and at break or lunch outside the canteen.

Sporting Success

Year 7 Girls Football

Following on from their 5-a-side success last month our Year 7 girls won again!
On a bitterly cold evening the girls were undefeated, and they will now represent Mid-Cheshire in the Cheshire competition in March.
Well done to all the players.
Cross Country
After the non-stop rain on Friday, we arrived Saturday morning to a very muddy Knights Grange, Winsford.
This made the gruelling course even tougher…  but the St Nicholas Super Stars showed up, dug in and gave their all!
Many finished in the top 10 in Cheshire and will run again in the Inter Counties in March.
A huge congratulations to all our brilliant runners.

Charlotte Ainscough – Ben Yeates – Jane Carrington – Nancy Carrington – Imogen Ward – Ben Watts – James Thorpe – Alice Ward – Grace Buckley – Jess Barnett – Rhys Parkin – Ben Noone – Oliver Noone – Peyton Foy – Penny Rowling – Callum Sergeant

A special mention to Ruby Carrington in Year 13 who has represented Mid-Cheshire every single year since Year 7, an amazing achievement! Well done Ruby.

Football Opportunity

Alice Jordan is taking full advantage of the experiences she gains through Cheshire FA opportunities.
Last week Alice attended an England FA masterclass with Danny Alogba

Netball results

Four year groups were represented when our talented netballers travelled to Knutsford last week.

Year 8 won 25-6
Year 9 won 23-8
Year 10 won 26-10
Year 11 lost 16-15
Well done to all the girls – it was a pleasure to see you play!

Free School Meals Eligibility

Your child may be entitled to receive free school meals if you are entitled to receive one of the following:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit, provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income that does not exceed £16,190.
• Universal Credit (Provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400)

Please go to, www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk , Schools & Education, then Free School Meals where you can apply on-line. The on-line eligibility checker will notify you straight away if you do or do not qualify.

It is really important that you complete the on-line form to ensure your child is recorded as eligible for Free School Meals and to help make sure that the school is funded.

If you cannot apply on-line, you can telephone Free School Meals on 0300 123 7039, but this is only if you do not have access to the internet.

Free holiday club 

Thanks to continued funding from the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme, we are able to offer a range of fun, safe and engaging sessions across the school holidays.

The HAF Programme is funded nationally by the Department for Education and supports families by providing:

  • Free, fun activities for children and young people
  • A healthy meal as part of each session
  • Opportunities to try new things, learn skills and make friends

These sessions are available to children and young people who are eligible for Benefits‑Related Free School Meals (BRFSM).

We have 20 providers and around 37 clubs across the borough who will offer a wide range of activities including multisport, arts and crafts, creative workshops, Lego challenges, treasure hunts, outdoor nature sessions and opportunities to try new foods and learn more about nutrition.

Click here to book

Careers

Jobs and Apprenticeship Fair at Cheshire College
on the 11th February 3pm – 6.30pm

Click here

Apprenticeship Open Evenings at Remarkable Autism on 10th & 11th February.

This event is a great opportunity to explore our School/College, learn more about our apprenticeship opportunities, and ask any questions you may have.

AmazingApprenticeships.com

A good place to start for all kinds of apprenticeships

Half Term Virtual STEM Work Experience with NESO

Discover opportunities in the engineering and energy sector and learn how you can help shape the future of sustainable energy.

Click here

Community Notices

Dream Big Art Club

Sandiway Library – Mondays 3.45-4.45

Art club for 11 – 16 year olds

Tuesdays from 4 – 5pm at Hartford Village Hall.

SEND – preparing for adulthood.
Thursday 26th Feb

Half Term Craft for kids aged 5 – 11
Weds 18 February at Hartford Village Hall.
Sessions: 10am -12 noon and 1.30pm to 3.30pm

Junior BakeOff

Applications now open

http://www.applyforjuniorbakeoff.co.uk/ 

February Half Term – Holiday Club

Cuddington Youth Centre

Anxiety Based School Avoidance

Online Free talk

Help for Parents and Families at the Community Hub

Baron’s Quay every Thursday from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), Employment Support , Health Services, Adult Social Care, Asylum and Refugee Services, Early Help and Intervention, and more.

Co-curricular Activities

PE Co-Curricular

Week commencing 9th Feb
Monday
Year 11 Football at Hartford 
Y7 & Y9 Girls Netball vs. MHS (Home) 
Clubs:
Monday
Lunch (12:45 – 1:05pm):Year 7
After school (3:15 – 4:15pm): Meetings
Tuesday
Lunch: Year 8
After school: No Clubs – due to fixtures taking place
Wednesday
Lunch: Years 9 & 10
After school: No Clubs – due to fixtures taking place
Thursday
Lunch: Year 11
After school: Football (Girls & Boys, All Years) (4pm finish)
Friday
After school: Ski Fit

Music Co-Curricular

Monday
Lunch GCSE Catch up
Lunch Keyboard Club 2M
After school: A Level Recital 1M 6.30pm
Tuesday
Lunch : Wizard of Oz
3.15-4.45pm Wizard of Oz
Wednesday
Lunch GCSE catch up 1M
Choir 3.15-4.15pm
Thursday
Lunch: String and Woodwind Ensembles 1M and 2M
Wizard of Oz (practice room)
No Orchestra due to Y11 Parents evening

Lunchtime Clubs

Monday lunchtime : Musical Mondays –  watch musicals in H1 – bring your lunch
Tuesday lunchtime Chess Club in M5 – all years
Tuesday lunchtime Mass/Prayer in the Chapel – all years
Wednesday lunchtime  Writing and Poetry Club E1
Wednesday lunchtime Beyblading – Bring your own BeyBlades – in R1
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.

Attendance

Everyone matters – so attendance matters

Upcoming dates

February 2026

Monday 9th February  MFL Mock Orals  commence /  Music Recital Evening 6.30pm
Thursday 12th February Art & MFL trip to Paris departs / Year 11 Parents’ Evening 4.15–7.30pm
Friday 13th February MFL Mock Orals  finish / Valentine’s Disco for Y7&8 /SCHOOL CLOSES
Monday 23rd February SCHOOL REOPENS
Tuesday 24th February Year 9 Retreat Day
Wednesday 25th February Year 13 Parents’ Evening 4.15–7.30pm
Thursday 26th February English & Maths Mocks
Friday 27th February English & Maths Mocks

Wednesday 1st April SCHOOL CLOSES
Monday 20th April SCHOOL REOPENS
Monday 4th May BANK HOLIDAY
Friday 22nd May  SCHOOL CLOSES
Monday 1st June SCHOOL REOPENS
Friday 19th June INSET Day
Wednesday 22nd July SCHOOL CLOSES

Click here for future dates

Click here to download 2025-26 Holiday Dates

Click here to download 2026-27 Holiday Dates