Newsletter 11.02.22

Form Patron Assemblies

This week we are beginning our Form Patron assemblies to introduce our Lenten Charity. Rather than meet in our year groups, we are gathering as our individual saints, which means that students from Year 7 to Year 13 will be working together to raise money for our Lenten Charity – CARITAS. More information about the charity will be given out next week. Hopefully, all our saints will take on the challenge to make a difference during Lent and to support those in need in our local community.

Accessing the Foodbank

Whilst we hope that everyone is coping well with the present situation, this is a difficult time and we appreciate that there may be some families who are undergoing hardship because of changes in work or personal circumstances. 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. For those who are self-isolating, a delivery can be arranged instead, subject to volunteer capacity. Please do contact us if we can be of help in this manner. 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.

International Women in Science Day

It was International Women in Science Day on the 10th February.

The science department has been highlighting this during lessons this week, reflecting on inspirational female scientists and their contributions to science across the world.

Catering accounts

We are finding an increasing number of students are wishing to purchase items at break and lunchtime with either no catering card or credit on their account. Please remind your child to ensure they have their card with them in school or request a replacement if lost or stolen and regularly check your child’s account balance and top up via ParentPay or with cash in school.

Reading for Pleasure!

Year 8 took part in an interform Book Review competition over the Advent holiday. Students were encouraged to write a 100-200 word review on the book they chose to read. There were some fantastic entries and the final three winners are listed below with their chosen book!

3^rd place – Matthew Giles – Animalcom

2^nd place – Charlie – Fitzsimmons – The Saga of Darren Shan: Cirque du freak

1^st place – Nathan Lee – Gone

Well done to all who took part!

Mrs Senior

English News – Public Speaking Competition

This Sunday, Poppy Hazlehurst, in Year 13, represented St Nicholas’ in the North West regional public speaking competition of the Catenians Association, which took place in the Manchester Conference Centre. There were 11 competitors; each had to speak for 4 minutes on a pre-published topic. Poppy’s choice was ‘The idea of peace on earth is naïve’ and she spoke articulately and confidently, finishing comfortably before her 4 minutes were over. All of the competitors were awarded a certificate and prize; more importantly, however, they can look forward to augmenting their C.V. with an experience that will undoubtedly help to set them apart from other candidates in future job interviews. Well done Poppy!

Bikeability

Author Virtual Visit.

On Wednesday morning, a selection of year 7 students attended a talk by bestselling author Marcus Sedgwick. The event was hosted online by Leeds Libraries as part of Leeds Literature Festival. Marcus told us all about his new book Wrath which will be out on March 3rd. The book follows the disappearance of Cassie; a girl who hears strange sounds which she believes to be the sound of the Earth in distress. The gripping events happen during lockdown which is an experience all students will be able to relate to. The book will be published by Barrington Stoke so will be accessible for students with dyslexia.

St Nicholas CHS got a special mention as Marcus was asked questions sent in by two of our students, Finn Costello Kelly and George Bunby. We’re very proud of all the students who participated in the event. They demonstrated great enthusiasm, asked insightful questions and represented the school well.

Wrath is on pre-order for the library so will be available for loan from 3rd March.

Lunchtime and After School Clubs

Monday Lunch – KS4/5 Art Club in A1
Tuesday Lunch – KS3 MFL Games Club – in L5
Tuesday After School – KS4 French film club in L2 (3:20-4:15)
Tuesday Lunch – Chess Club, in M5, all year groups
Tuesday Lunch – KS3 Art Club in A1
Tuesday After School – KS4/5 Art Club in A1
Wednesday Lunch – Hegarty Maths Homework Club in M6
Wednesday Lunch – Sparx Maths support, in C3, for Year 9
Wednesday Lunch – Wellbeing Wednesdays for KS3 students. Year 9 ambassadors mentor younger students. and we run wellbeing activities every week in E6.
Thursday Lunch – Knitting Club in R1
Thursday Lunch – Writing Club in E3
Thursday Lunch – KS4/5 Art Club in A2
Thursday Lunch – KS4 French Book Club – in L4
Thursday after school – KS4 Spanish Film Club – in L5
Thursday After School – KS4/5 Art Club in A2
Friday Lunch – GCSE English revision in E4
Friday Lunch – KS3 Art Club in A2

Glasses

We have a few pairs of glasses in student support.

If your child has lost some over the past few months, please ask them to come to the office.

Lost PropertyOnce again, we have many unclaimed items of uniform and clothing in Lost Property.
We also have lost property from the Year 7 Residential.If your child has lost something, please can you ask them to go to student support at break or lunch time to see if it’s been handed in.On Thursday and Friday next week, we will be displaying all lost property in the hall. Following this date, any unclaimed items will then be donated to charity.Please can we ask that parents put names in coats, PE kits, bags and shoes. Named items are returned to students on a daily basis.

Year 13 Exams

Dear Parents, Carers and Students

I am sure you are aware that on Monday 7^th February, Exam Boards released to schools and students ‘Advanced Information’ to support forthcoming examinations this Summer.

Departments are currently scrutinising this information and we will issue a central document that holds links to all the relevant information next week.
Thank you for all you are doing to support your child in their preparations for these exams and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate in contacting me.

Mr Spencer

Year 11, Year 12 and Year 13 Photographs

The group photograph proofs have been handed out to students this week.
For free delivery to school please order by 23/02/2022, details of how to order online are included on the proof.

Music Department Congratulations…

Maisie Smart; Matilda Rowling; Emma Bayliss; Amelie Benedetti Matthews and Lottie Hanson who successfully auditioned for chamber choir!

Sporting Success

Over the past three weekends Amelia Fitzgerald has been competing in the Cheshire County Swimming Championships.
The competition was fierce with some incredibly fast swimmers from all clubs.
Amelia gained a number of personal bests and top placings – just look at these results!

800m freestyle bronze medal 3rd place.1500m 4th in County400m individual medley 6th in County400m freestyle 7th in County200m butterfly 7th in County.Well done Amelia and good luck in all your future races too.

Girls’ After School Sports

Monday 14th February

U14 Cheshire Cup match vs Whitby 3-5pm @ Moss Farm

Year 13 practical examination

Tuesday 15th February

No football practice due to Year 13 practical examination

Wednesday 16th February

Year 10 & 11 Netball tournament @ Hartford 3:15-5 (NO RUGBY PRACTICE)

Thursday 17th February

Netball practice 3:15- 4:30

Year 11 Parents Evening (4:15-7:30pm)

Friday 11th February:

Run Club with TB (3:15-4:00pm)

Boys’ After School Sports

Monday 14th February:

Year 7/8 Total Sport Club in Sports Hall (3:15-4:15pm)

Tuesday 15th February:

Year 7/8 Rugby Training with MA (3:15-4:05pm)

Year 8 Football Training with AW (3:15-4:15pm)

Wednesday 16th February:

Year 9 Basketball Fixture vs. Hartford High School (Away) with AW (3:15-4:45pm)
Year 10 Cheshire Cup Football Fixture vs. Neston High School @ Moss Farm with MA (2:00pm kick off)
Thursday 17th February:
Year 8 Cheshire Cup Football Fixture vs. Sandbach High School (Away) with AW (2:00pm kick off)
Year 9/10 Rugby Training with DJ (3:15-4:05pm)
Year 11 Parents Evening (4:15-7:30pm)
Friday 11th February:
Run Club with TB (3:15-4:00pm)

Cheshire Cross-Country Competition

On Saturday 19 of our St Nicholas students from Years 7-12 represented the Mid-Cheshire team in the Cheshire Cross-Country Competition at Knights Grange.

Mrs Azakli and myself were extremely proud of each and every one of our students who gave their absolute ALL in icy cold conditions and on a very muddy course.

There were several outstanding performances, most notably was Nancy Carrington (Yr7) who became the Minor Girls Cheshire Champion, she was closely followed in the same race by Imogen Ward (Yr7) who was 2nd.

Dylan and Erin Carney were both 4th. Tommy Taylor was 7th, Jack O’Reilly 8th and Josh Parkin was also 8th!

These students have now been selected to run for Cheshire in the North West Championships next month.

Please congratulate all of our runners-

Charlotte Mills (26th), Cait Ford (34th), Adam Brown (20th), Kyran Higginsbotham, John Yeates (37th), Will Cummings (50th), Ruby Carrington (36th), Neve Hancock, Rachel Middlebrook (20th), Mia Strefford (27th), Cerys Emes (29th) and Joe Larkin (15th).

Well done all.

From Mrs Simms

Vacancies at St Nicholas’

Cover Supervisor – Closing date 9am Wednesday 16th February 2022

The Governors wish to recruit a professional, enthusiastic and adaptable Cover Supervisor.
The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering prepared lessons, supervising whole classes of students, providing support and continuity of learning in the absence of the class teacher.
The Cover Supervisor will have the ability to motivate students, ensuring that lessons are delivered in a calm, focused and constructive atmosphere.
12 months contract initially- 31.25 hours per week – 39 weeks per year (Term time plus INSET days).
8.30am until 3.30pm Monday to Friday.

Click here for more information

Teaching Assistant – Closing date 9 am Monday 14 February 2022

30 hours per week – 39 weeks per year.
Working 8.45 AM – 3.15 PM, Monday to Friday each week.
Contract start date: As soon as possible
Grade 5 – £19,698 – £21,748 pro rata, per annum (Actual Salary £13,719 to £15,147)

The Governors wish to recruit an enthusiastic and adaptable teaching assistant required to work with students with challenging behaviour.
The successful candidate will be required to work with students both on a one to one basis and in the classroom helping them to access the curriculum.

Click here for further information

Student Support Administrator – Closing date: Monday 28 February 2022 at 9 am

Starting as soon as possible

39 weeks per year (Term time plus INSET days) – between 20 and 25 hours per week

Monday to Friday – Job share would be considered

Grade 4

We are looking to appoint a Key Stage Administrator to assist in the Student Support Office within our school.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced administrator to join a professional, friendly team to provide essential administration support.
The post holder will work in partnership with Teachers, Year Leaders, other Support staff and students.
The ideal candidate will have strong skills in communication, the ability to prioritise, be a strong team player and have an understanding of school systems and procedures, and / or a busy office environment.

Please click here for further details, job description and people specification.

Exam Invigilator Vacancies

We are looking to recruit additional invigilators to work during our Mock and External Exam Seasons. Full training will be provided. This is a paid role.

It is essential that you are available for the main summer external season which usually takes place between early May and the end of June.
Working hours are on a part time, casual basis between the hours of 8.00am and 4.30pm. Session times vary dependent on the exams running each day.

Main Responsibilities:

1. Assist with checking, preparation and set up of exam rooms, prior to arrival of pupils.
2. Check identify of candidates, complete attendance registers and distribute exam papers.
3. Assist candidates in the exam room, minimise disruptions and maintain exam conditions throughout.
4. Assist candidates as appropriate with additional supplies of paper and stationery.
5. Monitor the efficient timing of the exam.
6. Collect, check in and maintain integrity of exam papers at the end of the exam.

If you are interested in the above position please contact Mrs Dawn Crosthwaite, HR Officer for an application form.
Email – d.crosthwaite@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk

If you would like more information on the role please contact:-
Gill Hardman (Exam Officer), Tel: 01606 539762

Upcoming Dates

Covid vaccinations in school – Monday 14th – Tuesday 15th February
Year 11 Parents’ Evening – Thursday 17th February 2022 (4.15 – 7.30pm)
Year 7 Exams finish – Friday 18th February 2022
SCHOOL CLOSES – Friday 18th February 2022
SCHOOL REOPENS – Monday 28th February 2022
Easter Holidays – School closes Wednesday 13th April – reopens Wednesday 27th April 2022

For future dates click here

Attendance

“Everyone matters, so attendance matters”

Facebook and Twitter

Follow St Nicholas on Facebook and Twitter for updates and insight into what is going on in school.

Newsletter 11.02.22