Newsletter 12.01.2026 – St Nicholas Catholic High School

A prayer to share

Prayer

This poem by Howard Thurman encourages us 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

A Message from our Chaplain, Mairie

Happy New Year

Happy New Year. At the start of the year we travel with the Magi and the Feast of the Epiphany.

These ‘wise’ travellers may well have been considered foolish to follow a star and a prophecy in hope. They 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.

Many of us have perhaps travelled ‘in hope’ this week due to weather conditions. We hope that everyone is safe and well and able to cope with the present conditions.

Foodbank

Again, our thanks for your generous donations of food, toiletries, pet food and baby goods. We have send over fifty hampers out into the parish communities and still have goods to go to the Foodbank to replenish their stocks since the Christmas holidays. If you have anything else to donate, please send it in in the next week or so.

Also, if you have been clearing warm clothes, bedding or towels – we can always find homes for these in the community – just send in for the chapel. In these difficult times, we are really grateful to you all for your generosity.

Prayer for students

Please pray for our Year 13 who are sitting their Mock exams. Year 12 and Year 10 who will be on Work Experience, Year 8 who have their Retreat and Reflection Day, and Year 7 who will be on their Residential later in the week. And. Of course Year 11 who continue to prepare for their GCSEs. All this challenges asking our students to call on the gifts of courage, perseverance and hope.

Library and Literacy

2026 The National Year of Reading

2026 is officially The National Year of Reading. As a school we will be getting involved with the “all in” initiative which aims to encourage children and adults to use reading as a way to dive deeper into existing passions and interests in order to frame reading as a meaningful and complimentary addition to everyday activities. Watch this space for further information.

In the meantime, if you would like to discover how you can support the initiative as a parent, click on the link below:

https://goallin.org.uk/get-involved/families/

Stranger Things Comics

Missing Stranger Things already? Fear not, you can revisit your favourite Hawkins inhabitants in the Stranger Things graphic novels available on soraapp.com. Usernames and passwords for student accounts are the same as the ones used to access the school’s laptops and computers. Delve deeper into the world of Mike, Eleven, Will, Lucas, Dustin and Max to discover between-season adventures and side quests of your favourite characters (if you love Erica, be sure to check out Erica the Great).

Essay Competition

Animal Rights Essay Competition

The Cambridge Centre for Animal Rights Law is an academic centre of competence dedicated to the study of fundamental rights for non-human animals and is based in Cambridge, UK.

Our annual Animal Rights Law Essay Competition introduces the topic and field of animal rights law for students in secondary school through to university graduates. This competition aims to encourage students to explore new ideas, consider fascinating possible futures, and discuss thought-provoking questions in an original piece of writing that may inspire them to engage further with the topic in the future.

This year, we are inviting essays addressing the following title:

‘Martha Nussbaum argues that animals need certain rights so that they can flourish. How far should human interests be limited in order to enable animals to flourish?’

We have had great responses in the past from entrants so please share this opportunity with your students. Previous winning entries can be found on our website, as well as free educational talks and upcoming event opportunities that may be of interest.

Community Hub

Help for Parents and Families at the Community Hub

The Community Hub is open at Baron Quay every Thursday from 10:00am to 4:00pm. A range of professionals are available to offer advice and support to families, including representatives from Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), the Employment Support Team, Health Services, Adult Social Care, Asylum and Refugee Services, Early Help and Intervention, and more.

You may also find it helpful to visit the Community Partnership Facebook page, where they regularly share information about local, community-based support services. https://www.facebook.com/NorthwichCommunityPartnership/

Webinar – Big Feelings and Big Reactions: Making Sense of Your Child’s Behaviour

With Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Managing Director of CAYP Psychology, Dr Daniel Weisberg

Tuesday 13th January 8–9pm

Sign up link: Big Feelings and Big Reactions: Making Sense of Your Child’s Behaviour | C A Y P

Overview
This session will explore what’s really behind the behaviours you might be seeing at home or in school. Whether it’s daily outbursts, emotional shutdowns or complete school avoidance, we’ll look at the emotional and psychological factors driving these responses, including anxiety, sensory overload and burnout.

Dr Weisberg will offer expert guidance on recognising what your child’s behaviour is communicating and share practical strategies to support co-regulation, manage big feelings and navigate meltdown moments. We’ll also discuss how these challenges can affect school performance and attendance, and outline ways to collaborate with schools and advocate for your child’s needs.

You’ll leave with clear, actionable approaches to reduce conflict and promote emotional connection at home and school, along with guidance on when to consider seeking professional support. There will also be an opportunity to submit questions during sign-up, which will shape the discussion and ensure the webinar addresses the issues that matter most to you.

Discussion points

Meltdowns vs. tantrums
Understanding what behaviours are communicating
Transitions and triggers
Co-regulation, big feelings and managing meltdown moments
Anxiety, burnout and sensory overwhelm
Practical strategies for home and school
When to seek professional support

Careers

Apprenticeship Opportunities
Daresbury Laboratory Open Evening
20th January

Click here

Apprenticeship webinar with Dunelm – 27th January 2026

Click here

PE Co-Curricular Timetable

No Fixtures: (week commencing 12th January)

Clubs:

Monday
Lunch (12:45 – 1:05pm): Year 7

After school (3:15 – 4:15pm): Meetings
Tuesday
Lunch: Year 8

After school: GCSE practical and Table Tennis Club (All Years)

Wednesday
Lunch: Years 9 & 10

After school: Netball (Girls & Boys)

Thursday
Lunch: Year 11
After school: Football (Girls & Boys, All Years) (4pm finish)
Friday
After school: Run Club

Music Co-Curricular

Monday
Lunch GCSE catch up 1M
Lunch Keyboard Club 2M
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)
Orchestra 3.15-4.15pm

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

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.

Community Notices

Tuesday Art club for 11 to 16 year olds

At Hartford Village Hall

Dream Big Art Club

Mondays at Sandiway Library

www.facefamilyadvice.co.uk

Attendance

Everyone matters – so attendance matters

Upcoming dates

January 2026

Thursday 8th January Year 10 Parents’ Evening – now 5th March
Monday 12th January Year 10 & 12 Work Experience / Year 13 Exams commence/PTFA meeting 5.15
Tuesday 13th January Year 8 Retreat Day
Wednesday 14th January Year 7 Residential departs
Thursday 15th January Year 7 Residential
Friday 16th January Year 10 & 12 Work Experience finish/ Year 7 Residential returns at 2pm
Wednesday 21st January Drama trip to London departs
Thursday 22nd January Drama trip to London returns
Friday 23rd January Year 13 Exams finish
Wednesday 28th January Whole School Photo / Intermediate Maths Challenge Years 9, 10 & 11

February 2026

Tuesday 3rd February Mission Day Morning
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 / SCHOOL CLOSES
Monday 23rd February SCHOOL REOPENS

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