Newsletter 12.05.2025 – St Nicholas Catholic High School

A prayer to share

Almighty God,

we give thanks for the gift of Pope Leo. 

May he witness faithfully to the Gospel, 

leading with humility and compassion

and inspiring all people to be pilgrims of hope. 

We ask this through Christ our Lord. 

Amen

Message from our Chaplain Mairie

Habemus Papam! We have a Pope!

On Thursday 8th May, after just two days of voting in the conclave, white smoke appeared from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel and the bells were rung, signalling to the thousands of people gathered in the square below that a new pope had been elected.

Just before 6.20pm, it was announced that Cardinal Robert Prevost had been elected as the 266th Successor of Saint Peter and that he would be taking the name ‘Pope Leo XIV’. He is the first pope from North America and the first pope who is a member of the Augustinian religious order.

The last pope with this name was Pope Leo XIII, who, over one hundred years ago, worked on the first promotion of Catholic Social Teaching. As we celebrate this Year of Jubilee when we are called to be Pilgrims of Hope, we give thanks that Pope Leo will continue to speak up for those who are poor or marginalised in our world.

We will learn more about our new pope as time moves along. For now we pray with hope.

Confirmation at St Vincents, Knutsford

Bishop Mark will be celebrating Confirmation at St Vincent’s on 5 June.

Their programme of preparation has just begun and there will be a full day of preparation on Saturday, 10 May from 10am for the candidates. If there are any other students who may be interested please contact Fr David or check the website www.stvincentsknutsford.org to register.

Mental Health Awareness Week

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week.

For anyone struggling here is a useful link to Mind’s website
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/a-z-mental-health/

Please also look here at a helpline for anyone needing any additional support: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helplines/

Library and Literacy

Why Representation in Children’s and Teen Books Matters

When you pick up a book and see yourself in the pages – your culture, your background, your challenges – it feels like the story is speaking directly to you. That is the power of representation in teen literature. It’s not just about diversity for the sake of being inclusive; it’s about helping all readers feel seen, heard, and valued.

For many years, mainstream children’s and teen fiction focused on a very narrow set of characters. However, our children come from a variety of backgrounds with diverse lived experiences, and their stories deserve to be told. When we expand whose stories are published and promoted, we create space for empathy, understanding, and connection.

Representation also empowers readers who may feel isolated or misunderstood. For example, a teen questioning their identity might find comfort in reading about a character going through the same journey. Seeing a protagonist who shares your race, religion, disability, or family situation can be a life-changing experience. It’s a reminder that your story matters, too.

On the flip side, reading books about people who are different from us helps break down stereotypes. It opens minds and encourages conversations. Representation in children’s, teen and YA books teaches us to be more compassionate and curious about the world around us.

Authors like Nathaneal Lessore, Jason Reynolds, Elizabeth Acevedo, and Adib Khorram have shown how powerful and relatable underrepresented voices can be. Their books have become bestsellers not just because they feature diverse characters, but because they tell honest, compelling stories that resonate with everyone.

At the end of the day, every teen deserves to find a book that feels like home, and a book that opens a window into someone else’s. Representation in literature isn’t just important, it’s essential.

Chess News

A couple of chess notices.

Easter chess tournament

The final of the Easter chess tournament saw the reigning sixth form champion, Dino Manfredi (year 12), face off against St Nick’s strongest lower school player, Joe Smith (year 11) in the Grand Final. Joe, having made his way to the final the hard way (via the losers’ bracket) had to win twice to become champion.

In the first game Joe played white and opened with the passive d4. Dino responded with the aggressive Englund Gambit, e5, which Joe declined, responding with d5.

After a period of development and a few exchanges, the game was set, and Dino was the first to blink. In the position below he missed the winning tactic 20 …f5, and instead played 20 … Nxc2?? It wasn’t immediately obvious why this was a blunder, but Joe seized upon the opportunity and found the brilliant move. Can you find Joe’s winning move from this position? It is white to play, the answer is at the end of this article.

Joe went on to win that game, taking us to a winner-takes-all Grand Final Reset. Sadly, Joe blundered his Queen early in this game and handed Dino an easy but well deserved win, and our Easter Chess Champion is Dino Manfredi!

Keep an eye on the Chess Noticeboard for information about future school tournaments.

Northwich Chess Club – rapidplay tournament

Northwich Junior Chess Club are running a one day rapid competition for children in year 11 and below, on Saturday 14th June from 9.30am. There is a rated and an unrated section, so anybody is welcome to play even if you have never played a competition before. Entries and details are here: https://congress.playchess.org.uk/congress/608/home or contact Richard Betts on rabetts101@outlook.com for further details.

Answer to Joe’s Brilliant Move: Rxd5!!. After the queen recaptures white can play 22. Nf6+ forking the king and the queen. The pawn on g7 is pinned so can not capture the knight. The king has to move and black loses their queen.

PTFA News

PTFA Lottery & News

Our latest jackpot winning number is:
730369

One of our supporters has won: £13.80 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.

www.your.schoollottery.co.uk

The PTFA would like to take this opportunity to wish all the Yr. 11 students & Yr. 13 students all the very best with their exams.

Please join us at our PTFA meeting this evening at 5.15pm in school – you’re all welcome.

Kind regards,

Your PTFA

Lottery Super Draw

In our May Super Draw, one lucky supporter will win a £1,000 B&Q Gift Card (or £1,000 cash)

Sporting Success – Athletics

Thursday afternoon St Nicholas competed in the Mid Cheshire Athletics Championships.

Mrs Simms reports they had a superb evening.

All our students were fantastic;

big shoutout to our two Mid- Cheshire Champions–

Imogen Ward in the 800m and

Nancy Carrington in the1500m.

Several achieved second place in Mid- Cheshire

Evangelina Grange-Long Jump

Naomi Kirwin-High Jump

Bella Whitehead-Discus

Flo Rawlings-1500m

Annabelle Hartley-Javelin

James Priestly-100m

Milo Reeves-Javelin

Gio Osawaru in 200m

3rd place

Gio Osawaru -High Jump

Ricky Crank-High Jump

Klara Krzyzanowska-High Jump

Alice Brown-Discus

Annabelle Hunter-100m

Macie Robinson-300m

Sporting Success

We also like to highlight any successes achieved by members of our talented staff.

Last weekend Mr Brown won a bronze medal representing the North West in the England Touch Rugby Nationals. The competition took place over three days in Nottingham. Well done to him and the whole team.

Outgrown Uniform and PE kit

If your child is leaving school or has outgrown their uniform or PE kit, please send it in to school where we will reuse it for students who need it.

Thank you for your help

St Nicholas Three Peaks Challenge

The Three Peaks team have all been training hard again this weekend.

This weekend challenges have included a trail half marathon, a trek around the Old man of Coniston, a loop around Edale and Hope Valley, conquering Cader Idris, a run in the mountains near Bala Lake, Northwich Parkrun, and winning a medal in the Five Nations Roller Derby

We would be grateful for any sponsorship.

https://www.givewheel.com/fundraising/6888/st-nicks-three-peaks-challenge/

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After school PE

Week commencing 12.05.2025

Fixtures :

Tuesday :
Cheshire Cricket with ARC students (10:15-11:15am)

Clubs:

Monday – Cricket (all years)
Tuesday – Athletics (all years) & Tennis (Years 8-11)
Wednesday– Tennis (Years 8-11)
Thursday– Rounders (all years) & Tennis (Years 8-11)
Friday– Tennis (Year 7)

Music Co-Curricular

Rehearsals

week commencing Monday 12^th May

Lunchtime

Monday A Level composition

Tuesday A Level composition

Wednesday Woodwind Group 1M

Thursday Strings group 1M Year 7 practice room

After School

Monday Staff Meeting

Wednesday CHOIR 3.15-5pm

Thursday Orchestra & Year 10 GCSE Composition Workshop

Friday Year 10 GCSE Composition Workshop

Choir members please complete this form about summer performances.

After School Clubs

Tuesday Drama Club (not on 06.05)
Wednesday Dungeons and Dragons
Wednesday Art Club in A2 all years 3.15-4.15

Lunchtime Clubs

Monday
Art KS4 in A2
History Musical Mondays – H1
Chess Club and Rubik’s club in M5
Y7 & Y8 Code club in C2
Tuesday:
Computer Science Revision in C2
Wednesday
KS3 Art club in A1
Thursday
Year 7 Book to Film Club in E1
Art club KS4 in A1
Friday
Easy as Pi club (maths)
Science Club Week 1 Y9-11, Week 2 Year 7&8

Community notices

Winnington Park Rugby Camp over May half term

Courses supporting Parents.

Barnton FC are looking for girls in Year 8 and Year 7 who have played football and would like to join a team. Please contact Kim on 07921 630518 if you are interested in coming along to a training session.