Year 9 Retreat
Yet another retreat this week for our Year 9 students. Particularly at this time of the year, this was the opportunity for students to take time to reflect on all their gifts and talents and how to make best use of them. We were delighted to be joined by the Shrewsbury Youth Mission Team who encouraged our students to ‘let their light shine’. Students also reflected on some of the letters written by Pope Francis regarding Care for Creation and Young People, and then, they wrote their own letters back. We will be sending them off to the Vatican soon and hoping for a reply. It was a lovely day and hopefully, helped to prepare them to look forward to Key Stage 4 after enjoying their summer break.
Prize Night
We had a wonderful Prize Night last night. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming and staff and students all enjoyed sharing in this special occasion.
Here is Mr Burns’ speech for everyone to enjoy.
Days like this make me feel very proud to be a Headteacher. The achievements of the young people sitting in front of me is nothing short of outstanding and each of them, plus the other hundreds of children not recognised this evening, should be celebrated by all of us.
Like the world itself, education never stands still; there is constant change and whether we think the changes are positive or negative, it is vital that we hold on to our Gospel values and that they steer the work of this school. What good is it if our students leave with all grade 9s or straight As, but don’t know the importance of kindness, love, generosity, compassion, service and much more? It is important to educate, but also to develop young adults ready for the world ahead. And this is what makes St. Nicholas Catholic High School unique – its Catholic ethos and how important it is that we all let our ‘God-given talents shine’.
This year, we have focused on reviewing our pastoral system and I am pleased to say that a new and enhanced structure is slowly being phased in and will be in place from September 1st. We have created more staff capacity to ensure our young people have everything they need to thrive and be successful. We will shortly open our new centre to ensure some of our students have appropriate interventions and support in place throughout the year. The new Gym, a project led by our sixth form students and supported by our PTA, will add another dimension to school life for staff and students. We are, of course, celebrating a very positive Ofsted Inspection this year and look forward to building on this success further in the years ahead.
The compassion and dedication of our students has been clear to see through the charity work that students in all year groups have been involved in. The school has raised thousands of pounds this academic year for various charities, and I know they have even bigger plans for next year as we plan our Jubilee celebrations – St. Nicholas Catholic High School is 60 years old in September 2025! Watch this space to hear all about the events that will be taking place.
Thank You
Each and every day, members of staff at this school go above and beyond for your children so that they, and by extension, the wider community have as many opportunities as possible to realise the potential given to them by God and achieve the very best – this has been seen in the excellent examination results achieved over a number of years and in the number of students who go on to secure a place on an apprenticeship or university. It was great to welcome back previous students a few weeks ago for work experience – students who want to come back and teach here in the future!
The team here is constantly striving to further develop this high-quality learning environment, so that it inspires students, staff, and the community to be compassionate, successful, and resilient contributors to a better society. We have many excellent teachers serving here and the support team is, without doubt, the most flexible, caring and hardworking I have had the pleasure of working with. I hope that you all know that your work is valued and appreciated; I also hope that you have felt the benefits of our focus and significant commitment to your professional development and wellbeing.
I would like to thank every member of the school staff for their continued hard work, passion, and enthusiasm. Many of this staff team have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make tonight happen too, from setting up, producing the programme, to preparing and performing the fabulous music – the music here never fails to impress, and I won’t forget how blown away I was seeing so many of our students performing with Mrs McKenna at Tatton Park earlier this year. Simply amazing. Please join me in showing our appreciation for our great staff team.
I would like to thank the governors who give so willingly of their time and challenge us to improve the school even further – thank you for all that you do in supporting us to lead our great school onto the next stage of its development.
I thank you the parents and carers, who week in week out, support the school and your children with unwavering commitment. We were overwhelmed by the number of supportive and complimentary letters that came in for inspectors earlier this year. I truly believe that the relationship between home and school is essential if your children are to thrive and be successful during their time here.
My final message is addressed to you, our students.
Congratulations on your awards and prizes this evening, may they spur you on to continued and further success in the future. Keep being brilliant and keep being you and be proud of everything you have achieved this year. It is an absolute honour to be your Headteacher and I look forward to working with you again in the new academic year.
Finally, as this academic year comes to a close, I wish everyone an enjoyable summer break and look forward to September, with our students ready to seize all the opportunities that will come their way in the next academic year.
Further pictures can be seen here https://www.facebook.com/reel/511207718007536
Sports Presentation Evening
The Physical Education department at St Nicholas Catholic High School wish to invite you to the Sports Presentation Evening on Monday 15th July 2023 (6pm-7:30pm). All students who have represented the school this academic year are invited to attend and will receive a certificate for their contributions to school sport. Furthermore, those who have represented the school in four or more sports will receive a badge for their efforts.
There will also be awards for achievement and effort in school sport along with a ‘High Performance’ presentation and live performances on the night. Students who have been nominated for an award will be notified in school next week and will receive a ticket for themselves and two family members.
The evening will finish with our guest speaker, captain of the England Learning Disability Cricket team; Chris Edwards.
Admission is free but is all ticket. Tickets can be reserved using the Form attached: https://forms.office.com/e/h5ztuyAr2k
Each student will receive a ticket but there will be a two ticket limit per family. In the event you wish to reserve more than two additional tickets, please contact a member of the Physical Education department.
Whilst the event will celebrate the participation and successes of those students who have represented the school this academic year, all students and their families are welcome to attend to be part of the celebration and listen to the guest speaker.
Furthermore, in preparation for the evening, the Physical Education department are kindly requesting any pictures and/or information of students competing outside of school in either club, district, regional, national or international level. The information received will be used to create a High Performance presentation that will be shared on the night.
Please can you send in any pictures and/or information of your child participating in sport outside of school to Mr Armstrong (m.armstrong@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk) by Monday 1st July 2024.
Congratulations:
Charlie Larkin Grade 5 Clarinet Merit
Jack Deakin Grade 2 Clarinet Distinction
Patrick Fearnley Grade 2 Piano Distinction
Matthew Lewis Grade 2 Clarinet Merit
Penny Lee Grade 2 Merit
We are very proud of all your achievements and know what a lot of effort and commitment it takes to pass these grades. Well done.
Patrick Fearnley, Grade 2
Music Workshop with Drummer
On Wednesday this week we were delighted to welcome back Jake Barnabas, a former SNCHS student. Jake is now the drummer with The Luka State, a band from Winsford who are performing this year at the Leeds/Reading Festival.
Jake worked with an all-girl Year 9 band putting together a collection of songs.
We’re hoping to continue these government-funded workshops with Jake in September.
If you’re wondering about a career in the Music Industry here is an important date for your diary
St Nicholas Choir at Tedx Northwich
On Saturday night the School Choir were invited to sing at the TEDx Northwich event at the Grange. It was a much-reduced choir due to all our Year 9 choristers being involved in D of E Bronze weekend. The choir sang fantastically well and were sent a huge cake in thanks from the organisers of the event.
Aimee Baldwin – Horseriding success
Last weekend Aimee Baldwin did another qualifier at NCPA Staffordshire and in a large class of 21 large breeds she won. She also took champion on her own pony and got her ticket for (HOYS) horse show of the year at NEC Birmingham in October.
Well done Aimee!
Year 9 French
Year 9 French students recently completed a project about holiday destinations in the French-speaking world. This week they presented their findings, and we heard all about the attractions of Montréal, Tahiti and Guadeloupe, as well as a number of French cities.
Amazing work by all involved.
LOTTERY
Thank you to everyone who takes part in Your School Lottery.
Lottery
546494
One of our supporters won £15.00 in the draw! 😀 🎉
If you haven’t signed up yet visit our lottery here
https://www.yourschoollottery.co.uk/lottery/school/st-nicholas-catholic-high-school
Thank you.
Vacancy at St Nicholas
We are looking for a brilliant ICT Technician Apprentice
https://www.balticapprenticeships.com/vacancy/j-010702/?job_ref=J-010702
Lunchtime:
Wednesday : Dungeons and Dragons in B5
After School:
Tuesday
Performing Arts Club – 3.15 – 4.30 Drama
Drama Club in Drama Studio
Wednesday
Dungeons and Dragons – in the library
Music lunchtime and after school clubs have finished for this year.
Thank you to all our musicians for all your hard work this year.
You have all been a pleasure to spend time with.
PE After school activities have now finished for this term.
We look forward to starting back in September.
Monday 15th July Years 7, 8, 9 rewards trips
Monday 15th July Sports presentation evening
Tuesday 16th July Y12 Parent’s Evening 4.15 – 7.30pm
Wednesday 17th July Whole School Mass
Wednesday 17th July Lucas Briscoe rounders tournament Y10 – afternoon
Thursday 18th July Sixth Form Vietnam 7 Cambodia Trip departs
Friday 19th July School closes 12.30pm
Wednesday 4th September All students start
Click here for future dates
“Everyone Matters – so attendance matters”