Newsletter 13.01.2025 – St Nicholas Catholic High School

A prayer to share

Pilgrims of Hope – Jubilee Prayer

This is the prayer written by Pope Francis for the Jubilee Year.

The Jubilee Prayer

Father in heaven,
may the faith you have given us
in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,
and the flame of charity enkindled
in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
reawaken in us the blessed hope
for the coming of your Kingdom.

May your grace transform us
into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.
May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos
in the sure expectation
of a new heaven and a new earth,
when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,
your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee
reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,
a yearning for the treasures of heaven.
May that same grace spread
the joy and peace of our Redeemer
throughout the earth.
To you our God, eternally blessed,
be glory and praise for ever.

Amen

Message from our Chaplain Mairie

At the beginning of the Lent Term 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.

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

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.

Courage, perseverance and hope

Please pray for our Year 13 who are sitting their Mock exams. Year 12 who will be on Work Experience and Year 7 who will be on their Residential later in the week. All this challenges asking our students to call on the gifts of courage, perseverance and hope.

Foodbank

Again, our thanks for your generous donations of food, toiletries, pet food and baby goods. We have sent 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 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.

Welcome back

We would like to welcome all student and staff back to school. After a week of ice and snow which resulted in the school not being open for two days, it was lovely to see staff and students back in the building.

We hope you have had an enjoyable break and have all had time to recharge your batteries.

Thank you to the parents and carers who took the time to feed back on our decision to close the school, and thank you to all the students who engaged so positively with the online learning.

We now look forward to our next term at St Nicholas. In the coming weeks we have mock exams for Year 13, work experience for Year 12 and 10, Year 7 are off on their residential and Year 8 have their in house retreat day.

Thank you for your continued support and ‘Happy 2025!’

This Year’s School Production is the Smash-Hit Musical ‘Shrek’!

Prepare to be transported to the magical, hilarious world of everyone’s favourite ogre! Based on the much-loved DreamWorks film, Shrek the Musical is a laugh-out-loud adventure packed with unforgettable characters, show-stopping songs, and a heartwarming story that’s perfect for all ages.

With a fantastic cast of talented pupils from Years 7 to 11, a live orchestra, stunning sets, fabulous costumes, and plenty of surprises, this is a show that promises to be truly unforgettable!

Our school hall will be completely transformed into a magical theatre space for the occasion. Join us in the ‘Swamp’ from Wednesday 5th February to Friday 7th February, with curtain up at 7.00pm each evening.

Tickets:

· £7.00 for Students

· £10.00 for Adults

Order your tickets now via ParentPay for your preferred performance night. Tickets will be sent home with students. Any tickets purchased after Thursday 30th January can be collected at the door on the night of the show.

Seats are limited to 200 per night, so book early to avoid missing out!

Please note seating is unreserved, but if you require any access arrangements, please don’t hesitate to contact the school.

We can’t wait to welcome you for an unforgettable evening of fun, laughter, and musical magic. See you in the Swamp!

Prom 2025

Year 11 are already looking forward to their prom in June.

In order to encourage everyone to dig in and put in the effort with regards to revision and behaviour we will soon be launching Prom Points.

As an extra incentive we would like to add a few prom-related prizes. Therefore we would like to ask for donation of any Prom-Prizes.

If you or any local business are able to offer a free treatment – hair cut, nails, fake tan, nails, make up or similar, Mrs Azakli would like to hear from you. We will of course be mentioning your the business on social media and in the newsletter.

We are also looking for donations of prom dresses or suits from students who have left school and have outgrown their fineries.

Again, please contact Mrs Azakli if you can help. n.azakli@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk

Library and Literacy

Reading Resolutions

Setting Reading Resolutions for 2025:

A Guide for Teens to Transform Their Reading Life

As the calendar turns to 2025, it’s a great time for teenagers to reflect on their goals and set resolutions that make life more exciting and enriching. One area that can spark growth, creativity, and fun is reading. Whether you’re a bookworm or someone looking to get into reading, these ideas can help make 2025 your best reading year yet.

1. Set a Book Count Goal

Challenge yourself to read a certain number of books this year. It doesn’t matter if the number is 5 or 50—what matters is making time for stories and ideas that interest you. Use tools like Goodreads or create your own tracker to stay motivated.

2. Explore Different Genres

Step out of your comfort zone and try books in genres you’ve never read before. If you usually stick to fantasy, check out mystery or sci-fi. Love romance? Try a historical fiction or a thriller. Exploring different genres keeps reading exciting and helps you discover new favourites.

3. Read Books by Diverse Authors

Make it a goal to read books by authors from different backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. This can help you learn about the world, challenge stereotypes, and build empathy. Look for stories written by people from marginalised communities or books set in countries you’ve never visited.

4. Join or Start a Teen Book Club

Book clubs can be an great way to make reading more social. Whether you join one at school, in your community, or online, discussing books with others can deepen your understanding and help you make new friends.

5. Dive into Audiobooks

Busy with school, sports, or hobbies? Audiobooks let you enjoy great stories on the go. Listen while travelling to school, tidying your room, or relaxing after a long day. Sora has a huge selection of audiobooks for you to check out https://soraapp.com/library/uksecondary . Your log-on details are the same as those you use to log on to the school laptops.

6. Reread Your Favourites

Is there a book you loved in primary school or last year? Rereading an old favourite can bring back great memories and let you notice things you missed the first time. Plus, it’s like hanging out with an old friend.

7. Take on a Fun Reading Challenge

Make reading an adventure by taking on a challenge! Try goals like “Read a book with a blue cover,” “Read a book recommended by a friend,” or “Read a book set in the future.” You can even create a bingo card of reading prompts and check them off as you go.

8. Read for Your Interests and Goals

Choose books that match your interests or help you grow. If you’re into gaming, read a book about game design. Love art? Check out graphic novels or art history books. Want to feel inspired? Try self-help or motivational books for teens.

9. Support Your Local Bookshops and Libraries

Visit local bookshops and libraries to find hidden gems and connect with your community. Many shops host events like author signings or book fairs, which can be fun to attend with friends or family.

10. Keep a Reading Journal

Start a reading journal to jot down your thoughts about the books you read. Write about your favourite characters, memorable quotes, or how a story made you feel. Looking back at your entries can be really rewarding.

Reading resolutions are all about having fun and growing as a person. Don’t stress about perfection—focus on discovering stories and ideas that excite you. In 2025, let reading be your ticket to adventure, learning, and creativity. Who knows? This could be the year you find your all-time favourite book!

A-level Religious Studies Student events: New Year BOOST 2025

The popular A level Religious Studies Boost sessions return for season 4. ALL A-level Religious Studies students must attend the webinars that will take place in R1 on the following dates at 3:45pm:

PTFA News

Dear All,

Welcome Back! We hope you & your families had a wonderful Christmas time.

Thank you once again to everyone who entered our Christmas raffle enabling us to raise a fabulous amount of money for school. We are very grateful & we hope everyone has collected their prizes.

We have our PTFA meeting in school on Monday 13th January at 5.15pm – everyone is welcome.

We wish you all a very happy 2025!

Your PTFA

After school PE

After school PE

Week commencing 13^th January

Clubs:
Tuesday–GCSE Practical night

All other clubs are postponed due to waterlogged pitches and staff attending Year 7 Residential

Music Co-Curricular

Week commencing 13th January

Lunchtime

Monday – Keyboard Club and Jazz band
Tuesday – Shrek
Wednesday –Shrek
Thursday – Shrek
Friday Year 10 Band

After School
Monday
Tuesday Shrek
Wednesday Shrek and GCSE Guitar intervention

Thursday —Shrek and GCSE intervention

Friday

After School Clubs

Tuesday : School Production Rehearsals 3.15 – 4.45
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 – watching Les Mis– 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)
Year 9 -11 Science Club Week 1
Year 7 and 8 Science Club Week 2
School Production Rehearsal – Drama Studio

Upcoming dates

Mon 13^th Jan – Year 12 work experience, Year 13 exams commence, PTFA meeting 5:15 – 6:15pm
Tue 14^th Jan – Year 8 retreat day,
Wed 15^th Jan – Year 7 residential, Year 10 work experience commence
Thur 16^th Jan – Year 11 theatre trip to An Inspector Calls
Fri 17^th Jan – Year 7 residential return
Mon 20^th Jan – Year 13 exams
Wed 29^th Jan – Intermediate maths challenge Years 9, 10 & 11
Tue 4^th Feb – Parent focus meeting 5-6pm
Wed 5^th Feb – School production of Shrek
Thurs 6^th Feb – School production of Shrek
Fri 7^th Feb – School production of Shrek
Thurs 13^th Feb – Art/MFL trip to Paris, Year 11 Parents’ Evening 4:15 – 7:30pm
Fri 14^th Feb – SCHOOL CLOSES
Sat 15^th Feb – Ski trip departs until 22^nd Feb
Mon 24^th Feb – SCHOOL REOPENS

Click here for further dates

Click here to download 2024-25 Holiday Dates

Click here to download 2025-26 Holiday Dates