Newsletter 13.10.2025 – St Nicholas Catholic High School

A prayer to share

Dear God,

We thank You for the gift of life, learning, and community.

Help us to approach each day with open hearts and minds,

ready to grow in wisdom and kindness.

Grant us the strength to face challenges,

the courage to stand up for what is right,

and the compassion to support one another.

May our words be respectful and our actions thoughtful.

Bless our teachers, staff, and families.

Guide us in our studies and friendships, and help us to be a light to others.

Let this week be filled with peace, purpose, and joy.

Amen.

A Message from our Chaplain, Mairie

Mini DASH

Mini DASH is a termly meeting of students from across our diocesan high schools. This term we put together a team from Year 8 student ambassadors to visit Chester Catholic High School. We discussed the responsibilities of servant leadership and how we, as Catholic schools, have a role in building a better world. We have some work to do back at school before our next meeting in February. Our students really enjoyed the opportunity to meet other students and to work together as a team. We were very proud of all our students as positive representatives of St Nicholas’ and they all enjoyed their day and meeting students from other schools to share their ideas.

Shoebox Appeal – Love in a Box

Our Shoebox appeal is now officially launched. Please watch the video for details of what to donate. The boxes need to be back in school by the end of the first week after half-term.

https://vimeo.com/1125879576/e4597bbe6f?share=copy

Winter clothing

I’m sure, now that the days are getting colder, that many people are starting to look through their wardrobes for winter wear. If you have anything outgrown or not needed, but still in good condition, we can collect in school and donate on to the Green Uniform and Baby Bank in Winsford. We can also recommend the Green Uniform and Baby Bank if you are looking for winter clothing or a uniform boost.

Sixth Form Open Evening – Tuesday 21st October

We look forward to welcoming all future Sixth Formers to our open evening – Tuesday 21st October 6-8pm

PTFA News

Our amazing PTFA work tirelessly to fundraise so they can help departments provide extra resources, fun activities, and better learning experiences for everyone. Thanks to their hard work, students get new equipment, exciting trips, and opportunities to try new things. We’re so grateful for everything they do to make school life even better!

In the past year they have managed to fund:

iPads

Rewards shop vouchers/prizes

Maths & Science Textbooks

Spanish & French Dictionaries

Furnishings for Breathe & Believe SEND rooms

Two Netball Posts
Help towards cost of the coach to St. Peter’s College, Oxford for prospective music students.

Previous years:

Football kits for both boys and girls’ teams

Outside tables and chairs for the students

English Dictionaries

Sewing machines

Chess Clocks & Boards

Dungeons and Dragons handbooks

Race for life

The weather very kindly smiled on St Nicholas to allow all our students and many staff to take part in an autumnal Race for Life. Students wore snatches of pink alongside their PE kits and many had stickers with names of people and charities that they were running on behalf of. Everyone had a really positive response to the day and whether they walked, ran or wheeled, they all knew that we were showing our support for all those affected by cancer in any way, and also for the medical research and treatments that are being developed every day to help eradicate this disease! We have so far raised an incredible £1090!! Thank you all for your generousity.

Donation by Parentpay is still available.

Thank you to all the PE and other staff who supported the day.

Library and Literacy

Supporting Teen Mental Health Through Books

Last Friday, World Mental Health Day provided a timely reminder for us as families, schools, and communities to prioritise mental wellbeing. It provides an important opportunity to encourage conversations about emotional health, resilience, stress, and the challenges that our teens face today.

One gentle and effective way to support these conversations is through books. Fiction adn nonfiction, books can serve as a bridge between parents and teens, offering insight and creating safe entry points for talking about tough topics like anxiety, depression, identity, and self-worth.

Why Books Matter

Teens often find it easier to talk about a character’s struggles than their own. A shared reading experience can prompt deeper discussions, help normalise mental health challenges, and reduce stigma. For parents, it’s also a chance to better understand what teens might be thinking or feeling.

Recommended Reads to Spark Conversation

Below are some age-appropriate and thoughtful books—a mix of fiction and nonfiction—that can help you and your teen explore mental health topics together.

Fiction

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green (Yr 9+)

A compelling novel that explores obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) through the eyes of a 16-year-old girl. It’s honest, emotional, and offers insight into what it means to live with intrusive thoughts.

Why it helps: Opens dialogue on anxiety, friendship, and how mental illness affects daily life.

Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram (Yr 9 +)

Darius, a biracial teen, struggles with depression and cultural identity. A visit to Iran helps him begin to understand himself and form meaningful connections.

Why it helps: Highlights the intersection of mental health and cultural belonging. Perfect for teens navigating identity and isolation.

When I See Blue by Lily Bailey (Yr 7 +)

Ben is a 12-year-old navigating life with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), trying to adjust to a new school and environment. Told with empathy and insight, the story explores how OCD affects his daily life and relationships, and how he begins to find hope through friendship and support.

Why it helps:
This is a brilliant starting point for conversations about OCD, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts. It’s also a story of resilience, self-discovery, and support systems, told in a way that’s accessible for teens (and insightful for parents).

Swan Song by Gill Lewis (Yr 7 + and dyslexia friendly)

Following an incident at school, Dylan is sent to stay with his grandfather in the countryside. Struggling with depression, he gradually reconnects with himself through nature, particularly through his encounters with a pair of swans.

Why it helps:
A quiet and powerful novel about depression, recovery, and the healing power of the natural world. It is a hopeful story about finding light in the dark and learning that mental health struggles do not define a person.

Non-Fiction

It’s All In Your Head by Rae Earl

Funny, unfiltered, and deeply informative, this guide talks about everything from panic attacks to peer pressure to self-harm.

Why it helps:
Covers a wide range of mental health issues in a tone teens can relate to—honest, inclusive, and empowering.

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Workout for Teens: Skills and Exercises from ACT and CBT for Healthy Thinking By Daniel A. Freeman and Jason Freeman

This practical workbook offers teens exercises from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). It helps them develop healthy thinking habits, manage stress, and build emotional resilience.

Why it helps:
Teaches actionable skills teens can use daily to improve mental wellbeing, manage anxiety, and cope with difficult emotions.

You Are a Champion: How to Be the Best You Can Be by Marcus Rashford

An inspiring guide from footballer Marcus Rashford, encouraging teens to develop confidence, resilience, and a winning mindset, on and off the field.

Why it helps:
Motivates teens to believe in themselves, overcome challenges, and maintain a positive outlook which are all key ingredients for mental wellbeing.

Sporting Success

Well done to our netballers who took on Leftwich last week.
They all played really well.
Year 9 won 25-4
Year 8 lost 17-12
Girls of the Game were Lilly Weston and Flo Rowling.

Well done to Alice Brown and Florence Rowling who have both been selected for the Under 15 Cheshire Netball Player Development Programme. Well deserved girls.

Mental Health

Teen Sleep Hub

An organisation dedicated to helping children, young people and parents/carers understand sleep and how to sleep better. https://thesleepcharity.org.uk/

Kidscape

A charity offering practical help and support to victims of bullying including advice, free workshops and resources for young people and parents/carers. https://www.kidscape.org.uk/

Winston’s Wish

A charity that offers free, accessible online grief support to children and young people across the UK who are bereaved or facing the death of someone important in their life. Text or Whatsapp a bereavement specialist on 07418 341 800 (weekdays 3-8pm; aged 13+) https://winstonswish.org/

Cheshire Young Carers

An organisation supporting children aged 6-18 who care for a family member that they live with. https://www.cheshireyoungcarers.org/

Cheshire Hike 2025

Congratulations to all our amazing students who took part in the Cheshire Hike 2025. It sounds like you all had a great time while putting your navigational skills and stamina to the test.

Here is what some of the students said – summing up the weekend perfectly:
“A great weekend hike with my scouting friends”
“Very enjoyable- worth the achy feet”

A massive well done to the following St Nicholas students and the rest of the Cheshire Hikers.
George Livings – Jason Zeng – Daniel Lewis – Samuel Meakin – Patrick Fearnley – Alex Berry – Hazel Harford – Anthony Berry – Toby Lomas – Aiden Worrall – Matthew Heys

Dinner Accounts and lost cards

Please keep a careful eye your child’s dinner money account and ensure it is topped up.
Our amazing canteen staff run a very efficient service however, they are finding that many students do not have enough funds on their cards. This causes considerable delays – especially as the canteen feeds up to 800 people in 30 minutes.
You can set up a reminder on ParentPay when funds are running low.

Lost dinner cards

If your child has lost their dinner card we will of course still make sure they have access to food. Students without their card will have to attend the canteen after the queue has died down (about 20 minutes into lunch) and the canteen staff will look them up on the till. Students without a card will be allowed through for a day or two while they look for their card, but after this period a new card must be ordered on Parentpay. They are produced by the Student Support Office and can be picked up at breaktime.

Careers

Pathways to Property Information days

University Experience Week | University of Chester

University Experience Week, Health, Medicine and Society – taking place between Monday 27th and Friday 31st October.

Young Professionals Parent & Guardian Information Evening
Thursday 16th October 2025 | 6pm – 7.30pm

Community notices

Tuesday art club for 11 – 16 year olds

Get creative and make new friends at this art club at Hartford Village Hall.

Let’s Play, Sunday 19 October 2025

This outdoor event is free-of-charge and takes place from 2 – 4pm on Hartford’s Green Field (behind the Chester Road shops).

Craft for Kids, Wednesday 29 October 2025

Join in from 10am-12 noon or from 1.30 – 3.30pm at Hartford Village Hall (the black and white building by the tennis courts on Chester Road).

Parent courses

Attendance

Everyone matters – so attendance matters

Lunchtime and after school clubs

PE Co-Curricular Timetable

Fixtures: (week commencing 13th October)

Tuesday
Year 7 A&B Netball v WHS AWAY
Year 5/6 Mixed Netball
Wednesday
Mid-Cheshire Cross-Country @ HHS
Thursday
Girls U13 & U16 Cheshire Cup away Macclesfield
Year 9 Boys Cheshire Cup vs. Wilmslow (Home)

Clubs:

Monday
Lunch (12:45 – 1:05pm): Year 7
After school (3:15 – 4:15pm): Meetings
Tuesday
Lunch: Year 8
After school: GCSE PE Practical, Table Tennis Club (All Years)
Wednesday
Lunch: Years 9 & 10
After school: Netball (Girls & Boys), GCSE PE Revision
Thursday
Lunch: Year 11
After school: Football (Girls & Boys, All Years)
Friday
Lunch: Sixth Form
After school: Run Club (All Years)

(All activities open to everyone – correct kit must be worn – Trainers to be worn at lunchtime.)

Music Co-Curricular

W/C 13th October

Monday
After School : Choir till 4.30 the Year 7 Mass

Tuesday

Lunch: Choir

Wednesday

Lunch: Choir
After school: Choir (3:15 – 4.30pm)

Thursday-Sunday

France trip

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.

Upcoming dates

Monday 13th October : Year 7 Welcome Mass 5.30pm
Thursday 16th October : Opal Coast trip departs
Sunday 19th October : Opal Coast trip returns
Monday 20th October : MFL Mock Orals 1 commence
Tuesday 21st October : Food Preparation & Nutrition Practical Mock Exam / Sixth Form Open Evening 6–8pm
Wednesday 22nd October : Food Preparation & Nutrition Practical Mock Exam
Friday 24th October : MFL Mock Orals finish / SCHOOL CLOSES

Click here for future dates

Click here to download 2025-26 Holiday Dates

Click here to download 2026-27 Holiday Dates