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Newsletter 14.10.2024

A prayer to share

 

This week, let us pray for the people of the Middle East, and all those parts of the world suffering from conflict and violence:
may the ways of reconciliation, justice and peace prevail.
Please continue to pray for our colleagues and our families who are grieving following the recent loss of loved ones, as well as anyone who might be struggling at this time.
AMEN

Head’s Message

Pastoral Update 

As we wrap up the first few weeks of this term, I wanted to take a moment to express my appreciation for the fantastic start we’ve had. It has been wonderful to see our students come together so positively and enthusiastically. Our students have settled in remarkably well, adapting quickly to new routines, and demonstrating a great attitude towards learning. The energy and curiosity they bring to the classroom is inspiring, and it has been a joy to see their eagerness to engage with both new and familiar subjects. 

I would also like to give you an update on some Pastoral Developments as well as some key information: 

  1. Safeguarding As we begin a new term, I want to take this opportunity to update you on the measures we have in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all our students. At St Nicholas Catholic High School, safeguarding is our highest priority, and we are committed to creating a secure and supportive environment where every child feels safe and valued. 

To maintain the highest standards of safety, we implement the following measures:
An Extensive Safeguarding Team – I am the Designated Safeguarding Lead, and I am supported by Miss Whitehead, Mr Burns, Mr Evans, Mrs Pardoe, Mrs Senior, Mr Gerrard, and Mr Bradley. Please do contact me or any members of the team should you have any concerns. 

 Staff Training: All staff members receive regular safeguarding training to ensure they are equipped to recognise and respond appropriately to any concerns. Our staff is also trained in online safety, so they can guide students in safe, responsible use of technology.

Access and Security: We have strict protocols for visitor access to the school premises, including check-in procedures and supervision at all times. We also maintain secure boundaries around our campus to ensure students’ safety while on school grounds.

 Student Awareness: Through our pastoral curriculum and dedicated sessions, we educate students on key safety topics, including personal safety, mental health, and online safety. We encourage them to speak up about any worries or concerns and remind them that trusted adults are here to help.

Online Safety: With technology playing a large role in education and social interaction, we continue to emphasise the importance of online safety. We provide guidance and resources to help students navigate the digital world responsibly and securely.

Support Systems: Our pastoral team including Form Tutors, Pastoral Managers, Year Leaders and our Chaplain is available to provide support to students who may need someone to talk to. We are here to help with any issues that may arise, whether they relate to school life or personal matters. 

 A Child Protection Policy. This is updated annually and available on our website. 

 A regular Newsletter for Parents to keep you updated on the recent developments. 

 St Nicholas Dollars We have overhauled our reward systems, and our students will receive our unique currency that they can exchange for their chosen rewards. Students are rewarded for attendance and positive lesson monitor scores. Students will receive these every two weeks and we will be updating the rewards on offer throughout the year. If any parents or businesses wishes to donate any items for the Reward shop, please do contact me. 

St Carlo Centre. We have successfully opened our Inclusion centre that helps those students who are reintegrating back into full time education and those who require some support with their behaviour. This is led by Mr Walker.  

Can I take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement.

Your involvement is crucial to our success, and it’s clear that our students are benefitting from a strong partnership between home and school. Your commitment helps reinforce the positive, Catholic values we strive to instill here. 

We are looking forward to a productive and fulfilling term and year ahead, filled with achievements and growth. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or feedback. 

 Yours sincerely,  

Mr Spencer
Associate Deputy Headteacher 

         

Message from our Chaplain Mairie

Prayer for Peace
Monday, 7th October, was the one year anniversary of the start of the conflict in the Middle East. This is also the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Pope Francis had asked that the rosary be prayed across the world for peace in all conflicts and for all peoples. During our Sacred Space time in form we prayed a decade of the rosary to add to the many prayers of the day.
We hope for a diplomatic and peaceful outcome to be found.

Message from our Chaplain Mairie

MiniDASH
Mini DASH is a termly meeting of students from across our diocesan high schools. This term we have put together a team from Year 8 supported by Sixth Form students. 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.

St Nicholas Music Festival

St Nicholas Music Festival

Everyone is welcome to attend this short FREE concert on Tuesday and Wednesday  6pm-7pm. It will include pieces from all our ensembles in school as well as songs performed by our partner primary schools.

Tuesday October 15th Wednesday October 16th
St Luke’s, St Bede’s  and St Wilfrid’s St Joseph’s, St Mary’s, St Vincent’s

Sixth Form Open Evening

We look forward to welcoming all future Sixth Formers to our Open Evening on Tuesday 22nd October 6-8pm

 

Year 11 Mock timetable

Library and Literacy

Are we accidentally putting our children off reading? 
A recent survey has found that children are being put off reading by their parent’s hypocrisy when it comes to smart phone use. Telling our children to read whilst we’re glued to our own smartphones isn’t going to cut it anymore. They’re wise enough to recognise our own screen addictions and less likely to follow our advice if we don’t take it ourselves.
Over half of the children surveyed by Beano Brain earlier this year said that they objected to being told to read books by parents who don’t read themselves. The children specifically mentioned parents’ smart phone use in relation to this. Only 25 per cent said their parents relaxed by picking up a book, while 56 per cent said their parents would rather scroll through social media on their phones than read for pleasure. One 11 year old non-reader said “Adults usually tell you to read but then they don’t read and go on their phones. My teachers and my dad do that.”
The research also found that adults were crushing children’s enthusiasm for reading by pushing them towards books they thought they should be reading, rather than the books their children actually enjoy reading. More than a third of children said they were not allowed to choose what they want to read, while one in four children said they were encouraged to read things they simply didn’t want to. One in five said they felt judged and shamed on their reading choices.
Children also told researchers that they enjoyed books best when they could choose what to read, when to read and where to read. A quarter of those surveyed also believed they would enjoy reading more if they had more freedom to read books in other formats, such as graphic novels and audiobooks. One child stated that, “Adults think proper reading is … non-fiction, thick books, books with only words,”
It’s never too late for us to change our own reading habits in order to model the behaviour we aspire for our children to engage in, and we need to hold our tongues when judging our children’s reading choices if we want to avoid putting them off reading all together. The more phone free, face to face time we spend with our children, the more normalised it becomes for the whole family and eventually, they will begin to realise that not all fun activities require a screen (unless it’s an ebook. Speaking of, see below).
SORA ebook and audiobook app
Year 7s are being introduced to SORA in library lessons this week. Sora is our ebook and audiobook platform which all students can access for free. It’s an amazing resource as you will see if you take the time to explore it with your child.
Sora can be access via your app store or:
Search for our school (you may have to input this twice). Then students can log on using the same username and password they use to access the laptops in school.

Legally Blonde Jnr

What talent at St Nicholas School!

Legally Blonde Jnr the musical is coming to The Grange Theatre, Hartford very soon. It would be wonderful if you could come and support your talented students, many of them your friends. Emma Baylis, Louis McManus, Emma Parkhill, Amber Larose and Mia James will be putting their unique spin on some iconic roles  in this high energy production.

We have a real-life Bruiser who can’t wait to meet you all. He is a natural on stage and is doing his best to steal the limelight!

This is a show for everyone. Mid Cheshire Youth Theatre is a charity led by a group of volunteers who give up their time each week to support the talented youth in our area. We rely on audiences to attend our shows so we can continue raising confidence in our members and delighting those watching.

We have a special discount code for all the pupils and families/friends at St Nicholas School This is for the Saturday matinee. Please apply this code at Checkout  LEGALLYMATINEE938.    Hope to see you all there .

Book Now https://www.thegrangetheatre.com/legallyblondejr

Dates are Thurs 24th and Fri 25th October 7pm, Sat 26th 2pm and 6pm performances.

Sporting Success – Alice Brown

Double celebration for Alice Brown who has recently been selected for Manchester Thunder and Cheshire.
Well done and keep training hard!

Sporting Success – Alice Jordan

Alice’s football season started on Saturday 7th September with her new team Winsford Town U14’s Lionesses and new position as goal keeper. Due to an outstanding performance during this game she won Player of the Match.

Alice also plays Sunday league football as Goal Keeper for Winsford Town Saxons U15’s boys and again won Player of the Match on 29th September.

Alice then went on to win the first ever Winsford Town U14’s Lionesses Player of the Month for September.

Sporting Success – Aimee Baldwin

Well done and good luck to Aimee Baldwin who is going to be competing in the Horse of the Year show at the Birmingham NEC.

PTFA Newsletter

Dear Parents & Carers,

Please note our AGM will be held in school on Monday, 4th November at 5.15pm. Everyone is welcome.
Thank you.

PTFA Lottery

This week’s jackpot winning number is:
167547

One of our supporters won £17.70 in the draw! 😀 🎉

Please consider joining our school lottery if you’ve not already done so to help raise funds for school.

If you haven’t signed up yet please visit our lottery here – https://www.yourschoollottery.co.uk/lottery/school/st-nicholas-catholic-high-school

Thank you. 😁

Community Notices

Mental Health training
for ages 16-24

After school PE

Week commencing 14th October

Fixtures :
Monday: Year 9 Cheshire Cup vs. Eaton Bank (A)
Tuesday :  Year 10/11 Girls Cheshire Cup vs. Poynton (H) 2:30pm KO
Tuesday : GCSE Practical night
Wednesday : X – Country – Hartford
Thursday : PESSCO: Y5/6 Mixed Netball
Clubs:
Tuesday– GCSE Practical Night & All Years Table Tennis
Wednesday– All Years Netball
Thursday– All Years Football
Friday– All Years Run Club & Sixth Form Fitness/Gym

Lunchtime clubs

Monday -Art KS4 in A2
History Musical Mondays – watching Hamilton – H1
Chess Club and Rubik’s club in M5
Tuesday: Computer Science
Revision in C2
Wednesday KS3 Art club in A1
Thursday Art club KS4 in A1
Friday Easy as Pi club (maths)
Friday Year 9 -11 Science Club Week 1
Year 7 and 8 Science Club Week 2
School Production Rehearsal – Drama Studio

After School Clubs

Tuesday : School Production Rehearsals 3.15 – 4.45 (not on this week)
Wednesday  Dungeons and Dragons
Wednesday Art Club in A2 all years 3.15-4.15
Thursday KS4 / 5 Spanish Film Club

Attendance

Everyone Matters – so Attendance Matters

Upcoming dates

  • Tue 15th Oct – Partner primary schools music festival, St Luke’s, St Bede’s and St Wilfrid’s
  • Wed 16th Oct – Partner primary schools music festival, St Joseph’s, St Vincent’s and St Mary’s
  • Tue – 22nd Oct – Sixth Form Open Evening 6pm-8pm
  • Wed 23rd Oct – Food tech mock exam
  • Thur 24th Oct – Belgium trip departs
  • Fri 25th Oct – Confirmation mass for St Joseph’s and St Mary’s parish 7pm – at St Mary’s, SCHOOL CLOSES
  • Mon 4th Nov – SCHOOL REOPENS, Remembrance Assemblies, Year 11 exams commence, PTFA AGM meeting 5:15 – 6:15pm

Click here for further dates

Click here to download 2024-25 Holiday Dates

Click here to download 2025-26 Holiday Dates