A prayer to share
Bless our minds that we may seek knowledge, our hearts that we may live with compassion, and our hands that we may serve others with love.
We look to St. Carlo Acutis, a young disciple of our time.
A Message from our chaplain, Mairie
A wonderful celebration at the weekend when Carlo Acutis was canonised as the first millennial saint. One of his nicknames is ‘God’s Influencer’ as he used his tech skills to spread the Catholic faith across the internet. Perhaps less well known is that during his life Carlo did all he could to help the poor and homeless in his local area. Our own St Carlo Centre continues to support our young people so that they can become the best that they can be.Open Evening – Thursday 25th September
We look forward to welcoming future St Nicholas Students to experience our school for our Open Evening Thursday 25th September 6-8pm. No need to book.
Music Success
Congratulations to Imogen Cooke Year 13 who was accepted onto a Rodolfus choral course this summer. For 40 years, the Choral Courses have provided opportunities for young singers from all over the world to learn excellent choral singing from the leading educators in their field.
Read Imogen`s account below:
“At first the course was quite hard as I was having to try and sightread all of the music as we had a lot of pieces to get through and the schedule was very intense but about half way through when I was getting into the hang of sightreading it became a lot easier and more enjoyable as I was singing in a way that I have never before and it really gave that depth to the music and made me realise how import that delivery of the music is as much as getting the notes right. It was also really enjoyable to be doing so much music in a short amount of time and so much variety which really gave me an insight about changing your voice for different styles and how you can do that effectively. It was also very helpful as they gave me a report on my progress and how I can improve in the future and also, we had 2 one-to-one singing lessons”
Music Success
Congratulations to Rafael Wong Year 11 who successfully auditioned for the Hallé Youth Orchestra this summer and takes up a position with them this September.
“Established in 2002, the Hallé Youth Orchestra offers outstanding young instrumentalists (Grade 8 and above), aged 13-19 years, the chance to experience playing in a full symphony orchestra supported by professional musicians. It is for young musicians who love experiencing orchestral music and the buzz of contributing to a large ensemble.”
Well done Raf!
Library and Literacy
Music/History trip 16th-19thOctober 2025
Mrs Buckley’s Charity Challenge
Following on from the fantastic 3 Peaks Challenge last June, Mrs Buckley has taken on a solo challenge to run 100km in September to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Care. To date she has completed almost 50km. Mrs Buckley states,
Search for a Poet
Free School Meals Eligibility
Your child may be entitled to receive free school meals if you are entitled to receive one of the following:
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit, provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income that does not exceed £16,190.
• Universal Credit (Provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400)
Please go to, www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk , Schools & Education, then Free School Meals where you can apply on-line. The on-line eligibility checker will notify you straight away if you do or do not qualify.
It is really important that you complete the on-line form to ensure your child is recorded as eligible for Free School Meals and to help make sure that the school is funded.
If you cannot apply on-line, you can telephone Free School Meals on 0300 123 7039, but this is only if you do not have access to the internet.
Work Experience
Introduction to College Education – October
We are pleased to offer our Introduction to College Education (ICE) programme in October 2025 at our Crewe and Ellesmere Port Campus, aimed at those aged 16-19, including those with an EHCP who are not currently in full time education or training.
The aim of the programme is to support those that may have struggled with transitioning to full-time education and will help to bridge this by developing learner’s confidence and self esteem as well as employability skills.
The programme will cover topics such as:
- Building Confidence and Self-Esteem
- Communication Skills for Group and Team Work
- Functional Skills – Maths and English
- Employability skills
Apprenticeship webinars
The British Army
40+ different apprenticeship opportunities in the British Army available, from engineering to animal care, to logistics and HR. 21st October is aimed at parents and carers with 3rd February perfect for young people and those supporting them.
BBC
Join us to discover exciting apprenticeship opportunities at the BBC in business, data and digital technology, engineering, journalism, and production. During this session, you’ll hear directly from the BBC about what it’s like to be an apprentice, gain valuable insights into the structure and benefits of the apprenticeship schemes and more! Book here
Dunelm
Join us to hear from the Early Careers team at Dunelm and learn more about their amazing apprenticeship opportunities opening for applications in January 2026.
With apprenticeships available across the business, from Retail, Supply Chain & Logistics, Commercial, Fitting Management and more. Book here
Careers Webinars – Coming Soon
Stay tuned for live webinars with EDF, KPMG and others, where you’ll get to hear more about their apprenticeship programmes, learn what it’s like to be an apprentice at their organisation, get the inside scoop on what the recruitment process is like, and much more. www.amazingapprenticeships.com
Community notices
Cheshire Autism Practical Support
Courses supporting Parents.
September 2025
Left To Their Own Devices, an event by national charity Care for the Family, is coming to Chester on the evening of 9 October.
- Are you fed up with seeing the back of a phone more than your child’s face?
- Do you feel every conversation you have about technology is a battle?
- Are you concerned about the impact it’s all having – bullying, screen time, lessening attention span, the rise of AI and VR?
- Do you want to help your child navigate the online world safely?
Date: Thursday 9 October
Time: 7.30pm to 10.00pm
Venue: Doubletree by Hilton Hotel & Spa Chester, Warrington Road, Hoole, CH2 3PD
Tickets: £11.00
Find out more and book your tickets: cff.org.uk/owndevices
Attendance
Everyone matters – so attendance matters
Lunchtime and after school clubs
PE Co-Curricular Timetable
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 15th September
Monday
Lunch: Keyboard Club (2M)
After school: Staff Meeting
Tuesday
Lunch: —
After school: GCSE Composing Workshops
Wednesday
Lunch: Woodwind Ensemble
After school: Choir (3:15 – 5:00pm), GCSE Composing Workshops
Thursday
Lunch: String Ensemble
After school: Orchestra, GCSE Composing Workshops
Friday
Lunch: —
After school: GCSE Composing Workshops
Please see Mrs McKenna or Mr Reid to arrange rehearsal space/time for band practices.
Lunchtime Clubs
Tuesday lunchtime Mass/Prayer in the Chapel – all years
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
Upcoming dates
Wednesday 17th September : Year 11 Information Evening
Thursday 18th September : Whole School Mass
Monday 22nd September : PTFA Meeting 5.15-6.15pm
Tuesday 23rd September : Year 11 Post 16 Fair
Wednesday 24th September : Year 10 & 11 Drama trip to Woman in Black, Storyhouse
Thursday 25th September : Whole School Open Evening 6–8pm
Friday 26th September : European Day of Languages / KS5 trip to UK & Apprenticeship Fair
Tuesday 30th September : Year 7 RE Retreat Day / Year 10 Information Evening
Tuesday 21st October : Sixth Form Open Evening 6–8pm
