Newsletter 16.03.2026 – St Nicholas Catholic High School

A prayer to share

A Prayer for Lent and for CAFOD

Loving God,
As we journey through this season of Lent,
open our hearts to remember those in our world
who face poverty, injustice, and hardship each day.

Bless the work of CAFOD,
who reach out with compassion to families and communities in need,
helping them to grow food, access clean water,
and rebuild their lives with dignity.

May we be inspired to follow their example of love in action:
to give generously, to speak up for what is right,
and to play our part in building a fairer world.
May we become signs of hope for one another
and for our global family.

Lord, guide our school community,
so that through our small acts of kindness
we help your light shine in the world.

Amen.

A Message from our Chaplain, Mairie

Lent Charities

Our Lent fundraising is already underway with Bake sales, raffles and sports challenges happening across the school. ?We would be grateful if students are able to bring some change over these few weeks so that they can contribute to our Lent charities.

CAFOD is the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales. It works with communities around the world to help people overcome poverty, respond to emergencies, and build a fairer, more sustainable future. It is part of is part of the global Caritas network — one of the largest humanitarian aid networks in the world, and the Disasters Emergency Committee.

As well as emergency support in places of conflict or natural disaster, CAFOD supports projects in areas such as clean water, farming, education, and emergency relief, always working alongside local experts who understand their communities best. It also encourages Catholics in England and Wales to pray, volunteer, fundraise, and speak up for global justice.

Your support for this charity is very much appreciated.

Confirmation Preparation – St Mary’s Middlewich and St Joseph’s, Winsford

Confirmation preparation will be beginning soon for young people in Year 8 or above who are in the parishes of St Mary’s, Middlewich or St Joseph’s, Winsford. If your child has made their First Holy Communion and would like to be Confirmed later this year – please speak to your parish priest or deacon.

School Performance

Wizard of Oz

A huge thank you to everyone who came along to watch The Wizard of Oz last week. It was a truly brilliant show and the students did us incredibly proud.

The talent, confidence and hard work on stage were wonderful to see, and it was clear just how much time and dedication had gone into making the production such a success. The costumes, music, acting and staging all came together to create a fantastic evening of entertainment for everyone who attended.

Thank you as well to everyone involved behind the scenes who helped make it happen. A special mention must go to Mrs. McKenna and Mrs. Milbourne for directing the music and drama – it was a truly professional production.

We are so proud of all the students and staff involved. Well done to everyone who played a part in such a memorable show.

Library and Literacy

WORLD BOOK DAY

World Book day Treasure Hunt Presentations

Congratulations again to the winning treasure hunters. Not only did they successfully make their way around school, spotting all the staff members in book-themed fancy dress, but they correctly identified the character, what book the character came from and the author of the book. Well deserving of some early Easter Eggs.

Well done to

1st place Daisie Warren and Penny Lee

2nd Jess Corbishley and Grace Baker

3^rd Isabel Hardman

Sporting Success

Year 8 Sportshall Athletics

Congratulations and well done to our Year 8 Athletes who represented the District in the County Finals for indoor Athletics held at Ellesmere Port Sports Village.

All students represented the school and Vale Royal really well.

Community Notices

Boundaries without Battles

Local Hartford based ‘The Resilient Kid’ are now running online courses.
Sign up here

Bedding Plant Sale

Support Hartford Scouts – get your bedding plants from them

Accountancy Apprenticeships available

Click here

Futures for all

Work Experience opportunities for SEN students

Click here

Co-curricular Activities

PE Co-Curricular

Week commencing 16th March

Clubs:

Monday
Lunch (12:45 – 1:05pm):Year 7

After school (3:15 – 4:15pm): Meetings
Tuesday
Lunch: Year 8

After school: No Clubs – due to fixtures taking place

Wednesday
Lunch: Years 9 & 10

After School: No Netball Practice – due to fixtures taking place

Thursday
Lunch: Year 11
After school: Football (Girls & Boys, All Years)
Friday
After school: Ski Fit

Music Co-Curricular

Monday
Lunch GCSE Catch up
Lunch Keyboard Club 2M
Tuesday
Lunch : GCSE composition/performance catch up
After School: GCSE performance recordings
Wednesday
Lunch GCSE composition/performance catch up
After School: 3.15-4.15 Choir
Thursday
After School: 3.15-4.15 Orchestra

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
Wednesday lunchtime Writing and Poetry Club E1
Wednesday lunchtime Beyblading – Bring your own BeyBlades – in R1

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 – After Show Party for Wizard of Oz cast and crew 3.15 – 5.45

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.

Attendance

Everyone matters – so attendance matters

Upcoming dates

March 2026

Thursday 19th March Year 9 Exams commence/ Storyhouse trip to see Macbeth
Thursday 26th March Year 4 Activities Day (St Bede’s, St Luke’s & St Vincent’s)
Friday 27th March Year 4 Activities Day (St Mary’s, St Joseph’s & St Wilfrid’s) / D of E Silver & Gold Training Expedition 27th–29th March
Monday 30th March Year 9 Exams / GCSE Drama Practical Exam / Year 8 Parents’ Evening 4.15–7.30pm
Tuesday 31st March Year 9 Exams / Whole School Mass

April 2026

Wednesday 1st April Year 9 Exams finish / Stanley Igoe Cup (Year 11 afternoon) / Year 7 Reports to Parents /SCHOOL CLOSES
Monday 20th April SCHOOL REOPENS
Monday 4th May BANK HOLIDAY
Friday 22nd May SCHOOL CLOSES
Monday 1st June SCHOOL REOPENS
Friday 19th June INSET Day
Wednesday 22nd July SCHOOL CLOSES

Click here for future dates

Click here to download 2025-26 Holiday Dates

Click here to download 2026-27 Holiday Dates