Newsletter 16.07.2021

Message from Mairie

Year 9 Retreat

We had a lovely day this week with the Year 9 students as they experienced their in-school retreat day. As they prepare to move into Key Stage 4 and GCSE studies, the day has given the students time to come together to learn more about one of the form saints and his talent for communication, to have reflective discussions about the value of Forgiveness, complete a workshop on Self-Care and living mindfully, an arts workshop on the theme of transformation, as well as having some time in the sun with a friendly sports challenge. We hope that the day has given Year 9 plenty to think about and reminded them of their place in God’s hands. Thanks to all the staff who supported the day.

Challenge21

We have our last few days of Challenge21 and we hope that there are some great ideas and actions taking place at home and in school. We would love to see how our students are getting on with their challenges so please do email photos and reports to Challenge21@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk. If you are able to support their challenges with sponsorship, donations for the PTFA can be made through your parent pay account.

Letter from Mr Woods

On Wednesday, Mr Woods sent out a letter to all Parents and Carers where he outlined end of term arrangements, plans for September and reminders about School Uniform.

He also writes

Your children have been exceptional – they have demonstrated creativity and determination alongside humility and genuine care for each other. As a school community, we recognise that everything our students have had to endure this year will have impacted each and every one of them in many different ways, which is why our commitment to student wellbeing and mental health will continue as an absolute priority next year.

In response to the global pandemic, Pope Francis has recently reminded us that “If we act as one people, we can make a real impact. May we find within us the necessary antibodies of justice, charity and solidarity. We must not be afraid to live the alternative—the civilization of love.”

On behalf of the governors and all the staff here at St Nicholas, I wish you all a restful, relaxing and ‘love filled’ summer holiday amongst the company of family and friends.

Click here to read the full letter

On-site COVID testing
When students return to school in September they will take part in on-site testing.
We have retained all consent documentation for students and will use these details to organise our on-site testing schedule for September. If you wish to change consent previously given to the school then please email covidtesting@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk.

Parents with students starting in Year 7 will be asked to fill in a new consent form.

Lateral Flow Tests to be distributed to students

We encourage students to continue testing throughout the holidays. Further lateral flow test kits will be provided to students before we finish term next week. Testing is also widely available over the summer and kits can be collected either from local pharmacies or ordered here online.

Changes to uploading results

Currently, if a parent/carer is submitting results through their account on behalf of a child, they have to enter the child’s details every time they report a result. As a result of feedback from parents, NHS Test and Trace have introduced household accounts. This allows parents to save their children’s details to their own user accounts so parents can report results for multiple members in the household more quickly and easily. Parents can add all household members to their account, enabling them to save time when reporting all future self-test results.

Vaccinations (Year 8 and Year 9)

If your child has missed their vaccination this week, the nursing team will contact you during the summer holidays and invite your child to one of their catch-up clinics if you have completed the consent form with all the contact details.

You can contact the immunisation team at Blacon Childrens Centre on 01244 397470 they will then forward your enquiry to the local nursing team, or you can contact Katherine Ross directly on 07901 918373.

Vacancies at St Nicholas

Student Support Administrator.
Join our amazing Admin Team in this exciting and varied role.

Senior ICT Technician
An interesting and varied role supporting and developing the school’s IT provision.

Congratulations!

Practising and not having in-person tuition for 16 months has made learning to play an instrument much more challenging, which is why these recent exam results are even more amazing!

Well done to:

Eve Gavin                     Grade 8 Piano Distinction
Eleanor Ma                  Grade 6 Violin Distinction
Gemma Chadwick      Grade 5 Violin Pass
Cian Garrard                Grade 5 Piano Pass
William Adderley Grade 3 Piano Merit
Martha Roper               Grade 2 Piano- Distinction
Jack Carroll                   Grade 1 Piano- Distinction

Dear Parents and Carers,

Thank you for supporting the PTFA in what has been a difficult school year for fundraising. We really appreciate all the raffle tickets we sold for our Christmas and Summer Raffle.

We were extremely glad we could help out with Year 11 leavers year books and hoodies. Good luck to them all with their GCSE results.

We were also delighted to be able to donate recently the ice lollies for years 7,8,9 and 10 for them to enjoy after their Tournament. We would like to thank Morrisons in Winsford, who supplied the majority of the ice lollies – we are very grateful.

We look forward to the new school year and further fundraising.

Wishing you all a very enjoyable and restful summer.

Thank you.

Kind regards,

Your PTFA

Year 12 Dress up for Make-A-Wish-Foundation

On Thursday our Sixth Former looked slightly different to normal.
All students and Year 12 form tutors dressed up for Character Day to raise money for the Make-A-Wish-Foundation.

There were many fabulous costumes and they all had a fun day.

INSTRUMENTAL LESSONS 2021-2022

We`re happy to report that from September all instrumental lessons will be back up and running!

Please click here and complete the Microsoft Form if you would like your child to continue with or to start instrumental lessons in September 2021.

Lessons are available on Piano, Flute, Saxophone, Clarinet, Violin, Trumpet/Cornet, Trombone, Baritone, Drum Kit, Voice and Guitar (electric and acoustic).

Mrs McKenna will contact you once we start to put timetables together and have a start date for each instrument.

If your child is in receipt of pupil premium (contact your Year leader if you are unsure) then we can subsidise this cost. Please speak to Mrs McKenna in the first instance.

Visit to St Vincent’s

Last week Mrs Cameron went to St Vincent’s Primary School where she had a great time dissecting hearts with the scientists of the future.

Year 12 work experience feedback

Our Year 12s have taken part in a virtual work experience programme with 6 employers: Marketing Cheshire, Lane End Construction, Keep Moat Homes, the NHS, an education consultant and Stobart Energy. Working in groups they have researched, costed and presented a project to the employer and we have had the fantastic feedback below. Really well done year 12!

Marketing Cheshire – Mayor Sam Naylor.

It was really enjoyable and the students were a credit to St Nicks, their parents and to the community. Sam.

Click here for more fabulous feedback

Inter-Form Football Tournaments

It has been a joy to watch the students in their Inter-Form Football Tournaments over the past two weeks.

We have seen some brilliant skills and wonderful efforts from all years.

Some teams made a special effort and organised T-shirts and badges.

Thank you to the PE staff for organising and to the students for your energy and commitment.

Please click here to read Cheshire West and Cheshire’s Newsletter

In this e-news you can find:

Useful resources and information for the school holidays:
Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme
Cheshire West and Chester Libraries
Parks, places and nature
Services
Short Breaks
Useful support and resources
Childcare Search Filters – help us improve search filters for parents who are looking for childcare for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

Careers

As part of our ongoing evaluation for our careers programme, we ask parents and carers to please click here to complete the Microsoft Form and let us know your thoughts.

Upcoming dates

July

Year 8 Reports sent home to Parents and Carers – Tuesday 20th July
SCHOOL CLOSES – Wednesday 21^st July with staggered departures from 12.45.

INSET Day – Thursday 22^nd July

August

A-Level Results Day – Tuesday 10th August
GCSE Results Day – Thursday 12^th August

September

School opens for Year 7 and Year 12 – Friday 3rd September
School opens for all year groups – Monday 6th September

For further dates click here

Attendance Matters

“Everyone matters, so attendance matters”

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Newsletter 16.07.2021