Newsletter 16.10.2023

Message from our Chaplain Mairie

Year 8 Retreat

We enjoyed a Day of Reflection with Year 8 last week as they took a day off-timetable to consider their part in being Kingdom builders. We were delighted to welcome Nicola from CAFOD, and Ben from CARITAS Shrewsbury for the day.

We regularly fundraise for both these charities and it was great to learn about their projects, and also the importance of their work in light of Catholic Social Teaching. The students then took part in two different problem solving challenges that encouraged them to use their skills and talents and to collaborate to achieve their goals. They ended the day with a reflective art project that will be part of the reception display for November. Everyone worked together well to make the day a great success. Thanks to all the staff who supported our students on the day.

Winter Shout Out

As we approach half-term you may be thinking about new winter coats, sorting wardrobes, and clearing out the cupboard under the stairs! If you have any coats, shoes, hats or gloves that no longer fit and would like to pass on, please send them into school after the half-term break and we will find a good home for them.

Accessing the Foodbank
Whilst we hope that everyone is coping well, this is a difficult time for many, and we appreciate that there may be some families who are undergoing hardship because of changes in work or personal circumstances.

So that we may support our St Nicholas family we are registered as a referral organisation for the Foodbank. If you would like to have this support, we are able to process an on-line referral and arrange an appointment for you to collect a five-day food package from an agreed centre.

Mairie Gelling, our chaplain, is the school link for this provision. Email m.gelling@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk or ring the school office.

Please do contact us if we can be of help in this manner. As always, our conversation and any information that we need to pass on to the Foodbank, will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. For alternative access, you can also contact the local Citizens Advice in the Community on

Cheshire West & Chester Council Help Team – 0808 175 3599 (9am – 5pm)

Citizens Advice Northwich / Winsford – 0808 278 7806

Citizens Advice Help Through Hardship – 0808 208 2138

Library and Literacy

Cheshire Schools’ Book Awards 2024

St Nicholas students attended the launch of the 2024 Chesire Schools’ Book Award last Thursday. We met author Joshua Silver, author of shortlisted dystopian novel Happyhead, who told us about his work as a mental health nurse and how his book is a response to the anger he felt at the lack of NHS resources available to support the UK’s teenagers. Happy head has been picked up by the actor Taron Egerton in the hope of producing it into a film. Silver is off to New York next week to meet with American publishers, Penguin, and film executives. He is definitely one to watch!

The shortlist was announced to the members of Book Club who are eager to get their hands on some copies. We will have some available in the library but for those parents/guardians who are able, feel free to purchase any titles you think your child might enjoy. We’ve got a lot of reading ahead of us and I, for one, can’t wait to get stuck in.

The shortlisted books are divided into those suitable for younger readers and those more suitable for older teenagers (year 9 and above). If you are happy for your yr 7 or 8 child to read some of the older fiction, please send a brief letter of permission to the librarian Ms. Roberts.

Everyone is invited to read along. You don’t have to be a member of book club. ELS will be running various book review and art competitions along side the awards which will be advertised soon.

Sixth Form Open Evening

Also just a reminder that we have our Sixth Form Open Evening for all Year 11 students this coming Tuesday, no need to book. It’s a really important evening with many conversations to be had with both teachers and students around which subjects will be selected for A Level study and what life is like as a Sixth Form student at St Nicholas. We also warmly welcome any Year 11 students from any local school to attend.

Sixth Form at Northwich Careers Fair

On Thursday some of our Year 13 students represented the Sixth Form at the Northwich Careers Fair. They did a great job showcasing St Nicholas Sixth Form and spoke to many prospective students.

Sporting Success

Football

This week, we have once again had wonderful numbers to co-curricular football. We have had over 50 students attend KS3 football along with another 21 playing for the school. Both the Year 7 and Year 9 teams were excellent ambassadors for the school, playing in the correct spirit whilst also showing some outstanding performances! Well done to all involved.

Sporting Success

Rowing

On Tuesday 3rd October, eight year 8 students lead by Mr Humphries attended their first week at the Northwich Rowing Club as a part of the Northwich Youth Rowing iniative and were met by coaches, Jayne and Kevin.

The first week was an introduction to the boat yard, gym, health and safety, a quiz and a general instruction of how the next 12 months would look. The group were very enthusiastic and are looking forward to getting going and into the water in week two.

Week two began with an introduction to a 4 person boat, lots of confidence training, including standing up in the boat, Well done everyone!

We will keep you posted as the sessions progress!

European day of Languages

European day of Languages

We had a great day celebrating the European Day of Languages on September 26th. This all began with Mairie sharing a prayer in 9 different languages recorded by our very own staff and students. Students also participated enthusiastically in European themed competitions, quizzes and activities in class and at lunchtime / after school. Food Club cooked Albóndigas and students were able to complete a quiz to find out which staff members possess which hidden language talents! Many staff across the whole school tried to use different European languages in their lessons from subjects as diverse as PE and Maths.

Congratulations and thank you to all staff and students who took part in celebrating the day and special congratulations to the two winners of our KS3 poster competition Beatrice Panla-An (7V) and Scarlett Furmedge (7B)

Duke Of Edinburgh

Bronze Duke Of Edinburgh Qualifying Expedition:

42 Year 10 pupils completed their qualifying expedition for the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh award from Saturday 7th – Sunday 8^th October. They started their walk from Alderford lake and navigated their way across Whitchurch to their campsite in Marbury. The participants impressed staff with their evening meals and camp craft skills. They were blessed with lovely weather over the weekend and finished with high spirits but some very tired feet!

Bronze, Silver & Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award Registration Deadline- Friday 20^th October 2023:

Year 9 (Bronze), Year 11 (Silver), and Year 12 (Gold) students are invited to register to complete the Duke of Edinburgh awards this academic year. All information has been sent out via ParentPay, the deadline for registration and payment of the deposit is Friday 20^th October 2023.

Mathematics Success

Earlier this month students in year 12 and 13 sat the UKMT Senior Maths Challenge. Results are in and 14 of our amazing students finished in the top 40% nationally and got a certificate. Special mention to Jessica Hirst (year 12) and Tristan Rimmer (year 13) who tied for Best In School.

Jessica Hirst – Silver
Tristan Rimmer -Silver
Anthony Hopley -Silver
Finlay Pilling – Silver
Emily Aldridge – Silver
Joseph Dutton – Bronze
Joseph Larkin – Bronze
Adarsh Joju – Bronze
Rhys O’Brien – Bronze
Pedlow Lois – Bronze
Jacob Kasmir – Bronze
Ben Leigh – Bronze
Eleanor Ma – Bronze
Alex Smith – Bronze

Want to have a go yourself? Here are 3 questions from this years paper (one easy, one medium and one hard)

PTFA News

We are looking forward to seeing you on Thursday at our Bingo event.

We have some fabulous prizes including a full car service, 2x £30 Amazon vouchers, chocolates, Prosecco & toiletries. Please don’t forget this is a cash only event.

Thank you.

Your School Lottery

This week’s jackpot winning number is:
447998

One of our supporters won £11.70 in the draw!

Please support the school by signing up at www.yourschoollottery.co.uk

Lunchtime and after school Clubs

Lunchtime:

Monday : Script Reading Club in Drama Studio
Monday : Linguistics Club, Years 10,11,12,13 in E7
Tuesday : Science Club in S5
Tuesday : Chess Club in M5
Wednesday : Art club – all years in A1 and A2
Wednesday : Easy as Pi – Maths Club – in M6
Wednesday : Dungeons and Dragons in B5
Thursday : Art club -all years A1 in and A2
Thursday : KS3 History Club – Week 2 in H1
Friday : GCSE History Film Club – Week 1 in H1

After School:

Tuesday
Performing Arts Club – 3.15 – 4.30 Drama
Food Club – Year 9 and GCSE – 3.15 – 4.30 in T6
Wednesday
Dungeons and Dragons – in the library

Thursday
Art club for KS4 and 5 in A2

Music - lunchtime and after school clubs

Lunchtime:

Monday : Key stage 3 Keyboard Club
Monday : Woodwind Ensemble in 1M
Tuesday : Ukulele Club
Tuesday : Singformers in 2M
Wednesday : Jazz Band (GCSE and A Level)
Thursday : String Ensemble
Friday : GCSE Music Coursework

After School:

Tuesday
Rock School – year 7-9 – (Drums, Bass, Guitar, Keyboard, Vocal)
Wednesday
Choir (3.15-5pm)
Thursday
Orchestra

PE - lunchtime and after school clubs

Lunchtime:

Monday : Football – sports Hall – Year 9
Tuesday : Football – sports Hall – Year 10
Wednesday : Football – sports Hall – Year 7&8
Thursday : Football – sports Hall – Year 9
Friday : Football – sports Hall – Year 9

After School:

Monday 16^th October-

Year 7 Netball Festival v KHS, HHS & CHSL

Year 12v13 Football Fixture (Home)

Boys U13 Cheshire Cup match v Poynton (Away)

Girls U16 Cheshire Cup match v EPCH (Away)

Tuesday 17^th October

Football Practice

Girls Year 7&8 Fixture v MHS (Home)

Wednesday 18^th October

Mid-Cheshire Cross-Country Championship

Thursday 19^th October

Girls U13 Cheshire Cup v Malbank (Away)

GCSE PE Practical

Friday 20^th October

No after school clubs

Lost Property

The student support office is overflowing with lost property.

If your child has lost a PE kit or a coat, please ask them to come to student support to have a look.
Any unclaimed items will be given to the PE department or the Green Uniform Exchange.

Upcoming dates

Thursday 19th October Year 7 Learn to Learn Sessions
Friday 20th October Half term SCHOOL CLOSES
Monday 30th October SCHOOL RE-OPENS
Monday 30th October Year 11 Exams commence

Click here for future dates

Attendance

“Everyone matters – so attendance matters”

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