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Newsletter 19.01.2026

A prayer to share

A Prayer for the New Year
Loving God,
As we begin this New Year, fill our hearts with hope and purpose.
Help us to do our best in all we undertake,
to use our gifts well,
and to show kindness to everyone we meet.
Guide our steps, strengthen our courage,
and remind us that you walk with us always.
Bless our school community with peace, joy, and a spirit of renewal.
Amen.

A Message from our Chaplain, Mairie

Fresh beginnings and hope
January always brings with it a sense of fresh beginnings. The turning of the year invites us to  look ahead with hope.
We have begun the year with so many challenges and opportunities. Our Year 13’s preparing for their A levels, Year 12 and 10 on Work experience, the Year 8 retreat with the Youth Mission Team and the Year 7 Residentialn at Whitemore Lakes. So much going on already to offer our students lots of different experiences.
Many people make New Year’s resolutions, but in our school community we are invited to see resolutions not as pressure to become perfect overnight, but as opportunities to grow. Doing our best does not mean never making mistakes. It means showing up with open hearts, using our gifts, supporting one another, and trusting that God works through every small step we take.
For our students, this might mean giving a little more time to studies, being kinder to others, or getting involved in acts of service.
As we begin 2026 together, may we remember that striving to do our best is not about competition or fear—but about courage, hope, and faith. Every day is a new opportunity to grow in wisdom, love, and generosity.

Library and Literacy

 

This week’s Library and Literacy article has been written by our year 12 work experience library assistant Bella Segrott:
The Portico Sadie Massey Awards Reading and Writing Competitions
The Portico Sadie Massey Awards Reading and Writing Competition is available to all Years 7-13; anyone who is interested may take part!
The competition consists of two categories: reading award (book review), writing award (short story), and is free to enter for everyone; you may also enter both book review and short story! (However, there is only one entry in each.)
The closing date is 20th of March 2026! (Be aware of this if you do plan on entering and send to Ms Roberts online or in school.)
Don’t worry about spelling or grammar, only creativity, and individuality matters!
Only original pieces are accepted and must only be written by you.
AI/ChatGPT is not tolerated at all and will be disqualified.
Stories may be in prose or verse and set in the past, present or future, stories must be set in the North of England
The book review can be any book! Fact, fiction, poetry or graphic novels doesn’t matter! No images will be judged as part of the submission.
• Winners and Highly Commended are awarded in each Key Stage
• The Presentation event is held in June 2026 in Manchester
No names or school is needed, all anonymous and must be written in English.
Writing Competition:
Key Stage 3 – maximum 1000 words
Key Stage 4 – maximum 1,500 words
Key Stage 5 – maximum 1,500 words
Reading Competition
Key Stage 3 – 5 – maximum 1000 words
Cheshire Schools Book Award 2026 Art Competition
Deadline 27th March 2026
Design your own album cover and playlist!
Inspired by one or more of the Cheshire Schools’ Book Award shortlisted titles.
Your task is to design an album cover inspired by one or more of the shortlisted books. Then pick 3 songs that you think will be the perfect soundtrack to the book. They could be songs that fit a particular scene, remind you of one of the characters, or describe how you felt reading the book!
To enter simply send (in the library) or email Ms Roberts your submission by the 27th of March 2026 digital or traditional, it’s up to you! 
The winning entry will receive a £10 book token and will be announced at the Cheshires Schools Book Award Celebration Day in May 2026.
Here is one of our lovely submissions so far, a perfect example of an album cover by Daisie Warren!

Road Safety Reminder

Please be extra careful when driving onto the school site in the mornings and after school. We have had a couple of incidents where drivers were rushing and there were near misses on the pedestrian crossing.

The safety of our pupils, staff, and families is our top priority—thank you for your cooperation and care.

 

New lunch club – Poetry and Writing

 

Miss Else and Mrs Davenport will be running a lunchtime writing club every Wednesday in E1 starting on January 21st. This club is open to all students in Years 7-11 and we will be looking at the Poetry by Heart and Young Poet Laureate competitions in our first meeting. Please come along to find out more!

 

 

 

Work Experience

We are incredibly proud of all our Year 12 and Year 10 students who took part in work experience last week. We have received some wonderful photos and stories, along with overwhelmingly positive feedback from employers, who were highly impressed by the students’ work ethic, maturity, and enthusiasm.

We hope all students enjoyed the experience and found it both valuable and inspiring. A sincere thank you to the local businesses who generously gave their time to welcome and support our St Nicholas students.

Further photos to follow next week. If you would like to feature – please send a photo and a short write up to m.miller@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk 

Jarek Milek in Year 12 went to MZ Fire Suppression Ltd in Wales. The company works with fire-fighting gases and fire suppression systems, helping to maintain equipment used to protect people and buildings from fire.

Nathan and Dylan went to Ecolab helping the digital team update PCs to the latest windows version.
They have completed a IT stock take, taken part in a pretend job interview and attended digital meetings about digitalisation of plants.

Oscar enjoyed his work experience with Cheshire Independent Agents and got some lovely feedback.
He also celebrated his birthday with admin and cake!

Matthew Alderton worked with Tim Kirwin’s environmental educational company Wilder Things. Amongst other things, he has been tree felling and willow weaving.

Max attended Halon and Refrigerant Services Ltd in Sandycroft, Wales. The company specialises in the manufacture, testing and technical handling of industrial gases and related equipment, including services such as gas cylinder testing and analysis.

Jago , (on the left) flew a simulator on his work experience

Ashwin was at Rudheath Pharmacy, where he is gaining valuable hands-on experience in a real pharmacy setting. His tasks include dispensing medicines, serving customers, and arranging medication on the shelves.

This experience is helping him develop important skills such as customer service, organisation, and teamwork.

George was at Chadwick House, Birchwood documenting the discussions carried out by the Yorkshire Water Overflow Alliance regarding non complying overflows in the Leeds area. Later in the week he will be attending the annual RSK safety event.

Smartphone Free Childhood Parent Group

Smartphone Free Childhood
In little over 15 years , Smartphones have changed the shape of childhood. And the evidence they’re doing more harm than good has become impossible to ignore .
There is growing evidence that too much screen time is linked to anxiety, self-harm and loneliness .
And the content ? From nudity to extreme violence , it’s stuff we’d never let them see in real life.
The Smartphone Free Childhood aims to connect parents worried about the Smartphone and the social media effect on their children.
No judgement , just concerned parents connecting , whether your child has a smartphone or not.
Search Cheshire Smartphone Free Childhood on WhatsApp or contact vickykearns@icloud.com
Further information about the national movement can be found here https://www.smartphonefreechildhood.org/ 

Community Hub

Help for Parents and Families at the Community Hub

The Community Hub is open at Baron Quay every Thursday from 10:00am to 4:00pm. A range of professionals are available to offer advice and support to families, including representatives from Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), the Employment Support Team, Health Services, Adult Social Care, Asylum and Refugee Services, Early Help and Intervention, and more.

You may also find it helpful to visit the Community Partnership Facebook page, where they regularly share information about local, community-based support services. https://www.facebook.com/NorthwichCommunityPartnership/ 

PTFA News

Dear parents & carers,

We hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas time & wish you and your families a happy & healthy 2026.

Our next meeting will be in school on 9th March at 5.15pm. If you or you know anyone who would like to join our PTFA please contact school or come along to our meeting as we really need new members in order to keep going.
Thank you.
Kind regards,
Your PTFA

Lottery

Our latest jackpot winning numbers are:
932775, 277009, 537622,528485 & 407385

Our supporters have won: £11.75, £12.25 & £14.75 in the draw!

Please consider joining our school lottery if you’ve not already done so as it helps raise funds for school. Thank you for your support as always.

www.your.schoollottery.co.uk

Year 11 Mock Exams

Year 11 Mocks
The next set of mock examinations for students in Year 11 will take place from Thursday 26th February to Monday 2nd March.  Unlike the November mocks, only Maths and English are timetabled centrally.  Your child will be completing mocks in other subjects around this time, but these will be completed in lessons.  These mock examinations are an important opportunity for students to assess their progress in preparation for their final examinations.
The MFL speaking mock exams will take place between 9th February and 13th February and the listening, reading and writing between 23rd February and 6th March.
We kindly ask that you support your child by helping them to revise effectively, ensure they arrive at school on time each day, and encourage good rest and preparation during this period. Students should come to school fully equipped with the necessary materials for each examination.
Should you have any questions regarding the mock examinations, please do not hesitate to contact Mr Gerrard or Mrs Azakli.
Thank you for your continued support.

Webinar – Help Your Teen Develop a Growth Mindset: Discover the #1 Tool to Empower Your Teen & Set Them Up for Success

Help Your Teen Develop a Growth Mindset: Discover the #1 Tool to Empower Your Teen & Set Them Up for Success

Date: Tuesday, 20th January 2026
Time: 7.30pm-8.45pm (London)

What will parents learn in the webinar?
We’ll be covering topics such as:

This session is designed to help parents gain a deeper understanding of the importance of helping their teen develop a growth mindset and gain practical strategies and tools to support their child in moving from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset.

Careers

Year 12 opportunities – Corpus Christi College, The University of Oxford

Corpus Christi College, The University of Oxford is running a selection of programmes targeted towards students and schools in the North West of England aimed at Year 12 students.

The Ancient Worlds Network (AWN)

  • ‘Introduction to Classics’ Lecture event (21st January, 16:00 – 17:30)
  • The AWN Residential (17th March – 20th March)

Corpus Christi Law Residential:

  • The Corpus Christi Law Residential. Taking place over two days (16th and 17th March)

The North West Science Network (NWSN):

  • ‘Connecture Online Lecture Thursday 12th February.
     Dr Joseph Prentice, Lecturer in Materials Modelling

Peter Cane Legal Reasoning Prize

  • The deadline for submissions is Sunday 1 February 2026, closing at 23:59 (GMT), with the Prize Giving Day occurring in early to mid-March 2026.

Please refer to their website or Instagram page @cccoxfordaccess

Careers

Apprenticeship Opportunities
Daresbury Laboratory Open Evening
20th January

Click here

Apprenticeship webinar with Dunelm – 27th January 2026

Click here

Toyota Apprenticeships

Toyota are running apprenticeship open events on the 27th, 28th and 31st of January.

Click here

Engineering apprenticeships

With Morrisons – Click Here 

Community Notices

Dream Big Art Club

Sandiway Library – Mondays 3.45-4.45

Online Course

Online Courses for parents and Carers

Co-curricular Activities

PE Co-Curricular Timetable

Week commencing 19th January
Clubs:
Monday
Lunch (12:45 – 1:05pm): Year 7
After school (3:15 – 4:15pm): Meetings
Tuesday
Lunch: Year 8
After school: GCSE practical and Table Tennis Club (All Years)
Wednesday
Lunch: Years 9 & 10
After school: Netball (Girls & Boys)
After school: Rugby (Girls & Boys)
Thursday
Lunch: Year 11
After school: Football (Girls & Boys, All Years) (4pm finish)
Friday
After school: Run Club

Music Co-Curricular

Monday
Lunch Year 7: Auditions for choir 1M
Lunch Keyboard Club 2M
Tuesday
Lunch : Wizard of Oz
3.15-4.45pm Wizard of Oz
Wednesday
Lunch GCSE catch up 1M
Choir 3.15-4.15pm
Thursday
Lunch: String and Woodwind Ensembles 1M and 2M
Wizard of Oz (practice room)
Orchestra 3.15-4.15pm

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
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 DS1 3.15 – 4.30

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.

Exam Invigilator Vacancies

Vacancies at St Nicholas
We are looking for kind and reliable Exam Invigilators to join our team.
Deadline Monday 26th January 9am.
Click here for further details.

Attendance

Everyone matters – so attendance matters

Upcoming dates

January 2026

Wednesday 21st January Drama trip to London departs
Thursday 22nd January Drama trip to London returns
Friday 23rd January Year 13 Exams finish 
Wednesday 28th January Whole School Photo / Intermediate Maths Challenge Years 9, 10 & 11

February 2026

Tuesday 3rd February Mission Day Morning
Monday 9th February  MFL Mock Orals  commence /  Music Recital Evening 6.30pm
Thursday 12th February Art & MFL trip to Paris departs / Year 11 Parents’ Evening 4.15–7.30pm
Friday 13th February MFL Mock Orals  finish / SCHOOL CLOSES
Monday 23rd February SCHOOL REOPENS

Wednesday 1st April 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