Newsletter 19.05.2025

A prayer to share

Lord, help us to walk in the light of purity and holiness.
May our thoughts, words, and actions reflect Your love and truth in all we do.
Purify our minds, so that we choose what is good.
Strengthen our hearts, so that we stand firm in kindness and integrity.
Let the example of Jesus inspire us to live lives that are honest, gentle, and full of compassion.
Guide us to live by Your grace, so that we become shining lights in our school, our families, and our world.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Message from our Chaplain Mairie

Pope Leo XIV

On Sunday 18th May, we joined the global Catholic community in celebrating the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, the 266th successor to St. Peter. Whilst we continue the legacy of Pope Francis, this election marks a new chapter in the life of the Church — one of hope, renewal, and deeper engagement with the challenges and joys of our time.

As a Catholic high school, we will be praying for our new Holy Father, that the Holy Spirit may guide him with wisdom, courage, and love. We encourage families to reflect on this moment together — an opportunity to talk about the role of the papacy, the unity of the Church, and what it means to live our faith in today’s world.

Let us keep Pope Leo XIV in our prayers, as he begins his ministry of service to the Church and to all people.

“Peace be with you all! Beloved brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of the Risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who has given his life for the flock of God. I, too, would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, reach your families, to all people, wherever they may be, to all peoples, to all the earth. Peace be with you!” Pope Leo XIV “Urbi et Orbi” address

Year 13 Mass of Celebration

We were delighted to celebrate Mass on Friday Afternoon with Year 13 students and their families. This is a lovely opportunity to come together to give thanks for our students and to pray for their perseverance, patience and well-being for the coming exam season, and to celebrate their time with us at St Nicholas. The canvasses prepared by each form shows their gifts and talents and will be in the assembly hall during the exam season to encourage them. Thanks to Fr James for celebrating our Mass with us and to Mrs McKenna and the choir for adding their gifts to a lovely afternoon.

Lent Charities

Thank you to everyone who supported the Lent charity events and to those who donated via parentpay. We have had a lot of great events going on in school and will hope to give the total raised just after half-term. This is still the Jubilee Year so the students will be involved in other activities throughout the rest of the year.

Year 12 Geography field trip

The Year 12 Geographers recently completed a day in Cwm Idwal, Wales, investigating evidence of past glaciation. The trip was a great success with the students gaining valuable fieldwork skills as well as enjoying the beautiful sunshine and breathtaking views.

Library and Literacy

Year 8 Student Vanessa Kwok shortlisted for the Wicked Writers Award.

Vanessa Kwok has been shortlisted for the Wicked Writers Award from 2400 entrants – a record number of entries for the competition which has been running since 2010. Vanessa’s story, “Fighting For Change in the Abyssborn Crisis”, is a thrilling sci-fi adventure providing a sobering glimpse into what our future might look like if we continue to pollute our seas. The story can be read in the Wicked Writers Be The Change Anthology 2025, with a forward my Michael Morpurgo. We have a copy in the library and Vanessa has been awarded with her own personal copy for her efforts.

The judges, including Cressida Cowell, author of the “How to Train Your Dragon” series, had this to say about Vanessa’s entry:

“the judges absolutely loved Vanessa’s entry, and felt it spoke very powerfully to the theme of local change. We would like to congratulate her again for being shortlisted. Out of 2400 entries it is a great achievement, and she should be incredibly proud. We hope Vanessa keeps writing.”

On behalf of the whole school, I would like to extend a huge congratulations to Vanessa for becoming a published author.

Ice lollies on sale

After the holidays the canteen will start selling ice lollies so make sure dinner cards are topped up.

Work Experience at Bentley Motors

I am pleased to confirm that Bentley have asked us to share their Work Experience Offer, taking place from 8^th to 11^th July. It’s for those between the ages of 16-18 years old and they are taking applications from 9^th May 2025 – 23^rd May 2025.

Students need to apply using the following link:

Bentley Motors Work Experience Programme 2025 Job Details | Bentley Motors Ltd

Any questions please follow the link and for support email s.stobbs@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk.

Youth Opportunities Grant 2025-26 applications are open!

Cheshire West and Chester Council are inviting voluntary and community organisations, charities and other groups focused on providing opportunities for children and young people in our borough to apply for the Youth Opportunities Grant (YOG) 2025-26 funding. The YOG funding is seeking innovative and unique applications that provide a response to emerging needs and priorities set out in local and national strategies, in particular Make Your Mark! as well as providing effective outcomes that supports children and young people to make the best start in life.

If you are interested in running an innovative project for children / young people, we want to hear from you.

Apply now: http://cwac.co/OJK9N

Application deadline – 30th May 2025

Sporting Success

We also like to highlight any successes achieved by members of our talented staff.

Last weekend ARC TA Miss Greenall ran in the Bollington Happy Valley Trail Half Marathon representing Northwich Running Club. A muiti-terrain event, with 750m of elevation up and over Kerridge and Sponds Hill, and with a final sting in the tail up the steep path to White Nancy. It was a brilliant challenge and is considered one of the more arduous trail half marathons. Coupled with the sun it was a tough but fantastic morning running through the fields, forests and trails of East Cheshire (and power walking the big hills!). Miss Greenall was more than happy to complete in a time of 2hrs 45. Kudos to all the local children on the route handing out much needed Haribo’s to the passing runners.

Outgrown Uniform and PE kit

If your child is leaving school or has outgrown their uniform or PE kit, please send it in to school where we will reuse it for students who need it or pass it on to the Green Uniform and Babybank. This can also be sent in after the exams have finished.

Thank you for your help

St Nicholas Three Peaks Challenge

The Three Peaks team have all been training hard again this weekend.

This weekend challenges have included a 16 mile walk along the TransPennine Way, local runs and walks, a Sandstone trail run, a hike up Llangollen Horseshoe Pass and a football charity match.

We would be grateful for any sponsorship.

https://www.givewheel.com/fundraising/6888/st-nicks-three-peaks-challenge/

After school PE

Week commencing 19.05.2025

Fixtures :

Tuesday :
Cheshire Cricket with ARC students (10:15-11:15am)

Clubs:

Monday – Cricket (all years)
Tuesday – Athletics (all years) & Tennis (Years 8-11)
Wednesday– Tennis (Years 8-11)
Thursday– Rounders (all years) & Tennis (Years 8-11)
Friday– Tennis (Year 7)

Music Co-Curricular

Rehearsals

Week commencing Monday 19^th May

Lunchtime

See Mrs McKenna/Mr Reid for access to practice rooms on Monday/Tuesday/Friday

Wednesday Woodwind Group 1M

Thursday Strings group 1M /Year 7 practice room

Friday Year 10 group 1M

After School

Monday Staff Meeting

Wednesday CHOIR 3.15-5pm / Year 10 GCSE Composition Workshop

Thursday Year 10 GCSE Composition Workshop

After School Clubs

Tuesday Drama Club (not on 06.05)
Wednesday Dungeons and Dragons
Wednesday Art Club in A2 all years 3.15-4.15

Lunchtime Clubs

Monday
Art KS4 in A2
History Musical Mondays – H1
Chess Club and Rubik’s club in M5
Y7 & Y8 Code club in C2
Tuesday:
Computer Science Revision in C2
Wednesday
KS3 Art club in A1
Thursday
Year 7 Book to Film Club in E1
Art club KS4 in A1
Friday
Easy as Pi club (maths)
Science Club Week 1 Y9-11, Week 2 Year 7&8

Community notices

Winnington Park Rugby Camp over May half term

Courses supporting Parents.

Barnton FC are looking for girls in Year 8 and Year 7 who have played football and would like to join a team. Please contact Kim on 07921 630518 if you are interested in coming along to a training session.

Craft for kids

Hartford Village Hall, Wednesday 28th May

Science Holiday Club

STEM Skill Clubs, are back at the Grange School Sports Centre, Hartford, this half-term. These fun-filled educational clubs are designed for all children aged 8 to 13.

Events in Hartford

Picnic in the Park – Festival in Hartford
Sunday 13 July 2025