Newsletter 19.05.23

Message from Headteacher Mr C Burns

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope that you and your families are well and looking forward to the weekend.

The exam season is certainly underway, and our students have been absolutely fantastic! They have displayed positive attitudes, remained focused and have behaved impeccably. I would like to remind you to please contact us if you have any worries or concerns about your child during the exam period – we will do everything we can to support them.

We have enjoyed celebrating Year 13’s final day in school with a celebration assembly, followed by a very special Mass to celebrate their time at St. Nicholas Catholic High School. They will be missed by all members of the school community, and we appreciate all their positive contributions during their time here. We wish them every success in their exams and look forward to celebrating with them at their Leavers’ Ball in June, and then on results day in August.

Can I remind parents and carers of the current uniform arrangements and ask that all students continue to arrive to school dressed for learning? The majority of students are very well-presented and wear their uniform with pride. We have been recruiting staff for September over the past few weeks and every visitor has praised our students’ conduct, commented on the warm welcome they received, as well as how smart our students look in their St Nicholas uniform. Thank you for your continued support.

We continue to pray for all our students, but particularly those who are preparing for their exams.

Have a good weekend.

Best wishes,

Mr C Burns

Headteacher

Message from our Chaplain Mairie

This week we are continuing with national exams for Year 11 and Year 13 students. We wish them every success in their exams and pray for them and their families at this time.

We were delighted to celebrate Mass for our year 13 students, together with their families, tutors and other staff. Many thanks to Fr Peter for coming along to share the afternoon with us.

This week we also celebrated the feast of the Ascension in school. This reminded us how the Easter story continues, with the call to the disciples to continue the sharing of the Good News.

We take on that same responsibility in how we live out our Gospel Values and 4 R’s in school.

Confirmation – Last call

Many parishes are beginning their preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. This Sacrament is offered to young people who are presently in Year 8 or above. Due to the lockdown and other circumstances, there is no higher age limit and many people prepare for the Sacrament as adults. If your child is interested please speak to your parish priest in the following parishes.

St John Vianney, St Mary’s Middlewich, St Joseph’s.

If you belong to St Joseph’s Winsford, Fr Simon is away at the moment, so please email me, m.gelling@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk and I will pass the message on (St Joseph’s prepare with St Mary’s in Middlewich).

Year 12 Geography Fieldtrips

Since returning from the Easter Break, Year 12 Geography Students have been enjoying four days of fieldwork exploring Human and Physical Environments in preparation for their own Independent Investigation in the Summer term. Our brilliant students investigated physical processes by measuring beach profiles at Criccieth Beach in North Wales, alongside dune profiles at Formby Beach in Merseyside. A wonderful few days had by all in the glorious sunshine!

Junior Maths Challenge

Two weeks ago, a number of our students took part in the Junior Maths Challenge. Results are and in 58 students in Year 7 and 8 finished in the top 50% nationally and got a certificate, with 6 of those finishing in the top 8% and getting a Gold. A big congratulations to everyone who took part. A special shout out to Max Zaremba in Year 7 who beat all the Year 8s and got best in school.

St Nick’s Chess Championship

The final of the inaugural St Nick’s Chess Championship was played out this week between Max Joy (year 13) and Alex Bickerton (year 10). The match consisted of two 10-minute games, with the potential for a blitz or bullet playoff if the players were drawn after 2 games.

Game 1

This was the position after 25 moves of game 1 where Max (white) had a strong kingside initiative. Had he brought the rook on d1 into the attack by moving it to d3 he would have had very strong winning chances.

However, Max missed this tactic and Alex (black) was able to liquidate the kingside, and 6 moves later the board looked very different (see below). Now Alex’s connected pawns on the queenside marched up the board and were unstoppable, and Max resigned 10 moves later.

Game 2

In game 2, Alex (white) lost a rook for a knight in the middlegame, so Max (black) pressed his advantage on the open b-file and in this position found the great move Na4!, with the dual threat against the white knight on c3 and the back rank mate on b1.

He went on to take the win, so the match went to a blitz playoff where both players started with 3 minutes on the clock and a 2 second increment per move. In the blitz games both players had winning chances, but it was Alex’s tenacious playing style, never giving up when he was down, that saw him go on to take the victory. Well done Alex Bickerton – first St Nick’s Chess Champion!

There will be a mini-Swiss style tournament next half term, and keep an eye on the chess noticeboard outside M5 for information about after school coaching sessions with Richard Betts.

Used Uniform

St Nicholas is now a drop off point for The Green Uniform Bank. If your child has outgrown their uniform please send it to school and we will pass it on to the Uniform Bank.

We accept the following CLEAN items:

blazers, shirts, skirts, trousers, ties, PE kits as well trainers, school shoes and football boots.

Please click here for further information regarding The Green Uniform Bank.

School Ties available to purchase

If your child has lost or damaged their school tie you can now purchase a new one on ParentPay.

The cost will be £7.69.

If you child has ever borrowed a tie from Student Support we kindly ask that it is returned.,

PTFA News

Your school lottery

This week’s jackpot winning number is: 280426

Our supporter won £13.50 in the draw.

If you haven’t signed up yet visit our lottery: https://www.yourschoollottery.co.uk/lottery/school/st-nicholas-catholic-high-school

This month all participants have the chance to win a Meta Quest 2 VR Headset bundle.

Library and Literacy

Mental Health Awareness Week books and digital resources

As it is Mental Health Awareness Week, I would like to draw your attention to the Reading Well website, an excellent resource for both teens and adults.

https://reading-well.org.uk/books/books-on-prescription/teens

Reading Well for Teens provides recommended reading and online resources to support your teen’s mind, feelings and confidence. All the books are available in the school library and in local libraries nationwide. The list for teens is targeted at 13 – 18 year olds and has been selected by teens and wellbeing experts. The collection contains a mix of fiction and non-fiction and includes books suitable for those with lower reading levels.

A guide to the book collection can be accessed via this link https://tra-resources.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/entries/document/6296/Reading_Well_for_teens_-_book_guide.pdf

Vacancy at St Nicholas

Teaching Assistant

Permanent Part Time Position: 35 hours per week – 39 weeks per year.

Start / End time to be discussed at interview.

Grade 5 – £21,968 – £24,054 pro rata per annum (Actual salary £17,850 – £19,546)

Closing date: 9am Friday 16 June 2023

Click here for further information