Newsletter 19.11.2021

Newsletter 19.11.2021

Message from our Chaplain Mairie

Mr Tony Hathaway RIP

We were very shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Mr Tony Hathaway earlier this week. Many of our staff, ex-staff and parents will remember Mr Hathaway from his time here at St Nicholas. He was a long-standing and valued member of the school community, spanning 37 years in teaching and senior leadership roles. His authentic desire to bring out the best in his students shows how he lived out the St Nicholas Mission, believing that ‘Everyone Matters’. Mr Hathaway is particularly remembered for his presence around the school, whether it was the rattle of his keys as he patrolled the corridors or his calm attentiveness to the needs of students and staff alike. Personally, he is remembered for his dedication to marathon running, travelling the world to compete in prestigious events, raising money for many charities with other members of staff from St Nicholas. Upon his retirement from St Nicholas in 2011, Mr Hathaway went on to be a governor at St Joseph’s primary school.

We offer our sincere sympathies and prayers to his wife, Margaret, sons Neil & Michael, and to all his family and friends.

Eternal Rest, grant unto him, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

Covid testing home kits

School has received a further delivery of lateral flow self test kits which are Orient Gene nose swab tests, please refer to the enclosed instructions. Test kits will have been distributed to students to bring home before the weekend. We encourage students to continue testing twice a week.

 
Online Behaviour
Important Information

We have been made aware that increasingly some children locally and nationally are posting harmful comments about other people on social media platforms. These comments are sometimes disturbing and defamatory. We would ask that parents and carers speak to their children about the importance of acting respectfully and responsibly whilst online and ensure that their child is not posting harmful content.

It is important that young people are made aware that they may be committing an offence under the Malicious Communications Act 1988 because what they have posted causes distress or alarm to others. Furthermore, they should be aware that it is a criminal offence to ‘send by means of a public electronic communications network a message or other matter that is grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character’ (The Communications Act 2003).

If the school becomes aware that a child has acted inappropriately in the manner described, we will take appropriate action under our school’s behaviour policy. It may also become necessary to involve the police.

‘In a world where you can be anything, be kind remains an important message for everyone.

 
Sixth Form Maths Inspiration Day
On Tuesday, twenty A level Maths students attended the Maths Inspiration lectures at the Storyhouse Theatre in Chester. We listened to talks on counter-intuitive puzzles, how to model where plastic goes on ocean currents, and the maths of juggling. The last of these saw Colin Wright (mathematician/juggler) talking about the hidden patterns in juggling and how you can invent a new way to juggle by following some simple mathematical rules. If only this were on the syllabus! Is it time to start a juggling club?
Sixth Form

This article appeared in ‘Universe’ a weekly Catholic newsletter.
As always, it is great to see our students looking after the wider community and having fun in the process.

 
PTFA Christmas Raffle
Buy your tickets on ParentPay.
Win a 7 Night Eurocamp Holiday, a Luxury hamper, a full car service from DC Lomas Limited, Afternoon tea voucher for 2 at Abbeywood,  Aftershave and perfume, Snow Globe bottle of gin, Bottle in a bag and many others fabulous prizes.
Duke of Edinburgh Award 2021-2022 

We are excited that the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme is due to start up again at St Nicholas.

Keep your eyes on the Newsletter, we will publish more information once everything has been approved.

The Duke of Edinburgh award is a fantastic opportunity to develop new interests and gain new skills and we hope many of our students will take full advantage of this opportunity.

If you would like some further information, please take a look at the Duke of Edinburgh award website here.

SIMS Parent App
SIMS Parent App is for Parents and Carers to access key information for their child, such as attendance and reports.We are asking parents to download the app and check and amend details.Please click here to see the Guide to using the SIMS Parent App.
If you have not yet received an invitation or are experiencing any issues, please email studentdetails@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk
Languages Christmas Card Competition

Apprenticeship Virtual Event

Library and literacy

Tips to increase vocabulary

One of the best ways to increase our vocabulary is to read widely and frequently. However, sometimes a lack of vocabulary can prevent us from accessing and enjoying the books and articles we want to read.

The apps below can help students (and parents) increase their understanding of words:

Magoosh Vocabulary App

Magoosh’s vocabulary app is ideal for students on the go that may have just a few minutes at a time to learn new words. Test prep experts carefully chose 1200 words most likely to feature in the test. For each new word, the audio pronunciation, definition and examples of how the word is used are given. Learners start as beginners and progress through the intermediate to the advanced level.

WordUp

Expanding your English vocabulary is what WordUp is all about. Geeks Ltd, an award-winning software company and owners of WordUp came up with a unique product in many ways. Learners will remember new words if they experience the use of that word in real-life situations. Thousands of short video clips from TV shows and movies are used to demonstrate the use of a specific word in many different contexts.

Cleaner Vacancy

We are looking to add another cleaner to our lovely, hardworking team.
10 hours/week before or after school.

Please click here for further details

Music
Girls’ After School Sports
Monday 22nd November: 
Year 9 Parents‘ and Carers’ Evening (no co-curricular clubs)
Tuesday 23rd: 
Girls’ football club (all years) (3.15-4.15)
Wednesday 24th: 
Yr 9 Netball tournament at Hartford High
Badminton club (all years) (3.15-4.15)
Thursday 25th:
Netball club (all years) (3.15-4.15)
Friday 26th November:
INSET Day – School closed for students
After School Sports Results
The U13 girl’s football team played away at Wade Deacon on Tuesday 16th November
It was a great team effort!
They won 6-4,  Neve Hancock scored a hattrick and the other goals were scored by Elise Fawkes, Lena Zajac and Annabelle Hunter.
After School Sports Results
Girls’ football Wednesday 10th November – report by Grace Campbell.
St Nicholas won 10-2 against The Heath and it was a great victory. Lauren and Emma were strikers, Ruby and Phoebe in center midfield, Grace and Polly on the right and Gracie and Brodie on the left wing.
Molly, Zoe, Emily and Poppy in defense and Praise and Libby in goal.
The goals were scored by Ruby (3), Emma (3), Gracie (2),Grace (1) and Lauren (1)
It was an amazing team effort – well done to all the girls!
Boys’ After School Sports
Monday 22nd November: 
Year 9 Parents’ and Carers’ Evening (no co-curricular clubs)
Tuesday 23rd November: 
Year 8 Football Training with AW (3:15-4:00pm)
Year 10 Rugby Training with MA (3:15-4:00pm)
Wednesday 24th November: 
Year 9 Cheshire Cup fixture vs. Poynton (Home)
Thursday 25th November: 
Year 7/8 Rugby Training with MA (3:15-4:00pm)
Year 9 Rugby Training with AW (3:15-4:00pm)
Friday 26th November: 
INSET Day – School closed for students
Upcoming Dates

Year 9  Parents’ Evening  –  Monday 22nd November 2021  (4.15 – 7.30pm)
Year 13 Reports to Parents  –  Wednesday 24th November 2021
INSET Day  SCHOOL CLOSED TO PUPILS  – Friday 26th November 2021
Year 9 Options Evening  –  Thursday 2nd December 2021  (5.30 – 7.00pm)
St Nicholas Day Assemblies  –  Monday 6th December 2021 & Tuesday 7th December 2021
Parishioners Advent Dinner  –  Wednesday 8th December 2021  (2.30pm)
Year 11 Mock Results Day P5 – Friday 10th December Period 5

Year 9 Curriculum Choices Deadline  –  Monday 13th December 2021  (9am)
Year 11 Art Mocks  –  Monday 13th December 2021 & Wednesday 15th December 2021
Christmas Carol Concert  –  Wednesday 15th December 2021  (7pm)
Year 11 Reports to Parents  –  Friday 17th December 2021
SCHOOL  CLOSES  –  Friday 17th December 2021 

For future dates click here

Attendance

“Everyone matters, so attendance matters”