Newsletter 21.09.2026 – St Nicholas Catholic High School

A prayer to share

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen.

A Message from our Chaplain, Katy

We spent a wonderful morning last week, marking the beginning of a new school year with two school masses. Fr Simon celebrated both masses and was joined by Johnson a student at seminary who is staying and working in our parish for the next 6 months. He is hoping to set up a monthly youth group at St Wilfrid’s so keep an eye out for further details.

The mass was a really uplifting celebration and what made it extra special was having Mairie Gelling there who joined us to say goodbye after July’s end of year mass was cancelled due to the extreme heat. Mr Burns and a couple of our prefects thanked Mairie for all her hard work, kindness and service to the school over the past 10 years.

Sacred Space at Form Time

During Sacred Space in our form time we are reminded of some of the common prayers of the church, we will share them here with you throughout the year, we invite you this week to pray the Our Father together as a family.

Open Evening at St Nicholas – Thursday 24th September

Race for Life

Next Wednesday (23rd September) is our annual Race for Life event, taking place on the school fields. The event allows students to run, walk or even cartwheel (it has been done before!) their way around the course in order to raise money for a very worthwhile cause.

Students will attend in school in full PE kit. For the event only, students may wear pink items but must have full PE kit for the remainder of the day. We cannot allow hair dye, face paints/glitter etc. Students will also be provided with stickers in form to write down the name of a person/group of people they are running for.

Sponsorships:

We request a minimum donation of £1 to form tutors. Should they wish, students can opt to raise and donate more.
Many thanks in advance to everyone for their help and support with the event, it really is appreciated.

Library and Literacy

Michael Rosen Day

The 12^th of November is Michael Rosen Day and to celebrate, we will be hosting a live online event for year 7 poets in the library. In the run up, year 7 students can enter the SILLY SCHOOL STUFF COMPETITION.

Inspired by Michael’s crazy, impossible poems about the crazy, impossible things that can happen at school, like No Breathing in Class, we’re challenging year 7s to write their own Silly School Stuff poem. Whether it’s about Silly Lunchtimes, Silly Lessons, Silly Rules or Silly School Trips, their poem just needs to do two things: 1. Be creative and 2. Be silly! In fact, the sillier the better!

Poems must be no longer than 100 words and the closing date is Tuesday 20^th October.

Students can send their entries to Ms. Roberts at k.roberts@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk

On the 6^th of November, interested students from years 7, 8 and 9 will be invited to take part in an online poetry workshop in the library hosted by Simon Armitage and Sharena Lee Shatti. Students will experience poetry readings, take part in a shared writing exercise and hear from the 2026 Young Laureates, who will share their own work and experiences as young writers, helping to inspire the next generation of poets.

Students will also have an opportunity to submit their own poetry and apply to become one of next year’s poet laureates. More information about this will be given out in WRITING CLUB on Wednesday lunchtimes in E1 where students can register their interest in taking part.

Last year, one of our students Chloe Smith reached the final of the Young Poet Laureate competition and was invited to take part in a workshop and recital in Liverpool Central Library. It would be wonderful to see more of our students earn a place in this year’s final and maybe go on to be one of the next young Poet Laureates.

Year 12 Induction Day

Year 12 at Battlefield Live

Last week, our Year 12 students enjoyed a fantastic day out at Battlefield Live as part of their Year 12 Induction Day.

The day provided a great opportunity for students to get to know each other, build new friendships and develop their teamwork skills as they begin their Sixth Form journey. There was plenty of friendly competition, with students getting fully involved in the challenges – and the teachers were certainly not left on the sidelines, getting involved in the action too!

It was a brilliant way to start the new academic year, helping our Year 12 students build relationships with both their peers and staff.

Lunchtime and After School Activities

PE Co-Curricular

Fixtures week commencing 21/9
Tuesday

Year 8 Boys’ Football @ WA
Year 8/9 Netball v WHS/Cransley @ WHS
Y5/6 Girls Football @ SNCHS

Wednesday
Year 7 Boys’ Football @ Knutsford
Year 7 Netball @ WHS

After School Clubs

Tuesday
GCSE PE
Table Tennis (girls and boys all years)
Wednesday
Netball (girls and boys all years)
Rugby (girls and boys all years)
Thursday
No football – school closes 1.30 for open evening
Friday
Run Club (girls and boys all years)

Music – Co-curricular Clubs

Lunchtime:

Monday
GCSE/A-Level Composition
Wednesday
GCSE/A-Level Composition
Thursday
String Ensemble
Woodwind Ensemble

After School

Tuesday
School Production
Wednesday
Choir 3.15-5pm
Thursday
Orchestra 3.15-4.15
Friday
GCSE/A-Level Drop in

Lunchtime Clubs

Monday
Chess clubs in M5
Watch musicals in History – this term Billy Elliott for KS4 in H1

Tuesday
English Homework Club

Wedneday
Art club – all years in A2
English Homework Club
Writing Club

Thursday
Art club – KS4 and KS5 in A1.

After School Clubs

Wednesday
Art Club – all years in A2
Dungeons and Dragons – from year 8 – Library

Thursday
Art Club all years in A1. (not running Thursday 24/9)
Homework club not running Thursday 24/9

Community News

Romeo and Juliet Performance
One adult and one student can attend Romeo & Juliet at The Grange Theatre for just £25. To book, simply select the Student ticket category when booking through our box office and enter the password: studentr&jGS26
https://www.thegrangetheatre.com/romeoandjuliet

Masking – Free online talk

FACE aims to support regular parents with commonly faced issues. In this age of long waiting lists and over-loaded services, FACE is offering you practical and accessible advice and information.

Each talk includes easy to apply interventions and the opportunity to ask questions.

Open events at Priestley College

Adult Counselling service

Need Support with ADHD?

Please find below details of a free upcoming ADHD Q&A for Adults (including Parents) being delivered by ND Directed CIC. The session offers an open, science-informed discussion about ADHD, including practical support strategies and the opportunity to ask questions in a supportive environment.

This event is free for parents and may be of particular interest to families, carers and anyone supporting someone with ADHD.

Further information and booking details can be found here: ADHD Q & A for Adults (Parents, Carers, Spouses Welcome) – ND Directed CIC

Attendance

Everyone Matters – so Attendance Matters

Upcoming dates

Wednesday 23rd September
Race for Life
Thursday 24th September
OPEN EVENING School closes to students at 1.30pm
Monday 28th September
Year 10 Information Evening 5pm
Wednesday 30th September
Year 7 RE Retreat Day to St Wilfrid’s

October 2026

Friday 2nd October
CAFOD Harvest Day
Wednesday 7th October
Senior Maths Challenge (Years 12 and 13)
Tuesday 13th October
Art Sixth Form Trip to London
Wednesday 14th October
Student Leadership Meeting (P1)
Thursday 15th October
Year 7-11 Flu Vaccinations
Monday 19th October
MFL Mock Orals commence
Friday 23rd October
MFL Mock Orals finish
Iceland Trip departs
SCHOOL CLOSES
AUTUMN HALF-TERM

For future dates, click here

Click here to download 2026-27 Holiday Dates