Newsletter 21.10.22

Message from our Chaplain Mairie

October Harvest Challenge.

Just a reminder about our two challenges to take us up to the first week back after half-term.

Challenge One – CAFOD change collection. CAFOD is part of the Disaster Emergency Committee and works around the world to support people living through the consequences of natural disaster and conflict. We have been collecting change in school and there will be an option on ParentPay for direct donations. Thank you in advance for your support.

Challenge Two – we have all been considering ways of staying warm this winter in light of the energy costs. You may well have been sorting through warm clothes and coats in anticipation of the cold days ahead. If you have any coats, or other warm clothes, in good condition, you are invited to send them into school for the attention of Mairie or to the chapel. Suitable coats will be donated to the Uniform Exchange in Winsford and we will find homes for the remainder.

Halloween and All Saints/All Souls Day

The students have all been reminding us that we return to school on Halloween. This autumn celebration has changed a lot over the years into a much bigger event than I remember! Many students are unaware of the history of this day and its beginning in the Catholic faith. I have produced a video suitable for primary and secondary students which may be useful. The link is here. https://vimeo.com/760965398/163f6cc9f1

The feast of All Hallows, or All Saints Day, takes place on Tuesday 1^st November and we will be having a voluntary lunchtime Mass on Tuesday and Wednesday (All Souls Day) for students. The Mass will begin just after the bell and will finish in time for students to get their lunch. If anyone would like to send me any intentions for the Mass please email me at m.gelling@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk. There will be time during Form time for students to mark their own personal intentions.

Edulink One

Parents are finding our new Edulink One app very useful and user friendly. You can view your child’s attainment and behaviour scores throughout the day, check their meal choices, give consent for photographs, trips etc. All of which will help you stay up to date with your child’s school life.
Please contact admin@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk for any help with Edulink

Library News

Bookish websites and social media accounts to inspire.

Stuck for ideas of what to read? There are plenty of websites and social media accounts to follow for inspiration, reviews and advice.

Websites

epicreads.com
rivetedlit.com
bookriot.com

Instagram

darkfaerietales
bloomsburyya
epicreads
penguinteen

TikTok

@abbysbooks
@gvhslibrary
@moongirlreads
@bookedj

Snowdon Challenge

A huge well done to St Nicholas students Norrie, Edward and Charlie from Year 9 and Ben, James and Archie Year 8 who – along with their friends from Mid Cheshire Scouts – took on the challenge of climbing Snowdon – an ascent of 890 metres, taking a total of seven hours to complete.

They even got a mention in the Northwich Guardian https://www.northwichguardian.co.uk/news/23035634.mid-cheshire-scouts-complete-snowdon-climb/

Sporting success – Sale Sharks

We have had a wonderful email from the U14’s Lead Coach at Winnington Park

Following a lengthy and meticulous selection process, I have the great pleasure in being able to inform you that of the five players who have been nominated by Winnington Park Rugby Club to be considered for the U14’s Sale Sharks Developing Players Programme, four were from St. Nicholas Catholic High School. They are Lucian Wehbe-Malkin, Rory Johnston, Joshua Tomlinson, Paddy Bland-McKenzie.
They have demonstrated all of the qualities required by Sale Sharks and coaches were unanimous in their views. They are truly a credit to your school, and we wish them all the very best in the next phase of this pathway.

Well done boys! We look forward following you in all your future sporting successes.

Trampolining success – Caelan Haydon

Caelan has had a really tough week with an accident trampolining on Monday. He had a bad start to the weekend but I am pleased to say with his sheer grit and determination, he made it to the English Championships and finished 5th in England.

Well done Caelan!

Hockey Success – Matthew Ross

Congratulations to Matthew on his selection for the Cheshire County Hockey Squad for the 2022-23 season.

Well done Matthew – we look forward to following your sporting career.

School Sports this week

Wednesday Year 7 played in a football competition held at Knutsford Academy

The boys played some outstanding football, scoring some excellent team goals and continued to develop as a team throughout the evening.

Cheshire Cup

Wednesday night also saw the U16 girls winning 4-3 against Lymm and the U13 Girls take home a decisive victory over Congleton in the Cheshire Cup where they are now through to the next round.

The U16 Boys Beat Sir William Stanier 4-1, so a very successful afternoon for St Nicholas.

Well done to all our teams – you make us proud every week.

Reading in unusual places

Accessing the Foodbank

Whilst we hope that everyone is coping well with the present situation, this is a difficult time and we appreciate that there may be some families who are undergoing hardship because of changes in work or personal circumstances. The majority of Foodbank users will only access the Foodbank three times. but those three times will make a difference.

So that we may support our St Nicholas family we have registered as a referral organisation for the Foodbank. If you would like to have this support, we are able to process an on-line referral and arrange an appointment for you to collect a five-day food package from an agreed centre.

Please do get in touch if we can be of help in this manner. Our chaplain is the point of contact – Mairie Gelling at m.gelling@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk . As always, our conversation and any information that we need to pass on to the Foodbank, will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. For alternative access, you can also contact the local Citizens Advice in the Community on 07894 238963

Open Evening Maths Calculator Competition

Luca Heath from Winsford High Street Primary School has won a calculator at Open Evening in the Maths department.

Thank you for taking part in the competition and congratulations!

Year 11 Tracking and Monitoring

Year 11 Tracking and Monitoring reports have been handed to students this week. They are also available to view in the Edulink App.

Photograph orders

Should any parents / carers wish to place an order after the deadline, they can do so by visiting our image ordering site: www.picturemailorder.co.uk using the reference and password on their proof card.

Orders can be made online for the rest of the academic year for home delivery for a small fee.

PTFA News

Dear Parents and Carers,

We will be holding our Annual General Meeting on 8^th November @ 6 pm in school followed by our ordinary meeting – everyone welcome.

We are looking to recruit a Secretarial role:

The Secretary:

Main duty: To keep up to date records of PTFA activity.

Key jobs: To organise PTFA meetings; to prepare & distribute agendas & minutes; to build strong relationships with key school staff – including office staff & caretakers. You will need to be organised & good at time keeping.

If you are interested please contact school or Kay Melia on the email below.

We will be holding our Christmas raffle again this year. If anyone has any raffle prizes they could kindly donate please send into the school office or contact Kay Melia; ptfa@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk or via PTFA Facebook page. We always need items for our food hampers as well.

Thank you as ever for your support to our PTFA.

We wish you a super half term.

Kind regards,

Your PTFA

St. Nicholas Parents, Teachers & Friends Association.

Registered Charity Number: 1162567

PTFA

Thank you to everyone who has registered for www.yourschoollottery.co.uk

There is still at chance to win tickets to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child along with tickets to the Harry Potter Warner Brothers Studio.
This week’s jackpot winning numbers are: 079233
One of our supporters won £12.60 in the draw! ? ?

Lunchtime and after school clubs

Monday lunch – Year 8 Technology Club in T3
Monday lunch – Year 7 Coding Club in C3
Monday Lunchtime Jazz Band in 1M
Tuesday Lunchtime Glee Club (All Years) in 1M
Tuesday lunchtime – Science Club (for KS3) S5
Tuesday after school 3.15 – 4.30 – Performing Arts Club in DS1
Wednesday Lunchtime Woodwind Group in 1M
Wednesday Lunchtime – Dungeons and Dragons Club in B2
Wednesday 3.15-5pm Chamber Choir in the HallThursday Lunchtime String Group in 1MThursday 3.15-4.15pm Orchestra in the Hall
Thursday lunch – Chess Club in M5
Thursdays at 3.30 – KS4/5 Spanish Film Club in L5
Friday Lunch – Easy As Pi Maths Club in M1

Girls’ and Boys’ After School Sports

Tuesday: Basketball (Year 9-11)
Wednesday: Netball & Rugby (All Years)
Thursday: GCSE Trampolining, Badminton & Table Tennis (GCSE only) and Vale Royal Basketball League (Teams TBC)
Friday: Run Club & Girls’ Football (All Years)

Lunchtime: Basketball Club

Monday: Year 7 & 8
Tuesday: Year 9
Wednesday: Year 10
Thursday: Year 11
Friday: Sixth Form

Community ReAwards

Do you know an individual, group or charity in Cheshire who deserves to be recognised for their work?

Uniform Exchange

Vacancies at St Nicholas

Student Safeguarding and Welfare Officer

Full Time – 37 hours per week, 39 weeks per year
Grade 8 – Application deadline is 9am Monday 31st October 2022.
For further information Click here

Teaching Assistant

Permanent Part Time Position: 31.25 hours per week – 39 weeks per year.
Grade 5 – Application deadline is 9am Monday 31st October 2022.
For further information Click here

Cleaner

Working hours will either be mornings 5.30-7.30am or afternoons 3.30-5.30pm, £9.50 per hour
Please contact Mrs Dawn Poole on 01606 706020 for further information and/or an application form.
Closing date for applications: Friday 21 October 2022 at 9am.
For further information click here

Upcoming Dates

Monday 31^st October – SCHOOL RE-OPENS

November

Tuesday 8^th November – PTFA Meeting 6.15-7.15pm
Wednesday 9^th November – Year 7 SEN Information Evening 4-5.15pm
Thursday 10^th November – Ski Information Evening 5-6.30pm
Tuesday 15th November – Year 8 Retreat Day
Wednesday 16^th November – Yr 12&13 Othello trip to the Lowry
Wednesday 16^th November – Parents Focus Meeting 1 6-7pm
Thursday 24^th November – Year 9 Parents Evening 4.15 – 7.30pm
Friday 25^th November– INSET DAY

For future dates click here

Attendance

“Everyone matter – so attendance matters”

Facebook and Twitter

Follow St Nicholas on Facebook and Twitter for updates and insight into what is going on in school.

Newsletter 21.10.22