Music Department News
This week the Choir received feedback and official photos from the adjudicators at the North Wales Choir Festival where they were highly commended:
Performance/ Delivery / Communication Good choice of song –Clearly enjoying yourselves, you are a pleasure to watch!
Diction – Very good. Really good, crisp sound.
Blend – A brilliant sense of choral singing, and a well-balanced choral sound. Some lovely moments especially when the full choir first enters – some nice, rich sounds.
You were a pleasure to watch, clearly enjoying yourselves and you can see the effort and respect for each other as a group. A genuinely lovely choir!
Upcoming Music Events:
Monday 25th March Recital A Level 6.30pm Drama Studio
A-Level Art Printing Workshop
Year 12 and Year 13 art students took part in an exciting screen printing workshop at Hot Bed Press printmaking studios based in Manchester. The students fully embraced this creative opportunity to develop their printmaking skills and support their portfolio of work. The students learnt how to print using the photographic screen print method. They were very enthusiastic and really enjoyed printing from their own photographs to achieve high quality outcomes in the style of Andy Warhol. A huge well done to Year 12 and Year 13 art for your excellent achievements!
Wales International Player
Sixth Former Emily Cole is a Wales international football player. She has been with the team in Norway for the Euro qualifiers.
She writes:
In Norway we played Sweden, Switzerland and the host country. Over the 10 days of an intense camp we drew 2 of the games and lost 1. We have managed to stay in league A for future competitions which is a massive accomplishment!
Well done to Emily and the rest of the Wales team – we can’t wait to follow your further career.
PTFA NEWS
Thank you very much to those of you who play our school lottery. It’s a fantastic way to help our PTFA.
We wish you all a very happy Easter time.
LOTTERY
This week’s jackpot winning number is:
886937
One of our supporters won £14.10 in the draw!
Remember to check your email to see if you’ve won!
If you haven’t signed up yet visit our lottery here – https://www.yourschoollottery.co.uk/lottery/school/st-nicholas-catholic-high-school
Have a great weekend everyone!
Code Name Kingfisher Written by Liz Kessler
A beautifully told exploration of change and loss which shuttles between the present day and the rise of Nazi power in wartime Holland. In the present, Liv, struggling with friendships, finds a connection with her grandmother. This is interwoven with the dramatic story of a Jewish family under Nazi occupation and the work of the Dutch resistance. The book doesn’t shy away from the realities of war but multiple narrators and short chapters make it an accessible read for ages 11 and up.
Deadlock Written by Simon Fox
Picking locks and breaking into safes just seems like harmless fun when Archie’s policeman dad shows him how, but then a diamond necklace goes missing and his dad is arrested. Archie decides that he can use his talent to prove his dad’s innocence. Soon he’s embroiled in a criminal underworld and a web of deceit with no idea of who he can trust. This hard-hitting thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat as Archie looks for a way to clear his dad.
The Final Year Written by Matt Goodfellow and illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton
A moving verse novel about Nate, who is navigating family and friendship issues in a tough final year of primary school. Highly accessible, lyrical and life affirming, the reader shares Nate’s innermost thoughts and can really connect with the pain, anger and love that he feels. In a beautiful demonstration of the power of reading, Nate’s teacher introduces him to David Almond’s Skellig, where the similar themes of grief and families in crisis help him process what he is going through.
Live virtual tour of drilling vessel
On Wednesday 27th March 3.30 – 4.30 there will be an opportunity for students to be taken on a live virtual tour of a scientific research vessel, currently drilling off the Italian coast. The focus will be to encourage students into STEM subjects with a Q&A with two scientists on board.
Click here to access more material or students can come to the Geography department and speak to Mr Kearns.
Everyone is welcome if they are interested in science, geology, geography or just what goes on onboard these research ships. All year groups are welcome.
Holiday Activities with Food (HAF) programme in Cheshire West and Chester. – Is now open
A full list of all activities is available on the Holiday Activities with Food Cheshire West web page. HAF Cheshire West – Edsential
Please note all activities must be booked in advance.
If you can if you would please share with families of pupils eligible the attached Poster in relation to the programme
The Council, alongside Edsentials and a range of community partners, are running a wide range of fun activities for four days of the school Easter holiday.
HAF is a national programme, funded by the government’s Department for Education, for children from reception to year 11 inclusive who are on benefits-related free school meals and is available to eligible pupils if their parents claim has been verified by their school or local authority.
https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals
Edsential Community Interest Company is working with 40 organisations, including schools, community, voluntary and faith sector organisations to organise 59 holiday activity clubs throughout the borough this Easter.
Each eligible child will be provided with a good quality nutritious meal, plus there will be a variety of opportunities for children and young people to take part in exciting physical activities such as dodgeball, dance, archery, karate, rugby, football, and even a ‘Mini Olympics’. There will also be a diverse array of enrichment activities too including mindfulness, forest school, den building, campfire cooking sessions, drama, storytelling, art, and puppetry.
The Youth Service Programme for 11–16-year-olds (up to 25 for our SEND children and young people) will include a trip out for each provision. These provisions include bowling, ice skating, Chester Zoo, Goals Chester, as well as events being arranged within clubs, Easter Bingo, Army assault courses, Graffiti Art and yoga.
Brio Leisure will be offering lots of activities including Sports camps at Neston Recreation Centre for 5 – 12 year olds, performing arts at Northwich Memorial Court for 5 – 10 year olds, and fun floats, sports, and craft SEND sessions, available at Ellesmere Port Sports Village, Winsford Lifestyle Centre and Northwich Memorial Court for young people aged 5 – 18 years.
Provision for children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) who are eligible through benefits-related free school meals is being offered, with some providers additionally able to offer paid for places for those not eligible based on the guidance to attend their HAF programmes. This is in addition to other programmes being offered by providers more widely and we are encouraging families to check with mainstream providers who may be able to provide support and be able for them to attend and offer places.
The SEND-specific offer will include sessions such as multi-sports, fun floats and swimming offered by Brio CIC, as well as provisions offering the chance to attend Chester Zoo, mini-mindfulness sessions for children and their families, a visit to a petting zoo, circus skills workshops, assisted sport (dodgeball / tennis), and sensory activities, (Lego/art).
If you have any questions, please email HAF@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
We have been sent some online courses coming up created by doctors for students interested in careers in medicine.
Some courses are paid and some completely free, all include a certificate for use in med school applications and are ideal preparation for students applying for university degrees in medicine and those younger students too who may be considering the profession.
They are suitable for students aged 14-18
1) Emergency Medicine Live on Sunday 24th March. You can expect to learn about the treatment and management of major trauma and medical emergencies. With insights into pre-hospital and emergency medicine. Students can see more information here.
2) Medicine Career Day Live Saturday 30th March. An ideal day for students wanting to know all about the medical profession, learn about the personal statement for medicine, UCAT examinations and gain some work experience in the afternoon by helping to treat and diagnose patients. Students can see more information here.
3) Medical Ethics Live, on Sunday the 7th April 2024. It’s vital to understand medical ethics when applying to med school and how to understand moral dilemmas and ethical questions doctors face everyday. It’s highly likely that you’ll be asked ethics questions or face an MMI station designed to test your understanding of medical ethics so it’s really important you understand some of the questions you will face at medical school interviews. Students just need to register here.
4) Surgery Work experience Live taking place on Sunday 21st April 2024. This interactive day is designed to give students a meaningful insight into careers in medicine and surgery. Students join a patient on their journey from initial presentation to diagnosis and treatment. The doctors will guide you through how they would conduct a surgical consultation, interpret signs and manage patients. All the details available here.
5) Suture Like A Surgeon online Course. Sunday 12th May 2024. Join our suturing masterclass where you will learn how surgeons effectively manage and assess acute wounds with suture closure. You will be sent our suture kit in the mail before the course starts so you can suture along with the doctors, learning first hand the various techniques needed to be a surgeon. You can view all the course info here.
Parent and Carer Forum
Cheshire West and Chester
Click here to read the latest Newsletter containing information about SEN holiday clubs, Parent and Carer Support, consultation on Adult Social Care, SEND – Preparing for Adulthood
Lunchtime:
Monday : Linguistics Club, Years 10,11,12,13 in E7
Monday : Memrise Club in L5
Tuesday : Science Club in S5
Tuesday: GCSE Computer Science Revision in C2
Tuesday : Chess Club in M5
Wednesday : Art club – all years in A1 and A2
Wednesday : Easy as Pi – Maths Club – in M6
Wednesday : Dungeons and Dragons in B5
Thursday : Art club -all years A1 in and A2 – KS4
Thursday : KS3 History Club – Week 2 in H1
Friday : GCSE History Film Club – Week 1 in H1
After School:
Tuesday
Performing Arts Club – 3.15 – 4.30 Drama
Food Club – Year 9 and GCSE – 3.15 – 4.30 in T6
Drama Club in Drama Studio
Wednesday
Dungeons and Dragons – in the library
Thursday
Art club for everyone in A2
Lunchtime:
Monday: Woodwind Ensemble
Tuesday : Year 9 band 1M
Wednesday : Jazz Band (GCSE and A Level)
After School:
Tuesday : Year 8 Parents Evening
Wednesday Choir 3.15-4.15pm
Thursday No Rehearsals
Instrumental Lessons in school
MONDAY GUITAR, PIANO and FLUTE
TUESDAY SINGING
WEDNESDAY PIANO
THURSDAY VIOLIN, CLARINET AND SAXOPHONE
FRIDAY DRUM KIT
If you are interested in learning an instrument in school, please click here
Lunchtime:
Monday : Basketball – sports Hall – Year 9
Tuesday : Basketball – sports Hall – Year 10
Wednesday : Basketball – sports Hall – Year 7&8
Thursday : Football – sports Hall – Year 9
Friday : Football – sports Hall – Sixth Form
After School:
Tuesday 26th Mar Y8 Parents Evening 4.15 – 7.30pm
Wednesday 27th Mar Whole School Mass
Thursday 28th Mar Stanley Igoe Cup (Y11 pm)
EASTER HOLIDAY 29TH MARCH – 14TH APRIL
29th – 31st March Silver 7 Gold DofE Qualifying/Training Expedition
Monday 15th Apr School Reopens
Click here for future dates
“Everyone Matters – so attendance matters”