A prayer to share
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
Message from our Chaplain Mairie
Last week we celebrated our Sports Day. St Nicholas’ sports day is always a celebration, not just because of the athletic skills and breaking records of our students but because of the sense of community and inclusion for all students and staff spending the whole day together. Particularly thanks to the lovely weather this year and the generous donation of ice lollies from our PTFA, it is a day when ‘Everyone Matters’.Year 13 Leaver’s Ball
The Year 13 Leavers’ Ball was a memorable celebration held at the Chester Crowne Plaza. Students arrived in style, dressed in stunning formal wear, ready to mark the end of their sixth form journey. The evening featured a delicious meal, speeches, and some groovy dance moves. It was a night of laughter, reflection, and excitement for the future, as students bid farewell to school life and looked ahead to new adventures beyond St Nicholas.
St Nicholas Three Peaks Challenge
https://www.givewheel.com/fundraising/6888/st-nicks-three-peaks-challenge/
Sport Day 2025
Readathon
The English department are running a Read for Good Readathon and your child has been invited to join in. The reading week will begin on Monday 30th June and will last for one week. The deadline for returning sponsor cards and sponsor money is Monday July 7th.
“It has been proven that children who read for pleasure are more likely to be successful and happy throughout their lives” (OECD, 2002). Reading is widely promoted at St Nicholas, both in the English department, and across the wider school curriculum.
The charity, Read for Good, encourages children to read through its unique motivational approach that inspires reluctant readers to give reading a go and keen readers to read more widely. Pupils can choose whatever they want to read – from non-fiction texts and bestsellers to the classics – it is all about reading for fun.
All you have to do is:
Support your child in choosing something to read, or help them complete their list of books to read. They can read whatever they want: books, e-books, poetry, graphic novels and non-fiction. Listening to audio books is also fine although obviously this is something to do outside of school.
Help your child find sponsors among family and friends. The easiest (and preferred) way to sponsor a child is at https://readathon.my.salesforce-sites.com/sponsor (which family and friends can use too) or return the sponsor card with a cheque(s) or cash sent to school. There is no minimum expectation in terms of sponsorship; we are asking families to just give what they can. You could sponsor per book read, per chapter, or even by the number of words read!
Creative writing competition
All pupils in KS3 are invited to enter a story writing contest.
Hand in your story to your English teacher – closing date Friday 11th July.
Prizes to be won.
Geography field trips
The Year 10 and Year 12 Geographers visited the river Alyn last week, collecting data for their GCSE and A-Level fieldwork. Both trips were a great success, and the students gained valuable skills out in the field and demonstrated some excellent teamwork.
Outgrown Uniform and PE kit

If your child is leaving school or has outgrown their uniform or PE kit, please send it in to school where we will reuse it for students who need it or pass it on to the Green Uniform and Babybank. This can also be sent in after the exams have finished.
Thank you for your help

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After school PE
Week commencing 23.06.2025
Music Co-Curricular
Orchestra Rehearsals June/July
Thursday 19th June 3.15-4.15pm
Thursday 26th June 3.15-4.15pm
Thursday 4th July 3.15-4.15pm
Thursday 10th July Performance at Prize Night
No orchestra Thursday 17th July
Choir Rehearsals June/July 2025
Monday 16th June Cheshire Show Choir Lunchtime
Tuesday 17th June Cheshire Show
Weds 18th June No rehearsal
Weds 25th June All Choir 3.15-4.15pm
Weds 2nd July All Choir 3.15-4.15pm
Weds 9th July All Choir 3.15-4.15pm
No Choir Wednesday 23rd July
After School Clubs
Tuesday Musical Theatre Club
Wednesday Dungeons and Dragons
Wednesday Art Club in A2 all years 3.15-4.15
Lunchtime Clubs
Monday
Art KS4 in A2
History Musical Mondays – H1
Chess Club and Rubik’s club in M5
Y7 & Y8 Code club in C2
Tuesday:
Computer Science Revision in C2
Wednesday
KS3 Art club in A1
Thursday
Year 7 Book to Film Club in E1
Art club KS4 in A1
Dance club
Friday
Easy as Pi club (maths)
Science Club S5
Community notices
Winnington Park Summer Rugby Camp
Courses supporting Parents.
There is a free-of-charge art club for teenagers at Sandiway Library.
Most of the young people who come are in year 7 and 8
Students can find out more and sign up here: Dream Big Art Club for 11-16s at Sandiway Library event tickets from TicketSource
Honk! The Musical
🎭 Honk! JR is coming to Hartford – and YOU could be in it! 🎭Salt & Pepper Productions Theatre School: 28th July – 2nd August 2025
🎤 Do you love acting, dancing, and singing?
🎬 Fancy putting on a full musical in just one week?
Friday 1st August | 10am–4pm – Tech/Dress Rehearsal
✔ Experience working in a professional theatre
✔ Develop your confidence, creativity, and teamwork
✔ Make new friends and unforgettable memories
✔ Take part in a fully staged musical with costumes, make-up, set and lights!
👉 Click here to register for the Theatre School
Join them for one of the fabulous performances on Saturday 2nd August:
👉 Book your tickets here
Dyslexia-friendly books for children and teens at Sandiway Library
At Sandiway Library, we have lots of dyslexia-friendly books for children and teens from publishers Barrington Stoke and Little Gem. These books have accessible layouts and font, off-white paper to reduce visual stress, short chapters, and other features to make reading more manageable. With adventure stories, comedies and more, there is something for everyone. Look out for the books with yellow stickers on the shelves. We also have lots of popular cartoon books and graphic novels – including Dog Man, Bunny Vs Monkey, Pokémon, Heartstopper and One Piece.
If you prefer to listen to audio books, you can do so via the library’s BorrowBox app – it’s a relaxing way to enjoy books and develop vital listening, communication, and vocabulary skills. On BorrowBox, you can also read e-books. Simply select an e-book, click on the aA button at the bottom of the screen and change the Font option to Dyslexic. You can also change the page background to a sepia tone.
It is free-of-charge to join the library. You can join in person, online or over the phone, and you don’t need to bring any ID with you. Once you have joined, you can borrow books, e-books and audio books for free, plus access free Wi-fi, use the computers free-of-charge, and enjoy free refreshments and social activities. Join now: call Sandiway Library on 01606 271767 or visit us online Libraries | Cheshire West and Chester Council.
Summer Reading Challenge 2025. Get involved!
The Summer Reading Challenge is about inspiring children to get reading over the summer. This year, the theme is Story Garden – join in the fun from Saturday 5 July. Teenagers and adults can join in too with the Adults Read Two challenge. We’ll have loads of events and activities to keep you busy during the holidays, and we’ll be announcing the full list soon.
We’re also looking for volunteers to help us with our busy summer programme. If you would like to get involved, please apply online, or call into the library. This volunteering role is suitable for any age, but it’s also an ideal opportunity for young people working towards their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
For more information, please call Sandiway Library on 01606 271767 or visit us online: Libraries | Cheshire West and Chester Council
Attendance
Everyone matters – so attendance matters
Upcoming dates
- Wed 25th Jun – Year 7 trip to Catalyst Museum
- Mon 30th Jun – Year 10 residential departs
- Tue 1st Jul – Year 12 exams finish, Year 10 Trip 1 residential returns
- Wed 2nd Jul – Year 12 retreat day
- Thurs 3rd Jul – Year 10 Trip 2 residential departs
- Fri 4th Jul – Year 10 residential returns, Year 10 exams finish
- Mon 7th Jul – Year 6 non partner primary school transition day
- Tue 8th Jul – Year 6 Transition day St Wilfrid’s & St Luke’s
- Wed 9th Jul – Year 6 Transition Day St Joseph’s & St Mary’s, Enhanced transition evening 6pm
- Thurs 10th Jul – Year 6 transition day St Bede’s & St Vincent’s, Prize night 6-8:30pm
- Fri 11th Jul – Year 6 transition day all schools
- Mon 14th Jul – Mission day, new Year 7 intake parents information evening 5pm
- Tues 15th July – Year 8 reports to parents, Dorigatti/Pringle (Years 7,8 & 9)
- Thurs 17th Jul – Whole School mass, Sports presentation evening 6 – 8:30pm
- Fri 18th Jul – Years 7, 8, 9, 10 & 12 rewards trips
- Mon 21st Jul – Year 12 parents evening 4:15-7:30pm
- Tue 22nd Jul – Lucas Briscoe Rounders tournament (Year 10)
- Wed 23rd Jul – SCHOOL CLOSES – 12:30pm
Click here to download 2024-25 Holiday Dates
