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Newsletter 26.01.2026

A prayer to share

Prayer of St Francis – Prayer for Peace
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

A Message from our Chaplain, Mairie

St  Francis of Assisi: A Year to Live the Gospel Simply
This year the Church is marking a special Year of St Francis of Assisi (10 Jan 2026 – 10 Jan 2027), proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV to commemorate 800 years since St Francis’ death. It’s an invitation to learn from a young saint whose love for Christ reshaped his life—and the world around him
For students today, St Francis is a powerful role model. He encourages us to:
  • Care for our world, treating creation with respect and gratitude
  • Stand with those on the margins, showing kindness to those who feel overlooked
  • Choose peace over conflict, especially in our words and online behaviour
  • Live simply, focusing on what truly matters rather than what impresses others
St Francis was once an ordinary young person with big dreams. When he listened to God’s call, those dreams became something greater than he ever imagined. As we reflect on his life, we are invited to ask: How can I live more like Jesus in my everyday choices?
We will consider how the example of St Francis can inspire our school community to be people of compassion, courage, and joy—living the Gospel through our actions each day.
“Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
— St Francis of Assisi

Library and Literacy

 

Tom Palmer Live Lesson 
A group of year 7 students had the opportunity to take part in an online live lesson with author Tom Palmer last week.  Palmer spoke about how to use your interests as a gateway into reading. We heard about how his love of football led him to discover comics such as Roy of the Rovers and Shoot Magazine, which then led to more challenging reads such as footballer biographies and books about the history behind the Real Madrid and Barcelona rivalry. He told our students to never be embarrassed about what they choose to read and not to let people dictate what they should and shouldn’t be reading. The most important thing is that they enjoy it. Reading comes in many forms and whether students choose to pick up a newspaper, comic, fiction book, non-fiction book or listen to an audio book, it’s all beneficial.
After the lesson we talked about our interests and hobbies and how we can use them to help us enjoy reading. All the students wrote down some of their favourite things and will be getting personal recommendations based on them from Ms. Roberts.
If anyone would like to learn more about the author Tom Palmer or The National Year of Reading 2026, check out the link below:
https://tompalmer.co.uk/nyr/

Music success

Congratulations to Noah Roberts, Jacob Hinton, Fina Li, Jane Ferreira, Alicia Shoane, and Alyssa Mundy, who have all successfully auditioned and are now members of our school choir!

Well done also to Jessica Dutton, who auditioned exceptionally well before Christmas for her role as the Lion in our school production of The Wizard of Oz and was subsequently invited to join the choir.

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Sporting Success – Year 7 Football

Year 7 Football girls went to Rudheath last week to play a 5-a-side tournament.
They beat Rudheath, Weaverham and Hartford High. They will now represent Mid-Cheshire in the next round!
Well done girls – a real team effort.

 

 

 

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Tetanus, Diphtheria & Polio (Td/IPV) and Meningitis ACWY Immunisations

Thursday 5th February the immunisation team  will be in school to vaccinate Year 9 – along with any Year 10 and 11s who have not had theirs.
It is the Tetanus, Diphtheria & Polio (Td/IPV) – also known as the 3-in-1 teenage booster and Meningitis ACWY Immunisations.
Please submit consent by Thursday 29th January 2026

 

 

Work Experience

We are incredibly proud of all our Year 12 and Year 10 students who took part in work experience last week. We have received some wonderful photos and stories, along with overwhelmingly positive feedback from employers, who were highly impressed by the students’ work ethic, maturity, and enthusiasm.

We hope all students enjoyed the experience and found it both valuable and inspiring. A sincere thank you to the local businesses who generously gave their time to welcome and support our St Nicholas students.

Further photos to follow next week. If you would like to feature – please send a photo and a short write up to m.miller@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk 

Leandro completed his work experience at Waitrose in Northwich.

Jemima had a great time at Waitrose in  Northwich

Caelan had a great time at his work experience. Dave from Distinctive Garden Structures was fantastic with Caelan and gave him a true hands on experience. He has gained industry specific knowledge and learned invaluable life skills.

Jonathan, Stan, Fflur, Daragh and Rowan did some engineering tasks at Tenet Consultants. Their week included nuclear industry related tasks on mechanical, electrical, and control system design, and project management, alongside some hands-on experience of what it’s like to undertake tasks in an alpha radiation glovebox using Tenet’s replica glovebox.

Melvin spent his week at Radio Northwich – and even hosted his own show on Friday.
Cerys did her Work Experience with Cheshire East.
She went swimming pool and environmental sampling in a hotel swimming pool and spa.
Cerys also inspected a variety of food premises as part of the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) and attended a site that had been closed under a prohibition Notice for Health & Safety.

George was at Chadwick House, Birchwood documenting the discussions carried out by the Yorkshire Water Overflow Alliance regarding non complying overflows in the Leeds area. Later in the week he will be attending the annual RSK safety event.

PTFA News

Dear parents & carers,

We hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas time & wish you and your families a happy & healthy 2026.

Our next meeting will be in school on 9th March at 5.15pm. If you or you know anyone who would like to join our PTFA please contact school or come along to our meeting as we really need new members in order to keep going.
Thank you.
Kind regards,
Your PTFA

Lottery

Our latest jackpot winning numbers are:
932775, 277009, 537622,528485 & 407385

Our supporters have won: £11.75, £12.25 & £14.75 in the draw!

Please consider joining our school lottery if you’ve not already done so as it helps raise funds for school. Thank you for your support as always.

www.your.schoollottery.co.uk

Careers

Year 12 opportunities – Corpus Christi College, The University of Oxford

Corpus Christi College, The University of Oxford is running a selection of programmes targeted towards students and schools in the North West of England aimed at Year 12 students.

The Ancient Worlds Network (AWN) The AWN Residential (17th March – 20th March)
Corpus Christi Law Residential: The Corpus Christi Law Residential. Taking place over two days (16th and 17th March)
The North West Science Network (NWSN): ‘Connecture Online Lecture Thursday 12th February.
Peter Cane Legal Reasoning Prize The deadline for submissions is Sunday 1 February 2026, closing at 23:59 (GMT), with the Prize Giving Day occurring in early to mid-March 2026.

Please refer to their website or Instagram page @cccoxfordaccess

Careers

Get Into Law Virtual Work Experience Evening:

Year 11, Year 12 and Year 13 Explore Legal Careers with Global Law Firms
Monday 9th February 5pm – 6.30pm

Click here

Ibstock Apprenticeship Vacancies

Click here

Toyota Apprenticeships

Toyota are running apprenticeship open events on the 27th, 28th and 31st of January.

Click here

Engineering apprenticeships

With Morrisons – Click Here 

AmazingApprenticeships.com

A good place to start for all kinds of apprenticeships

Ibstock Apprenticeship Vacancies

Click here

Google Virtual Work Experience Opportunity

Click here

Lloyds Banking Group

Work Experience Day

Leeds – Saturday 31st January
Bristol – Saturday 31st January
Birmingham –  Saturday 7th February
Edinburgh – Saturday 7th March

Community Notices

Dream Big Art Club

Sandiway Library – Mondays 3.45-4.45

Winnington Park February half-term rugby and football camps

Teen Yoga

Thursday, Hartford Village Hall 4.30-5.15

February Half term STEM (Science) Skills Club

Sandiway Pantomime Group

The Princess and the Pea performance

February Half Term – Holiday Club

Cuddington Youth Centre

Northwich Victoria Football Club – inclusive football

Northwich Victoria Football Club is offering an inclusive football session at Moss Farm every Monday 17.00-18.00.

For players of all abilities. Teams for  16+ and Soccer School for younger students, including SEND and disabilities.

Click here 

Help for Parents and Families at the Community Hub

Baron’s Quay every Thursday from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), Employment Support , Health Services, Adult Social Care, Asylum and Refugee Services, Early Help and Intervention, and more.

Co-curricular Activities

PE Co-Curricular

Week commencing 26th January
Clubs:
Monday
Lunch (12:45 – 1:05pm): Year 7
After school (3:15 – 4:15pm): Meetings
Tuesday
Lunch: Year 8
After school: GCSE practical and Table Tennis Club (All Years)
After School Ski Meeting
Wednesday
Lunch: Years 9 & 10
After school: Netball (Girls & Boys)
After school: Rugby (Girls & Boys)
Thursday
Lunch: Year 11
After school: Football (Girls & Boys, All Years) (4pm finish)
Friday
After school: Run Club

Music Co-Curricular

Monday
Lunch Year 7: GCSE Catch up
Lunch Keyboard Club 2M
Tuesday
Lunch : Wizard of Oz
3.15-4.45pm Wizard of Oz
Wednesday
Lunch GCSE catch up 1M
Choir 3.15-5pm
Thursday
Lunch: String and Woodwind Ensembles 1M and 2M
Wizard of Oz (practice room)
Orchestra 3.15-4.15pm

Lunchtime Clubs

Monday lunchtime : Musical Mondays –  watch musicals in H1 – bring your lunch
Tuesday lunchtime Chess Club in M5 – all years
Tuesday lunchtime Mass/Prayer in the Chapel – all years
Wednesday lunchtime  Writing and Poetry Club E1
Wednesday lunchtime Beyblading – Bring your own BeyBlades – in R1
Friday lunchtime – Dance Club DS1 – 12.35 – 1.10 – Lunch passes available – bring lunch with you.
Friday lunchtime – Year 11 GCSE Computer Science revision in C2.

After School Clubs

Tuesday After School – Performing Arts Club DS1 3.15 – 4.30

Tuesday After School – GCSE DT ‘catch up’ session on Tuesdays 3.15 – 4.15 in T3

Wednesdays after school  – Dungeons & Dragons – 3.15 to 4.30pm (Open to all year groups) In the Library.

Attendance

Everyone matters – so attendance matters

Upcoming dates

January 2026

Wednesday 28th January Whole School Photo / Intermediate Maths Challenge Years 9, 10 & 11

February 2026

Tuesday 3rd February Mission Day Morning
Monday 9th February  MFL Mock Orals  commence /  Music Recital Evening 6.30pm
Thursday 12th February Art & MFL trip to Paris departs / Year 11 Parents’ Evening 4.15–7.30pm
Friday 13th February MFL Mock Orals  finish / SCHOOL CLOSES
Monday 23rd February SCHOOL REOPENS

Wednesday 1st April SCHOOL CLOSES
Monday 20th April SCHOOL REOPENS
Monday 4th May BANK HOLIDAY
Friday 22nd May  SCHOOL CLOSES
Monday 1st June SCHOOL REOPENS
Friday 19th June INSET Day
Wednesday 22nd July SCHOOL CLOSES

Click here for future dates

Click here to download 2025-26 Holiday Dates

Click here to download 2026-27 Holiday Dates