Newsletter 26.04.2024

Message from our Chaplain Mairie

I was very pleased to hear that the DofE Year 8 team have decided that their project will be our prayer garden. After this wet winter, the area is looking very forlorn. They have already started to paint one of the walls to brighten things up and look forward to the warmer weather for planting. If anyone has any large pots, plants or garden tools they would like to donate, we would be very grateful. Please contact Mairie, our chaplain or Mrs Riddell, the project leader.

Year 11 Mass – we are looking forward to celebrating with and praying for our Year 11 students as they begin their exam season.

Invitations have gone out for the Mass. Please fill in this form to let us know if you are able to attend.

It is always a lovely evening.

Thank you to everyone who has supported our Lent Charity. We have been positively surprised at the high level of engagement.
Should you wish to make a final contribution, please do so before 1st May when the ParentPay link will be closed.

Energy Drinks

Energy Drinks

Please see advice on the consumption of energy drinks.

These drinks are not allowed in school and we encourage students to make healthier choices.

Mathematical Education on Merseyside Challenge

Maths Success

We have had some success in the Maths Department.

The following students entered into the MEM Challenge (yr 7 and 8) or the MEM Senior Challenge (Year 9 and 10). Big well done to everyone for having a go at the Mathematical Education on Merseyside.

I can reveal that Ben Yeates (Y8) and Alex Simmons (Y9) got the ‘Best in School Award’ for their respective challenges.

I can also reveal that both of them also got a Certificate of Merit for their entries meaning they are invited to attend a Prize giving evening next month in the University of Liverpool.

Mr Barker

Music Success

Music Grades

Well done to the following musicians for fantastic instrumental exam results:

Lena Morek Grade 1 Piano

Pippa Risley Grade 1 cornet (Merit)

Lucy Riddell Grade 4 piano (Merit)

Edward Smalley Grade 3 Piano (Merit)

Gemma Chadwick Grade 6 Violin (Merit)

Luca Gasparini Grade 6 Violin (Merit)

Sporting Success - Tia Randle

Last weekend Tia Randle signed for Warrington Wolves Super League Academy. She secured the only talent transfer place for a player who has never played League. She continues to play Union for Chester and is at Sale Sharks Centre of Excellence. She now starts her League journey through the summer months.

Tia has also just been offered a place in the National Rugby Sevens Academy for the North of England Region.

Mum says this is all thank to St Nicholas Staff who first placed a rugby ball in her hands!

Sporting Success - Thomas-Tyler Lee

Last weekend Thomas-Tyler Lee participated in Wigan in the North West Challenge event.
In the under 12’s section, he competed in all 6 disciplines which were floor, rings, bars, parallel bars, pommel and vault. He came first out of a field of 22.

Such a brilliant achievement! Well done

Please keep hydrated and fuelled

We have noticed an increase in students feeling dizzy during the school day, please encourage your child to bring a water bottle to school, as the weather is getting warmer students need to stay hydrated. Can you also encourage your child to eat breakfast or eat at break time in school so that they have the energy to start their day.

Water pistols in school

Water pistols in school

We have seenseveral students in various year groups bringing in water guns and using them in school.

Please ensure that your child does not bring in this item into school.

Any student who is seen with a water pistol in school will be sanctioned.

PTFA

Dear Parents & Carers,

We are holding our next PTFA meeting on 29th April at 5.15 pm in school. We are always looking for new members & everyone is welcome.

Thank you.

Your PTFA

LOTTERY

Thank you to everyone who takes part in Your School Lottery.

This week’s winning number is:
252230

One of our supporters won £15.30 in the draw!

If you haven’t signed up yet visit our lottery here
https://www.yourschoollottery.co.uk/lottery/school/st-nicholas-catholic-high-school

Thank you.

Time is running out to get yourself in the draw to win April’s big Super Draw prize: a top-of-the-line iPhone 15 Pro Titanium – or a £1,000 cash prize!

Don’t need a new phone? Opt for the cash alternative!

Don’t miss out on this chance to win big – support St Nicholas Catholic High School before Saturday 27th April for your chance to win!

Get Your Tickets here

Good luck in the lottery and thank you for supporting school.

Library and Literacy

International Children’s Book Day

International Children’s Book Day is in April. It was on the 2nd so unfortunately, we weren’t in school to celebrate it, but we have kept it in mind since returning. I often feature teenage and young adult books in the newsletter and can be guilty of not paying enough attention to all the wonderful “middle years” books we have available. These books are written for the 10-14 age bracket (last year of primary to year 9) but are enjoyed by all ages. Some of my favourite books are those that I have reluctantly read for children’s book awards, only to find myself more engrossed and entertained than when reading my usual YA picks. Reading Children’s books in this younger age brackets also helps us to make informed recommendations to our year 7, 8 and 9 students who aren’t quite ready for some of the content in teen and young adult fiction. That isn’t to suggest that children’s books don’t explore some serious issues. They are just as, if not more capable of delivering a powerful emotional punch than any books written for older readers. The delivery is just likely to be more subtle and considered.

Middle Years books worth reading

Here are some of my favourite middle school reads…….

The Light in Everything by Katya Balen

I had no desire to read this whatsoever, but I’m so glad I did. The characters are wonderfully complex and the relationships that develop between them are so heartwarming I carried the glow with me for weeks after reading it. One of my favourite books of 2023.

The Boy Who Sailed The Ocean In An Armchair and A Boy Called Hope both by Lara Williamson

Both gorgeous stories about children attempting to deal with difficult family dynamics and the solace and support they find in friendship. Keep a box of tissues close by!

Boy in the Tower by Polly Ho-Yen

Contains some real edge-of-your-seat moments and perfectly illustrates the importance of community. Pretty sure I cried at this one as well.

The Storm Keeper’s Island by Catherine Doyle

The year 9 class I read this to in their year 7 reading lessons still remember this fondly. The story combines Celtic folklore with a mysterious fantasy land off the cost of Ireland. It’s written incredibly well and the imagery perfectly evokes the magic and secrets of the Storm Keeper and his Island.

Sometimes the middle school books get lost amongst all the YA titles pushed on TikTok and Instagram.

A good source of recommendations for middle years books is Books For Keeps

https://booksforkeeps.co.uk/book-reviews/?wpv_view_count=1017&wpv-age-range=10-14-middle-secondary&wpv_aux_current_post_id=1020&wpv_aux_parent_post_id=1020&wpv_paged=1

Staff Wellbeing

As part of our ongoing commiment to staff wellbeing, Mrs Martin facilitated for colleagues to create their own flower arrangements after school.

Careers

Get into Medical and Dental – Free Live Online Conferences

These conferences are led by expert Chief Mentors who specialise in medical and dental UCAS applications, providing comprehensive guidance on choosing the correct university, how to write the personal statements, UCAT exam preparation, extracurricular activities, scholarships and more.

For aspiring Dentists: FREE LIVE VIRTUAL Get Into Dentistry conference date:
Saturday 18th May from 9:30am – 3:30pm
https://airtable.com/appgXnyzN5ZD9Iwk6/shrBuiR7SBAcC19kE

For aspiring Doctors: FREE LIVE VIRTUAL Get Into Medicine conference dates:
Saturday 27th April from 9:30am – 3:30pm
Sunday 28th April from 9:30am – 3:30pm
https://airtable.com/appgXnyzN5ZD9Iwk6/shry7MZYtt3MGPjvO

All aspiring doctors and dentists in years 10-13 are invited to register.
These conferences offer tailored advice for medicine and dentistry, covering a range of crucial topics:

– Tactically choosing universities
– Personal statements
– UCAT
– Medical & Dental school interview skills
– Medical Leadership Programmes
– Awards Programmes
– Extracurricular activities
– Work experience
– Building a CV
– Applying for scholarships

Many students have found that attending these free conferences was a pivotal experience, where everything came together to help them succeed as described by them here: https://medicmentor.org/successful-student-journeys-reviews/

Please note that parental attendance is required for safeguarding reasons and to ensure parents are also supported throughout the application process.

Students and parents can register for free at this link:
Medicine: https://airtable.com/appgXnyzN5ZD9Iwk6/shry7MZYtt3MGPjvO
Dentistry: https://airtable.com/appgXnyzN5ZD9Iwk6/shrBuiR7SBAcC19kE

Advert – Online Business Days

We have a Business day scheduled for Saturday the 27th April 2024 where students can learn all about careers in Business in the morning from applications to job prospects and then gain some online work experience to use in their university applications in the afternoon.

Suitable for students aged 14-18, students can register to join the online days through the website.

Business Career Day – Saturday 27th April 2024

Students can visit www.careerdays.co.uk to join the session and will receive a certificate at the end of the day confirming their work experience.

There is a fee for this.

Community Notices

Kids Fun Triathlon and Duathlon

Now Northwich International Dance Festival

Cheshire’s FREE International Dance and Street Arts Festival for all the family, Now Northwich, is taking place on Saturday 27th April 2024.
Performances start at 12pm and will run throughout the afternoon and
evening. Shows and experiences will be spread out across Northwich town
centre and Barons Quay

Lunchtime and after school Clubs

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

Music - lunchtime and after school clubs

Lunchtime:

Monday: Woodwind Ensemble
Tuesday : Year 9 band 1M
Wednesday : Jazz Band (GCSE and A Level)

After School:

Tuesday : Year 11 revision
Wednesday Choir 3.15-4.15pm
Thursday No Orchestra – Year 11 Mass

PE - lunchtime and after school clubs

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:

Monday

Meetings

Tuesday

A level Revision

Athletics-All Years

Year 10 Tennis

Wednesday

Year 5&6 Mixed Dodgeball Competition

Cricket- All Years

Year 9 Tennis

Year 11 Mass 5pm

Thursday

Rounders-All Year

Year 8 Tennis

Friday

GCSE PE Revision

Year 7 Tennis

Upcoming dates

Monday 29th Apr Year 7 Exams Commence
Monday 29th Apr PTFA Meeting 5.15 – 6.15pm
Thursday 2nd May Year 11 Leaver’s Mass
Friday 3rd May A Level Art Exam
Monday 6th May Bank Holiday
Thursday 9th May Year 11 Mass – time tbc
Friday 10th May Year 7 exams finish
Friday 17th May Y13 Celebrations and mass (leave at lunch)
Friday 24th May Y11 last day

Summer Half Term 27th May – 31st May

Click here for future dates

Attendance

“Everyone Matters – 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 Archive – click here