Newsletter 30.09.22

Message from our Chaplain Mairie

We had a great day this week when Year 7 students went out into the community to visit our local parish of St Wilfrid’s in Northwich. This was an opportunity for the whole year group to come together, to get to know each other a little better and to learn more about our Catholic tradition and history in this area. We were also able to rehearse our hymns and learn a little more about the Mass in advance of our Year 7 Mass next Wednesday in school.

Our thanks to Deacon David for sharing so much information about the church, and to Fr Paul for celebrating Mass for us as a Year group. Also thank you to all the teaching and support staff who helped to make it a wonderful day.

Open Evening

Last night, St Nicholas opened our doors to future students and parents and the evening was a great success. The school was buzzing with energy and pride in our school from both students and staff. There were so many positive comments from parents and children throughout the evening.

Our students were exceptional ambassadors for the school. The activities and welcome given from departments and teams across the school was wonderful to see. Thank you to all staff and students who helped make this event happen.

Library and Literacy

Graphic Novels: the gateway to becoming a reader

It is not a rare occurrence for students to return their chosen graphic novels to the library claiming that they have been told to come back and get a “proper book.” It saddens me when this happens, and I will often encourage them to keep the graphic novel but to also pick up some prose to placate whoever is requesting they read a “real” book.

For reluctant readers, traditional prose text can feel inaccessible and uninteresting. Graphic Novels, far from being a ‘dumbed down’ form of reading, have the appeal of looking more accessible and the power to inspire reading at a higher level. The art helps students to connect the text to the sense of a story in a way that struggling to decode reems of prose does not. Once students find that connection, they look at books differently. No longer a chore, they realise reading is the route to adventure and different worlds; to emotions and newly loved characters; to a wide array of cultures and customs, new experiences and newly acquired empathy and passion for people and issues they were previously unaware of.

So, next time your child brings home a graphic novel, engage with it together. Ask them what they like about the story, characters, and themes. Finding out what elements of graphic novels they enjoy can help you discover the right prose books for your child so reading becomes a joy, not a chore.

Colder weather

As the weather gets colder, please remind your child to bring a coat to school for break and lunchtime outside.

A polite reminder that students may wear a black v-neck jumper under their blazers but hoodies are not allowed at any time.

Thank you!

Football

Year 8 and year 9 boys have been in action this week. Both teams played to a high standard in all games with some excellent individual performances!

Year 11 Mock Exams

Year 11 students have now received their Mock Exam Booklet with time tables and revision lists in.

The exams will take place Monday 31st October – Friday 11th November 2022

This is also available to view in the Edulink app.

School games Mark Platinum status

Congratulations to our amazing PE team on maintaining the prestigious Platinum status for the School Games Mark.

This is something only 1% of schools receive so it is a massive accolade.

Well done Team PE!

Train Strike

We have recently been informed by Northern Rail that further industrial action is taking place and as a result there will be no Northern train services running on Wednesday 5^th October 2022. Northern will not be able to operate replacement bus services during strike action.

We appreciate the disruption this will cause for many students who use the train service to travel to school. However please ensure you are able to make alternative arrangements for your child to attend school.

If you have any queries, please contact your child’s Year Leader in the first instance.

Driving on school site

A reminder to all parents and carers to please drive carefully and observe the 10mph speed limit when driving on the school campus, especially when entering site off Greenbank Lane where students will be crossing at the start and the end of the day.

Year 11 English Revision Timetables

Open Evening – Thursday 13th October

No need to book – just turn up.

PTFA NEWs

www.yourschoollottery.co.uk

Congratulations!?? The winning numbers are 036126

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Thank you very much to everyone who came along and supported the car boot last Saturday. The sun shone & there were plenty of fabulous bargains. We are delighted to announce it was a successful event raising funds for school.

Are you able to help with match funding?

If so, please do get in touch.

Thank you.

Your PTFA

Ukrainian event

Ukraine Event that is happening on 8^th October, 10am – 2pm in Apple Market Place, Northwich.

Year 7 Football

Well done to Year 7 boys who attended a football competition at Knutsford Academy on Tuesday night. They won two, drew three and lost two and were a credit to the school and themselves in all games.

Girls’ and Boys’ After School Sports

Monday: Staff Meeting

Tuesday: Football (All Years- Boys & Girls)

Wednesday: Netball (All Years- Boys & Girls)

Thursday: Hockey (All Years- Boys & Girls)

Friday: Run Club (All Years- Boys & Girls)

Tuesday 4th October:

– Year 7 boys Football Competition @ Winsford (Team TBC)

– Yr 11 girls netball fixture vs Knutsford @ St Nicholas Catholic High School

Wednesday 5th October:

– Year 9 boys Football Competition @ Hartford (Team TBC)

– U18 boys Cheshire Cup Fixture vs. Lymm High School (Away)

Thursday 6th October:

– Year 3/4 Mixed Football Primary Competition @ St Nicholas Catholic High School (4:00pm-5:00pm)

Vacancies at St Nicholas

Senior IT Technician

Grade 6 – £22,128-£24,919 – (Plus Pay Award Pending)
Application deadline is 9am Monday 03 October 2022
For further information Click here

Learning Mentor

Permanent – part time – term time- 8.30am until 4.15pm – 3 days per week – 22.5 hours per week
Grade 7 £24,919 to £28,226 pro rata per annum
Application deadline is 9am Monday 03 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 Friday 30 September 2022.
For further information Click here

Cover Supervisor

Permanent position – 31.25 hours per week – 39 weeks per year (Term time plus INSET days).
Grade 5 – Application deadline is 9am Friday 30 September 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

Wednesday 5^th October – Year 7 Welcome Mass 6pm
Wednesday 12^th October – Year 8 Retreat Day
Wednesday 12^th October – Year 7, 8 & 9 Parents Information Evening 6-7pm
Thursday 13^th October – Sixth Form Open Evening 6-8:15pm
Tuesday 18^th October – Year 9 Virtual Careers Day
Tuesday 18^th October Year 11 SEN Information Evening 4–5.15pm
Wednesday 19^th October – Year 7 Information Evening (Form Tutors only)
Wednesday 19^th October – Year 7 Parents’ Information Evening for Residential

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 30.09.22