Newsletter 31.03.2025

From the Headteacher

Dear Parents and Carers, 

As we come to the end of another busy and successful term, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support and partnership in ensuring that our children thrive at St. Nicholas Catholic High School. 

This term has been filled with so many moments of pride and achievement. Our young people have not only demonstrated dedication to their learning, but they have also shown resilience, creativity, and a real sense of community spirit. Whether excelling in their studies, participating enthusiastically in enrichment activities, or representing the school in sporting events and competitions, they have made us all incredibly proud.   

A particular highlight has been seeing the way in which our children embrace some of the values that underpin our school – kindness, respect, and a commitment to doing their best. Their enthusiasm for learning, alongside their willingness to support and encourage one another, is a true reflection of the caring and inclusive ethos we work hard to cultivate.  It was wonderful to have this confirmed and acknowledged by the Catholic Schools Inspection Team in February, summarised perfectly in the following sections: 

Students ‘know and understand that at St Nicholas everyone matters in what is a ‘welcoming, supportive and inclusive community recognised by so many within as a family’ with students who are ‘proud ambassadors for the school’ and recognise that ‘all that they do relates to the mission statement and the core values instilled in them’. 

Beyond the classroom, it has been wonderful to see so many of our students taking part in extracurricular activities and representing the school so positively in the wider community. From impressive performances in music, drama, and art to outstanding sporting talent, their God-given talents and commitment have shone through. 

As we finish for the Easter break, a time of reflection, renewal, and hope, we give thanks for all that has been achieved this term and look forward to the opportunities that the summer term will bring.  I would also like to take this moment to thank our dedicated staff who work tirelessly to inspire, nurture, and challenge our students to be the wonderful young people that they are. 

I hope that the upcoming Easter break offers you and your families the chance to rest, recharge, and spend quality time together.    

Thank you once again for your continued support. We look forward to welcoming your children back refreshed and ready for an exciting term ahead on Wednesday 23rd April 2025.   

Wishing you a peaceful and blessed Easter. 

Yours sincerely, 

Craig Burns  

Headteacher 

Reward shop cinema trip

On Tuesday we took 12 students on our first ‘reward shop cinema trip’. The students that attended used their hard earned St Nicholas Dollars to purchase a space on this trip and selected to watch the film ‘Sonic 3’ at the Odeon – Trafford Centre. The trip was a huge success and the attending students had a great time enjoying their reward (as well as some yummy cinema treats). 

Reward shop Easter Egg Hunt

Sporting Success – Curling

Last week some of our talented students attended a disability competition at Cardenal Newman Catholic High School where they achieved a well earned second place. This is an annual competition for other disabled students from different High school across the county to compete for their school in a sporting event. They are now entered in to the semi finals in Bolton for both curling and Boccia.

Well done to everyone involved – some brilliant team work from everyone!

Sporting Success – Netball

Sporting Success – Middlewich Football

St Nicholas Award

Every term staff will nominate students who embody the spirit of St Nicholas.

The aim of this award is to continue to build a sense of community around our Gospel Values and to encourage all students to act in the ‘spirit’ of St Nicholas. In doing this, all positive behaviour will continue to be celebrated around school.

The winners of the award will receive a badge that can be worn on their blazer. In addition, their name will be displayed on our award board in our main reception area next term.

The award can only be won once during the five years at St Nicholas.

We would like to congratulate the following students:

Easter Chess Tournament

St Nick’s Three Peaks Challenge

The staff at St Nicholas Catholic High School have decided to challenge ourselves and complete the Three Peaks Challenge on 20th June 2025.

Cancer is something that affects us all and as a school community we have people close by who are living with cancer.

Therefore we are putting on our walking boots to make sure we raise as much money as we can for three very worthy charities who do incredible work locally. They are Macmillan, The Christie and Clatterbridge.

So if you feel able, please support us as we train for this challenge.

Duke of Edinburgh Expedition

This weekend 24 students from Years 10-12 completed their training expedition for their Silver or Gold Awards by completing a challenging walk in the Peak District. They walked for anywhere between 15 and 20 hours and deserved a well earned rest when they returned home. 

All students did exceptionally well and are eager to get back out there for their Qualifying expedition at the end of the month.

PTFA News

PTFA Meeting

Our next meeting is in school on 12th May at 5.15pm – everyone is welcome. We are always looking for new members to join our team. Please come along and chat to us if you feel you would like to become involved.

Did you know: Our PTFA encourages parental involvement in school activities and decision-making processes. When parents are engaged and take part in school affairs, it creates a positive and supportive environment for students. Increased parental involvement is linked to improved academic performance, better attendance rates, and reduced behavioural issues among students.

We hope you have a lovely Spring holiday.

Easter Blessings.

Kind regards,

You PTFA

PTFA Lottery

Our latest jackpot winning number is:

972754

One of our supporters won £16.50 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

Kind regards,

You PTFA

Win a Home Robot Bundle (or £1,000 cash)!

This Saturday, one lucky supporter will win an amazing Home Robot Bundle – or of course, a £1,000 cash alternative!

Put your feet up and relax, while your new Roomba Combo J5 takes care of all the floors in your home with its vacuuming AND mopping options, while outside, your Lawnmaster L12 Robot Mower is hard at work, keeping your lawn under control, all whilst you kick back with a cup of tea (and we’ll even throw in the teabags – Yorkshire, of course!)

TreeApp – a green prize
International Day of Forests, we at Your School Lottery are excited to announce that they have partnered with Treeapp, giving our monthly Super Draw winner the option to plant 1,000 trees, with projects available all around the world! Winners will have the option to choose £1,000 cash or planting 1,000 trees, if the main prize doesn’t appeal to them!

Library and Literacy

Empathy Lab 2025

​EmpathyLab has unveiled its 2025 Read for Empathy collection, a carefully curated list of 70 books aimed at readers aged 3 to 16. This initiative underscores the power of literature in fostering empathy, encouraging young people to understand and share the feelings of others.​

Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) Easter Programme by CWaC

We are delighted to announce that our Easter HAF provision has launched.  This holiday provision is for school aged children from reception to year 11 (inclusive) who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals.

There are also subsidised and parents can pay for students to join in if not eligible for support.

We have 60 clubs running which will help those who attend to access healthy food and take part in fun activities over the Easter school holidays and, more importantly, for them to have fun and make memories in a safe environment.

Booking is essential – All provision for the HAF Programme can be found on the new dedicated west Cheshire area on the Edsential website Cheshire West and Chester provision – Edsential website.  

Edsential Community Interest Company has a network of 50 clubs spread across the borough. This Easter holidays, children can look forward to a wide range of activities designed to be engaging and fun. From sports such as football to basketball, rounders, Yoga, writing and poetry work, Easter-themed arts and crafts, baking and cooking classes, storytelling sessions, archery, growing clubs, creepy crawly show, den building, music related activities, bingo, and special day trips.  All clubs are accessible so if the child has a SEND need then please contact the provider directly to discuss.

Youth Zone for 11–16-year-old (up to 25 for our SEND children and young people) Easter programme will include a Healthy Haffers Tea Party – with music, games and arts and crafts. Animal roadshow, first aid training through Street Doctors, virtual quiz, trampolining, Escape Room and outdoor activities. For more information, please email the Youth Service;  YoungPeoplesService@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Brio Leisure will be offering lots of activities over the Easter holidays including sports camps at Neston Recreation Centre for 5 – 12 year olds.  These activities include fun and floats, and craft SEND sessions available at Ellesmere Port Sports Village, Winsford Lifestyle Centre and Northwich Memorial Court for young people aged 5 – 18 years.  If you would like more information email; info@brioleisure.org

The Intervention Hub within the Council’s Children and Families service will be supporting some children who children’s social care work with, to enjoy, interact and make new friends and memories with others in a safe environment. Their programme will include a day at Forest School where they will participate in various activities including making their lunch using produce grown on site; outdoor laser tag, graffiti workshop, bootcamp and a healthy eating workshop.

All information will be promoted on – School Holiday Webpage

Cost of living support

It is currently a really challenging time for families across west Cheshire. Families may be worried about the rising cost of energy bills, food, and transport. The cost of living is rising, and this could have an impact on all aspects of finances.

Families may want help accessing welfare rights, benefits and debt advice, support getting all the money they’re entitled to, or simply want to know more about national recent support measures.  Whatever their money worries may be, the Council has put together useful information that can help. The link below includes a wealth of information on the Household Support Fund, the Council’s HELP Scheme, Warm Welcoming Spaces and much more: Cost of living support.

Parent Carer Forum

Click here to read the Cheshire West and Chester Parent Carer Forum Newsletter

Local Easter Activities

Holiday Craft Activity
Wednesday 9th April at Hartford Village Hall

Easter Rugby Camp at Winnington Park RUFC

Attendance

Everyone Matters – So Attendance Matters