Newsletter 31.03.23

Message from our Chaplain Mairie

Lent Charity

It has continued to be a busy week in St Nicholas as many forms are continuing their fundraising for Caritas and Caritas International. Our Sixth form also took time during Core RE to support Caritas by sending cards of support for child refugees to be reunited with their families wherever possible. Ben Gilchrist, the CEO of CARITAS Shrewsbury has already sent thanks for the support of CARITAS, especially in the present climate. Thanks to all of the St Nicholas community for thinking of others at this time.

Year 4 visit

Last week we welcomed Year 4 children from our Partner Primary schools over 2 days. They had lots of fun doing sessions of Junk Art, sports activities with Mr Armstrong and the Sports Leaders and a session with Mairie in the Chapel.

A very vibrant, energetic and positive atmosphere enjoyed by all!

A Level Music Recital

On Monday 27^th March the Music Department held a recital evening to give GCSE and A Level Music students an opportunity to perform their exam pieces. It was a lovely evening which was very well supported by family and friends of the performers. The students performing were Holly Middleton, Joe Larkin, Keaton Haydon, Maddy Ford, Luca Gasparini, Ellie Kendall and Yann Risley, who all performed flawlessly. We were also very lucky to have performances from Charlie Potts who having left St Nicholas’ in 2019, now studies Music at St Peters College Oxford University. Fr Peter who studied at the RNCM before studying for the Priesthood also performed a beautiful piece on the piano by the Russian composer Rachmaninoff. For many of the students it was their first opportunity to perform solo pieces to an audience and for the A Level students a vital opportunity as this time next year they will perform their final recital to a visiting examiner!

Sporting Success – Year 10 football

U15 Cheshire Cup

The Year 10 football team took the short trip over to Moss Farm to play Lymm in the semi-final of the Cheshire Cup on Friday 24^th March. Lymm started the game on the front foot and capitalised as they went 1-0 up 10 minutes before half-time. In tough windy conditions we shown composure in possession and just before half-time we equalised to make it 1-1. In the second half, with the wind in our favour we started to create opportunities and shortly after the break we went 2-1 up. After a frantic second half full of twists and turns, the game finished 6-3 to St Nicholas. The boys have showed great character throughout the competition and are now looking forward to the final. The final will be held at Middlewich Town FC on Wednesday 26^th April at 4pm.

Air Cadets Assembly

Year 9 had the pleasure of receiving a presentation from the Royal Air Force Cadets, Knutsford squadron during their assembly on Tuesday. The group heard all about the opportunities it provides and how to get involved. Two of our very own Year 8s Luca Friscuolo and James Connolly-Aston also attended looking super smart and sharing their experiences with us. Thanks all!

Easter services in the local parishes

St Vincent de Paul – Knutsford

Service of Penance and Reconciliation on Tuesday of Holy Week at 7pm
Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7pm
Good Friday – Passion of the Lord 3pm
Saturday – Easter Vigil 8pm

Easter Morning Masses 9am and 11am

St Joseph’s – Winsford

Please refer to their website for updates

St Joseph’s Winsford – The friendly parish. (stjosephs-winsford.org.uk)

St Mary’s – Middlewich

Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7.30pm,

Friday Celebration of the Lord’s Passion 3.00pm.

Saturday Paschal Vigil & First Mass of Easter 8.30pm.

Sunday 9.00am (Holmes Chapel)

11.00am

St Lukes – Frodsham

Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Thursday, 6th April, 7pm at St Cuthbert’s

Solemn Liturgy of the Passion of Christ, Friday, 7th April, 3pm at St Luke’s

Easter Vigil Mass, Saturday, 8th April, 8pm at St Luke’s

Mass of the Resurrection,

Sunday, 9th April,

9am at St Cuthbert’s;

11am at St Luke’s.

St John Vianney Parish

Saturday 8th

9.00pm (Easter vigil) St. Wilfrid’s

Sunday 9^th April

9.15am St. Wilfrid’s

10.00am Our Lady’s

11.00am St Thomas Becket

11.15am St Bede’s 11.30am St Wilfrid’s

Library and Literacy

Why your teenager should be reading poetry

Reading poetry is a valuable and enriching experience for teenagers, especially for those who can be intimidated by the dense volume of text present in your average prose novel. Poetry comes in many forms; from collections of individual poems to whole novels written in verse. Today’s authors have made poetry more accessible than ever. See below for our top poetry picks and the reasons you should be encouraging your teenager to read them.

Image result for becoming muhammad ali books

Image of book page. Click to open preview.

Reading poetry can help teenagers improve their vocabulary, language skills, and ability to communicate effectively. Poets often use figurative language, imagery, and other literary devices that can help expand a teenager’s ability to express themselves.
Poetry often encourages readers to think outside the box and explore their own creative ideas. Teenagers can benefit from engaging with different styles of poetry, which can inspire them to think creatively and develop their own unique perspective.
Many poems deal with themes of love, loss, and other emotional experiences that teenagers may be going through. Reading and writing poetry can help teenagers better understand and express their own emotions and can provide a healthy outlet for processing difficult experiences.
Poetry often explores diverse perspectives and experiences, which can help teenagers develop empathy and understanding for others. Exposure to different voices and experiences can also help teenagers become more informed and open-minded.
Poetry can be complex and nuanced, requiring readers to engage in careful analysis and critical thinking. This can help teenagers develop these skills, which are valuable in all areas of life.

Sickness

There is currently a high level of sickness in school.

If your child has been sick or has been sent home sick, please wait 48 hours from the last bout of vomiting before returning to school.

Lost property

Lost property will be displayed in the hall next week.
If your child has lost their coat or PE items please encourage them to have a look.
There are also a few items from the Year 7 residential.
All lost property will be sent to charity by the end of the term.

100% attendance award

Well done to these winners of the attendance award

Year 8:

Esme P and Alicia M

Year 9

Megan B and Eben E

Ewan H and Evan D

Dominik S and Dylan F

HPV vaccines in school

The nurses will be in school for HPV vaccinations on Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th April.

Year 8 students need to have consent before the vaccination. Please submit consent here https://www.cwpstartingwellimms.co.uk/Forms/HPV by 12 NOON MONDAY 24TH APRIL The code for the school is CP111450.

Year 9 will be receiving their second dose – no consent needed.

Year 7 Tracking and Monitoring

Year 7 have had their tracking and monitoring sheets in the last week.

If the information hasn’t made its way home it can be found on the ‘documents’ tab in EduLink

Year 7 Exams

Year 7 will be sitting their exams in classes during the first two weeks of May.
Click here to see the Exam booklet with their timetable, tips on revision etc.

PTFA

Thank you very much to those of you who came along to our Family Quiz Evening on Wednesday. It was a great success & will help us to fund some much needed resources for school.

We would like to give a special mention to Lana our Quiz Master & PTFA Member for all her hard work. Thank you to our young helpers: Lana’s son Ashley & Edward Melia.

Our next event for your diary is our Car Boot Sale on 22nd April during the morning. No booking just turn up on the day. £10 per car or £12 van. Please bring your own table.

PTFA

If you haven’t yet joined our school lottery, please think about joining. There is a winner every week.

This week’s jackpot winning number is 205144 and one of our supporters has won £12.90 in the draw. This kind recipient donated their winnings to school. Thank you very much. 😊https://www.yourschoollottery.co.uk/lottery/school/st-nicholas-catholic-high-school

Thank you as ever.

Your PTFA

Boys’ and Girls’ After School Sports

Tuesday 4th April

Football Club

Music Department Co Curricular Timetable

Monday Lunch Woodwind Ensemble
Tuesday Lunch GCSE Theory
Wednesday Lunch GCSE coursework

Lunchtime and after school clubs

Monday lunch – Year 8 Technology Club in T3
Monday lunch – Woodwind Ensemble in 1M
Monday lunch – Art Club in A1
Monday lunch – Year 7 & 8 Badminton/Table Tennis in Sports Hall (NJS/JC)
Monday lunch – Art Club in A1
Monday lunch – iMedia Support for Year 11 in C2
Tuesday lunch – Computing Club in C3
Tuesday lunch – Science Club (for KS3) S5
Tuesday lunch – Art Club in A1
Tuesday lunch – Lunchtime Mass in the Chapel
Tuesday lunch or Thursday after school – KS4/5 Spanish Film Club in L5
Tuesday lunch – Year 9 Badminton/Table Tennis in Sports Hall (LF)
Tuesday lunch- Year 11 GCSE PE Revision in PE1 (NJS)
Tuesday after school 3.15 – 4.30 – Performing Arts Club in DS1
Tuesday lunch – iMedia Support for Year 11 in C2
Wednesday lunch – MUSIC GCSE COURSEWORK in 1M
Wednesday lunch – Dungeons and Dragons Club in B2
Wednesday lunch – week 1 – Book Club in the Library

Upcoming Dates

Wednesday 5^th April – SCHOOL CLOSES
Wednesday 19^th April – SCHOOL REOPENS

For future dates click here

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 31.03.23