Newsletter 10th November 23

Saint Nicholas School

Newsletter Friday 10th November, 2023

From the Headmaster's desk 'Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.' - Dalai Lama

Dates for your Diary 13th November Odd Socks Day 13th November Anti-bullying week 14th November Individual school photos 15th November EYFS Information Coffee Morning for 2024 Entry 16th -17th November Year 8 trip to Stratfordupon-Avon

Welcome back!

I trust you have had a restful and relaxing half-term break and feel ready for the most magical half-term of the year.

Whilst the pupils have been away, the Estates Team have been busy once again and I have been thrilled by the pupils' response to all the new wall art graphics that have been installed throughout the school. Poet W.B. Yeats is quoted as saying that 'Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire,' and at Saint Nicholas our aspiration is to utilise and develop every inch of our environment, and get those fires lit in each and every pupil!

On the topic of fires burning, I am very much looking forward to catching up with many of you this evening at our annual bonfire night. Our bonfire night brings to a close a very busy Friday, where the pupils have participated in both the House Guy Competition and our annual Remembrance Observance.

17th November Year 3 visit to Mayfield Bakery 20th November-1st December

Year 11 Mock GCSE Examinations 20th November Year 2 trip to Colchester Castle 20th November Year 3 & 4 trip to the Barbican Centre, London Symphony Orchestra Concert 21st November Year 9 trip to Harry Potter Studios 22nd November Year 6 Parents’ Evening

From the Headmaster’s desk

Dates for your Diary

Our Remembrance observance at Saint Nicholas is always an incredibly moving occasion and in my lower school assembly this morning, I reminded pupils of the significance of the poppy and the reasons why we observe Remembrance each year.

As you might expect, the lower school pupils were well-informed and I was left, as I frequently am, with a great sense of pride in their maturity, eloquence and empathy; well done all!

As we move into the weekend, it is worth noting that next Monday, we mark both Odd Socks Day, which signals the start of national, anti-bullying week in schools, and World Kindness Day. In an increasingly turbulent world, a focus on kindness is more important than ever and I regularly reinforce to the pupils that acts of kindness are infectious, because when others observe kindness in action, they are inspired to carry out acts of kindness as well. To quote the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, 'Kindness is igniting a light in someone else for no reason other than to watch them enjoy the glow.'

My best very wishes for a relaxing and restful weekend

EYFS Information Coffee Morning We are holding an EYFS information coffee morning on Wednesday 15th November, 9.00-9.45am. This event, which will be held in the coffee shop, is for parents of children who are entering Reception in September 2024, and will be an opportunity to meet the Reception teachers, tour the Reception area and learn about the transition to Reception.

Please contact Julie Bradley, Admissions Secretary, if you would like to attend admissions@saintnicholasschool.net.

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To keep up to date with events on the school calendar CLICK HERE

23rd November Year 5 trip to Duxford

23rd November Pre School trip to Audley End 24th November Reception registration deadline 27th November Year 3 Urban Pioneers Enrichment Day 28th November Friends Christmas Gift Sale 29th November Taster session for incoming Reception Pupils Year 10 Parents’ Evening 1st December EYFS Nativity 7th December KS1 Nativity Middle and Upper School theatre trips 8th December Lower School trip to the Pantomime 11th December Christmas Party for local elderly 12th December Christmas Lunch Lower School Christmas Parties Year 11 mock GCSE results day 13th December Christmas Jumper Day Friends Christmas Fayre Autumn Term Ends

Lower School News

Rocking Horse Nursery During the half term holiday, Rocking Horse Nursery held a Macmillan Coffee Morning and raised £166.00. Thank you to all involved.

Reception Class Reception had a wonderful day celebrating Diwali this week for their Diwali experience day. They made lots of different Rangoli patterns using rice, sand and paint. Pupils had the opportunity to make some mehndi patterns using piping bags filled with paint, which they squeezed onto card hands.

They enjoyed trying Indian foods including poppadums, rice and dipping sauces. As well as all the activities, pupils read a story called 'The Best Diwali Ever', and learnt how it is celebrated.

Lower School News

Eco Club In Eco Club this week, pupils created bird feeders using left over pumpkins, and hung the feeders around the school grounds and at home.

Year 5 Year 5 had fun on their Polar Explorers themed enrichment day before half term. Pupils took part in a range of polar themed English, drama, art, geography, science and French activities.

Saint Nicholas School News

Funeral arrangements for Miss Beston Miss Beston's family has expressed that all are welcome to attend the service on Friday 17th November, 2pm, at St Andrew’s Church, Cappell Lane, Stanstead Abbotts, SG12 8BU. The service will be a celebration of Katie’s life and the family has requested that bright colours be worn. If pupils wish to attend with parents, please inform your child’s form teacher and/or the school office, and absences will, of course, be authorised.

The family has requested no flowers, and if you wish to make a charitable donation, you may do so via THIS LINK A condolence book will be available for pupils to sign, and will be placed in the coffee shop next week for parents.

Rocking Horse Recruitment Open Morning

Saint Nicholas School News

Wall Art Graphics Take a look at the new wall art graphics that have been installed throughout the school.

Saint Nicholas School News

Reverse Advent

As we approach the festive season, we would like to enlist your help to support two local charities: Harlow Foodbank and Bump to Five.

Last half term, we launched the idea of our school community Reverse Advent. The pupils learned what a Reverse Advent is, and how we will be using the concept to make donations to Harlow Foodbank and Bump to Five, to boost their supplies for Christmas time. There are currently more than 300 children in Harlow who rely on the Foodbank each month, and we would like to help support the extra pressure that is placed on the Foodbank over the next few months, plus bring some festive cheer to children with gifts of toys, games and books (please note that gift items must be new).

Throughout November, pupils have been asked, if they would like to participate, to bring food, toiletries and children’s gifts, to follow the idea of the twenty-four days of Christmas, with twenty-four items being donated (of course, any number of items will be very much appreciated).

Below is a list of food items that are required by the Foodbank. Please remember that food needs to have a long shelf-life and, therefore, fresh fruit and vegetables should not be donated. Bump to Five would be very grateful to receive new toys, games and books. Donations can be suitable for children of any age; they must be brand new and unwrapped as they will be wrapped up by the volunteers at Bump to Five, and passed on to families with appropriately aged children.

Pupils were shown an example of a Christmas tree planner that they could use to help organise their twenty-four items. A copy follows for printing at home, or you can collect one from the school office.

The deadline to make your donations is Monday 4th December. Lower school pupils can leave their food and gift items in the basket in the coffee shop, and middle and upper school pupils can put their items in the basket in the main entrance of Hillingdon House.

Thank you so much for your support.

Mrs Oakley PE Department

Saint Nicholas School News

Sports News

Netball On Wednesday 8th November, Saint Nicholas hosted the first matches of the Year 7 Essex Cup netball competition. The squad have a solid foundation of game play under their belts having played last half term in the Harlow Schools tournament. We played against Burnt Mill in our first game, and it took us a while to settle into our stride. We came up against a strong shooter, however showed control in centre court and strong defence play. It was great to have our supporters, Mr Ayres and parents cheering us on from the sidelines.

Unfortunately, we lost 8-1 but had lots of positives to take into the second match against Passmores. We started strong and confident and took an early lead with impressive work around our attacking circle. Some great interceptions from the defence allowed us to turn over their centre passes and dominate through the game.

A final score line of 8-0 allowed us to come away feeling confident going into next week's match against Mossbourne Acadmey on Wednesday at home. Thank you to Mrs Oakley and Miss Curaba for officiating. Well done to the whole squad: Kayla (captain), Alys, Jemima, Clem, Casta, Isabelle, Tia, Dotty and Amelie.

Swimming A great day of ISA swimming in Ipswich yesterday, saw three pupils placed 1st in their stroke and through to the National finals at the London Aquatic Centre.

Kaila 50 butterfly Ali 100 breaststroke Cooper 200 medley Girls finished 3rd overall Boys finished 2nd overall Congratulations to all involved.