Newsletter 17th November

Saint Nicholas School

Newsletter Friday 17th November, 2023

From the Headmaster's desk 'It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.' William Shakespeare

Dates for your Diary 20th November-1st December

Year 11 Mock GCSE Examinations 20th November Year 2 trip to Colchester Castle 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

Dear Parents and Pupils, Good morrow from the home of The Bard himself, William Shakespeare!

Over the past two days, the Year 8 pupils have been away on a residential trip to Stratford-upon-Avon and have had the opportunity to visit the Guildhall, Shakespeare's birthplace and schoolroom, to mention but a few places of interest. Our interactive, enrichment trip has, alongside being immensely enjoyable, provided the pupils with real insights into the life of the greatest writer in the English language, and I have enjoyed sharing with the pupils the way in which Shakespeare's language and plays influence our lives on a daily basis. As I told my Year 8 group, a world without Shakespeare would mean a world without many of the words, books, films and tv shows that we use, read, watch and enjoy today.

23rd November Year 5 trip to Duxford Pre School trip to Audley End Remote Information Meeting re new assessment for Year 2 - 11 parents 24th November Reception 2024 registration deadline 27th November Year 3 Urban Pioneers Enrichment Day 28th November Friends Christmas Gift Sale

From the Headmaster’s desk

Dates for your Diary This week has been a relatively quiet week by Saint Nicholas standards, but it is very much the 'calm before the storm' as we race towards December.

Next week, the Year 11 pupils start their mock GCSE examinations, hence the headline quotation, and I am sure you would join me in wishing them all the very best in these key, preparatory examinations.

We also have several trips going out next week, with visits to Audley End for pre-school, Colchester Castle for Year 2, the Barbican Centre for Years 3 and 4, Duxford for Year 5 and a trip to the Harry Potter Studios for our Year 9 Art 3D GCSE pupils, so a busy and exciting week ahead!

29th November Taster session for incoming Reception Pupils

As we move into another weekend of predicted wet weather, it is worth noting that Sunday marks National Play Monopoly Day. Monopoly is one of the most popular board games in the world and was originally based on a board game designed by Elizabeth Magie in 1902. Although, as many families will testify, it can be the catalyst for discord amongst players; playing Monopoly regularly teaches numerous lessons for life, including the development of patience, negotiation skills and winning and losing with good grace. With that in mind, why not pull on your banker's cap and gather your family and friends around the table for a game this weekend.

8th December Lower School trip to the Pantomime

Best wishes for a relaxing and restful weekend

Year 10 Parents’ Evening 1st December EYFS Nativity 2.00pm 7th December KS1 Nativity 2.30pm and 5.00pm Middle and Upper School theatre trips

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

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

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Lower School News

Little Saints It has been a very busy week in the pre-school.

On Monday, pupils wore odd socks and learnt about how everybody is unique. They created a kindness heart and spoke about what you can do to make someone happy.

Pupils also celebrated national nursery rhyme week and made gingerbread men, making sure they all had head, shoulders, knees and toes and explored the school mini bus, while signing the wheels on the bus!

Learning was fun as pupils role played being on the Little Saints bus and even had thier own contactless payment and tickets!

Pupils even managed sometime to have a little relax in our new cosy wicker den, and enjoy a story or two!

Lower School News

Forest School Forest School pupils have been learning real life skills this week, as well as taking the opportunity to enjoy some time leaf throwing at the end of the class.

Eco Club This week pupils in Eco Club have been learning about the impact of litter on our environment. They went on a litter pick, carefully recycling what they found along the way. Even the bags will be recycled and used again!

Lower School News

Year 5 Year 5 children and staff had an extremely enjoyable and educational Evacuees Enrichment Day as part of their history study of World War 2. Activities included creating Blitz art work, writing letters home as evacuees and thinking about what might be packed in an evacuee’s suitcase. Pupils made gas mask boxes and identity labels, listened to Vera Lynn singing and found out about rationing. All of these activities link in with their English study of Anne Frank and her diary.

Middle and Upper School News

PSHE Lesson In Middle school PSHE lessons, pupils have discussed the harmful effects that bullying can have on an individual. The pupils have had the opportunity to try out anti – bullying strategies for themselves. Each class has been involved in a discussion on verbal, physical, relational (isolating) and cyber bullying. A particular focus this week has been on bullying on social media and third-party observation of this.

The clear message being promoted and understood in PSHE lessons is that bullying is not tolerated at Saint Nicholas, and that no one should be a bystander and allow bullying to happen. All children have been reminded that we are a ‘telling’ school and that children should feel safe to confide any worries or concerns to a member of staff.

We strive to look after one another at Saint Nicholas School.

Saint Nicholas School News

Anti Bullying Week Anti-Bullying Week started with Odd Socks Day on Monday. Pupils across the school gathered to "make a noise" about bullying.

Throughout the week we have been supporting the pupils to understand how they can support their peers by making a noise if something isn't right. Themed assemblies took place around kindness and making a noise supported by our Anit-Bullying Ambassadors. Pupils also took part in a range of activities to support their understanding.

Saint Nicholas School News

House Guy Competition Last Friday, we celebrated the welcome return of the House Guy Competition, and it was wonderful to see pupils across the ages working harmoniously to produce Guys of varying quality. The energy and excitement in each House venue was palpable and there was a great atmosphere of fun and camaraderie. Well done to all our Year 11 House and Vice-House Captains for organising the event and to our overall winners, Saint Albans!

1st Place: Saint Albans 2nd Place: Saint Francis 3rd Place: Saint George 4th Place: Saint Christopher

Saint Nicholas School News

Pupil News Duke of Edinburgh Awards Congratulations to Jack and Oliver, who both received their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award certificates, and badges, from Mr Ayres this week.

Harrison Year 6 Congratulations to Harrison in Year 6 on passing his grade 2 piano exam with merit earlier this term. He had to learn 4 contrasting pieces and perform them as a recital on a recording, and submit it to the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) for marking. He scored over 80% and was awarded a Merit. A fantastic achievement, well done Harrison.

Saint Nicholas School News

Rocking Horse Recruitment Open Morning

We are delighted to introduce Mrs Simpson, our new LAMDA tutor, to Saint Nicholas School.

LAMDA has huge value in nurturing life skills, not just performance skills Mrs Simpson will be running 1:1 lessons from Year 1 upwards every Wednesday to Friday.

Lessons will focus on: Fostering a love of literature and story-telling Inspiring creativity in an engaging and focused setting Focusing on individual performance and vocal skills Building self confidence Developing memorising and recital skills Improving communication and conversational skills Pupils have the opportunity to gain UCAS points in Level 3: grades 6 to 8.

Please contact Mrs Simpson directly to book your child’s place: petrova@seizetheplay.co.uk

Saint Nicholas School News

Reverse Advent

As we approach the festive season, we would like to remind you that we are supporting 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

Saint Nicholas School News

Sports News

Cross Country Year 7-10 competed in the Bishop’s Stortford schools cross country, held at Grange Paddocks on Tuesday.

Pupils ran in individual year groups with the field consisting of approximately 70 runners, in what were horrendous conditions from start to finish. Our pupils were an absolute credit to the school.

Standout performances: Year 7 Casta 12th Year 8 Zak 15th Year 9 Alana 7th Year 10 Ali 6th

Sports News

Rugby Year 6, U11 rugby match against Gosfield School, Wednesday 15th November.

The match started slowly, due to lots of scrums and mauls being awarded as the two teams settled. The Saint Nicholas team took control, scoring two tries in quick succession. Angus excelled with really awkward grubber kicks for our opponents to deal with at each restart, allowing the team time, and less space for Gosfield to attack. Once we got into our flow, setting up rucks quickly and moving the ball away accurately, we added to our tally to dominate the first half of the match.

In the second half, Gosfield played a more direct game to make a comeback. They were passing better allowing them to score a try. It was a tighter and more competitive second half, but we demonstrated and improved our defensive play, with Ollie, Harrison, Lucus and Teddy leading the way.

The whole team was thrilled with our performance and final result, working together as a team and showing improvement as the game progressed. A big thanks to Mr Brown for his support and guidance for both teams.

George Year 6

Sports News

Rugby The Saint Nicholas Year 7 rugby team headed to Leventhorpe School last Friday for the Hertfordshire Schools Festival. The squad developed in each game, scoring tries and continued to demonstrate their tackling ability. Beating the host team was a highlight, the whole game was played in their half because of our tackling ability, knocking the attacking team backwards. Eventually Saint Nicholas took the ball and territorial advantage and easily scored. Six games were played at the festival which gave the Saint Nicholas team an opportunity to establish their set scrum, defensive line and different attacking lines. It was great preparation for the Essex Tournament at the end of the month.

Netball On Monday 13th November the U14a netball team played Gosfield in an away match. The team played really well and we achieved a convincing win of 18-6.

Scarlett and Annabel took some incredible shots and the mid court of Frankie, Eve, Emily and Amelie were able to bring the ball through the court to the shooters.

Fleur and Holly had a very strong game in defence making turnovers to stop Gosfield’s attack. A great game for all involved and we are looking forward to our next match already.

Eve Year 9 (Player of the match) This week we travelled to Gosfield to play one of their U14 netball teams. We had some new variations in positions which saw Grace come out of GS into GA, she created movement and chances around the centre court and circle, working well with India at GS. Alana stepped into C with confidence and a determination to play strongly, she kept composed during the game and linked well with Ella through the attacking court.

Sports News

The girls swapped positions, allowing fresh energy at C throughout the game which made a difference to the speed of our game.

In defence we were able to move Holly, Niamh and Fran between WD, GD and GK, and their strength led to a high number of turnovers in the defensive third. The defense kept a clean sheet throughout the game, which is a fantastic achievement.

The game finished 5-0 to Saint Nicholas.

The U14 netball team made an away trip to Chelmsford High School for the second round of the Essex cup competition.

They made a strong start with the first quarter ending in a goal difference.

As nerves settled, the team had some good turnovers in the centre court but at times were unable to turn these into goals.

At half time the score increased to a 4 goal lead against us. The opposition made some changes which put our shooters under greater pressure to receive the ball, but our fitness and determination saw some great shots rewarded keeping the scoreline close.

The final quarter was a great display of netball, it was the best our team had played and we were beaten by a stronger team on the day.

Mrs Sanders and I are so proud of these girls achieving so much in the first half of this season. It is the first time that we have entered the Essex cup after the time it has taken to develop netball to its current form. They have shown great commitment, work ethic, and a passion to win. They are starting to believe more in their abilities as a team and listen to every piece of feedback to improve. They strive for better and will not settle for anything less. As the netball season continues they will split back into their academic age groups ready to play a new group of schools.

Mrs Oakley