Newsletter 26th January 2024

Saint Nicholas School

Newsletter Friday 26th January, 2024 For daily news updates follow us:

From the Headmaster's desk 'Storms draw something out of us that calm seas do not.' - Bill Hybels

Dates for your Diary 30th January U13 ISA regional netball qualifiers at Ipswich High School Reception trip to The Gruffalo Trail, Brentwood 31st January Year 9 Parents' Evening

Dear Parents and Pupils, Another week has sped past, and I trust that storms Isha and Jocelyn have not impacted too much on you as families. The 2023-24 season has experienced the most active start to the named storm season, since its inception in 2015, with seven named storms from September to December, and the eighth, ninth, and tenth (storm Henk, Isha and Jocelyn) this month. As I am sure you are aware, the school does have an Adverse Weather Policy which outlines the School's protocols and procedures if adverse, and potentially hazardous, weather conditions are forecast; this can be found in the Policy and Privacy Notices section of our website and by clicking on the link below:

https://www.saintnicholasschool.net/about-us/policies/

1st February Whole School Time to Talk Day Year 7-10 girls Spurs coaching session at Spurs Academy 2nd February Year 6 interim reports issued 5th February Year 11 trip to Poetry Live!

Conference at Norwich Theatre 5th - 8th February Year 7 Trip to Valencia 6th February Safer Internet Day 7th & 8th February Year 3-5 production of Oliver

From the Headmaster’s desk

Dates for your Diary It has been a quiet week in the life of Saint Nicholas but one that our Year 8 pupils will be pleased to have put behind them, as they complete their formal examination week. At Saint Nicholas, we currently operate a 3-year GCSE, which means that GCSE options are chosen at the end of Year 8. We are delighted to be able to offer a plethora of optional subjects, including newly introduced options such as Business Studies, Photography and Religious Studies, that sit alongside the core subjects of English Literature, English Language, mathematics, biology, chemistry, and physics, so there is lots for our Year 8 pupils to look forward to next academic year in KS4!

8th February Pre-School Valentine's workshop

As we move into a weekend of calmer, albeit overcast, weather, it is worth noting that tomorrow marks Holocaust Memorial Day. Holocaust Memorial Day is a day for everyone to remember the millions of people murdered in the Holocaust, under Nazi Persecution, and in the genocides which followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur. The theme for 2024 is the Fragility of Freedom and marks the 30th anniversary of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. On Holocaust Memorial Day 2024, we can all reflect on how freedom is fragile and vulnerable to abuse and you can learn more by clicking on the link below:

13th February Year 6 animal workshop Ski trip parent/pupil meeting

https://www.hmd.org.uk/ My best wishes for a calm and reflective weekend

9th February Year 9 Diphtheria, Tetanus & Polio and Meningitis ACWY Harlow Schools Multicultural Dance Festival at Saint Nicholas 12th-16th February Year 10 examination week 12th February Year 1 class assembly

14th February U11 Boys' ISA Regional 5-a-side Football Competition at Alleyn Court School Year 11 history trip to Hitler on Trial 15th February Year 8 options evening 16th February Year 8 full reports issued Year 4-11 ISA Regional Cross Country at Finborough School

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

Lower School News

Pre School This week pupils in pre-school have been learning about winter. They wrapped up warm and went on a winter hunt, explored ice and what happens to it when it gets warm, and made their own snowflakes.

Pupils went on their first litter hunt this week using new equipemnt and pupils did an amazing job collecting litter from around the school grounds. Super job!!!

Year 1 On Thursday, Year 1 pupils enjoyed a fantastic dinosaur enrichment day. They became palaeontologists, digging for fossils and identifying them. Pupils were also very brave to meet three 'real' baby dinosaurs and asked lots of interesting questions about them. The workshop leader said he really enjoyed spending the morning with us. Well done Year 1!

Lower School News

Year 3

This week, Year 3 have worked really hard on performing their class assembly to showcase their learning from the last term. Pupils spoke with confidence and showed a fantastic amount of confidence. Well done, Year 3!

Year 5 On Tuesday 16th January, Year 5 pupils performed at the O2 as part of the Young Voices choir. They have been rehearsing and working hard in their weekly after school club since September, learning over 16 songs with some dances. On the day of the show, everyone was excited to perform, even the teachers! It was a long day, but everyone represented Saint Nicholas perfectly and sang their hearts out. Well done to the Young Voices team!

Mathletics Congratulations to Sebastian, Daisy, Harry, Joshua and Sarah who have all achieved a gold mathletics certificate this week.

Middle and Upper School News

Drop Everything and Read!

Each Wednesday, during extended form time, our middle school pupils enjoy 'Drop Everything and Read'. They spend half an hour reading for pleasure, and earn a house point for every book that they finish!

Reading is essential for all aspects of our personal, social and academic development. If you would like to learn more, please read the following article, from the BBC: Why is reading good for me? - BBC Teach

The Railway Children - Auditions

Middle and upper school production rehearsals are underway. Auditions will be held on Thursday 15th February, however, we will be focusing on script work beforehand.

Please encourage your children to come along and be part of this beautiful story, every Thursday in the theatre from 4pm to 5pm.

Saint Nicholas School News

Community Week Last week we celebrated Community Week at Saint Nicholas. Pupils took part in various community activities, here are just a few of the highlights: On Tuesday, Year 3 and Year 4 pupils were very lucky to be invited to the local church, St Mary's, to create a link with our local community, and join in the local church coffee morning. The pupils spoke to the vicar, then sang some of the songs they had been learning with Mrs Jones, and were able to chat to the local people about their lives and the local community. They all had a super time and really enjoyed the experience.

Middle school pupils have been creating bookmarks for the Old Harlow Library.

Thank you for your spectacles donations, which will be donated to a charity to be reused and recycled. If you have any further spectacles to donate, the collection box will continue in the Coffee Shop.

Saint Nicholas School News

School Council The spring School Council meeting took place last week. We were pleased to have full representation with representatives from Reception to Year 11 in attendance. The session proved to be engaging as various issues and ideas were brought to the table. This week, we plan to schedule a meeting with a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to discuss these matters further. Following our discussion with the SLT, we intend to present the outcomes and proposed actions in an upcoming assembly.

School council prefects Jack and Manaal, Year 11

International Women’s Day Join us in celebrating International Women's Day at Saint Nicholas School! We're inviting female parents to share their career experiences, journeys, and triumphs.

We're keen on hearing about the challenges you've overcome. Additionally, we'd love for your child to get a glimpse of your work through a mini workshop in the afternoon. If you're interested and available on March 8th, please reach out to Miss Branford-Jackson at s.branford-jackson@saintnicholasschool.net. Your participation will make this event truly special.

Saint Nicholas School News

World Book Day 2024 We are starting to gear up for World Book Day 2024, which falls on Thursday 7th March. Lower school pupils will be given a physical voucher, and seniors, can use an e-voucher which can be downloaded from THIS LINK

Karate Club Dan Thackray runs a Karate club in school every Tuesday from 4pm-5pm in the theatre. If your child is interested in attending please contact Dan directly.

Contact details can be found on the poster or by clicking on THIS LINK.

Saint Nicholas School News

New appointments We are delighted to share the news of two new appointments: Dr Martini, joins us as a Teacher of Chemistry after February half term and Miss Evans joins us as a Teacher of English with Classics after the Easter break. We welcome them both to the Saint Nicholas School Community.

Dr Martini PhD - Teacher of Chemistry I am very much looking forward to joining the Saint Nicholas School community to teach Chemistry. I began my professional journey with a strong academic foundation, earning a PhD in drug delivery systems and qualifying with a 1st class honours degree in Pharmacy from the University of Manchester. After completing my professional training year in a hospital environment, I transitioned to the pharmaceutical industry where I dedicated years to the research, development and manufacture of innovative medicinal products. After the birth my second child, the allure of education then drew me in, and for the past decade, I have taught science at GCSE, specialisng in Chemistry, A-level Chemistry and Btec Applied Science, with the aim of inspiring pupils to foster a love for science, in order to understand the world around them and to consider a future in a rewarding STEM based career.

Miss Evans BA (Hons) - Teacher of English I will be joining you from Hassenbrook Academy, where I have taught English for three years, having graduated in 2020 from Royal Holloway, with a degree in Classics.

More recently I have studied with the Bryn Mawr College in Philadelphia, researching the role of ghosts in classical literature. As a student, I captained the Women’s 1st fencing team, and was previously U18 regional champion in the British Youth Championships. I have enjoyed working with Young Carers within my school community, as well as supporting pupils on local environmental projects through my additional role as a co-ordinator for student leadership.

Out of school, I practice illustration; a large amount of this time is preventing my cat from walking over the paintings!

I look forward to joining the Saint Nicholas School community following the Easter break.

Sports News

Year 7 and Year 8 pupils’ visit to Spurs Academy Last Thursday, Year 7 and Year 8 boys were Invited for an exclusive training session led by the U18 Spurs scholars. As part of the Spurs Academy pathway, the scholars are required to complete their UEFA coaching badges and therefore required pupils to coach. Saint Nicholas took 14 boys to the Spurs training ground, Whitewebbs, Enfield, with a focus on passing and receiving, possession, play, and small sided games. Pupils were thrilled to have been given the opportunity, which was reinforced by some lovely parent emails post the training session. Next week sees the girls' teams experience the thrills of some unique coaching sessions, led by a different group of Spurs scholars.

Mr Tucker

Tag Rugby The Harlow junior schools tag rugby qualifiers took place recently, with nearly 400 pupils involved thoughtout the day.

A change of venue was required due to frozen pitches at the Harlow Rugby Club. The morning began on the astro-turf, with 15 teams attending an event at Passmores Academy, which although frosty to start with, thawed quickly. Despite the cold weather, the tag rugby games were very competitive as the boys and girls chased and powered through to score some awesome tries and made try-saving tackles/tags. Some highlights of the day included: Harrison's runs, covering the full length of the pitch to score, Scarlett demonstrating her balance and speed to score and Dylan, Lucus & Riley switching the plays, sidestepping their way through defences before passing to one another. This all made for a great spectacle of rugby skills.

Mr Brown