Whole School Newsletter - 19-04-2024

Friday 19^th April 2024

Dear Parents and Carers,

The themes of this week have been commitment and respect. During assemblies we have been considering how to demonstrate respect by being kind, polite and empathetic. We also talked about language and the impact and consequences of using aggressive language including swearing. We have seen an increase in the use of poor language across the school, so we have addressed this in our new behaviour policy. Fortunately, the number of incidents of students swearing directly at staff is small but we are now required by the Local Authority to report these incidents to them and to our Governing Body.

The students have responded well to the new policy which they seem to find clear and transparent.  The policy is based on a very simple three stage approach to manage behaviour. Stage 1 is a warning by the classroom teacher, Stage 2 is a reflective conversation with a different member of staff and Stage 3 is removal of the student from the lesson to our Return to Learn room. The policy is built on our RISE pillars of Respectful, Independent, Safe and Equipped.

Thank you to all our parents and carers for your support in ensuring the vast majority of our students are in correct uniform. Just a reminder that, in response to student and parent feedback, the new policy includes the introduction of plain black tailored shorts, a plain black sweatshirt and allows for a single nose stud to be worn. Please note we will not be allowing students to wear sports shorts (including tight fitting lycra shorts), hoodies or branded sweatshirts. Nose piercings, which are now allowed in the policy, must be a plain stud. Rings, hoops or any other style of jewellery will not be allowed for health and safety reasons.

In assemblies this week I have also informed all student of two new changes coming into school.

From Monday 22^nd April we are returning to a split break and lunch. This means that we will run two break and lunch sittings – one for Years 7 & 8 and another for Years 9 to 11. The new times are as follows:

As you will see from these times, students in Years 7, 8, 12 & 13 have no change to the timing of their break and lunch, whereas students in Years 9, 10 & 11 have an earlier break and lunch. This change will also help us with public examinations as the afternoon exams tend to start at 1pm.

While some students are on break or lunch, the remainder of the school will be in lessons so it is essential that students are not wandering around the school building and will be restricted to where they can go during these times. Students on break or lunch will be using the ground floor toilets and will need to be either in the canteen or outside on the canteen yard.  Students on break or lunch will not be allowed upstairs or into the corridors or wings. This new approach will significantly reduce the volume of students accessing food at break and lunch at the same time and will allow all students more space to enjoy their breaks.

I have also informed all students about the mobile phone use in school ban which starts in five weeks’ time. From Monday 3^rd June no student will be able to use their mobile phone in school. 

KS4

With just under three school weeks before the GCSE examinations start, it is crucial that all our Year 11 students are revising independently and preparing for their exams.  

Students in Year 11 are expected to attend every lesson up to and including Wednesday 8^th May. From Thursday 9^th May, students are expected to attend every lesson until they have completed their final examination in that subject. Once students have compieted their final exam in a specific subject they can chose to revise from home as part of study leave.

Parental Forums

Working closely with our families is an essential element of ensuring our students make progress. To support this, we are continuing to run both our on-line Parental Forum and our Parental drop sessions. These are calendared across the year. The next forums are taking place as follows:

• Parental drop in (takes place in school) – Friday 10^th May at 10am
• On-line Parental Forum (takes place on Teams) – Thursday 9^th May at 5pm

These are not parent/student meetings to discuss specific queries but are an opportunity to meet with myself so you can raise broader issues about the school. If you are interested in attending either of these sessions please email info@newporthigh.co.uk stating which session you are would like to attend.

Free School Meals

At Newport High School we want to ensure that every child receives the financial help they need to attend school. The Welsh Government offers support with Free School Meals and School Essentials such as uniform, kit and stationery. Please check your child’s eligibility for Free School Meals. Even if you receive Universal Primary Free Schools Meals, more help could be available! If eligible, you can get up to £200 per child for School Essentials, plus extra funding for our school. Check eligibility:www.gov.wales/get-help-school-costs

School dates

The remaining two INSET days for the rest of this academic year are as follows;

1. Friday 28^th June 2024
2. Monday 1^st July 2024

May half term is Monday 27^th May until Friday 31^st May and we finish this school year on Friday 19^th July 2024.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our families for your continued support.

With kind regards

Mrs Lee