Friday 12^th September 2025

 

Dear Parents and Carers,

 

Values and Rise

The focus this week has been on commitment and being independent.  

 

By commitment we mean

• We always give 100%
• We support others and work as a team
• We don’t give up – even when things are difficult
• We need all our students to be independent, and they can demonstrate this by being in school every day, on time, with their school bag and correct equipment and ready to learn.

 

Year 7

I am absolutely delighted with the strong start Year 7 have made to Newport High School. They have settled into their new school very quickly and have made a really positive start. I am looking forward to getting to know all of our new students across the course of this year.

 

Health and Safety

On their first day, all students did a walk-through of the evacuation procedures and this week we have successfully carried out planned evacuation and shelter drills.

 

In line with all schools in Newport we are required to practice both evacuation and shelter (lock down) procedures. These are communicated in school through alarms – an intermittent alarm signals the need to evacuate the building and a continuous alarm indicates the need to remain inside. These practices are an important part of our health and safety planning so, in the event of an unplanned emergency, we are better prepared.

 

The safety of our whole school community is extremely important, and we use these drills to test our systems to ensure they are as robust as possible.

 

I am very proud of how well our students dealt with these procedures and we will continue to practice them over the year.

 

Staffing update

I am delighted to inform you that Ms Davey has been appointed Pastoral Support Officer for Years 9 & 10. Ms Davey is an experienced member of staff and will be a valuable addition to the team.

 

Year Group	Head of Year	Pastoral and attendance support officer
Year 7	Mr Kelly	Ms Facer
Year 8	Ms Paginton	Ms Facer
Year 9	Ms Galloway	Ms Davey
Year 10	Mr Hodge	Ms Davey
Year 11	Mme Teixeira	Ms Homfray
Year 12 & Year 13	Ms James	Ms Homfray

 

Reducing the impact of poverty on attainment

Our number one whole school priority this year is to reduce the impact of poverty on student attainment. We have set up a new section on our website under the main menu called Financial Support. We will update this section over the course of the year with any new information we receive that could help our families who are struggling financially.

 

One of the easiest ways for you to access financial support for costs associated with school is to ensure you are accessing your entitlement to Free School Meals and/or uniform and equipment grants.

 

Free School Meals

We are aware that many of our families may be entitled to Free School Meals but are not claiming this additional financial support. You can check if you are entitled to Free School Meals at www.newport.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/school-meals/free-school-meals

 

If you are not in receipt of Free School Meals but think you are eligible and would like any help in accessing, please let us know so we can support.

 

Families who are eligible for Free School Meals can also apply for additional help with other school costs including school uniform. You can find out more at https://www.newport.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/school-meals/free-school-meals

 

 

Attendance

Attendance at school, on time, is vital if your child is going to achieve their potential. Being in school every day, ready to learn will give your child the very best chance of making the most of the opportunities we can provide.

 

A pupil who attends school for 90% of the time misses half a day of learning per week. Over the course of one year this would equate to almost 20 days of lost schooling and if this pattern was replicated for the five years of compulsory secondary school it would amount to almost one hundred days when your child is not receiving an education. This puts them at a significant disadvantage when it comes to sitting examinations. The evidence is overwhelming that students with good attendance achieve significantly better than their poor attending peers.  We clearly saw this pattern replicated in our results in the summer with those students who attended well achieving good GCSE results.

 

Punctuality to school and lessons is also essential. The school doors open at 8.40am and the school day starts at 8.45am. Being late causes unnecessary stress for your child and arriving late to lessons disrupts the learning of others in the class. Persistent lateness can be classed as unauthorised absence and can be referred to the Education Welfare Service.

 

Please can I ask all parents and carers to work with us to ensure your child is in school every day, on time and ready to learn.

 

 

Uniform and equipment

Part of being ready to learn is being in the correct uniform with a bag. I would like to thank the vast majority of parents who have supported our school uniform rules and I am delighted that so many of our students have started the school year in correct uniform, looking smart and ready to learn.

 

Our uniform is extremely affordable and accessible. It consists of plain black shoes/trainers, black socks, white shirt and the school tie. Skirts must be of appropriate length and trousers or shorts should be tailored fit. Students are not allowed to wear sports shorts or leggings to school.  

 

Cardigans, jumpers and blazers are optional and you may choose to wear a plain black knitted v neck jumper or cardigan without the logo, or purchase the Newport High branded jumper, sweatshirt or cardigan.

 

We have a range of ‘pre-loved’ school uniform at school which is available for anyone who would like to access it. If any family has a specific problem with getting hold of school uniform, please contact your child’s Form Tutor in the first instance. Jewellery is limited to one pair of small stud earrings and one ring. Students are allowed to wear a nose stud but please note that this has to be a stud and not a sleeper style or any other style. Any headwear, worn for religious reasons, should be of a plain black material. Extreme hairstyles are not acceptable and hair should be of a natural colour.

 

Students should come to school equipped to learn with an appropriate school bag. They need a pencil case and basic equipment, including their own pen. If students have any issues, they are encouraged to inform their Form Tutor who will support accordingly. Items that are potentially harmful to any member of our school community should not be brought to school. For example, aerosol cans including deodorants, cigarettes (e-cigarettes), matches and lighters, any sharp or blade like objects, glass bottles, chewing gum and fizzy drinks, including energy drinks. This rule includes all items which are illegal to possess or carry, or inappropriate for the age of your child.

 

Mobile Phones - on site, out of sight.

We do not allow the use of mobile phones anywhere in school, including outside during break and lunchtime.  This means that, from the time that students enter the building until they leave, they are not allowed to use their mobile phones. This includes wearing air pods or headphones which are also not allowed.

 

If students wish to bring a phone to school, it must be switched off and kept in their bag. It is really important that all students have a school bag with them so that they can securely store their mobile phone along with their other equipment during the day.

 

If students are seen with their mobile phone out, whether they are using them or not, it will need to be handed in for them to collect at the end of the day. If this happens frequently then an alternative plan will need to be put in place.

 

Not allowing mobile phones in school has had an overwhelmingly positive impact, especially at break and lunchtime. Research has clearly identified the potential harm too much screen time including phones can do. If any student needs to make an emergency call, they can go to the Wellbeing Hub where Pastoral Support will be able to help.

 

 

Working Together for Success

We are fully aware that the support of parents and carers is vital to the success of our students. As we begin this new school year, we want to work closely with you to ensure that your child has the best possible experience at Newport High School.

 

Throughout the year, we will keep you informed about your child's progress, school events, and any important updates. We also encourage open communication with our staff. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us - info@newporthigh.co.uk.

 

Social Media

Please can I urge all parents who have an issue or concern about school to contact us directly to discuss. This will give us the opportunity to try to resolve the issue.

 

If you have any concerns, please email us on: info@newporthigh.co.uk

 

Inset days and term dates – 2025/2026

The agreed Inset days, when school will be closed for students for staff training this year are:

• Monday 1^st September 2025
• Monday 24^th November 2025
• Monday 2^nd March 2026
• Friday 26^th June 2026
• Monday 29^th June 2026
• Monday 20^th July 2026

Autumn Term

• Starts Monday 1^st September 2025
• Half-Term - Monday 27^th October 2025 to Friday 31^st October 2025
• Ends Friday 19^th December 2025

Spring Term

• Starts Monday 5^th January 2026
• Half-term – Monday 16^th February 2026 to Friday 20^th February 2026
• Ends Friday 27^th March 2027

Summer Term

• Monday 13^th April 2026 
• Half-term – Monday 25^TH May 2026 to Friday 29^th May 2026
• Ends Monday 20^th July 2026. Please note this is an INSET day so the last day for student in school will be Friday 17^th July 2026.

 

We break up for October half-term on Friday 24th October returning to school on Monday 3rd November. We then finish for the Christmas holidays on Friday 19th December and return for the start of the Spring term on Monday 5th January 2025. Please note,  the dates in this paragraph in last week’s letter were incorrect and these are the correct dates.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your support.

With kind regards

Mrs Lee