Whole School Newsletter - 07-06-2024

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope everyone had a lovely half-term break.

The theme of this week has been commitment. At NHS by commitment, we mean;

•  We always give 100%.
• We strive to support each other and work as a team.
• We never give up and have the skills and strength to persevere with even the hardest work.

Mobile Phone free school

As you will know, on Monday 3^rd June, we introduced our new mobile phone policy, so from the time that students enter the building until they leave, they are no longer permitted to use their mobile phones. This has started really well and it is clear to see the overwhelmingly positive impact this is having especially at break and lunchtime. We now have more students reading, playing games and actually talking to each other. Research has clearly identified the potential harm too much screen time including phones can do. We appreciate that this is a significant behavioural change for all our students and our staff but are confident that it will continue to have a positive impact on everyone’s wellbeing.

It is really important that all students have a school bag with them so that, if they wish to bring a phone to school, it is switched off and kept in their bag.

Our journey towards becoming an anti-racist school

We are committed to becoming an actively anti-racist school. Mrs Lewis is leading this valuable work and has successfully established our Global Majority Student working parties. They have been instrumental in helping to shape our policies and practice to ensure that, across every aspect of our school, we actively strive to be anti-racist. We would like to invite parents and carers of our Black and Asian students to attend our Global Majority Parent Voice coffee morning at 10am on Thursday 4^th July at school.

We hope to welcome as many parents and carers as possible to this important event.

Year 8 football success

We are incredibly proud of one of our Year 8 students, Carson, who, just before half-term, captained the Newport Schools Football Team in the final of the Welsh Cup in North Wales. The game ended 1:1 with Carson scoring for Newport Schools and Newport then went on to win the game and the cup on penalties! A fantastic achievement for Carson and the team!

Free School Meals

If you are on a low income and meet the eligibility criteria you can make an application for Free School Meals which could entitle you to a School Essentials Grant payment plus additional funding for your school.

Applications can be made online via the Newport City Council website. Paper forms are also available upon request.

ELIGIBILITY – Pupils will be eligible for a Free School Meal and a School Essentials Grant if parents/carers are in receipt of one of the following benefits:

• Income Support or Income Based Jobseekers Allowance
• Income Related Employment and Support Allowance
• Child Tax Credit (annual income must be less than £16,190 for the household)
• Guaranteed Element of State Pension Credit
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Universal Credit, provided the household has an annualised net earned income of no more than £7,400.
• NOTE: if you are in receipt of Working Tax Credit, you will NOT be eligible to receive Free School Meals or a School Essentials Grant

I will be sending out a letter from the Local Authority about Free School Meal applications. If anyone needs any support with applying for Free School Meals please let us know.

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

Beauty and the Beast

Rehearsals are going really well and tickets are available to purchase from our Newport High School ticket shop by visiting the following link https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/newport-high-school or scanning the QR code below.

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

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

With kind regards

Mrs Lee

Attachments:

FSM Information for Parents Carers