Friday 4^th July 2025

 

Dear Parents and Carers

 

School Values and RISE

The themes of this week have been commitment and independence.

In order to be independent, students need to be reflective, resilient and purposeful.

Reflection is an important skill to develop because it allows us all to recognise our own strengths and weaknesses which then enables us to improve.

Self-assessment supports reflection by actively involving students in evaluating their performance. Through self-assessment, students develop a greater sense of responsibility and accountability for their progress. This in turn leads to greater motivation and a more positive growth mindset.

One of the many strategies that we use to help our students develop their ability to self-reflect is by using what we call DIRT time. DIRT is an acronym for Dedicated Improvement and Reflection Time. At Newport High School we use a range of approaches for feedback which support DIRT.

 

Transition

We were delighted to welcome our new Year 6 parents and carers into school for our Transition evening on Thursday. It was lovely to meet our new families. Today we have hosted all of our new Year 7 students for their final transition day. This follows a comprehensive range of transition activities that begins in Year 4 to support the important transition from primary to secondary school.

 

Shrek

Final rehearsals have been taking place this week and the set is now in place for our biggest and best production to date, Shrek the Musical! We are hoping that all three nights of the show sell out so as many members of our community as possible get to enjoy this wonderful spectacle. Staff and students have been working really hard to ensure everything is ready for the opening night on Monday 7^th July. Please support us by coming to see the show.

 

Mobile Phone – on site but out of sight

Mobile phones are only allowed on site if they are switched off and kept in a bag – on site but out of sight. We refer to this as a gate-to-gate ban. This means, from the moment a student walks into the school building, until they leave the building their mobile phone must switched off and in their bag. The vast majority of students work with us and keep their mobile phones off and away, however, we still have a small number of students who choose not to bring a bag to school and, whilst they are not using their phones, still move around the building holding them.

 

This is not allowed under the policy and we will continue to confiscate mobile phones that are seen.

 

We will be working with these students and asking for support from their families to ensure that all mobile phones can be on site but out of sight. We are reviewing the sanctions for mobile phone use for the small number of students who are receiving multiple logs for having their phones out.

 

Uniform

With the warmer weather we see an increase in the number of students choosing to wear shorts to school. Please note, students are not allowed to wear sports shorts.  Any student wearing sports shorts to school will be required to change into correct uniform.

Our uniform is extremely affordable and easy to get hold of. 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. Please note that in addition to sports shorts, track-suit bottoms and leggings are not part of our uniform.

Cardigans, jumpers and blazers are optional but students 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.

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 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.

All students must be in correct school uniform and have a coat and school bag.  We have a range of ‘pre-loved’ school uniform at school which is available for anyone who would like to access it. Please let us know if we can help with school uniform in anyway.

If you have any problems getting hold of school unform please let your child’s Form Tutor know in the first instance or email info@newporthigh.co.uk with “Uniform” in the title as we are happy to support with this.

As the weather gets warmer can you please ensure your child has a water bottle with them.

 

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

 

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 – 2024/2025

There is one INSET day left this year, Monday 21^st July 2025, when school will be closed. This time has been disaggregated and staff have completed two ‘twilight’ sessions over this term in lieu of this day.

We break up for the Summer holidays on Friday 18^th July 2025.

Inset days and term dates – 2025/2026

The agreed Inset days, when school will be closed for students for staff training next 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

 

With many thanks for your continued support.

Kind Regards

Mrs Lee