Friday 23^rd January 2026

 

Dear Parents and Carers,

Values and Rise

The focus this week has been on commitment and independence. Independence can cover a wide range of different things but at Newport High School, we define independence as being reflective, resilient and purposeful.

Helping students develop independence is a vital part of preparing them for success both in school and beyond. When young people learn to take ownership of their learning—planning their work, managing their time, and thinking for themselves—they not only perform better in exams but also build the habits needed for a successful career. Independent learners become more reflective about their progress, more resilient when facing challenges, and more purposeful in setting and achieving goals. By encouraging independence now, we are equipping students with the confidence and skills they need to thrive in secondary school, further education, and in the world of work.

Parking and road safety

We have been made aware of renewed concerns from local residents about parking near the school, particularly around the Foxglove Meadows and Heol Senni estates. Issues such as blocked access, cars on kerbs or yellow‑lined areas, and congestion that could hinder emergency vehicles have all been reported.

To help keep our community safe, please remember:

• Avoid parking in private estates such as Foxglove Meadows and Heol Senni
• Do not block driveways, kerbs, or access routes
• Refrain from parking on yellow lines or in ways that restrict traffic flow

We appreciate that parking close to school can be difficult, especially at busy times or during events, but it is vital that we work together to show consideration for our neighbours.

What you can do:
• Use permitted on‑street parking and park with care
• Walk where possible, or park a little further away and walk the final stretch
• For school events, consider alternative parking options

Thank you for your continued support in helping us maintain a safe, respectful, and positive relationship with our community.

 

Mobile Phone Policy Reminder -on site but out of sight

Removing mobile phones from the school day has a direct and measurable impact on students’ ability to concentrate and stay engaged in learning. National data shows that 53% of school leaders report mobile phones negatively affect students’ academic performance, attention and focus

When phones are kept switched off and out of sight, students experience far fewer interruptions—both from notifications and from the urge to check their devices.

Studies reviewing mobile phone bans also highlight that restricting access can improve classroom engagement and reduce off‑task behaviour. Without the constant distraction of social media, messaging and apps, students are more present in lessons and better able to process information.

School leaders also report wider benefits: 86% say that policies limiting phone use improve overall school climate, helping to reduce cyberbullying and social tensions that can distract students from learning even once they are back in class. A calmer social environment leads to calmer classrooms.

Together, this evidence shows that an “on‑site, out‑of‑sight” approach strengthens focus by removing a major source of distraction, improving mental clarity, and creating a learning environment where students can concentrate, communicate face‑to‑face, and engage fully with their education.

From the moment students enter the building until they leave, phones must remain switched off and stored in their bags. This also applies to AirPods, headphones, and similar devices. If a student is seen with a phone out—whether in use or not—it will be confiscated and returned at the end of the day. Repeated incidents will result in further action and an alternative arrangement being put in place.

Please support these important messages with your child so we can ensure all of our students make the most possible progress.

 

Start of the school day is 8.45am

The school doors open every day at 8.40am ready for the start of the school day at 8:45 am. We start every day with either form time or an assembly. This is a vital start to the school day during which important information is shared, such as details of events, changes to school systems and information about exams. Form Tutors should always be a first point of contact for students if they have any queries. I would like all our parents and carers to help support a punctual start to the day by reinforcing the importance of being at school every day, on time and ready to learn.

 

Equipment

Just a reminder that we are running our stationery shop – the Stationery Stop – every day from behind Hafen.

 

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 a new section on our website under the main menu called Financial Support.

It is important that anyone entitled to access Free School Meals, benefits from this financial support. This can also include access to uniform and equipment grants.

We are trying to develop the support section on our website to include all relevant information about poverty in one place. This section can be found on the main menu of the website under Financial Support.

 

Free School Meals

We want to make sure every child receives the support they are entitled to. Many families in our community may qualify for Free School Meals (FSM) but have not yet applied. Even if your child prefers bringing a packed lunch, registering for FSM can still give your family access to significant financial support, including help with essential school costs such as school uniform, equipment and learning resources.

Checking your eligibility is quick and simple, and you can do so here:
www.newport.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/school-meals/free-school-meals

If you think you may qualify but are unsure about the process, please get in touch with us. We are more than happy to offer confidential support with completing the application.

Applying for FSM doesn’t just benefit your family—it also directly supports our school. A portion of our funding is based on how many eligible families are registered. This funding helps us provide additional learning opportunities, pastoral support and resources that benefit all students.

If you are eligible, please take a moment to apply. Accessing this support makes a real difference—to your child, your family and our wider school community.

 

Uniform and equipment

Thank you to the many parents and carers who continue to support our school uniform expectations. We are proud that the vast majority of students arrive each day looking smart and ready to learn.

Our uniform is designed to be simple, affordable, and accessible. It includes:

• Plain black shoes or trainers and black socks
• A white shirt and school tie
• Skirts of appropriate length and tailored trousers or shorts
  Please note: sports shorts, leggings, and similar items are not permitted.

Cardigans, jumpers, and blazers are optional. Families may choose a plain black V-neck jumper or cardigan without a logo, or purchase Newport High branded knitwear or sweatshirts.

We also offer a selection of pre-loved uniform items for anyone who would like to access them. If you experience any difficulty obtaining uniform, please contact your child’s Form Tutor.

Jewellery should be minimal—one pair of small stud earrings and one ring. A single nose stud is allowed (not hoops or sleepers). Headwear worn for religious reasons should be plain black. Extreme hairstyles are not acceptable, and hair should be of a natural colour.

Finally, for safety reasons, certain items must never be brought to school. These include aerosol sprays (including deodorants), cigarettes or e-cigarettes, matches, lighters, sharp objects, glass bottles, chewing gum, and fizzy or energy drinks. This also applies to any illegal or age-inappropriate items.

Thank you for working with us to maintain high standards and a safe environment for all.

 

 

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.

Headteacher Parental Forums

A huge thank you to all parents and carers who have already taken part in our Parental Forums—your voices genuinely make a difference. Working in partnership with families is one of the most powerful ways we can improve our school, and your insight helps shape the decisions we make every day. Hearing directly from parents and carers enables me to reflect on our work, celebrate what is going well, and identify where we can do better.

To strengthen this partnership, we are continuing to offer both our online and in‑person Parental Forums. These sessions are a chance to meet with me, share your thoughts, and discuss wider school priorities—not individual student matters, but the bigger issues that influence the experience of all our young people.

We hope that by offering two formats—an online meeting later in the afternoon and an in‑person session at school—we can make it as easy as possible for more families to attend. The more voices we hear, the stronger our school community becomes. Your perspective matters, and we would love you to join the conversation.

On-line Parental Forums

These take place via Teams at 5pm on a Thursday on these dates;

1. 19^th March 2026
2. 23^rd April 2026
3. 18^th June 2026

 

In-person Parental Forum

These take place in school at 10am on a Friday on these dates;

1. 20^th March 2026
2. 15^th May 2026
3. 19^th June 2026

 

Places at both forums are limited and if a session is full, we will endeavour to allocate you a space at the next meeting.

If you would like to attend the next on-line or in-person forum taking place in-person in March please email info@newporthigh.co.uk with parental forum in the title and the date of the forum, making it clear if you wish to attend the on-line or in -person session.

I look forward to getting to know more of our families through these important events.

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

• Monday 2^nd March 2026
• Friday 26^th June 2026
• Monday 29^th June 2026
• Monday 20^th July 2026

Spring Term

• 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 February half-term on Friday 13^th February and students will return to school on Monday 23^rd February 2026.

Monday 2^nd March is an INSET day when school will be closed to students for staff training.

 

I would like to thank you all for your continued support.

With kind regards

Mrs Lee