Friday 30^th January 2026

 

Dear Parents and Carers,

Values and Rise

The focus this week has been on equality and being safe. Part of being safe is being able to look after yourself both physically and mentally.

We want all our students to be responsible, sensible and considerate.  This will help them to look after themselves effectively – to make good choices and to consider others when making those choices.

It is well known that there are lots of things we can all do in order to safeguard our mental health. Our mental health, just like our physical health, requires us to be proactive and deliberate in developing good habits. The MIND website has lots of helpful information about how to protect and nurture your wellbeing on their website – www.mind.org.uk.

At Newport High School we actively promote the Gwent Five Ways to Wellbeing which encourage us all to:

• Connect
• Be active
• Take notice
• Keep learning
• Give

We hope all our students will follow this simple approach to supporting wellbeing. The healthier we are both physically and mentally, the better placed we will be to manage the range of challenges that life throws at us.

 

New fun footy club comes to Bettws

The Fun Footy Club is offering a free trial for new players! The club is focused on inclusivity and fun for children aged 4-11 -this includes Year 7 students from Newport High School. Sessions take place every Sunday at the Active Living Centre.  

If you are interested, please get in touch with Fun Footy directly:

• Email: funfootyclub@gmail.com
• Insta: funfootyclub 

 

Teaching and Learning update

Teaching and Learning remains at the core of everything we do as a school. In order to help students, remember our Teaching and Learning strategy we have developed the following infographic which has been shared with students this week.

LEARN sets out our expectations for all students to support them make the very best progress in the classroom. It will help our students develop a shared understanding of learning behaviours and expectations and reinforce consistency in the classroom.

Listen, engage, apply, reflect and next steps= LEARN

 

Parking and road safety

We have received further feedback from nearby residents about parking around the school, particularly in and around the Foxglove Meadows and Heol Senni estates. Reports include blocked access points, cars parked on kerbs or in yellow‑lined areas, and congestion that could prevent emergency vehicles from getting through.

To help keep everyone safe, please keep the following in mind:
• Avoid parking within private estates such as Foxglove Meadows and Heol Senni
• Make sure driveways, kerbs, and access routes remain clear
• Do not park on yellow lines or in ways that restrict traffic flow

We understand that finding parking close to school can be challenging, especially during busy pick‑up times or at school events. However, showing consideration for our neighbours is essential and helps us maintain a positive relationship with our community.

How you can help:
• Use permitted on‑street parking and park thoughtfully
• Walk where you can, or park a little farther away and complete the last part on foot
• For school events, explore alternative parking options where possible

Thank you for your continued cooperation in helping us keep our community safe, respectful, and welcoming for everyone.

 

Mobile Phone Policy Reminder - on site but out of sight

Forbidding mobile phone use during the school day has a clear, positive effect on students’ ability to focus. Schools across the country report that phones often disrupt learning, while keeping them switched off removes constant alerts and the temptation to check messages.

Research also shows that when phones are out of sight, students engage more in lessons and spend far less time off task. Without the pull of social media or apps, they are more present and better able to absorb information.

Schools also see broader improvements: reduced cyberbullying, fewer social conflicts, and a calmer atmosphere overall—both in corridors and classrooms.

For these reasons, our approach is simple: from arrival to departure, phones and devices (including AirPods and headphones) must be switched off and stored away. If a phone is seen at any point—whether being used or not—it will be confiscated until the end of the day. Continued issues will lead to further steps.

Please help reinforce this message with your child so we can maintain a focused, supportive environment where every student can thrive.

 

Start of the school day is 8.45am

Our school day begins promptly at 8:45am, with doors opening from 8:40am so students can arrive, settle, and be ready for learning. Each morning starts with form time or an assembly, both of which are essential for sharing key updates—such as upcoming events, changes to routines, and important exam information. Form Tutors also remain the first point of contact for any questions or support students may need.

Please help us promote a smooth start to the day by encouraging your child to arrive on time, every day.
Arriving late means missing valuable information and disrupts both learning and the start-of-day routine, so punctuality is vital.

Thank you for your continued support in helping students begin each day prepared and ready to learn.

 

 

Reducing the impact of poverty on attainment

This year, our whole‑school focus is centred on breaking down financial barriers that can affect students’ progress. To support this, we’ve introduced a new Financial Support area on our school website, designed to bring together all the information families may need in one accessible place.

A major part of this support is ensuring that every eligible student is registered for Free School Meals (FSM). Many families qualify without realising it, and registering can open the door to far more than meals alone. FSM eligibility often includes help with school uniform, equipment and essential learning resources—support that can make a meaningful difference.

Free School Meals: Why it matters

We want every child to receive their full entitlement. Even if your child prefers to bring a packed lunch, submitting an FSM application can still benefit your family. It’s a simple process, and full details can be found here:
www.newport.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/school-meals/free-school-meals

If you think you might be eligible but are unsure how to apply, please contact us. We’re always happy to offer confidential assistance with the application process.

Registering for FSM also strengthens our school community as a whole. Schools receive additional funding for every eligible student who is registered, and this helps us provide extra academic support, wellbeing provision, and enrichment opportunities for all learners.

If your family qualifies, we strongly encourage you to apply. Accessing this support has a positive impact on your child, your household, and the wider school community.

You can find all of this information—and more—under the Financial Support tab on our website’s main menu.

 

Uniform and equipment

Thank you to all parents and carers who consistently support our school’s uniform expectations. We are delighted that so many of our students arrive each morning looking smart, prepared, and ready to learn.

Our uniform has been designed to remain simple, affordable, and easy to access. The required items are:
• Plain black shoes or trainers with black socks
• A white shirt and school tie
• An appropriately‑length skirt, or tailored trousers or shorts
Please remember that sports shorts, leggings, and similar clothing are not allowed.

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 have a range of pre‑loved uniform available for anyone who would like to make use of it. If you are experiencing any difficulty obtaining uniform, please contact your child’s Form Tutor so we can offer support.

Jewellery should be kept simple: one pair of small stud earrings and one ring. A single nose stud is acceptable—no hoops or bars. Headwear worn for religious reasons should be plain black. Hairstyles should be natural in colour and free from extreme styling.

For safety reasons, certain items must not be brought into 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‑restricted items. Thank you for helping us uphold high standards and ensuring a safe, calm environment for every student.

Equipment

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

 

 

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

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.

 

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 students 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