Friday 6^th February 2026

 

Dear Parents and Carers,

Values and Rise

The focus this week has been on integrity and being equipped. An essential part of integrity is honesty. Integrity is all about doing the right thing, even when it’s not the easiest option, and it helps our school feel safe, fair and welcoming for everyone. When students show integrity—by being truthful, taking responsibility and treating others kindly—they build strong friendships and earn the trust of those around them. As John Lennon once said, “Being honest may not get you a lot of friends, but it’ll always get you the right ones,” a reminder that honesty helps us build genuine relationships both in school and in the wider world.

 

Improving site security

To continue improving the safety and security of our school site, we will be introducing some changes to the main entrance after the half‑term break.

From Monday 23rd February, anyone needing to enter through the main reception will first need to use the new gated access before entering the glass atrium. Both the gated area and the atrium will be monitored by security cameras.

All visitors will also be required to use the buzzer at the gate so that our reception team can confirm their identity before allowing entry into the school.

These measures are being introduced to help ensure the safety of all students, staff and visitors.

Thank you for your cooperation and support as we implement these improvements.

If you have any questions, please contact the school office.

Parent Power

Parent Power is a charity that works with young people and their families to help reduce inequality. They recognise that in the UK today, graduates from the most competitive universities are more likely to access professional careers and have higher rates of life satisfaction. On average, they will also earn £10,000 more annually than their peers. But access to these life-changing opportunities is not equal. Parent Power, originally created by King’s College London and Citizens UK in 2017, exists to empower communities to tackle this inequality.

Parent Power isn’t only about students accessing university, they want to help all students achieve their potential whether that be university, apprenticeships or working. They are keen to work with students from Year 7 to ensure they have the right support to achieve their dreams.

At Newport High School we are going to be working really closely with Parent Power and want to encourage as many of our families to sign up to this amazing free resource. Please see below the introductory letter from Becky Burn who leads Parent Power in Newport – everyone is welcome.

Dear parents/carers,

 

You are very welcome to join Newport Parent Power.

Our families come from across Newport to learn more about their child's education, to meet likeminded families and to get access to amazing experts.

 

We are partnered with a charity called The Brilliant Club, The University of South Wales, Kings College London and Jesus College Oxford University. This means our families are lucky enough to be invited on free university trips. We have one in March and one in May this year. I’ll be sharing the invitation to the first trip soon to all families who’ve registered to Parent Power (this is the link: Parent Power Parent/Carer Data Collection and Survey (site.com)

 

• Everything is free: our meetings and the university trips
• Your children (of any age) are very welcome to come to the meetings
• Food and drinks are provided

 

Just to let you know, we don’t have a standard meeting again until June because of the university trips.

 

Please let me know if you have any questions. I work two days a week, but I’ll reply as soon as I can. We can have a chat through Parent Power if that would help so you can see how it might help you and your family.

Best wishes,

 

Becky Burn.

Community Organiser. parentpowernewport@thebrilliantclub.org

Reducing the impact of poverty on attainment

This year, we are placing a strong emphasis on removing financial barriers that may hold students back. To support families, we’ve created a dedicated Financial Support section on our school website, bringing all available guidance together in one easy‑to‑find place.

A key part of this work is making sure every student who is entitled to Free School Meals (FSM) is registered. Many families qualify without realising, and signing up can unlock far more than a daily meal. FSM eligibility can also include help with uniform, essential equipment, and other important learning resources—support that can make a real difference.

Free School Meals: Why it matters

We want all students to receive the support they are entitled to. Even if your child usually brings a packed lunch, submitting an FSM application can still benefit your family. The application is quick and straightforward, and full details can be found 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. We are always happy to offer confidential help with the application.

Registering for FSM also provides wider benefits for the whole school community. Each eligible application brings additional funding into the school, helping us offer extra academic support, wellbeing provision, and enrichment activities for all students.

If your family is eligible, we strongly encourage you to apply. Accessing this support helps your child, supports your household, and strengthens the opportunities available across our school.

All of this information—and more—can be found under the Financial Support tab on our website’s main menu.

Uniform and equipment

Thank you to all parents and carers who support our school’s uniform expectations. It’s great to see so many students arriving each day looking smart, confident, and ready to learn.

Our uniform is designed to be simple, affordable and easy to access. Students should wear:

• Plain black shoes or trainers with black socks
• White shirt and school tie
• A suitable‑length skirt, or tailored trousers/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, or purchase Newport High branded knitwear or sweatshirts. Pre‑loved uniform is also available for anyone who would find it helpful. If you’re experiencing difficulty sourcing uniform, please contact your child’s Form Tutor so we can support you.

Jewellery should be minimal—one pair of stud earrings, one ring, and a single nose stud (no hoops or bars). Headwear worn for religious reasons should be plain black, and hairstyles should be natural in colour and free from extreme styles.

To keep our school safe, certain items must not be brought on site, including aerosols, cigarettes or vapes, matches or lighters, sharp objects, glass bottles, chewing gum, fizzy or energy drinks, and any illegal or age‑restricted items.

Thank you for helping us maintain high standards and a safe, calm environment for every student.

Mobile Phone Policy Reminder - on site but out of sight

Limiting mobile phone use during the school day makes a noticeable difference to students’ focus and wellbeing. When phones are switched off and out of sight, pupils are less distracted, more engaged in lessons, and better able to take part in learning calmly and confidently. Schools also see wider benefits, including fewer social conflicts, reduced cyberbullying, and a much calmer atmosphere around the building.

Our expectations remain simple: from arrival to departure, all phones and devices (including AirPods and headphones) must be switched off and put away. If a phone is seen—whether it’s being used or not—it will be confiscated until the end of the day, with further steps taken if problems continue.

Thank you for helping us reinforce this at home so that we can maintain a focused, supportive environment where every student can thrive.

Start of the school day is 8.45am

Starting the day on time has a huge impact on how well students learn. Our school day begins promptly at 8:45am, with doors open from 8:40am, giving pupils the chance to settle in, check in with their Form Tutor, and receive important updates about events, routine changes, and key exam information. Form time and assemblies set students up for success, and missing them can mean missing essential guidance and support.

When students arrive every day, on time, they begin lessons calm, focused, and ready to learn. But when they arrive late—whether to school or to a lesson—they have already missed learning, and this creates a ripple effect. Not only do late arrivals disrupt the flow of teaching, but the teacher then has to spend valuable time helping them catch up. This takes attention away from other students and interrupts the learning environment for the whole class.

Please help us by encouraging your child to attend school daily and arrive on time. A consistent routine at home makes a real difference—not only to their confidence and progress, but to the learning experience of everyone around them.

Thank you for your continued support in helping all students get the best possible start to each day.

Working Together for Success

We know that strong partnerships between home and school make a real difference to students’ success. As we begin the new school year, we’re committed to working closely with parents and carers so every child enjoys the best possible experience at Newport High School.

Throughout the year, we’ll keep you updated on your child’s progress, upcoming events, and any important information you need to know. We also welcome open communication, and our staff are always happy to help. If you ever have a question or concern, please contact us directly at info@newporthigh.co.uk so we can support you quickly.

Social Media

If something worries you or you’d like to discuss an issue, please reach out to us rather than posting on social media. Speaking with us directly gives us the chance to understand the situation fully and work with you to find a solution.

We look forward to continuing a strong and supportive partnership throughout the year.

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