Friday 6^th March 2026

 

Dear Parents and Carers,

Values and Rise

The focus this week has been on integrity and being safe. At Newport High School, we place great importance on these two key elements of our vision and RISE approach.  These values guide how we learn, how we treat one another, and how we maintain an environment where every young person can thrive.

Integrity means doing the right thing even when no one is watching—showing honesty, taking responsibility, and respecting the spaces and people around us. Safety means making choices that protect ourselves and others, not only physically but also emotionally and socially.

When students take care of their environment, they strengthen both integrity and safety. Classrooms remain welcoming, resources stay available for learning, and everyone can feel proud of the place where they belong each day.

Unfortunately, we do have a small number of students who cause damage to school property. These students create unnecessary additional costs for the school which, in the current financial climate, we struggle to meet. We kindly ask for your support in reinforcing these values at home. Please remind your child about the importance of respecting school property and contributing to a safe, positive community. As part of our responsibility to maintain a high‑quality learning environment, the school will charge parents and carers for the cost of repairing any damage caused deliberately or through careless behaviour.

Together, by promoting integrity and safety, we can ensure that school remains a secure and respectful space for all students.

 

Literacy success at Newport High School

In December 2025, several of our Year 9 students entered an external writing competition run by Young Writers. For the competition, called 'Stranger Sagas', students had to write an imaginative and captivating 100-word short story. We recently heard back from Young Writers that they wish to publish seven of our students in their new book, which will be a collection of successful entries from across the UK. We are immensely proud of these students and look forward to receiving the book and displaying it in our school library. 

A huge well done to Anton, Alin, Ethan, Carys, Jensen, Matthew and Roberta.

 

Introducing Our New Biometric Catering System

To improve the dining experience for all students, we are joining other secondary schools across Newport in upgrading our cashless catering system. While PIN pad tills have served us well, they can slow queues and are easily forgotten or mis‑entered. Our new fingerprint‑based biometric system offers a faster, smoother and more secure way for students to access the canteen.

By using a fingerprint instead of a card or PIN, students can move through the tills more quickly, reducing waiting times and ensuring everyone gets the most out of their break. This system also provides a highly reliable and compliant method of identification, helping us manage payments safely and efficiently.

To make this transition successful, we kindly ask for your support by giving consent for your child to take part. Please complete the opt‑in form using the Microsoft link below:

Cashless Catering - Biometrics – Fill in form

Consent can also be provided directly through the Class Charts app.
We would be very grateful if all forms could be completed by Monday 16th March 2026.

Thank you for helping us continue to improve our school systems for the benefit of every student.

 

Could Your Family Be Missing Out on Extra Support?

This year, we are focusing on making sure every family in our community can access the support they are entitled to. Many parents are surprised to learn that they qualify for Free School Meals (FSM)—and even more surprised by how many additional benefits come with registering.

To help families find the support available, we have created a new Financial Support section on our school website. It brings together everything you might need to know in one easy, accessible place.

 

Why Registering Matters—Even If Your Child Does Not Eat School Lunches

Signing up for FSM offers far more than a daily meal.
If you are eligible, registering could give your child access to:

• Support with school uniform and essential learning items
• Extra funding that helps the school offer targeted academic support and wellbeing programmes
• Wider opportunities that enrich your child’s learning experience

Even if your child prefers packed lunches, completing an application still unlocks these benefits—and it helps us secure additional funding that directly supports students across the school.

 

Not Sure If You Qualify? Let Us Help.

The application process is quick, confidential, and handled by Newport City Council. Full details and the online form can be found at:

www.newport.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/school-meals/free-school-meals

If you think you might be eligible but aren’t certain, please reach out. Our staff are always happy to offer confidential guidance and help you get started.

Your Application Makes a Real Difference

Registering for FSM can ease pressure on household finances, open up new opportunities for your child, and bring valuable resources into our school community.
If there is any chance your family could qualify, we strongly encourage you to apply.

You can find more information and advice under Financial Support in the main menu on our school website.

Uniform and Equipment: Supporting Students to Be Ready for Learning

We would like to thank all parents and carers for the continued commitment shown to our uniform expectations. Each day, students arrive looking smart, organised, and ready to make the most of their learning—your support plays a huge part in this positive start.

Our uniform policy is designed to be simple, affordable, and easy for families to manage. Students should arrive in:

• Plain black shoes or trainers with black socks
• A white shirt and school tie
• An appropriate-length skirt or tailored trousers/shorts
  (Please note: sports shorts, leggings, and similar items are not permitted.)

Cardigans, jumpers, and blazers remain optional. Students may wear a plain black V‑neck jumper or cardigan, or choose Newport High branded knitwear or sweatshirts. We also have pre‑loved uniform available for any family who would find it helpful—please just contact us and we’ll be happy to assist. If sourcing uniform is proving difficult for any reason, your child’s Form Tutor is a good first point of contact so we can provide support.

Jewellery should be kept to a minimum:

• one pair of stud earrings
• one ring
• one small nose stud (no bars or hoops)

Headwear worn for religious reasons should be plain black. Hair should be a natural colour and free from extreme or unconventional styles.

To ensure our school remains safe and calm, certain items must not be brought onto the site. These include aerosols, cigarettes or vapes, matches or lighters, sharp objects, glass bottles, chewing gum, fizzy or energy drinks, and any illegal or age‑restricted products.

Thank you once again for helping us maintain high standards. By working together, we create a safe, focused environment where every student can learn confidently and successfully.

 

On site, out of sight

We continue to see the clear benefits of limiting mobile phone use during the school day. When students are free from constant notifications and distractions, they are more focused in lessons, more involved in classroom discussions, and generally happier and calmer throughout the day. Reduced device use also helps prevent social pressures, online disagreements, and incidents of cyberbullying that can easily spill into school life.

To keep our learning environment purposeful and safe, our expectations remain straightforward:
All mobile phones and electronic devices—AirPods, headphones and similar items—must be switched off and kept out of sight from the moment students arrive until they leave at the end of the day.

If a device is seen at any point, it will be collected and returned after school. Repeated issues may lead to further action in line with our behaviour procedures.

Thank you for your continued support in reinforcing these expectations at home. By working together, we can maintain a calm, focused atmosphere where every student is able to learn confidently and without distraction.

Mobile Phone Policy Reminder - on site but out of sight

 

Punctuality and the start of the school day

Arriving on time each morning is one of the simplest and most effective ways for students to set themselves up for a successful day. Our school day begins at 8:45am, with doors opening from 8:40am, giving students time to get settled, connect with their form tutor, and prepare for learning. These few minutes help establish the calm, focused mindset that shapes the rest of the day.

Form time and assemblies aren’t just routine—they provide essential information, pastoral support, academic interventions and opportunities for students to organise themselves before lessons begin. Missing this time can leave students feeling rushed or unprepared, and even short delays can interrupt the smooth start that supports strong learning habits.

Consistent punctuality is closely linked to higher achievement, better wellbeing, and stronger confidence. When students arrive on time, they avoid missing key explanations and reduce the chances of falling behind. Over time, regular lateness can create gaps in knowledge that are difficult to bridge.

By helping your child build a steady morning routine at home, you are supporting them to develop skills that last long beyond their school years—responsibility, independence, and resilience.

Thank you for your continued support in ensuring every student begins the day ready to learn, ready to participate, and ready to thrive.

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 will 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:

• Friday 26^th June 2026
• Monday 29^th June 2026
• Monday 20^th July 2026

Spring Term

• Ends Friday 27^th March 2027

Summer Term

• Starts 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.

 

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

With kind regards

Mrs Lee