Friday 13^th March 2026

 

Dear Parents and Carers,

 

Values and Rise

The focus this week has been on commitment and being equipped. Ensuring students come to school properly equipped is essential for their learning and confidence. Having the right basic materials, such as pens, pencils, and a school bag, helps students settle quickly into lessons and fully engage with their work. When students are ready to learn, they lose less time, feel more prepared, and make better progress.

Parents and carers can support this by helping children check their bags the night before and replacing essentials when needed.

As part of our whole‑school priority of reducing the impact of poverty on attainment, we are committed to ensuring that no student is held back because of a lack of equipment. If students need help accessing items, they should speak to their Form Tutor or Pastoral Support Officer in the first instance. If accessing items is ever difficult for families, please reach out—support is always available.

 

Culture Day

One of my proudest moments since becoming the Headteacher at Newport High School was last Friday when we held our Culture Day and the Eisteddfod for Year 7. It was wonderful to see so many of our students’ wearing clothes that represent their culture and heritage. I was particularly proud of our Sixth Form students who, alongside staff, supported our Year 7 Eisteddfod.

A huge thank you to all the staff and students who supported this wonderful day.

 

Brand new reading room at Newport High School

Thanks to the generous donations of Newport Old Boys Association, we are in the process of developing a new Reading Room in school. The room is still in the process of being finished and we hope to be able to start using the room in the Summer Term. The walls serve both as a lasting reminder of the old school and embrace our current school values, placing the importance of reading at the heart of the room. The door includes a poem written by a previous student from the original Newport High School in 1969 and the old school motto of:  “nothing is good where better is possible”.

 

Final Reminder: Please Give Consent for Our New Biometric Catering System by 16th March

We are making an important upgrade to improve the lunchtime experience for every student. Like many other secondary schools across Newport, we are moving to a faster, more efficient biometric cashless catering system. Our current PIN‑based tills often slow down queues—PINs can be forgotten or mistyped—while the new fingerprint system allows students to move through the canteen quickly and smoothly.

This upgrade will help reduce waiting times, make transactions more secure, and ensure students get the most from their break. To put this system in place, we now need final consent from parents and carers.

If you have not yet done so, 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 extremely grateful if all forms could be completed by Monday 16th March 2026 so that we can begin the transition on schedule.

Thank you for your support in helping us improve systems that benefit every student.

 

Are You Missing Out on Support You’re Entitled To?

This year, one of our key priorities is making sure every family in our school community can access the financial support available to them. Many parents are surprised to discover they are eligible for Free School Meals (FSM)—and even more surprised by the wide range of additional benefits that come with simply registering.

To make things easier, we have launched a new Financial Support section on our school website, bringing all the key information together in one clear, easy‑to‑navigate place.

 

Why It’s Worth Registering—Even If Your Child Doesn’t Eat School Meals

Registering for FSM does much more than provide a meal each day. For eligible families, it can unlock valuable support such as:

• Help with school uniform and essential learning items
• Additional school funding that allows us to provide targeted academic, wellbeing, and enrichment opportunities
• Access to wider programmes that enhance your child’s learning experience

Even if your child prefers packed lunches, completing the application still ensures these benefits are available—and it directly supports the whole school.

 

Not Sure If You Qualify? We’re Here to Help.

The application is quick, confidential, and processed 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’re unsure about your eligibility, please get in touch. Our staff are always happy to offer confidential assistance.

 

Your Application Truly Makes a Difference

Registering for FSM can ease pressure at home, open new opportunities for your child, and bring vital funding into our school community. If there is any chance your family may qualify, we strongly encourage you to apply.

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

 

Punctuality: A Small Change That Makes a Big Difference

Arriving on time each morning is one of the most powerful habits a student can build—and one of the strongest predictors of success in school and beyond. From 8:40am, our doors open to welcome students into a calm, supportive start to the day. By 8:45am, learning begins. Those few minutes of settling in, checking in with their Form Tutor, and preparing for the day are not optional extras—they are the foundation for confident, focused learning.

Form time and assemblies play a vital role in your child’s school experience. They provide key announcements, pastoral guidance, organisation time, literacy activities, and essential academic support. Missing this time leaves students on the back foot: rushed, unsettled, and more likely to struggle with the pace of lessons later in the morning. Even being a few minutes late can interrupt the routines that help students feel safe, ready, and able to learn.

Clear research and our own school data show that strong punctuality is linked to higher attainment, improved wellbeing, and greater independence. On the other hand, regular lateness—just like frequent absence—creates small gaps that quickly build up, making it harder for students to stay confident and connected.

As we move into the Summer Term, punctuality will be one of our whole‑school priorities. We are committed to supporting every student to begin each lesson calmly, on time, and ready to achieve their best.

By establishing a consistent morning routine at home—organising equipment the night before, encouraging an early bedtime, and planning for the journey to school—you are helping your child develop lifelong skills: reliability, resilience, and responsibility.

Thank you for your continued support. Together, we can ensure every student arrives ready to learn, participate, and thrive.

 

Uniform and Equipment: Helping every student to start the day ready to learn

Thank you to all parents and carers for your ongoing support with our uniform expectations. Your efforts ensure that students arrive each day looking smart, prepared, and ready to learn—and this consistency makes a real difference to their confidence and focus.

Our uniform is designed to be straightforward, affordable, and easy to manage. Students should come to school wearing:

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

Cardigans, jumpers, and blazers are optional. Students may wear a plain black V‑neck jumper or cardigan or choose Newport High branded knitwear or sweatshirts. We also offer pre‑loved uniform for any family who would benefit—just let us know, and we will be happy to help. If you are finding it difficult to source any items, your child’s Form Tutor is the best first contact so we can put support in place.

To keep everyone safe and maintain a calm environment, only minimal jewellery is allowed:

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

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

We also ask that students do not bring items that could cause disruption or risk to others. This includes 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 supporting high standards at Newport High. When we work together on the basics—uniform, equipment, and readiness for learning—we create a calm, focused environment where every student can thrive.

 

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

 

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