Friday 20th March 2026
Dear Parents and Carers,
Values and Rise
The focus this week has been on equality and respect. Punctuality, arriving at school and lessons on time, is an excellent way to demonstrate a commitment to both these values. When everyone arrives on time, every student gets an equal, disruption‑free start to the lesson. The start of the lesson is often when students will be engaged in retrieval practice and when key explanations of the learning for that lesson will take place. If students miss this part of the lesson, they are missing this essential section of learning and are putting themselves at a disadvantage compared to their peers. Research consistently shows that lateness and lower attendance are linked with weaker outcomes—recent analysis from the Department for Education found a strong, graded relationship between higher attendance and higher attainment at both KS3 and KS4, even after controlling for prior attainment and pupil characteristics. In classrooms, late arrivals interrupt teaching, reduce instructional time for everyone, and often require re‑teaching. By being punctual to school and to lessons, students show respect for their peers’ learning time and for the preparation teachers have invested, helping to create a fair, focused environment where all students can achieve.
Arriving on time each morning is one of the most powerful habits a student can build. 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. 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.
Punctuality and attendance to lessons will be our focus for the Summer Term and we are reviewing our sanctions and rewards to support this.
Embrace – local support in Bettws
Embrace is a supportive programme for a small group of parents in Bettws, designed to help you understand mental health, build confidence, and strengthen connections within the community.
Across the sessions, parents explore:
Embrace is all about creating a safe, welcoming space where you can learn, share, and support each other.
Parents who have attended before said:
The sessions will be held fortnightly on Monday afternoons from 1:45-2:15pm in Bettws Social Club.
Dates will be March 16th, April 13th& 27th, May 11th, June 1st, 15th & 29th , July 13th
Please only take a space if you are able to make all of the sessions.
To reserve a spot, please can you email rhianpitt@platfform.org or text 07970537745
There are a maximum of 10 spaces.
If you have any questions or concerns about accessing the sessions, please reach out.
Are You Missing Out on Support You’re Entitled To?
This year, we are focusing on ensuring that every family in our school community is aware of—and able to access—the financial support available to them. Many parents are surprised to learn that they qualify for Free School Meals (FSM), and even more are unaware of the significant additional benefits that come simply from registering.
To support families, we’ve created a dedicated Financial Support area on our school website. This new section brings all the key guidance together in one clear, easy‑to‑use place.
Why Registering Matters—Even If Your Child Brings a Packed Lunch
Signing up for FSM does far more than provide a daily meal. For eligible families, it can open the door to a range of helpful support, including:
Even if your child doesn’t eat school meals, submitting an application still ensures your family can access these important benefits—and it directly strengthens the support we can offer across the school.
Unsure Whether You Qualify?
Applying is quick, confidential, and handled securely by Newport City Council. Full details and the online application form are available at: www.newport.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/school-meals/free-school-meals
If you’re uncertain about your eligibility, please contact us. We are always happy to provide discreet guidance and support.
Your Application Makes a Real Difference
Registering for FSM can reduce financial pressure at home, broaden opportunities for your child, and bring essential funding into our school community. If you think your family might be eligible, we strongly encourage you to apply.
You can find the full information and guidance in the Financial Support section of our school website’s main menu.
Uniform and Equipment: Helping every student to start the day ready to learn
Thank you to all parents and carers for continuing to support our school’s uniform expectations. Your partnership helps ensure students arrive each morning looking smart, feeling prepared, and ready to focus—something that truly strengthens their confidence and approach to learning.
Our uniform is intended to be simple, affordable, and easy for families to maintain. Each day, students should come to school wearing:
Students may choose to add a plain black V‑neck jumper or cardigan, or wear the Newport High branded knitwear or sweatshirt if they prefer. We also have a selection of pre‑loved uniform available for any family who would find this helpful—just speak to us, and we’ll be glad to assist. If you are having any difficulty obtaining items, the best first step is to contact your child’s Form Tutor so that we can offer support.
To help maintain a safe, calm learning environment, only limited jewellery is allowed:
Headwear worn for religious purposes should be plain black. Hairstyles should be in natural colours and free from extreme or unconventional designs.
We also ask students not to bring items that may cause disruption or pose a risk. This includes aerosols, cigarettes or vapes, lighters or matches, sharp objects, glass bottles, chewing gum, fizzy or energy drinks, and any items that are illegal or age‑restricted.
Thank you once again for helping us uphold high standards at Newport High. When we work together on the fundamentals—uniform, equipment, and readiness for learning—we create a purposeful, positive environment where all students can flourish.
On site, out of sight
Over recent months, we’ve seen just how powerful a phone‑free school day can be. Without the constant pull of screens, messages, and social media, students are showing greater concentration, stronger engagement in lessons, and a noticeably calmer approach to their day. Class discussions are livelier, relationships are more positive, and many pupils report feeling less stressed when they are not trying to juggle online notifications alongside their learning.
Limiting device use also creates a safer social environment. When phones stay away, so do many of the issues that stem from them—online fallouts, group chats that spiral, and digital conflicts that follow students into school. By reducing opportunities for these pressures, we protect learning time and promote healthier interactions.
Our Expectations: Simple, Clear, and Consistent
To preserve this positive atmosphere, our expectations remain easy to follow:
These guidelines help ensure that classrooms stay focused and that social areas remain calm, respectful spaces for everyone.
Working Together for a Distraction‑Free Environment
Thank you for your continued support in helping your child understand and follow our expectations. When families and school staff reinforce the same message, students benefit from a consistent, supportive framework. Together, we can maintain a school environment where every young person can concentrate fully, enjoy their day, and feel confident in their learning.
Mobile Phone Policy Reminder - on site, out of sight
Careers Wales
Please see below communication from Careers Wales that we have been asked to share with our parents and carers. This includes links to their newsletter.
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;
In-person Parental Forum
These take place in school at 10am on a Friday on these dates;
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:
Spring Term
Summer Term
I would like to thank you all for your continued support.
With kind regards
Mrs Lee