Friday 17^th April 2026

 

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope everyone had a lovely Easter break.

 As we start the final term of this academic year, formal examinations are fast approaching for students in KS4 and KS5.

Public exams

I hope all students are revising effectively at home to support the teaching we are doing in school.  For students in KS4, lessons continue throughout the examination period and it is essential that students attend every day to maximise the support they can access from school.

Please note, in line with all other Newport schools, there is no study leave for students in KS4.  All students in Year 11 will need to continue to attend school every day until they have sat their last exam and completed all coursework.

It is vital that students continue to attend their normal lessons even if they have sat the exam for that subject. If they have sat the exam for a timetabled lesson, they will need to bring revision materials with them to continue revising for their remaining exams. The evidence is overwhelming that students who continue to attend lessons until their final examination is completed do much better in their final exams.

The Power UP website has a range of useful revision guides and materials which can be accessed by following this link - Power Up

If any students need additional support with any of their subjects, please encourage them to speak to their class teacher who is best placed to support and guide them.

Most students will feel nervous which is a perfectly normal response to important and challenging situations and the way our bodies help to ensure that we perform at our best. Nerves trigger the brain to release the right chemicals to help us perform. Nerves are helpful in helping us to focus and work through challenges.

A-Level Results Day is Thursday 13^th August and GCSE Results Day is Thursday 20^th August. Further details about results days will be shared later on in the Summer Term. 

Full soccer scholarship for Newport High Student to study in America.

We are incredibly proud to celebrate Joel, one of our Year 13 student’s achievements as he prepares to embark on an exciting new chapter in the United States this summer. Joel has earned a four‑year student‑athlete scholarship at King University, where he will study for a degree in Business while representing the university’s football team.

Located in Bristol, Tennessee, King University sits in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains on a 135‑acre hilltop campus just a few miles from the centre of Bristol. The university is a private institution with a long history, founded in 1867 and proudly based in Bristol ever since.

Alongside his academic commitments, Joel will take part in a demanding football programme involving structured daily training, regular competitive fixtures, and travel for away games — including flights to compete against universities in other states. It’s a tremendous opportunity that will not only develop Joel’s athletic ability but also provide invaluable life experience.

We are extremely proud of Joel’s dedication, drive, and achievements so far, and we look forward to following his journey as he takes this exciting next step.

 

Values and Rise

This week we have been focusing on commitment, safety, and punctuality. Arriving at school and to lessons on time helps every child make a calm, focused start and ensures they do not miss the essential first moments of learning. A prompt start to the day is key. Our doors open at 8:40am, with learning beginning at 8:45am. Being on time helps students feel settled, prepared, and ready to learn.

 

To strengthen our approach to lesson attendance, we have upgraded the sanction for truancy to a MAJOR SAFE event under our Behaviour for Learning Policy. This means that any student who refuses to attend a lesson, or is found truanting more than once in a day, will be taken to Return to Learn, following our Major Safe procedures.

Are you missing out on financial support?

We want to make sure every family can access the financial help they are entitled to. Many parents don’t realise they qualify for Free School Meals (FSM)—or that registering brings extra benefits, even if their child never eats a school meal.

To make things easier, we’ve created a new Financial Support section on our school website, where you can quickly check what help is available and how to apply.

 

Why register?

Signing up for FSM can give your family access to:

• Help with uniform and essential equipment
• Extra funding for the school, supporting academic and wellbeing programmes
• Wider learning and enrichment opportunities for your child

Even if your child brings a packed lunch, registering ensures you don’t miss out on support.

 

Not sure if you are eligible?

Applying is quick, confidential, and handled by Newport City Council.
You can apply online here: www.newport.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/school-meals/free-school-meals or by scanning this QR code.  

If you’re unsure or need advice, please contact us—we’re always happy to help.

Your application makes a difference

By applying, you could:

• Reduce financial pressure at home
• Create extra opportunities for your child
• Bring valuable funding into our school community

Full details are available in the Financial Support section of our website.

 

Uniform & Equipment: Ready to Learn

Thank you for supporting our uniform expectations. A consistent, smart uniform helps students start the day focused and confident.

 

Warm weather

As the weather gets warmer can you please ensure your child has a water bottle with them.

With the warmer weather we see an increase in the number of students choosing to wear shorts to school. Please note, students are not allowed to wear sports shorts. Any student wearing sports shorts to school will be required to change into correct uniform.

Our uniform is extremely affordable and easy to get hold of. It consists of plain black shoes/trainers, black socks, white shirt and the school tie. Skirts must be of appropriate length and trousers or shorts should be tailored fit. Please note that in addition to sports shorts, track-suit bottoms and leggings are not part of our uniform.

Cardigans, jumpers and blazers are optional but students may choose to wear a plain black knitted V neck jumper or cardigan without the logo, or purchase the Newport High branded jumper, sweatshirt or cardigan.

Jewellery is limited to one pair of small stud earrings and one ring. Students are allowed to wear a nose stud but please note that this has to be a stud and not a sleeper or any other style. Any headwear, worn for religious reasons, should be of a plain black material. Extreme hairstyles are not acceptable and hair should be of a natural colour.

All students must be in correct school uniform and have a coat and school bag.  We have a range of ‘pre-loved’ school uniform at school which is available for anyone who would like to access it. Please let us know if we can help with school uniform in anyway.

If you have any problems getting hold of school unform please let your child’s Form Tutor know in the first instance or email info@newporthigh.co.uk with “Uniform” in the title as we are happy to support with this.

To keep school safe, students must not bring aerosols, vapes, cigarettes, lighters/matches, sharp objects, glass bottles, chewing gum, or fizzy/energy drinks.

Thank you for working with us to maintain high standards. By getting the basics right—uniform, equipment, and readiness to learn—we help every child thrive.

 

On site, out of sight

To keep our school calm and focused, we have a straightforward approach to mobile phones and electronic devices:

• All phones and personal devices (including headphones and Air Pods) must be switched off and out of sight from arrival until the end of the day.
• If a device is seen or heard, it will be collected and returned after school.
• Repeated issues will be followed up in line with our behaviour procedures.

These expectations help us maintain distraction‑free classrooms and calm social spaces where every student can concentrate and feel safe.

Thank you for supporting us by reinforcing this message at home. When school and families work together, students benefit from a consistent, clear framework that helps them learn and thrive.

Mobile Phone Policy Reminder: On site, out of sight

 

 

Working together for success

Strong communication between home and school continues to make a real difference to students’ progress and wellbeing. As we move through the year, we remain committed to keeping you informed and working closely with you to support your child.

If you ever have a question or concern, please contact us directly at info@newporthigh.co.uk. Speaking with us first allows us to understand the situation fully and respond quickly—far more effectively than anything shared via social media.

Thank you for your ongoing support. Together, we can make sure every student feels confident, supported, and able to achieve their best.

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. 23^rd April 2026
2. 18^th June 2026

In-person Parental Forum

These take place in school at 10am on a Friday on these dates;

1. 15^th May 2026
2. 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

 

Summer Term

• 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