Friday 22nd May 2026

 

Dear Parents and Carers,

 

Values and Rise

The themes this week have been integrity and being equipped.

Being equipped and ready to learn makes a huge difference to a child’s success. When students arrive with the right materials, a positive mindset, and a willingness to engage, they can focus fully on their lessons instead of feeling unprepared or distracted. This helps them build confidence, stay organised, and make steady progress over time. For parents, encouraging good routines, like packing bags the night before and valuing punctuality, supports children in developing responsibility and independence, skills that will benefit them well beyond school.

 

Attendance matters

Good attendance is not only a legal requirement, it is essential for your child’s success now and in the future—attend today, achieve tomorrow. Coming to school every day, equipped and ready to learn with the right materials, helps students make the most of every lesson and build confidence over time. Not every off day needs a day off; learning to attend even when things feel challenging helps develop resilience, an important skill for both school and future employment. Parents play a crucial role by setting strong routines at home, including ensuring the right amount of sleep and preparing bags the night before. These habits support organisation, readiness, and a positive mindset, helping young people grow into reliable, resilient adults who can succeed and maintain employment in the future.

 

 

Public Examinations

I am extremely proud of how our students in Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 are conducting themselves in their exams. This is a challenging and testing time for everyone involved with exams and I am impressed with their calm resilience and determination.

We ask all students to continue revising at home so they can strengthen and retain what they learn in school. It is especially important that they come to school each day fully prepared, bringing the correct revision materials, notes, and equipment so they can use every lesson effectively—particularly for subjects where exams have already been completed. During the exam period, Year 11 will follow their normal timetable, and attendance every day is essential. There will be no study leave. Students should remain in school until all exams and coursework are finished, using this valuable time to stay organised, review key content, and refine their understanding.

Students should approach every lesson with purpose, even after sitting an exam in that subject. This time can be used to consolidate knowledge for their remaining exams, revisit challenging topics, and access support. We strongly encourage students to take responsibility for their learning by speaking with their subject teachers, asking questions, and making sure they have the right materials and guidance to succeed. Being organised and proactive will help them make the most of every opportunity.

Research shows that consistent attendance, strong organisation, and sustained effort right through to the final exam, lead to the best outcomes. Additional revision resources are available on the Power UP website to support independent study at home.

It is normal for students to feel nervous during this time, but this can help them stay focused. If they need extra support, they should speak to their teachers, who are there to help.

Results Days will take place on Thursday 13 August for A Level students and Thursday 20 August for GCSE students. Further details will be shared later in the term.

 

Could your family be missing out on additional financial support?

We want to ensure every family receives the support they are entitled to.

Many parents and carers are eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) but may not yet have applied or realised they qualify.

Registering is worthwhile even if your child does not regularly eat school meals, as it can unlock a range of valuable support. This includes help with the cost of school uniform and essential equipment, easing financial pressure at home.

In addition, FSM registration brings extra funding into the school, which is used to enhance teaching, wellbeing support, and enrichment opportunities for all students.

To make the process simple, we have added a dedicated Financial Support section to our school website with clear guidance on what is available and how to apply. Applications are quick, confidential, and handled by Newport City Council. You can apply online at www.newport.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/school-meals/free-school-meals or by scanning the QR code. If you are unsure whether you may be eligible, or would like support with your application, please contact us—we are here to help.

 

Uniform and Equipment – Setting Students Up for Success

Thank you for your continued support in upholding our high expectations for uniform. A consistent standard of dress helps students feel confident, focused, and ready to learn, while also creating a calm and purposeful atmosphere across the school.

Uniform Expectations
Our uniform is designed to be practical, affordable, and smart. Essential items include:

• Plain black shoes or trainers
• Black socks
• White shirt
• School tie

Skirts should be appropriate in length, and trousers or shorts must be tailored. Leggings, tracksuit bottoms, and sports shorts are not permitted.

Students may add an extra plain black layer, such as a V-neck jumper or cardigan (without logos), or a Newport High–branded item. Jewellery should remain minimal—one pair of small studs and one ring. Nose piercings must be simple studs only. Head coverings for religious reasons should be plain black, and hairstyles should be neat and appropriate, with natural colours.

 

Ready for Learning
Every student should arrive in full uniform, with a suitable school bag and all the equipment they need for the day ahead. We also have a selection of pre-loved uniform available for families who may find this helpful. If you would like support, please contact your child’s Form Tutor or email info@newporthigh.co.uk with “Uniform” in the subject line—we are always happy to assist.

Having an appropriately sized school bag is an important part of being equipped and ready to learn each day. A suitable bag allows students to carry all the essential items they need—such as books, revision materials, equipment, and homework—so they are fully prepared for every lesson. When bags are too small or not used properly, items can be forgotten or damaged, which can affect organisation and learning.

Encouraging students to pack their bags carefully each evening helps them start the day feeling prepared, confident, and ready to make the most of their time in school.

 

Warmer weather
With warmer days ahead, please remind your child to bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the day. Students may choose to wear shorts in hot weather, but these must be tailored; sports shorts are not part of the school uniform. Any student wearing unsuitable shorts will be asked to change.

 

On Site, Out of Sight

We ask for your support in reinforcing an important expectation: mobile phones and AirPods must be switched off and kept out of sight throughout the school day.

 

Creating a phone-free environment offers clear benefits for students’ learning and wellbeing.

 

Research shows that reducing phone use during the day can improve concentration, sleep, and face-to-face interaction, while excessive screen time and social media use are linked to lower wellbeing, reduced sleep, and increased anxiety in young people.

Studies where students spent time away from their phones also reported improved mood, better focus, and stronger relationships with others.

By removing these distractions in school, students are better able to engage fully in lessons, build confidence, and develop healthier habits around technology.

 

If devices are seen or used, they will be confiscated and returned at the end of the day, with repeated issues addressed through our behaviour systems. With your support at home, we can help students stay focused, protect their wellbeing, and make the most of every opportunity to succeed.

 

Keeping Our School Safe

To help us maintain a safe and respectful school environment, certain items are not allowed on site. These include aerosols, vapes, cigarettes, lighters or matches, sharp objects or glass bottles, chewing gum, and fizzy or energy drinks.

We have also seen a small number of students bringing water pistols into school. Although they may appear harmless, they can lead to disruption and raise safety concerns. As a result, water pistols are not permitted, and any student bringing one into school will receive a sanction.

We would be grateful for your support in reinforcing these expectations at home. Thank you for working with us to ensure all students arrive prepared, well-equipped, and ready to learn.

 

Fire Alarms

It is vital that students do not touch or interfere with fire alarm equipment under any circumstances. These systems are in place to keep everyone safe, and any misuse can pose serious health and safety risks. In some cases, tampering can also disrupt connected door locking systems, potentially affecting the security of the entire site. Many alarms are fitted with protective covers that trigger a loud alert if opened, immediately notifying staff of any interference.

Any student found tampering with a fire alarm will receive a sanction, as this behaviour is dangerous and puts others at risk. We ask for your support in helping students understand the importance of respecting these critical safety systems.

 

Working in Partnership for Success

Strong communication between home and school is vital in ensuring students thrive both academically and personally. We are committed to keeping you well informed and working in partnership to support your child’s success.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@newporthigh.co.uk. Speaking with us directly enables us to address any issues promptly and effectively.

Thank you for your ongoing support—by working together, we can make sure every student feels supported and achieves their full potential.

 

Parental Forums – be part of the conversation

Thank you to all parents and carers who have already taken part in our Parental Forums—your insights and feedback truly make a difference. These sessions are a valuable opportunity to have your voice heard, share your experiences, and help shape the future direction of the school.

We know how busy family life can be, so we offer both online and in-person options to make it as easy as possible for you to join us. Each forum focuses on key whole-school priorities and provides a welcoming space to work together in strengthening our school community.

 

Upcoming sessions:

• Online (5:00pm via Teams): 18 June 2026
• In person (10:00am): 15 May and 19 June 2026

Places are limited, so we encourage you to book early. To reserve your place, please email info@newporthigh.co.uk with “Parental Forum” in the subject line, along with your preferred date and whether you would like to attend online or in person.

We look forward to welcoming you to our forums and continuing to work in partnership for the benefit of all students.

 

Inset Days and Term Dates – 2025/2026

The remaining staff training (INSET) days, when school will be closed to students, are:

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

Summer Term Key Dates:

• Term ends: Monday 20 July 2026 (INSET Day)
• Last day for students: Friday 17 July 2026

We break up today for our final half-term of this academic year and return to school on Monday 1^st June.

We are in the process of finalising next year’s calendar and I hope to be able to share key dates with you at the start of next term.

I would like to thank you all for your continued support and wish everyone a safe and happy half-term break.

With kind regards

Mrs Lee