Friday 5^th June 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope everyone had a lovely and relaxing half-term break and managed to enjoy some of the amazing weather.

Values and Rise

The themes this week have been commitment and respect. In a secondary school, commitment and respect are essential for creating a positive and successful learning environment. When students show commitment, they build strong habits, persevere through challenges, and take pride in their achievements. Respect ensures that everyone feels valued, safe, and able to thrive, and is reflected in everyday actions—being empathetic towards others’ feelings, kind in interactions, and polite in communication. These qualities strengthen relationships between students and staff, reduce conflict, and foster a sense of belonging within the school community. Together, commitment, respect, empathy, kindness, and politeness not only support academic success, but also help young people grow into responsible, considerate members of society.

 

Attendance matters

Regular school attendance is not just a legal expectation—it plays a vital role in your child’s success both now and in the future. Being present each day, fully prepared with the necessary equipment, allows students to engage in every lesson and gradually build confidence in their abilities.

It’s important to remember that not every difficult day should result in absence; learning to attend even when faced with challenges helps students develop resilience, a key skill for both education and future careers. Parents are essential in supporting this by establishing consistent routines at home, such as ensuring sufficient sleep and organising school bags the night before. These simple habits promote readiness, independence, and a positive attitude, helping young people grow into dependable and resilient adults who are well prepared for the world of work.

 

Public Examinations

I am very proud of the way our Key Stage 4 and 5 students are approaching their exams. This can be a demanding time, and they have shown great resilience, focus, and maturity.

We encourage all students to continue revising at home and to attend school each day ready to learn, with the correct materials and equipment. Year 11 will remain on their normal timetable throughout the exam period, with no study leave, as every lesson remains valuable for reinforcing knowledge and preparing for upcoming assessments.

Even after completing an exam, lessons provide important opportunities to revisit key topics, strengthen understanding, and seek support. We encourage students to stay organised, ask questions, and take responsibility for their learning.

Consistent attendance, strong organisation, and sustained effort through to the final exam all make a significant difference. It is natural for students to feel a little nervous, but this can help them stay focused. As always, staff are available to offer support when needed.

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

Could your family be missing out on additional financial support?

We are keen to ensure that all families are aware of the support available to them. You may be entitled to Free School Meals (FSM) and not yet realise it, as eligibility is broader than many expect.

Applying is beneficial even if your child does not always eat a school meal, as registration can provide access to additional support such as help with the cost of uniform and essential equipment. It also enables the school to receive extra funding, which is used to enhance learning, wellbeing, and wider opportunities for all students.

To make this as straightforward as possible, we have introduced a Financial Support section on our website, where you can find clear information and guidance on how to apply. The process is quick, confidential, and managed by Newport City Council. You can apply online or access further details via the link or QR code. If you would like any advice or support with the application, please do get in touch—we are always happy to help.

Uniform and Equipment – Setting Students Up for Success

Thank you for your ongoing support in maintaining high standards of school dress. Wearing the correct uniform helps create a positive learning environment, allowing students to feel confident, focused, and ready to succeed.

Our uniform is designed to be smart, practical, and affordable. Key items include a white shirt, school tie, black socks, and plain black shoes or trainers. Skirts should be of a suitable length, and trousers or shorts must be tailored—leggings, tracksuit bottoms, and sports shorts are not part of our uniform. Students may wear a plain black jumper or cardigan (without logos) or a Newport High–branded item. Jewellery should be minimal, and hairstyles neat with natural colours.

Arriving fully prepared each day is just as important as wearing the correct uniform. Students should bring a suitable school bag and all necessary equipment, ensuring they are organised and ready to learn. Packing bags the evening before is a simple habit that can make a real difference to confidence and readiness. Support is available for families, including access to pre-loved uniform if needed.

As the weather becomes warmer, students are encouraged to bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated. Tailored shorts may be worn, but sports shorts are not permitted and students may be asked to change if items are not suitable.

By working together, we can help ensure every student starts each day feeling prepared, comfortable, and ready to make the most of their learning.

Opportunity to collect lost property

We are pleased to offer parents and carers the opportunity to check our lost property and reclaim any missing items. This will take place on Monday 8th June from 3:00pm–4:00pm in the Dance Studio. Over the term, a number of items—including uniform, bags, and other belongings—accumulate, and this is a great chance to recover anything your child may have misplaced. Parents should arrive via Main Reception, where staff will direct you to the Dance Studio. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity, as any unclaimed items may be donated or disposed of.

On Site, Out of Sight

We would greatly value your support in reinforcing a key expectation across our school: mobile phones and AirPods should be switched off and kept out of sight throughout the day. Encouragingly, the vast majority of our students already follow this expectation well and recognise the positive impact it has on their learning.

A phone-free environment makes a real difference to students’ focus and wellbeing. Without distractions, students are better able to engage fully in lessons, build confidence, and develop positive relationships through face-to-face interaction. It also supports healthier habits around technology, helping to improve concentration, sleep, and overall wellbeing.

If a device is seen or used, it will be confiscated and returned at the end of the day, with repeated concerns addressed through our behaviour systems. By continuing to work together, we can maintain this calm, focused environment and ensure every student is able to make the most of their time in school.

Keeping Our School Safe

To support a safe, calm, and respectful environment, there are a number of items that students should not bring into school. These include aerosols, vapes, cigarettes, lighters or matches, sharp items or glass bottles, chewing gum, and fizzy or energy drinks.

We have also noticed a small number of students bringing water pistols onto the school site. While these may seem harmless, they can cause disruption and present safety concerns. For this reason, water pistols are not permitted, and any student found with one will be issued a sanction.

We appreciate your support in reinforcing these expectations at home. By working together, we can ensure all students arrive ready to learn in a safe and positive environment.

Working in Partnership for Success

Strong links between home and school play an essential role in helping students succeed both in their learning and personal development. We are committed to keeping you informed and working closely with you to ensure the very best outcomes for your child.

If you ever have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at info@newporthigh.co.uk. Getting in touch directly allows us to respond quickly and provide the right support.

We truly value your continued partnership—by working together, we can ensure every student feels supported, confident, and able to achieve their best.

Parental Forums – be part of the conversation

Thank you to the parents and carers who have already contributed to our Parental Forums—your feedback is incredibly valuable and plays an important role in shaping our school’s direction. These sessions give families a genuine opportunity to share views, discuss priorities, and work alongside us to improve the experience for all students.

We recognise how busy schedules can be, so we offer both online and in-person sessions to provide flexibility and make attendance as convenient as possible. Each forum focuses on key developments across the school and offers a welcoming space for open discussion.

Upcoming dates:

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

Places are limited, so we recommend booking in advance. To secure a place, please email info@newporthigh.co.uk with “Parental Forum” in the subject line, stating your preferred date and whether you would like to attend online or in person.

We look forward to continuing to work together in partnership to support every student.

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

 

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

With kind regards

Mrs Lee