Whole School Newsletter - 12-06-2026

Friday 12^th June 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

Values and Rise

The themes this week have been equality and independence.

In secondary schools across Wales, equality and independence are vital in helping young people grow into confident, respectful and responsible citizens. Equality ensures that every learner feels valued and included, regardless of their background, language, culture, gender or ability, reflecting the Welsh commitment to fairness and inclusion. At the same time, encouraging independence helps pupils develop resilience, confidence and the skills needed for future education, work and life. Together, these values support the aims of the Curriculum for Wales by helping learners become ambitious, capable and ethical individuals who can contribute positively to their communities and to Wales as a whole.

Attendance matters

Regular school attendance is essential to every child’s success, both in education and in preparing for adult life. Attending school every day, arriving on time and fully equipped for learning enables students to make consistent progress, build confidence and develop positive relationships within the school community. While we understand that young people can sometimes face challenges, it is important that difficult days do not automatically become days missed from school. With the right support, students can learn to overcome obstacles, building resilience, independence and determination — qualities that are invaluable in further education, employment and life beyond school.

Parents and carers play a crucial role in supporting good attendance by helping to establish strong daily routines, including regular sleep patterns and preparing for the school day in advance. These simple but effective habits encourage responsibility, readiness and a positive mindset towards learning.

As a school, we are continuing to strengthen our commitment to supporting attendance and wellbeing for every learner. Significant planning has already taken place for next year, and we are looking forward to launching a range of new initiatives designed to further support students in attending regularly, feeling connected to school and achieving their full potential. By working together, we can ensure every young person feels supported, valued and ready to succeed.

Public Examinations

As we move towards the end of the examination period, I would like to commend our Key Stage 4 and 5 students for the maturity, resilience and determination they have shown throughout. Their positive approach and commitment during a demanding time have been excellent.

Good organisation and effort right through to the final exam can make a significant difference. While some nerves are natural, we are proud of the way students have supported one another and approached this challenge with growing independence and maturity. Staff remain available to provide guidance and support whenever needed.

Results Days will take place on Thursday 13th August for A Level students and Thursday 20th August for GCSE students, with further information to follow later this term.

Could your family be missing out on additional financial support?

We want to ensure that all families are aware of the financial support available through Free School Meals (FSM). Many families are eligible without realising, and registering can provide access to additional support with items such as school uniform and equipment, while also helping the school secure extra funding to benefit all learners. Full details, guidance and application information are now available in the Financial Support section of our website. Applications are quick, confidential and managed through Newport City Council, and support is always available if needed.

As we prepare for the new academic year, we also thank families for their continued support with uniform and equipment expectations. Arriving in the correct uniform and fully prepared for learning helps students feel confident, organised and ready to succeed. Simple routines, such as packing bags the night before, make a real difference to readiness and independence. Support, including access to pre-loved uniform, remains available for any family who may need it.

On Site, Out of Sight

We continue to value the strong support of families in helping us maintain a calm, focused and purposeful learning environment across the school. An important part of this is ensuring that mobile phones and AirPods remain switched off and out of sight throughout the school day. We are pleased that the majority of students already meet this expectation consistently and understand the positive impact it has on their learning and wellbeing.

Creating a phone-free environment allows students to concentrate fully in lessons, engage more confidently with staff and peers, and make the most of every learning opportunity. It also encourages healthier habits around technology use and supports students’ social development, wellbeing and resilience.

Where devices are seen or used during the school day, they will continue to be confiscated and returned at the end of the day, with repeated incidents addressed appropriately through our behaviour systems. By continuing to work together, we can ensure our school remains a positive, distraction-free environment where every student is able to thrive.

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 many parents and carers who have taken part in our Parental Forums so far. The feedback and ideas shared continue to make a real difference and help shape important developments across the school. These forums provide a valuable opportunity for families to work in partnership with us, share perspectives and contribute to improving outcomes and experiences for all students.

To make participation as accessible as possible, sessions continue to be offered both online and in person, allowing families flexibility around busy schedules. Each meeting focuses on current priorities and future developments, while providing an open and supportive space for discussion and collaboration.

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

Key dates for next academic year - 2026/2027

The new academic year begins on Tuesday 1^st September 2026 which will be the first designated INSET date of the new calendar.

Students in Year 7 will join us on Wednesday 2^nd  September and students in Years 8-11 will return to school on Thursday 3^rd September. There will be on-line learning set for students in Years 8-11 to complete on Wednesday 2^nd to help get them ready for their first day back in school with us on the 3^rd. Arrangements for KS5 will be shared shortly.

We are still waiting for Welsh Government to confirm the exact number of INSET days schools have next year. We are assuming it will be six days but until we have received the official approval, we are unable to confirm this.

This could impact on the INSET day we are hoping to have in March. We are also waiting for WJEC to confirm the dates of the final set of teacher training for the new qualifications. Again, this means that the INSET date in March remains to be confirmed. I am not anticipating confirmation of the sixth date until the new academic year and will confirm this with you as soon as we get this.

As it stands, our planned INSET dates, when school is closed for students for staff training, for next year are as follows;

2026/2027 term dates are as follows;

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

With kind regards

Mrs Lee