Friday 3^rd July 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

Values and Rise

The themes this week have been equality and respect. Respect has a major impact on student success because it helps create a positive and supportive learning environment. When students feel respected by their teachers and classmates, they are more likely to feel confident, participate in lessons, and ask for help when needed. Respect also encourages good behaviour, teamwork, and effective communication, which can improve both academic performance and relationships with others. In a respectful school environment, students feel valued and included, helping them to stay motivated, achieve their goals, and develop important life skills for the future.

Year 11 Prom

Despite the exceptional heat, we made the decision to go ahead with this year's Prom. We spent a considerable amount of time carefully considering whether to proceed or postpone the event. We recognised, however, that many families had already committed significant time and expense to ensure their child could attend, and we were concerned that rearranging the evening could have meant some students would have been unable to join us on a new date. Prom is a unique milestone in a young person's school life, and we did not want anyone to lose the opportunity to celebrate this special occasion with their friends.

Although the temperatures were certainly challenging, our students were incredibly sensible throughout the evening and, as always, conducted themselves impeccably. They looked absolutely wonderful, and it was a pleasure to see the pride and excitement with which they marked the occasion. The venue staff were full of praise for our students, commenting on how respectful, courteous and well-mannered they were throughout the event. Their behaviour was a real credit to themselves, their families and the school.

Events such as Prom are made even more special when staff are able to attend and share in these important moments with students. For many young people, seeing the teachers and support staff who have guided, encouraged and supported them throughout their school journey helps make the evening a genuine celebration of their achievements and the relationships they have built along the way. The staff who attended thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to celebrate with our students and to see them outside the usual school setting.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all the staff who helped organise and support the event, both before and during the evening. In particular, special thanks go to Madame Teixeira, Ms S Davies and Mr E Davies, whose handcrafted trophies were quite simply the best I have ever seen. Their creativity, hard work and attention to detail added something truly unique to the evening and helped create lasting memories for our students.

Strengthening Safety 

 

As part of our ongoing commitment to the safety and wellbeing of all pupils, staff and visitors, we would like to inform you that before the end of the academic year we will be working in partnership with Newport City Council and Gwent Police to carry out a security preparedness exercise on the school site.

The exercise may include a practice lockdown procedure. In order to ensure that the event is realistic and effective, we are unable to share specific details about its timing or format in advance, as doing so would compromise the integrity of the exercise.

We appreciate that some parents and carers may find this information unsettling. However, exercises such as these form an important part of our emergency planning arrangements and help ensure that staff and pupils know how to respond appropriately in the unlikely event of a real emergency. The better prepared we are, the better equipped we would be to keep everyone safe should a serious incident ever occur.

To provide reassurance, once the exercise has commenced, we will issue a communication to parents and carers confirming that it is a planned practice event. This will help avoid any unnecessary concern should information about the exercise become known during the school day.

The safety of our school community remains our highest priority, and we are grateful for your understanding and support as we undertake this important work.

 

Tickets for Newport High School’s production of The Addams Family are on sale!

Don't miss your chance to join us for this hilarious and spooky musical comedy, taking place from Monday 6 July to Wednesday 8 July, with the curtain rising at 6:00pm each evening in the Newport High School Main Hall.

School uniform

Following the recent period of exceptionally warm weather, we have decided to continue allowing students the option of wearing their PE kit for the remainder of this academic year. While temperatures may not remain as high over the coming weeks, we feel it is sensible to maintain this adjustment through to the end of term, rather than making further changes to expectations.

Students choosing to wear PE kit should wear either their Newport High School PE top or a plain black t-shirt if they do not have the branded version. Please note that vest tops, crop tops and other non-uniform alternatives are not permitted.

We would also encourage all students to bring a refillable water bottle to school each day to help them stay hydrated.

Parents and carers should be aware that this is a temporary end-of-year adjustment only. All students will be expected to return in full school uniform from the start of the new academic year in September. We recognise that September can often bring periods of warm weather; however, our expectation is that normal uniform standards will be resumed at the beginning of the autumn term.

Attendance matters

At Newport High School, we recognise that achievement is about far more than examination results – although these are very important. It is developed through the everyday habits, attitudes and behaviours that enable young people to make the most of every opportunity. Attending school regularly, arriving on time and engaging fully in learning, all contribute to academic progress while also helping students build confidence, independence and a strong sense of purpose.

As students move through their education, they will inevitably encounter obstacles and setbacks. Learning how to respond positively to these challenges is an important part of personal growth. By encouraging students to remain committed, take responsibility for their actions and demonstrate perseverance when things become difficult, we help prepare them for the expectations they will face in further education, employment and adult life.

The support of parents and carers is crucial in this process. Simple actions such as promoting good routines, encouraging organisation and reinforcing the importance of attendance and punctuality help establish the foundations for long-term success. When school and home work together, we can ensure that every young person develops the resilience, aspiration and self-belief needed to thrive both now and in the future.

 

Free School Meals and School Essentials Grant – Important Update for Families

We understand that many families continue to face financial pressures, and we are committed to ensuring that every student can access the support available to them. Registering for Free School Meals (FSM) can provide access to a range of valuable support, including assistance with school uniform, equipment and other educational costs. Even if your child does not wish to take a school meal, registering may still unlock important benefits for your family and help secure additional funding that is invested directly into supporting students across the school.

We have recently received updated information regarding Free School Meals and the School Essentials Grant (SEG) for the 2026–2027 academic year, and we would like to encourage all families to review their eligibility. The School Essentials Grant application window opens on 1 July 2026 and closes on 31 May 2027. To help avoid delays, parents and carers are strongly encouraged to apply online through Newport City Council.

There is no change to the current arrangements for primary school pupils or for students entering Year 9 and above in September 2026. However, there is an important change for some secondary-aged students.

Important Information for Students Entering Years 7 and 8 in September 2026

The Welsh Government has announced an expansion of Free School Meal eligibility for secondary school pupils whose parent or carer receives Universal Credit.

From September 2026:

• Families receiving Universal Credit with annual net earnings below £7,400 will be eligible to claim both Free School Meals and the School Essentials Grant for students entering Years 7 and 8.
• Families receiving Universal Credit with annual net earnings above £7,400 will be eligible to claim Free School Meals only for students entering Years 7 and 8.

Further guidance is expected from the Welsh Government, but families should continue to use the current application process, either online or through the existing paper application form.

Why Apply?

Many families are surprised to discover that they qualify for support. Applications are handled confidentially, and every successful application not only provides direct assistance to eligible families but also helps schools access additional funding that supports learning, wellbeing and enrichment opportunities for all students.

How to Apply

Applying is quick and straightforward. Parents and carers should apply online via Newport City Council:

Free School Meals | Newport City Council

Further information about Free School Meals, the School Essentials Grant and other financial support available to families can also be found on our website.

We encourage all families who think they may be eligible—or who are unsure—to submit an application. Taking a few minutes to apply could unlock valuable support and ensure that your child has everything they need to succeed in school.

On Site, Out of Sight - Mobile Phones, AirPods and School Bags

Creating a positive and productive learning environment remains one of our highest priorities, and we are grateful for the support that parents and carers continue to provide in helping us maintain high standards across the school. A key part of this is ensuring that mobile phones, AirPods and other personal electronic devices are not seen or used during the school day.

Across the education sector there is growing recognition that reducing access to phones during the school day can have a positive impact on students' focus, engagement and wellbeing. Schools are increasingly taking steps to minimise distractions and encourage students to make the most of face-to-face interactions, classroom learning and the wider opportunities available to them. Our experience at Newport High School supports this approach, with clear expectations helping to create a calmer and more purposeful atmosphere for learning.

To support these expectations, it is important that all students bring an appropriate school bag each day. A school bag provides a secure place to store phones, earphones and other personal belongings. This is particularly important as some students choose to wear PE kit, which may not always provide suitable or secure storage. Having a bag helps ensure that devices remain safely stored and out of sight throughout the day.

Students who are unable to store their phone securely in a school bag will be required to hand it in at the start of the day for safekeeping. Mobile phones, AirPods and similar devices must not be visible at any time during the school day, including during break and lunchtime. Any device seen will be confiscated and returned in line with school procedures. Repeated breaches of this expectation will be addressed through our behaviour policy.

By ensuring that students arrive equipped with a suitable bag and understand these expectations, families play an important role in supporting a culture of learning, respect and personal responsibility. Working together, we can help ensure that students remain focused on their education, develop strong social skills and make the most of every opportunity available to them during their time at Newport High School.

Working in Partnership for Success

A strong partnership between home and school is one of the most powerful factors in a young person's success. By working together, sharing information and maintaining open communication, we can provide the support, encouragement and guidance students need to thrive both academically and personally.

Should you have any questions, concerns or information you would like to share, please contact us at info@newporthigh.co.uk. Early communication helps us respond effectively and ensures that the right support is in place when it is needed most.

Thank you for your ongoing support and trust. Together, we can help every student feel valued, overcome challenges and achieve their full potential.

 

Inset Days and Term Dates – 2025/2026

• Monday 20 July 2026 – The school will be closed to staff and students. The staff training time that would ordinarily have taken place on this day was delivered through two twilight training sessions earlier in the academic year.

• Last day for students: Friday 17 July 2026

Staffing 2026/2027

At Newport High School, we are proud to have a highly experienced and dedicated pastoral team committed to supporting every student's wellbeing, development and success. Each year group is led by a dedicated Head of Year, supported by skilled Pastoral Support Officers who work closely with students and families to provide guidance and support whenever it is needed.

Wherever possible, Heads of Year remain with the same cohort of students as they progress through the school. This enables them to build strong relationships, develop a deep understanding of students' individual needs and provide consistent support over time. Our Pastoral Support Officers also work with specific year groups, allowing them to develop specialist knowledge and expertise. Research and experience show that this continuity of care and support is one of the most effective ways of promoting student wellbeing, engagement and academic progress.

Pastoral structure

Next year the pastoral structure will be;

Year Group	Head of Year	Pastoral and attendance support officer
Year 7	Mme Teixeira	Ms Facer
Year 8	Mr Kelly	Ms Facer
Year 9	Ms Paginton	Mr Merchant
Year 10	Ms Galloway	Mr Merchant
Year 11	Ms Ali & Mrs Griffiths	Ms Homfray
Year 12 & Year 13	Ms James	Ms Homfray

 

Curriculum structure

Our curriculum structure is designed to support the Curriculum for Wales and allows us to prioritise high quality teaching and learning and the development of skills.

Area of Learning	Subjects	Area Lead	Teaching, Learning and Progress Lead	Teaching, Learning and Progress Lead
Connect	English, Welsh, French and community languages	Mrs Vaughan	Ms Potkin	Ms M. Lewis
Create	Art, Music, Drama, Dance, textiles, Design & Technology	Mr Smith	Ms Brown	Mr Bland
Thrive	PE, Food & Health and Social Care	Mr Staniforth	Ms Duggan	Ms Roper
Discover	Science, Engineering, Criminology and Psychology	Mr Nicklin	Mr Lewis	Ms Parkhouse
Reason	Maths, Numeracy and Business Studies	Mrs Price	Ms Moss	Ms M Davies
Explore	History, RS, Geography & ICT	Mr Webb	Mrs Watkins

 

 

Skill	Lead
Literacy	Ms Bousie
Numeracy and DCF	Ms Charlton
Creativity	Ms Akhtar-Matthews
Equality and Diversity	Ms Lewis

To support our curriculum structure, we also have Middle Leaders who help to improve standards of Literacy, Numeracy, Digital competency, Creativity and Equality and Diversity

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;

INSET	Date
1	Monday 1st September 2026
2	Monday 2nd November 2026
3	Monday 7th December 2026
4	Monday 1st March 2027 - tbc
5	Friday 25th June 2027
6	Monday 28th June 2027

2026/2027 term dates are as follows;

Autumn term	Monday 1st September 2026 to Friday 18th December 2026 Half-term Monday 26th October 2026 to Friday 30th October 2026
Spring term	Monday 4th January 2027 to Friday 19th March 2027 Half-term Monday 8th February 2027 to Friday 12th February 2027
Summer term	Monday 5th April 2027 to Tuesday 20th July 2027 Half-term Monday 31st May to Friday 4th June

 

On a personal note, I would like to let you know that I will be leaving my role as Headteacher at Newport High School. I will be finishing at the end of the Autumn term. Although this has not been an easy decision, I feel it is the right time for me to move on to a new challenge and I do so with confidence, knowing that the school is in a strong position to continue to progress. Over the past few years, we have made significant progress together, and I am proud of what has been achieved through the hard work and commitment of our staff, governors, pupils and families. I am confident that this positive journey will continue.

I would like to thank all our parents and carers for the support, encouragement and trust you have shown during my time as Headteacher.

It has been a genuine privilege to lead the school, and I have very much enjoyed getting to know so many of you and working within such a warm and kind community. I will always look back on my time here with great appreciation, and I wish the school, its pupils and their families every success for the future.

With kind regards

Mrs Lee