Whole School Newsletter - 10-07-2026
BackFriday 10th July 2026
Dear Parents and Carers,
Values, Rise and Reading
Our values this week have been independence and integrity. Independence and integrity are two of the most important qualities our young people can develop. Independent learners take responsibility for their own progress, while integrity encourages them to do the right thing even when no one is watching. The summer holiday provides an excellent opportunity for students to demonstrate both values. A six-week break is a long time to be away from learning, so I would encourage all families to support their children in reading regularly over the summer.
Research shows that reading for pleasure has a significant positive impact on academic achievement and literacy development. If every Newport High School student read for just 20 minutes a day, they would accumulate around 14 hours of reading across the holiday—enough time for most students to enjoy at least two new books. By choosing to read independently and committing to this goal with honesty and self-discipline, students will return to school with stronger literacy skills, greater knowledge and a solid foundation for success in the year ahead.
Security Preparedness Exercise – thank you
On Tuesday, Newport High School successfully completed a security preparedness exercise in partnership with Newport City Council and Gwent Police. The exercise included a practice lockdown procedure and was designed to test our emergency arrangements and ensure that staff and pupils know how to respond appropriately in the unlikely event of a serious incident.
I would like to thank all pupils, staff and visitors for their cooperation throughout the exercise. I was extremely impressed by how quickly and calmly the school moved into lockdown. The professionalism shown by everyone involved demonstrated the strength of our procedures and the importance that our school community places on safety.
Exercises such as these are a vital part of our emergency planning and provide valuable opportunities to review and refine our processes. Most importantly, they help ensure that we are as prepared as possible to keep everyone safe should a real emergency ever occur.
The safety and wellbeing of our school community remains our highest priority, and I would like to thank everyone for their support in making the exercise such a success.
The Addams Family – a resounding success
This year’s production of The Addams Family Musical has been an outstanding success and a fitting showcase of the talent, commitment and creativity of our students. I am incredibly proud of every student who took part in the production; their dedication, confidence and professionalism both on and off the stage helped make this one of our most successful shows to date. The quality of the performances, music, costumes and backstage work was truly exceptional and reflected months of hard work and preparation.
I would also like to thank the staff who generously gave up so much of their own time to support rehearsals and bring the production to life, as well as the parents, carers and friends who came along to support the show. It was particularly pleasing to see so many of our students in the audience and to welcome back former students who continue to support Newport High School. We are fortunate to have such talented young people, and this production once again demonstrated the strength of the performing arts within our school community. The success of The Addams Family Musical is something of which everyone involved should be immensely proud.
Sports Day
Next week promises to be an exciting one, with Sports Day, Activities Day and a number of educational visits and trips and celebrations taking place. We are looking forward to seeing students enjoy these opportunities, whether competing on the sports field, or taking part in enrichment activities both in school and off site. With hot weather expected, we ask all parents and carers to ensure that students come prepared by bringing a refillable water bottle, applying suncream before arriving at school and bringing additional suncream if needed throughout the day. We would also strongly encourage students to bring a hat for protection from the sun. Taking these simple precautions will help ensure that everyone can participate safely, comfortably and make the most of these memorable end-of-year experiences.
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 know that success is built through consistent effort and positive daily habits. Every lesson counts, and students who attend regularly and arrive on time give themselves the best possible chance to achieve their potential. Good attendance not only supports academic progress but also helps young people develop important life skills such as responsibility, self-discipline and resilience.
School is about more than qualifications; it is about preparing students for the future. By attending every day, students benefit from valuable learning experiences, build stronger relationships with their peers and teachers, and grow in confidence as they develop new knowledge and skills. Missing school can mean missing important learning opportunities that are difficult to replicate.
Parents and carers play a vital role in helping students establish positive routines and high expectations. Encouraging regular attendance, punctuality and readiness to learn sends a powerful message about the importance of education. By working together, we can ensure that every student is well placed to succeed, fulfil their ambitions and make the most of all the opportunities available to them at Newport High School.
Hot weather & water safety
As the summer holidays approach and warmer weather continues, we would like to remind all families about the importance of staying safe around open water. Recent hot weather across the UK has been linked to a significant increase in water-related incidents, particularly involving children and young people.
Please ensure that children understand the risks associated with rivers, lakes, reservoirs, canals and coastal areas, and encourage them to follow the Water Safety Code: Stop and Think, Stay Together, Float, and Call 999 in an emergency.
A more detailed water safety information letter is being emailed to all families today, containing important advice and practical guidance to help keep children and young people safe during the summer break. We encourage all parents and carers to read this information carefully and discuss it with their children.
Thank you for your support in helping our young people stay safe this summer.
Free School Meals and School Essentials Grant – Information for Parents and Carers
We recognise that many families are continuing to experience financial challenges, and we want to make sure that all students are able to access the support available to them. Applying for Free School Meals (FSM) can open the door to a range of benefits, including help with school uniforms, learning resources and other education-related expenses. Even if your child chooses not to receive a school meal, registering for FSM may still provide valuable support for your family and contribute additional funding that helps the school enhance opportunities and services for all students.
We have recently been provided with new information about Free School Meals and the School Essentials Grant (SEG) for the 2026–2027 academic year and encourage all families to check whether they may qualify. Applications for the School Essentials Grant can be submitted from 1 July 2026 until 31 May 2027. To ensure applications are processed as efficiently as possible, parents and carers are encouraged to apply online through Newport City Council.
There are no changes to the current arrangements for primary-aged children or for students moving into Year 9 and above in September 2026. However, updated eligibility rules will affect some secondary school pupils.
Key Update for Students Starting Years 7 and 8 in September 2026
The Welsh Government has extended Free School Meal eligibility for certain secondary school pupils whose parent or carer is in receipt of Universal Credit.
From September 2026:
- Families receiving Universal Credit with annual net earnings of £7,400 or less will be eligible for both Free School Meals and the School Essentials Grant for children entering Years 7 and 8.
- Families receiving Universal Credit with annual net earnings above £7,400 will be eligible for Free School Meals only for children entering Years 7 and 8.
Further details are expected from the Welsh Government in due course. In the meantime, families should continue to apply using the existing process, either online or via the current paper-based application form.
The Benefits of Applying
Many parents and carers are unaware that they may be entitled to support. All applications are treated in confidence, and a successful application can provide direct financial assistance to eligible families. In addition, it enables schools to access extra funding that can be used to support student achievement, wellbeing and wider enrichment opportunities.
Applying for Support
The application process is simple and can be completed online through Newport City Council:
Free School Meals | Newport City Council
More information about Free School Meals, the School Essentials Grant and other forms of financial support for families is also available on our website.
If you believe you may be eligible, or if you are uncertain, we strongly encourage you to apply. A short application could provide access to valuable support and help ensure your child has the resources they need to thrive at school.
Mobile Phones, Earbuds and School Bags – Supporting a Focused Learning Environment
At Newport High School, we are committed to providing a learning environment where students can fully engage in lessons, build positive relationships and achieve their best. We greatly appreciate the continued support of parents and carers in helping us maintain clear expectations that contribute to a calm, respectful and purposeful school community. One of these expectations is that mobile phones, earbuds, AirPods and other personal electronic devices remain switched off and out of sight throughout the school day.
Research and experience across many schools have highlighted the benefits of limiting access to mobile devices during the school day. Reducing distractions helps students concentrate more effectively in lessons, participate fully in learning activities and engage more positively with their peers. By maintaining clear boundaries around the use of personal technology, we can help create an environment where students are focused on learning and making the most of their time in school.
To support this expectation, all students should bring a suitable school bag each day. School bags provide a practical and secure place for storing phones, headphones and other personal items. This is especially important for students who choose to wear PE kit, as pockets may not always be secure or sufficient for keeping valuables safely stored. Having a bag ensures that electronic devices can remain out of sight and protected throughout the day.
Where a student is unable to store their mobile phone securely in a school bag, they will be asked to hand the device in at the beginning of the school day for safekeeping. Phones, AirPods and similar devices should not be visible at any point during the day, including during breaktimes and lunch periods. Any device that is seen will be confiscated and dealt with in accordance with the school’s established procedures. Persistent failure to follow these expectations may result in further action under the school’s behaviour policy.
Parents and carers play a vital role in reinforcing these expectations by ensuring that students arrive at school prepared, with an appropriate bag and a clear understanding of the rules regarding personal devices. By working together, we can continue to promote responsibility, minimise distractions and create the best possible conditions for students to learn, develop and thrive 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
Results days
A Level - Thursday 13th August 8am-10.30am
GCSE – Thursday 20th August - 9am-11am
Public examinations results are formally issued directly to students rather than to parents. This is because the results belong to the student, and exam boards require that they are given directly to the candidate.
If it is not possible for them to be collected on Results Day, we will email the results to individual students using their school email address. It is therefore important to check that your child can access their email account before the end of the summer term and let the school know if he needs this to be reset.
If your child would like you, as their parent or carer, to collect their results on their behalf, you will need to bring written permission from them and will need to sign for the results and show photo ID to staff.
There is a very helpful exams section on the website (main menu/Learning/Exams) which has lots of information about exams.
Key dates for next academic year - 2026/2027
The new academic year begins on Tuesday 1st September 2026 which will be the first designated INSET date of the new calendar.
Students in Year 7 will join us on Wednesday 2nd September and students in Years 8-11 will return to school on Thursday 3rd September. There will be on-line learning set for students in Years 8-11 to complete on Wednesday 2nd to help get them ready for their first day back in school with us on the 3rd. Arrangements for KS5 have been shared with families. 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 |
|
|
Spring term |
|
|
Summer term |
|
With kind regards
Mrs Lee