Whole School Newsletter - 04-09-2026
BackFriday 4th September 2026
Dear Parents and Carers,
I hope everyone had a great summer break.
It has been fantastic to welcome all our students back to school. Most students have returned on time and in correct school uniform, looking very smart! I would like to thank all our parents and carers for your support with this.
A special welcome to all our new students across the school. Whether your child is just starting secondary school or embarking on the next stage of their education, we are looking forward to getting to know them and supporting them during their time at Newport High.
Year 7 & Year 12
On Wednesday we worked with our new Year 7 & 12 cohorts.
It has been lovely to see so many of last year’s Year 11 students return to the Sixth Form and to welcome our new Rugby Academy students to Newport High School. Mr Sidoli has been training over the summer with the new Academy students who have made an excellent start to their time at the school.
After a strong ‘Rise Up’ Transition programme last year, led by Ms Milton, Year 7 started on Wednesday. I am delighted by how well they have settled into school and I am looking forward to getting to know them over the course of this term.
I appreciate that it is a big change for parents and carers of students in Year 7 and is very different to having children in primary school. To support with this transition, we run additional parental meetings for our new Year 7 parents and carers so you can find out, at this early stage, how your child is getting on. These will take place across two days – Wednesday 21st and Thursday 22nd October. Further details will be shared nearer the time.
Working closely with our families is really important to us and we know that we get the best outcomes when there is a positive relationship between home and school. If any parents have queries or concerns, please contact your child’s Form Tutor in the first instance or email info@newporthigh.co.uk so we can support.
Our community
As a school, we are proud of the strong relationship we have with our local community and ask for your support in helping us maintain it. We kindly ask all parents, carers and students not to use Clos Carno/Heol Senni as a route to and from school. We are aware that some students are using this private close as a cut-through when walking to and from school, which, together with additional traffic, can create unnecessary safety concerns for both pedestrians and drivers.
Clos Carno/Heol Senni is a private residential close and is not designed to accommodate the increased footfall and traffic associated with the school run. By using alternative routes, students and families can help keep everyone safe, respect the privacy of local residents, and support the positive relationships that are so important to our school community. We greatly appreciate your cooperation and support in this matter
Our Core Values: Equality, Commitment, and Integrity
At Newport High School, we are driven by three core values that underpin everything we do: Equality, Commitment, and Integrity. These values guide us in providing the very best opportunities for all our students, no matter their background or journey.
- Equality means ensuring that every student has the same opportunities to succeed, regardless of their starting point. We recognise that each student is unique, and we are committed to understanding and meeting their individual needs.
- Commitment is about effort and perseverance. We encourage our students to stay dedicated to their learning, to face challenges with resilience, and to give their very best in everything they do.
- Integrity shapes the way we work as a school community. We believe in doing the right thing, even when no one is looking, and we support our students in developing strong moral character that will guide them throughout their lives.
We believe that by upholding these values, we can provide a learning environment where your child feels respected, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.
RISE pillars
We also have 4 pillars of RISE which support our expectations around conduct and behaviour. These pillars are respect, independence, being safe and being equipped.
Attendance
Attendance at school is extremely important. Being in school every day, on time and ready to learn will give your child the very best chance of being successful, happy and of making the most of the opportunities that we can provide.
A Level and GCSE results
We have had another great set of public examination results and are extremely proud of all our students for their achievements. We have continued to make good progress.
At A Level almost half of our students achieved 3 A Levels graded between A* - C with a number achieving the very top grades including 2 students achieving all A*/A grades enabling them to go onto read Computer Science at University College London and Law at Warwick.
At GCSE we also had a very strong performance. We had seven students who achieved a Capped Point Score of over 468. Our two top performing students, had individual Capped Point Scores of over 500 points made up of 6 x A* grades with 2 x A grades and 5 x A* with 8 x A grades.
We had many students who achieved excellent grades and we proud of all our students who worked so hard to achieve their potential. We are delighted to be welcoming back so many of our students to our Sixth Form and Rugby Academy and wish all those going to college, apprenticeships or into employment, all the very best.
Capped point score is a performance measure calculating the average of the score for each individual learner in the cohort, capped at a specified volume of GCSEs or equivalent qualifications:
Uniform and equipment
Thank you to the vast majority of parents who have supported our school uniform rules. These are plain black shoes/trainers, black socks, white shirt and the school tie. Skirts must be of appropriate length and trousers or shorts should be tailored fit. Students are not allowed to wear sports shorts or leggings to school.
Cardigans, jumpers and blazers are optional and you may choose to wear a plain black knitted v neck jumper or cardigan without the logo, or purchase the Newport High branded jumper, sweatshirt or cardigan.
We have a range of ‘pre-loved’ school uniform at school which is available for anyone who would like to access it. If any family has a specific problem with getting hold of school uniform, please contact your child’s Form Tutor in the first instance. Jewellery is limited to one pair of small stud earrings and one ring. Students are allowed to wear a nose stud but please note that this has to be a stud and not a sleeper style or any other style. Any headwear, worn for religious reasons, should be of a plain black material. Extreme hairstyles are not acceptable and hair should be of a natural colour.
Students should come to school equipped to learn with an appropriate school bag. They need a pencil case and basic equipment, including their own pen. If students have any issues, they are encouraged to inform their Form Tutor who will support accordingly. Items that are potentially harmful to any member of our school community should not be brought to school. For example, aerosol cans including deodorants, cigarettes (e-cigarettes), matches and lighters, any sharp or blade like objects, glass bottles, chewing gum and fizzy drinks, including energy drinks. This rule includes all items which are illegal to possess or carry, or inappropriate for the age of your child.
Mobile Phones -on site, out of sight.
At Newport High School, our expectation is simple: on site, out of sight. Mobile phones, AirPods, earbuds and other personal devices must remain switched off and out of sight throughout the school day. This means that students should not be using, checking or carrying their phones in their hands while moving around the school site, including before school, at breaktime, lunchtime or between lessons.
If your child wises to bring a phone to school, it must be switched off and kept in their bag. It is really important that all students have a school bag with them so that they can securely store their mobile phone along with their other equipment during the day.
This approach reflects a growing national focus on protecting young people from the risks associated with excessive screen time and social media use. The UK Government has introduced new online safety measures and continues to strengthen protections for children online, recognising the importance of reducing exposure to harmful content and encouraging healthier digital habits.
If students are seen with their mobile phone out, whether they are using them or not, it will need to be handed in for them to collect at the end of the day. If this happens frequently then an alternative plan will need to be put in place.
Not allowing mobile phones in school has had an overwhelmingly positive impact, especially at break and lunchtime. Research has clearly identified the potential harm too much screen time including phones can do. If any student needs to make an emergency call, they can go to the Wellbeing Hub where Pastoral Support will be able to help.
Smoking and vaping
As a school we have adopted the Newport policy of zero tolerance of smoking on or around the school site. This applies to all visitors to the school. Please note this includes e-cigarettes (vapes) and carries a £100 fine for anyone breaking these rules.
The school day
School starts each day promptly at 8:45 am for Form time. This is a vital start to the school day during which important information is shared, such as details of events, changes to school systems and information about exams. Form Tutors should always be a first point of contact for students if they have any queries. The doors open at 8.40am and it is important all students arrive on time.
We have a very experienced Pastoral Team and are fortunate to have a Head of Year for each year group (or Key Stage) plus a team of Pastoral Support Officers.
Free School Meals and School Essentials Grant – Information for Parents and Carers
We encourage all parents and carers to check whether they are eligible for Free School Meals and the School Essentials Grant. A successful application could provide valuable support towards school essentials and other educational costs, helping to ensure your child has everything they need to succeed.
Even if your child does not wish to take a school meal, registering can still unlock additional support for your family and provide extra funding that benefits students across the school.
Many families are surprised to find that they qualify, so we strongly encourage everyone to take a few minutes to check their eligibility. The application process is quick, confidential and could make a real difference.
For more information and to apply online, visit Newport City Council's Free School Meals webpage.
Key dates for this academic year - 2026/2027
We have now had confirmation that from Welsh Government that schools will have six INSET days. Please note we are finalising the dates of our second INSET day (which had previously been calendared for 2nd November) and I will confirm this as soon as possible.
|
INSET |
Date |
|
1 |
Monday 1st September 2026 |
|
2 |
October/November date tbc |
|
3 |
Monday 7th December 2026 |
|
4 |
Monday 1st March 2027 |
|
5 |
Friday 25th June 2027 |
|
6 |
Monday 28th June 2028 |
2026/2027 term dates are as follows;
|
Autumn term |
|
|
Spring term |
|
|
Summer term |
|
I look forward to working with you and would like to thank you for your support.
With kind regards
Mrs Lee