Friday 6^th November 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope everyone had an enjoyable and restful half-term break despite the storms over the first weekend.

Our values this week have been Commitment and Being Equipped. These values are vital in a high school, where success depends on students giving their best effort every day and being ready to learn. Commitment means persevering when learning is challenging, attending regularly, and taking pride in our work. Being equipped is about coming to school prepared with the right attitude, resources and organisation to make the most of every opportunity.

These habits also support one of our key priorities: developing a love of reading. Just as commitment helps us tackle difficult texts and broaden our knowledge, being equipped with strong literacy skills opens the door to success across all subjects and throughout life.

Reading

During our INSET day on Friday, we were delighted to host a joint professional learning event focused on reading, alongside colleagues from all of our cluster primary schools. We were fortunate to work with Alex Quigley, a leading education specialist, author and advocate for literacy, who shared valuable insights into the importance of reading and its impact on young people's learning and life chances.

One message that particularly resonated with staff was Alex's view that promoting literacy is more important than ever in today's world. This reflects our belief that strong literacy skills are fundamental to success across the curriculum and beyond school.

It was encouraging to see schools from across the Newport High cluster coming together with a shared commitment to prioritise reading. By working collaboratively, we aim to ensure that all pupils develop excellent literacy skills, enabling them to access the curriculum successfully whilst also fostering a genuine love of reading for pleasure. We are excited to continue this work and strengthen our reading culture across the cluster for the benefit of all our learners.

Our Students in the Community

I was saddened recently to receive a complaint from a local parent whose primary-aged child had been subjected to inappropriate language and comments from students wearing our school uniform. Incidents such as this are deeply disappointing and do not reflect the standards, values or expectations of our school.

I am incredibly proud of the vast majority of our students, who conduct themselves with maturity, respect and kindness both in school and in the wider community. When students wear our uniform, they are ambassadors for our school, and people's impressions of our community are shaped by the way they behave.

As a school serving an area that is sometimes unfairly judged by others, we have worked hard to build a positive reputation, and I am determined that we continue to do so. I want all of our students to embody our values of Equality, Commitment and Integrity wherever they are.

Verbal abuse, intimidation or anti-social behaviour towards others will not be tolerated. Families who experience such behaviour should report it to the police and notify the school. Where students can be identified, we will investigate and take appropriate action. Parents should be aware that serious incidents occurring outside school can result in significant sanctions.

I know that the actions of a small minority do not define our school. Together, let us ensure that our students continue to be a source of pride for our community and demonstrate the very best of what Newport High stands for.

Beat the Bell – Every Minute Matters

Being on time matters. Arriving promptly helps students settle quickly, engage fully in learning and make the most of every lesson. Thank you to families for your support as we continue to improve punctuality across the school.

Students who arrive more than 10 minutes late to a lesson without a valid reason will be expected to attend Return to Learn. This helps minimise disruption and ensures lessons remain focused and productive for all.

Parents and carers can help by encouraging good routines, preparing equipment the night before and ensuring students leave home in plenty of time. Together, we can make sure every student is ready to learn and every minute counts.

Attendance Matters – Not Every Off Day Needs a Day Off

We understand that there are times when a child is genuinely too unwell to attend school. However, occasional feelings of tiredness, low motivation or anxiety do not always mean a day at home is the best option. In many cases, attending school helps young people maintain routine, stay connected to friends and continue making progress with their learning.

Every day in school matters. Missing just a small amount of learning can quickly add up, making it harder for students to keep pace with their peers and achieve their potential. Regular attendance also helps develop vital life skills such as resilience, responsibility and perseverance; qualities that are highly valued by colleges, universities and employers.

How families can help:

• Establish consistent bedtime and morning routines.
• Encourage your child to attend school unless they are genuinely unwell.
• Talk positively about school and the importance of attending every day.
• If your child is worried or anxious about school, contact us early so we can work together to provide support.
• Avoid making medical or other appointments during the school day wherever possible.

By working together and prioritising attendance, we can ensure that every student benefits from the opportunities, experiences and achievements that school has to offer. Remember: every day counts, and every lesson matters.

Mobile Phones and Electronic Devices: On Site, Out of Sight

To support learning and reduce distractions, our expectation is simple: On Site, Out of Sight.

Students may bring mobile phones, AirPods and other electronic devices to school, but these must be switched off and stored in their school bag from the moment they arrive on site until the end of the school day.

Any device that is seen or used during the school day, including at breaktime and lunchtime, will be confiscated and dealt with in line with our policy. Students should therefore ensure they bring a suitable school bag every day, as not having a bag is not an exception.

By keeping devices out of sight, we create a calmer school environment, improve focus in lessons and encourage positive face-to-face interaction. Thank you for your support in reinforcing this important expectation.

Ready to Learn Every Day

Coming to school prepared is one of the easiest ways students can set themselves up for success. We expect all students to arrive in full uniform, with the correct equipment and a suitable school bag.

Being organised helps students settle quickly, engage fully in lessons and take pride in their learning. A school bag is also essential for carrying books and equipment, and for safely storing mobile phones in line with our On Site, Out of Sight expectations.

A few minutes spent preparing the night before can make a big difference to a student's confidence, independence and success at school. Thank you for your support in ensuring every student arrives ready to learn, every day.

Free School Meals and Help with School Costs -check If You Are Eligible for Free School Meals

Parents and carers are encouraged to check whether they may be eligible for Free School Meals. Even if your child currently receives a meal through the universal provision, registering for benefits-related Free School Meals could unlock additional support for your family and provide valuable funding for the school.

A recent letter from Newport City Council contains further details about eligibility and how to apply. If you think you may qualify, we strongly encourage you to take a few minutes to check. It could make a significant difference to the support available for your child both now and in the future.

If you are unsure whether you qualify, please contact the school office for advice and guidance.

Parking Safely Around School

As traffic around the school continues to increase, we are reminding all parents and carers of the importance of parking responsibly and considerately.

Please avoid stopping on yellow markings, blocking driveways, parking across entrances or using the staff car park for drop-off and collection. These actions can create significant safety risks for students and make it more difficult for traffic to flow safely.

Where possible, we encourage families to use a "park and stride" approach by parking a short distance from the school and walking the final few minutes. This helps reduce congestion, improves safety and is often quicker than joining the traffic immediately outside the school.

Thank you for helping us keep our students, families and local community safe at the beginning and end of each school day.

Our Community – Stronger Together

One of our greatest strengths as a school is the positive partnership we have with parents and carers. When school and home work together, students are more likely to thrive, succeed and feel supported.

We are committed to listening to families and welcome any questions, concerns or feedback. If something is worrying you, please contact us directly. Speaking to the school first allows us to investigate matters thoroughly, establish the facts and work towards a resolution quickly and fairly.

We also ask all members of our community to be mindful when discussing school matters online. Concerns raised through the appropriate channels can be addressed constructively, whereas comments on social media can sometimes lead to misunderstanding and unnecessary upset. By working together with openness, respect and trust, we can continue to build a strong school community that puts the wellbeing and success of every young person at its heart.

Key dates for this academic year - 2026/2027

INSET	Date
1	Monday 1st September 2026
2	Friday 6th November 2026
3	Monday 7th December 2026
4	Monday 1st March 2027
5	Friday 25th June 2027
6	Monday 28th June 2028

We break up for the Christmas holidays on Friday 18^th December 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 2027 to Friday 4th June 2027

I would like to thank you for your continued support.

With kind regards

Mrs Lee