Friday 11^th April 2025

 

Dear Parents and Carers

 

School Values and RISE

The themes of this week have been commitment and respect.

 

At Newport High School, by commitment, we mean that

• We always give 100%
• We strive to support each other and work in a team
• We never give up and have the skills and strength to persevere with even the hardest work

Perseverance, the ability to keep going when things get difficult, is a vital skill that all of us can develop and improve. Children learn perseverance from an early age and the research shows that children who can persevere will have greater academic success, better social skills and will develop into more resilient adults. We deliberately plan opportunities for students to practice perseverance in the classroom.

There are nine recognised approaches to support young people to be able to persevere which are;

1. A deliberate focus on effort over results
2. Encouraging students to change their thinking from “I can’t do that” to “I can’t do that yet”
3. Setting goals
4. Celebrating small achievements and recognising progress towards bigger goals
5. Practising problem solving
6. Reading and talking about inspiring books that showcase perseverance
7. Deliberately challenging students with work that they find hard
8. Role modelling perseverance by demonstrating how as adults we persevere even when things get tough
9. Actively encouraging students to develop positive self-talk which enables them to be more resilient when things are challenging

 

 

Exams

 

With the start of public examinations after the Easter break, it is vital that we are supporting our students to persevere by encouraging them to revise. Good planning and revision are the best ways that our students can prepare for their exams. Everyone will feel nervous which is perfectly normal and the way our bodies help to ensure that we perform at our best. Nerves trigger the brain to release the right chemicals to help us perform.

 

it is vital that all students in Years 10-13 are using their revision timetables effectively and revising hard. This is essential over the Easter holiday which is a vital time for students to undertake a significant amount of revision.

All students in Year 11 will need to continue to attend school every day until they have sat their last exam and completed all coursework. There is no study leave for students in Years 10 or 11 and details of arrangements for KS5 have already been shared with parents and carers.

It is vital that students continue to attend their normal lessons even if they have sat the exam for that subject. If they have sat the exam for a timetabled lesson, they will need to bring revision materials with them to continue revising for their remaining exams. The evidence is overwhelming that students who continue to attend lessons until their final examination is completed do much better in their final exams.

The Power UP website has a range of useful revision guides and materials which can be accessed by following this link - Power Up

If any students need additional support with any of their subjects, please encourage them to speak to their class teacher who is best placed to support and guide them.

A-Level Results Day is Thursday 14^th August and GCSE Results Day is Thursday 21^st August. Further details about results days will be shared later on in the Summer Term.  

 

Mobile Phone - on-site but out of sight

Mobile phones are only allowed on site if they are switched off and kept in a bag – on site but out of sight. The vast majority of students work with us and keep their mobile phones off and away, however, we still have a small number of students who choose not to bring a bag to school and, whilst they are not using their phones, still move around the building holding them. This is not allowed under the policy and we will continue to confiscate mobile phones that are seen. We will be working with these students and asking for support from their families to ensure that all mobile phones can be on site but out of sight.

 

School Uniform

With the warmer weather we see an increase in the number of students choosing to wear shorts to school. Please note, students are not allowed to wear sports shorts. Any student wearing sports shorts to school will be required to change into correct uniform.

Our uniform is extremely affordable and easy to get hold of. It consists of 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. Please note in addition to sports shorts, track-suit bottoms and leggings are not part of our uniform.

Cardigans, jumpers and blazers are optional but students 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.

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 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.

All students must be in correct school uniform and have a coat and school bag.  We have a range of ‘pre-loved’ school uniform at school which is available for anyone who would like to access it. Please let us know if we can help with school uniform in anyway.

If you have any problems getting hold of school unform please let your child’s Form Tutor know in the first instance or email info@newporthigh.co.uk with “Uniform” in the title as we are happy to support with this.

 

Free School Meals

We are aware that many of our families may be entitled to Free School Meals but are not claiming this additional financial support. You can check if you are entitled to Free School Meals at www.newport.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/school-meals/free-school-meals

If you are not in receipt of Free School Meals but think you are eligible and would like any help in accessing, please let us know so we can support.

Families who are eligible for Free School Meals can also apply for additional help with other school costs including school uniform. You can find out more at https://www.newport.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/school-meals/free-school-meals

 

 

Social Media

Please can I urge all parents who have an issue or concern about school to contact us directly to discuss. This will give us the opportunity to try to resolve the issue.

If you have any concerns, please email us on: info@newporthigh.co.uk

 

Inset days and Term dates – 2024/2025

There are three INSET days left this year;

• Friday 27^th June 2025
• Monday 30^th June 2025
• Monday 21^st July 2025

 

We break up for the Easter holidays today, Friday 11^th April 2025 and return to school for the start of the summer term on Monday 28^th April. The last day of school this year is Friday 18^th July 2025.

 

With many thanks for your continued support.

 

Kind Regards

Mrs Lee