

RTS Parents' Newsletter
29 September 2023
Head Teacher's Message
Students are firmly settled into new routines now and there is great atmosphere around school. There is a real buzz of activity and energy and with so much to do this term we look forward to that energy continuing.
Parent Consultations begin next week, so please do keep an eye out for appointment invitations and communications regarding dates, timings and locations (some are in school and some are remote).
Thank you to those families who joined us on Thursday evening for a truly wonderful evening sharing our cultural commonalities and differences and to have the opportunity to get to know our families in a more informal setting. Thank you to FoRTS and also the MFL Department for their incredible organisation of the evening and for giving up their time to support.
Wishing you a pleasant weekend.
~Ms K Dooley | Head Teacher
Year 7 Update
"It has been such a privilege to lead our lovely Year 7 students through this transition period. Making the jump from Year 6 to Year 7 is no small thing and I am immensely proud of how every single Year 7 student has tackled this challenge. The students have grown in their confidence since starting at RTS - new friendships have been formed, they have established their form time routines and have got to know their teachers and other adults that are here to help them. They are rising to the challenge of a new way of doing things and I'm grateful to their form tutors for all the support they're giving the children in making this transition.
Competition amongst the Year 7 houses is fierce! Students work hard to ensure they get the most merits possible in order to demonstrate their personal excellence and to represent their house well. Currently 7 Madiba lead the way with the most merits - well done to them, although it is early days! Special mention to Erica, Amy and Alfie D who lead the way with their individual totals."
What's happening at RTS next week?
- Wednesday 04 October, 15:00: Early Finish for all students (no P.6 in school - lesson resources posted on Google Classrooms)
- Wednesday 04 October, 15:30-19:30: Year 11 Subject Teacher Consultations (in school)
- Wednesday 04 October, 17:30-19:00: Year 7/New Parents Technology Sessions (in school)
- Friday 06 October, all day: INSET Day - school closed to students
Reminder: Nominations for Parent Trustee
There is still time to nominate yourself to become a parent trustee. All of the details can be found in the letter sent out on Monday. The deadline for nominations is noon on Wednesday 11 October, please email clerk@rts.richmond.sch.uk if you have any queries or would like further details.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Q&A with Mr Novi, Teacher of English and Media Studies
What inspired you to become a teacher?
Can you share a memorable moment from your time at RTS?
If you pursued a different career path other than teaching, what profession would you choose
If you could invite any historical figure to be a guest lecturer in your class, who would it be and why?
SPOTLIGHT CORNER
Library Corner
The library (or Independent Learning Zone (ILZ)) is open to all students at break and lunch time every day.
It is a quiet and calm space where students can come and read and study
We have a very wide range of books on offer - from all the latest BookTok favourites, graphic novels and manga to literature classics, old and modern. We also have a wide range of non-fiction and reference books - including a dedicated section for mental health and wellbeing and a full range of GCSE revision guides.
We hold a Scholastic Book Fair once a year in September which earns the school Scholastic book rewards. Thanks to the generosity of parents and students, the recent fair raised over £300 in book rewards for the school.
We are also very lucky to have received very generous donations from FoRTS which have helped to fund our collection of manga books. These are incredibly popular and have encouraged many students into the library, some who may not ordinarily have visited!
We get involved in a variety of book related activities and competitions, including the inter-schools Battle of the Books competition, the Yoto Carnegie Book Award and the Excelsior Manga & Graphic Novel Award - as well as our own KS3 Reading Challenge.
All students in KS3 have a termly reading lesson in the library, and all Year 7 students will be having their introduction to the library over the next two weeks.
We have a dedicated team of student librarians - some of whom are now in Year 10 and have been helping since Year 7!
Safeguarding
If you have concerns in relation to a student at RTS or indeed with regards to your own child, you may want to contact Single Point of Access (SPA) which acts as a central information hub for all professional agencies in Kingston and Richmond.
Richmond and Kingston SPA
The SPA phone lines are now open as follows:
Monday-Thursday 08.00-17.15 and Friday 08.00-17.00 - the phone number during these times is 020 8547 5008
Out of hours: 020 8770 5000
Hounslow Early Help Assessment
Telephone number: 020 8583 6600
Out of hours: 020 8583 2222
Email: earlyhelp@hounslow.gov.uk
NSPCC:
Speak to a counsellor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Telephone number: 0808 800 5000, or text 88858
Email: help@nspcc.org.uk
Signvideo using British Sign Language (Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm)
Terms Dates 2023 - 2024
Full-term dates and Inset day information is available on the school's website:
Autumn Term 1: 04 September 2023 - 20 October 2023
Autumn Term 2: 06 November 2023 - 20 December 2023
Contacting the School
If you wish to contact the school, the School Office is open (term time only):
Monday-Thursday - 08:15-16:30
Friday - 08:15-15:00
Please use the Parents Communications Summary for guidance on types of queries and where advice may be found/who to direct your query to.
Email: info@rts.richmond.sch.uk
Website: https://www.richmonduponthamesschool.org.uk/
Location: Egerton Road, Twickenham TW2 7SL, UK
Phone: 0208 891 2985
FoRTS
FoRTS AGM
The AGM was conducted Thursday evening at the school. We will provide more information to you in next week’s newsletter.
PTA volunteering opportunities
If you would like to be part of the fundraising team please email fortssecretary@rts.richmond.sch.uk
We cannot function unless we have a pool of volunteers. All money raised goes to the full benefit of RTS students through enhanced enrichment opportunities.
Pre-loved uniform
If you have any uniform donations please ask your child to drop them off at reception when they enter school.
Rugby Parking
Marshalling the school car park on rugby and event days is the biggest money maker for FoRTS. If you are interested in joining the marshalling team’s Whatsapp group please email Rob on fortsparking@rts.richmond.sch.uk
Your FoRTS team,
Carmelle (Chair and Acting Secretary) and Mark (Treasurer - stepping down)
Secretary: fortssecretary@rts.richmond.sch.uk
Parking: fortsparking@rts.richmond.sch.uk
Voluntary donations: Peoples Fundraising
Local News - Please note RTS does not endorse items included as Local News
Richmond Sea Cadets
Sea Cadets provides children and young people aged 10-18 a huge variety of activities based on the themes and customs of today’s Royal Navy. From STEM, first aid and navigation to water activities such as sailing, kayaking and powerboating. Today 14,000 young people based in over 400 units across the UK are being developed into resourceful and independent young adults outside the classroom environment supported by 9,000 dedicated volunteers.
To find out more information about Sea Cadets and what we do visit https://www.sea-cadets.org/
Find out more about Richmond Sea Cadets - where and when we meet.
Twickenham RFC
Twickenham RFC (based in Hampton) are recruiting new players for the U13s team.
Join Netball Coach UK for an October half term netball camp in Richmond.
Our camps are open to children in School Years 3-10 and are suitable for experienced and aspiring ballers, as well as those new to the game.
Book at: https://netballcoachuk.com/camps
What to expect: Expert coaching by qualified coaches, skills development, Vitality Superleague athlete appearance by ENGLAND MEN'S TEAM PLAYER LEWIS KEELING, the chance to make new friends and tons of match play!
When: Week 1 19 & 20 October Week 2 23, 24, 25 October
Where: GREY COURT SCHOOL, HAM, TW10 7HN
Cost: £39.50 per session
Enquiries: Email us with any questions – info@netballcoachuk.com
Netball Coach UK believes in the power of sport to elevate and inspire young people. Our company is run by netballers for netballers to provide high quality, fun and accessible netball provision across London.