RTS Parents' Newsletter

This has been a week of mixed emotions. Those of you whom had children in our first original cohort in 2017 will remember that we started our RTS journey in a corridor of the old Richmond upon Thames College. This week the demolition of the college reached the front of the building and 'our' corridor and first home of the school is no more. We certainly made some memories in that space and I look around me now at our beautiful building and think just how far we have come and how proud I am of what we have achieved since those first days.

There is still so much to come and now that Year 11 have finished their GCSEs (the last one was Food Technology on Wednesday) and officially left the building, we very much look forward to celebrating with them, and their families, at the Graduation event on Tuesday evening.

This is very much a time of transition. As we celebrate one cohort leaving, we are deep in plans for the transition of our next cohort - Transition day is on Monday 01 July and we look forward to welcoming our new Y6-7 students through the doors as they met their tutor groups and form tutors for the first time.

So I end the week with excitement for what is to come rather than sadness about what has passed.

Wishing you all a lovely and sun-filled weekend.

~Ms K Dooley | Head Teacher

Marko in Year 7 has been busy - not only is he achieving great things in Judo, but he took part in the English Handball Association U14 Nationals with his club, West London Eagles on Saturday 15th of June.

West London Eagles boys won and became national U14 Champions. West London Eagles girls also won the U14 national competition.

Well done Marko - what's next for you?!

As shared in a previous newsletter, NPL is one of our trust partners and we are delighted to share that the 25th NPL Water Rocket Challenge will be held on 26 June 2024. Click on the link to read more about it and how to join in!

All are welcome to head over to Bushy Park Sports Club on the evening of Wednesday 26 June to create (and launch) your own water rocket!

• Evening event: BBQ food and drink will be available for spectators and open event competitors to purchase from the Sports Pavilion between 18.00 and 20.30
• Toilets are located in the changing rooms next to the Pavilion
• Water taps next to the barriers provide rocket propellant

Students will be heading over during the day to take parent in the school's competition, but it looks to be a great event.

This week we move across to the Humanities Team and meet Ms Stewart, Teacher of Geography:

Describe your teaching style in three words:

• Reliable, creative and enthusiastic.

If you could invite any sports personality or musician to speak to your class, who would it be and why?

• It would be a very tough decision between Dave Grohl or Billy Joel - tune after tune, the pair of them. If we’re making miracles happen - Freddie Mercury and George Michael are also both welcome in for a sing-song.

If you could redesign your classroom any way you wanted, what would it look like?

• This is actually a hot topic with my form group - some of their suggestions include bean bags instead of chairs, a class pet you can take home at weekends, LED lights under desks and a buffet-style snack bar at the back of the classroom. My dream classroom would have lots of warm-light lamps - at home, I am very anti-'big light' (it is only to be used in emergencies)!

What would be your one piece of advice to parents of your students?

• Continue pushing them to be the best version of themselves!

The RTS Summer Fair & Creative Arts Showcase returns this year on Tuesday 09 July and we're looking forward to seeing you there! It will run from 18:00-20:00 at the Richmond upon Thames School.

There will be a creative arts showcase with music and art projects as well as food, drink, fun events and house stalls.

We will be running a second hand book stall raising money for the school, if you have any books you are willing to donate please ask your child to bring them in and drop them to Ms Nockolds in the library.

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)

The MET Police Central Youth Team, are currently running a project, offering FREE and online, parent/ carer engagement webinars in partnership with IVISON Trust. The sessions will give advice to parents/ carers, on how to spot signs of County Lines, gang affiliation, grooming and exploitation. The input will include a lived experience speaker who will explain how they themselves or their children, became involved with gangs and exploitation. The charity will also offer free long term support, to anyone who needs it or believes their young people have been or are being exploited.

Please click on the flyer for more invitation (or follow this Eventbrite link) and to reserve your free place. We would like to have as many people as possible joining the inputs.

The session for the West London boroughs (Hillingdon, Ealing, Hounslow, Wandsworth, Merton, Kingston, Richmond, Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham) will take place on Tuesday 25th June, 6.30pm – 7.30pm.

FoRTS Volunteering

Volunteering is such a valuable experience and your children will love you for it.

If you are interested in joining or would like to know about some of the vacant roles please contact Carmelle at the general email address below.

It really is less than 30 minutes of your time a week. All processes are in place so there’s no extra work to do. Join FoRTS by clicking here. It’s as simple as that!

Your FoRTS team,

Carmelle (Chair and Acting Secretary) and Jason & Somi (Treasurers)

General: forts@rts.richmond.sch.uk

Parking: fortsparking@rts.richmond.sch.uk

Schooldays will again be operating an appointment system during the summer months.
Book your slot early to avoid disappointment at:

https://schooldaysllp.co.uk/index.php/booking-form/

Also - you can now spread the cost of your purchases over 3 months - using Paypal, (Online only)

Best Wishes
The Schooldays & Just Dancing Team

94 High Street Whitton Whitton TW2 7LN T: 0208 898 4881 W:Schooldaysllp.co.uk

Stevensons' appointment service that they offer for new starters enables peace of mind to parents to have an hour booking with one of their trained members of staff to go through the school’s full uniform, allowing for a tailored experience and ensuring that the correct uniform is purchased ready for the start of the new academic year at a new school.

Full-term dates and Inset day information is available on the school's website:

• Summer Term 2: Monday 03 June-Wednesday 17 July 2024

Throughout this year, Richmond Council is hosting a series of mega skip days in each area of the borough, where local residents can get rid of bulky unwanted items for free.

The mega skip next Saturday 22 June will be placed on Edwin Road in South Twickenham, from 9am to 12pm. Residents can bring loads of things, like furniture or mattresses, electrical appliances, black bags, etc. Items are then recycled. Any furniture that’s brought and still in good condition is taken by local charity Richmond Furniture Scheme, who upcycle second-hand furniture and sell on for a discount.

Looking for something to do tomorrow? The weather looks good!!!

Why not come along to the KEW FETE
Location: Pond Side, Kew Green, Kew, London, TW9 3AP

Over 100 stalls, Reuben Bond's Vintage Fairground, Entertainment on the stage all day, The famous Kew Fete Friendly Dog Show, The infamous Kew Fete Tug of War, Charity Raffle

Arts Richmond will be running their famous Affordable Art Tent with hundreds of fantastic pieces of art by local artists, all at very affordable prices, so come and bag a bargain! We will also be running a raffle to win a piece of art and sharing all the other things Arts Richmond do in the borough.

��A SHOUT OUT TO FOOTBALL-LOVING YEAR 7 GIRLS ��

Hearts of Teddlothian is seeking new players to join its Bobcats Team (u13s in September).

We’re looking for all positions, but we’re really keen to recruit:

⚽ A Keeper

⚽ Defenders

⚽ A Centre Forward

We play our home games at Waldegrave School, Twickenham, and are one of the only clubs in the

area that plays home games on a Saturday (Sunday morning lie-in anyone?!).

We’re lucky enough to be trained by @platformcoaching on a Tuesday, so have an emphasis on both fun and developing the girls as players.

Interested? We can’t wait to hear from you. Drop us a line at girlsfootball@heartsofteddlothian.com

or WhatsApp Kate on 07368134273.

Got a daughter in a different age group who’d be keen? We have spaces in various age groups

so drop us a line.

Harlequins Girls Summer Residential Camps are on sale now - read more about them and book here.

Join Netball Coach UK for a summer & pre-season netball camp in Richmond Upon Thames.

Our camps are open to children in School Years 2-9 and are suitable for experienced and aspiring ballers, as well as those new to the game.

What to expect: Expert coaching by qualified coaches, skills development and the chance to make new friends and tons of match play!

Summer Camp

25 & 26 July at Tiffin Girls School, KT2

Pre-season Camp

29 & 30 August at Grey Court School, TW10

Cost: £40 per session, 9am-12noon

Book at: https://netballcoachuk.com/richmondcamp

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.

It's time to set sail for sunny shores, tropical lands....and London's West End!

Tickets for Moana JR are on sale now, our West End Musicals Weekend cast lists close soon, there is something 'tasty' happening in Twickenham and our 10% off school holiday workshops ends this Sunday! Read on to find out how to join us on these epic musical theatre adventures.

We’re now looking forward to all the fun at our summer camp and wanted to remind you of the exclusive discount for your school community.

We wouldn’t want your school parents to miss out on this exclusive offer and would really appreciate it if you could promote this in your newsletters.

Parents just need to add SCHOOL20 in the promotion box to receive an extra £20 off when they book 2 or more days. Please find the coded flyer below and attached.

What’s more, if parents book now, they’ll benefit from our early booking discounts and can take advantage of our interest free monthly instalment options. There couldn’t be a better time to tick summer childcare off the list of things to do.

As we're Ofsted registered, we also accept ALL Childcare Vouchers and Tax-Free Childcare. Parents often like to use the vouchers/credits they’ve saved up over the course of the year for their summer holiday childcare.

Amazing residential camps

We’re really excited about our summer holiday residential camps, in partnership with PGL, now available to book for 8-16 year olds. This is a great opportunity for children to grow in confidence and independence during the school holidays.

What’s more, we’re happy to offer exclusive discounts for your school community!

Parents just need to add OFFER20 in the promotion box to receive an extra £20 off their booking for any 4-night stays. Or for any 7-night stays, add OFFER30 in the promotion box to receive an extra £30 off their booking.

We wouldn’t want your school parents to miss out on this exclusive offer and would really appreciate it if you could promote this in your newsletters

With 4 night and 7 night options at 2 great locations in Suffolk or Surrey to choose from, they’ll enjoy beautiful surroundings, modern accommodation, dining facilities and high adrenaline activities!

See our residential camps here: https://www.barracudas.co.uk/locations-prices/residential-camps/

We really appreciate the relationships we build with local school communities. Please do share our assets with your parents and staff in your updates and newsletters. We look forward to welcoming your school’s children to camp this year.

If you have a PTA or school association group that would be interested in partnership opportunities, please feel free to forward this on to them and get them to contact us.

Please see the flyer to come and join us to watch the Euros at the Hampton and Richmond Football Club.

Please do bring all your friends and family.... Free Entry!!

The Mental Health Support Team for Richmond are running a series of online workshops for families, entitled ‘Helping Children with…’.

The last series was very popular and feedback was very positive. These workshops would be a great way to support your child at home if they are experiencing any difficulties in the areas covered.

Click on the first link to sign up; the second link is a follow up feedback form if you attend the session:

• Wednesday 26 June: MHST workshop: Helping children with sleep / Parent feedback form
• Friday 28 June: MHST workshop: Helping children with sleep / Parent feedback form

Achieving for Children’s Mental Health Support Teams are delivering a series of webinars for

parents of secondary aged children and young people (CYP). The ‘Helping teens with ...’ series

of webinars will cover a range of common difficulties experienced by CYP and will aim to share

evidence-based strategies to help parents and carers support their CYP with these difficulties.

Below is a list of webinars on offer over the coming months. In the third and fourth columns of

the table below, you will find the sign up links. Please note that sign up links will be added a

month before the webinar dates.

If you would like to stay up to date with events as they happen, click the links to follow us on:

TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK LINKEDIN