RTS Parents' Newsletter
22 November 2024
Head Teacher's Message
After the renewed energy of returning to school last week, this week, for Years 7-9, has been about focusing on their topic checks during their subject lessons; and checking their knowledge and understanding and reflecting on what they have learnt so far this term.
Year 9 also headed out for a trip to the National Army Museum.
With the first cold snap of weather that we have had this week, please ensure that students' are dressed in their school uniform appropriately and that all outer layers are labelled clearly. It is surprising how alike all black coats look!
Stay warm this weekend.
~Ms K Dooley | Head Teacher
Spotlight On...
Ukrainian Books in the Library
The Ukrainian St Mary's Trust has very generously gifted several books in Ukrainian to RTS as part of their ongoing initiative to support displaced Ukrainian children in the UK. These carefully selected works aim to help young Ukrainians maintain their connection with their native culture and promote the development of their native language. By providing access to Ukrainian literature, the Trust hopes to enhance their bilingual skills. They believe that maintaining linguistic and cultural ties is crucial for these young learners as they navigate their new circumstances. Through this donation, the Trust hopes to contribute to their overall well-being and academic success, while also enriching the school's diverse learning environment.
About Ukrainian St Mary’s Trust
Ukrainian St Mary’s Trust is the largest education charity supporting displaced children in the UK. Its mission is to create healing and supportive educational environments, helping displaced Ukrainian children preserve their cultural identity, overcome trauma, and integrate into their new lives. The Trust offers a range of programs, including trauma recovery support, GCSE tutoring, and enrichment activities.
GCSE Art Work
The Year 10 GCSE Art students recently had great fun with Lino prints.
Firstly they were given a demonstration of how to print using Lino prints and then it was over to them to draw their own designs and hand cut and print the lino prints themselves.
The theme is Natural Forms, and the Year 10s are currently doing a series of art workshops to learn and improve on art techniques, that they can then carry forward and use further over the course of the next two years.
Friends of RTS (FoRTS)
Volunteer Opportunity: Car Parking Marshalling
Well done to all the parent and student volunteers who are key to making this a successful fundraiser for our children’s school.
We are seeking volunteers to assist with marshalling. If you are able to donate two hours of your time, please click the link below to join the FoRTS car parking team. You can sign up for available slots at times that suit your schedule. If you are not able to assist with the last Autumn International Game this Sunday, 24 November, then we are already looking ahead to the February Six Nations games!
Join the FoRTS Car Parking Team
Your support is invaluable and greatly appreciated.
FoRTS update
We are seeking a Treasurer to shadow our current Treasurer this year, with a full-time start next academic year. If you are interested in learning more about this role, please contact Carmelle.
All processes are already in place, so there is no additional work involved. The responsibilities include totaling any money raised, sending it to the bank, and providing termly updates on funds raised and spent.
Easyfundraising
Great news, we’ve registered Friends of Richmond upon Thames School with #easyfundraising, which means over 7,500 brands will now donate to us for FREE every time you use easyfundraising to shop with them. These donations will help SO MUCH, so please sign up to support us – it’s completely FREE and doesn’t take long. Sign up here: Easyfundraising
FoRTS Volunteering
We do have a lovely small team of volunteers and do have fun especially with the rugby parking marshalling. 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
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)
Term Dates 2024-2025
Full-term dates and Inset day information is available on the school's website:
Autumn Term 2: Monday 11 November-Friday 20 December (12 noon)
Spring Term 1: Monday 06 January (09:45 start for all year groups)-Friday 14 February
Spring Term 2: Monday 24 February*-Friday 04 April (12 noon)
*Monday 24 February- INSET Day for staff, school closed to students
Parent Calendar Summary
Please find the Parent Calendar Summary for 2024-2025. Please check this regularly as some dates and times may be adjusted throughout the year.
Local News - Please note RTS does not endorse items included as Local News
I wish I’d known" webinar
“I wish I'd known” has been commissioned by the public health team in Kingston and is being run by the Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation. It aims to help parents understand the risks regarding drug use and offers strategies for keeping young people safer. It is targeted at parents/carers of secondary school-age children.
Webinar Details:
Date: 27 November
Time: 6:30 pm - 7:30pm
Platform: Zoom
Richmond Borough Mind - Mental Elf Festive Fun Run
Mental Elf is coming to town! Richmond Borough Mind are excited to host our first 'Mental Elf' Festive Fun Run on Sunday 1st December 2024 at the beautiful Marble Hill Park in Twickenham.
Participants can choose to walk, run or jog up to 5k – the event is open to all abilities and ages; our doggie friends are welcome too! Mental Elf is a unique family-friendly event that focuses on bringing people together, not only to fundraise but to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing locally. It promotes the benefits of physical activity, connecting with people and doing something positive to help others while having fun. Festive fancy dress is strongly encouraged and there will be a prize for the best dressed participant and a medal will be given to everyone completing the run. There will be loads going on including a DJ, glitter face painting and goodie bags.
To find out more information and sign up to the event visit: Mental Elf Fun Run 2024 - Richmond Borough Mind (rbmind.org)
Dramacube
Musical Theatre Workshop for 6-12 year olds
On Sat 30th November, Dramacube will be running a fun filled two hour festive Musical Theatre workshop at A Taste of Twickenham's “Twickmas” Market.
6-12 year olds will play drama games plus learn a song and routine from much loved Christmas musical.
Places are limited and pre-booking is essential. £7 per child.