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RTS Parents' Newsletter
06 October 2023
Head Teacher's Message
I am delighted to share with you the progress on two sports-related projects that will enhance the Sports Department and the student's experience. Craneford Way Playing Fields redevelopment has now been completed and handed back to Richmond upon Thames College. Timetabled usage for RTS is being finalised with the college and we hope to have students back out on the pitches this week. The RTS Sports Building site is a hive of activity and it was fantastic to head over there this week for an inspection and chat with the project manager. The life of a Head Teacher is certainly varied!
Next week we are very much looking forward to our major Open Evening Event for Year 5 and 6 families and continue to meet prospective parents during our ongoing Open Mornings.
As the sunshine is set to return, I wish you all a lovely weekend
~Ms K Dooley | Head Teacher
This week at RTS
Year 7 Rugby
Year 7 boys ran out in their first rugby teams against Cardinal Vaughan this week. A great effort from the boys which unfortunately didn't translate into wins (two draws and a loss); but the teams are at the beginning of their journey and we can't wait to see what they will achieve! Well done.
RTS Sports Building Site
It may not look much at the moment, but a quick site visit this week by Ms Dooley revealed that the preparation ground works are well underway on the RTS Sports Building. The steel frame is for the new RuTC STEM Building, the white building with the windows is RuTC and the white building to the right is the RTS interim sports hall.
RTS Sports Building Design Image
When finished, this will be the view - almost from the same place. This is the public facing view as the Sports Building will also be used by the community. We are working closely with the constructors and plan to share regular updates with you as the build progresses.
Craneford Way Sport Pitches
Mr Briggs, Assistant Head Teacher, took a group of Year 9 students over in their fixture kit to test out the 3G pitch. The natural seeded pitch is still growing well and will hopefully be able to be used before the end of the year. The students were very impressed to be the first ones on to the pitches before the rest of the school and enjoyed the feel of the surface. Tom nearly took off with his kick for the posts!
Pitch perfect!
Annabel and Lucas testing out the pitch
Tom ready for take-off with a kick for the posts
What's happening at RTS next week?
Black History Month Continues for October
- Tuesday 10 October
- Year 11 GCSE Geography Trip to Stratford Olympic Park
- Year 9 Loudmouth Theatre Company workshops (in school)
- Year 11 Learning Performance workshops (in school)
- Wednesday 11 October
- Late start for all students at 09:45
- Thursday 12 October
- Year 11 GCSE Geography Trip to Stratford Olympic Park
Parent Trustee Nominations
A reminder that you have until noon on Wednesday 11 October to nominate yourself for the role of parent trustee. Here is the letter containing all of the details needed, but please do contact clerk@rts.richmond.sch.uk should you have any questions. We look forward to welcoming new trustees to the board.
Road Safety
Please can you remind your children to cross the road safely via the pedestrian controlled crossings or the footbridge when crossing over the A316. We have received reports from concerned members of the public who have witnessed children in RTS school uniform running across the road between cars.
Staff are out on duty before school and after school
Q&A with Ms Richards, Teacher of English
Your opinion and voice is important and valuable, and the only way to find that voice is to use it
What strategies do you use to motivate students who may be struggling or disengaged?
Try and link the lesson content to something they will recognise from their own life - such as TV shows, films, their hobbies, the news…It works really well in English as the subject covers so many topics!
If you could invite any historical figure to be a guest lecturer in your class, who would it be and why?
After much thought…Mary Shelley. We study Frankenstein in KS4 and I think hearing from Shelley herself (a lady who lived a very interesting but chaotic life) about all the ideas behind her groundbreaking novel would be invigorating.
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
Local News - Please note RTS does not endorse items included as Local News
Dramacube October Half-Term Workshop
Don't miss out Dramacube's October Half-Term performing arts workshops!
‘MAKE-A-SCARY-MOVIE’ WORKSHOPS | 2 Days | Walton, Esher and Hampton Hill
Young movie-makers aged 8-12 years can gain hands-on experience of screen makeup, directing and performing in their very own scary movie.
Everyone gets a digital link of their final film and families will be invited in on the afternoon of day two for an interactive cinema experience!
Find out more and book at https://www.dramacubeproductions.co.uk/october-half-term-workshops/
Positive Parenting Project
FREE EVENT Work/life balance for parents
How do you get the balance right as a working parent? Join us for this free online Q&A Discussion to hear Anita Cleare and Dalya Wittenberg talk through the different elements that make up work/life balance and how to find a balance that works for you. There will be advice from research, tips on effective habits, and a whole heap of thought-provoking discussion. Join us on 11th Oct at 8pm (UK)