RTS Parents' Newsletter

Thank you to all those families who were able to join us for the Year 9 Options evening this week. It was an incredibly informative evening and we hope that your main 'takeaway' was just how much support is on offer and available in school to aide students in making their decisions. Myself and the rest of the Senior Leadership Team very much look forward to speaking with students individually to discuss their thoughts and choices.

We were also delighted this week to welcome a a team of talented needleworkers from the Royal School of Needlework with 'Henry VIII on tour' - we are very honoured to be part of this project. Our teaching staff are dedicated to ensuring students experience a broad range of visits and external visitors coming in to school and we are fortunate to be based in area closely surrounded by access to such a rich cultural heritage.

Hope you have a restful weekend.

~Ms K Dooley | Head Teacher

We are proud and thrilled to share with you that our star gymnast, Caitlyn, Year 9, has been selected onto the 2025 Tumbling Junior programme at British Gymnastics. Her ongoing dedication and commitment to both her gymnastics and schoolwork is commendable and a real inspiration. Well done Caitlyn!

Our Year 9 Options Evening was a fantastic event - the school was a hub of enquiring and excited voices as Year 9 families firstly listened to a presentation on the GCSE pathways and options available, and also looked ahead to the Duke of Edinburgh programme, and then explored the school visiting subject classrooms where staff and Year 10 students were waiting for them. It was great to have so many questions being asked and answered by those that really know what it's like to study that subject at GCSE here at RTS.

Year 10 have been focusing on a skills project: working on their marking out, measuring and presentation skills. In particular, focusing on the use of a marking gauge, chisel and a mallet. The paper gripper is effectively a paper clip.

This week saw a group of 30 Year 8 students engage in a Henry VIII workshop which was organised and funded by Historic Royal Palaces, working in partnership with the Royal School of Needlework. Students were invited to embroider pieces of fabric which will form a bunting for Henry VIII on Tour festival at Hampton Court in the summer. Thank you to Ms Harding for facilitating this session - students found it extremely mindful and some staff also came along to join in!

• Reminder - Monday 24 February is an INSET Day. School is closed to Y7-10 students on this day for staff training. Year 11 students are in school for intensive GCSE revision sessions.

• Year 9 parents - Y9 Parent Consultation is on Wednesday 26 February, keep an eye on your emails for the booking link which will be sent next week.

Pre-loved uniform: upcoming sales for your dairy

A reminder of upcoming pre-loved uniform sales:

Please see the dates below - Fridays 2:30-4pm - PLEASE NOTE: no entry into the school until 2.30pm - please access the Atrium via the Main Reception entrance only there are extra-curricular events happening elsewhere in school. The FoRTS banner will be up to show you where the entrance is!

14 February

21 March

16 May

20 June

These will be held in the Atrium of the school. Please pay by card wherever possible but we will also accept cash.

Rugby car park marshalling

We do have a lovely small team of volunteers and do have fun especially with the rugby parking marshalling Join the FoRTS Car Parking Team

There are major games coming up in February/March so please click the above link to join the parking crew in 2 hour slots.

Easyfundraising

Please take a minute out of your day to register for Easyfundraising.

We have 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. 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 the FoRTS Car Parking Team

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.

All the above and more cannot be done without your help so please look to donate a couple of hours of your time when requested.

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

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)

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

• Spring Term 1: Monday 06 January 2025-Friday 14 February 2025

• Spring Term 2: INSET DAY: Monday 24 February, Students: Tuesday 25 February-Friday 04 April

Please find the Parent Calendar Summary for 2024-2025. Please check this regularly as some dates and times may be adjusted throughout the year.

At loose end on Saturday? Love to Sing?

Why not join us for the day and let your musical hair down! Sing stunning songs from an iconic show, release your inner Maria and let the hills come alive! Saturday 8th February at St Richards Church Ham TW10 7NL.

Rogers & Hammerstein’s ‘Sound of Music’ Conductor: Richard Harker Accompanist: Jonathan Booth

9.30am: Registration

10am: Singing

12 noon: Lunch (Bring your own)

12.30pm: Networking with local choirs and choral societies

1pm: Singing

3pm: Break

3.30pm: Performance for Family and Friends

4pm: Finish

Ticket £25.00 (Include Score Hire Sound of Music Choral Selection)

Family and Friends Tickets £5.00 on the door or online

Book here: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/72106

Following last year’s successful programme, Richmond Council is continuing to host a series of mega skip days in each area of the borough during 2025, where local residents can get rid of bulky unwanted items for free.

The mega skip next Saturday 15 February will be placed in your community at the junction of Andover Road and Meadway, 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.

We know that many children from local schools love attending our holiday activity camps, and we’re delighted to offer a special discount for your families. Parents can use your school’s exclusive code SCHOOL20 at checkout to receive an extra £20 off when they book a minimum of 2 days!

Even better, we’ve extended our lowest weekly rates for Easter and weekly and daily rates for summer, giving families the chance to save up to £100 per week! With flexible payment options, including Tax-Free Childcare, Childcare Vouchers, and interest-free monthly instalments, it’s the perfect time to book.

We are thrilled to announce the launch of a new project in Ham, Richmond running every Thursday from 5:30pm-7:30pm, aimed at empowering young people from refugee and ethnic minority backgrounds. This 11-week initiative, which begun on Thursday 16th January and will be running until Thursday 27th March 2025, will provide a safe and inclusive space for personal development, creativity, and social connection.

The project aims to:

· Improve the identification and support for children and young people at greatest risk of harm and exploitation.

· Expand access to positive opportunities through training, volunteering, and enrichment programs.

· Integrate prevention-based interventions and community-led initiatives to empower vulnerable youth, reduce violence, and build social cohesion in one of the borough’s identified hotspot areas.

About the Project

The sessions will take place every Thursday from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Ham Youth Club, Richmond. The project offers two types of free, fortnightly sessions running alternately over the following 10 weeks:

1. Social Cohesion Workshops and Social Club (begun on Thursday 16th January 2025)
• Topics: Violence prevention, mental health, and physical wellbeing.
• Activities: Interactive discussions, games, and opportunities for social interaction to build confidence and foster strong community ties.
2. Youth Academic Support and Arts & Music Workshop (begun on Thursday 23rd January 2025)
• Focus: Academic assistance and creative skill-building in arts and music.
• Goals: Encourage self-expression, develop practical skills, and provide a positive alternative to potentially harmful environments.

The project is open to young people aged 11-25 from refugee and ethnic minority backgrounds, with our Social Cohesion Workshops and Social Club open to those aged 18-25, and our Youth Academic Support and Arts & Music Workshop open to those aged 11-17.

The Parent Coffee, Cake and Chat drop-in groups are a welcoming environment for parents of children from age 10 to age 18, to meet with other parents, discuss local or parenting issues, share hobbies and interests and learn about wellbeing and further professional development opportunities.

If you feel like you need information, support or guidance and you’re unable to obtain this from conventional services - pop on down, or contact us for more information!

child is either in a Richmond or Kingston school they are welcome to attend.

Kingston parents can attend Richmond cafes and vice versa.

Mondays in Mortlake, Powerstation Youth Centre, 121a Mortlake High Street, SW14 8SN. Any Monday year round except Bank holidays.

11:15am to 12:15pm Mindfulness for parents

12:30 to 1:30 Parent cake, coffee and chat

1:30-3pm General public - PCCN Foodbank, Richmond Food Bank and Monday Champions Café .

1-2-1 available by appointment, please contact Sanya. sanya.walker-batson@achievingforchildren.org.uk

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Thursdays, term time only Kingsnympton Youth and Community Centre, Kingsnympton Park, Kingston , KT2 7RW

10am Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi( sports hall)

11am Mindfulness ( computer room)

11am Tai Chi classic - Cantonese instructions

10am to 12 noon Parent coffee cake and chat

12 noon Pilates

12 noon food bank

12:30 informative guest talks

1 to 2pm community lunch

General ESOL classes available on site also, termly via Kingston Adult Education Service , termly from 10-1pm.

1-2-1 available by appointment, please contact Sanya

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The Hampton White House Family Hub, 45 The Avenue, Hampton, TW12 3RN

11am to 1pm, Parent advice drop in every 2nd Tuesday of the month, term time only, next to Richmond Food Bank in the café area or Room 5 when available.

Available by appointment in person or online at other times On Tuesdays, term time only.

Kingston Adult Education has a number of new workshops and short courses taking place this term that we think might be of interest to you:

1. FREE maths courses for adults to grow your numeracy confidence and help you to better support your children with their maths school work.

1. A series of two-hour Saturday family workshops where you (or another adult) and your child can spend quality time together while learning. Workshops cost £20 for one adult and one child and activities include cookery, computing, Italian and art, and jewellery making.

See this brochure for further details about these courses as well as Kingston Adult Education’s wider offering: bit.ly/KAE-Spring2025

Their classes take place both online and at centres across the Royal Borough of Kingston.

For further information, please contact Kingston Adult Education directly on 020 8547 6700 or at adult.education@kingston.gov.uk

Barracudas are delighted to have launched their 2025 school holiday activity camps.

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