RTS Parents' Newsletter

As always, thank you to Year 7 and Year 8 parents who were able to attend the various information evenings held this week - Numeracy & Literacy, SEND welcome, and the Year specific information sessions. It was a busy evening with four events and it was fantastic to see so many familiar faces and to welcome new ones. We hope that you found the information shared useful. This week we look forward to welcoming Years 9 and 10 for their respective information sessions.

Looking ahead, we have also begun preparations for our Open Evening Event on Wednesday 25 September. You may have begun your RTS journey with us by attending this event, so please do spread the word amongst Year 5 and 6 families (tickets are available on our website).

I hope that you have a great weekend.

~Ms K Dooley | Head Teacher

This summer Albert, Year 11, had a podium finish - winning a Bronze medal at the U17 National Volleyball Championship finals at Sandbanks.

Albert was also selected to represent England for the first time in the Home Nations tournament.

He is now also part of the England Talent Pathway for indoor volleyball and spent 5 days at a camp in Kettering National Volleyball Centre in August.

We are incredibly proud to be able to support Albert in his endeavours in volleyball and continue to wish him every success.

An exciting moment this week - the new sports centre was being given its name! We are so very nearly there and are full of anticipation for the final building safety checks and the handover.

Year 7 have had an amazing start to the RTS journey, with the adventurous whole cohort trip to Thames Young Mariner, experiencing brand new subjects and new specialist teachers, and there have been many rave reviews about the food served at lunchtime!

Despite the transition from primary school to secondary being a huge and daunting step at times, Year 7 have put their best foot forward and made a great impression, this has been made clear through the continuous positive comments made by staff members as well as the high amount of merits being given out.

As their Head of Year I am extremely proud and can already see that the year group is going to be a great asset to RTS. I am looking forward to working alongside them throughout the journey.

~Ms Charles, Head of Year 7

Welcome to Year 9. It was pleasing to see the students returning smart and ready to learn in this pivotal transitional academic year.

This year the students will be making GCSE topic choices, embarking on the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze programme, enjoying an activities week, hearing from key speakers; as well as a number of other beneficial experiences.

We are looking forward to working with this cohort and developing their already impressive talent, intelligence and charisma that is abundant in this year group. Coupled with a high standard in appearance and behaviour, we are excited about what this year will bring.

~Mr Barrett, Head of Year 9

As we gear up for another academic year at the Richmond upon Thames School, I would like to extend a warm welcome to Year 11 to you all! This year marks a significant turning point in your child's educational journey. It's a year filled with opportunities for personal growth, academic development, and preparation for the future. Year 11 have already shown up ready to learn and full of enthusiasm for their education. Despite the downpours earlier in the week they are showing great maturity in their new off site lunch privileges and stepping assuredly into their roles as RTS role models. We couldn’t be prouder of the fantastic young adults that they have become and look forward to celebrating their achievements throughout the year.

I’ll leave you with these words from one of our Head Students: “I can feel the noticeable difference in being at the top of the school - everyone is focused on their education and aiming high. People are more excited about the year than they are nervous and it feels like year 10 has prepared us well to spread our wings!”

~Ms Lang, Head of Year 11

Imago Photography will be in school on Tuesday 24 September to take individual photographs of Years 7, 9 and 11.

Please see flyer - further details will be emailed out to parents next week.

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)

FoRTS update

We would like to extend our gratitude to the school for providing Brad and I with the opportunity to speak with the Year 7 parents on Wednesday evening. During our presentation, we shared valuable information about the role of FoRTS in supporting the school community and empowering students.

We are pleased to report that the response was overwhelmingly positive, resulting in a significant number of new volunteer sign-ups.

Obviously, FoRTS cannot support the school unless we have volunteers; please click this link if you can spare an hour or two in the new academic year to support the fundraising events for the school to enrich our children’s learning.

We are seeking a Treasurer to shadow our current Treasurer this year, with a full step-up to 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.

The FoRTS AGM will be held at the start of the International Food Evening on Thursday 19 September at 6pm, please do come along and support fellow parents.

International Food Evening - Thursday 19 September, 6-8pm

Next Thursday marks the return of the International Food Evening, where parents are invited to bring dishes from their home countries to share. This event is free and will be held at the school.

FoRTS will be present, offering refreshments for purchase.

While the event is primarily aimed at the new intake of Year 7 parents, all are welcome to attend.

RTS car parking marshalling

This Saturday marks the return of international rugby at Twickenham Stadium, presenting a significant fundraising opportunity for the school.

We invite you to donate two hours of your time to support the marshalling efforts alongside other enthusiastic and like-minded parents.

If you are available to assist with this or future events, please contact the parking team at fortsparking@rts.richmond.sch.uk.

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

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

• Autumn Term: Tuesday 03 September - Friday 25 October 2024

• INSET Day: Friday 11 October

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

Nuffield Health have created a programme - Move Together aimed at girls aged 11-16. Classes take place at Nuffield Twickenham on Wednesdays at 16:30. Enrol now for free weekly fitness classes, exclusively for girls aged 11-16.

The Girls U13 Hampton and Richmond Youth football team are currently looking for U13 girls to join our existing squad (school year 8). All ability levels welcome.

Contact details are in the flyer - the manager is a parent of an RTS alumni.

Limited Places Remaining!

We can't wait to start rehearsals for Disney's Beauty & The Beast JR in Walton on Thames, Teddington, Twickenham and Hampton Hill.

Come join our award-winning casts where every child has a part to play - regardless of their experience.

YOUTH THEATRE (13-18 YRS)
YOUNG PERFORMERS (8-12 YRS)
MINI MUSICALS (5-7 YRS)

• Spaces still available on Kingston Adult Education courses starting in coming weeks

• English, maths, digital skills, childcare, vocational, wellbeing, arts & crafts, language, history and creative writing courses offered

• Plus Job Search Programme providing practical advice to people wanting to return to work after a break or looking to change careers

• FREE and discounted courses offered

As part of Kingston Council, Kingston Adult Education provides a diverse range of courses to people aged 19 or over. A lot of their courses take place in school hours and are term time only.

Furthermore a number of their courses are government funded, therefore free or offered at reduced rates to eligible learners.

Places are still available on courses starting this month. See their latest prospectus for a full listing of available courses: bit.ly/KAE-2425prospectus

To enrol, click on the relevant link in the prospectus or contact them directly on 020 8547 6700 or at adult.education@kingston.gov.uk

Barnes FC is the FA founding member and the sixth oldest football club in England, established in 1862. The club founded by Ebenezer Cobb Morley (founder of the FA rules) in 1862 and was run from 1926 to 1972 by Leslie Kilsby, from Stanton Road Barnes and two years ago the old club was revived.

As a not-for-profit organization, committed to providing healthy activities for adults and youth, we are actively seeking support from local schools.

Currently we are looking for children aged 12 and 13 for our U15 team and girls 16+ for our ladies team . Next year we hope to have more teams .

We train Wednesdays at 6.00pm -8pm at Barn Elms Sports Centre , (top) of Queen Elizabeth Walk, Barnes, SW13 ODG (youth teams) (with home matches on a Saturday) and the adult women team train and play at Quintin Hogg Riverside pitches in Chiswick on a Thursday evening (with home matches on a Sunday).

If you are interested, please contact:

Julie Burgess

Secretary, Barnes Football Club

07897506524

secretary@barnesfootballclub.co.uk

www.barnesfootballclub.co.uk

Barracuda's have October half term camps available locally!

We’re pleased to offer you an exclusive discount code. We’re offering parents £20 off your local camp with the code SCHOOL20.

We also have our Early Booking Offer available up to 22nd September so parents can save up to £85 with our discounted rates and your exclusive code if they book now!

Just a reminder, as we're Ofsted registered, we also accept ALL Childcare Vouchers and Tax-Free Childcare.

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