RTS Parents' Newsletter

I am sure that you will agree with me that it cannot possibly be December this weekend? November has absolutely sped past.

I appreciate how busy the next couple of weeks are for families, and life in school is no different. We still have much to achieve in the curriculum and look forward to sharing end of term reports with you in the last week of term. Year 11 are currently mid-way through their second set of GCSE mock exams and have been settling in well to sitting these in the new Sports Hall space (where they will also take their final exams in the summer).

Speaking of the new Sports Hall, we have sent out an invitation to next Wednesday's Parent Forum (04 December). This is an opportunity to have a tour of the new Sports Hall as part of the evening's programme. We will also be sharing information on assessments and reporting, and an opportunity to sign up for the online safety monitoring platform - Qustudio. Please do sign up via the Google Form in the email. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the Forum.

I hope you have a pleasant weekend.

~Ms K Dooley | Head Teacher

Congratulations to Isabelle W. in Year 7 for winning our Design a Bookmark Competition!

It was a close decision between the final four designs, but the judges loved your design of an RTS student looking for a book in the library.

These bookmarks will be available in the library for students to pick up.

On 20 November a group of Year 9 students attended a trip to the National Army Museum, Chelsea. They started the day with a workshop on World War One trench medicine where they were given real artifacts to work with, then they visited the galleries. 'Driving' the tank and following drill instructions from a virtual soldier were especially popular! Well done to the students for their excellent behaviour and engagement.

On Thursday a small group of Year 9 students attended the first SLT Rewards Breakfast initiative. The excited group of 13 students were treated to hot chocolate and pastries very generously gifted to us by Gail's Bakery and the event was hosted at Haymarket Media in their New York meeting room.

It was a wonderful opportunity for those students who consistently exemplify the RTS ethos to relax together and enjoy their reward, whilst spending time informally talking to Ms Dooley, Head Teacher, and also Mr Barrett, Head of Year 9.

Congratulations to Evie M., Harrison P., Finley L., Zane, Kaia, Ben O., Jocelyn, George M., Constantine, Allyah, Lydia, Euan H., and Ethan J. - Keep up the good work!

Students from across Years 7, 8, 9 & 10 competed in the annual Borough Cross Country Competition in Bushy Park last Friday.

All students showed brilliant effort and completed their individual races going up against all schools in Richmond. Despite the freezing cold weather, the students showed perseverance and determination throughout.

A reminder that nasal flu immunisations are taking place in school on Wednesday 11 December for all year groups. Information and a consent from was sent via email on 15 October on behalf of Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust (HRCH). Deadline for giving/declining consent is 05 December. If you have any queries on the immunisation please access the information pack here.

We welcome donations for this event (minimum is £1) and the RTS Just Giving Donation Page is now live. You can also text RTSXMAS to 70050 for an automatic £5 donation to be applied direct to the RTS page (You'll be billed £5, plus your standard network rate. Save the Children receive 100% of your donation. By texting, you agree to calls about fundraising appeals, campaigns, events and other ways to support. Include NO after the team text code to opt out of phone calls e.g. RTSXMASNO. Queries? 02070126400. Read the Privacy policy: www.savethechildren.org.uk/privacy). Thank you for your support.

Car Parking Marshalling

This month saw four matches at our international rugby stadium.

Well done to all the parents and student volunteers who are key to making this a successful fundraiser.

Total raised for our children and their school was an impressive £11,234.21…….

In next week’s newsletter, I will outline purchases made so you can see where the money is being spent.

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.

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.

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:

• 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

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

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.

https://www.dramacubeproductions.co.uk/christmas-workshops/

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.

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

They have a number of courses starting in January, including:

• accredited qualifications in Bookkeeping; Childcare (from introductory courses through to teaching assistant and programmes for educators working with children with special educational needs); Community Interpreting; Counselling; Information, Advice and Guidance; and Understanding Mental Health

• English, maths and digital skills, from entry level through to GCSE

• A variety of courses to develop your creative skills, including stained glass making, painting and drawing, languages, creative writing, and upcycling clothes

• A range of wellbeing courses to teach you how to take better care of your mental health, including tai chi and meditation.

See their latest prospectus for further details about these courses as well as their wider offering: bit.ly/KAE-2425prospectus

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.

They are launching at their lowest rates with the Early Booking offer – saving up to £100! Parents can also benefit from low deposit rates.

As they are launching at such heavily discounted rates, they're unable to give any additional discounts at this time, but it’s a great time to get ahead and book considering you can save £100 off a full week booking at this point.

These lowest rates are guaranteed until 31st January. Parents can also benefit from low deposit rates up until 31st December, securing your child’s place for just £10 a day or £25 a week and pay the rest later. From 1st January this will increase to £15 a day or £50 a week.

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