RTS Parents' Newsletter

I hope that you all had a relaxing Easter break however you were able to spend it. I know that staff enjoyed their much needed down time after the Ofsted Inspection. We are expecting the final report in the next few weeks and will share it with you as soon as we are able to.

During the break our inaugural ski trip headed off to the mountains of Italy where they enjoyed perfect conditions - we hope to share some photos and student reports with you next week.

We have much to achieve in this Summer Term and are excited for the changes that the whole school will go through as they look to move up and transition into their next academic year. There are now just 13 days until the first full cohort GCSE and we know just how hard your children are working - please do remind them how important resting and eating well is too.

Enjoy the weekend - it looks like the warmer weather is returning.

~Ms K Dooley | Head Teacher

Think Maths is a fantastic maths resource that provides speakers and visits to schools to inspire students to get excited about maths. To celebrate Pi Day on 14 March, they ran a Pi Representation competition. The challenge was for students to represent π in any interesting way that they chose. For example, they could do some art work, make a piece of music or write a poem.

There were over 400 entries and we are proud and delighted to have not one, but two students in Year 7 who made the top ten! Congratulations and well done to everyone who took part! Please do take the time to watch/listen to the two entries below - they are quite special.

• Minnie's entry - 'Pi of the Tiger'. The judges 'enjoyed the playfulness and originality of this entry, and appreciated the challenge of writing and singing lyrics to to an existing tune.'
• Josh's entry was a beautiful cello piece. The judges 'were impressed by the musical creativity in this piece, whilst it clearly reflects the digits of π.'

Three Year 10 students (Huw, David and Alex) entered the National Innovation Challenge. Over 150 schools nationally took part. The challenge was to develop a sustainable product, and their lamppost air purifiers entry has been shortlisted in the last 10. Their entry will now be judged by a group of business leaders from across various industries (and Konnie Huq, Blue Peter presenter) with the winning team taking their product plan to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to turn their product into a reality. Well done to the team!

Well done to last term's First Aid Enrichment group who successfully completed their First Aid course with Ms Thomas.

Year 11 students had the exciting opportunity before Easter to take part in a talk from Cambridge University - designed to provide insights into higher education, university life, and future aspirations. The session covered key aspects such as the application process, student experiences, and the benefits of attending a top university.

The talk had a significant impact on students, with 80% of participants stating that it improved their knowledge of higher education, based on post-session feedback. Many students found the session inspiring and informative, with some expressing a newfound confidence in considering university as a pathway for their future.

This experience has encouraged students to think critically about their next steps and has helped broaden their understanding of the opportunities available beyond secondary school.

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:

• Summer Term 1: Tuesday 22 April (09:55 registration)-Friday 23 May (14:00)

• Summer Term 2: Monday 02 June (08:35 registration)-Friday 11 July (noon)

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

Oscars of London proudly sponsor The Richmond May Fair, returning on Saturday 10 th May

2025 from 10am-5pm on Richmond Green. Everyone is welcome – please come & join in

the fun – check out the flyer below!

Old favourites like the vintage funfair and dog show return, along with over 200 stalls, the craft marquee and a variety of food and drink. Local bands, schools and various performance groups will provide free entertainment throughout the day on the Riverside Radio stage.

With charities, artisans, businesses and schools all represented, the May Fair is a showcase for all that Richmond has to offer and plays an important role in helping local charities promote their work and raise much-needed funds.

If you are interested in volunteering on the day, or wish to enter your dog in the ever-popular dog show – please visit the new May Fair website www.richmondmayfair.co.uk and follow us on Instagram and X @richmondmayfair.

We look forward to seeing you there!

The Richmond May Fair Committee

We are Richmond Furniture Scheme, a small local charity who sell donated furniture, refurbished appliances and new beds at reasonable prices with discounts for people on low incomes. We also work with other local charities and Richmond, Hounslow and Wandsworth councils who provide grants which can be spent with us.

And if anyone would like to donate furniture get in touch here.

Everyone is very welcome to shop with us online and in person – we have a great range of preloved furniture and appliances. We’re saving the planet, one sofa and fridge at a time!

1A Fortescue Avenue, Twickenham, TW2 5LS

Mon to Fri 09:30 - 16:00, Sat 10:00 - 16:00

Richmond Furniture Scheme is a local charity selling good quality donated furniture and

refurbished appliances at affordable prices.

• Have furniture you no longer need? We'll collect it for free (https://www.rfsonline.co.uk/supporting-us-donating-furniture/)
• Need furniture? Whether you’re on a low budget or love a vintage bargain, visit our online shop (https://www.rfsonline.co.uk/shop/) or come to our Twickenham warehouse (https://www.rfsonline.co.uk/shop-in-person/)
• Want to make a difference in your community? Check out our volunteering opportunities (https://www.rfsonline.co.uk/volunteering/)

We also offer discounts and can give you information on grants to spend with us!

Sing 2

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