RTS Parents' Newsletter

The school was certainly looking and feeling very festive today. There were an impressive and varied array of Christmas jumpers and accessories casting more than a splash of red amongst the RTS green jumpers. Thank you to everyone who threw good taste to the wind and embraced the spirit, all for the good cause of Save the Children. The two donation avenues of either Parent Pay or the RTS Just Giving page will remain open until the end of term.

I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the Winter Fair and Creative Arts Showcase next week, if previous years are anything to go by; we are all in for a treat.

Wishing you a lovely weekend.

~Ms K Dooley | Head Teacher

• Christmas Dinner - Tuesday 19 December, 13:00-14:00

This will be held in conjunction with Clarendon and Capella House Schools. Orders are now closed. If your child is not having Christmas Dinner, please send them in with a packed lunch as there will be limited alternatives available to students, and these will only be available at break time. Thank you for your support.

• Winter Fair and Creative Arts Showcase - Tuesday 19 December, 18:00-20:00

You are cordially invited to celebrate our students' success, and the end of term, at our Winter Fair and Creative Arts Showcase. Come along from 18.00-20.00 on Tuesday 19 December to view the Art and DT Exhibition, watch music and cabaret performances, purchase FoRTS refreshments and peruse House stalls; all whilst raising money for Save the Children.

• Last Day of Term - Wednesday 20 December, early finish at 12 noon

Thank you to everyone who kindly donated to Movember for the Great RTS Mo-Off 2023. As a result of your efforts and the amazing Mo-growing teachers who took part, we have raised £1746! This will all go towards the Movember charity who do amazing work helping men with mental health concerns and prostate cancer.

A local band Bluezd has just had their first single Mean Mean Man released on all the streaming platforms. Marcus, Year 7, is the drummer in the band. They are part of a local Twickenham based kids band project called Powerjam. Earlier this year Bluezd were chosen to participate in an international kids band festival in New York where they performed with other bands from around the world in the Kids Rock for Kids band festival. Read more about the band and listen to their single. Congratulations Marcus!

New Sixth Form at RTS starting September 2024

The Richmond upon Thames School and Richmond upon Thames College have announced a ground-breaking proposal to establish an innovative and new Sixth Form Plus, enrolling from September 2024.

At RTS-Sixth-Form-Plus, we offer an extensive range of A-levels, vocational qualifications, and apprenticeships. Whether you're passionate about the sciences, interested in the arts, or looking to pursue vocational courses, our diverse curriculum ensures that all interests and career paths are catered for.

How to apply

If you're interested in applying, please speak to your Head of Year, or Head of Sixth Form, Ms Carrick-Steele.

Sixth Form Open Evening

Don't miss out on our Sixth Form Open Evening on Wednesday 24 January 2024.

Parents/carers are invited to sign up for a presentation and curriculum tour throughout the evening between 17.00 - 18.30. Stay tuned for more details soon.

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: Last Day of Term is Wednesday 20 December 2023, finish at 12 noon

• Spring Term 1: First Day of Term is Monday 08 January, late start at 09:45

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

PTA volunteering opportunities

If you would like to be part of the fundraising team please email fortssecretary@rts.richmond.sch.uk

We cannot function unless we have a pool of volunteers. All money raised goes to the full benefit of the RTS pupils through enhanced enrichment opportunities.

Pre-loved uniform

If you have any uniform donations please ask your child to drop them off at reception when they enter school.

Rugby Parking

Marshalling the school car park on rugby and event days is the biggest money maker for FoRTS. If you are interested in joining the marshalling team’s Whatsapp group please email Rob on fortsparking@rts.richmond.sch.uk

Your FoRTS team,

Carmelle (Chair and Acting Secretary) and Jason / Somi (co-Treasurers)

Secretary: fortssecretary@rts.richmond.sch.uk

Parking: fortsparking@rts.richmond.sch.uk

Voluntary donations: Peoples Fundraising

The Exchange Players present Robin Hood the Pantomime

An original old fashioned yet modern entertainment suitable for all ages! This is an

affordable in-house production featuring talented professional and local performers

alongside children from Twickenham Youth Theatre. From the pen of acclaimed local

playwright, Loz Keal, comes this fast-paced, fun-filled panto that has everything you expect –

sing-along-songs, loads of audience participation and so many groan-worthy gags that your

sides will ache!

• Robin Hood, the pantomime

18th to 22nd December Evenings at 6pm

21st & 22nd December Matinees at 2pm

On Saturday 16 December Richmond women are playing at home! They are hosting an event aimed at growing girls rugby in the local area.

It isn't about poaching players to come and play at Richmond. It’s just about getting women’s rugby out there and getting girls involved in watching and seeing what’s around! For example, a Q&A with players, and much more.

Based on the famous novel by Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory features an original score which also cleverly pays homage to the original film classics.

Award-winning Dramacube Productions are looking for 13-18 year old actors to join the cast of this crowd-pleasing, outrageous musical filled with delicious parts.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a truly a golden ticket for 13-18 year olds to perform at Hampton Hill Theatre!

Book a 2 week taster at https://www.dramacubeproductions.co.uk/youth-company/charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory/

Winter clubs via the FUEL Programme are now available to book from AfC's Local Offer website.

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