RTS Parents' Newsletter

Welcome to Spring Term 2025.

As always after a break, we are straight back into business as usual - settling into routines and re-establishing good habits. With this snap of extremely cold weather set to continue we encourage you to ensure that students are wearing uniform appropriately and are wrapped up sufficiently against the cold. I know that at secondary school it may seem that they are beyond having name labels in all their items but it really does help us to reunite items with their owners - from hats and scarves through to coats.

I hope that you have a restful weekend and stay warm.

~Ms K Dooley | Head Teacher

FoRTS Update

A very happy new year to you all from the FoRTS team.

As we look forward to the Spring Term, we invite you to join our small but passionate team. Your involvement is crucial in supporting our school and children.

Pre-Loved Uniform Sale Announcement

The school have kindly allowed FoRTS to hold pre-loved uniform sales every month for the remainder of the academic year.

Please see the dates below (Fridays 2:30-4:30pm):

17 January

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.

RTS Car Parking Marshalling

Fundraising Opportunity: Volunteer Marshals Needed

We are excited to announce another significant fundraising opportunity for our school. Our dedicated team raises an impressive £2000 per international game. With three games scheduled in February, we invite you to donate two hours of your time to support our marshalling efforts alongside other enthusiastic and like-minded parents.

Dates: Saturday 08 February, Saturday 22 February and Saturday 09 March 2025

Time Commitment: Two hours per game

Your support is crucial to our success. If you are available to assist with this or future events, please click this link to join the WhatsApp group.

Thank you for your continued support!

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!

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

Warm regards

Your FoRTS team,

Carmelle (Chair and Acting Secretary) and Jason & Somi (Treasurers)

General: forts@rts.richmond.sch.uk

Parking: fortsparking@rts.richmond.sch.uk

Back in November, superstar Year 9 student Caitlyn competed for England at the French Tumbling Cup 2024 and put in an incredible performance with a series of personal best scores to qualify in first place after final 1.

She competed another fantastic tumbling run, but sadly did not secure a medal position in final 2.

Caitlyn also found out in December that her performances across the competition season during 2024 have secured her a place in the Great Britain Junior tumbling squad for 2025! What an incredible opportunity.

She will be working hard to hone her tumbling skills and impress the GB coaches when she attends training camps at Lilleshall National Sports Centre.

Her goal is to increase her competition scores with harder tumbles as her hope is to be selected to compete at the World Age Group Championships in Spain next November against the best tumblers in the world.

We continue to be impressed by Caitlyn's achievements outside of school whilst balancing them with her achievements in school.

During the Autumn Term, Year 9 students were able to take an enrichment in First Aid, led by Ms Thomas, and achieved a certificate in Emergency First Response. Their final scenario assessments were that a vehicle had crashed into the school mini bus injuring students and a school pantomime rehearsal that went very wrong! Students were engaged throughout the course and really enjoyed the practical aspects. Well done to all those students who completed the course.

Don't forget to book your appointments for Wednesday 22 January 2025, 15:30-19:30 for Year 11 Subject Teacher Consultations.

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.

A Sensational Line-Up

We are thrilled to announce that our spring term starts on w/c 6th of January with not one but two spectacular musicals!

Whether you're taking your first steps on stage or are a regular performer, every 5-18 year old is welcome to join us in 2025.

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OMIGOD You Guys

We are delighted to offer 13-18 year olds the opportunity to further develop their performing arts skills in the sassy, sparkling musical Legally Blonde JR.

During the Spring term, our popular Youth Theatre will have two casts to choose from in
Walton-on-Thames (Weds) or Twickenham (Fri)

Bend & Snap and join a cast or book a 2-week trial below.

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Discover A Whole New World in 2025!

This January, 8-12 year olds can embark on an exciting performing arts adventure in Disney's Aladdin JR. Full of fantastic parts, songs, and routines this is a truly magical musical to be part of.

Our fabulous Musical Theatre team will start rehearsals w/c 6th January in the following locations:

Hampton Hill (Tues, Weds or Thurs)
Teddington (Sat)
Twickenham (Sat)
Walton on Thames (Weds)

Be One Jump Ahead and secure a place with a deposit or request a 2-week trial below.

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For full information on all of the above and to purchase tickets/book places - just follow this link!

Turtle Opera is a FREE music and drama project for Autistic 11 to 15 year olds.

The project will run at the V&A Museum, South Kensington from Tuesday 18th – Friday 21st February 2025, 11am – 3:30pm.

The four days of workshops will involve participants creating their own stories and music for an informal performance, with a professional composer and director. A specialist team from Turtle Key Arts and the V&A will support the group, to help enable fun and friendships.

If you are interested please sign-up via the application form on Turtle Key Arts' website where you can also find more information. Applications close on 19 January!

Book now for our spring term starting in January. Courses include gymnastics, karate, judo and new junior boxing.

Available across our sports centres: Whitton Sports & Fitness Centre, Teddington Sports Centre and Shene Sports & Fitness Centre.

New for this term – courses available at Hampton Sports & Fitness Centre including
girls football!

Please call 020 3772 2999 to book or visit our website for more info.

For many students, and especially those who experience challenges when it comes to the key executive functions required for exam preparation (planning and organising), this course will give the tools and support to succeed at what can be a very stressful time.

When is it? Three week course, once a week starting on the 29th January 2025 - 5pm-6pm for GCSE students and 6:15pm to 7:15pm for A-level students.

It will be run over three sessions of an hour each on Wednesday 29th January, Wednesday 5th February, Wednesday 12th February.

What is the objective: To support students in building self-esteem, confidence, and effective learning strategies as they prepare for GCSEs and A-Levels. It will cover:

Session 1: Discovering Your Values and Strengths
In this session, students will explore what drives them and identify their natural strengths. Developing self-awareness lays the foundation for greater confidence and resilience when facing challenging tasks.

Session 2: Mastering Revision Techniques
This practical session introduces strategies for effective exam preparation. Students will learn to create a versatile revision framework that applies to all subjects, offering a structured path through the study process.

Session 3: Identifying Motivation and Planning Ahead
Focused on motivation and mindset, this session encourages students to set goals and plan ahead. By deciding on key steps in advance, students will feel ready to begin their revision journey with confidence and a clear sense of direction.

How do I find out more info & book? Click here

A diagnosis of ADHD can be challenging for everyone and especially so for teenagers. Some are embarrassed, don't understand the condition, reject the 'label' and some don't know how to tell their friends. Our workshop, working directly with children & young people, is presented by our Community and School Outreach Manager Laura Ercolani and is an opportunity for young people to discuss their challenges in a small safe setting to recognise and make more of their strengths.

• Age 7 to 11 - 1st February 10am to 11am
• Age 11 to 14 - 1st February 11:30am to 12:30pm
• Age 15 to 18 - 1st February 1pm to 2pm

How do I find out more info & book? Click here

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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