RTS Parents' Newsletter 12 March 2021
Head Teacher's Message
After 50 school days (10 weeks) of full-time remote learning, returning to the structures, systems and rules of school will be a relief for some and cause anxiety for others. It is worth remembering that just as we as staff, have had to make adjustments to our ways of working, so have our students. The advantage of continuing with the structure and times of our school day throughout the lockdown, will mean that the majority of students have been able to maintain some sense of routine and we can expect a smooth and joyful return to face-to-face teaching.
I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome our Y6 Transition Parents/Carers who are receiving our RTS Parent Newsletter for the first time. I hope that you will enjoy being involved in our school community and getting to know us better before September.
While there has been some relaxation in England’s lockdown restrictions, it is important to note that restrictions remain.
Please continue to stay safe.
Ms K Dooley
Reminders
Start of the School Day
Years 7 & 9: Start at 08:20
Years 8 & 10: Start 08:35
No Onsite Visitors
Due to ongoing restrictions, no parents/carers are permitted on to the school site. We are also not able to come to the school gate to collect forgotten items such as packed lunches, homework, iPads etc.
LFD at Home Tests
Years 7 & 9: Tuesday & Friday
Years 8 & 10: Monday & Thursday
Tests should be taken at home before school.
COVID-19 Symptoms
Despite ongoing asymptomatic testing, please remember that for the health and safety of the school community, students should NOT be sent in to school if they, or a member of their family, are displaying any symptoms of COVID-19:
a high temperature
a new, continuous cough
a loss of your sense of smell or taste or it’s changed.
School Uniform
Both of our uniform suppliers are still currently closed under national lockdown restrictions; however both have advised us that they are still operating an online service for all of your uniform needs.
School Days, Whitton are operating a click and collect service; and
Stevensons are delivering.
RTS Art Gallery
Ms Williams is sharing more David Hockney inspired artwork from Year 7 with us this week.
If you are interested in seeing more art contributions from RTS students , please do have a look at our RTS Online Art Gallery, we have some very talented students in school.
Reading Newsletter
Star Reader Testing
A reminder for students to complete their 'Star Reader' tests with their tutor groups during tutor time and/or Enrichment in the week starting 22 March.
Tests for ALL students must be completed this week. Please make sure that if students are absent or do not finish the test in one session, they are followed up to complete the test in a session later that week.
Slides, teacher notes and login details by form are in the ‘Tutor Group Reading’ Google Classroom. Students can ask their tutor for the code to join if they are not already enrolled.
RTS LFD Testing Centre
And that's it from the mass testing centre - one half of an incredible team of teaching staff, SLT, support and business staff. The Hall and Drama Studio can now return to its normal function!
Between 04 and 12 March, across the staff and students, we carried out approximately 1,600 tests and issued over 500 home test kits.
A huge thank you to all of those staff members who have juggled their normal job commitments on top of assisting with supervising the students during testing. We would also like to extend our thanks to our parent and trustee volunteers.
We cannot stress enough how proud we are of the students who have attended for their LFD tests over the last few days. It is now over to you, and them, to continue the tests at home.
For those parents who wish to take twice weekly tests themselves - please read the government information here; and also Richmond Council information on booking an LFD Test here.
Comic Relief - Friday 19 March
On Friday 19 March RTS would like to support Comic Relief by inviting all students to accessorise their full school uniform with something red. Ideas are:
Wear some red socks
Wear a red hat/hairband
Wear a pair of red shoes or trainers
But NOT red hair or nail varnish/gel etc.
Parents/Carers will be able to make a donation through WisePay from today.
Lunch Form
Lunch is available to pre-order as per last term. Students can access the lunch order form via their Year Group Notices on Google Classroom. The menu is available on our website; and also below for your information.
Aspens Menu Spring Term 2 2021.pdfCareers Corner
Thank you to all those parents, and friends of parents, that were involved in our ‘Careers Interview’ project back in February. The videos that were made will be used to give the students in Years 7-10 exposure to different career opportunities, their relevant pathways, and will generally open the eyes of our young people to the world of work.
Although it might seem a long way off we want our Year 10 students to start thinking about different possibilities for their Post-16 education. Please watch this space for detail of opportunities for families to attend remote ‘open events’ at some of our local sixth forms over the coming weeks. We are also hoping to welcome some of the local sixth forms to speak directly to our students in order to whet their appetites for some of the courses on offer.
We are excited about our Year 10s learning about Post-16 apprenticeship opportunities from a visiting speaker early next term.
Young people, drugs and alcohol - what every parent needs to know!
The presentation on Monday 22 March will start at 18:45, finishing at 20:15 at the latest. It will be hosted by The Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation. Full information is in the 26 February newsletter. Please check your email on 10 March 2021 for the link to register and sign up for this event.
FoRTS News
Family Enrichment Opportunity – Chinese Language and Culture Workshop 3
The next Chinese Language and Culture workshop will take place via Zoom on Sunday 21 March 15:00-16:00. Mei will be teaching some social expressions in Chinese and talking about the first Chinese emperor and Terracotta Warriors.
There is no need to have attended workshop 1 or 2 to join in. All Friends of RTS are welcome so feel free to invite family and friends who you think would enjoy it.
Please email forts@rts.richmond.sch.uk if you would like to attend. The session is free, however if you are in a position to donate, the FoRTS Virgin Money Giving page is now live! There is a guide donation of £10 per family, with all proceeds going to the school.
Second Hand Uniform Donations
Just a reminder that we are now able to take donations of second hand uniform. Thank you to those who have already donated. If you have any uniform to donate, please email fortsuniform@rts.richmond.sch.uk. Once items have been processed, they will be listed for purchase on oldschooluniform.co.uk. Please do not send donations into school.
Raise money for FoRTS for Free!
Become a supporter of Friends of RTS on Amazon Smile and Easyfundraising and the companies will donate to our charity every time you shop online. It’s easy to set up and raise money for the school!
Safeguarding
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 or
Signvideo using British Sign Language (Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm)
Local News - Please note RTS does not endorse items included as Local News
Kooth
The NHS wants to remind young people, parents and school professionals about Kooth’s online support community of counsellors and wellbeing practitioners, plus resources to help with online sessions that promote emotional health and wellbeing during this difficult time.
Kooth is accredited by The British Association of Psychotherapy and Counselling and a trusted delivery partner of the NHS.
Kooth is for all young people aged 11-22 in Richmond to get support for anything that's on your mind. It’s a free online chat service that works on your phone or computer. There are no waiting lists and it’s totally anonymous – you just make up a name. You can find out more by watching the video below.
There are also urgent helplines you can call:
Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm
020 8547 6171 / 020 3513 3238
24 hours, 7 days a week
0800 028 8000
Free advice and support are there if you need it.
The Wild Mind Project
Young Mind - Wellbeing Programmes for 13-25 in Richmond, Kingston & Hounslow
A free programme for young people who are feeling low, anxious, stressed or isolated.
The programme offers a range of nature and creative outdoor based activities.
Both art and nature can make a significant difference to mental fitness. The programme can help to release stress or alleviate symptoms of depression, build optimism and develop a sense of belonging.
"I think this is the best activity programme that could be prescribed to young people with mental health issues and I really feel happy with what’s come out of it, and I’ve made a supportive group of friends – I would encourage anyone to do it and if I could I would love to do it every week", young person who attended our programme.
Starting on 21 March 2021, each programme includes five weekly 2-hour sessions. For further information please contact us by email: hello@thewildmindproject.org or phone 020 8977 9989.
To book on the programme, please complete the booking form on the website.
Autism Seminars
Please find attached a flyer about the next National Autistic Society webinar for families of autistic children on managing anger. If you know of any families that might be interested please pass on the information to them.
Term Dates 2020-2021
Full term dates and Inset day information is available on the website:
Easter break: 01-16 April 2021
Summer Half-Term break: 31 May-04 June 2021
Last day of Summer term for students: Friday 16 July 2021