Cycling to School

A reminder that all students who cycle to school must bring a good quality D-lock to lock their bike to the bike racks. We have noticed that many students are leaving their bikes unlocked. Schools are often a target for bike thieves despite anti-theft measures being in place (anti-climb paint and CCTV). Please also ensure that your child's bike is insured as students leave their bikes at their own risk; and the school cannot accept any responsibility for theft or damage to bikes whilst on the school site.

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.

• Second Hand Uniform will soon be available at oldschooluniform.co.uk, with all proceeds going to the school (to donate uniform email fortsuniform@rts.richmond.sch.uk)

Science Week Update

Ms Verma writes: All students took part in British Science Week (08-12 March). They celebrated science, technology, engineering; and mathematics through a range of activities on and off screen. The theme for Science Week was “Innovating for the future”.

Many students completed nature walks outside and identified different species of plants with their Woodland Trust app - well done to Sara (Y8) who identified 7 Silver Birch trees on her walk.

Year 7 students represented RTS brilliantly as they chatted to scientists live - asking inquisitive and insightful questions. The scientists were incredibly impressed by everyone who participated.

Household items were reused by many in a series of engineering challenges. We were particularly impressed by Jack and Ella-May in Y9 who made a hot air balloon and car.

Mr Burchett conducted a live interview and question session with students and a sports scientist colleague about his career journey and running his own business.

And finally, students toured the Science, Natural History, and Oxford University History of Science museums.

The Science Department is incredibly proud of the effort and engagement over the last week, and encourage you to take a look at some examples of wonderful student work. Well done RTS!

Careers Corner

London Screen Academy is a state-funded sixth form academy, based in Islington, set up by industry for young people interested in film, TV, animation and VFX. LSA trains young people, from all backgrounds, in behind-the-camera skills and providing them with unprecedented access to real-world practice. Through the power of storytelling, students develop their creative, technical, and academic skills to pave their journey into the industry. All students work towards a UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma which is equivalent to 3 A-Levels. Students also pick up an additional qualification from the following options: A-level Maths, A-level English Literature or Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).

Progression routes after LSA include entry-level roles in film and TV, undergraduate degrees at university, or students may choose to use the skills and knowledge they gain at LSA to succeed in other professions. For more information about the curriculum, visit the website here.

LSA is a great opportunity for students interested in the Film and TV industry or enjoy subjects such as English, Art, Design & Technology, Film, Media, Music, Photography and more. The final virtual Open Event will take place on Wednesday 31 March 2021 at 5:30pm; students and parents can sign up for the session via this link: https://lsa.ac.uk/events. The Open Event will provide insight into life at LSA, the curriculum and our links with industry as you'll hear from the teachers and students at LSA.

You can also check out their Filmmakers of Tomorrow commercial. This showcases LSA students in various production roles as they demonstrate their knowledge of being on a film set. There is also a twist to the end as they want young people to guess and create their own content on what they think could be in the briefcase.

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)