RTS Parents' Newsletter 02 December 2022
Head Teacher's Message
With all the charitable event and donation requests that are surrounding us at this time of year - both at RTS, at schools that you may have other children attending, at your own workplace - we are very conscious of the current cost of living and how this is affecting families and do not want to cause any additional pressure.
Here at RTS, there is no compulsory donation or contribution from families for these extra events and we hugely appreciate anything that you feel that you are able to afford to donate - as do the charities (and this includes FoRTS) that we are raising money or collecting donations for. Every child is able to be involved in a multitude of different ways across the school in a way that does not necessitate a financial contribution from them. It is important to us as a school that there is equality and that all students are able to say that they are a positive member of their community and an active participator.
On the note of community - FoRTS and their team of rugby volunteers have raised an incredible £11,000 through organising car parking during the recent Rugby Autumn Nations Series. This is a huge boost to FoRTS and what they can assist RTS in funding for the school - every student in school benefits from monies raised by FoRTS; and we are extremely thankful for the hard work that the team has done over the past few weeks.
Wishing you a good weekend - stay warm as the temperature is set to dip quite considerably!
Ms K Dooley
Dates for the diary
Monday 28 November-Friday 09 December
GCSE Mock Exams Year 11
Wednesday 14 December
Christmas Lunch and Christmas Jumper Day
Thursday 15 December
FoRTS Christmas Fair and RTS Creative Showcase, 18:00-20:00
Monday 08 May 2023
Additional Bank Holiday: Coronation of King Charles III - School closed to all students and staff
Contacting the School
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
Telephone: 020 8891 2985
Email: info@rts.richmond.sch.uk
Please use the Parents Communications Summary for guidance on types of query and where advice may be found/who to direct your query to.
Rugby Rules!
On Wednesday the Year 7 rugby team played in a rugby league tournament across the borough and came out as winners!! They won all their games, whilst not conceding a single try!!
But that wasn't enough for the team, oh no! On Friday they took part in the Middlesex Cup Tournament over at Grasshoppers Rugby - and only went and won that too! They are bringing home the shield again!
Huge congratulations to this team of boys who have only being playing together for a couple of months.
Congratulations also go to the Year 8 boys rugby team who took part in their Middlesex Rugby Tournament on Monday.
The boys did really well across the day and came 3rd place in the shield.
A great achievement for the team - well done!
Medical Appointments
Whilst we appreciate that it is often quite difficult to arrange medical or dental appointments around school days and timings, it would greatly help the Attendance Officer if you could please take note of the following from the RTS Attendance Policy which is available on the RTS website here:
Attending a medical or dental appointment will be counted as authorised as long as the student’s parent/carer notifies the school in advance of the appointment
We encourage parents/carers to make medical and dental appointments out of school hours where possible. Where this is not possible, the student should be out of school for the minimum amount of time necessary
With the cold and wintery weather now upon us and the increase in viruses and illnesses that we are all susceptible at this time of year, we thought that the following advice from the NHS may also be useful:
Is my child too ill for school ?
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Lost Property
We are accumulating a large amount of lost property again - please ensure that all items are marked and labelled - especially blazers and mid-layers. Worryingly we are also receiving a number of winter coats that we are unable to reunite with owners.
We simply do not have the space to keep these items (which also includes a lot of reusable water bottles) and, at the end of this term, will be passing uniform onto FoRTS for their pre-loved sales, donating any other non-RTS clothes to charities, and unfortunately, throwing away other items.
Mabel has tried to help us out in sorting it out - but she had no idea who this sock belonged to!
Christmas Traditions
Here at RTS we have a lovely tradition of Year 7 students, and those students who have joined us mid-year, being invited to bring in a Christmas decoration for the big Christmas tree that we put up in the Hall. Over the years we have collected some wonderful decorations and it is a lovely way to celebrate our students and remember them year on year. Students have been informed, but it's always useful to let parents know too! The baubles can be plain, simple, elaborate, shop bought, hand crafted, personalised - you name it we look forward to adding it to our RTS tree! Decorations can be brought in and left at Reception.
FORTS NEWS
Christmas Fair - Thursday 15 December, 6-8pm
Not long to go until the RTS Christmas Fair and Creative Arts Showcase which we are excited to put on for you in collaboration with the school. Come and enjoy watching your children perform and showing you their artwork. Bring plenty of £1 pound coins as we will have some school and external stalls for the students and parents to buy things as well as raffle tickets to purchase. Food and drink will also be available to purchase on the night.
We are currently accepting donations for the hampers which is an annual tradition for the school and the houses. Boxes have been placed in the form rooms if children would like to bring in a non-perishable item for the hamper. These will be collected up until 13th December when the FoRTS elves will transform them into wonderful hampers for you to win!
Rugby Parking
Thank you to all the voluntary marshalls for the help and support provided with match day parking at the school. In total a whopping £11,000 was raised for FoRTS over November which is an enormous achievement and will be used to provide additional opportunities for all the RTS students in the future. If you are able to volunteer for the next matches in February please contact Rob our parking coordinator at fortsparking@rts.richmond.sch.uk. Huge thanks to those who have already volunteered.
Have a great weekend, your FoRTS team,
Carey (Chair), Mark (Treasurer) and Carmelle (Secretary)
General: forts@rts.richmond.sch.uk
Parking: fortsparking@rts.richmond.sch.uk
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
Signvideo using British Sign Language (Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm)
Local News - Please note RTS does not endorse items included as Local News
Job vacancies at Bishop Perrin Primary School
Year 5 Class Teacher Maternity Cover Vacancy
Bishop Perrin CE Primary School in Whitton are advertising for a class teacher to cover their Year 5 class whilst their usual class teacher is on maternity leave, starting in February 2023.
If you are interested please click through on the link below. Please also feel free to share with anyone you know that might be interested. https://www.eteach.com/job/class-teacher-maternity-cover-1282886
Part-time Site Manager Vacancy at Bishop Perrin CE Primary School
Bishop Perrin School in Whitton is advertising for a part-time Site Manager to start as soon as possible.
The school is a small site with a well-maintained school building and grounds with a friendly and welcoming staff. The post would suit someone who is semi-retired or who looking to step back from full-time employment, although we welcome from any interested applicant. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions and please feel free to share the link with any friends or extended family members who may be interested in the post. https://www.eteach.com/job/school-site-manager-1288241
Telephone Support Service for Parents from Off The Record Twickenham
Off the Record Twickenham provides a telephone support service for parents & guardians of young people. Our experienced counsellor can offer an hour on the phone to discuss any challenges you’re experiencing, give support and listen. This can be particularly helpful when the young person is reluctant to try counselling. Our support can include looking at what you find challenging and/or ways you might support your child. What is discussed is confidential unless there is a concern about the safety of a child. Contact Off The Record Twickenham on 020 8744 1644, at counselling@otrtwickenham.com or find more information about supporting your child on our website https://otrtwickenham.com/parents/
Off The Record are also holding a Christmas Carol Concert which takes place from 6pm on Tuesday 13th December at St Mary’s Church Twickenham. Everyone is welcome!
Positive Parenting Project
Having conversations that matter
Parenting is all about relationship building and one of the main ways we build relationships is through conversations. Having good conversations with children and teens is not an added extra, it is the bedrock of parenting and essential fuel for child development.
And, sometimes, there are issues that we simply have to talk to our kids about - for their safety and wellbeing - even if we feel uncomfortable.
Starting good conversations isn't always easy, especially when we are tired or stressed or embarrassed or worried. Finding the right words can be tricky. This month's newsletter is full of tips and resources to make finding the best words and talking points much easier. We have resources for helping you start great conversations, tips on talking to children about the cost of living and a booklist for discussing financial hardship.
Plus advice on picking your way through tricky conversations about healthy eating and sex, bodies and relationships.
Free Christmas Holiday Activities For 9-19 Year Olds
Heatham House Youth Centre are thrilled to be offering an absolutely jam-packed holiday programme this Christmas for young people aged 9-19 and runs from Monday 19 -Thursday 22 With a load of Christmas-themed activities and events across art, music, and sport we are hoping your children will join to get into the spirit of things.
The full program can be found on the following pages 1, 2, 3 and can be booked at heathamhouse.eventbrite.com. Tickets go live at 7:30 pm on Monday 28 November.
If you would like further information, please contact justin.johnson@achievingforchildren.org.uk or call on 0208 288 0950
Brentford Football Club
Wildcats – 5 – 11 year olds
Weetabix Wildcats involves non-competitive football sessions for girls who want to give it a go for the very first time or want to play with other girls their own age. Most importantly, Weetabix Wildcats is all about having loads of fun and meeting new amazing friends. Sessions take place:
Featherstone Sports Centre, 11 Montague Waye, Southall UB2 5HF
5.30-6.30pm
Every Monday until 19th December
Open to girls aged 5 to 11 of all ability levels
FREE
To Register: http://faevents.thefa.com/bookevent?eventID=6924
Bedfont Recreation Ground, Bedfont Rec Ground/Hatton Rd, Hatton Rd, London, Feltham TW14 9QS
5-6pm
Every Tuesday until 20th December
Open to girls aged 5 to 11 of all ability levels
FREE
To Register: http://faevents.thefa.com/bookevent?eventID=6925
Squads – 12-16 year olds
The aim of this new and exciting programme is to provide girls between the ages of 12-16 with a fun, relevant and engaging recreational offer that allows them to develop themselves as much as their football skills in a safe, inclusive environment. Sessions take place:
Springwest Academy, Browells Ln, Feltham TW13 7EF
4-5pm
Every Friday until 16th December (returning in January)
Open to girls aged 12-16 years old of all ability levels
FREE
To Register: http://faevents.thefa.com/bookevent?eventID=5886
Girls Only Holiday Camp – Gunnersbury Park
Come and join us for our FREE girls’ football Christmas Camp at Gunnersbury Park . Our football camp is delivered by our experienced football coaches who have expert knowledge of girls’ football.
The camp will include learning new football skills, playing matches, and having fun in a safe environment.
No prior football experience is required. Please supply your daughter with a packed lunch on the day (No nuts are allowed as a safety precaution). We will not be providing food on the day.
Date: Wednesday 21st December
Time: 10.30am to 2pm
Age group: 6 to 16 years old
Cost: FREE (we ask for a £10 deposit to be made, this will be refunded if your daughter attends)
Address: Gunnersbury Park, Pope Lane, W3 8LQ
To register: https://www.brentfordfccst.com/event/gunnersbury-girls-camp-22/
Living Support campaign
With more people being expected to come into hardship due to the rising cost of living in 2022, Richmond Council has developed a campaign to help de-mystify and de-stigmatise hardship support and to empower and enable residents to access the support they need.
You can help support the campaign by sharing the assets and social media copy below on your own channels.
Visit the Richmond Cost of Living Hub
Resources
The Richmond Cost of Living Hub has gathered information about lots of schemes, benefits and support services - both national and local - into one place. Residents can either browse the information on our website or use our helpful calculator, that will tell them exactly which scheme or support they may be able to access.
You can also sign up to email updates on cost of living support to receive useful information and tips straight to your inbox.
Where people cannot access the internet, we are encouraging them to ask a family member, friend or caregiver to help and look at the information for them. Alternatively, they can visit their local library and a staff member will be able to help them use a computer to find out what you could be entitled to.
Help for Households
The Government has launched the 'Help for Households’ scheme. The homepage brings together over 40 support schemes that the public can access, depending on eligibility, including help with:
Household costs
Energy Bills
Childcare costs
Income support
Transport costs
Additionally, a range of online tools will help citizens quickly and efficiently check the support they might be eligible for and how to access it.
Arts Richmond
Arts Richmond is delighted to announce the Young Writers' Festival for 2022! The competition is open to all young people who either live or attend school/clubs in the London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames.
The rules are simple - write about any subject of their choice, in any format. They could write a story, a poem, a script as long as it's under 500 words or 25 lines for a poem.
Entries close Friday 02 December. The competition rules and entry template can be downloaded from www.artsrichmond.org.uk
Young Writers Poster A3 2022_Arts Richmond.pdfMigrant Advocacy
Education Wellbeing Service
Secondary Parent Webinars Poster 2022.23. Education Wellbeing Service (2).pdfKooth
Kooth webinars for Parents and Carers in December
Please use the Eventbrite booking form to register for this webinar on the 06 December from 6-7pm Here .
Please see below some resources for you to share to raise awareness of the free, safe and anonymous support available to your students and young people.
Parent_and_Carers_Infographic.pdfTerm Dates 2022-2023
Full term dates and Inset day information is available on the website:
Autumn Term 2: Monday 07 November-Friday 16 December 2022
Christmas Break: Monday 19 December-Tuesday 03 January 2023
Spring Term 1: Wednesday 04 January 2023-Friday 10 February 2023
Additional Bank Holiday: Monday 08 May 2023