RTS Parents' Newsletter

RTS Parents' Newsletter 07 October 2022

Head Teacher's Message

We have had another busy round of open events over two days this week - welcoming nearly 200 parents and children into the school. Again our student ambassadors have received such warm and positive praise from those parents that they have shown around the school and spoken to.

Please can I gently remind parents/carers picking their children up from school by car that the immediate areas surrounding the school and also the other side of the A316 (the roads leading into, and indeed Whitton Road itself) are resident's permit parking only. We have received a complaint from a resident who has had difficulties accessing her own property due to non-residents blocking her access/parking spaces. Please be considerate of where you are parking and/or arrange an alternative location that is more suitable.

Next week is exceptionally busy as tutors look forward to meeting and speaking with parents remotely and discussing how the students have settled in to the academic year so far. We are also holding our first annual Awards Ceremony for Years 8-11 and alumni (this event is invitation only) and we are very excited for what the evening will hold.

Have a lovely weekend.

Ms K Dooley

Dates for the diary

Tuesday 11 October
- Early finish at 15:00 for whole school due to parent/tutor consultations
Wednesday 12 October
- Early finish at 14:30 for Years 7-10 ONLY due to Open Afternoon event. Year 11 onsite
- Pre-loved uniform sale, 18:15-19:30
- Parent Forum, 18:30-19:30
- FoRTS Meeting, 19:30-18:30
Thursday 13 October
- Awards Ceremony
Friday 14 October
- INSET Day - School closed to students Years 7-10 ONLY. Year 11 onsite

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.

RTS Art Gallery

Ms Williams is happy to inform you that the Art Studio, room 210, will be open on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 16:00 to 18:00 for GCSE students to complete their coursework. This is an excellent opportunity for students to spend time on their GCSE Art coursework and for completion of any work that cannot be done at home. The sessions will be run by Ms Williams and other members of the Art Department. If students would like to participate in these sessions they need to come directly to the art room at 16:00 and will be escorted to the gate at the end of the day (around 18:00). Students should inform their parents they will be attending these sessions. We would like to remind parents of those students that are attending that the nights are drawing in and therefore students may be going home in the dark - please ensure they are appropriately dressed, have working lights for their bicycles; and are able to return home safely.

An email has also been sent home to parents/carers regarding this. Please be aware that the school behaviour policy applies to these after school sessions.

Extra-Curricular Activities

We are delighted to share that this term we have a packed schedule of extra-curricular activities on offer for students. From before school clubs, break and lunch-time activities and now after school activities , there is something for everyone. Students have been informed of this programme and it is also displayed on the screens around school for them to view. The programme can also be found below and also on our website here.

Extra-Curricular Timetable x department.pdf

The RTS Way

You know how we love to share the achievements of our students - this week we are delighted to introduce you to Caitlyn in year 7. Caitlyn started gymnastics at the age of two and has been tumbling since 2019. For those who are not aware, tumbling is a gymnastics discipline in which participants perform a series of acrobatic skills down a 25 metres long sprung track.

She is now an elite tumbling gymnast and took part in the British Championships at the Utility Arena in Birmingham recently (Friday 30 September-Sunday 02 October). She is among the best tumblers in her age group in the country.

After podium training on the Friday and competing on the Saturday she qualified for the finals, with an impressive score after two tumbles that put her in third position.

Sadly that didn’t translate to a medal in the final, but she put in a solid performance in her first British Championships competition for Spelthorne Gymnastics in Sunbury.

Absolutely well done Caitlyn and we are so impressed at your ability having watched a video of you!

Careers Corner

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children is hosting a three-day online course for young people aged 13+ on careers in healthcare.

The course will be held from Monday 24^th – Wednesday 26^th October between 0900-1600 and will cover a range of careers and specialist healthcare roles based at GOSH. Programme highlights include:

A full MDT discussion
Nursing careers
Apprenticeships
Medical school applications
Interview tips
Surgery & medicine
Plus much more

If you would like to attend please register using the registration link on the flyer.

Aim High Flyer.pdf

FORTS NEWS

FoRTS General Meeting – Wednesday 12 October, 7.30pm

The next FoRTS meeting will take place at school after the Parent Forum on Wednesday 12 October from 7.30-8.30pm. Please come along to meet our new committee members and hear what we have in store for this academic year. As always, your ideas and help are invaluable.

Pre-Loved Uniform Sale – Wednesday 12 October, 6.15pm

The next pre-loved uniform sale will take place at the Parent Forum next Wednesday. You do not need to be coming to the Forum, please just drop by between 6.15-7.30pm if you need any uniform. Please continue to donate any unwanted uniform by dropping it off at the school reception.

As always, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Mark (Treasurer) and Carey (Secretary)

General: forts@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

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.

Harlequins Rugby Camps

Get your kids out and active this October Half-Term with our Rugby Camps!

Running from Monday 24 - Friday 28 October at eight different locations across London and the South East, our rugby camps are the perfect place for your kids to develop their skills and make new friends.

Available for for children age 6-14, our Rugby Camps are designed with fun in mind and run by our experienced and qualified coaches to make sure every child has the opportunity to learn and enjoy in each session.

Camps are available across the South East and start from just £47, click below to find out more.

Find out more!
BOOK AT THE STOOP: Mon 24 - Tues 25 Oct, Ages 6-14

Richmond Rugby Camps

Richmond RFC Half Term Camps - October Poster.pdf

Richmond Parent Carer Forum

Richmond Parent Carer Forum will be hosting the following workshops in the next couple of weeks.

Hypermobility Information Workshop - Wednesday 19^th October at 10.00am

Sarah from Ehlers-Danlos Support UK (EDS UK) will be leading a workshop explaining what the different types of hypermobility are, where to find support and how to create a Fatigue Management Plan. This workshop will be open to parents and school staff to improve understanding and support for hypermobile children and young people.

To book use this link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HypermobilityWorkshop

Autism and ADHD diagnosis and support for children and young people in Richmond – Tuesday 18^th October at 11.00am and Thursday 20^th October at 7.30pm

Rachel Oostra from NHS England has been reviewing the neurodevelopmental pathway (the systems that identify, diagnose and support neurodiverse children and young people) in Richmond. Join us for one of these two online workshops where Rachel will explain what support is available locally and listen to your views on what still needs to be improved. This workshop is only for parent carers in Richmond.

To book use this link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/NDPathwayWorkshop

Teddington Athletic Football Club

Teddington Athletic FC are looking for students from Year 7 onwards who may be interested in joining them.

The home ground is in Bushy Park and their training takes place at various grounds locally. Under 12s is a transition point for clubs as children move school and potentially play school sports on Saturday. This means that we are in need of new player to join our friendly and inclusive team TAFC Giants U12. This is a rare position as many clubs in the borough get over subscribed from a young age.

Please click on the website link above for details about the club and how to enquire about joining.

Twickenham Saints Football Club

Twickenham Saints FC Under 12s (year 7) is looking for new players. We train at 5.30pm on Fridays at Orleans Park School and matches are on Saturday mornings. If interested please contact:

Stephen James: 07884 188021 (or click on the link above).

AfC Local offer (SEND)

Achieving for Children have developed a new leaflet to raise awareness of the Local Offer in Kingston and Richmond and some examples of the types of information and services that can be found on the website. We have based the leaflets on the "New to SEND" section of the local offer and also included services and support that we know parents are often not aware of.

We have printed copies. They will be available to pick up at SEND Futures if you are attending.

Fear-Less Parenting: supporting children with anxiety

The Positive Parenting Project are running an online webinar for parents of children with anxiety: practical tools to help you support your child (for parents of children aged 6-14yrs).

When children have anxiety, it impacts the whole family. It can be incredibly hard for parents to know what to say and how to help. And, without support, children’s anxiety often escalates or becomes entrenched. It’s normal for parents to feel frustrated, worried or distressed when children are struggling – but there are parenting strategies you can learn that will make a real difference to your child’s anxiety.

This specialised Triple P® Fear-Less parenting seminar has been specifically developed to help parents cope with the challenges of parenting a child with anxiety. It will help you understand what causes anxiety and take you step-by-step through concrete strategies you can use to help reduce your child’s anxiety.

Know what to do when your child is anxious or upset.
Help your child develop a toolkit of coping skills to overcome anxiety.
Break the cycle of anxiety and avoidance.

The webinar will be delivered by international parenting expert Anita Cleare (MA Adv.Dip) and is relevant for parents of children aged 6-14yrs.

Click on the link here to take you to the EventBrite booking page.

Volunteering Opportunity - Independent School Admission Appeals Panels

Richmond Council is looking to recruit to its pool of volunteers who sit on panels that hear and make decisions on school admissions appeals lodged by applicants who have been unsuccessful in securing a place at their chosen school. The panels consist of trained volunteers selected from a pool, and who are independent of local schools and, as such, you will not be able to serve on any panels for schools you have a connection to e.g. where your child attends. The panels meet virtually, as and when necessary (but mainly in the summer term).

If you are discreet, good at listening to both sides of an argument, and able to digest and analyse information in order to make a reasoned decision, then this could be a good opportunity for you.

Further information and an application form are available from: education.appeals@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk or call 020 8891 7183 for a chat.

Volunteers from underrepresented groups within our community are particularly encouraged to come forward.

Work at Twickenham Stadium

The home of England Rugby, Twickenham Stadium is holding two recruitment days at the start of October, with successful applicants being able to start work in time for the upcoming Autumn Internationals.

You don't need to be a rugby fan to work at the stadium - there are a variety of roles on offer if you are looking for some weekend work.

Education Wellbeing Service

Secondary Parent Webinars Poster 2022.23. Education Wellbeing Service (2).pdf

Heatham House

Heatham House is back open with a jam packed term time program with something for all young people to do!

Not only do we have our regular drop in sessions but we will be introducing more fun activities such as: Cooking, art, garment printing, wildlife program and more...so keep an eye out on their Eventbrite page and Instagram!

Copy of HH Term-Time.pdf

DIY Assistance

My name is Tony Joyce and I am the new Store Manager for Crown Decorating Centre in Twickenham.

I am reaching out to local schools with a view of creating a partnership in the supply of decorating materials.

We are aware that with the ever rising prices of every day necessities that any money saved is good money, so I would like to extend an offer of 25% off a first purchase with ourselves when opening an account (excludes promotional items)

With industry leading coatings, I am sure we can accomplish great things together, some of what we offer is a follows:

25% off EVERYTHING your first purchase and then 25% on Paint and 15% on Sundries afterwards
Access to competitive pricing across all of our brands
Complimentary FREE next day delivery to your door
Access and manage your account online
Bespoke colour matching service INCLUDING access to all Farrow and Ball colours (we know people love those)
Complimentary Can recycling - we are the only decorator's merchant that will recycle any empty can from any brand!!
All of this along with World Class Service too!!

If you would like to take us up on this offer here is the link that you can use to sign up an account with us: https://form.jotform.com/221803755488363

Please feel free to contact me via email or on the number below to discuss further!!

Email: twickenham@crownpaints.co.uk / Phone No : 0208 891 5267

Term Dates 2022-2023

Full term dates and Inset day information is available on the website:

Autumn Term 1: Friday 02 September-Friday 21 October 2022
Autumn Half-Term: Monday 24 October-Friday 04 November 2022
Autumn Term 2: Monday 07 November-Friday 16 December 2022

Parents' Calendar

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