RTS Parents' Newsletter

RTS Parents' Newsletter 09 December 2022

Head Teacher's Message

I cannot believe that we are about to enter the last week of term and the year. It has been an incredibly busy Autumn Term and the students have achieved so much during this time. Our new Year 7s have settled in and have thrown themselves into both lessons and activities. Year 11 came back from summer with maturity and purpose and have excelled themselves during these past 2 weeks of mock GCSE exams. They should be proud of themselves. Years 8, 9 and 10 have also been busy, settling into new subjects and groups, enjoying a variety of trips and visits, working hard during their AP3 and competing in a variety of fixtures.

I am so proud of the community that we have built and it has been a real pleasure after the last two disruptive years to see the school really come together for all of these events and activities.

On that note, I wanted to remind you about the upcoming FoRTS Christmas Fair and Creative Arts Showcase on Thursday 15 December at 18:00. This is a wonderful opportunity for our school community to come together and celebrate the holiday season.

FoRTS, the students and staff have been working hard to put together a fun-filled evening of activities, including craft stalls, games, and performances by our talented students. There will also be refreshments on offer to purchase; and of course the wonderful RTS House Hampers to be won!

I encourage as many of you as possible to attend and show your support for our school and our PTA, FoRTS. The Christmas Fair and Showcase is a great opportunity to meet other parents/carers and teachers informally, and to celebrate the community spirit that makes our school such a special place.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Ms K Dooley

Dates for the diary

Wednesday 14 December
- Christmas Lunch and Christmas Jumper Day (normal school uniform (inlcuding tie and blazer) with a Christmas jumper in place of the RTS jumper) Donations via Parent Pay/Just Giving.
Thursday 15 December
- FoRTS Christmas Fair and RTS Creative Showcase, 18:00-20:00
Friday 16 December
- Last day of Term, School finishes at 12:00 noon.

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.

Fixture Fantastic!

We are very produ of our U12 boys, who represented the school and Richmond borough at a regional rugby tournament this week.

They competed against schools from across the London and SE region, finishing fourth overall, showing incredible skills and teamwork.

Congratulations boys!

Meanwhile, the Year 7 netball team have had two successes against Hollyfield School in Surbiton. The girls have not been playing together long and have formed a great bond and show impressive teamwork. Well done girls - we hope to see more from you over the coming year!

Train Strikes

The RMT has announced industrial action Tuesday 13 December - Sunday 18 December 2022.

How services are impacted:

Tuesday 13, Wednesday 14, Friday 16, Saturday 17 December - A severely reduced service will run between 0730 and 1830 only, with large parts of the network closed.

Thursday 15 and Sunday 18 December

First services will start much later than usual and will be very busy – please avoid them if you can.

SouthWestern Railway have advised to only use rail if absolutely necessary. If you must travel during this period, please check train times before setting off or seek alternative forms of transport. If your child normally travels to school by train, please arrange alternative methods of transport - could you car share with another family? Please ensure that students leave enough time to use alternatives as these may also be busy.

For the latest information on strike plans, service map, and detailed Q&As on ticketing options, please visit www.southwesternrailway.com/strike

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.

Career's Corner

Can you help us?

On Thursday 23 February 2023 we will be hosting our very first Year 11 Careers Conference. We are looking for a range of different businesses and speakers to come and support us in delivering workshops, seminars and keynote presentations. In particular we would love to hear from you if you work within the health and social care industry. If you can help us please complete this form - https://forms.gle/Vryj78vJ8VjHS8AV7.

If you have any queries about our Careers programme, please hop over to our website here.

FORTS NEWS

Christmas Fair - Thursday 15 December, 6-8pm

Next Thursday 15 December is the FoRTS Christmas Fair. After two years we welcome you to come and enjoy watching your children perform and share their artwork. Bring plenty of £1 coins as we will have some school and external stalls for students and parents / carers to buy things and raffle tickets to purchase. Food and drink will also be available to purchase on the night. Please invite your family and friends - all are welcome!

There will be a silent auction at the fair with prizes kindly donated from Richmond Rugby, Plan B Fitness, Myrtle & Smith flowers, to name a few. “Silent” being nobody else knows what you bid and the highest bidder on the night wins.

A reminder that we are currently accepting donations for the annual tradition hampers. Boxes have been placed in tutor rooms if children can bring in a non-perishable item (no alcohol please, unless this is brought in by parents to reception). These will be collected up until Tuesday 13 December.

Auction Flyer 2022.pdf

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 13^th 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

Richmond RFC Christmas Camp (1).pdf

Twick_01_141_Christmas_Opening_times_09.pdf

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

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 19^th 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 20^th 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 16^th 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 21^st 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.

Kooth

Please see below some resources from Kooth (free, safe and anonymous support available to students and young people).

Parent_and_Carers_Infographic.pdf

Term 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

Parents' Calendar

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