RTS Parents' Newsletter 10 September 2021
Head Teacher's Message
This week was an incredible milestone for RTS as on Tuesday we had all year groups in school and were a complete Year 7 through to Year 11 school for the first time. It really does not seem 5 years since we first opened our doors to the original cohort of Year 7s in September 2017 and as a school we are so proud of our achievements in that time.
It has been a very busy week as new students find their way around the school and existing students refamiliarise themselves with a return to pre-COVID movements around the building and use of new classrooms.
Next week sees us opening up our doors for the first time in 18 months to prospective parents for Open Mornings for 2022 entry; also the continuation of remote Parent Information Evenings; and the return of fixtures. Life in school is never quiet!
Below is Mabel, the RTS dog, getting to know some of the Y7 students! She is in school on a Friday, looking very smart in her RTS collar!
Ms K Dooley
Contacting the School
If you wish to contact the school, the School Office is open:
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.
School Meals
Unfortunately, due to ongoing technical issues with the till software which are outside of our control, it is necessary to operate on a pre-order basis from the kitchen again for the coming week. Google Forms have been shared on all Google Classroom Year Groups for students to make their selections for meals for break and/or lunch time. Students should access these on their iPads and complete the Google Form themselves as it registers their email address. Tutors will assist any students experiencing issues using the forms next week. Please ensure that all ParentPay accounts are topped up in advance.
LFD Testing
LFD at Home Tests - Students
Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation in continuing to encourage your child/ren to take LFD tests on Wednesday and Sunday evenings and to report the results to school (via the app on their iPad). It is important to keep the school community protected and safe.
We are currently awaiting our delivery of LFD tests from the Department of Education, however, in the meantime LFD tests may be ordered free of charge online via this link; and are also available from various local outlets - find somewhere close to you via this link.
PE/Games update
We are aware from our uniform suppliers that there has been a delay on some items of the PE/Games kit. If you are experiencing difficulties in purchasing items, please email the School Office: info@rts.richmond.sch.uk; with FAO of either Mr Roberts or Miss Chidlow; and they will respond to you as soon as possible.
Starting from next Saturday (18 September) there will be rugby training on the school playing fields at Craneford Way for any boys or girls who are interested. A Google Form will be sent to parents/carers next week to complete on behalf of their child/ren. The training runs through Years 7-10 for the boys and Years 9-11 for the girls. All fixtures for this term that have been confirmed so far have been uploaded to the RTS Parent Calendar which is available on the website here; or can be subscribed to by using this link.
Finally, if any parents/carers are able to support the delivery/organisation of Saturday sport or fixtures, please contact Mr Roberts via the School Office.
Sports Centre: update
The final phase of our building programme includes the development of a dedicated sports building, including changing rooms, an activity studio and a four-court sports hall. Owing to unforeseen circumstances, the completion of the building will be delayed until Summer 2023. While the building is under construction we will continue to use the existing Sports Hall on the campus (owned by Richmond College) as well as an additional temporary indoor sports facility. The new temporary building will expand our indoor sports facilities while our permanent sports centre is under construction.
Library News
From Monday 13 September the library (ILZ) will be open to all students every day at break and lunchtime. Students may use the ILZ for book browsing and borrowing, reading and quiet studying.
We would welcome donations of any unwanted books you or your child/ren may have. Books should be in good condition and suitable for ages 11-16. Students may bring any donations in to school and place the books in the book donations box in the ILZ (we are unfortunately not able to accept donations or deliveries from parents arriving at the school gate). All books will be gratefully received and much appreciated!
Recovery Catch Up Programme
It has been an exceptionally challenging time for us all and we will continue to support students' academic and emotional wellbeing through our recovery programme. More information is available on our website here. All families also received Summer Transition work from each subject and information about next year’s curriculum. You can revisit this information in the curriculum section of our website.
FoRTS News
A huge welcome back to all at RTS, and a special welcome to all the new starters. We hope everyone had a restful and healthy summer!
Date for next meeting and AGM
The FoRTS AGM will be held on Wednesday 13 October at 7.30pm, held virtually. All posts will be up for election, including officers and committee members. All members of the school community are invited. Further details will be sent separately.
Y7 Parent Information Evening – FoRTS Presentation
FoRTS will be giving a brief presentation at the end of the Y7 Parent Information evening on Monday 13 September. Tune in for details on how we raise money, how funds are spent, and how you can be involved.
How to Stay in Touch
You can keep up to date with all the FoRTS news by joining Classlist, our fundraising WhatsApp group and reading our weekly newsletter. We also have a section on the RTS website. Please email us on forts@rts.richmond.sch.uk with any queries.
AmazonSmile, easyfundraising and Virgin Money Giving
You can keep making a difference to our fundraising during these difficult times whenever you do ANY of your online shopping via easyfundraising or AmazonSmile.
Over the summer we received a donation of £29.94 from easyfundraising and £46.41 from AmazonSmile, so thank you to those who are already signed up. If you're not supporting us yet, please sign up today - it only takes two minutes - become a supporter of Friends of RTS on easyfundraising and AmazonSmile. You can also make direct donations, including Gift Aid, via our Virgin Money Giving page, or use the “Just Giving” button on the RTS website.
Second Hand Uniform Donations and Sales
You can still donate uniform by emailing fortsuniform@rts.richmond.sch.uk (please do not take directly into school). Items are re-sold on oldschooluniform.co.uk, so please consider shopping there for your uniform needs. All funds raised go to FoRTS. Thank you for your support, and if you think you can spare a little time, we would love some more volunteers. Please get in touch!
Have a great week, your FoRTS Team,
Vanessa (Chair), Mark (Treasurer) and Carey (Secretary)
To contact FoRTS at any time, please email forts@rts.richmond.sch.uk
Second Hand Uniform Donations email fortsuniform@rts.richmond.sch.uk
Second Hand Uniform Sales oldschooluniform.co.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 or
Signvideo using British Sign Language (Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm)
Local News - Please note RTS does not endorse items included as Local News
Teddington Rugby Club
Teddington Rugby Club are holding an introductory rugby session for U14 (Year 9) on Sunday 19 September - all abilities are welcome. Please see the flyer for details.
Antler Summer Flyer 3.pdfTerm Dates 2021-2022
Full term dates and Inset day information is available on the website:
Half-Term: 25 October 2021 - 05 November 2021
Christmas break: 20 December 2021 - 04 January 2022