Embedded Files
Head Teacher's Message
Head Teacher's Message
It is often difficult to find the right words to write or say when there is so much tragedy unfolding in the world around us; and, as a school, we must be mindful of our school community and the many varied and different countries and backgrounds that our families come from. We have shared some resources below, however, if any families feel that they would like particular support at this time, please do contact us and let us know.
Turning to school life, and, I may sound repetitive - but we have had another extremely busy week! However, after the last two years of minimal activity and interaction for our students I am more than happy that we find ourselves in this position once again.
I am delighted to share Ms Chidlow's report on last weekend's netball tour and I must thank the staff who gave up their time to accompany the girls - the whole team achieved incredible success through demonstrating our core RTS values of the power of effort, being an active participator and being kind and happy.
We also enjoyed celebrating International Women's Day and female staff were delighted to receive a small token of appreciation from some of our students.
Monday's New Intake Evening was an absolute pleasure to host and we were delighted to welcome over 110 new families on to the school site to become part of the RTS community. Children were whisked away to enjoy taster lessons in Art, Food Tech, Science and Languages amongst others whilst parents/carers were introduced to our Transition programme and enjoyed hot drinks and refreshments from our new kitchen team. Thank you to those of you who were able to join us.
Meanwhile Year 10 have been sitting their AP5 assessments and have shown maturity and discipline whilst under formal exam conditions in the hall. It is good practice for them to experience this and familiarise themselves with the rules and regulations as early as possible.
Ms K Dooley
Dates for the diary
Dates for the diary
Monday 14 - Wednesday 16 March: Year 10 AP5 Assessments
Monday 14 March: Pi Day
Contacting the School
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.
Assembly Topics
Assembly Topics
Assemblies for the coming week and next are as follows:
House Assembly - Anderson
National Poetry Day
International Women's Day
International Women's Day
Ms Biswas-Whitaker is delighted to share with you that the girls involved in the Be Her Lead initiative celebrated International Women's Day on Tuesday 08 March by making and gifting all female members of staff these beautiful flowers and notes as a thank you for all the hard work they do.
Be Her Lead is an exciting and empowering programme that trains and supports teachers in providing a wide range of fun and exciting workshops that enable female and non-binary students to take agency within their future, as well as enable them to identify and realise their full potential within, as well as outside, the classroom.
RTS Art Gallery
RTS Art Gallery
This week the Year 7s participated in a fabric printing workshop inspired by Yinka Shonibare RA and his use of Kente Cloth in his artwork.
Shonibare's work can be seen at the Tate Modern and Royal Academy this year. The fabric that the Year 7s print will also be used in the school production of The Lion King.
COVID Pop Up Clinic
COVID Pop Up Clinic
The last planned Pop Up Clinic for Richmond Borough Schools will be on Sunday 13 March 2022 at Teddington Health & Social Care Centre. The vaccine clinic is for children & young people (12-15yrs and 16-17yrs).
Sunday 13 March, 10am-4pm (Book or walk-in)
18 Queens Road, TW11 0LR
Book here: https://buff.ly/3MsIctO
THSCC flyer V2.pdfRTS Productions - The Lion King!
RTS Productions - The Lion King!
Tickets for the performances on Monday 21, Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 March are now available to purchase via ParentPay. Please come along and support our students who are continuing to work so hard at putting on an incredible show for you all.
Show Performances Lion King Poster.pdfRTS Sporting News
RTS Sporting News
Ms Chidlow reports back from the residential Netball Tour:
"Overall, a very successful weekend for RTS! We took 6 teams, 3 of which made it to the finals. We came home with Bronze, Silver AND Gold medals! The umpires also chose the RTS team as 'Team of the Tour' for their fabulous etiquette on and off the court - we came home with an award and a personalised netball. In addition to this the Year 7 team came back with a certificate for being the 'Team of the Tournament'. We are so proud of the whole team for these incredible achievements and all round representation of the RTS Values.
As well as the ongoing netball tournament, we were also able to take part in rock climbing, abseiling, archery, trapeze, zip wire, giant swing, rifle shooting, orienteering and had camp fire. The group maximised these opportunities and we are happy to share some great photos."
Results:
Year 9 A Team: Final Winners
Year 8 A Team: Second Place
Year 8 B Team: Third Place
Year 7: Team of the Tournament and Umpire's Choice
Team Players of the tournament:
Overall Player of the Tournament - Jasmin, Y8
Year 9 A - Mahi
Year 9 B - Maggie
Year 8 A - Chloe
Year 8 B - Amy
Year 7 A - Evie
Year 7 B - Laura
Ukraine
Ukraine
We would like to share some resources with families in case you are struggling, like many of us, to find the right words to talk to your children about what is going on in Ukraine at this time:
RTS Student Values Team
RTS Student Values Team
Hello! I’m Cara from Year 10 and I’m a member of the Student Values Team here at RTS. Our group of Values Ambassadors meet each half term to focus on raising the profile of equality, diversity and inclusion across the school and discussing ways in which we can help all students be heard.
Recently, we have discussed how to support students with a range of protected characteristics; this includes gender differences, ethnicity, disabilities, sexual orientation. We have collaborated on planning a celebration of different cultures and we are also hoping to start fundraising for a local charity dedicated to young people with disabilities and additional needs.
We’re all extremely excited to see where this takes us and hope you are too! Please talk to your children about whether they have any issues or needs they would like us to consider - they can find the names of Values Ambassadors on the RTS screens around the school. Our aim is to ensure that all students feel they belong at RTS.
RTS Library Corner
RTS Library Corner
Next week sees the announcement of the Carnegie Medal Book Award 2022 shortlist. Students who are interested in joining a Carnegie book group or Shadowing group should speak to their English teacher or to Ms Nockolds in the ILZ.
We would also like to say a huge thanks to FoRTS for their generous contribution towards the purchase of the Longlist and Shortlist books!
Carnegie Long List.pdfMs Edwards shares a lovely spontaneous moment with us from earlier in the week:
"Year 9 had an English lesson in the Library today where we discovered new reads and shared recommendations. Their enthusiasm really surprised me - they were actually running around the library handing each other books and reading aloud to one another. Really lovely!"
Exam Guidance
Exam Guidance
Ofqual has published the Student Guide to exams and formal assessments in 2021 to 2022. This is a guide for students on how GCSEs, A levels, vocational and technical qualifications are graded and awarded in the academic year 2021 to 2022.
Next Steps/Post-16
Next Steps/Post-16
Inclusive Learning Open Evenings
South Thames Colleges Group are holding a series of dedicated Inclusive Learning open evenings at each of their Colleges, which are for the benefit of young people in Year 10 and Year 11 who have high needs/EHCPs.
Prospective students may be considering their mainstream courses or in their Foundation Learning provision - further information and how to register can be found on the attached flyer and the links below.
Carshalton College Inclusive Learning Open Evening - Tuesday 22 March, 4.30pm-6.30pm
Merton Carshalton College Inclusive Learning Open Evening – Tuesday 22 March, 4.30pm-6.30pm
South Thames College Inclusive Learning Open Evening –Thursday 24 March, 4.30pm-6.30pm
Kingston College Inclusive Learning Open Evening – Wednesday 30 March, 4.30pm-6.30pm
How to Write a Cover Letter
This video by Indeed provides tips and guidance as to how to write a cover letter, along with examples to help you understand the format. This video is a short, stop motion animation, making it easier to follow and refer back to. Click here to watch the video.
Careers Information and Advice from Parental Guidance
This website was created by the Careers Writers Association and aims to provide useful careers advice to parents and carers who are supporting young people with their next steps. You can find information on higher education, traineeships, interviews, and more. Click here to visit the website.
British Airways Apprenticeships and Application Support
British Airways have announced their apprenticeship vacancies for September 2022 and are currently accepting applications. These roles include: Level 3 Aircraft Maintenance, Level 3 Digital, Level 2 Customer Service, Level 2 Ground Operations, Level 3 Business Professional.
You can find all of these on their careers website here.
BA Application Support
British Airways have provided some application support for those interested, including access to online e-learning modules surrounding BA and employability top-tips. Click here to go to the website.
AFC Wimbledon - Courses and Open Days
AFC Wimbledon currently have a selection of courses available for young people who are 16+, aimed primarily at students who may have struggled within the traditional school system but would feel motivated to study within their brand new football stadium, Cherry Red Records Stadium, where the courses will be delivered.
They will be offering the following for September 2022:
Level 2 OCR Cambridge Technical in Business.
Level 2 Cambridge Technical Certificate in Sport and Physical Activity
BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Esports.
English and Maths courses
You can find more information on these courses here.
You can apply for the courses here.
Exam Invigilator
Exam Invigilator
We are seeking to add to our bank of Examination Invigilators. We are looking to appoint a flexible, reliable people to who will thrive in a fast paced environments. You will work as part of a team of invigilators who will ensure exams are carried out according to the JCQ regulations. This role will primarily involve supervision of candidates sitting public examinations and internal mocks examinations.
Hours are variable according to exam schedules.
The post would be ideally suited to applicants who:
Are reliable, punctual, and readily available during exam periods
Have effective communication skills and good interpersonal skills including the ability to give instructions
Will manage situations involving different groups of people
Are can work effectively both on their own and within a team
Have good organisational skills
Have basic ICT skills (are familiar with use of email, mobile phone messaging etc).
Will be a reassuring presence to candidates in the exam room
Please share if you know someone who may be suitable and direct them to our website here. If you have any questions about this role, please contact Mrs Munro, Head Teacher's Executive PA in the first instance via pa@rts.richmond.sch.uk.
FORTS NEWS
FORTS NEWS
Rugby Parking
Another rugby match takes place this Saturday, this time it’s England v Ireland, again with a capacity crowd. As the closest car park to the ground, and possibly the only one with spare capacity, we’re set for another busy day! As you know, we are now also selling spaces for the college car park. This is great for the school, but it does mean that we need more marshals to enable us to safely move people around. If you are available, please email us on forts@rts.richmond.sch.uk. Sessions are usually two hours long and we particularly need people on the 6-8pm slot (this will be largely managing cars as they exit). We’d like to thank all of our wonderful marshals, and give a warm welcome to those who have recently signed up.
Second Hand Uniform Sales and Donations
We are pleased to announce that we are able to re-start second hand uniform sales in school. Any unwanted uniform can now be sent into school and left in Reception. With the school now holding events in person, FoRTS will aim to sell at all relevant events. We’d love to set up a pool of volunteers to help sell at these, so if you’re able to donate an hour of your time every now and then, please email fortsuniform@rts.richmond.sch.uk.
Your FoRTS Team,
Vanessa (Chair), Mark (Treasurer) and Carey (Secretary)
forts@rts.richmond.sch.uk
Safeguarding
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
Local News - Please note RTS does not endorse items included as Local News
No Straight Answer- LGBTQ+ youth group based in Twickenham
No Straight Answer- LGBTQ+ youth group based in Twickenham
No Straight Answer (NSA) is a youth club for young people aged 11-19 who are or feel they may be a part of the LGBTQ+ community. No Straight Answer is held at Heatham House Youth Centre, Twickenham every Friday. (We don’t advertise the exact time of the session on publicity material as we are keen to protect the identities of members of the group.)
The session is really diverse with full access to all of Heatham’s activities including sport, music, cooking, and art. It provides support, guidance and a safe space for young people to make new friends, socialise and take part in a wide range of activities. We also promote and explore young people's understanding of LGBTQ+identity, relationships and mental health through activities, discussions and workshops. As well as activities and discussions, young people also have the space to speak with a counsellor who is in session once a term that is also part of the community.
Please contact: Alex Quennell or Justin Johnson for more information and to find out the time of the session (email addresses can be found on the flyer).
3861 LBGQTi NSA.pdfTerm time school and holiday water sports activities for children
Term time school and holiday water sports activities for children
Albany Outdoors is the go-to watersports and outdoor leisure activities provider in Kingston and Richmond for over twenty years. As part of Achieving for Children, we operate different programmes for schools term time, holiday activities for Easter and summer and community for adults, families and after school clubs.
Albany Outdoors leaflet 9 February aw 2022.pdfTerm Dates 2021-2022
Term Dates 2021-2022
Full term dates and Inset day information is available on the website:
End of Spring Term: Friday 31 March
Easter Break: Friday 01 April-Monday 18 April
Start of Summer Term: Tuesday 19 April
INSET Day: Monday 16 May
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