Arbor Update

We've been informed by Arbor that the Arbor App now supports biometric login! 

They have taken onboard your feedback and from now, logging into the Arbor App will be a lot easier for parents and carers.

Updates include:

• No more entering login details every time - the App will now save parents’ email address and password, eliminating the need to re-enter them each time you login

• Parents can use their existing login method - whether that's face or fingerprint recognition, or their device’s pin code

• For parents with children at different schools, it's now easier and faster to switch between them

Attendance/Absence Reminder

A reminder that holidays are not permitted to be taken during term time at any time. Term dates are published two years in advance and are available on the website here. We also request that medical/dental/optician appointments are arranged either first thing in the morning, or towards the end of the school day. If appointments during the school day are unavoidable, students must either attend school before the appointment, even for an an hour, and must return to school after the appointment. 

Encouraging regular school attendance is one of the most powerful ways you can support your child. When you make school attendance a priority, you help your child achieve better grades, develop healthy life habits, feel more connected to their community and develop important social skills and friendships. At RTS we encourage you to send in your child, even if they are not feeling 100%, as we will support and monitor them throughout the day. Should they continue to feel unwell we are able to contact you to collect them from school. 

At RTS we expect our students to maintain an excellent attendance record and will begin intervention if a student’s attendance drops below 97%.

90% attendance is the Government threshold for a student to be classed as a persistent absentee and at that point they will be referred to the Educational Welfare Service. 

Holidays during term time are not authorised and have a detrimental effect on learning. Any savings you make by taking a holiday in school time are offset by the cost to your child’s education. A student who has an attendance record of 90% misses the equivalent of half a school day each week, 4 weeks every year, half a school year over 5 years. 

How to Keep Safe on the Streets

Our Police Liaison Officer, PC Farry, has asked that we share the following guidance that has been issued to residents in Barnes following a spate of street muggings. This advice applies to us all in keeping us, our children, and their friends safe.

TEN TOP TIPS 

• Eyes on the street, not your feet - be aware of your surroundings at all times

• Ears clear, so you can hear - take your head phones/buds off and listen

• Keep your mobile and other attractive devices in your bag or your pocket, out of sight

• Stay with your friends if possible

• If crossing parks or commons, wait until you see a dog walker or business person, and walk behind them. Don't be afraid to explain why you are doing this

• If you don't like the look of someone, move away, cross the road

• Stay as much in possible in busy streets

• Dont be afraid to go into a local shop if you think you are being followed, and explain to the staff there, or stop an adult whom you recognise. 

• Walk tall, walk fast. Remember, you own the streets, so act like it

• And if you are threatened, run away and call the police 999 when you are home or in the company of a trusted adult

Richmond Safe Space

Richmond Council and its partners are reminding residents that the newly opened 'Safe Space' is on hand to support anyone who might be feeling vulnerable while out and about in Richmond Town Centre between 9pm and 1am on Friday and Saturday nights.

The Safe Space is for anyone who might need help or advice. The police are present at the gazebo to intervene if required. Visitors to the Safe Space will also be able to find information on White Ribbon, domestic abuse services and the Railway Guardian app.

The initiative is a joint venture between Richmond Council's Community Safety service, Richmond Safer Neighbourhood Teams, British Transport Police, South Western Railway Rail Community Officers and Street Pastors.

Local News - Please note RTS does not endorse items included as Local News

FUEL: Holiday Activity and Food programme - Summer 2023 - bookings open!

Bookings have opened for the Summer 2023 FUEL Holiday Activity and Food programme!

FUEL provides free activities and food for children whose parents are eligible for benefits- related Free School Meals during the Easter, Summer and Winter school holidays. 

If your child is eligible, you should have been given a 17 digit FUEL code either from your child’s school or us. If you think your child may be eligible but you haven’t got a code, email the FUEL team at: fuel@achievingforchildren.org.uk. 

If you have your code, you can book on to sessions now: https://kr.afcinfo.org.uk/pages/community-information/information-and-advice/fuel-holiday-activities-and-food-programme 

ADHD Embrace

ADHD Embrace will be piloting a course in September for teenagers in year 11 or year 13. It will be run by Susana Gonzales. Susana is a specialist teacher and coach who draws from her professional and personal experience as a parent and teacher of neurodivergent young people, she understands the challenges faced by these children in educational settings and beyond. Over the last two years, she ran "Brain School" to empower neurodivergent students through self-understanding and self-care. Susana has championed neurodiversity as a focus area within her department, implementing inclusive teaching practices such as online resource sharing, exam review sheets, and video-exam walk-throughs.

Brain School

The aim of Brain School is to support senior school age children with ADHD with their learning. The course aims to support young people to improve their Executive Function skills by providing them with education on their neurodivergent brains, helping them to build their own learning profile and preferences and to provide them with tools to support their learning styles and improve study skills

Brain School seeks to deliver on four key elements: 

1.  Psycho education
2.  Academic learning
3.  Development of executive function skills
4.  Mental wellbeing and development of self esteem 

Who is the course for?

The course is specifically targeted towards young people in their GCSE or A-level journey. We will be running two sessions on Saturday mornings split by year group.

Group 1 - GCSE level
Group 2 - A-level

 When will the course be held?

The course will be held over six sessions from Saturday 16th September through to Saturday 21st October.

Session 1 - Saturday 16th September
Parent and Young Person Introductory session
This session will be held from 11am to 12.30am.  The purpose is to give an overview of: 

• Neurodiversity

• Brain School outcomes 

• What the student sessions will cover in the sessions 

• Goal setting

• Administration  

·        Necessary form filling related to the pupil

·        Consent forms/ Safe guarding etc.

• • The "rules of engagement"

Sessions 2 - 6 - Saturday 23 September to Saturday 21st October.
Young person sessions

Group 1 - GCSE level - 11.00am - 12.15pm
Group 2 - A level - 12.30pm - 13.45pm

 Cost £175 for the 6 sessions.

Location – Kingston Upon Thames

 Booking information below.

Brain School - A Young Person's Course - ADHD Embrace

 If you have any questions please contact us on info@adhdembrace.org

Dramacube  Holiday Activities

Calling all young performers, aspiring film-makers and creative writers....we have a spectacular summer lined up for you!

Dramacube's team of Artistic Directors, Choreographers, Drama Teachers and Film Crews will be a running a series of movie and musical theatre inspired events & workshops across the summer.

Fill your child's summer school holidays with our popular 2 or 3 day Musical Theatre and Movie-Makers Workshops.

• 4-6 Years

• 7-12 Years

• 13-18 Years

Sing, perform and get creative in our full day workshops in Esher, Walton or Hampton Hill.

BOOK NOW

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Watch and enjoy the Alice in Wonderland films our budding movie-makers created as part of Love Walton's Film Festival.

WATCH THE FILMS

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Like to step behind - or in front - of the camera?

Come join our Movie Makers Summer Workshops!

BOOK A WORKSHOP

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We look forward to seeing you this Summer!

The Dramacube Team