RTS Parents' Newsletter 15 July 2022
Head Teacher's Message
What an incredible year RTS has had!
Thank you to each and every one of you for your support over the last academic year. Whether it be by attending events, donating pre-loved uniform, contributing to trips and visits; to the day to day tasks that keep the school running - the washing of uniform, the packed lunches, the topping up of ParentPay; and ensuring that homework is done. The to-do lists at home are just as important as our to-do lists in school - so thank you. Our school community as a whole is one that I feel privileged to be part of and this year has been quite special.
Our end of year Celebration Assembly was a wonderful coming together of the whole school (Years 7-10) to celebrate and remember all of their achievements over the past few months and to also look forward to the summer break and the next academic year ahead. It was fantastic to have all of the year groups together in the new sports hall, and again, Equippers Richmond (who let the school on a Sunday) stepped in and provided all of the staging, lights and technical production support - we are very grateful for their expertise and time. We had many certificates and prizes to give out - but the most awaited prize had to be the drawing of the Golden Tickets. Prizes ranged from Nando's vouchers to headphones, mini speaker systems, to the top 2 prizes of stunt bikes! Sophia, Year 8, was the ecstatic winner of the one of the bikes! Congratulations!
Please join me in warmly welcoming our new staff - we are very excited to have them join RTS and complete our staffing as we move into our 6th year!
Curriculum Leader Sport: Mr Freeman
Teacher - PE: Mr Glossop
Teacher - MFL: Ms Smith
Teacher - MFL: Ms Wareing
Teacher - Maths: Mr Nesztinger
Teacher - English: Ms Joanna Gill
Teacher - History / Humanities : Mr Barrett
Teacher - Geography / Humanities: Mr Harris
Teacher - Science: Ms Di Matteo
Science Technician: Mr Morrision
Catering Assistant: Mr Fung
As well as the numerous activities that we have been able to include in the 'Local News' section below, there are countless other activities taking place over the summer that children can participate in. It really is incredible how much is on offer - often free of charge.
I wish you all a relaxing and enjoyable Summer break - whatever it looks like - whether you are finally able to visit family all over the world, whether you are able to take a holiday (home or abroad); or will simply just be enjoying a slower pace of home life.
Take care.
Ms K Dooley
Dates for the diary
Thursday 25 August
GCSE Results, 09:00-10:30
Friday 02 September
Year 7 ONLY, 08:35-12 noon
Monday 05 September
Year 7 and 11 ONLY, 08:35-15:00
Tuesday 06 September
Years 7, 10 and 11, 08:35-16:00
Year 9, 09:00-16:00
Year 8, 09:30-16:00
Contacting the School
The School Office is closed during the Summer break.
The school email address: info@rts.richmond.sch.uk will not be monitored over the Summer break. Emails will be responded to as soon as possible when school reopens on Friday 02 September.
Safeguarding: If you are concerned about the welfare or safety of a child, send your email to: safeguarding@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.
Creative Arts Showcase
Thank you once again to everyone who was able to join us at the Creative Arts Showcase at the beginning of July. During the evening Ms Williams (and her red dots!) oversaw the purchase of the wonderful artworks that were sold. A range of artworks were sold raising over £200. Congratulations to those lucky buyers and, you never know, you may now be the proud owner of an original and early work of a future successful artist! A range of 'red dot' artworks are shown below.
Well done also to Harry, Max, Zahra and Amy. Ms Dooley had a hard choice selecting the top four pictures of houses out of the many entries to the competition. The artworks can be viewed in the Twickenham branch of Stirling Ackroyd during the summer months - many thanks to Stirling Ackroyd for their support and sponsorship of this event.
RTS Fixtures
This season's focus was cricket.
Mr Jones took a group of Year 7 boys to a series of fixtures in the last week of school. The boys played extremely well and coped admirably in the full sunshine and heat. They enjoyed fixtures against Christs' School, Twickenham School and Gunnersbury School for Boys. Well done boys!
RTS Achievement
The London Youth Games launched in 1977 and is one of the world’s leading annual youth sports events.
Cameron, Year 10, participated in the games at the beginning of July. The event took part at the London Aquatics Centre in Queen Elizabeth Park.
Cameron represented Hounslow in the 50m freestyle in the senior race, so was swimming against 15-17year olds who swim at county level. He came 6th (out of 7) which is an amazing achievement given that he is 14, only swims once a week and only started swimming recently as part of cross
Congratulations to Cameron - what an impressive achievement and what a privilege to swim at the site of the 2012 London Olympics!
Think Maths Day!
On Wednesday all Year 7 students took part in a series of workshops for Think Maths Day.
They explored the properties of shapes with smoke rings, hypothesised how to build the tallest tower out of newspaper, practiced some mathematical magic tricks, and created posters analysing the data from Sports Day.
PSHCEE
On Tuesday Ms Tania took students from across year 7-9 to participate in a direct faith event at Turing House School. Many religious leaders came together to educate students about their faith. Students had the opportunities to ask questions to the faith leaders. After a long 5 hour learning session, students were treated to an ice cream to cool them down! Well done to the RTS students involved.
RTS Sports Day
Please enjoy the two videos below that have been posted to our social media channels - our content is ever increasing and it is the best way to enjoy all that RTS achieves!
Sports Day Part 1.mp4Sports Day Part 2.mp4Theatre Trips and Performance Visits
July was an exceptionally busy month for both trips out to the theatre and also performance groups visiting RTS.
On Wednesday afternoon, Year 10 GCSE Music students enjoyed a visit to the phenomenal Hamilton musical in London.
Fresh Water Theatre Company have been delivering educational workshops, shows and storytelling sessions in schools since 1996.
As one of the largest theatre-in-education companies in the UK, they provide high quality drama workshops and shows to support topics across the entire curriculum or programme. This is the first time that we have worked with them.
Year 7 enjoyed a performance and workshop in French and Year 8 experienced a different performance and workshop - in Spanish!
On Friday 08 July, Ms Benson took a group of Year 8 students to the wonderful Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond to watch a radical re-telling of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ set in a galaxy far far away. Students got fully involved in the audience participation and Ms Richards and Mr Shepheard even got to take part in the show as two of the Mechanicals.
Also on Friday 08 July, Ms Singh and Ms Nockolds took a small group of Year 8 students to Battle of the Books.
This is an inter-school borough competition. Students read books from a selected reading list and, on the day, are asked a number of questions, both individually and as a team, about the content of those books.
Our first ever team came fourth out of six schools and beat previous winners! We are very proud of the girls who were excellent from start to finish.
Summer Support Helpline
This summer AfC are again running their Summer Support Helpline for those students who may not have achieved the qualifications they were hoping for at Level 2 or Level 3 that they will need to progress to their next stage of education or apprenticeships/employment.
The Helpline will be manned by our qualified 14-25 Careers Advisers, Gill Higgins and Mumen Tapadar (aka Tap), who will offer information and advice to young people on and after results days - on the phone or in person if required.
We will share this information again with our Year 11 students when we contact just before GCSE results day on Thursday 25 August.
Summer Support helpline flyer 2022 KL amends (1).pdfSummer Safety
As we move into the long summer break and children have more unstructured time on their hands; we would like to share with you some information that you may find useful for either yourself, or to share with your children.
TikTok
Here are a couple of links to information about TikTok:
Water Safety
The recent hot weather has encouraged young people to cool off in water. Unsuitable rivers and quarries hide dangers below, not taking into accounts the hazards of freezing cold water and currents. Teenagers especially are drawn in by peers and a keenness for risky behaviours. The hot spot in this area is around Teddington Lock.
Getting it On
Public Health’s young people's summer campaign is now live through SW London's Getting it On website. With information about drugs, alcohol, festival safety, relationships and sex. Public Health is running Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat adverts, which will run all summer.
Key message: 'Make 2022 a summer to remember for the right reasons'.
Targeted messages:
Anxious about socialising this summer?
Getting it On has great tips and services to help
Drinking too much can tip a night-out upside down
Know how to ‘stay present’ and in control with Getting It On
Summer relationships can be so exciting.
Have fun and be safe with help from Getting it On
Had a festival fail or party pitfall?
Check in with your friends & find more help with Getting it On
School Uniform
Our two uniform suppliers - SchoolDays and Stevensons - are recommending that you book appointments for all of your uniform requirements sooner rather than later.
School Days Book Early 2022.pdf01_114_Appointments live_Flyer.pdfFORTS NEWS
Thank you all!
As we come to the end of this academic year, we’d like to send out a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us during the year. That’s all of our wonderful event parking volunteers, everyone who has helped at events, selling uniform and refreshments, everyone that’s donated and bought pre loved uniform, attended meetings, bought raffle tickets and anything else! We’d also like to thank the RTS staff for their support, it really is a joint effort – none of us can do it without each other! We’ve raised just over £15k this year, a great result for everyone’s hard work and a record fundraising year! A special thanks to original members who have been with FoRTS even before it was a thing! Good luck with all of your future endeavours.
School Uniform Sales and Donations
Any unwanted uniform can still be taken into school and donated in the holidays. Donations can be made every Wednesday in the school holidays between 9 and 10am. Please enter the school via the Clarendon School Gates on Egerton Road (the car park gates will be left open). A large donations box will be left at the end of the car park by the gate that goes into RTS (next to the School Office/Reception).
There will be a pre-loved uniform sale during the summer holidays on Wednesday 24th August between 10am-12noon.
If you would like to contact us about uniform, or think you can help at one of our sales, please email fortsuniform@rts.richmond.sch.uk. Unfortunately we are not able to do ad hoc sales or check stock for you as this is all held at school.
Shopping Online over the Summer?
Please support us by using easyfundraising and AmazonSmile. easyfundraising has partnerships with over 7,000 brands who will donate part of what you spend on their website. It won't cost you any extra, the cost is covered by the brand. It’s quick to sign up and if you set up a donation reminder, you will always be prompted when you are on a site where donations can be generated.
Big PTA Summer Raffle – Last Chance to Buy!
Time is running out, you only have a couple of days left to buy your tickets! A £3 ticket will get you one entry into each of the 12 draws to win up to £5,000, and FoRTS receives 50% from each ticket sale. Three draws will run daily from 18th July to 21st July. Winning numbers will be announced on the Big PTA Summer Raffle website and winners will also be informed by email. Good luck!
AGM
The FoRTS AGM will be held at the end of September (proposed date Thursday 29th September). All roles will be up for renewal, and with some parents leaving the school community there will be various roles that will be vacated, so we really need volunteers to fill these roles as well as committed volunteers. We know already that Vanessa will be standing down as Chair and so we definitely will need a new enthusiastic parent to step up to this role. Please consider giving your time. If you think you can join us to continue the success of FoRTS, or would just like to ask for more information, you can contact us at any time on forts@rts.richmond.sch.uk.
Staff Thank You Collection
Last call if anyone would like to make a donation and leave a message for the staff end of year gift. Please visit our Peoples Fundraising page. Donations are completely voluntary.
Have a fantastic summer, your FoRTS team,
Vanessa (Chair), Mark (Treasurer) and Carey (Secretary)
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
summer_shoots_flyer_s1_s2_s3_-_richmond.pdf
Holiday Club
I am a local mum and run a boutique holiday club for tweens (age 10-13 years) offering very unusual and fun adventure days out in the school holidays. Not your average trip but exciting activities such as trampolining at the O2, graffiti painting in Shoreditch, chocolate making in Covent Garden and cable cars in Greenwich (to name a few!). Our mission is to get the post-pandemic tweens off their screens and out having fun safely in the real world. We have countless safe, fun and unusual boutique adventures for every taste. We are fully insured, checked, DBS compliant and trained in safeguarding, diversity, inclusion and belonging.
flyer June 22.pdfPowerStation Summer Programme
PowerStation Youth Centre is running a 7 week summer programme 7 days a week for young people aged 5-19 years old.
Activities include cooking, football, art, basketball, community gardening, HIIT, Golf Trips and much more.
To avoid disappointment book your space on Eventbrite, or if your child receives free school meals contact Danielle directly to book these reserved spots.
All links can be found on our Linktr.ee page.
Click here to view the PowerStation programme.
Bike marking in Mortlake
Get your bike security marked and registered for free by police officers to deter thieves.
Bring your Bike down to PowerStation Youth Centre on Thursday 28 July 12pm-3pm to get your bike registered.
Click here to view the bike marking poster.
Rchmond PCF Summer 2022 Email Version.pdfGirl's Football
In line with the FA, Brentford Football Club have launched the Wildcats and Squads sessions. The Wildcats target 5-11 year old girls and Squads target 12-14 year olds. Please see below for the details:
Squads
Gunnersbury Park, Popes Lane, W3 8LQ
6-7pm
Astro Turf
Ages 12-16 years old
£3 per week, £48 for 16 week block. First Session FREE
No prior football experience needed, All abilities welcome.
To Register: https://www.brentfordfccst.com/event/squads/
Hampton & Richmond Borough Youth Football Club
A local football team are looking for new players for next season. Hampton & Richmond Borough Youth Football Club already have a strong RTS contingent in the squad across Year 10 and would love for more RTS students across the year groups to join them.
Twickenham Saints
CALLING CURRENT YEAR 9s: LOCAL FOOTBALL TEAM LOOKING FOR NEW PLAYERS - Again, supported strongly by RTS families.
Twickenham Saints are a local team who play in the Premier Division of the Epsom and Ewell League in the Surrey FA. We are looking to fill some positions for our U15 team for the 22/23 season.
We will be having trials over the summer, so if you are interested in playing or want to find out more, please contact Indy at indysaha@hotmail.com
Holiday Activity and Food - FUEL - Free programmes for children on FSM
The FUEL (Feed Ur Everyday Lives) programme, returns this summer to help support children on benefits-related Free School Meals, and will be on offer throughout the holidays. There are over 18000 spaces available across Kingston and Richmond with holiday activity and food providers, and the programme continues to grow with new locations, providers, and activities available for children across the two boroughs.
As a reminder, the programme offers completely free access for children receiving benefits-related Free School Meals to attend holiday clubs, sports groups, play sessions and more. Children who are entitled to the programme have the opportunity to attend up to 16 sessions throughout the summer.
For further information on the programme and the providers that we will be working with, please visit our website or contact FUEL@Achievingforchildren.org.uk.
Harlequins Foundation's FUEL Programme
The Harlequins Foundation’s Healthy Holiday Programme, part of Achieving for Children’s FUEL Programme and funded by The Department of Education, offers young people, aged 8-11 and in receipt of benefit related free school meals access to a range of FREE activities delivered by our experienced team of staff.
Our programme is delivered for four hours each day for a total of four days (Monday – Thursday) this Summer. Activities will include:
Tag Rugby
Rugby Robots – Our world first coding experience
Kwik Cricket
Invasion Games
Team Building Activities
…and much more
The Harlequins Programme will be held at RTS - if you would like to book, please follow this link: https://eequ.org/experience/1560
FUEL Leaflet 22.pdfWandsworth.pdfNetball Coach UK
My name is Hazel and I work for Netball Coach UK. An organisation run by netballers for netballers, aiming to develop and enhance netball provision across London. Netball Coach UK believes in the power of sport to elevate and inspire young people.
Our camps are open to children in School Years 3-10 and are suitable for experienced and aspiring ballers, as well as those new to the game.
What to expect: Expert coaching by qualified coaches, skills development, Vitality Superleague athlete appearance by Kira Rothwell of London Pulse, the chance to make new friends and tons of match play!
When: 25th, 26th and 27th of July or 30th and 31st August
Where: Burntwood School, SW17 0AQ
Cost: £39.50 per session
Book at: https://netballcoachuk.com/camps
Enquiries: Email us with any questions – info@netballcoachuk.com
LTA Youth Summer Tennis Camps
We are a local tennis provider and run the tennis programme at both York House Gardens & Moor Mead Recreation Ground, we are passionate about running courses for children aged 4-18, packed full of fun games and dynamic training. We want kids to bring all their energy and our LTA accredited coaches will make sure every child has the best start to their tennis journey in a safe and inclusive environment. Sessions cater to all abilities, so no one gets left behind.
Tennis can benefit kids in so many ways, by providing physical, mental and social skills for life. As well as the obvious fitness training, tennis will also help kids:
Find their passion and motivation
Learn resilience through friendly competition
Understand and practise emotional control
Develop respect, communication and teamwork
Focus on personal best, not just winning
Improve balance, agility and co-ordination
Release endorphins and destress
Improve focus and reaction times
Meet new people and make friends
Summer Camp 2022.pdfSummer Hockey Camps
Summer Hockey Camps are a wonderful way of keeping children fully entertained! With first class coaching and fun activities, open to all abilities, whether members or non-members.
Term Dates 2021-2022
Full term dates and Inset day information is available on the website:
Autumn Term
Friday 02 September: Year 7 ONLY
Monday 05 September: Year 7 and Year 11 ONLY
Tuesday 06 September: ALL Year groups