RTS Parents' Newsletter

RTS Parents' Newsletter 15 December 2021

Head Teacher's Message

I am so proud to share that today's end of term Celebration assembly was just incredible! Holding it remotely with students in their classrooms instead of all together in the hall did not dampen enthusiasm or participation one bit! The atmosphere around school was just wonderful and very, very loud! It is always such a joy to share achievements with students and classmates and Christmas just adds that extra enjoyment - or maybe that was just the chocolate and sweets that all tutor groups indulged in! Ms Charles performed a very energetic job of running around school reporting and presenting awards to each classroom with Ms Carrick-Steele managing the main presentation. A huge congratulations to all students who won an award today!

We were also delighted to be joined by Mr J Kipps, Executive Head Teacher, Clarendon School - our onsite neighbours and close colleagues. It is a privilege to share a site with them.

The musical interlude was quite moving - we are so incredibly lucky to have such talented students in our community. Please do enjoy the sessions from SJ and Cyrus in Year 11 by clicking the link here; Dylan, Seth and Alfie here; and the truly incredible voice of Emilia from Year 7 here.

Looking ahead to January and next term - We return to school for the mass LFD testing programme on Wednesday 05 January 2022; with a full return to lessons for all students on Thursday 06 January 2022. An email will be shared on Thursday 16 December with timings per year year group for the testing sessions.

Thank you for your continued and ongoing support - I appreciate just how hard these last few weeks have been on top of an already difficult 18 months - and your support of the staff and school really does make a difference as we too work our way through unprecedented times.

Have a restful and peaceful Christmas break and best wishes for a happy New Year

Mr J Kipps, Executive Head Teacher of Clarendon School, our onsite neighbours

Ms K Dooley

Dates for the diary

Wednesday 05 January 2022
- First day of term - School open for LFD Testing Programme only (please check email for appointment time)
Thursday 06 January 2022
- All students in at 08:35 for normal timetable

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. With the move to Amber status we would strongly encourage all students to regularly test at home over the next 2 weeks.

Remember that if at anytime you need additional kits you can order them free of charge via the following link: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing/regular-rapid-coronavirus-tests-if-you-do-not-have-symptoms/

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.

Please note the School Office is closed during the holidays. Any emails will be responded to when school reopens on Wednesday 05 January.

RTS Art Gallery

For our last newsletter of the year we have decided to look back on the last term and share again the best of the best - Ms Williams has been incredible in providing content week after week, but to be honest, she says that her task is an easy one as there is just so much more that she could share as the quality of the work by the students this term has just blown her away. We really hope that you enjoy our Art Gallery.

DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD

This year, students in Year 10 will have the chance to complete their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. The Award helps students demonstrate their teamwork and communication skills whilst also engaging with volunteering. It is a fantastic achievement that is recognised by educational establishments and employers everywhere. Training sessions will begin in the Summer Term and students will be given more information on how to apply for the scheme next term. Should you have ay further questions, please email the School Office via: info@rts.richmond.sch.uk and mark for the attention of Mr Parfitt.

Christmas Lunch

Over 250 students enjoyed Christmas Lunch last Friday. The Senior Leadership Team, assisted by the Student Leaders, served students, provided crackers and Christmas music, cleaned up and generally ensured that all students had a great time! It really was been a celebration of community, effort, participation and happiness and a truly wonderful way to end the Autumn Term and 2021.

Flu Vaccination

If your child missed the flu vaccination session at RTS on 22 October 2021, the Richmond Immunisation Team are offering a community walk-in clinic on Friday 17 December or Monday 20 December, in either Sheen or Surbiton.

An email with the full details was shared with you on 07 December, however please find brief details below:

Friday 17 December 2021, 2pm-5pm - Centre House, 68 Sheen Lane, SW14 8LP. Paid parking onsite. Free parking on surrounding roads. Please note new Lower Emission Zone is now in operation.
Monday 20 December 2021, 9.30am-12.30pm & 1.30pm-4.30pm - Tolworth Recreation Centre, Tala Close, Surbiton. KT6 7EY. Next to Tolworth Girls School & 6th form. Free parking onsite and on surrounding roads.

For information on all immunisations please visit: www.hrch.nhs.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)

Children Online - Setting Parental Controls

This is the time of year parents and carers will be buying devices that access the internet for their children and so we would like to highlight the importance of setting parental controls before giving the devices to children:

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

FUEL programme

Please find below details for a Christmas Holiday Scheme that is being run by the Harlequins Foundation in association with Achieving for Children over the Christmas break:

The Harlequins Foundation are delivering FUEL again this winter. FUEL is Achieving for Children’s Holiday Activities and Food Programme.

Funded by the Department of Education, FUEL is FREE for children between the ages of 8-14 and in receipt of benefits related free school meals.

Children not within that criteria are able to join in the sessions, but there is a fee of £25 per day per child.

The sessions will take place on Monday 20 December and Tuesday 21 December from 10:00 until 14:00 at Richard Challoner School, School House Richard Challoner, Manor Dr N, New Malden KT3 5PE

To book - Click on this link.

If you need support with applying online or have other enquiries please email: fuel@achievingforchildren.org.uk.

KR activities programme Winter 25 Nov 21.pdf

London Irish Free Tickets!

As a token of their appreciation to the local community and schools (and an early Christmas present, because who doesn’t love a present, right!), London Irish are happy to offer a complimentary ticket offer to families for their upcoming fixture against Brive in the European Challenge Cup on Sunday 19 December (3.15pm kick-off).

Visit https://www.eticketing.co.uk/londonirish/EDP/Event/Index/19
Select the number of tickets required in NORTH STAND and breakdown of tickets e.g. adult, over 65, junior, child
The tickets will automatically be added to the basket top right-hand corner.
Enter promotional code XMASBRIVE and the amount will reduce to £0
Click ‘Proceed to checkout’
You are then prompted to log in, if you do not have an account, you can create one.
Select ‘credit / debit card’ for payment and enter card details. Please note, you need to do this for verification purposes. Your card details will not be charged or stored.
Select Print@home / digital ticket delivery. Your tickets will be issued via email
Any issues, please email ticketing@london-irish.com

London Irish Coaching Clinic

On Sunday 19 December London Irish will be holding a Coaching Clinic with London Irish Players. Anyone age 10 and above is welcome to join them at Gunnersbury Park; and additional tickets may also be purchased (Adult - £15 and Child & Junior (£5). Please read the flyer for more exciting details and contact Community@london-irish.com to book your place.

Parent Support Cafe

Eating Disorders

New support for parents and carers in London can be found from from Beat (UK’s leading eating disorder charity).

They can be contacted via the Beat CareEd Support Line for London: 0808 801 0356. Parents can also access NEXUS - weekly telephone coaching and SOLACE - a peer support group over Zoom.

Football Camps - Girls Only!

There are a few exciting opportunities for girls leading up to Christmas. Please see the information below. The girls' camp is open to all abilities.

Girls Only Winter Holiday Camp – Bedfont Sports Club

Come and join a FREE girls’ football camp at Bedfont Sports Club. The football camp is delivered by 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 22nd December

Time: 10.30am to 2pm

Age group: 6 to 16 years old

Cost: FREE

Address: Bedfont Sports Club – Bedfont Rec Ground/Hatton Rd, Feltham TW14 8JA

To book: https://www.brentfordfccst.com/event/girls-only-football-winter-holiday-camp/

Girls Football Development Centre Trials

Date: Tuesday 21 December 2021

Time: 10am-12pm

Venue Address: Gunnersbury Park Sports Hub, Popes Lane, London, W3 8LQ

Cost: £12

Players will participate in a two-hour training session consisting of one hour of technical practices and one hour of conditioned small-sided games. No feedback will be provided on the day.

The trial is available for new players wishing to join our football programme and is available for both outfield and goalkeepers. Existing players in our football programme do not need to re-trial.

To register: https://www.brentfordfccst.com/event/girls-trials-december/

Term Dates 2021-2022

Full term dates and Inset day information is available on the website:

Christmas break: 16 December 2021 - 04 January 2022
First day of Spring Term : 05 January 2022 - Mass Student LFD Testing Programme ONLY / 06 January 2022 - Full return to lessons

Parents' Calendar

Christmas Celebrations at RTS

We are delighted to share with you a few wonderful photographs of events around school over the last few days. It really has been a celebration of community, effort, participation and happiness and a truly wonderful way to end the Autumn Term and 2021.

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