RTS Parents' Newsletter 16 June 2023

Head Teacher's Message

I don't think that I am the only one to say that this week's weather has, at times, been a challenge! From torrential downpours on Monday evening when staff were attending an afterschool INSET and that no one could leave from for quite some time, to blazing sunshine and very warm temperatures. The students have coped remarkably well in the heat - thank you for your support with relaxed uniform this week. We return to ties and blazers on Monday, unless we contact you otherwise.

It was lovely to hear from the Senior Leadership Team what a wonderful evening they had on Wednesday, meeting and speaking to our new families during the Y6-7 Parents' Evening. It was a fantastic turnout of nearly 150 people and we have received some great feedback on how much parents enjoyed the evening and took away some interesting and useful information. We know that the end of Y6 is an extremely busy time in primary schools, so we thank you for taking the time to come along. 

Today saw our last full cohort GCSE - there are still a couple of subject exams to go for some students, but there are no more full cohort exams. It is incredible how fast the weeks of the exams have flown by and we are extremely pleased and proud of how our Year 11 students have conducted themselves during this period. The next time we see the year group all together will be their Graduation. We are looking forward to seeing our Year 11 families for what promises to be a lovely evening of celebration.

Wishing you all a lovely weekend.

Ms K Dooley 

Dates for the diary

Contacting the School

If you wish to contact the school, the School Office is open (term time only):

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.

Modern Languages Poetry Live

On Wednesday evening two Year 8 students headed over to St Mary's University to take part in the final of the Modern Languages Poetry Live Competition.

Both Riley and Albert performed very well and were very confident. It was a tough competition with over 50 Year 8 students from 15 different schools attending the event. Both students read a poem that they had prepared and learnt, then went to the second round when they read a new poem that they only had five minutes to prepare and read.

Two highlights from our staff on the evening: One was Albert volunteering to go on stage to help a student from another school who forgot the words of his poem, by whispering the words to him! That showed his level of confidence and is a true example of the RTS Way. Another highlight is a testimony from the Riley's Dad about Riley's incredible confidence since he joined RTS and how Riley was too shy at primary school and was incredibly uncomfortable and reluctant if he was asked to say something in assembly.

It was a great event and well done to Ms Smith for all her hard work liaising with parents and preparing both students for the event.

A-Level Taster Session

Earlier this week a group of Year 10 GCSE Geography students headed over to Esher College for an A Level Geography Masterclass. Students participated in a decision-making exercise about the geopolitics of the South China Sea; they researched the socio-economic and political geography of the region and took part in a debate over which superpower should control the territory. Students also found out what studying Geography at Esher is like.

Comments from the group were that they: "Really enjoyed the discussions that took place", found the superpower topic, "Really interesting"; and they were, "Excited to study Geography at A level".

RTS Alumni

As well as celebrating the achievements of of current students, we are also delighted to hear about our RTS Alumni and their achievements since they left RTS.

One of our original cohort, George, discovered volleyball just before lockdown and his passion for the sport drove his determination to be the best he could be. This drive has seen an impressive development and progress in the sport and just recently he secured a place as a reserve for the Youth Commonwealth Games this summer. This is a massive achievement after playing volleyball for just 3 years. George narrowly missed out on first place to another young man who has been playing volleyball for many years and already has international experience. As a reserve there is therefore still a chance that he may get to go. 

In the meantime, George continues to train hard and is also looking to gain some international experience - but this costs money. With the support of the Volleyball England Foundation, George is rasing money to support his training and travel to tournaments and competions. As an RTS Alumni we are proud to continue to support George, and if anyone in our RTS Community would also like to support him, it would be hugely appreciated. The link to his fundraising page is:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/george-ruddick.

We look forward to the next update on George's progress as we are incredibly proud of how well he is doing.

FORTS Information

Pre-loved Uniform

As we are now into the final term of the academic year and Year 11s will soon be completing their exams and leaving the school, we are looking for donations of good condition pre-loved uniforms to sell onto our current and new parents.

If you have any uniform, please send drop it off at Reception during school hours. Thank you.

Your FoRTS team,

Carmelle (Chair and Secretary) and Mark (Treasurer)

General: forts@rts.richmond.sch.uk Parking: fortsparking@rts.richmond.sch.uk

Uniform: fortsuniform@rts.richmond.sch.uk Voluntary donations: Peoples Fundraising

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: 

Hounslow Early Help Assessment

NSPCC:

Speak to a counsellor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

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

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.

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

BOOK NOW

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Join us in the West End!

This weekend, our talented young casts will be performing a West End Showcase at Wonderville Theatre, London.

 Let them entertain you with a spectacular show filled with songs from your favourite musicals.

BUY TICKETS

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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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Let It Grow! Let It Grow! 

Enter our poetry competition and you could win prizes for you and your school PLUS the winning poem will be featured on a flower planter on Hampton High Street.

The competition proudly supports The Big Green Week and closes on 30th June.

ENTER NOW

We look forward to seeing you this Summer!

The Dramacube Team

School Uniform Suppliers - Summer Appointments 

SchoolDays - Whitton High St

From 1st June, SchoolDays will again be operating an appointment system during the summer months.

Book your slot early to avoid disappointment at : https://schooldaysllp.co.uk/index.php/booking-form/ 

Stevensons

Stevensons have released this year's appointment booking information. 

01_164_RICHMOND UPON THAMES_TWICK(22).pdf

They are also looking for young people to work in their Twickenham branch over the summer months. 

01_164_03_Summer_Temps_V2.pdf

School Holiday Solutions for Parents of Older Children

We know parents are often looking for activities for their older children to take part in to break up the long school holidays and our BX+ programme provides a great solution for 12-14 year olds.

The BX+ course gives young people the chance to gain key skills and insight into what it's like to work as a member of staff at a summer camp. This is a great way to engage the older kids at camp as they reach the next developmental stage. They'll get to do all the fun activities on offer whilst also gaining key life skills and work experience. They’ll also receive a booklet about their time with us and a certificate, both of which are a superb addition to their record of achievement.

We’re pleased to be able to offer parents of your school an exclusive discount code
 Parents will receive £20 off a booking at their local camp with the code SCHOOL20.

Full details can be found here https://www.barracudas.co.uk/activities/bxplus-13-14-years/

And that's not all - we also accept ALL Childcare Vouchers and Tax-Free childcare. 

Drowning prevention week 17-24 June


With the weather getting warmer, it is Drowning Prevention Week from next Saturday, and the Royal Life Saving Society have some brilliant resources on drowning prevention. (rlss.org.uk)


The QR code takes you to a booklet that tells you how to be safe:


And so on….

There is also a drowning prevention animation that the story of a young girl who is missing out from having fun in the water as she does not feel confident - up steps an RLSS UK Lifeguard who tells her all about her local Lifesaving club. She soon becomes a Rookie Lifeguard – watch to find out more. https://www.rlss.org.uk/drowning-prevention-week-animation 

MET in the park

Monday 21 August 2023, Old Deer Park, Richmond, 12:00-18:00

Come along to meet:

PosterA407 (1).pdf

Access All Areas: Transition and Local Offer fair

Achieving for Children and TAG Youth Club are organising a transitions event on 10 October aimed at young people aged 14 - 25. 

There will be school groups attending and families, parents, carers and young people are invited.

This is an event for young people and their families to come together with professionals and service providers to help piece together futures.

If you are, or you care for, a young person aged up to 25, come and find out more about what’s available locally.

The event has a focus on transitions into adulthood.

Support and services attending include:

AAA 2023 flyer - FAMILIES - FINAL 05_23 (2).pdf

You will have opportunities to speak to the stall holders about their offers and take part in hands-on activities.

For more information about the event, please contact:

14-25@achievingforchildren.org.uk

For more information about TAG Youth Club, please contact:

giles@tagyouthclub.org 

Parent_and_Carers_Infographic.pdf

Term Dates 2022-2023

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

Parents' Calendar