RTS Parents' Newsletter 20 January 2023
Head Teacher's Message
I am extremely pleased and excited to announce that this week Richmond Council have finally signed off on the funding for the school Sports Hall. It has been a long journey to this point, with the pandemic setting us back two years, and many additional challenges and increases in costs. Based on information from the council, we expect builders to start working on the site (behind the current temporary sports hall) in April this year. This is a fantastic step forward and has been long awaited. We look forward to sharing more information, including the plans, with you in due course.
With that happy news - I wish you all a lovely weekend.
Ms K Dooley
Dates for the diary
Wednesday 25 January
Early finish at 14:00 for all students
Parent/Subject Teacher Subject Consultations for Year 11, 14:30-19:30 (face to face in school)
Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 February
INSET Days: School closed to all students for staff training
Wednesday 22 February 2023
FoRTS General Meeting, 18:00
Contacting the School
If you wish to contact the school, the School Office is open (term time only):
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.
RTS Art Gallery
This week the Year 8s have been looking at the abstract portrait artist called Keemo.
Ms Williams has been very impressed with the students' artist research copies that they have created in class.
Enrichment
Students have enjoyed the donation by FORTS within the Lego Robots enrichment in the Autumn and Spring terms.
We are taking 10 students to the competition in February who have shown exemplary RTS Values to represent the school at the event. The money received from FoRTS went towards buying this years mats and models to allow our students to work on completing the challenges and be best prepared for the competition.
Westminster Visit
Earlier this week, as part of the PSHE curriculum, 30 Year 9 students had the exciting opportunity to visit the Houses of Parliament. They watched a short film on the 'History of Parliament' and then had a tour of the Houses of Parliament with a tour guide. Munira Wilson, MP for Twickenham, agreed to meet the students and answer some questions they had about working in parliament and being an MP. The students had a great experience and thoroughly enjoyed the trip - Riley said that it was 'the best trip I've ever been on'.
Chinese New Year
In place of the usual Friday fish and chips, this week the RTS Catering Team celebrated the Chinese New Year of the Rabbit. The menu was freshly prepared and made from scratch - students and staff alike were treated to an absolute feast of sweet and sour chicken and vegetable and quorn chow mein; both accompanied by prawn crackers and spring rolls. The desert was apple fritter.
We are extremely lucky with our Catering Team and they love coming up with fresh ideas for celebrating the many cultures that make up our RTS community. Please do share any ideas that you have with the School Office (info@rts.richmond.sch.uk) and we would be delighted to pass them on to the Catering Team.
Careers Corner
RateMyApprenticeship.co.uk is holding a FREE Apprenticeship careers virtual event on Tuesday 21 February.
This information-packed virtual event is perfect for students in years 10-13 who are exploring their options and want to learn more about Apprenticeships.
Over 3,000 students, teachers and parents tuned in to the last event in November to hear from current apprentices about their journey of discovering, applying for and gaining an apprenticeship.
This time, we’ve got even more opportunities for students to interact with the UK’s best employers, including Deloitte, Mazars, BDO, Accenture and PwC!
Invitation to Medics Conference
Thursday 16 March, 10.30-15.00 at Tiffin Girls School (Year 11 only).
We have been invited to bring 10 students to a Medics Conference; students have been informed about this in assembly and can register their interest via a Google Form linked on Year 11 Notices Google Classroom - the deadline for the form is Friday 27 January. Students can ask Ms Carrick-Steele for more information if they are interested.
FORTS NEWS
Silent Auction
We have 3 prizes remaining from the Christmas Fair and have opened up a link in order to place your bid Silent Auction. The highest amount will be the winner for each item. You will be sent FoRTS bank details to pay for your item if you win. We will arrange for collection thereafter. You may of course bid for more than one item but you will need to submit a separate form each time. Good luck!
Spring Term Subject Leader Bids
Last week we told you the great news about FoRTS doubling the money available for the school to spend on the Spring term bids to £5,000. The school has ordered a belt sander, percussion sets, maths equipment, exam reader pens and some Lego! We will share photos with you over the coming weeks as the items arrive and are put to use.
FoRTS General Meeting - save the date!
Our next General meeting will be held at the school at 6pm, Wednesday 22 February. Please come along and see what is involved in being part of the school community. You will have a chance to talk to us about how you can offer up your time as part of a pool of volunteers.
Wishing you all a lovely weekend.
Your FoRTS team,
Carey (Chair), Mark (Treasurer) and Carmelle(Secretary)
General: forts@rts.richmond.sch.uk
Uniform: fortsuniform@rts.richmond.sch.uk
Parking: fortsparking@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:
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 School Job Vacancies
Part-time Caretaker post at Bishop Perrin CE Primary School, Whitton
Bishop Perrin CE primary School are recruiting for a part-time Caretaker to look after their small and well-maintained school site. The post would suit someone who might be semi-retired and is keen to still keep working, although anyone is welcome to apply if they feel it is suitable for them. For more detail, please click through on the link or phone the school (0208 894 1447). https://www.eteach.com/job/school-caretaker-1299213
Telephone Support Service for Parents from Off The Record Twickenham
Off the Record Twickenham provides a telephone support service for parents & guardians of young people. Our experienced counsellor can offer an hour on the phone to discuss any challenges you’re experiencing, give support and listen. This can be particularly helpful when the young person is reluctant to try counselling. Our support can include looking at what you find challenging and/or ways you might support your child. What is discussed is confidential unless there is a concern about the safety of a child. Contact Off The Record Twickenham on 020 8744 1644, at counselling@otrtwickenham.com or find more information about supporting your child on our website https://otrtwickenham.com/parents/
Positive Parenting Project
Having conversations that matter
Parenting is all about relationship building and one of the main ways we build relationships is through conversations. Having good conversations with children and teens is not an added extra, it is the bedrock of parenting and essential fuel for child development.
And, sometimes, there are issues that we simply have to talk to our kids about - for their safety and wellbeing - even if we feel uncomfortable.
Starting good conversations isn't always easy, especially when we are tired or stressed or embarrassed or worried. Finding the right words can be tricky. This month's newsletter is full of tips and resources to make finding the best words and talking points much easier. We have resources for helping you start great conversations, tips on talking to children about the cost of living and a booklist for discussing financial hardship.
Plus advice on picking your way through tricky conversations about healthy eating and sex, bodies and relationships.
Secondary Parent Webinars Poster 2022.23. Education Wellbeing Service (2).pdf
Parent_and_Carers_Infographic.pdfLiving Support campaign
With more people being expected to come into hardship due to the rising cost of living in 2022, Richmond Council has developed a campaign to help de-mystify and de-stigmatise hardship support and to empower and enable residents to access the support they need.
You can help support the campaign by sharing the assets and social media copy below on your own channels.
Visit the Richmond Cost of Living Hub
Resources
The Richmond Cost of Living Hub has gathered information about lots of schemes, benefits and support services - both national and local - into one place. Residents can either browse the information on our website or use our helpful calculator, that will tell them exactly which scheme or support they may be able to access.
You can also sign up to email updates on cost of living support to receive useful information and tips straight to your inbox.
Where people cannot access the internet, we are encouraging them to ask a family member, friend or caregiver to help and look at the information for them. Alternatively, they can visit their local library and a staff member will be able to help them use a computer to find out what you could be entitled to.
Help for Households
The Government has launched the 'Help for Households’ scheme. The homepage brings together over 40 support schemes that the public can access, depending on eligibility, including help with:
Household costs
Energy Bills
Childcare costs
Income support
Transport costs
Additionally, a range of online tools will help citizens quickly and efficiently check the support they might be eligible for and how to access it.
Term Dates 2022-2023
Full term dates and Inset day information is available on the website:
Spring Term 1: Wednesday 04 January 2023-Friday 10 February 2023
Half-Term: Monday 13 February-Friday 17 February
Spring Term 2: Monday 20 February**-Friday 31 March
**INSET Days: Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 February