RTS Parents' Newsletter 21 January 2022
Head Teacher's Message
It was great to have the Year 11 students back on site full time on Thursday following their two week period of GCSE Mock Exams - however there are still French Mock Oral Exams and Drama Script Workshops to be completed over the next couple of weeks and we wish those students the very best in their endeavours. We have been extremely impressed by the attitude of Year 11 and the maturity and seriousness with which they have approached these exams and look forward to sharing their results with them at the end of this half-term. This period of the Academic Year is often a quiet period as we reflect on the busyness of the previous term, complete assessments; and plan for the term and year ahead - and there is so much to look forward to. Sporting fixtures are also filling up the diary, but for most of us it is definitely a time to stay inside and stay warm!
I appreciate that it is sometimes tricky; but please can parents/carers strongly encourage their children to wear their coats to school during this spell of freezing weather - and ensure that their coats are named. We are already building up a substantial collection of lost property that we are unable to reunite with their owners.
We have also launched our Year 9 GCSE Option Programme - please do check your email today - and we are looking forward to welcoming Year 9 families into school for the Options Evening on Wednesday 02 February.
Ms K Dooley
Dates for the diary
Monday 24-Friday 28 January: Year 11 Mock MFL Oral Exams
Wednesday 02 February: Year 9 Options Evening (In school)
Wednesday 09 February: Year 11 Subject Teacher Evening (Remote - information to follow)
Wednesday 09 February: Whole School Early finish at 14:05 (no period 5 or 6) due to Subject Evening above
Assembly Topics
Assemblies for the coming week and next are as follows:
National Subject - Holocaust Memorial Day
Vertical House Assembly - Stoop
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.
RTS Art Gallery
This week the Year 8s have been finishing off their Pop Art inspired paintings of Converse trainers. Enjoy the bright colours and different renditions in these select few. Ms Williams found it hard to choose which ones to include!
To learn more about Pop Art - follow this link to the Tate.
Food Allergies
A reminder that due to a number of food allergies in school that no nuts or products containing nuts should be bought into school. We also have a member of staff with an orange peel (including satsumas and clementines) allergy. Peeled fruit (with the peel removed at home) may be bought in, just not the peel itself. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
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. Our deliveries from the DfE are delayed due to the nationwide shortage, we will distribute test kits as soon as we receive them.
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/
Government Guidance Updates
Thursday 20 January 2022
Face coverings are no longer advised for students, staff and visitors in classrooms; however should continue to be worn in communal areas and moving around the school (until 26 January)
Thursday 27 January 2022
Face coverings will no longer be advised for students, staff and visitors in communal areas.
Students and staff will be expected to follow wider advice on face coverings outside of school, including on transport to and from school.
Richmond Library Service Visit
Richmond Library Service will be visiting Year 7 on Wednesday 26 January.
They will be talking to the students about the library services available in the borough, as well as promoting their Cover Story 2021-2022 list of teen reads and Cover Story book review competition. To read more details about the competition and how to submit a review, click through to Richmond Library.
Click on the this link to discover the Cover Story online list of recommendations (for KS3), all of which are available to borrow in the borough libraries. Many of these titles are also available in the RTS library!
Accelerated Reader Challenge
This term we will be running an Accelerated Reader Challenge for Years 7, 8 and 9. Students will be encouraged to borrow a book from the library and complete the Accelerated Reader quiz once they have read it. The tutor group with the most Accelerated Reader points at the end of the term will be awarded 50 House Points and a small prize. If students require help finding a suitable book or using Accelerated Reader, we will be happy to help them in the library. Please encourage your child to take part! We have shared the challenge details via their Year Group Pages.
Spring Term Accelerated Reader Challenge.pdfParent Trustee Election
A reminder to please read the email and letter sent to all families on 10 January and again on 19 January. Our Trust Board will shortly have a vacancy for a parent trustee and the letter sets out in detail the requirements of the role and how to stand for a position.
If you would like to discuss the role and expectations placed on a new trustee at RTS, please email Kate Nepstad, the Clerk to the Trust Board via clerk@rts.richmond.sch.uk, who will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.
If you wish to stand for the position of parent trustee please submit the following details in writing, by no later than 12 noon on Wednesday 26 January, to: clerk@rts.richmond.sch.uk. Please read the letter for full details of how to apply.
FORTS NEWS
Support us as you shop online
Help us kick-start our New Year’s fundraising by signing up to easyfundraising. If we can get five new supporters by 23:59 on 06 February 2022, FoRTS will be entered into a draw to win £50. easyfundraising® is the UK’s biggest charity shopping fundraising site, it's simple to use and free. There are over 4,700 retailers to shop with, covering fashion, insurance, food & drink and travel. We also receive donations from Amazon when you use AmazonSmile.
If you prefer, you can still donate directly to FoRTS using Peoples Fundraising.
We hope to bring pictures to you soon of the items that were bought for the school last term – watch this space!
Christmas Tree Sales
As you know in December Twickenham Christmas Trees kindly donated a proportion of their sales from customers who bought their trees quoting RTS. We made £50 from this, and hopefully will build on sales this Christmas. Thank you to all who participated.
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
Richmond Girls’ Cricket Club
We are a local and inclusive girls’ cricket club which is an integrated section of Richmond Cricket Club.
Over recent years the girls’ section has been extremely successful, competing in both Middlesex and Surrey leagues (girls u10, u11, u12, u13, u14, u15 and u17). We have also been successful in national competitions, reaching the u13 & u15 National Finals.
We are starting our 2022 season with indoor winter training for the girls on Saturday afternoons 3:30pm–5:30pm. This is a great opportunity for girls to discover the sport, or continue to develop existing skills whatever their level. Our coaches are ECB level 1, 2 & 3 qualified, together with professional coaches that support the junior section in the club.
Jigsaw Performing Arts - Teddington
The new term for Jigsaw Performing Arts has begun at Waldegrave School. It is not too late to sign up!
Jigsaw Arts Teddington Eleaflet- Waldegrave School.pdfEducation, employment and training newsletter
Next Steps News is Achieving for Children’s regular newsletter designed to provide young people with the latest information on local training opportunities, useful training resources, apprenticeship vacancies and other local employment opportunities.
You can find all the latest tips and guidance, virtual events and workshops around Kingston and Richmond borough, particularly aimed at young people aged 16-25.
Next Steps News aims to find something for everyone. Every issue is jam-packed with different types of vacancies and training, as AfC wants to create the most inclusive and diverse opportunities newsletter possible.
Although aimed at young people, this newsletter has also proven useful for parents and professionals working with young people by providing them with information, advice and guidance on a wide range of opportunities within the local area.
If you would like to subscribe, please click here or email Abbie Malkinson at: abigail.malkinson@achievingforchildren.org.uk.
Supporting Children with Anxiety
Positive Parenting Project are holding an online workshop for parents of children who are experiencing anxiety on Wednesday 09 February at 7.30pm. Tickets can be booked here.
Children have experienced a massive increase in anxiety during the pandemic. With Covid still surging, daily life has become a source of worry and fear for many children.
Many parents find it incredibly hard to know what to say and how to help. Nothing we do or say seems to make a difference. And, without the right support, children’s anxiety often escalates or becomes entrenched.
This specialised Triple P® Fear-Less parenting webinar has been specifically developed to help parents cope with the challenges of parenting a child with worries or anxiety. It will help you understand what causes anxiety and will take you step-by-step through concrete strategies you can use to help reduce your child’s anxiety.
Know what to do when your child is anxious or upset.
Help your child develop a toolkit of coping skills to overcome anxiety.
Break the cycle of anxiety and avoidance.
It is relevant for any parent of a child aged 6-14 years who is concerned about their child's anxiety.
Register by Tuesday 25 January to get 22% off using the code EARLYBIRD (or via the link above). Places on the workshop are strictly limited - once they are gone, they're gone!
Richmond Parent Carer Forum
Richmond PCF has lots of events planned for the early part of 2022, with a particular focus on Parent Wellbeing. The following activities are now open for booking for Richmond PCF members via our Booking Form here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/RPCF2022Events. Please note, you must be a member of Richmond PCF to attend these events. Becoming a member is free and easy, just register here: https://www.richmondpcf.org.uk/membership/
Online Yoga
Get those endorphins flowing with our 1 hour online yoga sessions, suitable for all ability levels. Not got a yoga kit? Not a problem! Please indicate that you need a kit on the booking form and we’ll get one to you. We only have a limited number of kits available so please don’t wait to book.
Thursday 27 January, 10am
Thursday 03 February, 10am
Parent Carer Support Group
These groups will be facilitated for us by Richmond Mind and are an opportunity for parent carers to come together and share their experiences in a safe and supported environment.
Monday morning group. These will be in-person* sessions in Twickenham (venue details will be sent after booking) *Depending on updates to Covid 19 recommendations it may be necessary to move some or all of these sessions online.
Monday 31 January, 10am-11:30am
Monday 28 February, 10am-11:30am
Monday 21 March, 10am-11:30am
Wednesday evening group. These will be online sessions
Wednesday 26 January, 7:30pm-9pm
Wednesday 23 February, 7:30pm-9pm
Wednesday 23 March, 7:30pm-9pm
Walk and Talk at Kew Gardens
We’ll be meeting at Victoria Gate (the big one!) of Kew Gardens for an informal outdoor catch up.
Tuesday 22 February, 10:30am
Tuesday 08 March, 10:30am
Information Events
IPSEA Training in SEND Law – What happens Post 16?
This will be a three hour session looking at the legal framework after your child or young person with SEND turns 16 years old.
We’ll be running the session twice to include as many parents as possible:
Friday 04 February, 10am-1pm
Monday 07 February, 6:30pm-9:30pm
These sessions will be run by IPSEA/Richmond PCF and has been funded by the Local Authority in Richmond.
Themed Coffee Mornings – Communication
We’ll be hosting two drop in coffee mornings (flyer attached) in the Spring Term focusing on developing communication with children and young people with SEND. We’ll be demonstrating how to use Now & Next boards and visual timetables and sharing our own experiences of different communication strategies. We’ll be giving away Now & Next boards, visual prompts, cause and effect toys and story sacks for you to use at home. These are drop in sessions so there’s no need to book and open to all parent carers in Richmond.
Thursday 03 March, 10:30am-12pm at Barnes Methodist Church, Station Road, London, SW13 0NH
We welcome parent carers to fill out our wellbeing survey https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/RPCFWellbeing2022
Term Dates 2021-2022
Full term dates and Inset day information is available on the website:
Half Term - Monday 14-Friday 18 February 2022
Inset Days - Monday 21-Tuesday 22 February 2022