Head Teacher's Message

This week has been extremely quiet around school as students have focused on their AP3 formal assessments. They have approached the assessments with a calmness and maturity which is a real pleasure to see.

Looking ahead, I will be holding my next Head Teacher's Surgery on Wednesday 01 December 2021. This will be held remotely and details of how to book were shared with all parents/carers on Wednesday 24 November via email. Myself, and members of the SLT, look forward to speaking to you remotely on a one to one basis on any issues that you are interested in or worried about.

Ms Charles has announced the cast for next year's production of The Lion King - congratulations to all those students who auditioned and to those who were successful in securing a main role. The talent that we have in school is incredible and students put their heart and soul into their auditions. Although there cannot be a main role for everyone, Ms Charles has ensured that all students that auditioned have a role in the production somewhere. Rehearsals will take place during Spring Term Enrichment and I am looking forward to having a sneak peek!

We have a lovely tradition here at RTS at Christmas time. As a new school we have obviously had to start from scratch - and this includes providing festive decorations! Every year we invite our new Year 7 cohort (and any students that have joined throughout the year) to bring in a bauble to place on the rather large Christmas tree that will be in the school hall. It can be homemade, shop bought, colourful, representative of the students themselves; or just a simple thing. As we have grown, the tree is now becoming less green and bare and it is such a lovely sight to see. Students should bring their decorations into Reception.

Ms K Dooley

A Message from the Head Students

We would like to introduce ourselves as the inaugural Head Students at RTS; voted for by students across all year groups.

As one of our first actions in this role, we would like to do something that not only positively affects our community but is also relevant to the social issues within the school. It is crucial for students to be informed of the current issues in our modern day society, and to prepare them to be the best version of themselves both in and out of school.

As a result of the fatal events on Tuesday 12 October, we have proposed and agreed on using a non-uniform day to raise awareness and money for the Ben Kinsella Trust. Kinsella is an innovative charity that works to prevent knife crime, serious youth violence and anti-social behaviour by engaging, educating and empowering young people who have been affected by socio-economic factors and supporting them to improve their future prospects. We believe that this charity’s values align with what we think students in the school should be aware of. Their vision is a society where no family or community suffers the loss of life to knife crime. In the near future, we hope to invite a charity member into school to talk to RTS students about this charity’s work; to change young people’s attitudes about knife crime and debunk the myth that carrying a knife will protect you.

The Mufti Day will take place on Thursday 02 December 2021 and the school will be accepting donations over £1 on ParentPay as the school is unable to accept cash.

This Mufti Day will help show solidarity in the school community at a time needed more than ever and to also support those who were present and witnessed this tragedy. By fundraising for Kinsella, we can help educate RTS students about the severe consequences of knife crime and the fatal risks of carrying a knife can have, for the carrier and those around them.

We hope you will join us in your support of this Mufti Day.

Warm regards

Ana-Laura & Thuy | RTS Head Students 2021-2022

Author/Lecturer Events

On Tuesday 30 November we have Dr Martina Rodda from the University of Oxford Classics department coming to talk to Year 7 about myths and monsters. Dr Rodda is part of the Classical Conversations scheme which is an outreach programme. The event will be a digital visit and students in Ms Clark and Ms Richards class will be taking part live. Students in other classes will be able to watch the discussion in tutor time and submit questions.

On Tuesday 14 December Catherine Johnson, the author of Sawbones, our Year 8 text, will be visiting the school in person. She will be running a Year 8 creative writing workshop for selected students, taking part in a Q&A with Year 8 classes on Sawbones; and speaking to Year 10 and 11 students on decolonising and writing historical fiction.

Post-16 Information

BTEC

KS4 parents (Years 10 and 11) may find this BTEC website helpful in supporting their children with next steps Post-16. BTECs are high–quality, career–focused qualifications grounded in the real world of work.

BTEC courses focus on skills-based learning and are designed around themed units. Rather than testing everything at the end, BTECs are tested throughout the course using assessments based on real-life scenarios.

This practical approach allows learners to develop and apply the knowledge, skills and behaviours that employers and universities are looking for.

Kingston College Open Event

This event is being held on Saturday 27 November, 10am-1pm. It includes Principal’s Talks, the opportunity to talk to tutors and students, tours of the college by fantastic student ambassadors, 'have a go’ activities and the opportunity to talk to a member of the careers and additional learning support teams. The link to register is here.

Please also find below links to posters detailing the dates of some other local college events throughout this academic year. You are strongly encouraged to apply early as many of the courses become over-subscribed.

Merton College Open Events

South Thames College Open Events

Kingston College Open Events

Carshalton College Open Events

Term Dates 2021-2022

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

• Christmas break: 16 December 2021 - 04 January 2022