RTS Parents' Newsletter

RTS Parents' Newsletter 27 January 2023

Head Teacher's Message

It was such a pleasure to see so many Year 11 parents on site on Wednesday for our first face-to-face parent teacher consultations in over 3 years. It was the right decision to make this particular event in person and the feedback that we have had from parents has been particularly positive and supportive. The next few weeks are so important for this year group and conversations between student, parents and school can make a huge difference and impact.

As I mentioned last week, we are delighted that the RTS Sports Building has finally received full funding and has been approved to commence. Please see the plans on the RTS Website here.

Ms K Dooley

Dates for the diary

Wednesday 01 February
- NEU Strike (check email as to how this affects your child/ren)
- Year 9 Options Evening, 18:00-20:00
Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 February
- INSET Days: School closed to all students for staff training
Wednesday 22 February 2023
- Early finish at 14:00 for all students
- Parent/Subject Teacher Subject Consultations for Year 9, 14:30-19:30
- 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.

Holocaust Memorial Day

During the week all year groups have received assemblies on the topic of Holocaust Memorial Day which takes place on Saturday 27 January. The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT) encourages remembrance in a world scarred by genocide. They promote and support Holocaust Memorial Day – the international day on 27 January to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the millions of other people killed under Nazi persecution of other groups; and during more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. 27 January marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp.

On Tuesday, Ms Tania took a group of Year 8 students to the Richmond Synagogue. They met and listened to the life events of a holocaust survivor called Annick Lever. Students split into two groups and took part in a workshop in the Synagogue. To end the event students lit candles to remember the lives of the people who died during the holocaust. The students found the visit extremely informative and moving.

Enrichment Fun

This week we are sharing with you the Year 7 Masterchef enrichment led by Head of Year 7, Mr Singh. Exploring South East Asian cuisine Mr Singh introduced the budding chefs to Thai basil chilli chicken with rice and Thai basil chilli quorn (for the vegetarians). The smell around school was mouthwatering and those students taking part thoroughly enjoyed making and, more importantly, eating this dish!

FORTS NEWS

Rugby is back!

The International 6-Nations rugby is back at Twickenham Stadium with more opportunity for us to raise another substantial amount for the school. The 1st match is Saturday 4th February and volunteer marshals are required in 2-hour slots from 11.30am-7.30pm. If you can spare some time and would like to meet a fun group of parents please sign up here.

Silent Auction

Thank you for all the bids for the 3 remaining items from the school Christmas Fair. The winners will be notified today (Friday 27 January).

Shopping Online – easyfundraising and Amazon Smile

Unfortunately we have been advised by AmazonSmile that they are stopping the programme on 20 February 2023. We will continue to raise funds from people shopping online using easyfundraising, so please sign up if you haven’t already. It won't cost you any extra, the cost is covered by the brand. If you set up a donation reminder, you will always be prompted when you are on a site where donations can be generated. Thank you as always.

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

Saving Food Waste

The Real Junk Food Project first opened its doors at ETNA Community Centre in June 2018. Today with a team of over 70 volunteers, the Community Café and food surplus hub is open 3 days a week at ETNA Community Centre; a food surplus hub is open 1 day a week outside Noble Green Wines, Hampton Hill; and 2 days a week at Linden Hall, Hampton, offering a food surplus hub and Takeaway Café. The project collects food from restaurants, retailers (such as Tesco, Waitrose, Cavan Bakery, Harris & Hoole and Lidl) and also from allotment surplus. The food is used to prepare fresh and healthy meals, and a typical menu will consist of a home-made soup; a choice of main dishes including vegetarian and vegan options; and a dessert. Coffee, tea, smoothies and a wide choice of cakes and sweet pastries are usually available. Any surplus food is redistributed in a number of ways. The food surplus hub enables visitors to take home food; and, some is taken to other charities and organisations in the local community, including homeless charities.

Other options on saving food from going to waste are apps like, Too Good To Go: their anti-food waste app lets you rescue delicious, unsold food from businesses to save it from going to waste. In turn, the app powers our efforts to build an anti-food waste movement.

Living 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.

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.pdf

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

Parents' Calendar

Page updated

Report abuse