RTS Parents' Newsletter 28 January 2022
Head Teacher's Message
It has been a busy week - I think I tempted fate last week by saying that this is usually a quiet period of reflection! Sporting fixtures have dominated the week with boys' football matches every afternoon/evening; and also the girls taking part in a volleyball tournament mid-week. The GCSE French Mock Oral exams have taken place this week and I am sure that those students involved are looking forward to a break this weekend after 3 weeks of revising for and sitting exams. Teachers are working hard on marking and moderating the exams ready for the Mock Results day on Friday 11 February. In assemblies this week Ms Carrick-Steele has shared information around Holocaust Memorial Day - which was yesterday.
As of Thursday 27 January, England returned to the government's Plan A and face coverings are no longer advised for students, staff and visitors in communal areas. However students and staff will be expected to follow wider advice on face coverings outside of school, including on transport to and from school. As a school however we are still experiencing new cases daily amongst students and staff; so I would please encourage you all to continue testing where possible and to stay safe.
Ms K Dooley
Dates for the diary
Wednesday 02 February: Year 9 Options Evening (In school)
Friday 04 February: Be Internet Workshop - Year 9
Wednesday 09 February: Year 11 Subject Teacher Evening (Remote)
Wednesday 09 February: Whole School Early finish at 14:05 (no period 5 or 6) due to Subject Evening above
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.
Assembly Topics
Assemblies for the coming week and next are as follows:
Vertical House Assembly - Stoop: The Six Nations (rugby)
LGBTQ+ figures in history
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.
Remember that if at anytime you need additional kits you can order them free of charge via the following link.
RTS Art Gallery
This week in Art with Ms Williams, the Year 7 students have been looking at the formal element - Line. Here are some wacky portraits drawn with a continuous line (without lifting their pencil off the paper). The students found this a fun project to complete!
RTS School Production
As promised, Ms Charles has shared with us, and you, a sneak peak of rehearsals for the RTS school production of 'The Lion King'. Please put the dates of 21-23 March in your diaries, as, if this short snippet is anything to go by, we are all in for an absolute treat. We are so excited!
The RTS Way
We are delighted to share that Cyrus, Year 11, led his U16 basketball team, Richmond Knights, to the final of the National League Cup at the National Basketball Performance Centre in Manchester last Saturday.
He captained the team well, but they were sadly defeated by a very strong Islington Panthers. It was the first time in his club's history that they made the finals!
We are extremely proud of Cyrus and his achievements outside of school. If you would like to read a bit more about the game and even watch it - please follow the links below. Thank you to Cyrus' parents for sharing this information and footage with us.
Here are the team being celebrated on The Richmonder Sportist
And here is the full game with professional commentary from Basketball England
Year 9 - Be Internet Citizens workshop.
We are very excited to be hosting a Be Internet Citizens for the whole of Year 9 next Friday, 04 February. Year 9 parents/carers have been sent an email with full details; however we feel that it is great for the whole school community to be aware of what each year group is being offered in addition to their curriculum.
The workshop is organised by a group from Be Internet Citizens (YouTube) and Parent Zone in conjunction with the school. It will teach students to develop the skills, tools and attitudes they need to thrive online and help them create a safe, exciting web where they can connect and create. Through fun, challenging and above all, realistic activities, the day aims to encourage students to have a positive voice online, reflecting their experiences of the online world.
The workshop will be run by experienced trainers and be highly interactive and engaging. Workshop topics include:
How to decide whether content is reliable or misleading
How bias and social ‘bubbles’ influence us – without us even realising
How to handle negativity and respond safely to hate and abuse
What it really means to be a digital citizen
Sporting Fixtures
It has been a busy week in the PE Department facilitating a match or a tournament every day this week - often in grey, damp, cold weather!
Monday - Year 9 boys played football against Cardinal Vaughan. It was a good outing and we won 1 & drew 1 (picture 1)
Tuesday - Year 10 boys played football against Cardinal Vaughan. We had success with 2 wins to start the season and it was good to see both new and old faces back playing in the team (picture 2)
Wednesday - Year 11 boys played football against Cardinal Vaughan losing to a tough side; and we also had the U13 and U15 girls volleyball tournament at Orleans Park. The team are new to volleyball and although they showed determination, they didn't come back with a win.
Thursday 27 Jan - Year 10 boys football against Twickenham School; and
Friday 28 Jan - Year 7 boys football against Cardinal Vaughan
Lego Success!
A massive congratulations to our team of boys from Years 7 and 8 in winning the robot programming trophy from the First Lego League competition last Saturday!
The event was the culmination of their enrichment since September where the boys entered a competition held at the Bechtel offices in London. The boys were required to deliver 3 individual presentations and compete with their programmable robot that they built to complete challenges against other schools. We are so proud of Justin, George, Omer, Harry, Jude, Huw and Robert and their achievements. Mr Livermore and Ms Emms report that they were all incredibly confident talking about their projects and enjoyed every minute of the experience. We look forward to competing again next year!
Parent Trustee Election
Following the recent correspondence regarding the Parent Trustee Election, we are pleased to report that there was one candidate for the position of parent trustee; and therefore they have been elected unopposed.
You can read more about the successful candidate, below:
Laura Williams (parent of child in Year 9)
I work for a local housing association and support families sustain their tenancy, ensuring they are receiving support with vulnerabilities. I work with agencies including social services, police and attend multi agency meetings across Richmond. My knowledge of safeguarding, support referrals and supporting vulnerable adults and children is strong.
I also work with 6 schools as a Governing Board Clerk. I have knowledge of local external provisions, interventions and support available to students and understand the skills required as a Trustee and attend regular training. I support Boards to have an effective, skilled, knowledgeable Board that reflects the school's community.
I am sure you will join us in congratulating Ms Williams and wishing her all the best in her new role.
FORTS NEWS
Second-hand School Uniform
We are planning on having a small stand of second-hand school uniform on Wednesday 02 February at the Year 9 GCSE Options Evening. We plan to be there for about an hour at the beginning of the evening. Payments will be card only. We will share a price list and availability of items in advance of the evening. We will also be able to accept any donations that are clean and in good condition.
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!
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)
COVID Pop Up Clinic
Christ's School, Richmond will be holding a COVID-19 Vaccination Pop Up Clinic on Saturday 29 January 2022. Please see the flyer for details of the event and the booking link. Parents can book an appointment online or call the team on 0208 614 5306.
Christ's School Vaccine Flyer 29.01.2022.pdfLocal News - Please note RTS does not endorse items included as Local News
The Wild Mind
The Wild Mind Project is offering FREE emotional and mental wellbeing support in a confidential and safe green space, for the young LGBTQ+ community (aged 16-25).
During a typical session we will include conservation work or gardening, followed by a creative activity such as painting, weaving, lino-cutting or cooking on an open fire. We use this opportunity to chat and share.
“The concept is amazing, the activities are really enriching and really well thought out. The mixture of learning, creating and then sharing was really stimulating to engage my anxious mind”, a young person who attended our programme.
Importantly, the group form a supportive network of new friends that last beyond the programme.
Twickenham: The programme starts on Sun 13 February and runs for 5 weeks from 10.30am-12.30pm at Heatham House (a minutes walk from Twickenham station).
For further information please see visit our website, contact us by email or phone 01273 230102.
Young people can book a place on the programme by completing our online Booking Form or there is a Referral Form available.
LGBTQ_Twickenham_v1_22_02_2.pdfJigsaw 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.
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 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 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 drop in coffee mornings 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