RTS Parents' Newsletter 28 April 2023
Head Teacher's Message
It's hard to believe that it is May next week; and with it three bank holidays (the last one falling during the May/June half-term break).
We were delighted to see so many Year 8 parents/carers join us this week for our subject teacher consultation and hope that you found the sessions useful. Our student ambassadors did a great job in keeping the teachers topped up with drinks of tea, coffee and water so that they did not lose their voices! We look forward to repeating the evening all over again with Year 7 parents/carers next Wednesday.
Next week brings us a very short school week due to the bank holiday on Monday and the sixth day of NEU strike action on Tuesday. I do appreciate how challenging these days are for families and thank you for your ongoing support of our teachers and school.
Wishing you a pleasant (and hopefully sunny) long weekend.
Ms K Dooley
Dates for the diary
Monday 01 May
Bank Holiday, School closed
Tuesday 02 May
NEU Strike Action
Year 11 expected on site 08:35-15:00
Years 7-10 resources will be available
Wednesday 03 May
Early finish for students in Years 7-10 at15:00
Year 11 remain on site until 16:00
Year 7 Parent/Subject Teacher Consultation, 15:30-19:30
Monday 08 May
Bank Holiday, School closed
Monday 05 June-23 June
Year 10, AP6 examinations
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 Sporting Achievements
The RTS Netball Teams continue to blaze a trail across the borough.
We are so delighted and proud that our Year 8 team have won the league!
As with all sporting success it was not just the final team of Eloise, Kiana, Adrienne, Elena, Henny, Elsie, Evie and Gloria that played to victory; congratulations and well done to Annabelle, Izzy B, Mollie R, Lianna, Lauren, Abbigail, Jess W, Laura and Jayden who have also played in the team over the season.
Thank you also to parental support and Miss Sloman and Ms Chidlow for all of their encouragement and time given for training, driving the minibus, setting up games and everything else too!
Outside of school four of our Year 11 students competed with their teams in the Surrey Cup Final - London Irish vs Rosslyn Park. It was another tough game resulting in a draw - however, because London Irish scored first they won the tournament! Congraulations to Louis, Luca, James R. and Mason.
More outside school news - Albert in Year 9 recently travelled to Alicante for beach volleyball training.
Albert had an amazing time and even got to train with Spain's Olympic Silver medallist, Javier Bosma. Whilst at the training camp most of Albert's training was in Spanish - which he has found really helpful on his return to school and Spanish lessons.
On his return Albert took part in the National Indoor Volleyball Cup finals, narrowly missing out on a gold medal to bring home a silver medal.
Huge congratulations to Albert and we are sure that there is more to come from him.
Foodbank Update
Thank you to everyone who was able to support by sending in students with food donations for The Richmond Trussell Trust. They were extremely grateful for all of the donations and let us know that it will really help people who are struggling right now.
The Trussell Trust has a network of more than 1,300 food bank centres in the UK and they provide a minimum of three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food to people who have been referred, as well as support and advice to help people maximise their incomes and lift themselves out of poverty.
Thank to Ms Razak for organising this donation drive.
Requests for Materials
We have a need for any spare flower pots - 8 Madiba are growing sunflowers and their little plants need new homes. Any pots welcome, plastic or ceramic. Please ask students to drop them off in Reception.
The Art Department are looking for any cardboard and other packaging materials (bubble wrap etc.) in order that Year 9 can produce a project making their own ink stamps. Anything with a texture would be most welcome. Again, please ask students to drop items off in Reception.
Thank you in advance!
RTS Kitchen
Next week we will see celebrations start to begin in anticipation of the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday 06 May. As always, the RTS Kitchen team have thrown themselves into planning a celebratory menu for students and staff to enjoy - including their take on the Coronation Quiche and Coronation Chicken. We hope to share photographs with you next week!
FORTS NEWS
Red Roses six nations - Saturday 29 April
Rugby parking is our biggest money maker for FoRTS fundraising. Another game is scheduled this weekend. If you can spare a couple of hours to marshall pre-booked parking and on the day arrivals, please email Rob on fortsparking@rts.richmond.sch.uk.
PTA Recruitment - we need you!
Into the final term and we are looking for more volunteers to join our small group.
There are many benefits in joining FoRTS, including making friends, learning new skills, showing your child that you are interested in their education, and helping to buy equipment that will directly benefit your child.
It’s also fun coming up with ideas for events for the children or the parents. It’s a great opportunity to be involved in creating wonderful memories for a whole cohort of school families. There are only 3 main events in the academic year so not a great amount of your time is taken up.
If we can share the workload we’ll have more time for the fun stuff!
We are looking for Dads, Mums, Carers or Grandparents that can spare a small amount of time mainly for the following roles: Secretary, Treasurer, Marketing. If you have any experience in these areas, however small, please contact Carmelle on fortssecretary@rts.richmond.sch.uk.
Your FoRTS team,
Carmelle (Chair & Secretary), Mark (Treasurer)
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
Dramacube - West End Showcase
Love musicals? Don’t miss out on a place in this special West End Showcase!
Dramacube’s GREATEST SHOWMEN (professional Artistic Director & Choreographer) will be working with SIX young casts to produce a show where they WILL ROCK YOU with performances inspired from popular West End shows.
This WICKED, musical theatre project is for GUYS & DOLLS aged 8-18 years who enjoy singing, dancing and performing.
Weekly rehearsals start from the 13th May in Hampton Hill, Twickenham and Esher.
MAMMA MIA! The final performances will be in the West End of London at Wonderville Theatre!
Every child who signs up will get to perform - but places are limited!
SIGN UP AT https://www.dramacube.co.uk/
Thames Water Petition
We have been asked by a local resident to share this petition opposing Thames Water's plan to release treated sewage into the River Thames at Teddington. Many local residents may already be aware of this and/or attended the consultations.
Parenting Newsletter
The Positive Parent Project's monthly newsletter focuses this month on children's friendships and when they cause problems.
May Half-Term Camp
Looking for a May Half-Term for younger children with an older sibling at RTS? Then Mr Bowie's camp is for you! A local primary school teacher himself, Mr Bowie has been running sports camps at RTS now for a while and the camps are a huge hit with the children who attend.
Contact Mr Bowie for full details.
Stevensons Uniform Suppliers - Summer Appointments
Stevensons are looking ahead to September and have released this year's appointment booking information.
They are also looking for young people to work in their Twickenham branch over the summer months.
Workshop on Puberty and Autism
Please see below details of a free workshop on Puberty and Autism being run by Ruils Family Matters service, on 11th May at the Peter and Paul Centre, Teddington. This workshop is free for parents in the borough of Richmond who have a young person with additional needs.
When: Thursday 11 May, 10.30am
Where: Peter and Paul Centre, Teddington
What: This Family Matters talk is on the subject of Puberty. Going into puberty can be scary for parents and children alike. This session offers information about puberty and how it might be different for autistic young people.
The session will be delivered by Robyn Steward. Robyn is autistic and has been delivering fun, informative and practical training to professionals and parent / support groups for over 15 years. She has written 3 books 'The Independent Woman’s Handbook for Super Safe Living on the Autistic Spectrum', 'The Autism Friendly Guide to Periods' and 'The Autism Friendly Guide to self employment'. Robyn is also co-host of BBC Sound’s 1800 seconds on Autism.
To book a free place, please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/family-matters-workshop-managing-puberty-tickets-530311946307
We provide Family Matters, our parents support service, in Richmond and Hounslow. Our Family Matters Advisors provide practical support, advice and information to families with children with disabilities and/or additional needs who are feeling under pressure or who are experiencing difficulties.
We will
Listen to your worries and experiences in a non-judgmental way
Work with you to identify what is working and what is not working
Support you to focus on areas of family life that you find challenging and will work with you to identify steps to address some of these difficulties
Provide you with information on activities and services and will support you to access them.
To find out more about our Richmond service contact Surabhi Dhondiyal on 07376277779 or contact Martha Fong on 07944 902 794 or email familymatters@ruils.co.uk
To find out more about our Hounslow service contact Alka Tripathi on 07376 354 638 alkatripathi@ruils.co.uk.
Term Dates 2022-2023
Full term dates and Inset day information is available on the website:
Summer Term 1: Monday 17 April-Friday 26 May
Bank Holidays: Monday 01 May and Monday 08 May