RTS Parents' Newsletter 30 June 2023

Head Teacher's Message

We said our final farewell to Year 11 on Tuesday evening at their Graduation Ceremony. This was very much a celebration of them and their achievements during their time at RTS. We have had some wonderful feedback on what a joyous and uplighting evening it was. The students were certainly dressed to impress and staff had worked incredibly hard on transforming both the sports hall and the Atrium into wonderful event spaces. It was lovely to see so many parents and carers join us - for some of those too it was their farewell to RTS after many years of fantastic support. Tommy, who was voted by staff as their valedictorian for the class of 2023, gave a truly inspiring speech and was deservedly rewarded with a standing ovation from many of his peers, staff, his own parents - and many more! It was a moving ending to wonderful evening - thank you to those who were able to attend.

There was no rest for the school though, as Wednesday saw the whole school be transported offsite for an action packed sports day over at Osterley. The PE Department organised an absolutely fantastic day for all!

I wish you all a very restful weekend ahead of entering the last two weeks of the academic year.

Ms K Dooley 

Dates for the diary

Contacting the School

If you wish to contact the school, the School Office is open (term time only):

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.

Year 11 Graduation Ceremony

Tuesday evening saw our Year 11 students, their familes and staff come together to celebrate their time here at RTS with their Graduation Ceremony. 

The evening was ably led by Ms Wright, Deputy Head and included a reflective speech by Ms Dooley, an amusing and innovative speech by Andrew Hanson, Outreach Manager, NPL (Trustee), a rousing whole audience rendition of the RTS Haka; and finished off with an inspiring, thought-provoking, and moving speech by Tommy, valedictorian for the Class of 2023. Tommy received a resounding cheer, applause and a standing ovation by many present.

The RTS Ensemble bought the house down with their rocking rendition of Elton John's 'I'm Still Standing'. Patrick (Year 7) on vocals, Seth (Year 8) on drums and accompanied by Alfie T (Year 8) on the piano were absolutely outstanding.  We are extremely fortunate to have students with such incredible talent (and nerves!) and maybe one day they will be closing at Glastobury! 

Year 11 then had their moment as they were called up by name, two by two, to receive their certificate and Class of 2023 momento from either Ms Dooley or Mr Hughes (Chair of Trustees). It is such a proud moment for both them to shine and for their families to celebrate all that they have achieved. 

Please do enjoy just a small selection of photos that were taken of the evening. If you took any on the night that you wish to share for our archives, please send them to Ms Munro, Head Teacher's Executive PA via pa@rts.richmond.sch.uk.

RTS Bake Sale

This week, in support of Pride Month, the RTS Pride Hub and EDI ambassadors successfully raised nearly £90 in aid of the charity MindOut, who provide mental health services. Chloe, Evie, Alice, Molly, Heidi, Laila and Lilly worked exceptionally hard in helping to organise, bake and sell cakes to the school during their lunch break - well done girls!

Supplies Needed!

The Design Technology department are asking for any unwanted timber scraps left over from house or garden projects and DIY. Any of- cuts of hardwoods, softwoods or boards (no chip board please) would be much appreciated for our students to use. A great excuse to clear out those sheds! 

Please drop them off in Reception, or if you have a large amount, contact the school to arrange delivery or we might be able to arrange collection. Thank you in advance.

FORTS Information

Pre-loved Uniform

As we are now into the final term of the academic year and Year 11s will soon be completing their exams and leaving the school, we are looking for donations of good condition pre-loved uniforms to sell onto our current and new parents.

If you have any uniform, please send drop it off at Reception during school hours. Thank you.

Recruitment Drive

We need your help!  The school's parent teacher association, Friends of RTS or FoRTS, needs parent volunteers to step forward to take the following key roles:

If you want to have a chat about any of the roles, or have any queries about FoRTS, please don't hesitate to contact either of us.

Your FoRTS team,

Carmelle (Chair and Secretary) and Mark (Treasurer)

General: forts@rts.richmond.sch.uk Parking: fortsparking@rts.richmond.sch.uk

Uniform: fortsuniform@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: 

Hounslow Early Help Assessment

NSPCC:

Speak to a counsellor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Local News - Please note RTS does not endorse items included as Local News

FUEL: Holiday Activity and Food programme - Summer 2023 - bookings open!

Bookings have opened for the Summer 2023 FUEL Holiday Activity and Food programme!

FUEL provides free activities and food for children whose parents are eligible for benefits- related Free School Meals during the Easter, Summer and Winter school holidays. 

If your child is eligible, you should have been given a 17 digit FUEL code either from your child’s school or us. If you think your child may be eligible but you haven’t got a code, email the FUEL team at: fuel@achievingforchildren.org.uk. 

If you have your code, you can book on to sessions now: https://kr.afcinfo.org.uk/pages/community-information/information-and-advice/fuel-holiday-activities-and-food-programme 

The Lighthouse Project

We are delighted to be able to let you know that The Lighthouse Project, our youth club provision for young people with additional needs, has an extended offer over the summer holidays where we will be running our session for 4 hours rather than just 2!! Every Thursday 4:30-8:30pm we will be providing a safe, quiet, supportive environment for young people to socialise during summer and lead them onto other opportunities to access guidance and positive activities.

Throughout the summer we will be offering various different activities along with food and lots of fun!!!! 

Please see the flyer attached and if you would like to ask any questions feel free! Booking is done via our eventbrite link in the flyer and parents are asked to contact us to discuss the young person and their needs before attendance so we can ensure it is the right session for all! 

Lighthouse Project.pdf
Richmond School Boys Poster 2023.pdf
Richmond School Girls Sept 2023.pdf

Dramacube  Holiday Activities

Calling all young performers, aspiring film-makers and creative writers....we have a spectacular summer lined up for you!

Dramacube's team of Artistic Directors, Choreographers, Drama Teachers and Film Crews will be a running a series of movie and musical theatre inspired events & workshops across the summer.

Fill your child's summer school holidays with our popular 2 or 3 day Musical Theatre and Movie-Makers Workshops.

Sing, perform and get creative in our full day workshops in Esher, Walton or Hampton Hill.

BOOK NOW

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Join us in the West End!

This weekend, our talented young casts will be performing a West End Showcase at Wonderville Theatre, London.

 Let them entertain you with a spectacular show filled with songs from your favourite musicals.

BUY TICKETS

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Watch and enjoy the Alice in Wonderland films our budding movie-makers created as part of Love Walton's Film Festival.

WATCH THE FILMS

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Like to step behind - or in front - of the camera?

Come join our Movie Makers Summer Workshops!

BOOK A WORKSHOP

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Let It Grow! Let It Grow! 

Enter our poetry competition and you could win prizes for you and your school PLUS the winning poem will be featured on a flower planter on Hampton High Street.

The competition proudly supports The Big Green Week and closes on 30th June.

ENTER NOW

We look forward to seeing you this Summer!

The Dramacube Team

Summer Flyer 2023 - Richmond - Print.pdf

School Uniform Suppliers - Summer Appointments 

SchoolDays - Whitton High St

From 1st June, SchoolDays will again be operating an appointment system during the summer months.

Book your slot early to avoid disappointment at : https://schooldaysllp.co.uk/index.php/booking-form/ 

Stevensons

Stevensons have released this year's appointment booking information. 

01_164_RICHMOND UPON THAMES_TWICK(22).pdf

They are also looking for young people to work in their Twickenham branch over the summer months. 

01_164_03_Summer_Temps_V2.pdf

School Holiday Solutions for Parents of Older Children

We know parents are often looking for activities for their older children to take part in to break up the long school holidays and our BX+ programme provides a great solution for 12-14 year olds.

The BX+ course gives young people the chance to gain key skills and insight into what it's like to work as a member of staff at a summer camp. This is a great way to engage the older kids at camp as they reach the next developmental stage. They'll get to do all the fun activities on offer whilst also gaining key life skills and work experience. They’ll also receive a booklet about their time with us and a certificate, both of which are a superb addition to their record of achievement.

We’re pleased to be able to offer parents of your school an exclusive discount code
 Parents will receive £20 off a booking at their local camp with the code SCHOOL20.

Full details can be found here https://www.barracudas.co.uk/activities/bxplus-13-14-years/

And that's not all - we also accept ALL Childcare Vouchers and Tax-Free childcare. 

MET in the park

Monday 21 August 2023, Old Deer Park, Richmond, 12:00-18:00

Come along to meet:

PosterA407 (1).pdf

Access All Areas: Transition and Local Offer fair

Achieving for Children and TAG Youth Club are organising a transitions event on 10 October aimed at young people aged 14 - 25. 

There will be school groups attending and families, parents, carers and young people are invited.

This is an event for young people and their families to come together with professionals and service providers to help piece together futures.

If you are, or you care for, a young person aged up to 25, come and find out more about what’s available locally.

The event has a focus on transitions into adulthood.

Support and services attending include:

AAA 2023 flyer - FAMILIES - FINAL 05_23 (2).pdf

You will have opportunities to speak to the stall holders about their offers and take part in hands-on activities.

For more information about the event, please contact:

14-25@achievingforchildren.org.uk

For more information about TAG Youth Club, please contact:

giles@tagyouthclub.org 

Parent_and_Carers_Infographic.pdf

Term Dates 2022-2023

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

Parents' Calendar